keeping you

January Recap

2012-01-30T07:33:00.000-08:00

I so want to write in here more often for you, but it's just not happening. Someday.

In the meanwhile, it's summaries in short with photos from the month, again.

First things first,

those crazy cute things you say:

* "What is wrong with you, woman!?"

* I fixed the light above the stove and yelled, "yes! it's so nice to have a man like me around when mine's at work!" you said, "all men like to do is play video games and open jars for people like you."

* I was laying on you, squishing and tickling and chewing, when I heard you squeak, "LORA! Don't lay on your food!"

* I told you that if he wanted to have a cookie you would of course need to eat your veggies first. You said, "um... mom, can i discard one celery? because it's in my ketchup."

* You were in the house, in red sunglasses, gloves, and a scarf, with both dogs on leashes. You snuck up to me and said, "We spies are crazy! We hide the money and eat the key. Gruff!"

* I took out the juicer and some oranges this morning and you said, "mom, can i just have a glass of milk? I really love you, but i don't like 'not processed' orange juice."

* "I know people think I look all nice, but actually, inside, I am hard core."

me: i think this is paint on your pants.
you: it's okay. we have oxy clean.
me: oxy clean is not going to get this out.
you: mom, you don't have to, but i BELIEVE in oxy clean.

you: I'm thinking about running away.
me: Well, I'd call uncle Tony for some pointers first. Do your research.
you: I already have some pointers. First -only run away in the summer. Second -bring candy. Third -pack clothes and pajamas, but mostly pajamas... and hot dogs. See, I know what to do, Mom.
me: Sounds like you've got everything covered.

I made a list on the chalkboard, like I often do.

Later I noticed that you made a list on the chalkboard too.

So sweet, it read:

watch a show

play cars

snack

hex bugs (a toy you love)

ice cream

We've been having some fun with food art.

We mostly always make cats,

because of course, you are still entirely and completely

ALL about CATS! :)

And Apple.

The two of you have been getting very close

and you are doing a great job of training her for you.

You made your own ice cream for the first time.

At the beginning of the month you helped me

rip the floors out of the house.

You love to do any kind of demolition

or construction.

The house was TORE up for about a week.

The installers worked quickly and had the new

hardwoods in within a couple of days.

That part was kind of fun

and chaotic.

But it was after the floors were in that we

really had it rough.

Everything had to be repainted because of

the way the base molding came out.

Replacing the base molding was NOT fun,

easy, or clean.

Because we didn't expect it to take so much
to put the house back together,

we didn't take time off of school for it.

It was a couple of weeks that I've blurred out

and I'd rather not remember. :)

And although it's not completely finished,

thankfully, the floors turned out to be well worth it.

Now we don't have to worry about shoes,

food, dogs, kids, or the occasional

wild animal that makes its way into our house

ruining any carpeting. :)

Your Dad and I took you to the Science show in GB.

It was really cool.

You loved it.

You love science.

You got to spend lots of time with Jay in January.

She visited on weekends while Aunt Julie trained

up the street with Uncle Jeff.

The two of you are as close as ever.

Sarita enjoyed having TWO little ones around.

She spent HOURS playing with you,

making you into kittens,

and then being the Mama cat for you.

Also, this month was your introduction to karate.

We've attended a couple of different places,

but we are still working out exactly what and where

we want to learn.

I can't even explain what karate is to you.

So much to my surprise (and hesitation)

you really seem to have found your thing.

And even more to my surprise,
it's sparked the renewing of my own interest
in bringing me back to my history with karate.

I am looking forward to training alongside you

like my Dad did with me.

GRA surprised you with a visit this month!

She showed up at your karate class one night,

when you didn't even know she was coming!

The two of you had a wonderful time together.

Other than when you made cookies,

I barely saw either one of you.

You played

and played

and endlessly played.

That Gra can really play!!!

We're not sure why, but this month your cat, Mia,

has been much more present than usual.

She comes upstairs on her own during the day

to hang out with you.

You couldn't be more pleased with this.

Other January news consists mostly of the weather.

We have enjoyed an extremely mild winter,

during which we've had very little snow

and lots of sunshine and mild temperatures.

The ice on the lakes and ponds haven't frozen.

The fountains are still running!

And many annual winter events

have been canceled for the first time ever

due to not enough snow or ice.

It's been kind of nice. :)

BUGS!!!

2012-01-04T18:34:00.000-08:00

For Christmas, Uncle Tony bought you your first

hex nano habitat and two nano bugs.

Well, you are crazy about them.

You love building the habitat different ways,

opening and closing the different gates,

and providing obstacles for the bugs.

You are very frugal with your money.

You can see something you want in the store and think about getting it.

Then you will see the price... it can be $7,

and you will not buy it because you don't want to spend "that much.

For this reason have saved up over $300

of allowance and gift money in the past six months.

After you got your Nano stuff, you came to your Dad and I

and presented your plan for savings, giving, and spending

of the money in your bank.

Then you asked if we could go to the store so you could buy

more to add on to your nano collection.

We were shocked!

The next day you spent $117 on habitats, bugs, and extra batteries.

Unbelievable! I was kind of proud of you for using

some of your money for yourself, for once.

And I am happy that you found something that you really love to play with.

You have played with your nanos for hours everyday.

You have had Henry and Jaymee over to play with them, too.

And Apple can not get enough of watching those bugs wiggle around in their home.
She lays on the floor by them with you every time.

Honestly, I've seen these bugs in the store before

and I thought they were kind of silly.

Who would have thought!?

Out with the Old, in with the New!

2012-01-04T06:17:00.002-08:00

I was sure getting tired of last year.

This year I am glad to be saying good bye to the end of 2011 and hello to 2012. It isn't always that the new year comes with a new and better start, but thankfully, that's how things are working out for us this year; spiritually, physically, personally, schedule- and surrounding-wise.

We came into 2012, back home from vacation with a week of new things waiting for us. We begin by coming out of our month off and heading into our three months on for homeschool. We have some fun boy things we'll be studying first, like stars, the sun, volcanoes, and planets.

We also have a new babysitter!!! A very sweet 16 year old girl who lives near us, AND can drive! :)

Her family is wonderful, and she has a younger sister who is ready to start shadowing her to learn the ropes and take the reigns herself sometime in the future!

This is a HUGE blessing for us. We have not trusted you to young sitters (other than cousin Cassie), but now that you are older we have been cautiously on the lookout for one. We are so excited to have the chance to go out alone and with our friends, without kids.

Yesterday we took your bed out of your room and moved your house from our school area into the space where your bed was. Considering that you play and sleep in it still, we thought it would be a good new place for it.

Also with the new year we are getting new flooring. This weekend is the installation of hardwoods throughout the main floor of the house. So there will be no more "take off your shoes" or "wipe down the dog!" or "don't bring that wild animal in the house!"

In preparation for this I have emptied, washed down, purged and reorganized every square inch of the main floor. It feels like a good spring cleaning. Fresh and new!

In a couple weeks, Sarita will be starting a new school schedule at semester. We will be picking her up at 12:30 everyday, so she will be able to have a little break, finally, and spend much more time with us at home.

We've also discovered new ways to make a few tasks more convenient and less time consuming in our days. I'm looking forward to filling my extra time with more enjoying you and Sarita, training Apple, and getting back to card making and writing.

There are a couple more new things happening around here, but I don't want to spoil all the surprises, so I will leave it at this.

I'm very happy to be past the last season of our life.
God is so Faithful, and He does make good of all things for those who love Him.

I'm happy for you that your schedule, home, and Mama are all getting a bit of a face lift right now. :)

HAPPY NEW YEAR, BABY NIBS!

I love you so much!

NC Winter '11: Part Three

2011-12-31T11:40:00.000-08:00

The rest of the time we were in NC we laid low, relaxed, hot tubbed, ate and enjoyed our visit.

Your Daddy flew home to return to work mid week, and you, Sarita, and I stayed a few days longer.

You and Gra made cookies, of course. :)

You played with your toys.

You played outside with Gra.

Sarita and I sat on the porch and enjoyed the sun.

We made lots of cards...

and a great big mess of Gra's office!

And then there were the lakes.

The first day, Gra took you for some alone time.

Just up the street from her house there are two small lakes

with wooded trails all the way around each one.

You told her it was the best day of your life,

and promised the lakes you'd be back the nest day. :)

The next day EVERYONE went!

Even the dogs.

We walked around to the dock.

We hung out by the water

while you used your science kit stuff to

aid in your explorations.

Sarita even got in on the fun with you.

She carried her first spider, ever.

A daddy long legs.

We took photos. Of course.

A dock on water is one of my favorite photo op.s!

Gra and Pepere sure loved having you in one of their places.

We were so Blessed with safe travels, good health,

and family time on our visit.

The whole vacation was just right!

A Marvelous Monday!

2011-12-29T11:37:00.000-08:00

On Monday we went to the NASCAR Hall of Fame.

You got to pretend you were in a pit crew.

AND drive a race car simulator in a real race car with your Dad!

We all had fun and enjoyed seeing the cool race cars, old and new.

By the end of our tour you were SO tired and crabby

that Gra had to leak the secret surprise to us so that we could

nap you, or you would have never stayed up long enough to

PLAY WITH YOUR COUSINS!!!

Jada and Kaila showed up AFTER your nap that afternoon

to surprise us with their Mom and Dad, Robin and Duece

AND their new baby brother, Leo! :)

EVERYONE was thrilled to be together!

You and these two girls just happen to get along famously.

You can't get enough of each other!

You even slept in Gra's living room with them.

I loved giving you permission to stay up as late as you could

watching movies and eating snacks with your cousins!

Something we rarely get to enjoy.

I'm so glad you have these few memories

of fun days with Jada and Kaila.

The Mama's are working on a plan for more in the near future! :)

NC Winter '11: Part Two

2011-12-28T05:57:00.000-08:00

On Christmas Eve you and Gra made carrot cake for Jesus' Birthday.

We gathered around to open gifts and spend family time.

You got LOTS of fun gifts.

Cool things you could use at Gra and Pepere's house while we're here.

You read us the book Gra made for you from our last visit,

and we watched the TV show you made as your gift to family.

Much to my surprise, I got an American Girl Doll from Gra.

You are quite pleased about this because now

Lucy and Jay's doll, Lilly, have a new friend to play with.

You and your Dad and Gra couldn't wait to get to the science experiments.

You created and played with goo, slime and boogers (or whatever)

until you were green and the face and had

"a funny feeling in the back of your throat".

Gra thought it would be fun if you puked, but your Mom put the stop to it all.

You're welcome. :)

NC Winter '11: Part One

2011-12-27T15:23:00.000-08:00

Backing it up a little...

our travels were pretty uneventful.

You and Sarita occupied yourselves with I-devices.

We boarded the plane.

Then we landed in NC so fast it was hard to believe.

The first meal we enjoyed was traditionally

at our favorite, On the Border.

Gra and Pepere turned their whole world into

a winter wonderland of lights just for you.

You were so excited when we drove up to the house in the dark

and you saw the lights for the first time.

I told you to come up to the front and see Jesus.

You came running expectantly, yelling,

"WHAT!? He's really there?!!!"

You were quickly disappointed to see the plastic light up scene.

It was kind of cute and sad all at once.

Christmas 2011

2011-12-26T13:32:00.000-08:00

Just like our Thanksgiving, this years Christmas went on and on for days!

First, we celebrated Christmas with your Great Grandma, Gigi,

at her place on Saturday.

You saw Santa, but would have nothing to do with him

on account of your theory that all Santas have terrible breath. :)

We ate and hung out with family while you and Michael

enjoyed some play time together.

Tuesday, you spent the day at Nanna and Pupa's house.

They made delicious cookies with you, and you opened your gifts from them.

Wednesday, we played with the remote control bumper cars

you got from Nanna and Pupa, and we packed our bags for our NC trip,

knowing that we would have little time before we left.

Thursday, we dropped the dogs off at Uncle Jeff's Dog Center.

Then you and I spent most of the day at Uncle Ron and Aunt Sue's house.

Natalie was also there on her first Christmas break from college.

It was such a nice time, as always.

Aunt Sue spoiled us with snacks, food, and even freshly squeezed juice.

Uncle Ron spoiled us, too.

You opened a couple of your gifts while we were there,

and then we took the rest home to put under our tree.

Thursday afternoon was our "Christmas Eve".

The four of us rode around and looked at Christmas lights.

Then we returned home to snack and open the gifts

under the tree from family and one to another.

Friday morning, we were up and early on our way.

We drove to Milwaukee and flew to NC, lickety split!

We were settled and in the hot tub by about 3p their time. :)

Saturday was the real Christmas Eve, and we had snacks and opened gifts.

You got lots of cool presents that you could use at Gra's house.

Science experiments, cars, paints, books, movies, etc...

It was a good family bonding night.

After we opened gifts we all cuddled on the couch

to watch the video you worked so hard to make for your gift to family.

It was SO good and funny.

Your cooking shows, commercials, infomercials, public service announcements,

and songs made for some great entertainment!

Then we sat together while you read us the book

that Gra made you of our last visit here.

Gra was amazed at how well you read. :)

We sang Happy Birthday to Jesus and broke into Gra's

amazing homemade carrot cake (which you helped make).

Sunday morning, we all went to church together.

Then we made another Thanksgiving feast!

Pepere deep fried the turkey, you shaved the carrots,

Sarita skinned the potatoes, and you cut them up.

Gra did all the rest. :)

There were so many celebrations.
So many days and events of feasting and gift exchange,
Christmas music, and warm gatherings with our closest friends and family.
I couldn't have hoped for a better way to commemorate
the sacrifice God made in sending His Son as a baby for all of us.

It was a Merry Merry Christmas!!! :)

Count Down to Gra's

2011-12-21T21:45:00.001-08:00

The gifts for tomorrow night are wrapped and tucked under the tree.

I love watching you sniff around, feeling and shaking your packages, trying to guess what is in each one. Asking us, as if we might tell.

The dogs are all set to go to Uncle Jeff's tomorrow. Our gifts for friends and family are all ready to be dropped off, too.

Tomorrow night we will heat blankets, climb in the jeep in our jammys, stop for our milk shakes and french fries, and drive around looking at lights. Then we will come home for you and Sarita to open your gifts.

Then to sleep early enough to rise early and be on our way!

Our bags have been packed for days.

You keep begging me that we could leave sooner.

We can not wait to head out for Gra and Pepere's house in just TWO mornings!!!

A Merry Merry Christmas it WILL be! :)

A Good Sunday

2011-12-18T19:26:00.002-08:00

Today was fun.

I went to church myself this morning. You and your Dad made pancakes, had breakfast together, and played. You were racing matchbox cars when I returned.

Then, your Dad met with his friends in town for the Packer game. Your neighbor friend Henry, came over to play for awhile. When the game started, we decided to pack up the toys you were using in a suitcase, bag your pb&j sandwiches, and head over to Hen's house. I watched the game with Bill and Teri while you and Hen played some more.

This was the first in 20 consecutive game that the Packers lost. It was hard to watch, but eventually had to happen.

After the game we returned home to Sarita watching movies on her own (for the first time) in the living room. She was just starting her second show, "Pirates of the Caribbean", and so I decided to take you out to see one of the many fun and cute looking kids' movies in the theater. We saw "Arnold Christmas". It was cute.

Then we went to the mall to do some Packer blues retail therapy. It was so much fun. I got a new jacket and some great shoes. You helped me pick out LOTS of soaps and hand sanitizers at the big sale. We bought a few Christmas gifts, and you got a couple scarves and some gloves. You were so sweet and fun to shop with. I love spending time with you.

When we got home it was 8pm. Your Daddy caught us up to speed, as a friend of mine had stopped out to pick something up. She dropped off a letter for you in the mailbox of your wooden house. SO sweet.

Also, someone special in your life came over unexpectedly and dropped off a custom little mattress and sheets for your house, and an AWESOME kid's packer recliner. You were SO excited!!! You called to thank him, and you talked to him on the phone for a long time. I'm sure you each made one another's day.

Now you are in your house, on your new bed, being read to sleep by your Dad. I am about to take a shower and get into my new snuggly Aeropostale jammies. Your Dad and I have eating, snuggling, and show watching to do. I am also going to be using my Christmas gift from you and him; the massage chair that finally came in tonight!!!

What a great day we've been blessed with.

I can't wait for tomorrow! :)

The House

2011-12-10T11:57:00.000-08:00

Just as I suspected when I wrote the last post,

I wasn't able to hold back from building a stronger, better,

cooler playhouse than the cardboard one you were living in.

At first it was just a dream. Then we drew some ideas on paper.

Then we worked out the measurements, just to see...

Finally, we made a small scale model of the house out of cardboard

to see if it could really be done.

Thursday morning, we did some internet research

to choose what type of wood we "wood" use.

Then we made our list and headed out to Home Depot.

We got the plywood, 14 hinges, door handle, two wooden knobs,

8 feet of chain, hooks, magnets, wood screws, lights, batteries,

a small mailbox, and even a new set of blades for mama's skill saw. :)

We hauled it all home and got to building.

Sarita came home from school and joined us.

She's quite the little builder herself!

We did it all right in the living room, since we're having

new floors put in next month anyway. And it was warm.

It was a great learning experience for all of us.

There was laughing, and crying. Thankfully no one got hurt.

We bonded and brainstormed and built a house together!!!

The house is awesome. It's 6' long 3.5' wide, and 3.5' tall.

It has a long window with a homemade curtain

from a cat fabric you picked out at Joanne's. :)

There are two fold up table/shelves.

They are held to the wall by magnet closers,

and they hang down on hinges and mini swing set chain (SO cute).

They have wooden knobs to pull them down.

There are glow-in-the-dark stars on the flat ceiling,

a place to hang your Ipad for movie watching,

and a wooden crate on the wall to hold toys, stuffed animals, art supplies, etc...

There are four battery powered light sconces on the walls

along with your camping lantern.

You have your CD player, books, art, and toys all moved in already.

The best part about the house is that the roof is easily detached

and the whole house is hinged at the corners so that

it can be completely flattened and moved into any room in the house! :)

Last night you slept in it for the first time.

It is temporarily in the living room until the end of the weekend.

We will move it to the bridge upstairs until January 1,

and then we will bring it to your bed room, for good.

Here is the house tour video you made this morning:

The House

2011-12-07T05:58:00.000-08:00

Last week we went to Michael's Craft Store for something or other.

We found these on sale for $10:

(pic from internet)

You wanted one SO badly. And so we bought one.

We assembled it together, and you began to color the outside.

Six days later we've put on another $10 addition to your house,

and you haven't been seen other than to ask for food, go potty, change clothing,

and... well, I was going to say shower, but come to think of it, I don't believe

you've done that since the house was built. Yikes!

You have literally moved into this house.

You have your art supplies, books, CD player, books on CD,

the camping lantern you Dad bought you,

your Ipad hanging like a TV for movie watching, and your bedding

all crammed into this little 6'x 3' box.

We've even attached a mailbox to the outside, which you use everyday.

I'm not entirely sure what this fulfills for you, but you have never been happier.

You even SLEEP in this thing at night! Which is a miracle.

You haven't been in your bedroom in days.

There are probably dead fish and hamsters everywhere in there! :)

I'm doing everything I can not to run out to Home Depot and buy

all that we would need to make this house thing

a more awesome more permanent play place for you.

I keep reminding myself of the things that I always tell your Dad

about kids not needing "the best, coolest, most expensive things".

And that I believe it's better for you to live without than to have everything.

I don't know how much longer I can hold onto those week and

quickly fading ideals!

Christmas is just SO near!!!

An Overview of November

2011-11-26T06:09:00.000-08:00

I know I haven't been keeping up with your blog so well these days.

Blogging and blabbing have awesomely been on a back shelf for awhile. :)

A friend of mine recently told me that she wishes she

would have done something like this blog for her grown children,

and it encouraged and spurred me on to write a quick overview of the past month.

In short:

The weather has been so wonderful.

The temperatures have been unusually warm most weeks,

and we have only had one snowfall in-which the snow didn't stick around.

It was Sarita and Apple's first snow ever.

We even got to go sledding!

The warm weather has allowed us to keep taking walks and hiking in the woods,

visiting with the neighbors while Apple and Zeus play, grilling outdoors,

and enjoying the screen room much longer than we are used to.

It's been really really wonderful.

We collected lots of different leaves, pressed them in books under mattresses,

and created a beautiful work of art, which is not completely put together yet.

We've been enjoying our evenings of activities together;

from your Daddy and I cuddling in to read Farmer Boy aloud

while you listen and work on your Christmas projects,

to baking cookies and drinking hot cocoa over Christmas music with Sarita.

It's been a quiet, cozy month.

Oh, and you've taken an active interest in learning how to

chop quick and evenly like your mama does. ???

You've been doing very well and have been quite handy in the kitchen!

Even with all the good weather, I've been geared up for Christmas festivities

far earlier than usual this season.

We started listening to Christmas music in the last week of October!

I feel way more relaxed about Santa and Frosty and Rudolph,

now that you're older and understand the clear difference

in things I've been so careful not to create fuzzy lines between for you.

We're enjoying the songs, movies, stories, and even the occasional dress up of

the fun fictional characters that come along with the holiday.

I love it when santa empties the dishwasher!

We finally did a Thanksgiving Tree, which I've wanted to do for a few years now.

It was fun to create it together, and it's been a huge blessing

for each of us to write down our gratitude each day.

Even our friends have participated now and then.

Counting blessings has gone from being a repetitive menial task for you

to something you enjoy quieting and really thinking about.

Your lists have become so sweet and unique to the activities of your day.

They read like a little journal. :)

We just finished up our last few days of school for your first quarter of the year.

With only a couple of days off over the past three months

we are so ready for our free December.

I'm sure we will do plenty of pieces of school here and there over the weeks off,

but it will be such a nice break for the most part.

Even the last couple weeks we were getting restless.

It helped to move our "class room" time to different areas of the house

to change things up a bit. :)

Other tidbits of current info on you:

You went to your first NFL game!

Someone kindly offered to take our picture for us

when I brought you outside to hear all of the loud cheering.

It was so much fun! And Sarita's first game, too.

You're pretty much over needing to be called Kevin.

We have been shopping and inspiration hunting together for a home

beautification season coming up, and you have been a BLAST!

You're wearing your cat costume all day and night, just about every other day. It's so cute.

You LOVE cleaning the house with me. Amen!

You are NOT allergic to gluten after all,

but thanks to rice dream we have all finally stopped drinking cows milk.

You have not had any stomach issues and you are worrying a lot less.

I'm not sure if or how they correlate, but we're glad for both.

You can NOT wait to go to Gra and Pepere's this month.

You're getting much more realistic about money

now that you have your checkbook system.

You would like to watch Cars 2 every single day.

And you are finally in love with your new dog, Apple,

who you work very hard and well with to train and play.

Hopefully, I will be a little better at blogging for you in December.

If not, I'm looking forward to an end of the month overview of our Christmas! :)

You are my sunshine.

Who Would Have Though...

2011-11-01T19:37:00.000-07:00

Six years old is bringing about all kinds of new firsts.

God, help me. :)

A Conversation Over Breakfast

2011-10-24T11:55:00.000-07:00

Me: Are you ever lonely... eating and playing and being the only kid in your house most of the time?

You: Yeah, sometimes.

Me: But you still don't want a brother or a sister, right?

You: Why? You think you could do that?

Me: Well, Daddy and I just want to make sure you're okay. We could do something about it, but we'd rather not.

You: Well, sometimes I'd like one. But adoption would be best for me.

Me: Why is that?

You: Because I don't want to have to go through that thing where the mom abandons the six year old for the baby.

Learning Update

2011-10-20T19:31:00.001-07:00

With early morning recipe reading, measuring, and mixing

fresh baked muffins with apple slices.

Co-op US History

and Around the World classes.

Nature walks.

Autumn gratitude.

Park visits and tire swinging in your own woods.

Hikes.

Unique discoveries.

Kevin's Nature Box

filled with treasures.

We're still going strong with the hands on learning.

Your reading and writing are also coming along so nicely.

I love to hear you read. You use so much expression.

I can tell you have been OVER read to (if that's possible) all your life.

Your writing has always been good in concept,

but now that your learning disciplined penmanship

and how to use punctuation it's even sweeter.

And your love of science. Oh, science.

I could go on and on... later.

Blazers

2011-10-18T04:01:00.000-07:00

We went to Blazers Acres for some fall fun.

This has been our favorite place for farm fresh goodness

and pumpkin picking since we moved here three years ago.

We each picked our own big carving pumpkins,

and one pie pumpkin for making Mrs. Pierre's pumpkin butter, of course.

We all enjoyed the morning out in the warm sun.

And we have BIG plans for those carving pumpkins!

Birthday Party Getaway

2011-10-15T22:22:00.001-07:00

When I asked you what you wanted to do for your birthday party this year

you said you wanted to go to the Kalahari with Jaymee, again.

You always dream big...

but we couldn't have agreed more with this plan!

In the art of saving time and money

we went to an area water resort instead of the actual Kalahari itself.

It turned out to be even more perfect.

SO clean. Great hospitality. And just the right size for your age.

Oh, and might I add, it was fabulously empty.

We pulled Jay and Sarita out of school for both days

and had the entire place to ourselves.

Even Uncle Tony surprised us and showed up to play!

You enjoyed your "Happy Birthday Kevin" cake.

More on that "Kevin" bit a little later...

And we finished off the whole event with dinner at one of

your favorite restaurants (Chili's), and a Birthday treat for all!

This was a great way to celebrate your turning six.

We all had such a nice time, and there was NO stress

or even clean up in the end. :)

Barkhausen Field Trip

2011-10-14T08:52:00.000-07:00

When we went to Barkhausen for the first time last year

I learned about the awesome homeschoolers' field trip they

have for school agers in the fall.

When the registration came around this year

I could not wait to participate!

The day was action packed with FUN!

We got to dig stuff out of the pond, explore and

identify different organisms and species.

Then, you and the other kids did some exploring of your own in the woods.

You even got to see Noah for the first time in almost a year!

The two of you were happy as could be...

like two frogs in a pond.

After that we all ate together, and then we went on a nature trek.

Mr. Matt taught us all kinds of things about different plants, trees, and wildlife.

It was really awesome, and you keep asking me when we can go back.

Neither of us can wait for next year!!! :)

Six

2011-09-30T02:05:00.000-07:00

You were tiny once. Tiny in my hands, in your bouncer, in your onsie.

You used to fit in the kitchen sink to play.

You toddled around, little.

You looked up with big, unknowing, trusting eyes.

You were so small it took you longer and sweeter even to blink.

You chewed like you were little.

Your fingers were stubby and so much fun to watch navigate the new-to-you world.

Your voice was tiny.

Your shoes and socks fit on my two fingers.

You sat in a backward facing car seat, and until today, always a five point harness.

You rode in the front of shopping carts.

You checked with me before... everything. You weren't so sure.

You held the wall when you walked down stairs,

and startled a little before you turned to look at something loud or fast.

You didn't care if I put you in jeans and nikes,

or if your hair product dried like glue or not.

You didn't say, "i can do it myself".

You didn't bring me letters that read,

"com to my pijama perty at 5:40. bring your pijemas".

We couldn't lay together talking for hours at night.

You didn't know enough to tell me what you thought of

life, death, dreams, stars, God, me or yourself.

You couldn't have been left at home alone if I walked across the street to visit the neighbor.

You didn't make your own breakfast if I wasn't out of bed when you woke.

You couldn't read the Bible to me in the mornings.

You didn't chose your worship songs or ask me what they meant.

You never washed windows or emptied dishwashers or fed pets

or started and finished your own showers or recorded your own shows on TV

or figured out how to call someone back on a cell phone

or picked out your own clothes

or ordered your kiddie cocktails at the bar in restaurants...

You just weren't this big and ready and full of ideas and plans.

But you have always been my baby boy,
and you always will be.

And today, you are six years old!!!

Six years ago began the best years of our lives.

We are so grateful to God for you.

Happy Birthday Big Boy.

I can't wait to see what He has for us this year!

Hamster Time

2011-09-29T05:01:00.000-07:00

This is Pebbles...

or is it Ralph?

Who can keep up with all the name changes around here?

You asked us for a mouse or a hamster for months.

I told you about a ten times that if you could take care of it yourself

and you still wanted one "next month" you could get one then.

I could only hold you off for so long. :)

Jay came over early on a Saturday to join us

on our hamster getting extravaganza.

At the pet store, you selected the sweetest, tiniest,

miniature, dwarf gerbil I've ever seen.

We bought him a race car that he runs himself,

as well as a rolling ball.

So far, you play with him all the time,

AND take perfect care of him.

And so, we have a hamster.
and a cat. and two dogs. and some fish... :)

toothless

2011-09-28T15:18:00.000-07:00

You lost your first tooth on the afternoon of September 22, 2011!

I pulled it out for you, and you skyped with your Daddy at work

right away to show him the missing tooth gap.

You said to me,

"Mom, I know the tooth fairy isn't real, but do you think if I

put my tooth under my pillow tonight there might be

somethin' special for me in the morning!?"

I assured you that Mommy and Daddy are way better than any old tooth fairy.

We put your tooth in a little envelope,

and you tucked it right under your pillow.

After you went to sleep I pulled out your envelope,

replaced your tooth with a five dollar bill

and put a new toy from How to Train Your Dragon into a gift bag.

Then, I left you home with Sarita while I snuck down to

the gas station to load up on treats to throw in with it.

You were one happy boy in the morning.

And the tooth right next to the missing one

is SO loose it's not even in the right place.

We should have another any day now!

A Little School Update:

2011-09-26T05:56:00.000-07:00

On Wednesdays we are supposed to have the day "off"

from text books and worksheets for school.

We are supposed to use the day to explore God's Creation in the world.

Due to your current schedule of Tuesday co-op

and Friday fitness, we don't often have the luxury of

using Wednesday as a "free exploration" day.

We do, however, make a point to get outside and get into it

whenever possible throughout the week.

We've turned over just about everything we could find

to discover all the creatures and eggs below.

We've collected caterpillars who've gone into

cocoons and never come out.

We also did the above worm activity/experiment/observation.

It was fun to collect them and put them in the jar with layers of sand and soil.

It was even more fun to watch them worm their way through the layers

leaving their hole-trails along the sides of the jar.

You made clay and formed a jar and lid with it for your mini scrolls.

And even your Daddy has been joining in on the fun

with rocket building and launching,

and doing experiments out of your science book

with you on the weekends.

This toothpick experiment was AWESOME.

When you put the drop of water in the center, all the toothpicks

spread apart like magic!

We found this old clock from your nursery that had no numbers on it.

We took it apart and made a new insert for it out of blank paper.

You created your own numbers and art on the paper

and we glued it onto the face.

It hangs in your room and is the cutest clock I've ever seen

IN MY LIFE!

This week you learned how many books there are in the Old

and the New Testament of the Bible.

We gathered the same amount of our own separate books

and stacked them high next to your Bible.

We talked about the reasons the Bible isn't as thick as the book pile.

You really liked the hands on and visual learning of this activity.

We are staying as hands on as possible, with cooking,

creating, building, experimenting, exploring, etc...

So far this year has been nothing but fun.

Not a moment of stress or concern.

We both LOVE school! :)

nap time?

2011-09-21T06:45:00.000-07:00

One day last week, you were upstairs after school... so quiet.

I snuck up to see what you were doing, and I found you

sleeping on the bridge just like this.

I tucked you into a blanket and you stayed like this for 4.5 hours!!!

You must have really needed to catch up on some sleep!

On First Grade

2011-09-08T03:09:00.001-07:00

Last year, our first couple of days of school were a real struggle. We were learning our lesson the hard way that you weren't quite ready for first grade yet. Even though you had completed a school year of preschool followed by a year of kindergarten, and met all the cognitive requirements for first grade, your age and maturity were obviously making things difficult for you.

We made the decision early to abandon first grade all together, and create an advanced Kindergarten II for you instead.

I'm so glad we gave you that extra year to grow. The time has made all the difference. The concepts that went over your head in the first couple of days of last year now make perfect sense to you.

Things like "best hand writing", the first grade introduction to the Bible, science experiments, and understanding history are all right up your alley, now. I can see the information being absorbed as the little lights go on opening up new ideas and questions.

This time around you are soaking things in, really understanding and enjoyed the learning. Even when you have a "break" you go off to do things that are so much more school than play.

I know we made the right decision last year, and we're all the better off for it this year.

School really IS fun! :)

Hands On - Colored Sand

2011-09-03T07:13:00.000-07:00

I don't know how long this will last,

but for some reason I have great motivation and ideas

for maintaining a half traditional/half hands on lesson plan this year.

I've always liked the idea in theory,

but I've experienced that it is definitely easier said than done.

We'll see if I can pull it off for 1st grade.

Our first hands on learning lessons so far proved to be a great success.

Colored Sand

We gathered everything needed for our "recipe".

cheese grater

bowl

ziplock baggies

sidewalk chalk

sand

You grated each color of sidewalk chalk into a bowl.

Then you poured the chalk dust into separate ziplock bags.

Finally you mixed the sand and chalk dust together in the sealed bags.

Our sand was a little wet, so we laid them out in the sun to dry.

And along with the math and science we used to create colored sand

we are looking forward to using our creation to make sand art next week!

1st Day of 1st Grade

2011-09-01T20:13:00.000-07:00

You really weren't thrilled about school starting today.

You've had some complaining and grumbling the past couple of days

anytime anyone mentioned first grade or school in general.

You let me take cute "first day" photos, I think mostly because you saw

Sarita do it before I drove her to her first day this mornings.

You ate, dressed and joined me for a fun little "jump into the day with Jesus" exercise.

Then we headed up to start school. When we sat at your desk you looked so unhappy.

I said, "I promise you when you finish your day today, you will be so happy with school

that you won't be able to wait to start tomorrow."

I know that you were thinking first grade would be just like kindergarten,

and you were not looking forward to returning to those old routines, workbooks, songs, activities, etc...

Sure enough, we weren't half way through today's schedule and I could tell you were having fun.

You love the "big boy" things you get to do.

Especially adding your finished work to the new cork board for display.

I asked you before our halfway break if you liked first grade after all...

you laughed in disbelief and said, "Yes, I really do!"

Your first day went so well, and I'm so happy for you!

First Grade!!!

2011-08-31T20:33:00.000-07:00

We're all ready to start, tomorrow morning!

With some new added elements for change and spice.

And some familiar favorites to continue on in.

It's bright, colorful and exciting!

I just hope you're as ready as I am! :)

end of summer rundown

2011-08-29T17:18:00.000-07:00

Here's the skinny on the past few weeks:

We had a play-date at a wading pool with some good friends from out of town.

Then we continued to visit that same wading pool a few more times after.

It was kind of a fun spot.

We went to see hot air balloons that did not go up due to weather.

So we went to the docks instead for the storm.

You and Zachy had your last summer fling before Sarita came.

Then Sarita arrived!

We picked her up and took her home.

We enjoyed our first bonfire with her.

We took her to Sunday group for the first time.

Afton did a dance performance for us all.

We went to the Special Memories Zoo.

You got to pet a baby bobCAT.

He was beautiful.

You actually pet a lot of animals...

for a boy who won't usually go near undomesticated animals.

You even touched BIRDS!

We took Sarita to the Farmers Market for her first time.

We went to the county fair.

We won some fun prizes for you.

You rode on LOTS of rides.

We saw a cool bengal tiger show.

You fell in love with the corn box.

Then we went to the NEW Zoo with some friends of ours.

There, you touched a snake!

You and Sarita always seem to love the prairie dogs the most.

We enjoyed our friends, Jenn, Manny and Little.

We wrapped up our summer vacation days with Jaymee at her pool.

The two of you swam like fish, all day long.

You were sad that it was her last day,

but we are looking forward to our special vacation plans

with her at the end of September! :)

Although, we were unable to do some of the things

I'd hoped to due to a nasty case of laryngitis and a cough I had for weeks,

all in all our summer was FILLED to the brim with fun!

And who knows what more we might sneak in

here and there before the weather cools off. ;)

keeping up

2011-08-27T04:54:00.000-07:00

Or should I say hardly keeping up on blogging for you these days. We haven't been doing much of anything these days but enjoying our summer days with Sarita.
SHE'S HERE!!! And we are all quite smitten.

You are not as I expected you to be. You're so content with her here. No jealousy, no strange transitioning. In fact, yesterday I jokingly yelled something at her while she was beating my in a game we were playing, and you said from the other room, "hey! don't yell at Sarita! yell at me if you have to."
We both thought that was so sweet.

We have been ALL over the place from zoos and parks to restaurants, friends homes, pools, the mall, farmers market, and even the county fair! We're doing our best to make the most of the last couple of weeks before school starts.

I'm so excited for your school to begin. We have everything (and then some) ready to go! This week I will get to set up your school room fresh for our first day on Thursday!

I will try to get back in here in the next few weeks to add some pics and share a little more detail about all of our fun activities.

I love you and am very proud of you, Muffin!
Meam

somewhere over the rainbow

2011-08-04T04:24:00.002-07:00

Yesterday evening we went to the Farmers Market. The sky was perfect, the weather was amazing, and you were so sweet, warm and fun.

I stopped to breath, close my eyes and thank God over and over. It was an evening I never want to forget.

We had dinner. We talked about Sarita. We met some nice people who sat with us and gave you a firsthand beautiful intercultural experience that tied into how we are all from the same family of God.

We visited some shops, perused the market, ran into my favorite jewelry maker and placed a couple of custom orders. You fell in love with a bread I never thought you'd like. You bought me a sunflower for $1. We held hands almost the entire three hours we were there.

And my favorite: as we were walking by, the live band started playing one of our favorite songs (somewhere over the rainbow by israel kamakawiwo'ole). I put down all of our veggies and your dill bread, picked you up in my arms, and we danced right in the middle of the street. You laughed and cuddled and rubbed your nose on my nose. You said, "I love you meam" about 100 times.

Oh, how I love you, back!!!

I know that the downtown Farmers Market will be one thing I long for come January. I hope these memories hold.

Wildlife Babies

2011-08-03T18:48:00.000-07:00

It seems as though the babies are showing up late this year.

None less cute than past years, of course.

This is our third year of these little sweeties.

We loved to visit them every other day to see them growing.

It's neat how the mom used the horses' hairs from up the street in her nest.

We visited these babies over the course of their stay.

Whistling to see their little beaks raise for some food.

Taking them from their high up hiding place to get a closer look.

Touching their soft feathers.

And even watching their first hops and flight.

Some babies we would much rather live without!

Fascinating as they may be.

Some Bambies are worth the wait! :)

Your Bedroom Makeover

2011-07-30T05:16:00.001-07:00

I wanted something more "you", and you had Hot Wheels in mind.

I couldn't have agreed more.

You were dreaming of blue and lime green, like your first room.

We added a grey wall to save us from too much crayola blue:

(a terrible picture, but you get the idea)

You asked for a wall of Hot Wheel's flames:

(photo from the internet)

So we painted over this:

drew the outline in chalk:

and flames it is!

You wanted the Hot Wheel's banner on another wall:

but I thought it would be best to use (removable) canvas.

So we spent a day painting together.

ALL day.

(photo from the internet)

I changed the car in my painting to your FAVORITE

Hot Wheels car, the green Twin Mill III.

(still not finished at 6:00p)

You have wanted your bunk bed converted to a single bed for months:

You decided when you saw the flames that you wanted to move

the bed across the room to the cool wall:

We moved the fish tank across the room to the other side as well,

hung the new drapes, the art, your clock, and voila:

Your awesome Hot Wheels Room Makeover!

Finally, over.