Sunday, March 31, 2013

Easter 2013

Lots of fun this Easter and a little different than previous years just because we didn't have a kitchen to make some of the traditional meals and I was limited to what I could do for the boys. 

The boys celebrations started in school with their class parties on Thursday.  Friday was their first day of Spring Break.  I had to take them to a granite place and for their good behavior I took them to get a new toy and get happy meals.  We had a picnic in our backyard and played outside for the rest of the day.  It was beautiful!  I wanted to soak up my cute kids and thier sweet excitement for life and the renewed earth around them. 

We had the coolest egg hunt with our friends the McIntyres in the wood accross the street from where they live.  We hid the eggs in a clearing in the middle of the woods.  We had them all over in the grasses, downed logs, bushes etc...  it was great.  Adam and Zach had a good time finding eggs but it got a little competive with the other kids.  Andrew really didn't get that he needed to gather eggs and then eat the contents.  He just picked up an eggs, opened it, threw the wrapers into this basket and enjoyed.  It was cute.

I learned somthing about Zachary during the egg hunt event.  I learned that he really is a peacemaker.  Even if it means that he loses out on getting candy/ ahead, he will sacrifice his personal gain for his friend.  During the hunt there were some giant camoo eggs that were very desireable and he found them.  Jacob his friend expressed his desire for this eggs and even though Zachary was really excited about it and wanted it too he traded it for a lesser egg.  He did it and was happy to do so because he knew it would make his friend happy.  He does tihs same kind of thing at dinner time.  He will profess his graditude and love for the food all the while choaking it down just to make me happy.  He puts others before himself.  May I learn from his Christ like example.  Truly if we could become like a little child.....

Finding baskets was fun this morning.  The bunny went for more toys this year and so there some fun surprises. I had a lot of fun dressing everyone in coordinating outfits for Easter.  I tried my best to take pictures after church and Andrew was tired and had  had enough.

Sunday, March 17, 2013

Andrew

It won't be long until my little baby is an official Toddler.  He is going to be turning two March 21st.  He is such a joy.  Andrew likes: to play with his brothers, friends, loves anything with a wheel, to read books, and climb.  He is talking a lot.  I can't understand him yet but if you ask him a question he will give you an answer which is more than I can say for my 7 & 5 year olds.  His favorite toys are his Thomas train set.  He plays with those every morning and evening.  His most recent train game is he sets up a very long train and pushes it to the top of the mountain and pushes it off and exclaims "Oh No!" Andrew enjoys watching Thomas, Cars, Cars 2, Toy Story 1, 2, & 3.  When he is put on a swing he looks as if he will explode with excitement.  Shoveling sand, sliding down the slide, jumping on the trampoline are some of his favorite things to do but it has been so cold lately that we dont' get to do it as often as we want. 

Still loves the passy and his favorite friend big dog, watching cars in Mommy's room.

Climbing onto Adam's bunk.  I've watched him drop down from it just like his big brothers do.

climbing

This was a hard nap day and he feel asweel in my arms.  I loved the snuggles.

Best friend Steel and Andrew watching Cars 2 on a tablet.

Wearing his favorite thomas shirt.  It is a good day when he is wearing this.

Taking the time to read.

One of his favorite spots to be.

Did I mention that he likes to climb.

I often find him in his chair reading to himself.  I want to squeel he is so cute.

Holley is his favorite Cars character.

I forget to mention that if there is a puddle of water/mud he will find it and explore.
He is a boy through and through and I am so grateful that the Lord has loaned him to me for this life.  Every moment is special.

St. Patrick's Day 2013

I can't get over how much pleasure Zachary gets out of the color green.  It is his FAVORITE color.  Since the theme color for St. Patrick's day is green Zach has come to the conclusion that it is "his" holiday.  He loves that everyone is waring green and the thought of a sneeky leprechaun running around makes him burst into giggles and bounces. 

I really wouldn't do much for this (made up holiday) but because it is special to Zachary I make a special effort.  Besides it is nice to do something different during the cold weather that we've been having.  So last minuet I put up some decorations, had Larry the Leprechaun come over to leave some goodies in the kid's shoes, set out a special breakfast, set up a treasure hunt, and go crazy with green streamers all over the house.  It really made the day special for Zach and Adam.  They had fun finding all the little things that Larry had left behind.  Andrew just enjoyed eating the treats.



Sunday, March 3, 2013

Man-of-the-House

As Daddy left for his conference out of town he turned to Adam and told him that while he was a way he would be Man of the house.  That made Adam feel really important.  Later that evening over dinner I explained what being man of the house ment and what Daddy's responsibilities were.  Adam and Zachary were ready and willing to step up and help me out.  I didn't evening need to ask; after dinner Zachar started to unload the dishwasher.  Adam and Zachary were literally fighting over who got to put a way some of the dishes.  Once the dishes were put away Adam stayed and wanted to load the dishwasher.  It was great! So we had a good time doing that.  Later that night Adam led us in scripture study and was happy to choose someone to say the prayer. 

As a parent I got to see a little how much a good example of an awesome father effects my sons.  I saw my boys wanting to perform upto Daddy's standards.  They really do watch us and our examples.  I pray that I can be a good example for them.

Friday, March 1, 2013

Oh, For the Love of Reading

So, I've tried to introduce books and the love of reading to my boys.  I don't think that I have been that succesfull.  We read everynight and have done so from an early age.  However the love of reading for my older boys didn't happen until they discovered "Captain Underpants".  I can hardly get Adam to go to sleep because he stays up reading his book.  He studies it.  At my last teacher conference his teacher told me that his reading has really jumped up.  I told her the secrete was "Captain Underpants".  She loved it.  Adam and Zachary planned out their book fair purchases so that they could get the new "Captain Underpants" books and others.  They had half-days the book fair days and instead of playing video games with their extra time, they poured over these books; reading to each other, laughing about and discussing the characters.  I love it.


 
Andrew has found his love it is cars and anything to do with cars or trains is game including books.  He likes to go to his book supply and sit in our chair and read to himself.  It is so fun to listen to his gabber and watch him point to the pictures and get excited about the his book.  I wish I could bottle up these moments and keep them forever.