I came home from VBS this morning to a disaster zone. Breakfast dishes all over the counter, a full cup of cold coffee sitting on the table, cereal and sand spread over the kitchen floor, a wet towel crumpled up on the bathroom floor and a pair of boy's pajamas laying in a puddle in the bathtub. Not the way I would normally leave the house, as that's not a nice thing to come home to. What happened here, you might ask? Things certainly weren't so hectic when Mike left for his summer course this morning - the boys were calmly eating breakfast and the morning was under control. Then Aaron had a poop.
And did he ever. Unfortunately, I didn't realize the extent of his job until I was pulling off his pajama shorts to change his diaper... and I discovered he had blown out the side and I had successfully spread disgustingness to the bottom of his legs and on his hands, plus I had a pair of shorts and a diaper that needed to be dealt with. Trying to maintain some control of the situation without spreading the mess around too much, I grab one arm and the opposite leg and carry him to the tub, but in the process I manage to get my arms covered in poo. Lovely. Turn the hand-held shower head on and start hosing him off, with the poor kid loudly protesting that he wants OUT. Too bad, son. Guess what, I'm not so excited about this situation myself. With Aaron starting to escalate into screaming, I put the shower head down quickly to grab some soap and of course it spins around and starts spraying all over me before I pick it up again. Even more lovely. Finally, Aaron's cleaned up, I'm cleaned up and I go to grab him some clothes, only to discover several chunks of poo on the floor, carpet, and change table that must have dropped off my hazardous-waste child as I carried him to the tub. "Poop on carpet, Mommy. That's gusting" declares my now-clean child. I quickly get him dressed, and now time is running short before I have to get everyone packed in the van for VBS. Start searching for Peter to get him dressed, only to find him in the sandbox outside with sand in his hair, stuck to his hands, and all over his feet, and he's still in his pajamas. Ahhh! I wipe him up as best as I can but he'll just have to be a little grimy for his VBS closing program today. Get him into his clothes, get Nate changed and into his clothes, and get shoes on all three before hustling them out the door. It was one of those drives where I had to double-check that I was wearing all the clothes I should be wearing (does anyone else ever wonder if they've forgotten to put on something essential?), only to find that my hair was frizzy from being sprayed in the shower, my pants were soaked, and although I had used the nicest-smelling soap I could find I was still a little paranoid that I would smell like I just gave a poopy toddler a hose-down. Peter was grimy, Aaron might have still been wafting some less-than-attractive odors, and poor Nate hadn't even had a drink yet. Not exactly the way I wanted to walk into church! It was a bit of a disastrous morning, but at least everyone was in a pretty good mood by the time we arrived, and no one else seemed to notice a problem.
That's got to rank up there with the top poop-disasters that I've dealt with. Of course, small babies have blow-outs more often requiring full wardrobe changes but something about baby poop makes it not quite as bad as toddler poop. The worst toddler-poop experience still has to be with Peter when we were first toilet-training him. He got quite constipated and the situation was getting a little grim. We finally decided to give him just the tiniest bit of Senecot liquid to see if it could help him out. Who knew it could work that quickly. We were on our way out to Grassie to check something out, when the poor guy had an "accident". Actually, it was more than just an accident, it was more of a natural disaster. Anyways, when we stopped, it was quite the task to get everything cleaned up. He was covered from his hair right on down to his socks, and I ended up using almost a whole roll of paper towel and a package of baby wipes to clean him up, stripped bare and in the back of the open van in 8 degree weather. All I had for extra clothes was an outfit from Aaron, so I squeezed him into those and wrapped him in a blanket. What a disaster!! Pretty disgusting, but at least we can laugh about the gross adventures of parenthood in retrospect! :P
Friday, July 08, 2011
VBS According to Peter
Day One (Adam and Eve)
There were three boys who had a goat. Actually they were three girls. They tied a rope to a stake and to the goat so it couldn't get away. Then a huge frog came and tied a rope to our van and it was stuck.
Day Two (Shepherds Visit Baby Jesus)
The shepherds came to the barn to see Jesus sleeping. Jesus was asleep on the hay, and he had two pillows, too. There were three shepherds, and they took the sheep away from the big bear, who was lonely. It ate Jesus, and He was broken in the bear's tummy - he was thiiiis small. Then the shepherd fixed Jesus.
Day Three (Jesus Raises Jairus' Daughter, Jesus Calms the Storm)
There was a girl who was sick because she fell out of bed and hit her head. She had a big owie on her head, and it didn't get better. The disciples and Jesus were in the boat and they were all sleeping. Then the disciples yelled and woke Jesus up, and they wanted Him to listen to God. So Jesus said "stop" and the water stopped. Then there was a big huge teddy bear who was mean, and the little teddy bear landed on his foot and he was mean too.
Day Four (Jesus Dies on the Cross)
It was a Saviour. Jesus died on the cross to pay for our sins. God put him there, and the shepherds maybe. Then the big teddy bear kicked the little teddy bear and he landed on top of a tree. That wasn't very nice. A man hid the bear under a lion bush, and then it was lost.
Day Five (Jesus Taken Up Into Heaven)
There was a little man, and he was sick. The people were afraid because he was sick. They put him in the jack and he couldn't come out, and he was lonely because he lived in a little box. Jesus is our Saviour. He went up into the earth, up into the sky without using a ladder. He watches us, and Jesus and God live in our hearts.
I could pretty much deduce what the actual story was each day, but his explanations were understandably quite puzzling. He had all these strange details and definitely non-biblical storylines which were somewhat familiar to me but I didn't figure out why until Wednesday. His teacher had also been reading to the children from W.G. Vandehulst's My Favourite Story Book, a book that I grew up with. They must have heard the story of the "Two Little Sisters" on Monday, "A Teddy Bear That Grew" on Tuesday and Wednesday and then also "Lettie", perhaps "Grandpa's Watch on Thursday and then Friday they must have read a story about a Jack-in-the-Box. It took some prodding each day but he did remember some details about the Bible story that they learned. Of course, he's heard all those stories here at home already, but he'll hear them many times in the years ahead, and it's interesting to see how he learns from someone other than Mom and Dad. He wasn't too keen on being left behind the first few days, but by the last couple days he was much more comfortable with being on his own, and he even sang in the program this morning. Aaron was definitely not impressed with not being able to stay with his brother, because he wanted to "go Bible school TOO Mommy!!", and he complained that "I will be lonely!" It was a bit of a struggle to leave with him, but once we were busy with other things he was just fine. It was an interesting week for all of us, to be sure.
There were three boys who had a goat. Actually they were three girls. They tied a rope to a stake and to the goat so it couldn't get away. Then a huge frog came and tied a rope to our van and it was stuck.
Day Two (Shepherds Visit Baby Jesus)
The shepherds came to the barn to see Jesus sleeping. Jesus was asleep on the hay, and he had two pillows, too. There were three shepherds, and they took the sheep away from the big bear, who was lonely. It ate Jesus, and He was broken in the bear's tummy - he was thiiiis small. Then the shepherd fixed Jesus.
Day Three (Jesus Raises Jairus' Daughter, Jesus Calms the Storm)
There was a girl who was sick because she fell out of bed and hit her head. She had a big owie on her head, and it didn't get better. The disciples and Jesus were in the boat and they were all sleeping. Then the disciples yelled and woke Jesus up, and they wanted Him to listen to God. So Jesus said "stop" and the water stopped. Then there was a big huge teddy bear who was mean, and the little teddy bear landed on his foot and he was mean too.
Day Four (Jesus Dies on the Cross)
It was a Saviour. Jesus died on the cross to pay for our sins. God put him there, and the shepherds maybe. Then the big teddy bear kicked the little teddy bear and he landed on top of a tree. That wasn't very nice. A man hid the bear under a lion bush, and then it was lost.
Day Five (Jesus Taken Up Into Heaven)
There was a little man, and he was sick. The people were afraid because he was sick. They put him in the jack and he couldn't come out, and he was lonely because he lived in a little box. Jesus is our Saviour. He went up into the earth, up into the sky without using a ladder. He watches us, and Jesus and God live in our hearts.
I could pretty much deduce what the actual story was each day, but his explanations were understandably quite puzzling. He had all these strange details and definitely non-biblical storylines which were somewhat familiar to me but I didn't figure out why until Wednesday. His teacher had also been reading to the children from W.G. Vandehulst's My Favourite Story Book, a book that I grew up with. They must have heard the story of the "Two Little Sisters" on Monday, "A Teddy Bear That Grew" on Tuesday and Wednesday and then also "Lettie", perhaps "Grandpa's Watch on Thursday and then Friday they must have read a story about a Jack-in-the-Box. It took some prodding each day but he did remember some details about the Bible story that they learned. Of course, he's heard all those stories here at home already, but he'll hear them many times in the years ahead, and it's interesting to see how he learns from someone other than Mom and Dad. He wasn't too keen on being left behind the first few days, but by the last couple days he was much more comfortable with being on his own, and he even sang in the program this morning. Aaron was definitely not impressed with not being able to stay with his brother, because he wanted to "go Bible school TOO Mommy!!", and he complained that "I will be lonely!" It was a bit of a struggle to leave with him, but once we were busy with other things he was just fine. It was an interesting week for all of us, to be sure.
Thursday, July 07, 2011
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Strawberries
As I mentioned in a recent post, I managed to get out and pick some fresh Ontario strawberries last week. I spent quite a few years working on a berry farm, so strawberries have a special place in my heart (and my mouth of course!). There's nothing quite like a sweet, juicy strawberry freshly picked and still warm from the sun. It's a short season and I was glad to be able to pick 3.5 baskets for jam, freezing, and smoothies. I was sad to see, however, that although strawberries were a big feature in all the grocery store flyers last week, there was a problem. See what I mean:
Yeah. All these gorgeous, WAY more delicious Ontario strawberries grown just minutes away from home, and still the stores are all carrying imported and far less tasty fruit. I realize it's hard to organize delivery of local produce, but it seems like such a shame to buy another country's strawberries when there is a MUCH better product grown right here. Please, go out and buy your berries from a local farmer instead!!
Saturday, June 25, 2011
Daddy's Helpers
"Bob" (Peter) and "Windy" (Aaron) are helping "Bob's Dad" (Mike) put up the play structure that we bought off Kijiji a few weeks ago. I don't know how much faster they make it for their Dad, but at least they are having a fun time! And hey, Mom got the whole house cleaned while they've been outside - now I think no one is allowed back in the house, haha. Well, maybe I'll let them in for pancakes at lunch time, because they just might have worked up a bit of an appetite!
Elephant bladder
First thing this morning, getting the kids out of bed.
Mike: "Peter, you need to go pee, please"
Peter: "But I already went pee!!"
Mike: "When did you go pee?"
Peter: "Before I went to bed!"
Seriously, this child must have the bladder of an elephant.
Mike: "Peter, you need to go pee, please"
Peter: "But I already went pee!!"
Mike: "When did you go pee?"
Peter: "Before I went to bed!"
Seriously, this child must have the bladder of an elephant.
Friday, June 24, 2011
Summer has Started!
It feels like it's been a while since I've sat down to write an update... although how much can really change in three weeks? What a silly question for me to ask when I know I have small children at home that never seem to stay the same! The biggest change in the last few weeks has been with Nathaniel. The last time I wrote, he was "on the brink of crawling". Well, to stay with that metaphor I guess he's fallen off the cliff! Not literally of course. But I did have to dust off the baby gate and block off the stairs to the basement, and we've got to be careful about doors being open and what we leave around that might be interesting to newly mobile babies who don't yet know the rules. Back to that stage again... learning the word "no". A stern "no" has sent him into heart-breaking tears on numerous occasions already - he's not too used to a firm voice yet. But along with the new freedom of mobility comes the need to learn what is and what is not allowed. Not to mention that Mommy needs to be a whole lot more observant all the time! It was nice to have a short period of time where I didn't have to worry so much about electrical cords, portable phones, buttons on electronics, and small toys that could potentially become an unwelcome snack for a little explorer.
I find it interesting to see how Nate's awareness of his surroundings has changed so much with his new skill of going where he wants to go. He sees something he is interested in, and now he has the option of going to check it out instead of just laying on his tummy and flailing his legs and arms in the air. It is so fun to watch him follow his brothers around the house, army-crawling it from room to room with his poor little legs squeaking along on the hardwood floors or the linoleum in the kitchen. It will be nice for him to learn how to crawl properly on his hand and knees. He's done it here and there for short distances, but he hasn't yet figured out that it's much more efficient! One other thing he's been doing is pulling himself up on things. He pulled himself to standing the other day when I had the T.V. on for the other boys - they don't watch much T.V. at all, so it must have really caught his attention. Let me take a look at that thing! Television screens are so entrancing for little kids... I guess for big kids (adults) as well sometimes.
Nate is completely weaned now, after a number of months of frustration and worrying. I finally got him to take some milk from a sippy cup, and then when he started refusing to nurse, I called it quits. I've been worried about him not getting enough for long enough, and it's nice, in a way, to know how much he is actually drinking. And how much does he drink? Wellllll, somewhere between 5 and 10 oz a day usually, and only homo milk. Yeah. Not much. I took him to his 9 month appointment last week, and he was finally staying at the same percentile for his age, weighing in at 20 lbs 7 oz. The doctor wasn't too concerned about his low fluid intake, and not concerned that he was only drinking homo since I've been mixing formula with all his meals, and he is developmentally on track. I do have a visit next month with a pediatrician to discuss his drinking/weight issues and to check him out for this persistent cough he has. He continues to be a very happy, cheerful, and content baby, and he sure does love his Mommy!
That's a lot of writing about one kid... the other boys are doing well too! I took Peter to a Pre-K orientation day yesterday at the public school down the block. It's a mix class of PreK and SK kids, although all the moms I talked to there had 4 year olds like Pete. I'm not sure yet if he'll be there for sure, but he was excited to go, although a little nervous once we actually arrived. I know it would be good for him socially, and kids can learn so much at a young age. It would be a good challenge for him and I think he could handle something new. I think. On the other hand, I look at him and he's so little still! Of course he likes to talk EVERY DAY about how he is big, and how Aaron is little, and how one day he will be even bigger, and he will be a Daddy, and he will be in charge. I digress. He'd only be three when school starts, and if I wait till the next year to put him in Kindergarten at Heritage, I'd have another year with him at home with me. It's a pretty special time and it goes by so quickly; I don't want to miss out these years either. Not that he'd be gone all day - the class is every afternoon for about 3.5 hours. I wonder who would have the harder time in September on the first few days - Peter or I. We've got a few months to think about it in any case. He's growing up so quick. Sigh. Writing this makes me want to go snuggle with him for a bit in his bed while he still doesn't mind.
Aaron is also doing well. I think I'm going to back off on potty-training him again for a little while. It was going alright for a while there, but he's back to doing his business in his pants without even seeming concerned about being wet or dirty, and that's not a whole lot of fun for anybody. Actually who am I kidding. That's not a whole lot of fun for ME! Who likes cleaning out poopy underwear?? Yeah, there aren't too many people eagerly raising their hands for that job. SO I think I'll give him some time and maybe he'll be more interested in another month or two or three. Maybe after summer. Maybe when Peter's in school...hmmm. It will be nice to be back to having only one in diapers.
Aaron loves to do everything that Peter does - whether it be how they play, how they eat, or how they talk. Monkey see, monkey do, all the time. Sometimes it's funny, sometimes it's frustrating. He definitely picked up the "WHY" question from Peter, and the two of them can drive me crazy repeating that word in unison after everything I say. Aaron is also a big fan of his Mommy nowadays, and every time he goes to bed, either for a nap or at night, he asks "snuggle with me, Mommy, snuggle with me". How can you possibly turn that down? It's nice to take a few minutes out of the day and just have a little snuggle and chat with him to wind him down for a snooze. And maybe Mom gets a snooze too... yeah right, with two other little ones. It's a nice idea anyways.
Well well what else is new. Today was the last day of school for Mike! What a busy, busy last little while it has been for him. Between report cards, class trips, school events, and cadet things, he's been going 150% and it is SO nice for him to have a break and to be able to spend a little bit of relax-time here at home with the kids and me. We've got a few projects in mind including building a deck, fixing the fence that blew over during that crazy wind storm, and mowing the lawn. Don't worry, the lawn has been mowed a few times already but apparently I am incapable of starting the lawn mower myself, no matter how many times I've tried. So it has to wait for Mike to get a chance. Am I really that incompetent that I can't start a lawn mower? I didn't think so but it seems that I am. I need one with a simple button so I don't have to rip my arm off trying to get it started. Of course, it always helps to have gas in the tank. As for the rest of the summer, we are looking forward to some day trips with the kids, a week at the cottage with my family, and a week of camping at the Pinery with the VD's.
As for me here at home, I keep busy with this and that. Some days I'm not sure what I do to keep me busy but at the end of the day I'm tired, so I must have been doing something. It might have something to do with the piles of clean laundry that sit in the living room asking to be folded. I know that I don't usually have enough spare time to sit down and read the newspaper that comes once a week, and I've been working on the same (short) book for the last two months or so. Perhaps if it wasn't for this blog I would lose my literacy, who knows. I just finished a fourth batch of strawberry jam this evening, and I can hear the jars popping while I write. What an enjoyable noise - mission accomplished! It was nice to get out and do some berry picking, it's been a few years since I've done it. Mmmm, fresh berries - the boys and I were gorging ourselves on them this morning while I was getting them ready. Yum!! I wouldn't mind putting some strawberry plants in the garden next year, except for the fact that we've got way too many visiting rabbits who like to munch my plants. Some of my corn plants have been toppled and I just saw that the tops of my bean plants have all been chewed off... time to get a BB gun I think. I'm only semi joking. These rabbits are cute, but only in a cage - when they are in my garden they transform into furry beast-thieves in need of a good lesson.
I feel like I've been sitting at the computer for WAY too long writing this update, so I need to call it a night. After I post some pictures. Enjoy!
I find it interesting to see how Nate's awareness of his surroundings has changed so much with his new skill of going where he wants to go. He sees something he is interested in, and now he has the option of going to check it out instead of just laying on his tummy and flailing his legs and arms in the air. It is so fun to watch him follow his brothers around the house, army-crawling it from room to room with his poor little legs squeaking along on the hardwood floors or the linoleum in the kitchen. It will be nice for him to learn how to crawl properly on his hand and knees. He's done it here and there for short distances, but he hasn't yet figured out that it's much more efficient! One other thing he's been doing is pulling himself up on things. He pulled himself to standing the other day when I had the T.V. on for the other boys - they don't watch much T.V. at all, so it must have really caught his attention. Let me take a look at that thing! Television screens are so entrancing for little kids... I guess for big kids (adults) as well sometimes.
Nate is completely weaned now, after a number of months of frustration and worrying. I finally got him to take some milk from a sippy cup, and then when he started refusing to nurse, I called it quits. I've been worried about him not getting enough for long enough, and it's nice, in a way, to know how much he is actually drinking. And how much does he drink? Wellllll, somewhere between 5 and 10 oz a day usually, and only homo milk. Yeah. Not much. I took him to his 9 month appointment last week, and he was finally staying at the same percentile for his age, weighing in at 20 lbs 7 oz. The doctor wasn't too concerned about his low fluid intake, and not concerned that he was only drinking homo since I've been mixing formula with all his meals, and he is developmentally on track. I do have a visit next month with a pediatrician to discuss his drinking/weight issues and to check him out for this persistent cough he has. He continues to be a very happy, cheerful, and content baby, and he sure does love his Mommy!
That's a lot of writing about one kid... the other boys are doing well too! I took Peter to a Pre-K orientation day yesterday at the public school down the block. It's a mix class of PreK and SK kids, although all the moms I talked to there had 4 year olds like Pete. I'm not sure yet if he'll be there for sure, but he was excited to go, although a little nervous once we actually arrived. I know it would be good for him socially, and kids can learn so much at a young age. It would be a good challenge for him and I think he could handle something new. I think. On the other hand, I look at him and he's so little still! Of course he likes to talk EVERY DAY about how he is big, and how Aaron is little, and how one day he will be even bigger, and he will be a Daddy, and he will be in charge. I digress. He'd only be three when school starts, and if I wait till the next year to put him in Kindergarten at Heritage, I'd have another year with him at home with me. It's a pretty special time and it goes by so quickly; I don't want to miss out these years either. Not that he'd be gone all day - the class is every afternoon for about 3.5 hours. I wonder who would have the harder time in September on the first few days - Peter or I. We've got a few months to think about it in any case. He's growing up so quick. Sigh. Writing this makes me want to go snuggle with him for a bit in his bed while he still doesn't mind.
Aaron is also doing well. I think I'm going to back off on potty-training him again for a little while. It was going alright for a while there, but he's back to doing his business in his pants without even seeming concerned about being wet or dirty, and that's not a whole lot of fun for anybody. Actually who am I kidding. That's not a whole lot of fun for ME! Who likes cleaning out poopy underwear?? Yeah, there aren't too many people eagerly raising their hands for that job. SO I think I'll give him some time and maybe he'll be more interested in another month or two or three. Maybe after summer. Maybe when Peter's in school...hmmm. It will be nice to be back to having only one in diapers.
Aaron loves to do everything that Peter does - whether it be how they play, how they eat, or how they talk. Monkey see, monkey do, all the time. Sometimes it's funny, sometimes it's frustrating. He definitely picked up the "WHY" question from Peter, and the two of them can drive me crazy repeating that word in unison after everything I say. Aaron is also a big fan of his Mommy nowadays, and every time he goes to bed, either for a nap or at night, he asks "snuggle with me, Mommy, snuggle with me". How can you possibly turn that down? It's nice to take a few minutes out of the day and just have a little snuggle and chat with him to wind him down for a snooze. And maybe Mom gets a snooze too... yeah right, with two other little ones. It's a nice idea anyways.
Well well what else is new. Today was the last day of school for Mike! What a busy, busy last little while it has been for him. Between report cards, class trips, school events, and cadet things, he's been going 150% and it is SO nice for him to have a break and to be able to spend a little bit of relax-time here at home with the kids and me. We've got a few projects in mind including building a deck, fixing the fence that blew over during that crazy wind storm, and mowing the lawn. Don't worry, the lawn has been mowed a few times already but apparently I am incapable of starting the lawn mower myself, no matter how many times I've tried. So it has to wait for Mike to get a chance. Am I really that incompetent that I can't start a lawn mower? I didn't think so but it seems that I am. I need one with a simple button so I don't have to rip my arm off trying to get it started. Of course, it always helps to have gas in the tank. As for the rest of the summer, we are looking forward to some day trips with the kids, a week at the cottage with my family, and a week of camping at the Pinery with the VD's.
As for me here at home, I keep busy with this and that. Some days I'm not sure what I do to keep me busy but at the end of the day I'm tired, so I must have been doing something. It might have something to do with the piles of clean laundry that sit in the living room asking to be folded. I know that I don't usually have enough spare time to sit down and read the newspaper that comes once a week, and I've been working on the same (short) book for the last two months or so. Perhaps if it wasn't for this blog I would lose my literacy, who knows. I just finished a fourth batch of strawberry jam this evening, and I can hear the jars popping while I write. What an enjoyable noise - mission accomplished! It was nice to get out and do some berry picking, it's been a few years since I've done it. Mmmm, fresh berries - the boys and I were gorging ourselves on them this morning while I was getting them ready. Yum!! I wouldn't mind putting some strawberry plants in the garden next year, except for the fact that we've got way too many visiting rabbits who like to munch my plants. Some of my corn plants have been toppled and I just saw that the tops of my bean plants have all been chewed off... time to get a BB gun I think. I'm only semi joking. These rabbits are cute, but only in a cage - when they are in my garden they transform into furry beast-thieves in need of a good lesson.
I feel like I've been sitting at the computer for WAY too long writing this update, so I need to call it a night. After I post some pictures. Enjoy!
Enjoying the swing on a beautiful day
What a goof, crawling up on my lap. Aaron likes to call him a goofball, lol
Enticing him with a soother, trying to get him to pull himself up on the couch
Another day at the park makes these boys pretty happy!
I can just hear him laughing in this one!
Higher, Mom! Push me higher!
Looks like it's time for a gate - that pack and play barrier isn't going to cut it anymore
What is this thing? Nate pulled himself up to the TV
The first few jars of jam I made yesterday. Mmmm!
"Helping" Mommy get the berries ready for jam. You have to do lots of taste-testing to be sure that the berries are okay to use, of course
I put Peter to work smashing the berries for me, and he was pleased as punch to have a job!
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Thursday, June 02, 2011
June Update
Aunt Dell came for a visit, and, of course, only the lucky few get away without reading the boys a book or two. Or perhaps those who get away without reading books are not so lucky after all... it's pretty sweet to sit with three bundles of love and joy while you read them stories!
I'm a little bit sad that this picture turned
out so blurry... it's a pretty cute one
out so blurry... it's a pretty cute one
I wonder if there's another new tooth on the horizon... lots of drool going on
Practicing writing his name
I am so impressed with this picture of me that he drew this week! It's hanging on my fridge. A face with all the essential features, and I've got arms and legs. No body, but that's no biggie - who needs a body when you have "a hook that can open doors and carry things" (according to Peter) attached to one of your legs
Brothers
It's hard to take a picture of yourself with three small children, haha
The boys just got bicycle helmets and were so excited about them that they had to wear them at breakfast time. They like to call themselves "workermen" when they have them on. Hopefully their enthusiasm about wearing them will remain for many years...
Yeah, that's the temperature it was on Tuesday outside my kitchen window as I was washing dishes. The highest I saw it was 42.9 but my hands were too soapy to take a picture. This was not a nice re-introduction to summer! Anyone out there who wants to donate a central air conditioner to us is more than welcome to. In the mean time, on hot days like this you might find me sprawled on the concrete floor in the basement trying to cool off
I was helping Aaron in the bathroom the other day while Peter and Nate were in the living room. Peter was busy playing with a large cardboard box, and Nate was on the other side of the room when I left. However, when I got back to the living room, Nate was inside the box and Peter was playing peek-a-boo with him and closing the flaps. Little Nate, I sure wish you could tell me how you got inside that box, because I have a feeling you didn't crawl in there yourself...
A group of ladies from the morning Bible study I attend got together yesterday morning for a picnic at Port Dalhousie. We had a nice time, and the kids had fun playing on the playground.
It was a bright day - good thing the boys wear their hats without complaint
And GUESS WHO TOOK A BOTTLE when we got home from the park. Yes, the ever-so-stubborn Nathaniel! I could hardly believe it. He downed 3.5 oz holding the bottle on his own. Of course, he didn't want anything to do with it again today - actually he refused to nurse or take a bottle all day until I put him down for bed tonight - but at least I know there is some hope.
I saved this picture after it went flying around on Facebook the day after the royal wedding from Prince William and Kate Middleton.
I thought it was pretty funny!
I thought it was pretty funny!
Admonitions...
This may sound strange, but I actually somewhat enjoyed overhearing Peter telling Aaron off this morning. I was in the kitchen, they were in the living room and from what I could guess, Aaron had hit Peter (must not have been too hard or there would have been tears). This is the ensuing admonition from Peter to Aaron:
"No, you may NOT hit! That makes Mommy and Daddy and God sad. Do you know what God says? God says in the BIBLE that you have to love each other. It says in the Bible that you can't hit your brother, Aaron. You may not fight with each other. That's what GOD says!"
You never know how much sinks in when you are disciplining your kids, especially when they keep repeating the same sinful behaviour over and over again. Don't hit your brother, don't throw blocks at your brother, don't steal his toys, etc etc like a broken record. Some days it really seems like it's an exercise in futility to take them aside and explain to them why what they are doing is wrong, and it seems like they will never learn. I'm sure I'll still be breaking up fights and disciplining children for a long, long time, but after this morning, it's nice to know that they do actually listen to what I tell them!
"No, you may NOT hit! That makes Mommy and Daddy and God sad. Do you know what God says? God says in the BIBLE that you have to love each other. It says in the Bible that you can't hit your brother, Aaron. You may not fight with each other. That's what GOD says!"
You never know how much sinks in when you are disciplining your kids, especially when they keep repeating the same sinful behaviour over and over again. Don't hit your brother, don't throw blocks at your brother, don't steal his toys, etc etc like a broken record. Some days it really seems like it's an exercise in futility to take them aside and explain to them why what they are doing is wrong, and it seems like they will never learn. I'm sure I'll still be breaking up fights and disciplining children for a long, long time, but after this morning, it's nice to know that they do actually listen to what I tell them!
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