Pictures update

Posted August 22nd, 2007 by Mom | Comments (0)

I know what the problem is with the pictures. However, I don’t know how to fix it. When I uploaded previous pictures, I was given a “thumbnail” option. When I uploaded these pictures, there wasn’t a thumbnail option. B will help me remedy this and hopefully they will load quicker next time.

I am still learning with this blog. I’m not very good at adding anything to the blog other than words. I’m hoping that B will write out instructions for me for uploading future pictures.

Another reason I need B’s assistance is that the new pictures are taken with B’s advanced camera system and the pictures are very good quality, thus taking up a lot of computer space. I told B that I could reduce the quality to let the pictures load quicker, and he said, “No, I want my pictures to look good on the blog.”

Okay, B, the ball is in your court to help me…

Pictures

Posted August 18th, 2007 by Mom | Comments (0)

Sorry about the last 2 posts. I am trying to download the pictures. The pictures were up, but I downloaded them incorrectly. Am trying hard to quickly get the pictures up because the kids are so darned cute!

Try back soon!

The Poor Man’s Swimming Pool

Posted August 16th, 2007 by Mom | Comments (0)

We do not have an in-ground swimming pool, but the kids made do with these blue buckets that I got at the store. These buckets were intended for their outside toys to stay contained instead of scattered all over the yard when they were finished playing at the end of the day.

The kids had another idea for the buckets (and the patio chairs)…

In the last picture, J is enjoying his “hot tub.”

Obviously we needed the tubs to pick up toys. Notice the jack-o-lantern in the background?! J found out that it makes a really good bucket for carrying stuff. The stuff won’t fall out with the rounded top!

Some cute kids

Posted August 16th, 2007 by Mom | Comments (0)

B said that this picture of J looks like it should be on a jacket cover of a best selling novel.

Of all the fun activities that the boys enjoy, they love to swing the most! At a park near us, there are swings that are for special needs children. C and J are so little that they both can fit into one swing. This is fun for them, but wow - my arms get tired of pushing them!

C still sucks his thumb, although now he sucks it only when he is really tired. His blue blanket is getting smaller and smaller as holes form in it - it is getting thread-bare - and Nana or I cut it down to eliminate the big holes and patch the blanket on the smaller holes.

C doesn’t take his blue blanket everywhere he goes, but if he knows that he is going into unfamiliar territory, he will take a small piece of his blanket to put in his pocket “just in case.”

I know C is growing up - today he referred to me as “Mother” instead of Mommy. Although, he did tell J that J was “Father.” ??

This picture is my current wallpaper in my computer. It reminds me:

• that the kids CAN play nicely together.

• that the kids are growing up.

• that they are SO CUTE!!

• that they are still learning how to play together and with others.

• that they do love each other even though they sometimes play rough with each other and sometimes someone gets hurt.

• that they are 3 and 5 and I still have a lot to teach them, but they ARE learning and WILL BE an invaluable asset to society.

• that I love them more than I can put into words. I never dreamed that they would have such a positive impact on my life and that their mere existence gives me joy.

School Year 2007-2008

Posted August 12th, 2007 by Mom | Comments (0)

Sunday School promotions were today. J’s new teacher in the 3 year olds is Ms. Holly. C, as you already know, is repeating the 4 year olds. He is keeping his wonderful teacher, Ms. Carolyn.

Next Sunday evening starts the new school year of choir. C is going to be in choir again. The flyer that I received stated that preschool choirs started at age 3, but today’s church bulletin said it started at age 4. C did choir at age 3. When I inquired at the children’s ministry table outside the sanctuary, the volunteers didn’t have an answer, but said that the choirs were low on volunteers and that might be the reason for potentially cutting the 3 year old choir.

I had been thinking for awhile about volunteering, and didn’t have any hesitation about volunteering after hearing that there was consideration of cutting a choir - especially one that would involve J’s participation. So, I am awaiting a phone call with more information.

Today at the same table where I volunteered for children’s choir, I signed C and J up for Cubbies, the preschool version of Awana.

This will be their first year of Cubbies and I look forward to helping C and J will scripture memorization that will lay the foundations for their future growth in Jesus Christ. One of the requirements for having a child in the AWANA program is that a parent has to participate as well. I signed up to be a “listener.” This will involve listening to children say their memory verses and making note of it for their credits.

So, this school year, I will be participating in our church handbell choir, children’s choir and AWANA. I’m also a substitute Sunday School teacher as well as B and I doing our regularly scheduled child care. I’m going to get to know a lot of kids and parents. This will benefit C and J in addition to hopefully bring God glory.

Life is starting to get into a routine. Next Sunday is the kick-off for children’s choirs and the beginning of September starts preschool. I am thrilled to getting back into a routine. I think the kids will thrive as well. Lets get pumped! Woo Hoo!!

Food is a Powerful Motivator

Posted August 9th, 2007 by Mom | Comments (0)

B and I have know for a long time that we could get J to do any chore if J  wanted the opportunity for a sugary snack.  I guess C has been let in on this little secret somehow.

J got his hands on one of C’s toys a moment ago and C started to complain.  I mentioned to C that last night as I was cleaning up the playroom, I found a similar toy and told C that it was in the wicker toy basket upstairs.

Neither boy, for some unknown reason, likes to go upstairs alone.  It is rare to find one of them upstairs by themselves, unless it has been a long day and the child is wanting some alone play time.

Anyway, C asked J if he wanted to go upstairs and J didn’t.  I then heard C say, “There’s chocolate chip cookies up there and I’m not going to share with you.”  (No, there weren’t real cookies up there or I would have seen them last night.  I’m hoping that C wasn’t intentionally lying to J, but was thinking about the pretend kitchen.  Time will tell on this  one.)  Of course this got J’s attention!  J replied, “I want five” and headed up the stairs with C.

They both came down happy with their similar toys, so I guess J either didn’t expect real cookies or C found a way to divert J’s attention.

Wow.  Watching these boys sometimes can be scary - especially learning how their minds are growing!