Monday, December 21, 2009
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
I'm dreaming....of a xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Tattling. I hear it once or twice a day (or 50 or 100 times) around here. Today at lunch, thankfully while my back was turned feeding the babies their veggies, I hear Noah whisper something to Caleb. Caleb's response is typical of all my children lately, "Noah, stop!" Add in great amounts of whiny inflection. Then, "Mo-om! Noah...(insert giggle)...Noah said white Christmas, naked people."
Uh - your guess is as good as mine.
We did just start watching White Christmas with them the other night. But as those who have seen this movie will confirm, there are no naked people involved.
Caleb: "Noah, stop saying that!"
Noah: "But I like to say it!"
Caleb: "Why?"
Noah: "Because it's FUNNY!"
Gotta give him that. There's just something about the word naked. Right? Please tell me my humor has not been influenced by my children!
Uh - your guess is as good as mine.
We did just start watching White Christmas with them the other night. But as those who have seen this movie will confirm, there are no naked people involved.
Caleb: "Noah, stop saying that!"
Noah: "But I like to say it!"
Caleb: "Why?"
Noah: "Because it's FUNNY!"
Gotta give him that. There's just something about the word naked. Right? Please tell me my humor has not been influenced by my children!
Monday, December 14, 2009
Can I get that to go?
It is a recent tradition for us to do Bible Trivia with the kids every Sunday night. A couple of weeks ago, Caleb was asked, "Where was Jesus when He was arrested?"
A few moments of silence.
"Um...the Olive Garden?"
Do you think we're maybe eating out too much?
A few moments of silence.
"Um...the Olive Garden?"
Do you think we're maybe eating out too much?
Thursday, December 3, 2009
5 years of Caleb
We celebrated Caleb's 5th birthday at the Children's Museum.
He got to bring a friend from school, so we had 4 blonde boys running around!
Happy birthday, Caleb!!
Sadly, I had to tell both Caleb and Sam what the cake was...
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Y don't you take a drink?
Noah's learned some new letters over the last couple of weeks:
I: The I is a springboard. Jump, jump, jump..."I can do it!!" as he dives off.
M: along with the man climbing the mountains, he gets to the top and digs for M&M's.
P: Can you see that big nose on this letter? Sniff, sniff. P-U!! Emphasis on the P, of course.
R: This letter is a pirate running - see his leg sticking out? And as he runs, he yells, "Arrrrrr!"
Y: I used this one with my oldest when he was learning - first, convince them that this is a fancy glass. You grab the handle, hold it out and say, "WHY don't you take a drink?" Use hand motions and always say the same thing, they'll get it.
More to come soon! He's learning fast.
I: The I is a springboard. Jump, jump, jump..."I can do it!!" as he dives off.
M: along with the man climbing the mountains, he gets to the top and digs for M&M's.
P: Can you see that big nose on this letter? Sniff, sniff. P-U!! Emphasis on the P, of course.
R: This letter is a pirate running - see his leg sticking out? And as he runs, he yells, "Arrrrrr!"
Y: I used this one with my oldest when he was learning - first, convince them that this is a fancy glass. You grab the handle, hold it out and say, "WHY don't you take a drink?" Use hand motions and always say the same thing, they'll get it.
More to come soon! He's learning fast.
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Guess he's ready for macaroni
I know I've had 5 when:
*The pacifier that's been behind the crib for weeks is found, given a brief dusting, and happily given to the screaming child in the crib.
*Leftover food from my oldest are passed down through the next 2 kids until it's finally gone.
*My older child has to inform me that one of the babies is crying.
*Even after being through the laundry, the waist of my pants is still creased from the muffin-top that is my stomach.
*One kleenex is used to wipe 4 runny noses.
*If the onesie is just a little wet or just a bit poopy, it's got a lot of wear left.
*I don't bother changing my spit-up stained outfit until it's time for bed.
*Toilets get flushed at certain times of the day. One in the morning, one in the evening. Unless by some miracle, someone under 7 remembers to flush.
*I make my 2-year-old do the vacuuming.
*Sometimes french fries, tomato sauce, or onion rings qualify as a serving of veggies.
*Everywhere I turn, I see a framed picture of one of my children smiling back at me.
*I have to catch myself in the process of starting to cut up my husband's steak.
*If it doesn't smell, it's clean enough.
*Sometimes trying to come up with a name ends up sounding like family role-call.
*I gear my 7-month-old's readiness for certain solids based on what I've seen him successfully consume off the floor from under the kitchen table.
*The pacifier that's been behind the crib for weeks is found, given a brief dusting, and happily given to the screaming child in the crib.
*Leftover food from my oldest are passed down through the next 2 kids until it's finally gone.
*My older child has to inform me that one of the babies is crying.
*Even after being through the laundry, the waist of my pants is still creased from the muffin-top that is my stomach.
*One kleenex is used to wipe 4 runny noses.
*If the onesie is just a little wet or just a bit poopy, it's got a lot of wear left.
*I don't bother changing my spit-up stained outfit until it's time for bed.
*Toilets get flushed at certain times of the day. One in the morning, one in the evening. Unless by some miracle, someone under 7 remembers to flush.
*I make my 2-year-old do the vacuuming.
*Sometimes french fries, tomato sauce, or onion rings qualify as a serving of veggies.
*Everywhere I turn, I see a framed picture of one of my children smiling back at me.
*I have to catch myself in the process of starting to cut up my husband's steak.
*If it doesn't smell, it's clean enough.
*Sometimes trying to come up with a name ends up sounding like family role-call.
*I gear my 7-month-old's readiness for certain solids based on what I've seen him successfully consume off the floor from under the kitchen table.
Saturday, November 7, 2009
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Sunglasses needed
Shine the light.
"For you were once darkiness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light." Ephesians 5:8
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Thursday, October 22, 2009
A little of this, a little of that.
Sam had art class today. His assignment was to draw two real animals, and then an animal that results when the two are combined.
He drew a butterfly on one side of the page.
On the other side, he drew a dinosaur.
And the beautiful animal that emerged from the two?
A dino-but.
Courtesy of Sam.
He drew a butterfly on one side of the page.
On the other side, he drew a dinosaur.
And the beautiful animal that emerged from the two?
A dino-but.
Courtesy of Sam.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
N-O-A-H
I am so excited about Noah's recent progress in "school". I started doing pre-school work with him about the time the older boys started in school, so he's been working for about 6 weeks now.
And he's learned about 15 letters!
I had to come up with some new memory tricks for Noah. So I thought I'd share what I do for each letter.
A: "Up, down, and across! Hooray for A!" Fist in the air.
B: The two loops are bees wings. Bzzzzz...says the bee!
C: "See, it has it's mouth open!"
D: "DaDEE has a big tummy!" (Brian loves this one)
E: As we count the lines going out, "One, two, threeeee....Eeeeee!"
F: This was tricky. I told him it looks like a Fffflag. And then made up a little ditty. "F is for Flag. Funny, funny flag" Stress the F sound.
G: Not yet
H: He just picked this one up on his own.
I: Not yet
J: Not yet
K: Not yet
L: Lllllick. This one has his tongue out!
M: Mmman climbs a Mmmmountain. We trace the mountains with his finger.
N: Up (Voice goes up), down (voice goes down), up (voice up again). "N,n,n,n,n" (Come down a 5 note scale). It worked.
O: Make lips round like an O. This one's pretty obvious
P: Not yet
Q: Look, it has a tail! It's so CUte!!
R: Not yet
S: Sssss says the ssssnake. And it looks like a snake, too.
T: This one's really bizarre, but I only had to tell him once; See the bridge, and a ttttiger is walking across. And you know what he's drinking? T!
U: YOU could sit inside of it!
V: Not yet
W: Not yet
X: Follow with finger and say, "X it out!"
Y: Not yet
Z: Follow with finger and say, "Zzzzip up the Z!"
He has a lot of fun going through these and after a few days of getting through all the ones he knows, I'll add one or two more.
And he's learned about 15 letters!
I had to come up with some new memory tricks for Noah. So I thought I'd share what I do for each letter.
A: "Up, down, and across! Hooray for A!" Fist in the air.
B: The two loops are bees wings. Bzzzzz...says the bee!
C: "See, it has it's mouth open!"
D: "DaDEE has a big tummy!" (Brian loves this one)
E: As we count the lines going out, "One, two, threeeee....Eeeeee!"
F: This was tricky. I told him it looks like a Fffflag. And then made up a little ditty. "F is for Flag. Funny, funny flag" Stress the F sound.
G: Not yet
H: He just picked this one up on his own.
I: Not yet
J: Not yet
K: Not yet
L: Lllllick. This one has his tongue out!
M: Mmman climbs a Mmmmountain. We trace the mountains with his finger.
N: Up (Voice goes up), down (voice goes down), up (voice up again). "N,n,n,n,n" (Come down a 5 note scale). It worked.
O: Make lips round like an O. This one's pretty obvious
P: Not yet
Q: Look, it has a tail! It's so CUte!!
R: Not yet
S: Sssss says the ssssnake. And it looks like a snake, too.
T: This one's really bizarre, but I only had to tell him once; See the bridge, and a ttttiger is walking across. And you know what he's drinking? T!
U: YOU could sit inside of it!
V: Not yet
W: Not yet
X: Follow with finger and say, "X it out!"
Y: Not yet
Z: Follow with finger and say, "Zzzzip up the Z!"
He has a lot of fun going through these and after a few days of getting through all the ones he knows, I'll add one or two more.
Friday, October 9, 2009
White top, red sweater, and blue jeans
I pledge allegiance.
To the...
Flag??
Really???
Sam, with Mom's opinion in his back pocket, made the choice to abstain from saying the Pledge of Allegiance in school. Now, he says he just stands quietly and prays.
He thanks God for the country we live in.
And that's about as far as I'll go with devotion to `my' country.
Devotion to my God is a whole different story, however. I pledge Him my allegiance, weak and human as it may be. Looking ahead with joy to my true country!
Besides, have you thought lately that as far as our nation goes, we are definitely not "under God"? Maybe "beside God" or "over God". Ask Noah, he might be able to tell you - he's learning those "under, over, next to, down, below" words.
So we're also refraining from lying.
To the...
Flag??
Really???
Sam, with Mom's opinion in his back pocket, made the choice to abstain from saying the Pledge of Allegiance in school. Now, he says he just stands quietly and prays.
He thanks God for the country we live in.
And that's about as far as I'll go with devotion to `my' country.
Devotion to my God is a whole different story, however. I pledge Him my allegiance, weak and human as it may be. Looking ahead with joy to my true country!
Besides, have you thought lately that as far as our nation goes, we are definitely not "under God"? Maybe "beside God" or "over God". Ask Noah, he might be able to tell you - he's learning those "under, over, next to, down, below" words.
So we're also refraining from lying.
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Your toast
We had toast with dinner the other night. Sam and Caleb each wanted one more piece and the rest of us were just finishing up, so I told them they could go and put their own bread in the toaster. As you will see, letting them help out in the kitchen is apparently a very rare occurrence.
Sam, after putting the bread in. "Now what do I do?"
Dad instructs him on pushing the lever all the way down.
They were standing side by side, gripping the side of the counter and staring at the toaster.
As I was enjoying my last bite of cheesy scrambled eggs, I heard Caleb jump up and the toast pop up at the exact same time. Sam start whining and throwing a full-blown fit about how "Caleb made the toast come out!! Caleb!! Stop!!"
"Sam, Caleb didn't make the toast come up when he jumped. It popped up on its own because it was done."
He calms down slightly but is still whiny.
"Then I get this one!" He grabs at the toast he can see - the other one is a bit shorter and hidden down a bit inside the toaster, being the end piece.
Then Caleb starts complaining and wondering where his is and when it will be done.
I take it out of the toaster.
"It's right here, Caleb."
His eyes light up.
"Hey look!" he announces to the family. "Both pieces came up at the SAME TIME!"
Aren't toasters AMAZING???!!
Time to start cooking lessons.
Sam, after putting the bread in. "Now what do I do?"
Dad instructs him on pushing the lever all the way down.
They were standing side by side, gripping the side of the counter and staring at the toaster.
As I was enjoying my last bite of cheesy scrambled eggs, I heard Caleb jump up and the toast pop up at the exact same time. Sam start whining and throwing a full-blown fit about how "Caleb made the toast come out!! Caleb!! Stop!!"
"Sam, Caleb didn't make the toast come up when he jumped. It popped up on its own because it was done."
He calms down slightly but is still whiny.
"Then I get this one!" He grabs at the toast he can see - the other one is a bit shorter and hidden down a bit inside the toaster, being the end piece.
Then Caleb starts complaining and wondering where his is and when it will be done.
I take it out of the toaster.
"It's right here, Caleb."
His eyes light up.
"Hey look!" he announces to the family. "Both pieces came up at the SAME TIME!"
Aren't toasters AMAZING???!!
Time to start cooking lessons.
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Happy Birthday Olé!
My gramma celebrated her 90th birthday this past weekend!
Isn't she beautiful?
We all love her.
"And in a few weeks, it'll be your turn, daughter."
A round and a round and a round we go.
Still waiting
With Caleb at the breakfast table the other day:
Mom: Did you know that Jesus could come back any day? Isn't that cool to think about?
Caleb looks out the patio doors, up into the sky.
"Well, it's not right now!" he proclaims.
Mom: Did you know that Jesus could come back any day? Isn't that cool to think about?
Caleb looks out the patio doors, up into the sky.
"Well, it's not right now!" he proclaims.
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Playing Footsie
Mom, someone's drooling on my toes.
Who. me??
Mmmm...too good to resist.
Hahaha! He doesn't even know it's me back here!
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
We're happy and we know it!
Isaac --------------------------------- Josiah
5 1/2 months
The joy of the Lord.
It certainly is my strength.
Hear Me Roar
Caleb made a lion face at school the other day. He's a professional roarer, have I mentioned?
The school psychologist came into their classroom that day and read a book to them about being scared. Then she talked about how when you feel scared, you need to find your "inner lion".
In the newsletter sent home with Caleb that day:
"Kindergartners discovered they need to find their "inner lion" when they find themselves in new places, surrounded by new faces. As a reminder to always look for our bravery from within, kindergarteners created their own lions to take home with them. Ask your child what he or she learned about being brave from their school counselor."
This is the kind of subtleness used to train worldly-minded children.
No, I do not expect anything different from a public school. I do not expect them to teach my children about relying on Jesus. I do not expect Caleb to come home quoting, "I can do all things through HIM who gives me strength." (Phil. 4:13). I am very thankful for the note that made me aware of what took place so that I could counter the worldly thoughts of SELF with TRUTH.
Have I mentioned that we're homeschooling starting next fall? This is a perfect example of why. I don't want my children under worldly instruction that comes from Satan's dominion of lies for 6+ hours each day. I want to fill their minds with Truth.
Caleb, our bravery comes from within if you have Jesus in your heart. If you've chosen to follow Him, He will give you the strength to face new and scary situations.
Trust in Him with all your heart. Don't depend on your own knowledge of the circumstances. Do everything for the glory of God and to bring honor to Him, and He will show you The Way. (paraphrase of Prov. 3:5-6). Don't worry about anything. But remember to pray when you feel anxious, praise and worship Him in prayer, and Jesus' peace, one that is so incredible that it doesn't even make sense, will comfort your heart and ease your mind in Jesus' name. (paraphrase of Phil. 4:6-7)
The devil prowls around like a roaring lion, searching out someone to devour (1 Peter 5:8). Be always on your guard. He's tricky. Something so seemingly innocent is a facade for something quite dangerous. And the classroom full of innocent children is like a tasty all-you-can-devour buffet. He likes them young and tender.
Praise the Lord, HE is the lion of Judah!
The school psychologist came into their classroom that day and read a book to them about being scared. Then she talked about how when you feel scared, you need to find your "inner lion".
In the newsletter sent home with Caleb that day:
"Kindergartners discovered they need to find their "inner lion" when they find themselves in new places, surrounded by new faces. As a reminder to always look for our bravery from within, kindergarteners created their own lions to take home with them. Ask your child what he or she learned about being brave from their school counselor."
This is the kind of subtleness used to train worldly-minded children.
No, I do not expect anything different from a public school. I do not expect them to teach my children about relying on Jesus. I do not expect Caleb to come home quoting, "I can do all things through HIM who gives me strength." (Phil. 4:13). I am very thankful for the note that made me aware of what took place so that I could counter the worldly thoughts of SELF with TRUTH.
Have I mentioned that we're homeschooling starting next fall? This is a perfect example of why. I don't want my children under worldly instruction that comes from Satan's dominion of lies for 6+ hours each day. I want to fill their minds with Truth.
Caleb, our bravery comes from within if you have Jesus in your heart. If you've chosen to follow Him, He will give you the strength to face new and scary situations.
Trust in Him with all your heart. Don't depend on your own knowledge of the circumstances. Do everything for the glory of God and to bring honor to Him, and He will show you The Way. (paraphrase of Prov. 3:5-6). Don't worry about anything. But remember to pray when you feel anxious, praise and worship Him in prayer, and Jesus' peace, one that is so incredible that it doesn't even make sense, will comfort your heart and ease your mind in Jesus' name. (paraphrase of Phil. 4:6-7)
The devil prowls around like a roaring lion, searching out someone to devour (1 Peter 5:8). Be always on your guard. He's tricky. Something so seemingly innocent is a facade for something quite dangerous. And the classroom full of innocent children is like a tasty all-you-can-devour buffet. He likes them young and tender.
Praise the Lord, HE is the lion of Judah!
Thursday, September 10, 2009
In Us We Trust
Be patient with other drivers.
Smile at the checker.
Help an older person.
Pick up and dispose of trash.
Smile and laugh more.
Have a kind word for the waitress.
Be considerate of those around you.
Mow a neighbor's yard.
Conserve your water.
Enjoy life.
Smile at the checker.
Help an older person.
Pick up and dispose of trash.
Smile and laugh more.
Have a kind word for the waitress.
Be considerate of those around you.
Mow a neighbor's yard.
Conserve your water.
Enjoy life.
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Two in!
Josiah ---- Isaac
"Hi there!"
Josiah ---- Isaac
"Octa-swing"
Isaac
"Aahh, now that I have my wipes, I can finally get in a good nap."
New Names and Numbers
It was his first day at school.
At the breakfast table: "Caleb, remember I'm gonna be in my own classroom, so I won't be able to help you if you forget your teacher's name." ~ Sam
He was so excited!
"Noah, Sam and me are going to get on the schoolbus and go to school today, so we're not gonna be here for you to play with, but you get to stay here and do special schoolwork with Mama!" ~ Caleb
He loved it. Before we were even in the house after he bounded off the bus, he was unzipping his backpack and taking out the things he made in school.
He said it was okay that he didn't learn anyone's name today because if he wanted to know their name tomorrow, he'd just read their name tag.
His favorite part of the day was doing the calendar, an activity which apparently involves counting the children in the class. He found out there's more girls than boys. I'm sure this was shocking to him.
Restaurants, Recess, and Relationships
Caleb: "Hey Sam, did you eat lunch right at your desk, or did the teacher bring in a table?"
Sam: "We ate lunch in the caf-e-teria. That's what it's called. It's kind of like a great big restaurant, and it has a kitchen in it, so that's where we got our food."
Caleb: "Oh."
Sam had a rough day. He's so outgoing and funny (to a 6-year-old anyway) that I just never think of him having trouble making friends, but apparently, that's just what happened today.
According to Sam, he asked a kid to be his friend and the boy said no.
And his least favorite thing was recess because he was just standing around watching the kids play with friends they'd known before.
"And I was the only one who didn't know ANYBODY! And we had FOUR recesses, too!"
Sam is learning to go to God with his troubles and trust in Him to provide him with some awesome friends.
One of the first things he walked in the door telling us was, "Hey Daddy, you were right. All the girls like to do is yell and scream, and just...all that kind of stuff, you know?"
And then there was, "Oh, Mom, I prayed before I ate lunch."
"You did? That's great, Sam!"
"Yeah, I just prayed in my mind, though."
"That's fine. Did you bow your head or close your eyes?"
"Uh huh. The teacher came up and asked me if I needed anything. She thought I was crying or something."
Friday, September 4, 2009
A Strong Six
He loves to climb trees.
He's missing his two front teeth.
He loves to read.
His spirit is about 20 years older than his body.
He's the family clown.
He does voice impersonations.
He loves to run fast.
He loves his bike and his scooter.
He loves to make friends and to play with his brothers.
He's a leader.
He loves to eat spinach, asparagus, and mushrooms.
He sings.
He improvises on the piano.
He has an imagination you wouldn't believe.
He likes to be trusted with responsibility.
He is the entertainment for the babies.
He invents lego creations.
He sits for hours and listens to Narnia radio theater.
He will soon be a first-grader.
His current favorite phrase is, "I'm gonna get you!"
He loves his orange crocs.
He also loves crocodiles.
He's my 6-year-old.
And I am incredibly blessed.
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Funny for four
He's my soon-to-be Kindergartener.
He has a wonderful laugh!
He is a tender-hearted nurturer.
He truly loves his brothers.
He is a heartfelt sharer.
He loves Narnia.
He loves to read words.
He loves to help.
He roars.
He loves snacks.
He loves to eat broccoli.
He has a great imagination.
He sleep-walks (with Daddy's help).
He loves hugs and kisses.
He glows under words of praise and encouragement.
He can ride a 2-wheeler.
He likes riding his new scooter.
He's my 4 1/2 year-old.
And I am so blessed!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)