All I want for Christmas...

What do you want for Christmas?  Have you thought about it?  In a moment of pure exasperation yesterday, I said (very calmly and quietly) to my children,"Do you know what I want for Christmas?"  No answer.  "I want my children to obey."  Annabelle smiled a great big smile and shouted, "WHAT?  Mommy, that is just a dream!"

Oh, Annabelle, you make me laugh.

To eat the candy or decorate with it, that is the question.

Can you believe we did this?  (I guess I should add...about ten minutes later, the house  fell apart.  The kids were content with telling everyone a hurricane came through.

Christmastime is here.  We're enjoying the music, the movies, the shows, the cookie baking, the special activities, the parties, making gingerbread houses, acting out the Christmas story with our Little People Nativity set, etc...  Annabelle and Jacob are enjoying adding new things to their wish lists each day.  With Annabelle, it's a mental list.  Anytime she sees something in a catalog or in a store or thinks of something she wants, she says, "Mommy, I want that.  Will you add that to my Chwistmas list?"  Yeah, sure...along with the hundreds of other things you've told me about.  I simply point to my head, and say, "I've got it."  :)  That's good enough for her.  The thing she most often asks for is bubble gum.  Easy enough, right?  But, when I ask her what she wants for Christmas, she won't tell me.  Instead, she whispers in my ear, "You'll find out when I go see Santa."  I sure hope I can be a part of this conversation.  :)  For Jacob, this list making stuff is serious.  He even wrote his letter to Santa, addressed it and put a stamp on it all by himself.  Luckily, I caught him just before he sealed the envelope, so I was able to read what he wrote.  He asked for three or four different LEGO sets, including the Death Star (Star Wars).  Oh my.  He also had one set listed that is supposedly for ages 16+ because of the difficulty level.  When I asked about that one, he said, "Well, Mommy, you told me that I am very intelligent, so I'm pretty sure I could do it."  Funny thing is, he's probably right.

...these are a few of my favorite things...

As the kids make their lists and see bits and pieces of toy commercials (I try my best to fast forward through them as we watch recorded Christmas specials) I find it more and more difficult to express to them that this is not what Christmas is all about.  They know the true meaning of Christmas.  They know this month we are celebrating advent and Jacob can even tell you what advent means.  They look forward to our Jesse Tree readings each evening and have fun placing the corresponding ornaments on the tree.  In a world primarily focused on gifts and Santa Claus, I realize it is my responsibility to share with my children that without Christ, there is no Christmas.  Each school morning, I let them choose a song to listen (and dance) to which gets our day started.  What?  Don't you start your day with music and dancing?  Their two songs of choice lately have been these:

I love these songs because they reiterate the message I am so desperately trying to get through to my kids.  They love these songs because they can sing along and dance to them.  Their favorite line is "I went to the coffee shop to get myself a mocha."  In any case, they are are hearing the true meaning of Christmas and that's what matters.

Japanese Banana

Because I know you're still wondering about the Japanase Banana song that Annabelle sang during her interview.......

F-O-U-R

"Hey guys, wanna hear something cool?"  Annabelle walked up to the table where Jacob and his friends were discussing and showing off their latest LEGO creations.  "It's my birthday today and I'm four!"

Silly face

She couldn't be more proud to finally be four years old.  Everyday, for the entire month of October, she began each morning by running to the calendar and asking, "Where are we now, Mommy?"  I pointed out the date, then she counted the remaining days until October 30.  She knew which calendar square was her birthday because I had written "Happy Birthday, Annabelle!" in pink (her favorite color).

Opening a present on her birthday

Annabelle may be four, but in her mind, she's more like...fourteen  In fact, just yesterday, someone told her a certain sharp gardening tool was not a toy for kids.  She quickly responded, "Oh, I'm four now, so I'm not a kid anymore."  On her birthday, I overheard her talking to Jacob about how she has a loose tooth.  (She does not have a loose tooth.)  "Jacob, I'm four now and I have a loose tooth!"  "WHAT???!!!???"  Jacob exclaimed, seemingly in shock.  "Yes, come wiggle it!" Annabelle told him.  Jacob immediately reached a finger in her mouth to wiggle the supposed loose tooth.  It didn't budge.  "Annabelle, you do not have a loose tooth," he said.  "It isn't even wiggling."  "Well, it IS SO LOOSE, JACOB!!" she yelled.  "It just doesn't want to wiggle right now!"

Doc McStuffins!!

Time for your check up!

I like Lambie the best!!

 Annabelle is one busy little girl.  She has a very full schedule, you know.  Full of what, you ask?  Well, she must change clothes no less than six times a day.  So many cute outfits and princess dresses, so little time.  She must parade herself around the house in each of her princess dresses, spinning and twirling until she is dizzy.  She must care for her baby dolls and push them around the house in a stroller or shopping cart.  She must empty all her costume jewelry from her jewelry box into several different purses, multiple times a day.  She must find time to fit in her beauty routine, which consists of fixing her hair and putting on a little lip gloss...all over her face from her nose to her chin.  She must reserve quite a bit of time to take care of all her pets -- kitty cats, hamsters, pigs, a panda bear.  She has quite the stuffed animal collection and she loves every one of them.  Then, she must take an hour or two to pretend she is an animal herself, most often that animal is a kitty or a pig.  So, you see, she IS a busy girl.  And this list of activities only scratches the surface.  :)

Even in her busyness, she granted me the opportunity to conduct a brief interview -- an interview with the princess.  Here's what I learned.

ME:  What is your favorite color? 
A:  Pink and purple

ME:  What is your favorite food? 
A:  Pizza…cheese pizza 
ME:  What do you like most about cheese pizza? 
A:  It has cheese on it.

ME:  What is your favorite toy? 
A:  The piggy from Cwacker Bawwel. 
ME:  What do you like about this piggy? 
A:  'Cause it walks and it does this **snorts like a pig**

The piggy from Cracker Barrel!!!  I've wanted this my whole life!!

Look, Jacob!  I got my piggy!!

ME:  What is your favorite thing to do? 
A:  Ahhhhhhhhh.  A craft. 
ME:  What kind of craft? 
A:  A fish craft.
ME:  What kind of fish craft?
A:   One where we have to get goldfish and glue it onto paper.  (We glued a school of goldfish crackers on a piece of paper one day for science.)
ME:  Do you like preschool? 
A:  No. 
ME:  Why not? 
A:  'Cause it’s not very fun. 
ME:  Do we do any fun things at school? 
A:  No. 
ME:  What about making fish crafts? 
A:  Yes, that’s fun.

ME:  What else do you like about school? 
A:  Eating my snack and watching my Hooked on Phonics movie.

Technology Masters

ME:  Are you happy to be four years old? 
A:  Mmm-hmm.

ME:  Do you feel older? 
A:  No.

Presents!

Add caption

ME:  Do you like to dance? 
A:  Yes. 
ME:  Do you like to spin and twirl? 
A:  Yes. 

Dance party time!

ME:  What’s your favorite outfit? 
A:  The ones that spin.

**I start to ask another question when Annabelle interrupts**
A:  You forgot to say what's your favorite breakfast food, Mommy!
ME:  Oh, I apologize.  What is it?
A:  Cereal and milk.
ME:  What kind of cereal? 
A:  Honey nut cereal  (I think she's talking about Honey Bunches of Oats because she had eaten it that morning)
  

ME:  What kind of birthday cake did you have? 
A:  A fish cake. 
ME:  Do you like fish? 
A:  Mmm-hmm.

I love my fishy cake!!

ME:  What’s your favorite animal? 
A:  A cat. 
ME:  Why do you like cats?
A:  'Cause they say meow meow a lot.

ME:  Who is going to win the presidential election? 
A:  Newt Gingwich. 
ME:  Why do you think Newt Gingrich is going to win?
A:  'Cause he’s the most best.
**immediately after answering my question, she starts singing a song called Japanese Banana from the Alvin & the Chipmunks CD**
ME:  What about Mitt Romney?
A:  Oh yeah.  Mitt Womney.

ME:  Do you have a favorite book? 
A:  I have no favowite book.  I have zero favowite books, Mommy. 
ME:  Annabelle, go get your favorite book, please.  (She went to her room and came back with Madeline loves Animals.)

ME:  What do you like about that book?
A:  The cat part.

ME:  Do you like candy?
A:  **smiles**  a wotten tomato
ME:  Really?
A:  No...it is gummies.  It's just gummies, Mommy. (she means fruit snacks)


ME:  Do you like to sing?  What songs do you like to sing?   
A:  Laughing…the Clarabelle song.  What is that ? (I honestly have no idea.)  **begins to make up a song about a fishy**  
ME:  What other songs do you like to sing?  
A:  Zero. 

ME:  What do you want to be when you grow up?
A:  A mommy who gives medicine.  
ME:  So, do you want to be a doctor?  
A:  Yes.  **reaches up and asks me to give her a high five**

Annabelle, you are such a blessing.  I love everything about you.  I love that you love to tell jokes that make absolutely no sense.  For example:  Knock knock.  Who's there?  Orange.  Orange who?  Orange you can't come in here you are not a pumpkin!  I love that you change clothes a million times a day.  I love that you only like to wear dresses and skirts that spin...and I love that you call all such clothes, princess pants.  I love that you run around the house yelling, "Pixiedust away!"  I love that you are so girly, yet not a bit bothered by dirt.  I love that you love to get messy.  I love that you love lip gloss and love to fix your hair.  I love that you love to eat celery and asparagus and other vegetables that many other kids won't touch.  I love that you love to dance.  I love that you make up songs about Strawberry Shortcake and sing them to the tune of old hymns, like Blessed Assurance.  I love that you grit your teeth when I ask you to smile for a picture and you always say, "I AM smiling."  I love that you love kitty cats so much and that you snort like a pig when we're out in public.  I love that you're always pretending to be an animal.  I love how you get so excited when we watch princess videos and Minnie Mouse videos on YouTube.  I love how you add a -y to every animal name (piggy, kitty, fishy, horsey, etc...)  I love that you make up your own stories when you "read" your books.  I love that you love chocolate just as much as I do.  I love that you still love to snuggle every chance you get.  I love that when we have tea parties, every Disney character shows up along with other animals, like a pig who only eats cereal.  I love that you love glitter and other sparkly things and I love how you say clothes without sparkles are not bootiful.  I love that you love to draw.  I love that when you pray, you thank God for food and vegetables...and plates and spoons and forks...and toy boxes with toys.  I love that you only have two speeds:  full speed and sleeping.  I love that you love to be chased and that you love to play hide and seek.  I love that two of your favorite words are "I'm hungwy!"  Annabelle, you are definitely one incredible little girl.  I love you with all my heart and thank God every day for the blessing of being your mommy.  But, I just want you to know...even though you are four, you ARE still a kid.  :)

Interview with a Six Year Old

Jacob is six years, one month, and seventeen days old.  He's all grown up (as far as he's concerned).  He is now a first grader and he graduated from AWANA Cubbies to Sparks at church.  He couldn't be more proud.  And neither could I.  :)

August 6, 2012 -- Happy Birthday, Jacob!

Here is my interview with this very special six year old.

Me:  Jacob, what is your favorite color?
J:  Blue

Really, Mom?  Another picture?  Just let me eat my cupcake.

Me:  What is your favorite food?
J:  Pepperoni pizza (this has changed since his birthday.  He went through a summer phase where he would only eat cheese pizza)

Me:  What is your favorite thing to do?
J:  Play with Legos.
Me:  Why?
J:  Because you can build with them...and take them apart.  You can build anything with your imagination.

Me:  Do you like school?
J:  Sometimes.
Me:  What do you like about school?
J:  You learn things and sometimes we do science experiments
Me:  What don't you like about school?
J:  Doing boring things
Me:  Like what?
J:  Math
Me:  Do you think math is boring?
J:  Yeah.  It's just a bunch of questions.
Me:  What is your favorite subject?
J:  Singing the timeline song (Jacob absolutely loves the timeline song -- a song that accompanies the 161 historical events he's memorizing this year.  We listen to this song and go through the cards at least three times a day...and it's 13 minutes long.)

Having fun at the playground

Me:  So, what's it like being six years old?
J:  You get to do big kid things.
Me:  Like what?
J:  Playing football...and teaching a little sister how to act in her life.
Me:  What do you teach your sister?
J:  To be good.  Sometimes I teach her something and she never does it.

Me:  Do you like playing football?
J:  Yeah, the best!
Me:  What position do you play?
J:  Center
Me:  What is your favorite sport to play?
J:  Tee Ball

Me:  Who is your best friend?
J:  Carter
Me:  What kinds of things do you do when you're together?
J:  Play with Legos, play with cars, big trucks...and play Star Wars outside

Wheeeeee...just havin' fun!

Me:  Do you like to read?
J:  Yes.
Me:  What is your favorite book?
J:  Lego Star Wars:  Save the Galaxy

A giant Yoda marshmallow!

Me:  What do you want to be when you grow up?
J:  I want to work at Lego with Carter.
Me:  Doing what?
J:  Making Legos.

Me:  I heard you doing the beatbox a minute ago.  Where did you learn to do that?
J:  (smiling) Nowhere.
Me:  Are you a beatbox master?
J:  No.
Me:  Well, what are you then?
J:  I just like to play music.
Me:  What is your favorite song?
J:  (does a beatbox version of the Darth Vader song)  the Darth Vader Song
Me:  Ok.  What is your favorite song that you hear on the radio?
J:  Reaching for You (by Lincoln Brewster) because Daddy plays that song.

R2D2 Cake by Erika and Paula :)

Cool!  Just what I wanted!

Cheese!

Me:  Who do you want to win the presidential election?
J:  Mitt Romney
Me:  Good choice.  Why?
J:  Because I just like him.

Making a new friend at the playground.

Who has the highest score?

If you couldn't tell, we celebrated Jacob's birthday with a bowling party.  All the kids had a great time.  The morning of his birthday, we went to the Sea Pines playground, per the birthday boy's request.  He wanted to play and climb the steps to the top of the Harbor Town lighthouse.  So, that's what we did...after we opened a couple presents.  Since his party wasn't until the following weekend, I bought him a cupcake, a very large cupcake, for him to eat that night.  He didn't eat it.  The next morning, he told me, "I just didn't think I needed all that sugar."  I love this kid.

Jacob, I can't believe you are six years old.  The past six years have gone by so incredibly fast and I love you more and more every day.  I love that you would play with Legos every second of every day if I would let you.  I love that you are willing to share your Legos with your sister...sometimes.  I love that you have superhuman memory skills.  I love that you are a beatbox master (even though you say you aren't).  I love that you compose your own music at the piano.  I love that you love music.  I love that you have a crazy imagination and are always making up stories...mostly about Legos and Star Wars.  I love that you have lost your two front bottom teeth.  You just look so cute!  I love how brave and excited you were about losing those teeth.  I love that you always ask permission before going into the snack jar.  I love that when you say your prayers at night you ask God to "help the president obey your (God's) rules."  I love that you can't eat chocolate without getting it all over your face -- not even a single M&M.  I love that you want to be just like your Daddy.  I love that you love to read.  I love that you love to read the Bible.  I love that you call me out when I am wrong about something.  I love your big smile.  I love that you love school (even though you sometimes say you don't).  I love that you like to teach your sister "how to act in her life."  I love that you love your sister.  I love that you aren't usually shy and aren't afraid to talk to people.  I love that you love to wear sunglasses.  I love that in all your drawings, your stick people have no arms (this probably comes from watching so many episodes of Veggie Tales).  I love that you aren't afraid to try new things.  Jacob, you are an extraordinary little boy and I am so very blessed to be your mommy.  I love everything about you and can't wait to see what God has in store for you!

What? Summer's Over?

Where do I begin?  So much happened this summer and now we're already one week into the new school year.  Here's a very quick summer recap.

1.  Tee Ball       Back at the beginning of June, Jacob finished up his first tee ball season.  He really enjoyed playing and made some new friends in the process. He started the season with a bang -- three homeruns in the first game.  After hitting three homeruns your first three times at bat, where do you go from there?!?!  (Ssshhhhh....don't tell Jacob that when playing tee ball at this level, if you're the last at bat, you always get a homerun.)  :)

Even though he had fun playing, his favorite part of tee ball was receiving a trophy at the end.  And yes, he wore his sunglasses in almost every game.  :) 

2.  Summer Camp       Then came summer camp.  We had an olympic / sports theme, so the first week, during our opening ceremony, each camper made an olympic torch to help "light" the olympic flame.  Here are my two little olympians.

Summer camp was tons of fun -- exhausting, but fun.  We played sports, went to the beach, took weekly field trips, played games, made all sorts of crafts, etc...  At the end of every day, all three of us were completely worn out.  I passed out on the couch just about every night and the kids usually fell asleep in the car a couple minutes after we pulled out of the church parking lot.  If Annabelle fell asleep in the car, that usually meant she was out for the rest of the night.  I put her right into bed and she never woke up.  She missed dinner several nights this summer.  But don't worry, she made up for any missed dinners with plenty of snacks the next day.

3.  July 4th    No Independence Day celebration would be complete without fireworks.  This year, we went out to dinner and hung around outside the restaurant to see the big show.  Actually, we were able to see three different sets of fireworks from here.  Fireworks are great...except for the fact that they never begin until after 9:00 PM.  By that time, crankiness has had plenty of time to set in and both my kids turn into firecrackers themselves -- a little "bonus entertainment" for the people around us.  In any case, we all had fun and, consequently, slept really well that night.  :)    

4.  Tooth Fairy       Before summer, Jacob told me had a tooth that was "a little weak."  It was his first loose tooth.  When I wiggled it to confirm, I think I actually shed a tear...just a tiny one.  He's just growing up so fast!  Several weeks later, we had a visit from the tooth fairy.  I packed a nectarine for Jacob's lunch one day.  As he sat at the table eating wth his friends, he bit into that nectarine, forgetting all about his loose tooth.  His tooth was now just sort of...hanging there.  He gave it a quick twist and it came right out.  That made Jacob a superhero.  Everyone in our summer camp class (especially all the boys) couldn't believe he just lost a tooth.  Wow!  Jacob couldn't have been more proud.  He walked around showing everyone.  That night, the tooth fairy stopped in to collect Jacob's little tooth and left him two dollars (special gold coin dollars) in return.  Very exciting.

5.  Fashionista       Annabelle developed a new passion -- cosmetology and fashion.  She loves barrettes, headbands, and ponytail holders.  And she loves to put several of these hair accessories in her hair all at once.  The more, the better.  "Do I look pwetty?" she says.  As many times as I said I would never do this, I have occasionally let her go out in public with all these things in her hair.  We went out to eat one night and she fixed her hair in the car.  When we arrived at the restaurant, she probably had seven barrettes, a headband, and a ponytail holder in her hair.  She completed the look with a tiara.  She had worked so hard on this and was so proud of herself, I didn't have the heart to redo her hair. 
       She is also very picky about her clothes.  She will hardly ever wear shorts or pants now because "shorts don't twirl and spin."  She will only wear "pwincess pants," i.e. dresses and skirts.  And she has her favorites.  She wears a little black sundress with "sparkles" about three days a week and she really loves a certain brightly colored skirt with flowers on it.  If you come to our house one morning and find Annabelle crying, it's probably because she's just found out her favorite outfits have not been washed yet and are unable to be worn.  And that brings me to another topic:  the neverending laundry.  She changes clothes no less than four times a day...just because.  "Annabelle, why did you change your clothes AGAIN?" I ask.  'Because," she says, shrugging her shoulders, "I just wanted to."   

 
It may not sound like a whole lot, but that's, pretty much, our summer in a nutshell.  We stayed busy, that's for sure.  Jacob did celebrate his 6th birthday a few weeks ago, but that deserves a post of it's own. More to come later!

Summer Camp

Whew.  Summer.  is.  here.  The sun is blazing and the temperatures are rising to over 100.  But I'm not complaining.  We've had relatively mild summer weather for the past few weeks and I am grateful for that.  In fact, Wednesday felt more like spring -- cool and breezy.  I actually drove with the windows down (something I never do) and the kids loved it.  Annabelle was giggling with delight as her hair blew across her face.  "This is SO FUN!" she exclaimed.  Jacob wore a smile the whole ride. I love that something as simple as riding in the car with the windows down can bring such joy.  It's the little things in life....

The past few weeks have certainly been an adventure for all of us -- a fun-filled, action-packed, busy, busy, busy, but very rewarding adventure.  I am working at our church summer camp...all day, five days a week.  So, Jacob and Annabelle are at summer camp too...all day, five days a week.  I'm not gonna lie.  It's been quite an adjustment for all of us.  But, I think we're starting to settle into the routine.  Annabelle has had to bid farewell to her three hour long afternoon nap.  Now her afternoons are filled with activities.  It's a little tough for her to handle, but she's a trooper.  She typically falls asleep three seconds after I buckle her car seat to go home and doesn't wake up until the next morning.  Jacob's having a blast.  He's made several new friends  who are just as into Star Wars and LEGOS as he is.  ( I have a class of 16, 10 of which are boys.)  Since Tuesdays and Thursdays are beach days at summer camp, we've already been to the beach more times than we usually go all summer long.  We go on a field trip each Wedsneday.  Jacob loves that.  He loves riding on the church bus.  Actually, ALL the kids love riding on the church bus.  Getting there truly is half the fun.

So, our summer is and will continue to be busy.  And I expect this blog will continue to be somewhat neglected. It's not that I don't have anything to write about.  Oh, I could share a million stories.  But finding the time to share those stories is proving to be difficult.  But, I'll do my best to get one in...here and there...along with a few pictures.  :)  Happy Summer!

Chocolate Cake

On most nights at our house, bedtime is usually preceded by storytime.  Sometimes Mommy reads a book.  Sometimes Daddy reads a book.  Sometimes Daddy tires of reading the same books over and over again, so he makes up his own story instead.  Other times, instead of using his own ideas, Daddy turns to classic comedy for inspiration.  Remember Bill Cosby's infamous stand-up routine with the bit about giving his kids chocolate cake for breakfast?  If not, CLICK HERE to refresh your memory.  It is hilarious and not possible to watch without falling into fits of laughter. 

I am not sure why Heath decided to tell the chocolate cake story to our kids that night, but it has become a favorite.  I hear it several times a day now as Jacob and Annabelle tell and retell it to each other, adding their own little touches.  Parts of it remind me of Goldilocks and the Three Bears.  No matter who is telling or who is listening, the story always ends with a roar of giggles.  

And not to be outdone by her brother..........

Beautiful Silence

Quiet.  My house is quiet.  Yes, that's right.  My.  house.  is.  quiet.  I hear a light, drizzle of rain falling on the roof; birds calling to one another from tree to tree; the quiet hum of our refrigerator.  It's an unusual moment -- one with which I am not very familiar.  I am tempted to turn on some music...to shut out the stillness...to hush the quietness.  But instead, I am learning to enjoy this unfamiliar, yet beautiful, silence. 

Typically, my days are filled with noise -- children laughing, children fighting, children talking, children crying, music, singing, toy pianos, electronic drums, etc... I am used to hearing noise all day long.  It usually doesn't bother me.  In fact, I like a little bit of noise.  I even sleep better with background noise, like the quiet whirring of a fan or the air conditioner.  The only time I really need quiet is when I am trying to study or concentrate on something.  Like the other day, when I needed to put my Bible study lesson together, I needed quiet.  I didn't get it.  I put in my order, but what I received was quiet with a few sides of "Mommy, will you...  Mommy, can you...  Mommy, watch this!"  That's just the way it goes in our house.  And I wouldn't have it any other way.

But right now, I am enjoying these moments. Jacob is away on an overnight trip with his grandparents.  Annabelle is taking a nap.  And I have a few quiet moments all to myself.  All is well.

_______________________________________________

I typed this a couple weeks ago, but forgot about it and never published it.  It's funny to me now.  There hasn't been a moment of silence since.  :) 

Last Wednesday, on the way to church, the kids were being a little more loud than usual.  Annabelle hadn't had a nap, which only added to the hectic nature of our day.  After being in the car for only a couple minutes, I turned the radio down longing for a few peaceful moments.  Jacob immediately shouted, "I can't hear the music!"  We had been listening to the songs he's learning in children's choir, which just happen to be contemporary versions of old hymns.  "Jacob," I said quietly, "I just need a minute of peace.  I haven't had any peace today."  Of course, Jacob had a very quick response.  "But, Mommy, this music is peaceful," he said.  I asked him what made the music peaceful.  He replied, "What a Friend We Have in Jesus is peaceful...the words...and the music..."  Well, perhaps he was partly right, but at that moment, what I really wanted was peace...and quiet. 

 

Easter...a month later

Life is definitely keeping us busy...and causing time to sail a little faster.  I seem to be running here, there, and everywhere these days (both physically and mentally).  I admit, all the busyness can be exhausting, but I guess I'd rather be busy than idle.  As Proverbs 31:27 says, "She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness."

I've been reading Proverbs 31 a lot lately.  While preparing for a Bible study a couple weeks ago, I was drawn to this particular chapter.  The study was on Lydia and I was looking for parallels between her life and the Proverbs 31 verses.  There were several.  It's always amazing how even after reading a scripture passage several times, God has a way of making it seem brand new.  God's word is truly  alive!  As I read verses 10 - 31, I felt a huge twinge of conviction. Is this really what I should be aspiring to?  Really?  Wow.  Yikes.  We're talking about me, here.  This could take several lifetimes.  I just don't think it's possible.  But the more I read, the more I realized it all comes down to verse 30 (perhaps, the most well-known of these verses).  "Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised."  The fact is, my number one priority should be to honor God and draw closer to Him everyday.  To depend on Him for everything. If I can put all my trust in Him and remain within His will, He will take care of the rest and in His time, mold me into the Proverbs 31 woman He wants me to be.  (I certainly can't do it on my own.)  While I recognize and believe this to be true, unfortunately, it is easier said than done.  For it is the busyness of life which causes my prorities to shift...but with God's help, I will do my best to stay on track. 

Well, I had not intended to go into all that, but my mind tends to ramble sometimes.  This post was meant to be about Easter, soooo.....

A couple weeks before Easter, I brought out the resurrection eggs.  Both kids L-O-V-E those eggs...and I love that they L-O-V-E them.  Each day, either during our regular morning Bible time or later in the day (or both) we went through the Easter story.  Jacob and Annabelle split up the eggs evenly and opened them up as the story went on.  First I told them the story, then they usually wanted to tell me the story themselves afterwards -- such a great way to teach them what Easter is all about.

Of course, keeping up the tradition, we dyed eggs.  Nothing fancy.  No all-natural, homemade veggie and fruit dyes this year.  Just good ole Paas.  And it was so much easier.  And the kids were just as happy.

We only dyed one dozen.  That's all they (and I) had the patience for anyway.  Twelve was quite enough.  Jacob wrote on a few with the invisible "magic" wax crayon.  I was slightly dismayed, but not at all surprised, when I pulled his orange egg out of the dye and read the word "poop" which he had written on the side.  "Jacob, really??  Why did you write 'poop' on the side of your Easter egg?" I asked.  He laughed and laughed, then finally said, "I guess 'poop' isn't really an Easter word.  Here, I'll fix it."  He grabbed the sticker sheet, picked out one of a cross and covered up his non-Easter word.  "A cross is better than poop," he said.  "Becase Jesus died on a cross." 

While Jacob was writing "poop" on the side of his egg, Annabelle was dying her pink shirt blue. Thank goodness for OxiClean. It washed that blue dye right out.

Annabelle loves flowers.  Everywhere we go, she picks flowers -- landscaping around buildings, other people's gardens, from the flower stands at the farmer's market, and all other places where she shouldn't be picking them.  It's a little embarrassing.  She picked one from a farmer's market stand once and handed it to me.  "I love you, Mommy," she said, happily.  Then what do I do?  I mean, it was such a sweet gesture, but it was a stolen flower.  I knew she would cry if I threw it to the ground, but I didn't want to walk around holding a flower that I didn't pay for.  I explained to her that she should not pick flowers like that.  Unfortunately, we've had the same conversation several times and it seems she would rather go to time out than to leave the flowers alone.

Given her love of flowers, we sent her a little Easter bouquet.  It arrived just as we were finishing the eggs -- perfect timing.  She loved it...and she could pick these all she wanted.  :)

Easter morning, the kids hurried through their baskets so we could get ready for church.  The Easter Bunny was light on candy this year and the kids didn't seem to mind.  Actually, I think they received just the right amount.  Good job, Easter Bunny!  **wink, wink**

After the baskets, we were off to church to celebrate.

We went out for lunch after church, then headed home.  Annabelle was wired from Easter candy.  Unbeknownst to Heath and I, she had polished off almost an entire chocolate bunny in the car on the way from church to the restaurant.  She had gotten it from church and just couldn't wait to get into that box.  Jacob, as usual, had a little more restraint.  He waited until after lunch to eat his.  With all that chocolate, back yard playtime was absolutely necessary.  Actually, we went for a "family run."  I quickly volunteered to stay with Annabelle.  We ran some and walked some and she had a blast.  Heath ran with Jacob.  He let Jacob set the pace and he ended up running the whole way -- about 1.8 miles!  He was so excited to be running with his Daddy.
 

We ended the day with a load of laundry since Annabelle's beautiful white dress was now striped with cranberry juice and chocolate.  OxiClean to the rescue! 

And that was our Easter -- full of fun and surprises -- all while celebrating and rejoicing in the fact that HE IS RISEN!

Little Fishy

While Jacob took swimming lessons, Annabelle happily waited with me...out of the water.  She only really had one lesson before allergies got the best of her.  With a runny nose, a cough, and then hives, we decided to keep her out of the water.  So, Jacob was able to get private lessons.  It actually worked out better, in my opinion.  When Annabelle started feeling better, her lessons resumed.  I am happy with her progress.  Even though there were usually tears before each lesson, she did fine once she finally got into the water.  She even liked it.  When I picked her up, she was always extremely proud of herself and couldn't wait to tell me everything she did.  She seems to enjoy the water a lot more now.  One of her favorite things to do is practice blowing bubbles in the bathtub, and she likes to show us how she can swim like a fish. 

I am very proud of her for trying her best.  Unfortunately, the local pool isn't offering private lessons anymore and all the group classes are filled.  The next round of classes begins in June, so I'm praying we'll be able to reserve a spot then.  In the meantime, I guess we'll be blowing lots of bubbles in an extra full bathtub! 

Daytrip Edventure

The Memory Master celebration continued when we took a daytrip to Edventure, a children's museum.  The kids had a blast and they wore themselves out.  Both of them fell asleep on the drive home. I was glad for that.  On the two and a half hour trip to the museum, I let Jacob have "control" of the radio.  Can you guess what we listened to ?  Yep.  The Classical Conversations memory work cd's.  On the way home, I declared our car a CC-free zone.  Jacob agreed to my terms and promptly fell asleep, but not before singing the presidents song. Of course, Annabelle sang along.

If you Give a Mouse a Cookie

Planting a garden

If only this cookie was real...

The firetruck and firestation was a favorite for both of them.  Check out Annabelle's form as she "slides" down the pole.