I have to comment on the one of annie. That is the famous smile that I”ve been trying to capture for months now. None of my other children have mastered the art of smiling like annie does. Alex gives me the cheeser grin, Louisa can ham it up, but Annie gives me the sweet innocent “I love you Mommy” smile. I’m so glad I finally captured it.
5/31/2005
The weekend report continued.
Yesterday we took our kids to the park. The lighting conditions were pretty awesome, so I got some great pics of the kids. The ones of alex and Louisa in my photo bar are from the park yesterday. Yes I was the only mother on the playground chasing her kids around with a camera.
I have to comment on the one of annie. That is the famous smile that I”ve been trying to capture for months now. None of my other children have mastered the art of smiling like annie does. Alex gives me the cheeser grin, Louisa can ham it up, but Annie gives me the sweet innocent “I love you Mommy” smile. I’m so glad I finally captured it.
I have to comment on the one of annie. That is the famous smile that I”ve been trying to capture for months now. None of my other children have mastered the art of smiling like annie does. Alex gives me the cheeser grin, Louisa can ham it up, but Annie gives me the sweet innocent “I love you Mommy” smile. I’m so glad I finally captured it.
5/30/2005
The weekend report
Saturday: Jory and I went to Home Depot and picked up some stuff to work on our yard with. We are finally the proud owners of a wheelbarrow. How we survived for 2 years in this house without one is beyond me.
The kids certainly had fun trying it out.
Saturday afternoon was pretty productive, we got quite a few dead tree limbs out of the trees. It feels good to know that they aren’t going to fall on someone.
Sunday we went to church. It was our last Sunday for Sunday school. I don’t know whether to be relieved, or sad. I enjoyed my class, but I’m ready for a break. I have a few weeks before I start getting ready for bible school, which is in July. Sunday afternoon was very lazy. I sat and read most of the afternoon. I found this neat book at the library called Under God, by Toby Mac and Michael Tait. It’s a collection of narratives about how the Christian faith has influenced so much of American history. It’s so neat to see God’s guidance and protection over the course of the last 400 years.
I took some pictures of the girls, trying to get new pictures to put in my photobar. I"ll try to get them up at some point today
The kids certainly had fun trying it out.
Saturday afternoon was pretty productive, we got quite a few dead tree limbs out of the trees. It feels good to know that they aren’t going to fall on someone.
Sunday we went to church. It was our last Sunday for Sunday school. I don’t know whether to be relieved, or sad. I enjoyed my class, but I’m ready for a break. I have a few weeks before I start getting ready for bible school, which is in July. Sunday afternoon was very lazy. I sat and read most of the afternoon. I found this neat book at the library called Under God, by Toby Mac and Michael Tait. It’s a collection of narratives about how the Christian faith has influenced so much of American history. It’s so neat to see God’s guidance and protection over the course of the last 400 years.
I took some pictures of the girls, trying to get new pictures to put in my photobar. I"ll try to get them up at some point today
5/27/2005
The Alex-gator and other news
Gotta love the 2 year old. He cracks me up on a regular basis. Lately he’s had this “alligator” – he uses his hand as a puppet, opening and closing the palm of his hand to “talk”. We call it the “alex-gator”. Lately this Alex-gator has been a very bad influence on my son. He tells Alex to bite people and take their toys. Hmmmmmmm. But it’s so funny to watch alex carry on conversations with his hand
Alex-gator: “you need to bite mommy!”
Alex: “No! I don’t need to bite mommy, I need to give her a pat!”
Alex-gator: “A pat?” (he raises his voice in this rather humorous imitation of voice inflexion)
Alex: “ok, I will go give her a pat” at which point he comes over and pats my arm.
You wouldn’t believe how many incidents get blamed on that poor alligator.
My neighbor brought over a bike for alex (one that his grand daughter had outgrown). My poor kid wants to ride it so bad, but he just can’t figure out the circular motion of the peddles. So basically I just push him up and down the driveway. He doesn’t seem to mind that it’s pink and has streamers coming out of the handlebars. I”ll try to get pics of him on ittoday.
Last but not least, 3 of my 4 ebay auctions sold since the last time I checked. The best part is that I sold them all to the same person. LOVE THAT. I guess it was worth the time to hyperlink them all together.
Alex-gator: “you need to bite mommy!”
Alex: “No! I don’t need to bite mommy, I need to give her a pat!”
Alex-gator: “A pat?” (he raises his voice in this rather humorous imitation of voice inflexion)
Alex: “ok, I will go give her a pat” at which point he comes over and pats my arm.
You wouldn’t believe how many incidents get blamed on that poor alligator.
My neighbor brought over a bike for alex (one that his grand daughter had outgrown). My poor kid wants to ride it so bad, but he just can’t figure out the circular motion of the peddles. So basically I just push him up and down the driveway. He doesn’t seem to mind that it’s pink and has streamers coming out of the handlebars. I”ll try to get pics of him on ittoday.
Last but not least, 3 of my 4 ebay auctions sold since the last time I checked. The best part is that I sold them all to the same person. LOVE THAT. I guess it was worth the time to hyperlink them all together.
5/26/2005
Hard work is good for the soul
What is it about a good hard work that makes you feel so alive? This morning I went out to do some yard work. Lots of weeding, a little pruning here and there, some sweeping, and more weeding (you wouldn’t believe how weeds flourish in my soil). My neighbor Henry had to come over and tell me to take it easy, or I”d wear myself out. But I was just getting started. I tell you I was a mad woman. After 2+ hours of yard work, I feel such a sense of accomplishment. Physically I’m a little tired, but emotionally I feel so alive; invigorated.
Routines
It’s funny how quickly routines change. Especially in my house, because the routine revolves around the kids needs. So I thought I”d record our current routine so I can look back at it someday. I imagine it’d make a good scrapbook page, but by the time I get around to recording this routine, the routine will have changed.
7:00-ish Alex wakes up, Jory gets up and gets him some yogurt (Alex has that every single morning) Jory goes to shower
7:30 – ish Alex finds his way back to our room where I’m still sleeping (hopefully!) The girls wake up, Jory goes in and gets them up and brings them into our room. They play on the bed while I wake up a little.
7:45 Jory leaves for work, I get up. Change all 3 diapers, feed the girls
8:00 I jump on the internet to check messages, while the children systematically destroy the house.
9:00 The girls take a nap, and I start my morning project. Projects include cleaning, yard work, alex’s “school”, scrapbooking, misc. computer stuff, (today after I write this, I’m working on a reading sequence checklist. I hope that having a checklist will make me more organized when it’s time to start teaching the girls.) While I’m working on my project, Alex is watching a movie (the only time the tv is on during the day) or playing outside if I’m outside too
12:00 If the girls aren’t up already, they wake up for lunch. Jory comes in, and I cook lunch for everyone. I usually try to make something hot, but sometimes we settle for sandwiches.
12:45 Jory goes back to work, I attempt to find something that can be accomplished with the girls awake. (side note – the girls are both incredibly clingy. I’m normally holding at least one the entire time they are awake – unless jory is home)
2:00 EVERYONE NAPS! The kids all go lay down, I check my messages (again) and relax a little before diving in on my afternoon project. Today my afternoon project will probably be working on my Sunday school curriculum for next year (trying to organize my lesson sequence so I know which topics will be covered – unless I get a whole new curriculum – which means that I”ll start all over!)
5:00 if the kids aren’t up already, they get up for dinner. Jory comes in from work
5:30 dinner. If jory had to work late, or stops to get groceries on the way home I feed the kids first, and wait until they are in bed to eat.
6:30 – 7:15 cleaning frenzy. This is really the only point in the day where I can clean. Jory keeps the kids out of my hair, so I can pick up toys, wash dishes, any misc. cleaning that needs to happen.
7:15 girls go to bed
7:30 Mommy and Alex time. Usually we read stories, but sometimes we play games on the computer or do a puzzle or something
8:00 Alex goes to bed
8:01 I crash! J I usually read, watch tv, or shower. Nothing that requires a lot of thinking, or physical effort
10:00 bed for mama. Just to do it all over in the morning
7:00-ish Alex wakes up, Jory gets up and gets him some yogurt (Alex has that every single morning) Jory goes to shower
7:30 – ish Alex finds his way back to our room where I’m still sleeping (hopefully!) The girls wake up, Jory goes in and gets them up and brings them into our room. They play on the bed while I wake up a little.
7:45 Jory leaves for work, I get up. Change all 3 diapers, feed the girls
8:00 I jump on the internet to check messages, while the children systematically destroy the house.
9:00 The girls take a nap, and I start my morning project. Projects include cleaning, yard work, alex’s “school”, scrapbooking, misc. computer stuff, (today after I write this, I’m working on a reading sequence checklist. I hope that having a checklist will make me more organized when it’s time to start teaching the girls.) While I’m working on my project, Alex is watching a movie (the only time the tv is on during the day) or playing outside if I’m outside too
12:00 If the girls aren’t up already, they wake up for lunch. Jory comes in, and I cook lunch for everyone. I usually try to make something hot, but sometimes we settle for sandwiches.
12:45 Jory goes back to work, I attempt to find something that can be accomplished with the girls awake. (side note – the girls are both incredibly clingy. I’m normally holding at least one the entire time they are awake – unless jory is home)
2:00 EVERYONE NAPS! The kids all go lay down, I check my messages (again) and relax a little before diving in on my afternoon project. Today my afternoon project will probably be working on my Sunday school curriculum for next year (trying to organize my lesson sequence so I know which topics will be covered – unless I get a whole new curriculum – which means that I”ll start all over!)
5:00 if the kids aren’t up already, they get up for dinner. Jory comes in from work
5:30 dinner. If jory had to work late, or stops to get groceries on the way home I feed the kids first, and wait until they are in bed to eat.
6:30 – 7:15 cleaning frenzy. This is really the only point in the day where I can clean. Jory keeps the kids out of my hair, so I can pick up toys, wash dishes, any misc. cleaning that needs to happen.
7:15 girls go to bed
7:30 Mommy and Alex time. Usually we read stories, but sometimes we play games on the computer or do a puzzle or something
8:00 Alex goes to bed
8:01 I crash! J I usually read, watch tv, or shower. Nothing that requires a lot of thinking, or physical effort
10:00 bed for mama. Just to do it all over in the morning
5/24/2005
Learning to read
About 2 months ago, I did a preschool evaluation on Alex. Sadly the evaluation was lacking in the reading department. (Mainly because reading isn’t something most preschoolers can do) so I sort of pieced together my own little evaluation from checklists designed for Kindergarten/First grade. Here are the results, mainly for my own records, but I thought you might care.
2 years, 10 months
When given a word (cat) he can produce his own rhyming word
Can consistently identify 2 or 3 words by sight.
Pretends to read
Can merge two segments into a meaningful target word (m-at that says mat!)
Enjoys “building” words (assisted) with letter manipulatives
Step by step, we’ll figure this reading thing out. We’ve only just begun.
2 years, 10 months
When given a word (cat) he can produce his own rhyming word
Can consistently identify 2 or 3 words by sight.
Pretends to read
Can merge two segments into a meaningful target word (m-at that says mat!)
Enjoys “building” words (assisted) with letter manipulatives
Step by step, we’ll figure this reading thing out. We’ve only just begun.
Busy day
Yesterday I watched my friends youngest boy, Blade. It was so fun for alex to have someone to run around with. We fed the neighbors horses, trimmed the bushes, washed the bathtub toys, blew bubbles, and colored the driveway with chalk. We had lots of fun.
Also yesterday, the plumber man came to give us an estimate on how much it will cost to install pipes for city water. The number he gave us was less than we expected (woo hoo!). He will probably be back some time next week to put the pipe down for us, assuming the pipe hasn’t been laid by the previous owners, (which is something I seem to remember hearing from them for some reason).
Also yesterday, the plumber man came to give us an estimate on how much it will cost to install pipes for city water. The number he gave us was less than we expected (woo hoo!). He will probably be back some time next week to put the pipe down for us, assuming the pipe hasn’t been laid by the previous owners, (which is something I seem to remember hearing from them for some reason).
5/21/2005
To the park
Today we took the kids to the park before running some other critical errands. (pics to come later) We had so much fun on the nature trails, we looked for some bugs, stomped over the bridges, smelled the pretty flowers, and dropped leaves in the streams – a little game my parents used to call “pooh sticks” – long story. We only had room for 1 stroller, so Alex and Louisa took turns riding. We had a ball…
I am continually amazed at how well my children behave in public. On this trip, the girls were sleepy (the stroller ride was supposed to put them to sleep, but it didn’t) and the walk made us all hot and thirsty. None of my children complained once, or acted up in any way. (if we’d been at home, I know they all would have been throwing royal fits). Every time I take my kids out, I patiently wait for the whining and the tantrums to come, but they never do. Over the last year I can only think of 1 tantrum that was bad enough to remove my child from the scene (it was Annie, and she had a tummy ache). If only I could get them to be that good at home……..
I am continually amazed at how well my children behave in public. On this trip, the girls were sleepy (the stroller ride was supposed to put them to sleep, but it didn’t) and the walk made us all hot and thirsty. None of my children complained once, or acted up in any way. (if we’d been at home, I know they all would have been throwing royal fits). Every time I take my kids out, I patiently wait for the whining and the tantrums to come, but they never do. Over the last year I can only think of 1 tantrum that was bad enough to remove my child from the scene (it was Annie, and she had a tummy ache). If only I could get them to be that good at home……..
5/20/2005
wahoo for megan
my sister emailed me today to let me know that she got the job! yahoo for megan! (you know I"m still doing a happy dance for you sis!)
A closer look...
This page has been on my desk for about a week and a half. I"m so glad to finally finish it.
Someone over on twopeasinabucket said it looked like a huge bandaid. CRACK ME UP!
Someone over on twopeasinabucket said it looked like a huge bandaid. CRACK ME UP!
5/19/2005
All good things must come to an end... and other stuff
All good things must come to an end… and other stuff
Our company left this morning. We had such a fun time hanging out, we were sorry to see them go. But alas, all good things must come to an end… or so they say anyway
In the mean time, there’s much to be done around here, lots of cleaning and reorganizing, trying to return life to normal – whatever that is…
Our company left this morning. We had such a fun time hanging out, we were sorry to see them go. But alas, all good things must come to an end… or so they say anyway
In the mean time, there’s much to be done around here, lots of cleaning and reorganizing, trying to return life to normal – whatever that is…
5/18/2005
Meme challenge
This entry is for tenika’s blog challenge over on twopeas. The theme this week was home made décor. To be honest I’m sort of lacking in the homemade home décor area, but here are 2 that fit the category I think. Granted the pics of my items are terrible!
My first is a picture frame. No I didn’t make the frame. I got a cheep wooden one at Walmart, painted it, inked it with walnut ink and sanded off some of the paint. Jory says “why did you go and wreck a perfectly good frame? It used to look nice and new, now it looks old and beat up” uh, yeah that was sorta the point.
The other area that I’m sorta proud of is my bulletin board. It’s sort of hard to see from this picture, but my pushpins are adorned with silk flowers. I also like the “clothes-line” I made from black cord. There were items I wanted to hang but didn’t want holes in them, so when I saw the “clothes line effect” in a magazine I had to try it. I even decorated some clothespins to hang my items with…
My first is a picture frame. No I didn’t make the frame. I got a cheep wooden one at Walmart, painted it, inked it with walnut ink and sanded off some of the paint. Jory says “why did you go and wreck a perfectly good frame? It used to look nice and new, now it looks old and beat up” uh, yeah that was sorta the point.
The other area that I’m sorta proud of is my bulletin board. It’s sort of hard to see from this picture, but my pushpins are adorned with silk flowers. I also like the “clothes-line” I made from black cord. There were items I wanted to hang but didn’t want holes in them, so when I saw the “clothes line effect” in a magazine I had to try it. I even decorated some clothespins to hang my items with…
The bad news and the good news
The bad news
Ugh. I am not feeling so good this morning. I have a horribly flemmy cold (as do all of the kids – that’s a lot of snot!) so I didn’t sleep very well. Alex woke me up around 6 this morning (way too early to be awake in my book). I woke up with a pounding headache - the kind where I don’t even want to open my eyes. Fortunately for all of us, it’s starting to dissipate. Have I mentioned that between the girls, there are 5 new teeth coming in? 3 for Annie, 2 for Louisa
The good news
Jason, Vangie and Levi are here visiting me this week. Instead of living it up, and showing them a good time on the town, I put them to work! Ha! Jory is not a do-it-yourselfer in the slightest bit, so when I mention some chores that I’d like to get done, he says “have fun!”. But my in laws are super workers, and willingly take on every task I dole out. So here’s what we’ve gotten done in the last 48 hours:
Lawn mowed (it didn’t really need it, but Vangie loves riding mowers, and volunteered to mow just for the fun of it)
Dead tree branches removed from 2 trees, there’s still one left to do
Garage cleaned out – we still had stuff from the previous owners out there, all that has gone to good will. We also rearranged stuff to make it more user friendly
Bushes trimmed
Basically my entire to do list for this summer is done. Sweeeeeeet
Ugh. I am not feeling so good this morning. I have a horribly flemmy cold (as do all of the kids – that’s a lot of snot!) so I didn’t sleep very well. Alex woke me up around 6 this morning (way too early to be awake in my book). I woke up with a pounding headache - the kind where I don’t even want to open my eyes. Fortunately for all of us, it’s starting to dissipate. Have I mentioned that between the girls, there are 5 new teeth coming in? 3 for Annie, 2 for Louisa
The good news
Jason, Vangie and Levi are here visiting me this week. Instead of living it up, and showing them a good time on the town, I put them to work! Ha! Jory is not a do-it-yourselfer in the slightest bit, so when I mention some chores that I’d like to get done, he says “have fun!”. But my in laws are super workers, and willingly take on every task I dole out. So here’s what we’ve gotten done in the last 48 hours:
Lawn mowed (it didn’t really need it, but Vangie loves riding mowers, and volunteered to mow just for the fun of it)
Dead tree branches removed from 2 trees, there’s still one left to do
Garage cleaned out – we still had stuff from the previous owners out there, all that has gone to good will. We also rearranged stuff to make it more user friendly
Bushes trimmed
Basically my entire to do list for this summer is done. Sweeeeeeet
5/15/2005
ever feel like this?
You’ve just finished a really yummy chocolate cookie (or a nap, or a relaxing bath...) but you’re grumpy as all get out.
What a great illustration of my mood about 30 minutes ago. I have no reason to be grumpy, but I am. Dirty shirt - chocolate all over my face - crying about nothing – just plain grumpy. So what do I do to remedy my grumpyness? Take pics of my grumpy kids. Now that’s something worth remembering
What a great illustration of my mood about 30 minutes ago. I have no reason to be grumpy, but I am. Dirty shirt - chocolate all over my face - crying about nothing – just plain grumpy. So what do I do to remedy my grumpyness? Take pics of my grumpy kids. Now that’s something worth remembering
5/14/2005
Saturday Stuff
Have I ever mentioned just how much I love the library? I mean who ever came up with the idea was a GENIOUS! I love to read, I love to learn new things, but I hate spending money, and frankly books are way expensive. Free books, magazines, movies, and CD’s… it doesn’t get much better in my book
So today was my library day, I found all sorts of treasures for everyone in my family. 2 videos, a Veggie Tales CD, 2 magazines (for me) and a schload of books for alex and the girls. (Thank goodness! I was getting a little tired of The Runaway Tortilla)
Jory downloaded the script for the new Star Wars movie that’s coming out. He’s been telling me bits and pieces about what to expect when we go see it, in a few months…
Alex has taken to sleeping on the floor next to my bed. I set up a mattress pad for him with a pillow and blankets, while his cousin was sleeping in his bed. Now he won’t go back to his bed. I don’t mind so much, it makes him easier to tend to when he wakes up in the middle of the night (3x last night). The only problem with it is it’s right next to my scrapping table. So I can’t work after he goes to bed, and when I do want to work, I have to move his “bed” out of the way.
So today was my library day, I found all sorts of treasures for everyone in my family. 2 videos, a Veggie Tales CD, 2 magazines (for me) and a schload of books for alex and the girls. (Thank goodness! I was getting a little tired of The Runaway Tortilla)
Jory downloaded the script for the new Star Wars movie that’s coming out. He’s been telling me bits and pieces about what to expect when we go see it, in a few months…
Alex has taken to sleeping on the floor next to my bed. I set up a mattress pad for him with a pillow and blankets, while his cousin was sleeping in his bed. Now he won’t go back to his bed. I don’t mind so much, it makes him easier to tend to when he wakes up in the middle of the night (3x last night). The only problem with it is it’s right next to my scrapping table. So I can’t work after he goes to bed, and when I do want to work, I have to move his “bed” out of the way.
5/13/2005
update
Yesterday I mentioned my yucky bee sting, turns out it’s probably a bruise from the sting (thanks Kelly for relieving my nerves!) it really is feeling much better than it was early in the week.
Alex was sick all yesterday, whiney-mopey-sleepy sick. But today he woke up and said “I’m healthy!” what a relief. Sadly Annie seems to have come down with what he had. I can tell she doesn’t feel good just by looking at her. Poor baby.
Alex was sick all yesterday, whiney-mopey-sleepy sick. But today he woke up and said “I’m healthy!” what a relief. Sadly Annie seems to have come down with what he had. I can tell she doesn’t feel good just by looking at her. Poor baby.
5/12/2005
Ramblings
The other Petersons have headed off to their convention in New Jersey. They’ll be back to stay for a few more days on their way home to Wyoming . Vangie and I had a blast shopping in Toledo yesterday. We found some great bargains at Hobby Lobby (my favorite store ever!) and at the Libbey Factory Outlet (Libbey glass). I really enjoyed just goofing around, being girls with her (thanks Vangie!!!)
Alex was sick in the night. He has been sleeping on the floor in our room while our guests use his room. So when he threw up around 1 am, I was right there to clean him up, and calm him down. Today he’s a little bit crabby… not exactly my idea of fun, but it’s part of life I suppose.
My mothers day bee sting is doing weird things. I don’t think it’s an allergic reaction, or an infection (thanks to web MD for the symptom check!) but there’s a big ol’ purple patch on the back of my leg… I’ll see if I can find any more info. It looks pretty yucky, but in retrospect I think it may be improving. We'll see
Alex was sick in the night. He has been sleeping on the floor in our room while our guests use his room. So when he threw up around 1 am, I was right there to clean him up, and calm him down. Today he’s a little bit crabby… not exactly my idea of fun, but it’s part of life I suppose.
My mothers day bee sting is doing weird things. I don’t think it’s an allergic reaction, or an infection (thanks to web MD for the symptom check!) but there’s a big ol’ purple patch on the back of my leg… I’ll see if I can find any more info. It looks pretty yucky, but in retrospect I think it may be improving. We'll see
5/11/2005
We're going to zoo today...
We’re going to the zoo today…
Today we took Jason, Vangie and Levi to the Toledo zoo. We had a ball! Since the kids were lacking in the naps department, I was a little surprised that no one was crabby, but all the children were all on their best behavior. The only lapse in judgment came when both alex and Louisa tried to take off without us when we were taking a break at the monkey house. I think they just wanted to get back to the animals.... Alex had fun stroller hoping (we had 3 to pick from) and trying to start up conversations with the different animals. Louisa went nuts over the monkeys and the fish. Levi and Annie was happy just kicking back in their strollers. The weather was beautiful, and the zoo wasn’t crowded at all. Overall, I’d have to say that our trip was a huge success…
This was the first time I’d taken our kids to the zoo. It was amazing to see the animals from their perspective, while I myself wondered at God’s creation. My heart was warmed by the excited giggles from Louisa as she watched the monkeys dance around their cage. My only regret is that I didn’t get much time to talk with Alex about everything that he saw. I would have loved to walk around just him and I and hear everything he had to say about what he saw. Maybe that would be a fun date that I could take with my boy some day. As if Louisa would let me go to the zoo without her…
Today we took Jason, Vangie and Levi to the Toledo zoo. We had a ball! Since the kids were lacking in the naps department, I was a little surprised that no one was crabby, but all the children were all on their best behavior. The only lapse in judgment came when both alex and Louisa tried to take off without us when we were taking a break at the monkey house. I think they just wanted to get back to the animals.... Alex had fun stroller hoping (we had 3 to pick from) and trying to start up conversations with the different animals. Louisa went nuts over the monkeys and the fish. Levi and Annie was happy just kicking back in their strollers. The weather was beautiful, and the zoo wasn’t crowded at all. Overall, I’d have to say that our trip was a huge success…
This was the first time I’d taken our kids to the zoo. It was amazing to see the animals from their perspective, while I myself wondered at God’s creation. My heart was warmed by the excited giggles from Louisa as she watched the monkeys dance around their cage. My only regret is that I didn’t get much time to talk with Alex about everything that he saw. I would have loved to walk around just him and I and hear everything he had to say about what he saw. Maybe that would be a fun date that I could take with my boy some day. As if Louisa would let me go to the zoo without her…
5/10/2005
MIA
Hey gang, my brother and sister in-law are here to visit for a few days, so I won’t be around quite as much. Cousin Levi is here too, helping me write this. He’s awfully cute!
They got here last night right in time for dinner. My parents came over and we all had a nice time catching up. Today we plan on taking the munchkins to the zoo.
Hope your day is as fun as mine! I'll be back with pictures!
They got here last night right in time for dinner. My parents came over and we all had a nice time catching up. Today we plan on taking the munchkins to the zoo.
Hope your day is as fun as mine! I'll be back with pictures!
5/08/2005
Happy Mother's Day!
Our mothers day was quite enjoyable. After church I took the kids to my parents lake house (an hour from where we live). It was warm enough for Alex to try out his new swimming trunks in the lake. He and my dad had a great time playing in the water, while mom and I watched from the beach. I got a little bit of a tan, despite my 45 sun block. Jory and the girls stayed out of the sun for most of the day.
Today was a perfect day except for getting stung while I packed the car to head home. I’m not talking about a little sweat bee, whatever stung me was at least an inch log. I don’t even know what it was, but man did it nail me. Oh well, better me than one of the kids. What a nightmare that would have been.
Before I had kids I thought mother’s day was kind of hokey. But now that I am a mother I understand. It’s nice to get a little recognition for what I do. I don’t need to be pampered, lavished upon or fussed over. But it’s nice to get a little pat on the back every now and then. At least once a year that is…
Today was a perfect day except for getting stung while I packed the car to head home. I’m not talking about a little sweat bee, whatever stung me was at least an inch log. I don’t even know what it was, but man did it nail me. Oh well, better me than one of the kids. What a nightmare that would have been.
Before I had kids I thought mother’s day was kind of hokey. But now that I am a mother I understand. It’s nice to get a little recognition for what I do. I don’t need to be pampered, lavished upon or fussed over. But it’s nice to get a little pat on the back every now and then. At least once a year that is…
5/06/2005
My new prized possession
Check out my new treasure! This is the grandfather clock that belonged to my grandparents. When I heard that no one else in the family wanted it, I was in total shock. What a treasure. It makes me smile every time it catches my eye. I don’t care if it does chime at random times during the day.
No, alex is not allowed anywhere near it.
Ps: for my photography guru buddies: does anyone know how to take pics of metal objects without getting killer reflections??? These are the best I could do…
No, alex is not allowed anywhere near it.
Ps: for my photography guru buddies: does anyone know how to take pics of metal objects without getting killer reflections??? These are the best I could do…
Rough morning
Ugh. What a morning.
4 am Alex comes in to announce that he’s going to sleep on the couch. I can’t remember the last time he slept through the night. He woke me up when he came in, and I couldn’t get back to sleep.
5 am Alex decides he’s had enough sleeping. So he gets up, turns on the light and starts playing. I stay in bed, wide awake, listening to him play with his cars.
6 am: Alex has had enough of his cars and decides to climb on top of my scanner to get to the toys that are kept out of reach because they are “off limits”. Fortunately Jory hears him and gets up to check on him before anything bad happens. I finally manage to drift back off to sleep.
8:30 am: the girls wake me up. Before I go in to get them I come in to check on Alex, who’s found the box of Styrofoam peanuts that were on the kitchen counter. I knew leaving them there was a bad idea. There is now shredded Styrofoam all over my kitchen, a crabby 2 year old who’s been up since the crack of dawn, 2 hungry toddlers, and a killer headache.
Fortunately this story has a happy ending. PBS for alex, oatmeal for the girls, and a little down time on the computer for mom… a sense of calm is returning.
4 am Alex comes in to announce that he’s going to sleep on the couch. I can’t remember the last time he slept through the night. He woke me up when he came in, and I couldn’t get back to sleep.
5 am Alex decides he’s had enough sleeping. So he gets up, turns on the light and starts playing. I stay in bed, wide awake, listening to him play with his cars.
6 am: Alex has had enough of his cars and decides to climb on top of my scanner to get to the toys that are kept out of reach because they are “off limits”. Fortunately Jory hears him and gets up to check on him before anything bad happens. I finally manage to drift back off to sleep.
8:30 am: the girls wake me up. Before I go in to get them I come in to check on Alex, who’s found the box of Styrofoam peanuts that were on the kitchen counter. I knew leaving them there was a bad idea. There is now shredded Styrofoam all over my kitchen, a crabby 2 year old who’s been up since the crack of dawn, 2 hungry toddlers, and a killer headache.
Fortunately this story has a happy ending. PBS for alex, oatmeal for the girls, and a little down time on the computer for mom… a sense of calm is returning.
5/04/2005
Tough enough
Only tough people can have twins. I mean it, having 2 babies (well toddlers now) is really tough. I can just imagine God up in heaven, looking down on us and thinking to Himself: nope, that one can’t handle twins, she’s not tough enough. But that one over there… yeah I bet she can handle it. For those of us who make the grade the rewards are indescribable. It’s hard to put into words, just how magical twins are. It’s definitely not the same as having two children close in age (which I also happen to have)
For those of you who don’t have twins, here’s what you’re missing out on:
Two identical heads bopping (one up and down, the other back and forth)
Two simultaneous baby boogies (if you thought one was cute, you should check out two!)
A chorus of giggles coming from their cribs – what are they plotting in there???
One hiding behind the other in the bathtub, and peaking over her sisters shoulder to see if mommy’s looking – crack me up!
Two cozy bugs that want to cuddle in the morning
An elaborate form of communication. It sounds like nonsense to me, but it seems to work for them.
I’m glad that I was tough enough to handle twins
For those of you who don’t have twins, here’s what you’re missing out on:
Two identical heads bopping (one up and down, the other back and forth)
Two simultaneous baby boogies (if you thought one was cute, you should check out two!)
A chorus of giggles coming from their cribs – what are they plotting in there???
One hiding behind the other in the bathtub, and peaking over her sisters shoulder to see if mommy’s looking – crack me up!
Two cozy bugs that want to cuddle in the morning
An elaborate form of communication. It sounds like nonsense to me, but it seems to work for them.
I’m glad that I was tough enough to handle twins
May 4th1971
That date probably doesn’t mean much to the general public. But if you were a student at Kent State it does. The anniversary of the “Kent State Massacre” – a Vietnam war rally that took a nasty turn. 4 students were shot by the National Guard, in an attempt to keep peace. Such a shame.
5/02/2005
Reader update
Last night when Alex and I were reading, he identified two words from his story: car (big surprise) and box. We’ve been working on his letter sounds for weeks now, and he has those down pretty well. I decided yesterday that it was time to move on to the next step, identifying words (based on the sounds he already knows). When I pointed to them he read them right off, no sounding them out.
A pat on the back for the mama-teacher
Another small victory
A pat on the back for the mama-teacher
Another small victory
Donald Trump I will never be. (deep thoughts from around 2 am last night)
Fame and fortune do not inspire me at all. I have no desire to be rich. Really, I don’t. (neither does jory for that matter) I grew up in a wealthy community and was disillusioned by wealth at a young age. I think I was about 16 when I realized that happiness comes from within, it is not something you can purchase.
Can anyone explain to me why people want mammoth houses that have more room than they’ll ever need, buy more clothes than they’ll ever wear, or need the “latest and greatest” of well… just about anything. That is a completely foreign concept to me.
I also have no desire to be famous. Sure I think it’d be cool to say I had a positive influence on the lives of others, but heck I already have a positive influence on my family (at least I think I do). They are the only ones who really matter to me anyway.
I watch the entertainment media shows (like access Hollywood) and wonder what attracts people to that lifestyle. No privacy, no peace and quiet… It’s just not for me.
Can anyone explain to me why people want mammoth houses that have more room than they’ll ever need, buy more clothes than they’ll ever wear, or need the “latest and greatest” of well… just about anything. That is a completely foreign concept to me.
I also have no desire to be famous. Sure I think it’d be cool to say I had a positive influence on the lives of others, but heck I already have a positive influence on my family (at least I think I do). They are the only ones who really matter to me anyway.
I watch the entertainment media shows (like access Hollywood) and wonder what attracts people to that lifestyle. No privacy, no peace and quiet… It’s just not for me.
5/01/2005
Fill me to overflowing
Sundays afternoons are absolutely my favorite time of the week. Fresh out of church, my attitude is in check, my spirits are soaring, and my kids all take a really awesome nap. Throw in a John Wayne movie and my day is complete.
I love church. I know it isn’t for everyone, so I try not to force it on others. But it is the best food for my soul. Better than peace and quiet, a fire in the fireplace, or a mug of hot chocolate…
So let me tell you about my morning full of victories, they may sound insignificant, but they really do keep me going. Alex came into the service with us (for the very first time) he wanted to hear us singing. I sing to alex all the time, but it’s much different to hear 200+ people all singing in unison, even if no one sings particularly well. He sat in the service for a good 20 minutes until I decided to take him to play in the nursery. I am fairly certain he could have sat through the entire service (1 hour) with out causing much trouble, but I wanted him to have some social interaction with the other kids in the nursery.
In Sunday school this morning I had 8 kids. My class has grown from the four I had last fall. It makes me happy when new families come back. The mother of one of my new students said that he likes my class, even though this type of setting normally makes him feel uncomfortable.
There were other small victories this morning: Jacob knew the 4 main points from my story, he’s one that I never know whether he’s getting anything from my lesson or not. The kids all liked my games that I had planned, which believe it or not, really make teaching a lot easier.
I love church. I know it isn’t for everyone, so I try not to force it on others. But it is the best food for my soul. Better than peace and quiet, a fire in the fireplace, or a mug of hot chocolate…
So let me tell you about my morning full of victories, they may sound insignificant, but they really do keep me going. Alex came into the service with us (for the very first time) he wanted to hear us singing. I sing to alex all the time, but it’s much different to hear 200+ people all singing in unison, even if no one sings particularly well. He sat in the service for a good 20 minutes until I decided to take him to play in the nursery. I am fairly certain he could have sat through the entire service (1 hour) with out causing much trouble, but I wanted him to have some social interaction with the other kids in the nursery.
In Sunday school this morning I had 8 kids. My class has grown from the four I had last fall. It makes me happy when new families come back. The mother of one of my new students said that he likes my class, even though this type of setting normally makes him feel uncomfortable.
There were other small victories this morning: Jacob knew the 4 main points from my story, he’s one that I never know whether he’s getting anything from my lesson or not. The kids all liked my games that I had planned, which believe it or not, really make teaching a lot easier.
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