Learning

Last night, you and I laid in your bed after I read to you. We talked about our weekend with Gra and Pepere... the zoo, the caves, the way you love to play with your playmobils with Gra. I was always amazed how she could play with you for hours and hours when she visits. I saw it as a way of her being able to get the most of you during the short times you have together. 

I've always wanted to play with you more. It's easy to include you in my world... playing board games or card games together, baking, weeding, taking walks, grocery shopping. It's never tough to watch a movie or read, snuggling together. I'm your main source of human attention, guidance, food, education, etc... we go everywhere and do almost everything together. You would think it would be more than enough, but I worry that I'll ever look back, when I don't have you here, and wish I had entered your world to play more often while I had the chance.   

Last night, we talked about experiences. I explained how we can look at our experiences at the end of each day and pray to find a learning in them. I explained that our difficult times are the easiest to grow from because the lessons always stand out. But it's the good days that we really have to dig deep from to become better. 

Today, I used the happy moments of gratitude I had in watching and listening to Gra play with you to remind me that it's important for me to play with you too. That's the reason we set the timer for the last 30 minutes before you went to bed last night, and we went upstairs and played in your toy room together. That's the reason we'll play in your world more today, and tomorrow, and the next years together. 

Sometimes I forget that everyday there is something special offered to enhance the joy in my life. All I have to do is ask God and receive His Gifts. I'm glad you remind me to do that. 

I love you baby boy. 
Mama

Summer School

Second grade is officially over. 

You are doing your first lesson of Rosetta Stone Spanish, Homeschool edition. 
You did do the first disk of this five disk set when you were about 5. I wanted you to get a little taste of it early, but it was a little much to do a whole year of at the time. 
This summer you will begin the lessons, and we will carry through into your third grade school year in the fall. It's a great program. I love the added audio disks for the car, and the printable workbook and additional worksheets. So fun! 

You are also going to be doing a "Sims Summer Challenge" I wrote for you. The Sims can teach you so much about money and time management, family and social dynamics, practicality, careers, and more. And it's the funnest game on the planet, in my opinion. You have been playing it for a couple years, so you are familiar enough with all the ins and outs of it. I think it will be so fun:

Sims Summer Challenges

1.   Create one or two adult Sims to live in a household.

A male and female Sim must be married to live in the same household.

2.   Find and purchase an affordable empty lot for their home.

3.   Budgeting for necessary appliances and furniture, build a small home. (You may add on to the size of the home and purchase belongings as the Sims earn money working.)

4.   Introduce your Sims to their new home.

Order them a pizza to celebrate.

Maintain their healthy status.

Keep the house clean.

5.   Find one or both Sims a job. (one Sim must have a job at all times. If you chose to keep a Sim at home, they are to be responsible for cleaning and maintaining the property.)

Maintain your Sims’ health and good job status each day for two weeks.

6.   Earn enough money to purchase additions and belonging for the home until it is to your satisfaction.

Maintain home and healthy status of Sims.

7.   Congratulations! You have earned the right to adopt a pet!

Maintain healthy status for your Sims and their new pet for two weeks.

Maintain good job status for any Sim with a job (remember, at least one Sim must keep a job at all times).

Maintain a clean and working home.

8.   Prepare your Sims’ home for a baby. Make any home remodeling, add-ons, changes, and purchases the Sims may need to house their growing child.

9.   If both of your Sims have jobs, chose one Sim to keep their job and one Sim to quit their job and stay home with the new baby. This Sim may return to work when the baby is old enough to attend school.

10. Adopt a baby!

Maintain everyone’s healthy status (including your pet) as best as you can while keeping the baby happy.

Maintain one Sim’s job status.

Maintain property.

We picked up so great books at Barnes for Math and learning cursive this summer, too. I think the fun stuff we have will keep you learning and sharp without making you feel like your doing "school" still. 

AHHHHHHH!

I've been so terrible at keeping up with this. I'm sorry. 

And so much is going on...

I'll hit a quick recap for you:

* First of all, your newest shoes are almost as big as my own, 

and I can actually fit in them...

* You're rocking it out at the tail end of the school year. 

We've popped you up to third grade for a few classes that you 

already finished up the second grade curriculum for in the past 6 weeks. 

We haven't chosen an official end date yet, but we will be continuing light math

(with an emphasis on time telling - which you are still struggling with 

thanks to all the digital sources in our house), reading of course, 

and we will begin your Rosseta Stone Spanish classes again. 

I'd like to make Spanish the focus of our studies this summer. 

* The house is still on the market. We are still dreaming of our future, 

but have become quite comfortable with just being right where we are for now.

We love the house, the sprouting spring woods, the weather, 

and our little family, here.

* We are all still watching a Little House on the Prairie about 3-4 times a week,

after dinner. We are in the third season and loving every episode. 

You have decided that Charles Ingles is the best possible human role-model 

on the planet, and you are trying your best to take after his footsteps 

in every way. I love it.

* We went to the Milwaukee Zoo last weekend. 

It's been a few years since we took you. It was wonderful. 

Perfect weather, beautiful day, lots of fun. 

We met with uncle Tony on the ride home for dinner at my favorite restaurant.

We ate outside by the water. It was really nice. 

* Uncle Tony is coming Friday for the night. 

He and Daddy are going to a movie together and then 

you and I are going to make a giant breakfast for him (and us) in the morning. 

* You bought an electric scooter with your own savings. You love it! 

And now that the neighbors have moved out with their dog 

who you were too afraid of to go outside alone, 

you have been outside playing pretty much every waking hour of the day. :) 

* We have still been doing a lot of playdates and 

get-togethers with friends during the weekdays. 

Children's Museum is our favorite place to go for LOTS of fun. 

You have been hanging out with Noah and Jordan, Logan (and sisters), 

Luke, Nicole and Abbi, Zach and brothers, and Manny and Lilliana. 

You have been professing your official best-friendship with Zach, 

and even went so far as to say that you would really like to be in their family. :) 

Hopefully I will get to more writing for you soon! 

Love you babe. 

Monday

Yesterday we woke up and decided not to start school. I could tell a lot was on your mind. You had a canker sore on the inside of your lip (a sign of stress for you) and you seemed distracted. It was nice outside, and I figured some sun and shooting would do you good, so we went out with the dogs. 

You in your adorable new grey and orange tennis shoes that you said you LOVE in the store (you don't say you love objects or food ever) - in your Dad's orange oakleys that he was wearing the day I met him almost 16 years ago - with your new bee-bee rifle and your tin cans... watching you grow up is my favorite. 

You shot and told stories and laughed to the blue sky. You loosened and played and ran through the knots with your freedom and vitamin D. I'm always so grateful on days like that, for homeschooling liberties and the chance to know you and teach you more than fractions and spelling. 

Sometimes, when you wake up stiff and hurting, you just have to put on something you love, surround yourself with yours, get into the earth and do some target practice. I hope you always take care of you, son. 

After we did some light school, mixed with cuddle book monday -reading Mountain Born- we went to the park up the way from us. At first it was empty. The sun was still shining warm, and the wind was blowing spring cool. You played a little, tried to swing. I think this was about our 40th lesson on how to swing yourself. You still can't do it, and I can't figure out what is stopping you. Literally, you start to swing from the ground and then the pumping stops you... ???

I watched you, seeming sad and alone with that low look you carry sometimes. I thought again of how you are too young to be so serious. Too old not to swing on your own. 

Then you took off, running across the green field - the same field we've launched rockets and played with our puppies - where you held hands with your Dad and I walked behind you to watch my guys. The field where storm clouds once rolled overhead and we wondered and worried for you then, too.

I asked God to guide your Dad and I how to be for Him with you. I asked Him to guide you to be for Him, aways. 

And then school must have let out, because the park began to fill in. Like it was never void. Cars pulled up and unloaded kids and parents. And before I knew it you were among them, laughing and yelling the loudest. Smiling ear to ear and playing on the slider and the bars with all the kids. It was beautiful. 

It reminded me that even when everything seems empty, in the blink of an eye God can fill in, make things whole again. 

We picked up some things to grill and returned home just as your Dad was getting in from work. We grilled out, slow dancing and talking while you rode your bike and played with your dogs. We piled on the couch with our dinner to watch an episode of Little House on the Prairie, and afterward we made a list of the things we would really like to have for the next three years when we move. 

Your list included a hypo-allergenic cat, a chihuahua, and the far more likely to happen - your bedroom on the same floor as ours, an upholstered arm chair for yourself, and a pool of some sort. You also want to bring with you your dogs, your iPads, your bed, your weapons, and your stuffed cats. 

It's good to talk about moving and what we expect, want, need, dream. Your Dad and I do it all the time, but we are going to start including you more often. Hopefully it will bring down some of your stress. 

God is in control, and we are making sure to stay out of His way every single day. I trust that everything will be as He wills. 

I love you, muffin. 
I loved our Monday together. 

My Little Bug Has a Bug

Today you are sick with your first stomach flu. I'm amazed that this is also the first time you've ever thrown up in your entire life. Seven and a half years old!  

You've only thrown up twice. The first time, alone in the shower. You were such a trouper. You called, "MOM COME!" afterward. I just knew by the sound of your voice (along with the fact that you hadn't touched dinner and complained of a tummy ache) that you had gotten sick. And then once in the middle of the night when you woke up, downed a glass of water, and then didn't feel so well until it came back up. You are so thirsty, and I'm sorry that you can't keep your water down yet. 

You are so cute, asking me how many times I think you will have to throw up. How long will the flu last. Do I think you might not throw up anymore. Will your pop make you sicker? Why does it happen like this, or like that? 

You are so sweet. You are sleeping with us, of course. You have a little fever of about 101.2 right now. I just got out of bed at about 1:30am to clean the house for our showing tomorrow night. I know that there's a chance I will get sick from you, and I really don't want to have to cancel the appointment. I have a good feeling about this one! :)

I'm all done cleaning now, I did my prayer and Jesus time, and now I'm ready to climb back in bed with you for some more house hunters and sleeping the day away. 

I love you baby boy. You're so sweet and strong. 

Love, Meam

Spring is Here???

Maybe. It sure is taking its time this year. 

Today, we got out of the house to meet with our new-ish friends, 
Ashley and her four kids at WLS. It feels like we haven't been there in a year!
It was so nice out. 55 degrees, and we were able to walk all around outside. 

You really liked spending time with Ashley's two oldest kids, 

Malayna and Myleigh. They are a great match with you. 

We were there for hours, and it was SO much fun.

You and I went a little early so we could have a little picnic lunch together, 

but it was a little too cool out at first, 

so we stayed in the front of the pilot and ate. 

It was much more fun! You loved being in the front by me. 

You asked if it was fun to sit in the front all the time. 

And you learned all about how to work the seats. 

This afternoon we had another showing on the house. 

We loaded the car up with us and all the animals 

and headed to Moe's for an hour. 

We ate tacos in the car with the windows open. 

It was fun. 

I will never forget these days, while we are selling our home, 

staying out of it to keep it clean, packing all of us in the car, 

Frank, Apple, Yuki AND the cat!!! Praying together, waiting and hoping. 

Tonight's showing was very promising. 

The people liked it a lot and are moving forward in the process 

sending the questions they have through their realtor to ours, etc...

We're in no hurry, but it sure is fun to show off our beautiful home! 

When we got home, you and me and Apple went outside 

for some scooter racing fun. You have me commentate your "races". 

I have to name your opponents. 

I just use famous peoples' names so I can remember them, 

and you think I'm a genius for thinking up such cool names so easily. 

Like, Jack Black, Ricky Ricardo, and Stunt man Steve. :) 

When you finish a race I interview you a little for the post race show... 

it's so fun and cute. 

Now, you are watching your Daddy play Fourtsa Four (or something like that).
He doesn't play video games often, but he needed to shut his brain off tonight. 

It's time for me to tuck you in with your pug for the night. 

Tomorrow is supposed to be 60 degrees! 

We will try to see Gwin before our play at the W Center at 12:30, 

and then we have another showing to get the pets out of the house by 2:45! Should be fun. 

Like a Teen

The last couple of days you have been playing a lot. You are a little much like a teenager too soon, with wanting to go in your room and "hang out". You brink Yuki (you've made her a little princess bed), your iPad for movies and audio books, and your never ending Geronimo Stilton chapter books. 

Your room is so cute (cluttered). You have all your swords, guns, tiny clay sculptures, and homemade pretend match sticks are being displayed throughout the room. 

Our house is now officially on the market, and we already have two showings. One of them being this afternoon. You stayed up late with your Dad and me to clean and ready the rest of the rooms. It was so much fun. We are excited to be entering the next chapter of our lives together. :) 

Tuesday

Today was gloomy and raining outside, but you and your Dad were my sunshine, inside. 

You whizzed through school like nothing. 2.5 hours flat. Done. You're too smart for second and third grade curriculum. :) 

We were blessed to go and pick up Grant from school. He hit his head and needed to go home for the day. 

Then we had lunch and did a little gaming. We do love to play video games. It's kind of nice, because I've always loved video games, but I thought that I would have to give them up when I had kids. On the contrary. Now, I just have to be sure to keep it balanced so we don't all turn into computers. 

We have known that we will have to find a new home for Mea for awhile now. We are all so allergic, and she is stuck in a single room most of the time now. She's such a good cat. 

I kind of thought that Uncle Tony would just take her, since his second cat, China, passed away leaving her sister Lita, with no companion. But we found out today that Uncle isn't comfortable having another cat with Lita because she hasn't reacted well to other cats in her old age. 

So, we are on the hunt for a good home for her. We already found a couple of good options today. So that is good. 

We also did some more work on looking for the right buyers for Gwin. 

It is hard to consider letting go of some of our pets like this (and your Dad's motorcycle), but it is going to be so good for all of us. We all have to let go of something in order for us to be free to move forward with our plan. 

This afternoon, you and Apple and Frank played outside for a couple of hours. Your Dad and I talked and danced and watched you out the windows. Your Dad played guitar for me, and we ate dinner together. 

We had to call you in for a shower and bed. It was getting late. We snuggled into your bed. I read more babyzeek.com to you. Then we turned on Geronimo Stilton Audio books, and I fell asleep with you for about 20 minutes! 

We are all very tired. 

I'm off to snuggle in with your Dad and get some sleep. 

I love you baby boy. 

A Good Man

Today, we woke up and all snuggled in bed looking at some more homes for rent online. It's fun to look, and it brings peace to the plan when we find better and better options of places we can live when we sell our house. 

Then you had some cereal and played on your iPad. Your Dad and I had breakfast together. Meatball sandwiches and green drinks. :)

We bummed around the house for a couple hours. You played toys, your Dad did some lessons on the computer stuff he's learning right now, and I cleared out over half of our kitchen belongings for our coming area rummage sale. It was fun to get rid of things thinking of moving and downsizing. It's amazing what we still had that we didn't need after all the purging we do. 

At about 12:45 we headed out for the Monster Truck show at the Resch Center in town. It was awesome! You loved it, and it was another first for all of us! None of us have ever been to a Monster Truck show!

After the show we were on our way home when we got a flat tire! I was so glad your Dad was with us. He changed the tire to the spare, but then IT popped about another quarter of mile down the road! 

We were only a few miles from our house, but we had to call our tow guy. After I got off the phone with him, a man from a Tire company stopped to help us. So, we called off the tow guy. This good man fixed our spare tire and declared the original blown tire, totaled. He followed us to our first turn off the main road, and then he checked the spare to be sure it wasn't losing air. We were all set to go, and he would not let us pay him. 

We got his card, and talked about that man's goodness all evening. 

He had a real impact on us. Your Dad said he didn't even know there were still good people like that in the world. How sad that no one has ever been good to your Dad like that. :(

One good deed can give a man hope. It can change everything for someone. 

I hope you never forget that. I hope we raise you to be a good man like the man who helped us today. 

I love you son. 

Saturday

Today we went to BFR for breakfast. You had two poached eggs, an english muffin and hollandaise sauce. You get it this way because you don't like the ham. They bring it all separate for you so you can build it yourself. You and your Dad have been going there for breakfast on Saturdays for about a year. 

After breakfast we went to Woodmans to get groceries for the week. Your Dad let you buy some things that we wouldn't have normally bought. i.e. a "flavored" apple in a bag??? :) 

Then we went home to meet Jaymee. Aunt Julie dropped her off to play for the afternoon. I tried my hand at some homemade chicken nuggets. I used ground turkey. Rolled it out like cookie dough with water on the counter and rolling pin. Then I used an egg shaped cooking cutter to make the shapes. Dipped the cutouts into flour, then egg, then panko. Put them on a baking sheet and popped in the oven for 10 minutes. Healthy and scrumptious. You hated them. Everyone else loved them. 

We all went to look at a cute house that your Dad and I found for rent in town. It's in a really cute neighborhood with a park right across the street, and is so adorable and perfect for us. It's a three bedroom, one bathroom, beautiful hardwood floors in every room but kitchen and bath with tile. It has a finished basement and an awesome finished attic. Tons of character. It also has the sweetest wooden-fenced-in backyard. We all loved it. 

The best part was a surprise to us. The owners told us that they would prefer for us to have ALL three of our dogs there than to have us farm out Apple for our three years before we leave!!! We did NOT expect that. So awesome. I know that God knows just where we will be, but this place would sure be nice. 

At home, you and Jay played some more, and then A. Julie picked her up around 4p. Now, we are all snuggling in bed on our computers watching HGTV. :) 

You are about to empty the dishwasher (begrudgingly, no doubt) and then take a bath. I am going to shower and snuggle in with your Daddy for a movie. He's not feeling great tonight. 

It was a good day. Hope-filled and exciting! I can't wait to get further into our new adventure.