Monday, March 16, 2009
The Attraction of Batman is Strong...
Gunnison has recently upped his speaking quota. It is, of course, only understandable via Mommy Translation Services, but the increase HAS been noted. One of my favorite words he has acquired is Batman (pronounced batba). Gavin received an Imaginext BatCave from Santa and Gunner loves it. He will come up to me and request "Batba" with the intent to play. This morning I got to see a fun brother-love moment and I thought to share it with you. --- Gunner came running up to me and requested "up". Once I was holding him, he grabbed my cheeks to make sure I was looking at him and asked for "Batba". I said "Sure, I'll get Batman for you" and he quickly wriggled his way to the floor. He headed for the boys' room, but stopped after a couple of steps. He turned around and ran to Josiah, who was standing a few feet away. Gun grabbed his shirt tail and garbled "iah, Batba?" He was asking Jos to play with him! Totally cute!! Josiah said yes, Gunner got a HUGE grin and ran to the boys' room with Josiah following. Ahhh...makes all their goobery-ness this morning okay.
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Who can complain?
To tell the truth, I can always find reasons to complain. Leaves covering my backyard, children with perforated ear drums, squeaky brakes, chubby clothes and saggy body, a black thumb=dead favorite fern and you know the list goes on...
BUT- I have so much to look to the positive. It has been absolutely beautiful here. High 70s the latter part of this week and the azaleas are fabulously in bloom. I planted a few pansies (my absolute favorite flowers) in my flower box, put up my yellow wreath and yellow wooden flower. Our pseudo-landlord came over and fixed our kitchen light so we are no longer cooking, dish washing, etc. in the dark. Kit was my mechanic and changed my oil and replaced my burned-out bulbs in the car. Kit and I have been good about working out every day this week and really watching what we've been eating. We're good at lifting the other if we're drifting (we're also great at suggesting pizza to the other and agreeing...thankfully less of that lately). Drum-roll here...Kit and I actually had a date (with none of our children accompanying us). It has been FOREVER since that has happened. We a wonderful time talking, laughing and just being alone (thanks Whit and Spence for the gift-card & baby-sitter $). We have beautiful, if crazy and mischievous, little boys who always make us laugh, groan, pull our hair and make eyes turn towards us in Sacrament Mtg. Three little warriors who are making their way back towards our Heavenly Father in this life. So many things that bring a little smile of contentment to my lips.
Things can always look brighter, happier. Kit attended a meeting today and the stake presidency member asked each of the auxiliaries to tell the group their positives. He didn't want to be informed of their negatives. What have they accomplished or at least were working on accomplishing? What have I? Many of you, like myself, can find ourselves bogged down with what we're not getting done in our hour, day, month, 5 years...but if I look, I can find fabulous accomplishments for myself and my family.
BUT- I have so much to look to the positive. It has been absolutely beautiful here. High 70s the latter part of this week and the azaleas are fabulously in bloom. I planted a few pansies (my absolute favorite flowers) in my flower box, put up my yellow wreath and yellow wooden flower. Our pseudo-landlord came over and fixed our kitchen light so we are no longer cooking, dish washing, etc. in the dark. Kit was my mechanic and changed my oil and replaced my burned-out bulbs in the car. Kit and I have been good about working out every day this week and really watching what we've been eating. We're good at lifting the other if we're drifting (we're also great at suggesting pizza to the other and agreeing...thankfully less of that lately). Drum-roll here...Kit and I actually had a date (with none of our children accompanying us). It has been FOREVER since that has happened. We a wonderful time talking, laughing and just being alone (thanks Whit and Spence for the gift-card & baby-sitter $). We have beautiful, if crazy and mischievous, little boys who always make us laugh, groan, pull our hair and make eyes turn towards us in Sacrament Mtg. Three little warriors who are making their way back towards our Heavenly Father in this life. So many things that bring a little smile of contentment to my lips.
Things can always look brighter, happier. Kit attended a meeting today and the stake presidency member asked each of the auxiliaries to tell the group their positives. He didn't want to be informed of their negatives. What have they accomplished or at least were working on accomplishing? What have I? Many of you, like myself, can find ourselves bogged down with what we're not getting done in our hour, day, month, 5 years...but if I look, I can find fabulous accomplishments for myself and my family.
Saturday, February 28, 2009
A Little Bit of Everything
So...as I was reminded by a little bird, I haven't posted in well...quite a while. I was a bit ashamed to note it has been a month. Uggh. It is not that I don't want to post, but when you get out of the habit and have a lot to talk about, it seems so INSURMOUNTABLE! But, if you will stick with me, I will attempt to make my way through this past month.
My family and I were so excited to have my mom, my sisters and their children (minus my nephews Cooper and Greyson {who were missed dearly!}) come stay with us for a visit. Gavin and Josiah could barely contain their glee. As Jos said, "I can hardly wait. It is like waiting for Santa to come!" I shared his opinion. No matter how often I'm blessed to see my fam, the excitement doesn't wear off! I was so excited to soak in sister and mom-ness, kiss on my niecies and nephew and meet baby Scarlett for the first time. Just thinking of them makes me smile. Poor Kit was outran by estrogen (a first in my house-hold) but he held up well with a grin. We spent a lot of time shopping (of course) and made a fab detour over to New Orleans for a day trip. It was fun to show Steph around, she was the only one who hadn't taken the 2 hour trip with us. We walked up and down the French Quarter and munched tasty, sugary beignets at the Cafe Du Monde. Despite the rain, we had a blast.
With the arrival of my family, however, an unwanted virus decided to take up residence in Josiah's eyes...bleh...pink-eye. First Josiah, then Gavin and Gunner and on to our sweet visitors to take the gift home with them. Fair is fair, when they left behind a nasty cold. (I don't care, girls...I'll still take you and all your germs as long as you come!!!) I use this cold as one of my excuses for not posting. Josiah was out of school for 3 yucky, tiresome days and the house was full of tired, whiny children...but who's complaining...
Josiah welcomed a visit of the tooth fairy. Yes, at the age of 6 he has lost his very first tooth. Kit and I were reminiscing our treasured quarter when Josiah blurted out he was so excited to get his five dollars. Say what! According to Jos, his friends from school were paid $5 for their teeth. That had to be one rich tooth fairy coming around their houses. I guess our fairy was feeling the effects of the economy. Josiah earned a beautiful, if crumpled (carrying around a large dollar is difficult, it must be folded down to fit in her pocket), green 1 dollar bill. Cute boy was still very excited thinking of the multitude of ways he can spend it.
A fun tradition we've aquired is the Mardi Gras holiday. The first celebrated Mardi Gras of the United States took place here in Mobile (not New Orleans like one might assume). And believe me, it is honored here. Mardi Gras parties, balls and parades take place all month long. In fact, the school systems gave 3 days off for the children to share in the celebrations. We love every minute of it. King cake, gold green and purple, beads, beads, beads! Or as my boys shout, "Give me some beads, please!" The enthusiasm is effusive and the air swells with school bands marching, rock bands playing on floats and people whistling and cheering. They throw handfuls of beads, stuffed animals, cups, balls and of course, Moon Pies (bleh...um, I mean yummy). We spent the day in Daphne walking the gator walk, driving around, playing at Chick a' Fillet then hanging around for their parade. It is our favorite parade. The boys ran around, danced and cheered the evening away. We filled 3 Wal-mart bags of goodies and made our way home. This is one tradition that will be greatly missed when we move. We're glad we'll be able to enjoy at least one more.
For Valentine's Day, we each received a travel bug for geocaching. It is similar to a dog tag that you attach to something and give it a mission to fulfill. People pick it up from one geocaching site and after checking what its mission is online, deposit it in another one closer to its destination and job. For FHE on Monday, we decided to go to the dollar store and purchase items to attach our bug to and send them on their way. It was interesting and fun to see what the boys chose and listen to what they wanted their bugs to do. Josiah chose a plush frog and wanted to see how many times he could travel from Alabama to Oklahoma and back again via geocaching sites. Gavin chose a little rubber alligator and wanted him to reach Africa. He wanted his gator to visit the crocodiles over there (what an imagination!) so we have him getting pics with people seeing any kind of croc-in zoos, on wildlife preserves or pretend ones. Kit's is still a work in progress, but he wants his to be a little toy skeleton off to get pictures in cemeteries all over the world. Gunner's/mine is a little shoe. We want it to take pictures of any monument, anywhere. We're excited to track their progress wherever they go.
If you made it through this post, hooray for you! You must have fabulous endurance. We have an exciting month ahead of us...Grammy and Papa are coming to visit, it is Kit's birthday and the weather warms up and gets balmy. Ahh, again, the benefits of living down here.
My family and I were so excited to have my mom, my sisters and their children (minus my nephews Cooper and Greyson {who were missed dearly!}) come stay with us for a visit. Gavin and Josiah could barely contain their glee. As Jos said, "I can hardly wait. It is like waiting for Santa to come!" I shared his opinion. No matter how often I'm blessed to see my fam, the excitement doesn't wear off! I was so excited to soak in sister and mom-ness, kiss on my niecies and nephew and meet baby Scarlett for the first time. Just thinking of them makes me smile. Poor Kit was outran by estrogen (a first in my house-hold) but he held up well with a grin. We spent a lot of time shopping (of course) and made a fab detour over to New Orleans for a day trip. It was fun to show Steph around, she was the only one who hadn't taken the 2 hour trip with us. We walked up and down the French Quarter and munched tasty, sugary beignets at the Cafe Du Monde. Despite the rain, we had a blast.
With the arrival of my family, however, an unwanted virus decided to take up residence in Josiah's eyes...bleh...pink-eye. First Josiah, then Gavin and Gunner and on to our sweet visitors to take the gift home with them. Fair is fair, when they left behind a nasty cold. (I don't care, girls...I'll still take you and all your germs as long as you come!!!) I use this cold as one of my excuses for not posting. Josiah was out of school for 3 yucky, tiresome days and the house was full of tired, whiny children...but who's complaining...Josiah welcomed a visit of the tooth fairy. Yes, at the age of 6 he has lost his very first tooth. Kit and I were reminiscing our treasured quarter when Josiah blurted out he was so excited to get his five dollars. Say what! According to Jos, his friends from school were paid $5 for their teeth. That had to be one rich tooth fairy coming around their houses. I guess our fairy was feeling the effects of the economy. Josiah earned a beautiful, if crumpled (carrying around a large dollar is difficult, it must be folded down to fit in her pocket), green 1 dollar bill. Cute boy was still very excited thinking of the multitude of ways he can spend it.
A fun tradition we've aquired is the Mardi Gras holiday. The first celebrated Mardi Gras of the United States took place here in Mobile (not New Orleans like one might assume). And believe me, it is honored here. Mardi Gras parties, balls and parades take place all month long. In fact, the school systems gave 3 days off for the children to share in the celebrations. We love every minute of it. King cake, gold green and purple, beads, beads, beads! Or as my boys shout, "Give me some beads, please!" The enthusiasm is effusive and the air swells with school bands marching, rock bands playing on floats and people whistling and cheering. They throw handfuls of beads, stuffed animals, cups, balls and of course, Moon Pies (bleh...um, I mean yummy). We spent the day in Daphne walking the gator walk, driving around, playing at Chick a' Fillet then hanging around for their parade. It is our favorite parade. The boys ran around, danced and cheered the evening away. We filled 3 Wal-mart bags of goodies and made our way home. This is one tradition that will be greatly missed when we move. We're glad we'll be able to enjoy at least one more.
For Valentine's Day, we each received a travel bug for geocaching. It is similar to a dog tag that you attach to something and give it a mission to fulfill. People pick it up from one geocaching site and after checking what its mission is online, deposit it in another one closer to its destination and job. For FHE on Monday, we decided to go to the dollar store and purchase items to attach our bug to and send them on their way. It was interesting and fun to see what the boys chose and listen to what they wanted their bugs to do. Josiah chose a plush frog and wanted to see how many times he could travel from Alabama to Oklahoma and back again via geocaching sites. Gavin chose a little rubber alligator and wanted him to reach Africa. He wanted his gator to visit the crocodiles over there (what an imagination!) so we have him getting pics with people seeing any kind of croc-in zoos, on wildlife preserves or pretend ones. Kit's is still a work in progress, but he wants his to be a little toy skeleton off to get pictures in cemeteries all over the world. Gunner's/mine is a little shoe. We want it to take pictures of any monument, anywhere. We're excited to track their progress wherever they go.
If you made it through this post, hooray for you! You must have fabulous endurance. We have an exciting month ahead of us...Grammy and Papa are coming to visit, it is Kit's birthday and the weather warms up and gets balmy. Ahh, again, the benefits of living down here.
Friday, January 30, 2009
Addiction
Just call an intervention for me now. I am officially (okay, I'll admit I have been for a LONG time) addicted to thrift store shopping. Now lets add to the list freecycle and craigslist...not to mention ebay and items on the side of the road. Well, who doesn't look at the items set to the curb. Aren't you ever DRAWN to the quaint chair...until you notice it is missing 2 legs. I am always on the look out for things to be used for little.
I know you've heard me mention America's Thrift Store, but have you ever gone and perused your local Goodwill? They are miracle workers-the items there are generally great for great prices. Of course you have to look past the dust, smeared substances and other minor blemishes. Get a coffee table for $15. Get a mattress for $20. It can't be beat. With a little paint and elbow grease, you can have a fully decorated home for the cost of one original item.
I clothe all my beasties and borrow the beasties' and beastettes' needs of my sisters to feed my addiction. It is amazing to me how anyone could NOT be in love with the hunt and thrill of finding GAP, Gymboree and Children's Place clothes for a few dollars or less. Our Goodwills (yes, that is plural...I have 3 in my area) offer 1-24 month clothes for a dollar. That is it. $1. They offer 2t-16 for $1.50. Amazing, isn't it! It doesn't matter if it is Faded Glory or Ralph Lauren (and yes, I have purchased a few). I am full of thrilling glee-almost like I beat the brand-name system. I am a shopping rebel...yes, it makes me grin secretly. I am able to dress my children handsomely and aide my sisters in dressing their children darlingly (I must get a girl fix somewhere-it wouldn't do at all for me to have bags of frills and pinks just sitting around...Kit would have an epoleptic fit!) for often only 10% of the original cost. Fabulous!
I have recently found the joy of freecycle. Have you heard? There are people willing to give items away for FREE. Yes, free. You need only pick it up! The bliss of the thrift store without the actual cost. Yes, I'm giggling as I type. The only thing keeping me from becoming like the people I watch on Clean House (Style network) is I am ruthless about de-cluttering my own domain. Poor Kit doesn't know what hits him somedays he gets home. Walmart bags of toys, books, 12 t-shirts Kit thinks he needs to keep to "mow the lawn and work on the car". Ready to be deposited in the Goodwill bin...yes, frequently I find my non-wanted items on the shelves.
Well, maybe hold off on the intervention...I have spring and summer coming up and my boys need a new wardrobe...
I know you've heard me mention America's Thrift Store, but have you ever gone and perused your local Goodwill? They are miracle workers-the items there are generally great for great prices. Of course you have to look past the dust, smeared substances and other minor blemishes. Get a coffee table for $15. Get a mattress for $20. It can't be beat. With a little paint and elbow grease, you can have a fully decorated home for the cost of one original item.
I clothe all my beasties and borrow the beasties' and beastettes' needs of my sisters to feed my addiction. It is amazing to me how anyone could NOT be in love with the hunt and thrill of finding GAP, Gymboree and Children's Place clothes for a few dollars or less. Our Goodwills (yes, that is plural...I have 3 in my area) offer 1-24 month clothes for a dollar. That is it. $1. They offer 2t-16 for $1.50. Amazing, isn't it! It doesn't matter if it is Faded Glory or Ralph Lauren (and yes, I have purchased a few). I am full of thrilling glee-almost like I beat the brand-name system. I am a shopping rebel...yes, it makes me grin secretly. I am able to dress my children handsomely and aide my sisters in dressing their children darlingly (I must get a girl fix somewhere-it wouldn't do at all for me to have bags of frills and pinks just sitting around...Kit would have an epoleptic fit!) for often only 10% of the original cost. Fabulous!
I have recently found the joy of freecycle. Have you heard? There are people willing to give items away for FREE. Yes, free. You need only pick it up! The bliss of the thrift store without the actual cost. Yes, I'm giggling as I type. The only thing keeping me from becoming like the people I watch on Clean House (Style network) is I am ruthless about de-cluttering my own domain. Poor Kit doesn't know what hits him somedays he gets home. Walmart bags of toys, books, 12 t-shirts Kit thinks he needs to keep to "mow the lawn and work on the car". Ready to be deposited in the Goodwill bin...yes, frequently I find my non-wanted items on the shelves.
Well, maybe hold off on the intervention...I have spring and summer coming up and my boys need a new wardrobe...
Monday, January 26, 2009
Josiah- The Supa' Star
Maybe not a super-star, but he is the ER Dickson All-Star for the month of January in Mrs. Ryall's class. Hooray for our little Jos! This award is recognition for good character-"for showing he cares for his friends and teachers" (as stated on his award from his teacher). He also was on the Honor Roll (he got all A's) for this and last quarter. It was fun to attend his Character Breakfast and watch him receive his special tee-shirt.
Typical of my children...not paying attention and crying!
We are so proud of Josiah. He struggled just a bit at the beginning of school, receiving yellow and red for his days, but since then, he has earned all green everyday. He is kind to others, loves his teacher and is a wonderful example in that way for his brothers.
Typical of my children...not paying attention and crying!( I know, my hair is in a pony yet again...I swear I do it different sometimes!)
WE LOVE YOU, JOSIAH!!
Monday, January 19, 2009
Monday, January 12, 2009
HERO Worship
We're not talking Super-heroes here, although my second beastie has a bad case of Batman-itis, but the heroes of my boys. It is so interesting to me to see who my children watch and admire. Of course they admire their daddy-he is so big, so strong and AMAZING at Lego Starwars-but the others out there who might not know they are being watched.
Gunnison has a BAD case of hero-worship for his two older brothers. They are mischievous little beasties with glints in their eyes and Gun thinks they are the most fascinating, funniest and coolest people around. I watch him watch them with his blue eyes fixed as they jump on my couch (uggh)...then the next thing I know, there he his laughing and trying to emulate. He wants to color when they color, he wants to dig his hands into their playdough, he tries to by-pass his little speedster for their bigger and better bikes. He is now sitting at the table in a booster just so he can be like his brothers. I love the fact he loves them and wants to be like them. I DO hope this persists and my other two beasties grow into the righteous warriors the Lord intends for them to be.
Gavin has two main worships-Josiah and okay...Batman...or a knight, or a super-spy or really any "super hero" type of person. Following those, he looks up to my little brother, Mack. Mack has installed himself into the type of person Gav wants to be. He talks about the way Mack loves to ride horses, plays games with them, goes fishing and hunting. Whenever Mack comes to visit, he takes the time to be with my boys-really listening to their (ENDLESS) questions and plays with them. I hope he knows how much my boys love him...AND the fact their big watchful eyes are watching what he does.
Josiah would probably tell you his hero right now is either Yoda or Luke Skywalker. He is SO into his Lego StarWars game. But-he has flesh and blood people who he watches with interest. Ross, a 9 year old boy in our ward, is a big favorite of his. He worships the way Ross "has totally beat the game" (referring yet again to Lego StarWars) and also the way he helps to take care of his little brother, Owen. He notices the fact Ross has been baptized and is always at church. He notices how kind Ross is to other kids. I appreciate he has been able to see Ross and his actions and know they are good and right. He is also in little-boy admiration for Blake, Ethan and Dylan. They all belong to a fabulous family in our ward. I will admit I'm a little in luuvvv with this family myself. I hope my boys will be as wonderful when they are their ages. Josiah again loves them for the fact they know "ALL about Starwars" but also loves them for their kindness. They always have a smile and listening ear when it comes to Jos. If anyone doesn't know, Josiah has an endless list of questions to ask and topics to speak about. He little/big mind is always turning and always thinking-thus, his mouth is always moving. They listen and talk to him. They play with them-and one of the things that impresses me the most-they always allow a little 6 year old boy to give them hugs. Despite being "big" boys (13, 11 and 9 I think) they let him give them hugs-no matter where they are. Pretty amazing, huh. Josiah loves watching Blake pass the sacrament and knows they all have been baptized. He watches their entire family, including the darling girls, Chelsea and Hannah. Definite idolizing going on.
Okay, so this little thought has become a mountain of a post, but I just have to throw out a thank you to these "Heroes" for acting in a way I want my sons to act-and being good examples to them. Thank you to their mothers and fathers for raising them so well. I truly hero-worship them.
Gunnison has a BAD case of hero-worship for his two older brothers. They are mischievous little beasties with glints in their eyes and Gun thinks they are the most fascinating, funniest and coolest people around. I watch him watch them with his blue eyes fixed as they jump on my couch (uggh)...then the next thing I know, there he his laughing and trying to emulate. He wants to color when they color, he wants to dig his hands into their playdough, he tries to by-pass his little speedster for their bigger and better bikes. He is now sitting at the table in a booster just so he can be like his brothers. I love the fact he loves them and wants to be like them. I DO hope this persists and my other two beasties grow into the righteous warriors the Lord intends for them to be.
Gavin has two main worships-Josiah and okay...Batman...or a knight, or a super-spy or really any "super hero" type of person. Following those, he looks up to my little brother, Mack. Mack has installed himself into the type of person Gav wants to be. He talks about the way Mack loves to ride horses, plays games with them, goes fishing and hunting. Whenever Mack comes to visit, he takes the time to be with my boys-really listening to their (ENDLESS) questions and plays with them. I hope he knows how much my boys love him...AND the fact their big watchful eyes are watching what he does.
Josiah would probably tell you his hero right now is either Yoda or Luke Skywalker. He is SO into his Lego StarWars game. But-he has flesh and blood people who he watches with interest. Ross, a 9 year old boy in our ward, is a big favorite of his. He worships the way Ross "has totally beat the game" (referring yet again to Lego StarWars) and also the way he helps to take care of his little brother, Owen. He notices the fact Ross has been baptized and is always at church. He notices how kind Ross is to other kids. I appreciate he has been able to see Ross and his actions and know they are good and right. He is also in little-boy admiration for Blake, Ethan and Dylan. They all belong to a fabulous family in our ward. I will admit I'm a little in luuvvv with this family myself. I hope my boys will be as wonderful when they are their ages. Josiah again loves them for the fact they know "ALL about Starwars" but also loves them for their kindness. They always have a smile and listening ear when it comes to Jos. If anyone doesn't know, Josiah has an endless list of questions to ask and topics to speak about. He little/big mind is always turning and always thinking-thus, his mouth is always moving. They listen and talk to him. They play with them-and one of the things that impresses me the most-they always allow a little 6 year old boy to give them hugs. Despite being "big" boys (13, 11 and 9 I think) they let him give them hugs-no matter where they are. Pretty amazing, huh. Josiah loves watching Blake pass the sacrament and knows they all have been baptized. He watches their entire family, including the darling girls, Chelsea and Hannah. Definite idolizing going on.
Okay, so this little thought has become a mountain of a post, but I just have to throw out a thank you to these "Heroes" for acting in a way I want my sons to act-and being good examples to them. Thank you to their mothers and fathers for raising them so well. I truly hero-worship them.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)