Best conversation of the weekend...
Libby: "Mama, are there beds in
Heaven?"
Me: "I'm not sure. Do you want to have a bed in Heaven?"
Libby: "Yeah." [pause] "I just hope God has good sheets."
Me:
"Like what kind?"
Libby: "Sheets with ponies on them. Those are the
bestest kinds."
[must be true b/c she doesn't even have sheets
with ponies]
Libby: "Let's pray...God, thank you for the world and
everything and please have sheets with ponies on them when I get there.
Amen."
Me: {smiling inside}
Pin It
Monday, August 22, 2011
Thursday, August 18, 2011
Summer Updates
Um, yeah, so I've basically abandoned the blog this spring and summer. It seems that as Libby and Drew get older, our lives get busier exponentially. Now, our weekends are booked with birthday parties, shopping for clothes since they are growing like WEEDS, and just trying to keep cool in this heat.
So, to bring you up to speed, we have had a "no commitment" summer meaning no travel plans or anything major planned. Libby and Drew had a few swim lessons with a sweet college student/swim coach at our neighborhood pool. They did GREAT with her. Drew was putting his face in the water during his first lesson. Libby was after a couple of tries. They were so ready for lessons this summer compared to last summer. They walk around the shallow end pretending to "swim" and kept telling me they wanted to be like the big kids in the big pool (we started out in the baby pool). I have to admit that seeing how tall they were in the baby pool compared to last summer made me tear up a little. My babies aren't babies anymore!
Libby and Drew went to a week of Vacation Bible School at a church down the street (not our regular church) and had so much fun. I actually had a great time having my morning coffee all to myself and even hitting a few thrift stores in that 3 hour "break time". It was great and they came home every day singing songs and showing me the 10,000 craft projects they did. I will definitely sign them up again next summer because they loved it.
So, we got into the new full-day preschool we applied for a few months ago! We are so excited because it is a fantastic place plus we won't have to juggle getting Libby and Drew transported between preschool and daycare like we did last year. The new program is a non-profit center which receives funding from businesses and the county, so there are lots of supplies, materials, and events for them. For example, the local nursery planted a flower and vegetable garden with the children. We got to see it and Libby and Drew were excited since we have agarden few pots on our deck, too! They are going to be in the same class, The Rainbows and we just can't wait for them to start. We found out that Pull-Ups are not allowed, even during naps (when Libby and Drew wore them), so we went home that day and had nap from then on in underwear. And only 1 or 2 accidents in about 6 weeks isn't too bad at all! I just bought an extra waterproof mattress pad as back up and it's been easy. So, we are ready to go!
The saddest part about their new preschool is leaving their babysitter, Ms. Brenda, that they have gone to every day since they were 4 months old! I dreaded the day I made the phone call to tell her. She has always been there for us and helped me so much as a new mom myself. She is one of those special people we won't ever forget. It's hard because her mother, Nela, whom her grandchildren (and daycare children) call "Mita" passed away very suddenly last November. Mita took care of the children along with Brenda and was such an amazing person. So helpful, caring, thoughtful, and a sweet woman. Brenda has really, really missed her for obvious reasons, so now that we're leaving Brenda, it almost feels like another loss all over again for me. So, it just means we need to keep in touch and visit every once in a while.
So, to bring you up to speed, we have had a "no commitment" summer meaning no travel plans or anything major planned. Libby and Drew had a few swim lessons with a sweet college student/swim coach at our neighborhood pool. They did GREAT with her. Drew was putting his face in the water during his first lesson. Libby was after a couple of tries. They were so ready for lessons this summer compared to last summer. They walk around the shallow end pretending to "swim" and kept telling me they wanted to be like the big kids in the big pool (we started out in the baby pool). I have to admit that seeing how tall they were in the baby pool compared to last summer made me tear up a little. My babies aren't babies anymore!
Libby and Drew went to a week of Vacation Bible School at a church down the street (not our regular church) and had so much fun. I actually had a great time having my morning coffee all to myself and even hitting a few thrift stores in that 3 hour "break time". It was great and they came home every day singing songs and showing me the 10,000 craft projects they did. I will definitely sign them up again next summer because they loved it.
So, we got into the new full-day preschool we applied for a few months ago! We are so excited because it is a fantastic place plus we won't have to juggle getting Libby and Drew transported between preschool and daycare like we did last year. The new program is a non-profit center which receives funding from businesses and the county, so there are lots of supplies, materials, and events for them. For example, the local nursery planted a flower and vegetable garden with the children. We got to see it and Libby and Drew were excited since we have a
The saddest part about their new preschool is leaving their babysitter, Ms. Brenda, that they have gone to every day since they were 4 months old! I dreaded the day I made the phone call to tell her. She has always been there for us and helped me so much as a new mom myself. She is one of those special people we won't ever forget. It's hard because her mother, Nela, whom her grandchildren (and daycare children) call "Mita" passed away very suddenly last November. Mita took care of the children along with Brenda and was such an amazing person. So helpful, caring, thoughtful, and a sweet woman. Brenda has really, really missed her for obvious reasons, so now that we're leaving Brenda, it almost feels like another loss all over again for me. So, it just means we need to keep in touch and visit every once in a while.
Monday, July 25, 2011
Sunday, July 24, 2011
Bits Of Everything: Parenting tips for Young Children
I haven't posted in a while and mostly it's because we are so so busy. But I must admit that Libby and Drew, at age 4, are giving Darrell and I a run for our money lately. They are so sweet and loving one moment and then turn into wild monkeys the next. I get frustrated because I don't want them to be disrespectful to us and wish they would listen more. I'm hoping and praying it's just a phase. I have to remember that big culprits to their behavior are sleep, food, and especially SUGAR. We need to just give up treats like candy from favor bags or anything "junk" before bed/nap time because they just get wild. Thankfully I found this blog post today and need to re-read it every morning!
Bits Of Everything: Parenting tips for Young Children: " Here are some helpful ideas I've found that have helped in parenting a strong willed child:
1-Provide the fundamentals. Children well fed and with enough sleep and the right foods cope best.
2- Daily, give children personalized time, attention and affection
3-Avoid name calling and labeling kids, "Hyper", "Trouble maker" or "problem child". Labels don't help a child's self-esteem.
4-Maintain a predicable schedule. Warn children of changes in routine and let them know when they can expect things to end. (Let them know when they have 10 minutes, then 5 minutes left in an activity)
5-Make sure children get hands-on active play time. It helps them use their energy constructively. Avoid over-scheduling children, but give them an activity that's a good outlet for energy.
6-Model and encourage positive social skills, such as trading, sharing, inviting others to play, offering to help others, and asking for help.
7-Choose your battles wisely. Use clear directions and enforce age appropriate limits, with reasonable consequences. Avoid over-reacting, raising your voice, or offering false threats. Dealing with problems matter-of-factly can help your child gain control and trust in your parenting.
Bits Of Everything: Parenting tips for Young Children: " Here are some helpful ideas I've found that have helped in parenting a strong willed child:
1-Provide the fundamentals. Children well fed and with enough sleep and the right foods cope best.
2- Daily, give children personalized time, attention and affection
3-Avoid name calling and labeling kids, "Hyper", "Trouble maker" or "problem child". Labels don't help a child's self-esteem.
4-Maintain a predicable schedule. Warn children of changes in routine and let them know when they can expect things to end. (Let them know when they have 10 minutes, then 5 minutes left in an activity)
5-Make sure children get hands-on active play time. It helps them use their energy constructively. Avoid over-scheduling children, but give them an activity that's a good outlet for energy.
6-Model and encourage positive social skills, such as trading, sharing, inviting others to play, offering to help others, and asking for help.
7-Choose your battles wisely. Use clear directions and enforce age appropriate limits, with reasonable consequences. Avoid over-reacting, raising your voice, or offering false threats. Dealing with problems matter-of-factly can help your child gain control and trust in your parenting.
Sunday, July 17, 2011
Veggie Garden
We decided to plant veggies this year and decided to have a container garden on our deck since this is where we get the most sunshine. We have been very diligent about looking for pests since our tomato fiasco last summer. Our Early Girl tomatoes are doing great and are so good!
Same with our zucchini (no veggies yet but nice and healthy plant):
But yesterday I checked our cauliflower and found this!
Yep, little green caterpillars all over! I picked off about 20 over 2 days and the kids wanted to keep them as pets. So we dug in the recycle bin for an old jelly jar and put in some leaves. It is pretty gross though b/c there is sooo much poop in there! Eewwww. But we'll have to wait and see if they form some pupae or chrysali (?) soon.
Look who has visited our tomato plant! They say that ladybugs bring good luck, so I hope this little lady brings lots of tomatoes, too. Libby was amazed at how teeny-tiny this little lady was- plus she kept asking why she was orange and not red! My favorite response of the summer... "Because that's how God made her." It has worked for a variety of situations already!
Look who has visited our tomato plant! They say that ladybugs bring good luck, so I hope this little lady brings lots of tomatoes, too. Libby was amazed at how teeny-tiny this little lady was- plus she kept asking why she was orange and not red! My favorite response of the summer... "Because that's how God made her." It has worked for a variety of situations already!
Friday, July 15, 2011
Seafood
After spending a Saturday running errands and browsing in Salvation Army and Goodwill, we decided to try out a new seafood restaurant nearby. Of course Libby and Drew order spaghetti and mac 'n cheese at a seafood restaurant!
Friday, July 8, 2011
There IS Such Thing as a FREE Lunch (or Dinner)
Yes, we have no shame in having our kids dress up as cows (oh, but we did it, too) just to get a free meal at Chick-Fil-A tonight. We printed out some masks from their website for the kids. Darrell used painter's tape to attach the pieces to them. Note to others... DO NOT USE PAINTER'S TAPE ON SKIN. It hurts, I mean really hurts. :(
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Saturday, June 18, 2011
Come on Over...
I've been away from my family blog here for a little while, but am trying to give some much-needed attention to my Cayenne Paper blog. I'm writing about DIY projects while also promoting products from my store. I only have a few followers so far, so spread the word, come on over, have a cup of tea, and stay a while. It would be great if you followed me there, too, and commented! See you there...
 |
| Cayenne Paper blog |
Monday, May 30, 2011
Mother's Day 2011
I felt so special going to St. Andrew Preschool for their Mother's Day Tea today. The kids were all giddy with excitement and tried REALLY hard not to give away the surprises of the day! We had a nice brunch with tea, handmade decorations, and a performance of them singing some adorable songs to us.
 |
| A Star is Born! |
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
LinkWithin
