Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Monday, May 24, 2010
Not Me! Monday
A few weeks ago we DID NOT find a dead squirrel in our backyard. This week, our second son DID NOT find a dead rat in the back. The conversation DID NOT go this way:
Him: MOM, I found a dead rat in the backyard, [hands in the air] but I didn't touch it.
Me: EW! What!? Where?
Him: Over on the hill. But it's already in the trash.
Me: But you said you didn't touch it.
Him: But, Mom, I didn't touch it. I just scooped it up with SJ's butterfly net and threw it in the trash.
I DID NOT shudder when I got said butterfly net and saw rat blood on it. UG UG UG!
{Update: Jenn Russo DID NOT witness the crime scene clean up!!}
I DID NOT try to make dinner more exciting by calling Captain Chicken "Pirate Captain Chicken". We DID NOT make pirate eye patches to wear during dinner. We DID NOT run out of paper, so I of course DID NOT resort to an extremely long Aldi receipt. Nope, not me!
I DID NOT gag just a little when I went into the baby's room and could smell the rank lovie from the door. Of course not, it gets washed on a regular basis. I would NEVER forget how long it's been since it's been washed. Nope, not me!
SJ was NOT stretching from the couch to the coffee table saying, "Mom, look. It's my foot lay down connection! That's what I call it when I do this."

Him: MOM, I found a dead rat in the backyard, [hands in the air] but I didn't touch it.
Me: EW! What!? Where?
Him: Over on the hill. But it's already in the trash.
Me: But you said you didn't touch it.
Him: But, Mom, I didn't touch it. I just scooped it up with SJ's butterfly net and threw it in the trash.
I DID NOT shudder when I got said butterfly net and saw rat blood on it. UG UG UG!
{Update: Jenn Russo DID NOT witness the crime scene clean up!!}
I DID NOT try to make dinner more exciting by calling Captain Chicken "Pirate Captain Chicken". We DID NOT make pirate eye patches to wear during dinner. We DID NOT run out of paper, so I of course DID NOT resort to an extremely long Aldi receipt. Nope, not me!
I DID NOT gag just a little when I went into the baby's room and could smell the rank lovie from the door. Of course not, it gets washed on a regular basis. I would NEVER forget how long it's been since it's been washed. Nope, not me!
SJ was NOT stretching from the couch to the coffee table saying, "Mom, look. It's my foot lay down connection! That's what I call it when I do this."
More funniness over at MckMama's Blog

Have a great week!
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Wednesday Wonderings or where I have an issue with laundry caps
Why are laundry caps so hard to decipher? I mean really.
First, they are so deceptively deep. On the outside, they're like, "Ooo, I may be a cavernous container, but my cap is so dainty, delicate, and delightful. You'll only use a drop; you'll save the earth from useless, detergent waste."
Then, you're at home at the washer and you open the itty bitty lid. And Woah! There is this whole sub-terranean area coming out of this lid! Seriously, I can hear the echo of my "woah." And somewhere down there is my dainty, little number 1 line. All I can see is a 6. Or is that at 9? I can't really tell because the line, the number, and the cap are all the same color. I flip to the back of the bottle. "For a normal load, go to line 1 and a heavy load, line 2." What? So why even have the 6 on the cap? Did someone just like drawing lines? Forget saving the earth; I have children crawling on couches upstairs! Throw in line 6 and the noxious wash and be done with it!
Why don't minivans and station wagons and SUVs come with a limo glass option? You know, the kind that slides up and down just behind the front seats. That bit of privacy glass could come down if there were a problem, but save the drivers ears from the sounds of bickering. It would be like, "Go to your room and work it out" for the car. I mean seriously? I would pay more money for that than a DVD player.
When did pipe cleaners become Chenille craft sticks? Are we terrified our children will go make a corn cob pipe and smoke some tobacco because they want to use a green, glittery pipe cleaner? Because, well, I was thinking about smoking a pipe, but since I can only find chenille craft sticks, I'm going to stay clean. Well, that and Nancy Reagan told me "Just say No."
First, they are so deceptively deep. On the outside, they're like, "Ooo, I may be a cavernous container, but my cap is so dainty, delicate, and delightful. You'll only use a drop; you'll save the earth from useless, detergent waste."
Then, you're at home at the washer and you open the itty bitty lid. And Woah! There is this whole sub-terranean area coming out of this lid! Seriously, I can hear the echo of my "woah." And somewhere down there is my dainty, little number 1 line. All I can see is a 6. Or is that at 9? I can't really tell because the line, the number, and the cap are all the same color. I flip to the back of the bottle. "For a normal load, go to line 1 and a heavy load, line 2." What? So why even have the 6 on the cap? Did someone just like drawing lines? Forget saving the earth; I have children crawling on couches upstairs! Throw in line 6 and the noxious wash and be done with it!
Why don't minivans and station wagons and SUVs come with a limo glass option? You know, the kind that slides up and down just behind the front seats. That bit of privacy glass could come down if there were a problem, but save the drivers ears from the sounds of bickering. It would be like, "Go to your room and work it out" for the car. I mean seriously? I would pay more money for that than a DVD player.
When did pipe cleaners become Chenille craft sticks? Are we terrified our children will go make a corn cob pipe and smoke some tobacco because they want to use a green, glittery pipe cleaner? Because, well, I was thinking about smoking a pipe, but since I can only find chenille craft sticks, I'm going to stay clean. Well, that and Nancy Reagan told me "Just say No."
Monday, May 17, 2010
Not Me! Monday
Have I avoided Not Me! Monday because of insane busyness? NO! Not Me!
If you were at Deirburgs on Sunday night while I was waiting for the slowest deli clerk ever, you DID NOT see me wipe my baby's nose with a Starbucks receipt. Nope, I am always prepared with tissues and would never risk ink schmeg all over the baby's face. No, that was another woman. Not me.
Also, that trip to Deirburgs was NOT a last ditch effort to make it before the 10 for 10 sale was over. I absolutely DID NOT procrastinate the trip to the grocery all week. I DID NOT make my list from the circular on Monday.
I DO NOT allow my baby to climb on our brick hearth. Nope, I would never allow that kind of unsafe behavior. I absolutely would not take photos of it or nick name it her "perch."

This child is NOT still obbsessed with call his sister "The Chewer."


If you were at Deirburgs on Sunday night while I was waiting for the slowest deli clerk ever, you DID NOT see me wipe my baby's nose with a Starbucks receipt. Nope, I am always prepared with tissues and would never risk ink schmeg all over the baby's face. No, that was another woman. Not me.
Also, that trip to Deirburgs was NOT a last ditch effort to make it before the 10 for 10 sale was over. I absolutely DID NOT procrastinate the trip to the grocery all week. I DID NOT make my list from the circular on Monday.
I DO NOT allow my baby to climb on our brick hearth. Nope, I would never allow that kind of unsafe behavior. I absolutely would not take photos of it or nick name it her "perch."

This child is NOT still obbsessed with call his sister "The Chewer."

More funniness over at MckMama's Blog

Have a great week!
Saturday, May 15, 2010
Birthday Party-Fancy Nancy Tea Party
The table set with cake, juice, tea, tiny sandwiches (cream cheese & jam or peanut butter & jam with the crusts cut off), fruit salad, flowers, and of course fine china.

The girls' activity packets-their name, its meaning, and their monogram to decorate, a crown, a bow, and baubles.

The cake. I used small ramekins to bake the cakes and layered them like a regular layer cake. In case you're wondering, yes I am crazy enough to use my wedding china with 4-year-olds. I live on the edge like that.

My favorite part-the party favors! I bought a set of white canvas bags and iron on initials from Hobby Lobby. I also bought a mugs that came with coloring inserts. That's what I used to make the name inserts. Each favor—$2.50

The Ladies after our game of Make Nancy Fancy.

We did play another few fun song games, but I don't have any pictures!
At the Table

Cake Time


Presents

I planned for the girls to arrive with their invitations and find their names at the "coloring table". That way the girls were doing something as the other guests arrived and I chatted with the moms. Each packet had a crown (downloaded from http://www.firstpalette.com/tool_box/printables/princesscrown.html) and several Fancy Nancy "printables". There are a ton to choose from at http://www.fancynancybooks.com/#/kids/fungames/6/. I did the bow and the baubles. I also included their names to color. I used the inserts from the mugs as a template. In Microsoft Word (because I have nothing better!) I used the font "perpetua" for their names in bold, italic, and outline. I put the meaning of the first name in the upper right corner and their monograms (that's fancy for initials) in the bottom left, both in "Edwardian Script". The box had crayons, colored pencils, and stickers. I decided against markers since they were wearing their "finest frocks".
After they finished coloring we played "Make Nancy Fancy". Once again, http://www.harpercollinschildrens.com/harperchildrensimages/game/fancynancycoloring.swf, color and print as large as you can. We did 11x17. I cut paper bows from a sheet of contruction paper, but I'm sure you could do something more exciting! I did a circle of tape on the back and you play just like pin the tale on the donkey, except of course with a fabulous pashmina (you know, fancy for scarf).
We then used the scarf to travel to where we played our singing games.
Down in the Valley (a partner game where they mimic their partner's created motions to the song)
Snail, Snail
An Elephant Goes like This and That (not very fancy, but they're 4! You've got to be silly)
We then went back to the coloring table because some of the girls wanted to color on their bows more. About 5 minutes after that, we had our tea at the table. The girls at with their pinkies up and were very polite. I did make real tea in the teapot, but we drink a lot of tea in our house, so S was used to that. I did have juice for the other girls. At this point I had planned on making stars with a tracing of their hand, but we ran out of time, so we went for cake and presents instead!
I wrote this blog post while participating in the TwitterMoms blogging program to be eligible to get a Fancy Nancy prize pack. For more information on how you can participate, click here. But more because my daughter is obsessed with Fancy Nancy!

The girls' activity packets-their name, its meaning, and their monogram to decorate, a crown, a bow, and baubles.

The cake. I used small ramekins to bake the cakes and layered them like a regular layer cake. In case you're wondering, yes I am crazy enough to use my wedding china with 4-year-olds. I live on the edge like that.

My favorite part-the party favors! I bought a set of white canvas bags and iron on initials from Hobby Lobby. I also bought a mugs that came with coloring inserts. That's what I used to make the name inserts. Each favor—$2.50

The Ladies after our game of Make Nancy Fancy.

We did play another few fun song games, but I don't have any pictures!
At the Table

Cake Time


Presents

I planned for the girls to arrive with their invitations and find their names at the "coloring table". That way the girls were doing something as the other guests arrived and I chatted with the moms. Each packet had a crown (downloaded from http://www.firstpalette.com/tool_box/printables/princesscrown.html) and several Fancy Nancy "printables". There are a ton to choose from at http://www.fancynancybooks.com/#/kids/fungames/6/. I did the bow and the baubles. I also included their names to color. I used the inserts from the mugs as a template. In Microsoft Word (because I have nothing better!) I used the font "perpetua" for their names in bold, italic, and outline. I put the meaning of the first name in the upper right corner and their monograms (that's fancy for initials) in the bottom left, both in "Edwardian Script". The box had crayons, colored pencils, and stickers. I decided against markers since they were wearing their "finest frocks".
After they finished coloring we played "Make Nancy Fancy". Once again, http://www.harpercollinschildrens.com/harperchildrensimages/game/fancynancycoloring.swf, color and print as large as you can. We did 11x17. I cut paper bows from a sheet of contruction paper, but I'm sure you could do something more exciting! I did a circle of tape on the back and you play just like pin the tale on the donkey, except of course with a fabulous pashmina (you know, fancy for scarf).
We then used the scarf to travel to where we played our singing games.
Down in the Valley (a partner game where they mimic their partner's created motions to the song)
Snail, Snail
An Elephant Goes like This and That (not very fancy, but they're 4! You've got to be silly)
We then went back to the coloring table because some of the girls wanted to color on their bows more. About 5 minutes after that, we had our tea at the table. The girls at with their pinkies up and were very polite. I did make real tea in the teapot, but we drink a lot of tea in our house, so S was used to that. I did have juice for the other girls. At this point I had planned on making stars with a tracing of their hand, but we ran out of time, so we went for cake and presents instead!
I wrote this blog post while participating in the TwitterMoms blogging program to be eligible to get a Fancy Nancy prize pack. For more information on how you can participate, click here. But more because my daughter is obsessed with Fancy Nancy!
Birthday Party-Home Run Derby
Friday, May 14, 2010
Friday Funnies
Time for the eldest to take a turn! C is quite hard to describe in a blog. You really have to know him to get how funny he is. First of all, he's not really 7; he's 80. He's been 80 for a few years now. Also, he is insanely intelligent. This wonderful gift is still quite unwieldy in his immature character. Based on his limited experience, he knows everything and can deduce the outcome of most any situation (even if that means he has to change his answer to be correct). Believe me, we're working on it! Anyway, his pride does lead him into so very funny back-pedaling situations that would rival any spin-doctors or political pundits or completely erroneous statements said with amazing confidence!
-----------
Me: C, it's time for bath. Head to the bathroom.
C: Moooom, I don't want to bathe.
Me: I know, buddy, most elementary school boys don't want to bathe.
C: I am NOT an elementary school boy!
Me: You're not? Why don't you go get that dictionary and look up "elementary".
C: [looking up the word, read the definition] "Pertaining to the first 6 or 8 grades of school, sometimes including kindergarten."
Me: What are the first 6 grades? And what grade are you in?
C: Well, 1st-6th and I'm in 1st, but I'm not in elementary school.
Me: Really, how's that.
C: Well, Central Christian School isn't an elementary school. It's not called that. And, I'm not there right now. So I'm not technically in elementary school.
(Can't you just see the future debate society leader? Technically? Really? We shot him down and got him in the bath.)
------------
Annalise is chewing on anything she can find. One day Chase was taking things out of her mouth every few seconds. He finally says, "Mom, I think Annalise needs to be called [leans back, lifts one knee, and puts up 'air quotes'] "The Chewer". He thought he was so funny, he has said it to every person he's met this week. Ahh, to be seven.
------------
"Mom, when I'm ten. I'll have probably had Chinese food like a thousand times."
------------
C was reading aloud from The Magician's Nephew. He read the description of Uncle Andrew who has "long, white fingers" and he stops.
C: Mom, it's because he has diarrhea.
Me: WHAT?!
C: Well, in our Moses story, God told Moses to but his hand into his cloak and it came out 'white as snow'. It was because he had diarrhea.
Me: Honey, it was like he had leprosy, not diarrhea. And Uncle Andrew's fingers are white because he's pale. He spent all his time in the attic without sun.
C: Well, he couldn't be so white if he lived in this house, that's for sure! We have too many windows.
-----------
Me: C, it's time for bath. Head to the bathroom.
C: Moooom, I don't want to bathe.
Me: I know, buddy, most elementary school boys don't want to bathe.
C: I am NOT an elementary school boy!
Me: You're not? Why don't you go get that dictionary and look up "elementary".
C: [looking up the word, read the definition] "Pertaining to the first 6 or 8 grades of school, sometimes including kindergarten."
Me: What are the first 6 grades? And what grade are you in?
C: Well, 1st-6th and I'm in 1st, but I'm not in elementary school.
Me: Really, how's that.
C: Well, Central Christian School isn't an elementary school. It's not called that. And, I'm not there right now. So I'm not technically in elementary school.
(Can't you just see the future debate society leader? Technically? Really? We shot him down and got him in the bath.)
------------
Annalise is chewing on anything she can find. One day Chase was taking things out of her mouth every few seconds. He finally says, "Mom, I think Annalise needs to be called [leans back, lifts one knee, and puts up 'air quotes'] "The Chewer". He thought he was so funny, he has said it to every person he's met this week. Ahh, to be seven.
------------
"Mom, when I'm ten. I'll have probably had Chinese food like a thousand times."
------------
C was reading aloud from The Magician's Nephew. He read the description of Uncle Andrew who has "long, white fingers" and he stops.
C: Mom, it's because he has diarrhea.
Me: WHAT?!
C: Well, in our Moses story, God told Moses to but his hand into his cloak and it came out 'white as snow'. It was because he had diarrhea.
Me: Honey, it was like he had leprosy, not diarrhea. And Uncle Andrew's fingers are white because he's pale. He spent all his time in the attic without sun.
C: Well, he couldn't be so white if he lived in this house, that's for sure! We have too many windows.
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Monday, May 10, 2010
Stuart's Map
I really enjoy reading the Bible. Not that I'm perfectly consistent in a daily reading plan, but I do love hearing from God's word. When the kids were infants and toddlers, I just read aloud whatever I was reading at the time.
As they got older, I wanted something we could read together. Of course I could tell them the stories and about what God told me, but I wanted them to read for themselves and learn to love reading the scriptures.
I searched for a long time for a great Children's bible. Most I read leaned toward works and legalism in very subtle ways. Most only retold the stories and put man or the child as the center. They didn't give the overall point of the bible: God. Then our boys' JK teacher at CCS used the Jesus Storybook Bible in class. We checked it out from the library. The kids loved reading it, so we bought one. And now we've bought two. The book gives the best picture of the bible; it's the story of God. He includes us in His story and the way He does that is through the rescuer, Jesus. Every story, from Joseph to Naaham, points to Jesus.
Each of the kids will pick it up to read it or look at the wonderful illustrations; however, Stuart loves it the most. He will often choose that as his story to read and one story is never enough. It's so endearing to see his love of hearing the word of God. He really wants to be baptized, but I'm not sure he's ready. I do see evidence in his life of living with Jesus, but he seems so young.
Anyway, in the car the other day, Stuart was flipping through Chase's bible that happened to be in the back.
"Mom, the bible is like a map."
"What do you mean?"
"Well, the whole bible talks about Jesus. Every story is like part of the map to Jesus."
Wow, he's really getting it!
So, if you are looking for a phenomenal children's bible, I highly recommend it!
http://www.jesusstorybookbible.com/
As they got older, I wanted something we could read together. Of course I could tell them the stories and about what God told me, but I wanted them to read for themselves and learn to love reading the scriptures.
I searched for a long time for a great Children's bible. Most I read leaned toward works and legalism in very subtle ways. Most only retold the stories and put man or the child as the center. They didn't give the overall point of the bible: God. Then our boys' JK teacher at CCS used the Jesus Storybook Bible in class. We checked it out from the library. The kids loved reading it, so we bought one. And now we've bought two. The book gives the best picture of the bible; it's the story of God. He includes us in His story and the way He does that is through the rescuer, Jesus. Every story, from Joseph to Naaham, points to Jesus.
Each of the kids will pick it up to read it or look at the wonderful illustrations; however, Stuart loves it the most. He will often choose that as his story to read and one story is never enough. It's so endearing to see his love of hearing the word of God. He really wants to be baptized, but I'm not sure he's ready. I do see evidence in his life of living with Jesus, but he seems so young.
Anyway, in the car the other day, Stuart was flipping through Chase's bible that happened to be in the back.
"Mom, the bible is like a map."
"What do you mean?"
"Well, the whole bible talks about Jesus. Every story is like part of the map to Jesus."
Wow, he's really getting it!
So, if you are looking for a phenomenal children's bible, I highly recommend it!
http://www.jesusstorybookbible.com/
Friday, May 7, 2010
Friday Funnies
This week, Sabrina wins the doozies:
Sabrina: Mom, When will I be 100 years old?
Me: Your birthday, 2106
Sabrina: I think that's too high a number.
Me: You don't want to live to be 100?
Sabrina: Well, then, I could sit in the back of the van all the time!
Driving into London's driveway, admiring the flower bushes:
Mom, those white flowers are so pretty! I think they're called "fiascoes".
In the bathroom with Sabrina:
Me: Sabrina, where are you underpants?
Sabrina: Oh, I took them off and accidentally put them in the toilet. And then I accidentally flushed them. But that's ok, I've got more in my room.
Sabrina: Mom, When will I be 100 years old?
Me: Your birthday, 2106
Sabrina: I think that's too high a number.
Me: You don't want to live to be 100?
Sabrina: Well, then, I could sit in the back of the van all the time!
Driving into London's driveway, admiring the flower bushes:
Mom, those white flowers are so pretty! I think they're called "fiascoes".
In the bathroom with Sabrina:
Me: Sabrina, where are you underpants?
Sabrina: Oh, I took them off and accidentally put them in the toilet. And then I accidentally flushed them. But that's ok, I've got more in my room.
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Ten on Tuesday
1. My boys are obsessed with baseball right now. Stuart has received some great baseball paraphernalia for his birthday. My personal favorite was his KC Royals baseball & bat from my dad! After he gets home from school, he goes outside and plays baseball. When Chase gets home later in the afternoon, he's so excited to play more baseball. He is really into baseball.
2. Sabrina's obsession is Fancy Nancy. She loves to read any Fancy Nancy book that is around. She has almost all of them and has almost all of those memorized.
3. Chase is being tested in the next couple weeks for the gifted program at school. I'm excited and nervous for him. We haven't told him yet. I don't have a lot of doubts that he is gifted, but I know that the gifted road isn't necessarily easier. I loved my gifted classes as a child, but there are great pitfalls of pride and arrogance that come with giftedness. I pray always that God captures his heart and reveals the great truth of grace to him. Our ability to reason has no relation to our self-worth, value, or position before God.
4. Annalise is crawling everywhere and is also pulling up on most things. I have a feeling she's going to be an early walker! Not that I mind; I don't like crawling. Too dirty and too many opportunities to put everything in the mouth.

5. Michael has worked very hard with his Webster students these last few months. The AAF Regional Student Advertising Competition competition was last Friday, and they placed second in the region. They lost by one point. The group was disappointed, but I am so proud of them. Their work was amazing.
6. Our house is still on the market. We had one offer that was ridiculously low; like 30% off the asking price. They didn't really want to negotiate, but it was encouraging to have an offer. We have another couple coming this weekend. If you're inclined to pray for that, we'd appreciate it!
7. Annalise has started having separation anxiety. I've never had a child of mine go through this. They've always been quite happy to leave us and go play. It's an odd mix of emotions.
8. Sabrina turns 4 next week. So my kids will be 7, 6, 4 and 8 months. The days are long, but the years are short. I can't believe how big they're becoming.
9. This past weekend we traveled to Springfield, MO to be a part of the audience for Michael's cousin Jessica's senior recital. She's a musical theatre major at Missouri State. She was wonderful. She moves to New York in September. (Or if you're in Kearney, NE she'll be in Charlie Brown and Godspell this summer). She is very talented, but more importantly, she is skilled at her craft. I can't wait to see her opening on Broadway!

10. Samantha moved in with two other friends this weekend. We have definitely noticed the void in the house. We miss Aunt Samantha!
2. Sabrina's obsession is Fancy Nancy. She loves to read any Fancy Nancy book that is around. She has almost all of them and has almost all of those memorized.
4. Annalise is crawling everywhere and is also pulling up on most things. I have a feeling she's going to be an early walker! Not that I mind; I don't like crawling. Too dirty and too many opportunities to put everything in the mouth.
5. Michael has worked very hard with his Webster students these last few months. The AAF Regional Student Advertising Competition competition was last Friday, and they placed second in the region. They lost by one point. The group was disappointed, but I am so proud of them. Their work was amazing.
6. Our house is still on the market. We had one offer that was ridiculously low; like 30% off the asking price. They didn't really want to negotiate, but it was encouraging to have an offer. We have another couple coming this weekend. If you're inclined to pray for that, we'd appreciate it!
7. Annalise has started having separation anxiety. I've never had a child of mine go through this. They've always been quite happy to leave us and go play. It's an odd mix of emotions.
9. This past weekend we traveled to Springfield, MO to be a part of the audience for Michael's cousin Jessica's senior recital. She's a musical theatre major at Missouri State. She was wonderful. She moves to New York in September. (Or if you're in Kearney, NE she'll be in Charlie Brown and Godspell this summer). She is very talented, but more importantly, she is skilled at her craft. I can't wait to see her opening on Broadway!

10. Samantha moved in with two other friends this weekend. We have definitely noticed the void in the house. We miss Aunt Samantha!
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