Awana Closing Ceremonies

Alex just completed his first year of Awana. As a three-year old, he participated in the Cubbies group and memorized more than 20 bible verses.

We are so proud of how hard he worked this year and really wanted to celebrate him in a big way.

After his closing ceremony, we let him pick wherever he wanted to go for dinner.
 
His choice was Red Robin where he ate a grilled cheese, got to have a chocolate milkshake with sprinkles for dessert, and left with a dark blue (his favorite color) balloon in hand.

Roo was pretty excited about the celebration, too. =)

Congratulations, Alex! We are so very proud of you!

His style lately.

If you join us at bedtime, please do not try to pick out his pajamas for him. It will not go well. Simply open the closet, let him pick out what he likes, and go with it. He has become particular and cannot be convinced that your idea of matching pajamas should be accommodated. He is quite happy with his own flair thankyouverymuch.

Story time

Alex's favorite book these days is Tickle Monster by Josie Bissett (remember her from Melrose Place?). Do you have this book? If not, I highly recommend it. It is precious! We got the book in a set with "tickle gloves." The boys go nuts when Jerry reads this story to them...and brings out his inner tickle monster. :-)

The boy loves his desserts

loves, loves, loves

Alex dialogue

Alex (after hearing on Disney Junior that it was almost Mother's Day): "Did you hear that, Mommy? Mother's Day is coming up. That means we need to work on your Mother's Day treat. Ok? And then you'll just need to share your treat with me. You got that?"

Alex: "Roo-bear, do you want to come to school with me?"
Me: "Well, he'll come with you next year."
Alex: "When you come, you don't have to be scared Roo-bear. I'll be there with you."
Me: "Thanks for encouraging him buddy."
Alex: "That's just what we big boys do!"

Alex: "The wind is thick today!"

Alex: "Mommy, I have to bite into things that smell good to me to get the flavor that I like."

At Walmart...
Me: "Alex, did you pick up the (Caution: Wet Floor) cones that had fallen down?"
Alex: "Yes!"
Me: "Thank you so much - that was so kind of you."
Alex: "That's just what a man of character does!"

Alex: "That's better than awesome!"

Dinosaur Play

Our backyard is mostly concrete. There is no grass, only a couple of flower beds overrun by weeds. And next to one of those flower beds is a teeny, tiny patch of dirt, perfect for dinosaur play.

Daniel and the Lions

A little bible story activity for the boys...

Lion puppets for Daniel and the Lions' Den. 

I kept reminding them that God sent an angel to shut the lions' mouths, but they were really more interested in making sure the lions let out a good roar.

Slice of life

For all those lag times in between posts, here's what's been cookin'...

Sweet little face.

Bug hunts.

Roo's music class. His favorite part is petting Gigi the giraffe. And getting Gigi stamps on his hands at the end of class. When we go pick Alex up at school afterwards, Roo immediately shows Alex his Gigi stamps, and Alex shows Roo his stamps that he got in music class that day, too. A highlight for both of them. ;-)

See this smile? Right after petting Gigi. Heaven for this little guy.

Pa-rum-pum-pum-pum.

Kisses for the pony.

Sweet hands.

I can hear this laugh just by looking at the picture. I LOVE IT!!

Sensitive ears. He covers them a lot when Alex squeals about something or other. I'm with Roo. Inside voice, please!

Little monkey!

Little climber.

Enjoying one of our first warm spring days with a bike ride. Warm days have been few and far between so far.

Cruisin' on the bike. That's right, bike with a "b," not trike. Hmmm.

Who knew that laundry baskets could provide so much entertainment?!

Boy, can we go through some bubbles around here!


Chill-axin'.




Playing in water at the sink. Still a favorite for this guy. One of the best purchases I've made recently is a little art smock from IKEA that's plastic. It was so nice to have dry clothes for once after this activity.

Cranky and the cars. Cranky rarely gets playtime with the train track, but he's always somewhere around the house hoisting cars here, there, and everywhere.

Warmer weather + longer days + new camera lens = more upcoming torture for the boys. ;-) See ya soon!

Mother's Day

Jerry outdid himself for Mother's Day. He made me feel celebrated all weekend long. A pedicure at my favorite little spot (which serves complimentary champagne in the evenings) on Friday night. A date night on Saturday while the kids stayed with a babysitter. Brunch after church on Sunday followed by a nice long afternoon nap (which was much needed after a long week with a sick baby who was up a lot in the night for a few nights in a row). He made me feel like a million bucks. =)

I have much to be grateful for. An amazing husband who values my role as a stay-at-home mom to our two precious babies and an amazing mother who has taught me everything I know about what it is to love your children with wild abandon. I simply cannot imagine life without having these two cheering me on in this journey called motherhood. I am blessed.

His little light shines

May 5, 2013

Dear Alex,

Lately we've been learning how God wants us to talk to and treat others. We've had many conversations about speaking and acting with kindness and compassion. You told me that it's hard to be kind sometimes. I told you that I agree – that I struggle with that very same thing from time to time. And that that is exactly the reason we need Jesus. Because we cannot change our hearts on our own, but that He can help us.

We pray together, "God, please help us always try to be kind to one another." (1 Thes 5:15)

You are more comfortable allowing me to lead our prayers – thanking God for our blessings, asking for His help, praying for Him to work in our hearts, and forgive us where we don't obey what He asks us to do. But this night, precious boy, this night, you showed one of the greatest acts of kindness and compassion that a person can offer – with all of your heart, you prayed for your daddy after he got hurt. Your first self-initiated, self-led prayer.

When you saw that your Daddy was hurting, your immediate response was, "I think we should say a prayer for Daddy."

You reached for mine and Roo's hand, closed your eyes and bowed your head.

"Dear God,

We need your help. My daddy hurt his finger very badly, and I don't think he's ok. Could you please help him feel better?

In Jesus' name we pray. Amen."

Amen!

You moved my heart tonight, Alex. I love you. You are a bright, shining light for Jesus.
Mommy
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Dear God,
Thank You for showing us that You are most definitely in the business of answering prayers and changing hearts. Thank You for working in our family's lives. May it always be to Your glory.
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

A splishin' and a splashin'

They begged for an outdoor adventure in their galoshes.

Their mission? Mud stomping.

We hiked to the top of the hill at the park by our house.

All in search of mud puddles.

The sun had dried up most of the mud puddles, but we did find a few standing water puddles.

They didn't seem to miss the mud too much.

I think it's safe to say, mission accomplished.