Dinosaur Roar and Crumbs.

The dinosaur roar and the crumbs have nothing to do with one another. I just thought this was a funny picture. We are big into dinosaur roars around here these days. Both boys can let out some pretty fierce roars, as I'm sure you can tell by the expression on Alex's face!

As for the crumb stories, here's a conversation with Alex the other day.

Alex: "Ow. Can you take my shoe off? My foot hurts."
Me: "Where does it hurt?"
Alex (taking shoes off): "It hurts here (curling his toes). There are crumbs on my feet and they hurt."

I searched for something that might be in his shoe or on his foot, but I saw nothing. And then it dawned on me – his foot had fallen asleep and was tingling!

And one day last week, he asked me where he could buy chocolate crumbs. I didn't have a clue what he was talking about, and then the light bulb turned on. He wanted more chocolate milk powder!

Foot crumbs. Chocolate crumbs. Pretty clever descriptions, if you ask me.

Music fun with Gigi

In January we signed Roo up for a music class called Melody Makers. I take him once a week while Alex is in school, and, boy, oh, boy does he have fun!

The Melody Makers "mascot" is Gigi the giraffe who makes his appearance in puppet-form near the end of class each week. Gigi sings songs with the kids, and, afterwards, the kids get to go up one at a time and pet him on the nose. Roo LOVES this part of class. After all of the kids have had a turn, we all sing a little song called "Goodbye, Gigi" to send him on his way, and then each child gets his or her hands stamped with a Gigi stamp. I love when Roo runs back to me with fists extended, big grin on his face, proudly showing off his stamps.

When at home, Roo will often bring his "Gigi" giraffe to me and wave his hands to indicate he wants me to sing the "Goodbye Gigi" song. While I sing, Roo bobs back and forth, grinning from ear to ear. Sweet boy loves him some Gigi, and I happily oblige to sing since it means I get to see that precious little face light up.

Look of love.

Hard at work.

We recently re-repainted our kitchen. After a bad color choice, we had to find a new one to repaint over it. Alex begged and begged to help. We have only one little wall space in our kitchen that is wide enough and low enough for him to use the roller. With a little guidance, he went right to work. ;-)

The two bears

 

=D   =D   =D   =D   =D   =D   =D

Fourth Friday

Yesterday was the fourth Friday in a row that we've had snow.

Alex and Roo love the snow.

I loved it the first couple of times.

But now I'm ready for spring.

 Where the puddle splashing is a little warmer.

And there aren't layers and layers of clothes that need to be washed afterwards.

Where the sun lingers a little longer and the blossoms begin to appear.

Please note that Alex put his own boots on. I didn't realize they were on the wrong feet until we were already out in the snow. He didn't seem bothered by it, so I figured no need for me to be either. Play on!

I suppose spring will arrive soon enough. Until then, we'll warm our hands with hot cocoa.

Or in Roo's case, digging for marshmallows.

Hope you have a warm weekend!

Live. Laugh. Love.

A Little Man after my own heart

This child has captured my heart a million times over.

We are cut from the same piece of fabric, he and I; his approach to life mirrors mine in many ways. He is more serious than silly. His is more reserved than outgoing. He is more intentional than impulsive. And he tends to play it safe until there's a confidence he will succeed.

He is my rule-follower extraordinaire. And has an expectation that others follow the rules, too. Oh, how I pray that my rule-following ways would be supplemented with the message of grace for him and that God would be merciful to fill in where I fall short of that. 

He is a loyal friend with a tender heart. And seeing him happy is one of the greatest joys I experience in life. I try to soak up everything I can because, as we all know, the sands of time are gone in the blink of an eye.

Alexander Cole, my love for you and the joy you bring to this family are boundless.