Soccer Practice

Soccer Practice

Thursday, October 28, 2010

Junior Firefighters

Last Friday was a special day at preschool. The fire truck came. The kids, and parents, waited out on the lawn for the arrival of the huge red engine and three friendly fire fighters. Michael loved it. Sam, as seen below biting his fingernails, not so much. He spent the entire time holding onto my leg or twenty feet away.The fire men were so nice. They taught the kids what to do if they're trapped in a burning house and the fire fighters are coming to look for them. It's scary but it's nice to know what they should do. We talked about smoke detectors, practiced stop, drop, and roll, and saw a fireman in full uniform with his oxygen mask on so they hopefully won't be afraid to go to him if he ever needs to rescue them.

It's a common problem that small children hide when there's a fire and are afraid to go to the strangers in "Darth Vadar" masks. It really does make the same sound as Darth Vadar when they breath through their masks. This fireman took off his mask so we could all see that it was a smiling, nice man underneath it. The most important thing we learned is not to hide from the firemen. Instead, say, "Here I am!" until someone gets you out. Typing that makes me cry, but I am glad they know that now. I pray they never ever have to do that.
Michael was as brave as could be and stepped right up to have a turn with the fire hose. He turned it on and sprayed a traffic cone on the grass.
That deed earned him a Junior Firefighter badge sticker which he VERY proudly wears on his jacket. He really had to raise his right hand and swear to do something fire-related in order to get his badge.
Here it is!
Junior firefighter Michael! Way to go buddy!
The truck left with lights and signals blazing and the kids were dumb struck. Needless to say, they've been playing firemen ever since!

Friday, October 8, 2010

Pumpkins for the Pumpkins

The preschool had our field trip to the Pumpkin Farm today! I am loving the preschool world. Crafts, outings, projects, show and tell, birthdays. It is so fun.
We brought our friends along and listened as we learned that pumpkins are squash and corn is part of the grass family. I never knew that.

They had goats, pigs, chickens and turkeys to feed. AND hand sanitizer for afterward!There was a hayride, a corn maze, and this pyramid of hay. Can you find Michael in there?
There was a long line for this slide and it was pretty steep but the boys liked it. I pulled out their jackets for the first time this morning and put them in their jeans from last winter. They are too short! They are growing like weeds!
Sam was one of the tallest preschoolers there.
"Make a silly face!"
My pumpkins. Happy Fall!

Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Baby Toother

Proudly presenting Anna's first tooth!

Michael has been calling her "Toother." She's had a cold and I felt a little bump on her gums, but I didn't know it would come so fast. She is the most cheerful baby I've ever met. She laughs when I clean out her nose! She brings a smile to our faces all day long. I've had her to the doctor twice to check for ear infections but I guess she's been pulling at here ears because she's been teething. Hopefully she'll be feeling better soon.

In other news, here we are making acorn men last Saturday. The boys got the idea out of a book about Autumn and have been asking to make them since last winter. We had to wait for the acorns to grow, make a trip to the craft store for pipe cleaners and Styrofoam, and F I N A L L Y they were ready to make! They have pin-heads because the only acorns I could find here are these tall, skinny ones.

And this video is just the boys being fun. Please don't listen to me trying to get Anna to smile. It's just embarrassing.

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Hot Wheels

Look who's got a hot new ride! We found this bike on Craigs*list. It's one size too big but I think it's' going to work anyway. Josh put the training wheels on this morning before work and the boys are having so much fun! They are looking WAY too big on it. There are a few bike paths around here that they've been riding on their tricycles but Sam's knees are about hitting the handle bars on his trike and they go so slowly for how fast they pedal so we're on to the exciting world of two-wheelers!

Thursday, September 9, 2010

Guess Who's * Coming To Dinner!

On Sunday Anna reached five months. She's been acting a pit peckish lately, especially at dinner time when she won't nurse but is hungry. She reaches for our food and leans forward toward our plates! I decided to give her some cereal last week to see what she would do. She loved it! We moved on to bananas yesterday which has me in hysterics saying all variations of "Anna Banana." Cheap thrills, you know.

It's so cute to watch her little bird-like mouth open up for the next bite. She is much daintier than her brothers were at eating. And cleaner. And she eats less.
I put her in the booster seat today and now it feels like she's really growing up. Sam enjoyed helping her take a drink from her sippie cup. He's been wanting to help feed her since she was born and had fun holding the cup for her.
She can hold it herself, but not tip it up the right way. Next on the menu, avocados, sweet potatoes, the world is our . . . well, maybe not oysters just yet!

Tuesday, August 10, 2010

First Day of School. Pass the Tissues!

I know this looks like any normal summer day, but it was Sam and Michael's first day of pre-school last week.
They'll be going two days a week for three hours at a time in the afternoons. On the first day, I got them dressed and fed and was combing their hair when I got a little teary eyed. They've been home all day every day since they were born and, whether they realize it or not, this was a big step for them. A step away from Mom. A step away from home. A step into the world of people who don't believe the same things I do and who don't love them as much as I do. A step into a world where other kids may name-call or make fun or teach them bad words. I was nervous and anxious. . . then I dropped them off, went to lunch with a friend and said, "Wahoo!"

I went home and fed Anna in peace and quiet. She slept for an hour and I didn't know what to do with myself! I have a list of projects I need to do while they're gone, but so far I've rested. I like resting. I told my visiting teaching partner that we should make appointments while they're at school, but I may change my mind. I like resting! I like Anna taking a good nap and having a good, uninterrupted feeding in the middle of the day. I would like to tackle that list of projects too - update the Christmas card address list, order pictures of the boys as babies and put them in albums. I think I'll most likely use the time to clean the house, but at least it will be in peace and quiet! Today I heard a clock tick. I didn't know they still did that.

That being said, I was so excited to pick them up and hear their reports. They like it. Michael said it was long and that he can learn at home instead of at school, but this week he is having more fun. Today they read a story about tuna fish. Last week they made their names out of macaroni. They want a play date with the girl with long blond hair in their class. They're growing up.

And now, I'll leave you with a picture of the Princess to put a smile on your faces.

Friday, July 30, 2010

The Good Life

The Armor of God

Southern Belles
Luckiest Girl in the World
Getting Big
All Snuggled Up
Defending the Home
This IS My Smile, Mama Mia!
Daddy's Little Girl
Happy Birthday Mommy!
Sooo Cute!
Cooling Off
Bathing Beauty