No girls allowed!

C's penmanship has gotten much better....he is sounding out words all the time....(too bad his sister can't read yet).For those of you struggling to make out these postit notes on his bedroom door, it reads: NO SIS UR LITOL GRLS ONLEE BOYS (and the days of brother/sister relations begin...)

Remembering Easter

S and her daddy had a big time looking in her eggs at the egg hunt...wonder who ate more out of them?C had every egg opened before we got to him...not eating the candy...just checking out the toys inside. My children are so different...But, they both had a great time with their friends at our annual Sunday school Easter egg hunt. Our family after the eggs had been found, the candy devoured, and the toys explored...This was our after church Easter picture. We had a wonderful lunch at Uncle Tanner and our new Aunt Caroline's house. They outdid themselves on a feast for Easter lunch. Living away from all of our family, we were determined to spend Easter lunch together, the 6 of us. We are so thankful for them living in town so we can see them more often.

During this Easter season, we are so very grateful for all Jesus sacrificed for us. Keeping Him the center of this time of year is so important to me, but so difficult sometimes with my children. With all the egg hunts, the Easter bunny, and talk of "Spring" things, Jesus seems to be an afterthought in society's view of this holiday. But, I am determined! I don't just want a healthy balance at Easter - I want the focus on Jesus. We did the Easter story cookies this year...where each ingredient represents a part of Jesus's death and resurrection. It went well with the kids. But, the cookies flopped - oh well - we got the chance to go through the story with them...that is what is most important. We also did the Resurrection Eggs - which are amazing - highly recommend them!! My children hang onto every word of the horrible/wonderful story of Jesus' last days. The more I can tell them of His gift for us...the more they understand what He did for us...the less all that bunny stuff matters. So, we enjoy the egg hunts and bunnies. But, we also talk about why they are nothing compared to what Easter is all about. But, am I showing them enough....not just telling them? Any other ideas on keeping the focus where it belongs - on Him?

So, as I am remembering our Easter 2009...(a few weeks later)...I am more than ever challenged to talk with my children about Jesus' life and death. I know they cannot grasp all the details just yet...but they can feel the importance of His sacrifice through how I respond to it...they can sense His love for us as we talk about His gift...they can know without a shadow of a doubt that He is more important than any ole egg full of candy because He stays with us all year through...not just on a pretty day in April when we take the time to retell the story of His death/life. I am more challenged than ever to show what is priority in this life...and tell them His story all year long.

The Spring Shows

We had our Great Adventure Share Night on April 8th. I have taught this class for two years now and absolutely adore these kids. They are all in kindergarten now and are so fun to be with each Wednesday night. We have learned about different missionaries each week and had some fun activities to learn about the areas where they minister....great stuff for 5-6 year olds!C did a great job! He actually sang the words and did the motions...I sometimes wonder when the "cool" kid will strike and make him be "too cool" for such things. I was so proud of him!My daughter was all smiles when she saw me in the audience as she marched up on stage for her Spring show at her preschool on April 17th. She was "rain"...and really liked her shiny blue shirt the school provided as her costume. Her class sang songs about raindrops, sunshine, and her favorite "this little light of mine". The program was precious. I have to admit...this mommy had some tears when the four year olds sang "Shine, Jesus, Shine" with as much zest as they could muster. I just know Jesus was smiling, listening to those kiddos praise His name.... After her show, she had an art show in her room. She was VERY proud of her masterpieces....look at that grin....my little artist!

forgetfulness and a funny night

Ok...I feel like life is full of funny stories lately...and, I am forgetting them within an hour only to lie in bed later thinking about what exactly he said or she did ("what were her words exactly???"). I plead pregnancy brain....I cannot remember anything these days!

So, trying to capture tonight's comic relief, I wrote a note to myself at their bedtime to type this out when I had a minute. Now, 3 hours later...and two loads of laundry, dishes, dusting...I am ready to share my funny moment....now what was it again? where is that reminder? Oh, yeah....

While I was drying S off from her bath tonight, she got this really serious look on her face. S-"What's dat, mommy, on your roof?" Me-"My roof? What is where?" S-"Rite dere (nodding to my head)- dat on your roof?" Me-"Honey, what is it?" (dirt? paint? peanut butter? shampoo? toothpaste?) Of course, her hands were inside her papoose towel wrap I had done on her. So, she wiggled loose and pointed to my forehead. S-"Rite dere, mom. On your roof. Oooooh, it's wet." Me-"Oh, baby, you splashed my face is all. You got water on my forehead." I do kinda like the roof name....only two year olds can come up with such things....and, really, water (whoo), it could have been just about anything...

So, then off to get on her pjs. She asked to wear her "hot" pjs. I had no idea what she was talking about. I thought she meant her fleece, footed pair. She is a very warm natured child, so I said no. She was not talking about that pair. So perplexed...I held up one after another. (There are some battles that you just don't fight...the pjs a sleepy preschooler wants to wear on a night when daddy is absent from bedtime rituals, the two year old in question has not had a nap all day, and bedtime the night before was at 9:15...not a battle to try...So, I finally found THE "hot" pair. When I was slipping the shirt on, I asked her why she called them her "hot" pair. She pointed to the pink shirt that has "twinkle" appliqued on it. She said, "Cause it says "hot" on it, Mommy." After telling her that it said "twinkle", she said "ok then"...I wear my "tinkle one." Now, I have two questions for you. First, why did my daughter think her pjs said "hot"? Where did she get that idea? And, two, how bad are the teenage years going to be if my two year old daughter already wants to wear shirts that say "hot" across her chest? Hmmm....yikes!

Dentist Office Drama

S was all smiles - just sooo excited to visit the dentist for the first time. She had talked about it all day - how she was a big girl, that C would go first then she would go, how the dentist was a nice man and "he not hurt lil gurls and boys". So, I was unprepared when the my two year old came unglued...
She did fine watching C. She was happy as can be to hop into the big chair and sport the shades for the nurse. She even complied with the counting and checking of each of her 20 teeth. But, when the bubblegum flavored polisher and Mr. Thirsty came out...it was all over. I've never seen such! Kicking, gnashing of teeth, squeals, yells, forming herself into a little ball to cover her face, finally laying on her tummy with her head buried in the seat and her arms over her mouth. The dentist never even had a chance to see if she had teeth....oh, well....we get to try again in six months....I think I will take my shin guards, ear plugs, and a chest protector next time.

Saturday morning siblings

For some reason, my children woke early this lovely Saturday morning...dad had already left (even earlier) to go practice run for his marathon. So, I got them settled with some breakfast and cartoons....and laid back down. After about five minutes, I heard the following conversation:
S: C, can I get beside you? (on the couch)
C: Ok
S: C, I love you
C: I know, I know
S: C, dat's not what you sposed to say...dat's not nice...
C: Ok, I love you too
S: Oh, C, dat's so sweet...

Oh, how early boys become boys and girls become girls. I decided my five minutes in bed needed to end after that little conversation. I was missing out on some cool brother/sister interaction...