A Better Day at the CM

The boys and I met Aunt Kelsey, Baby Gryphon, and Grandma at the Children's Museum today. It went really well, but I think every one of us was exhausted when we left.

I was totally inspired by the 'Cookie Cafe'. It smelled SOOO wonderful I want to bake some Christmas Cookies!! Jack watched a short program about Frosty the Snowman, and was a really good listener and helper when they needed volunteers to 'build' Frosty.

They both crashed as soon as we got home. Thank goodness we were home in about 10 minutes. Blake is gone tonight so I'm deciding to go out to the grocery with my little Buckaroos or to head to the library. Right now, I'm going to rest and watch a library VHS tape on matting and framing. I love those old '80s tapes!!

Didn't Get Let Down

The boys did not let me down this morning. I had yet another mess first thing this morning. Jack has been waking curiously early and crawling into bed with us, like 4 a.m. Anyway, when Blake gets ready for work, Jack wakes up and stays up. I would be a zombie if I woke that early every day. So as Jack is awake, and I am trying to rest my eyes, he finds certain kinds of mischief to get into.

Today's mischief was squirting lotion all over the changing table and throwing everything that was on top, all over their floor. When I was able to peel open my eyes for the day and stumble into their room, I thought, great.

Also of note, Norman had their soft, red Elmo chair in his crib with him. I wonder what joys there will be tomorrow.

I'm so glad I get to do this day after day

So day after day, it's the same thing right. Today right after I prayed for breakfast, which I prayed for extra patience and that I wouldn't kill the boys today, this is what happened:

Jack spilled his cereal bowl and all the milk. No use crying over spilled milk, right? Then Norman starts crying and throws his sippy cup onto the floor. It was the kind that leaks, so now there is OJ all over. Norman continues to cry and stand up in his seat.

And tomorrow, I get to do the same thing all over again, joy.

pumpkin patch

We made a trip to the pumpkin patch today. Jack was SOOOOOOO excited to see 'The Great Pumpkin'. He has been watching the Charlie Brown Halloween DVD for weeks now, and that's all he's been able to talk about.

We went on a hayride and picked out pumpkins. Jack had lots of fun playing on the straw pile. Norman did not know what to think of the straw, but he did like the corn in the corn maze. We did the intermediate, and Blake let Jack pick if we were to go 'left' or 'right'. Jack kept picking left, so we went in circles.

The mesmorized look in their eyes like today makes the hard days worth it!

botanical gardens

I don't know if the zoo gardens are 'botanical' gardens or not, but they are awesome. We went for the first time for Norman's birthday a few weeks ago. The boys and I went back this morning and it was so much fun. Jack had a good time looking all around. I'm looking forward when Norman can walk around some. We did find some crawling space for him. Good times.

jack's repretoire

Songs Jack Loves To Sing:

Jesus Loves Me
Old MacDonald Had a Farm
Twinkle Twinkle Little Star
Row Row Row Your Boat
Hokey Pokey

stacking bowls

Norman was playing with the bowl cabinet again last night. After he dragged them all out and banged on them for awhile, he stacked them all up! I don't think Jack EVER played so neatly.

When we were at dad's last weekend, Norman pulled some blocks out of a tub, layed them out on the coffee table, then he put them back into the tub. Amazing!

Norman's Discovery

Norman found the pots and pans cabinet for the first time yesterday. I wondered when he would discover the joy that is clanging together metal bowls!

Jack enjoyed an hour worth of book reading today. More books. More books.

playing

The boys have so much fun playing together. I thought these matching onesies were SO cute. Norman has been clapping more and more. Jack loves and even asks for tickles!

bouncing room

Tonight the boys and I helped Sallie Smith celebrate her 30th birthday. It was a surprise party, and I don't think I have ever been part of a party that actually hides and then calls out 'SURPRISE'! Pretty neat.

Jack had a blast crawling and juming around in the bouncing room that was at the party. Norman had a good time crawling around Woody and Cookie's deck, where the party was held.

lil kickers

Jack went to 'lil kickers today. It was a thousand times better than the first location we tried last week. When we arrived, he received a UNIFORM! He is going to look awesome in his outfit. There were 8 or 10 other little ones his age running around. We have several things to work on with Jack before next week:

running backwards
stretching up then touching toes
red light, yellow light, green light (stop, slow, go)
sitting in one spot
one foot on the ball
kicking back and forth

Whoo. I got worn out! Dustin was kind enough to watch Norman for me because Blake was in Terre Haute. Norman was not used to being by himself without brother or other kids. Tears dried up pretty quickly when he saw mama.

the little things and the big things

I think motherhood is so hard right now with the diaper changes, sleep routines, getting them bathed and dressed to go somewhere at a certain time, etc., etc., etc.

After reflecting on what's to come in motherhood, I think about the bullies, broken hearts, disappointments, etc., etc., etc.

Now, to the heart of what got me thinking about all of this:

Max Clark came forward last night and was baptized. The REAL challenge for motherhood is teaching my boys to love and follow Jesus. I kept thinking about the day when my boys may step into the aisle at the church building and come forward. I puddle up even thinking about it now! I need to keep myself in check to always be the example they need to see of the love of God.

clapping

Norman clapped for the first time tonight! Jack did something and I said in my 'cheerleading ultra positive voice' GOOD JOB, JACK. Norman proceeded to smile big and clap his hands. Jack and I both turned ans said GOOD JOB, NORMAN. The praise just made Norman clap and smile all the more! Pretty special. I love my boys.

Great-Pa's 75th Birthday Bash

We helped Grandpa Thomas (Great-Pa) celebrate his 75th birthday today. We went to lunch at Buca di Beppo's and then back to our house for cake. Grandpa got teary as we sang happy birthday. It was such a good visit. Aunt Lyn and Uncle Scott, Jennifer, Dad, John, and Grandma joined us.

Now, if we can just get the boys to kick their coughs!

Follow Jesus

We were on our way to a pool play date at Jill's in Anderson this week. For the 35 minute car ride, we were jamming to a kid's Bible songs CD. The screechy sounding little kids were singing 'I have decided to follow Jesus'. A couple of songs down the road, Jack sings 'Follow Jesus!'.

Wow. That is so awesome. I wish I could teach as simply as Jack does. Maybe Jack's influence will help other's see Jesus in us. We pray for that often.

Kiss

Picture this scene: Norman is crawling around upstairs. Jack is sitting in his bed reading a book. I am trying to put up the baby gate but smash my fingers. I say, 'Ouch'. Jack then asks, 'Mama need kiss?'. I told him I did need a kiss, and he came over and gave my finger a kiss. You know what....his kiss did make me feel better.

Zoo

We went to the zoo with Nancy this morning. Both boys were zonked when we got home. Jack makes a great Sea Lion and Monkey sound, and Norman is great at pointing to all the animals. I love my boys. I love them even more when they are good nappers.

swimming

We helped some of our friends, Nolan and Natalie, celebrate their 2nd birthday today. The twins are 2 on Thursday, but we were invited for a pool party and to lunch. The wading pool was very awesome and just Jack's size. It was only about 2 feet deep, and it had a sprinkler in the middle. Even Norman enjoyed getting his legs dipped!

I neglected to put sun block on my entire back, and now I have weird burn marks from my top. The boys were well covered, though, and kept their hats on for most of the time. At lunch, Jack had so much fun playing. Norman got some sunblock in his eye, and he had missed his nap, so he was a little grumpy, but he got to sit in a bumbo seat for the first time. I think he really liked it.

We had more splashes at home tonight. We went out to the little blow up pool we got for the boys this summer. They had a good time, but because neither boy napped this afternoon, each was a bit short on his patience level. I was worn out by the end of the day.

up the stairs

Today Norman climbed up the stairs. He was safely positioned downstairs with some toys while I went up and help Jack use the potty. Norman started crying because he was lonely. Well, I thought, his cries seem to be getting louder. As I turned around, Norman is climbing up the last stair to the upstairs! Yikes. I'm grateful he had a safe first stair adventure.

Along with his stair climbing, Norman has also been working on and has gotten his 2 top teeth. That makes a total of 4-2 top center, 2 bottom center.

Jack began potty training yesterday. He went pee in the potty 4 times yesterday, and he had 3 successful trips today. He pooped in his pullup at church today :( It was my first experience with poop not in a diaper. Uh....have a lot to learn about that one.

Sidewalk Chalk

Jack is playing with sidewalk chalk, and our porch is becoming very colorful. We borrowed some books about color from the library yesterday. It's fun to watch him learn.

Playing

Norman got down for a late morning nap because he and Jack were playing SO much. They were playing together better than ever, taking turns throwing blocks in a bucket, then taking them out, etc.

It is awesome to watch them together. Norman is currently crawling under the kitchen table. It's a good thing Jack helped me clean the house this morning!

4th of July, etc.

Norman had his first 4th of July. He did great on the fireworks, and I think he liked watching them.

He also tried spaghetti for the first time this weekend. I know, so much excitement for a 9 month old!

Jack was scared of the fireworks, and stayed pretty close to daddy. We tried to reassure him, but he was just relieved when it was all over.

We played with bubbles today while Norman napped.

When mommy went to ladies class, daddy watched Happy Feed with both boys. It's a cute movie.

Craft

Jack and I did a craft today. We decoupaged a diaper box for his shoes. He's got lots of shoes and loves wearing each pair. He was on super hyper mode to have Aunt Kelsey and Aunt Stephanie over today.

Norman was not a good napper, and woke up with a black eyelid. How does that happen? I suppose he dropped something on himself??? He probably didn't feel very good. He's also growing, and that doesn't always feel good (growing pains). He ate an entire jar of peas and carrots (homeade puree). I was impressed because he has been preferring table food. He put it away for supper....2 hollow legs!

Sitting So Well

We ran to Walmart after church this morning....we seem to ALWAYS be at Walmart....anyway, Norman was sitting SO good in the shopping cart. I am so proud of him. He is doing so good sitting.

Saturday at Home

So today we had no place to be. It was great. Jennifer and Dad ended up coming by for a late lunch and stayed to visit. Jennifer and I did a bit of shopping. I love my new blouses from Lane Bryant (LB). I feel very pretty in them.

Norman impressed Grandpa with his standing skills. Jack was very hyper to have everyone over. He did take a champion nap, though.

Squirt Guns

Jack and I played with squirt guns today - what fun!! We took Norman and Jack for pictures tonight. Norman was pretty cute sitting in the stock pot. Neither boy napped this afternoon, so I thought we were doomed. Everything worked out really well, though.

I was going to start the big POTTY TRAINING effort tomorrow, but the 'Go Potty Go' DVD won't be in until sometime next week. We will start when that arrives. Jack loves that movie!

Trip to Richmond

Monday the boys each had a doctor's appointment. Norman is 18 pounds. Jack is 28 pounds. No wonder I get worn out after carrying both at the same time. Massage at the spa.......sounds W-O-N-D-E-R-F-U-L! In the afternoon we picked up Grandma T. (Great Ma) and went to the greenhouse. I had such a fun time, but Jack and Norman were for sure sleepyheads. I'm going to have the best looking tomato plants in all of Indianapolis. That evening we went to the gospel meeting at the Richmond church. Norman snoozed in my lap right away. Jack was a fairly good boy considering he was completely off schedule.

Tuesday I met Jennifer, Grandma T, and Grandpa T at the fair. We did a storytime that was pretty neat. Jack got a copy of the book that was read, did a craft, had a snack, then walked with the group to the goat barn. Jack was pretty jazzed about petting the goat. I suppose he liked the smaller size. That evening, we hung out at Jennifer's. We definatly need to get Jack hooked up with some Benedryl before going to anyone's house with pets. Yikes - what a nightmare....itching, scratching, etc., etc.

Wednesday we went to the Wayne County Produce Auction with Jennifer. It was fun to watch, but we didn't make any purchases. Jennifer was talked into getting some tomato plants, though. Plus she couldn't resist getting some Lavender. I splurged and got 3 pots when we were there with Grandma T. Smells fantastic! I taught Jack's Bible class tonight, and had to take Norman in with me. He cried the whole time, so I have to figure something out for Sunday. Blake is also subbing for families on vacation. Hmmmm This gets me thinking I need to be super prepared for teaching the last quarter.

Thursday I took the boys to the library. It was so great having blasting cold air conditioning. The humidity set in this week. H-O-T! I do not like sweating. We went to Brownsburg for their VBS tonight. Okay, lots of VBS and Gospel Meetings, I know. Jack loved going to Bible Class, and I think Granma Rennels was very proud to have Jack there. A good time had by all.

Blogging - a verb? My sister would be horrified.

I suppose if Scrapbooking can become a verb, so can Blogging? Once I get the hang of everything, I suppose it won't consume ALL of my time, however, it's fun learning all the bells and whistles.

The boys and I are heading to Richmond tomorrow after their doctor's appointments. We have big plans to go to an amish plant/produce auction. We'll be attending Richmond's gospel meeting Monday and Tuesday nights.

I had better go call Jennifer and see if she made it back from Kentucky safely. As I type, the phone rang. She was misplaced in Louisville. I found her on the grid, and she is on our way to our house to crash for the night.

I Have A BLOG

This is blog is an attempt to keep up with journaling about the kiddos. I'll also throw in general life happenings. I think I will be motivated by the online version of a journal.....we'll see how dedicated I become!

Last night I did a quick search to find out 'what exactly is a BLOG?' I had heard the term thrown around, but I always thought 'what is a blog?'. Well, now I have started one and I feel so cool.