Do You Know the Muffin Man?

Thanks to a friend passing on a "friendship bread" starter to me, we have been making homemade muffins and bread every 10 days. This is great for the kids, although Isaac gets bored with it after a bit, and comes back for the end product.

Lauralyn is going to be my star in the kitchen, both with cooking and cleaning. She does a great job cleaning the counter tops... we are really looking forward to her being old enough to wash dishes! :-) As a bonus, she sings while she works. I think it must be the Cinderella in her.




Chef Isaac wearing the hat he made in school.







We added blueberries to one batch and dark chocolate chips to another. Yummy!

The Princess and the Worm

Princess Lulu what do you see?
Shriek, gasp, cry, "It's a bumble bee!"

Princess Lulu what is that?
Shriek, gasp, cry, "It's a teeny tiny gnat."

Princess Lulu what's in your hand that squirms?
In the sweetest princess voice, "It's the cutest little worm."



Lauralyn really likes worms. Strange considering just the other day she FREAKED out because a tiny sugar ant was on her. You would have thought she had seen the boogey man the way she screamed. She has also been known to scream about gnats, flies, bees (I can understand that, although she has never been stung) and spiders (again, I can relate).

She spoke to the worm in her high pitched "princess" voice saying, "You are so cute! You want to go snuggle with your mommy and be cozy."

Later, she found the worm in a deceased state, and told me, "Mommy, you have to take him inside and fix him."

I told her, "Honey, it doesn't work that way. I can't make him alive again. We can bury him though."

She replied in a forlorn manner, "Oh, he died, like Jesus."

Life with a three year old is never boring.

What the Heck?!

Sorry for the harsh language, but trust me, the language I wanted to use is much harsher :-)

Why isn't there more of public outrage about the ridiculous gas prices? Why isn't this on the forefront of everyone's main concern right now? Seriously, the gas prices are what is killing the economy! It effects everyone, even those who don't drive. The cost of everything at Wal-mart is creeping up. Jezebel's dogfood has gone up $3.00 in the past year. Diapers, food, clothes, you name it... the prices are rising.

I want to scream each time I go by the gas station. Ten years ago, I was in college and the cost of gas was 89 cents a gallon at one point! If you had told me I would be paying over $3.40 per gallon in just ten years, I would have laughed. We freaked out when gas shot to $3 for a brief moment after Katrina in 2005. It was unheard of to pay that much! And now, we will be lucky to ever see prices go under the $3 mark.

When does it end? If the "powers that be" (government, oil companies) continue to allow the rise in the cost gas, will we be paying $5 per gallon in another year or two? Who can afford that? I know I would no longer be driving much, and only to places in town.

Why are we still relying on foreign countries for our oil? Hostile ones at that. I love nature and animals, but why can't we drill in Alaska? Why can't we have cars that run on used coffee grounds... why doesn't Star Bucks invest in figuring that one out?

Ugh! I am so fed up! And now Noah is having to consider selling his beloved Cadillac in order to buy a gas efficient car. Unfortunately a 45 minute commute is getting too expensive when you only get 22 miles per gallon. That's about $10.00 a day to get to work and back. That's $2500 per year. Yikes! And it will be more that that if prices keep going up. Augh!!!

Cuddle Bug

Kristin is my cuddle bug baby. She is the baby most moms dreams of having... she sinks right into the curves of my body, resting her head on my shoulder as if to say, "This is the best place in the world to be, in my moms arms." Kristin is incredibly territorial of my lap and arms. She will protest against any other person who tries to inch in on her turf (mostly her siblings).

Kristin's second favorite place is her crib. What a huge blessing for me, right? If she is cranky (or I need a break), I put her in her crib. Oddly, she will generally play in there for over an hour at a time, without fussing. While she doesn't take naps in the morning, she does like crib time, and I am glad to oblige as it gives me a chance to shower, etc. without having her fuss at me for NOT holding her (how dare me put her on the floor!).

Kristin usually takes a good nap in the afternoon, and will wake up happy, enjoying the coziness of her crib for a while longer before requesting to get out. I snapped some shots of her when I had to wake her up the other day. She sleepily looked at me as if to say, "Do I have to get up? I would rather snuggle my blanket." The pink blanket is her favorite, and almost never leaves her side. Looks like I might have another Linus on my hands.

GREAT Grandparents

Our children are blessed to have three great grandfathers and two great grandmothers who love them very much. Last week we were happy to have my mom's parents, a.k.a. Nana and Grampa Don visit one night on their way to SC, and one night on their way back to MD. I am really hoping Granny's house sells and she moves next door so that our visits are even longer. In December, Nana and Grampa Don will celebrate 60 years of marriage!

Nana brought several books for the kids, which are a huge treat for our book loving kids. Kristin didn't miss a thing... she wanted Grampa Don to read to her. Isaac especially love Chips and Max, and requested to have his photo taken with them, so that he would be able to "look at it when he missed them."

It's Official. I'm a Soccer Mom.

This is the first week of Isaac's soccer practice through the YMCA. He is SO excited to play, and very eager to participate in a team sport. A natural athlete, Isaac will probably do well and enjoy playing. I will accept soccer mom status, however, I refuse to put a soccer ball magnet on the back of my mini-van.

Here are pics of his first practice (it was wet and cold) and a few days later he practiced in the yard. I admit, he is too cute in shin guards and cleats.

Happy Spring, Nubby.

I know you are all excited to know how Nubby is doing. For those of you who don't know, Nubby is the neighborhood tailless squirrel (hence the name Nubby), who frequents our trees and yard. He (or she) is out of hibernation, and I have seen him almost on a daily basis in our yard. Here's the most recent snapshot of him post winter.

16 Month Comparison

If anyone wants to know what Isaac and Lauralyn looked like at 16 months, here's your chance. I was curious if how their looks and hair compare with Kristin. It's funny how quickly I forget what my kids looked like as babies or toddlers. It kinda all blends together.


Isaac had hair similar to Kristins in that it was a loose curl. But Kristin's hair is much thicker and darker.


Oh, I miss those chubby cheeks! Lauralyn's hair is a much tighter curl. Right now I am struggling with Kristin's wild hair. She won't keep a bow in, and it goes every which way!

I want to post pictures of Noah and I at this age, but the scanner is unplugged, so I need to wait for Noah to fix :-)

Cruisin' Right Along

Kristin, while not walking, is cruising more and more. She will now cruise along the railing of the deck, or along the walls in the house. The other day, Noah mowed the lawn with Lauralyn, while Kristin watched intently. One of Lauralyn's favorite activities is to mow with Daddy. Having the kids spaced out pretty evenly means that when someone becomes too big for riding on Daddy's lap, there is someone waiting to take over the position.

For those interested: I have updated the adoption blog recently.

Practice, practice

We had the pleasure of babysitting Levi the other day. Isaac and Lauralyn were both so great with him, and very excited at the opportunity to love on a little baby. They had the chance to hold Levi, and they also took it upon themselves to entertain him. Isaac reminded me that he would like a baby brother. I hope he isn't too disappointed if God has a little girl planned for us (foster baby). Either way, I know Isaac has a heart to love little ones, and it is precious to see him, and Lauralyn, take such an interest in a little baby.





Lauralyn and Isaac are also ready for summer. On a chilly day, they decided to create a sprinkler with the toy lawnmower. We now have a new rule about turning on the faucet without permission.



Kristin has one week to decide to walk... otherwise, Lauralyn will have her beat. And I NEVER thought Kristin would be 16 months old and still not walking. She is perfectly healthy and strong, she is just not interested. I am hoping that when the weather is hotter, and she is crawling on bare knees, it may motivate her to go upright.

She was "walking" on all fours the other day. It cracked me up, so I grabbed the camera. As soon as she saw the camera, she decided she needed to "pose" and smile. I have this child so trained to smile when she sees a camera, the children's director at CBS told me when she went to take a photo of the kids in the nursery, Kristin looked right at the camera and smiled big.

A Late Morning Snuggle

This moment has been brought to you courtesy of my hard working husband who allows me to stay at home in my jammies, giving me the awesome opportunity to snuggle my baby at 10:00 a.m. complete with bed head, having not yet showered. Now, I don't get to do this every morning, but I treasure the quiet mornings when rushing out the door is not on the schedule. Thank you Noah, for being the bread winner of the family, because for me, snuggles are sweeter than a paycheck.

Quotables

(Earlier in the day Isaac said he was going to be a doctor, a postman, a police man, and a cowboy.)

Me: Isaac, what do you want to be when you grow up?
Isaac: I going to be everything. I'm going to be busy.


(Lauralyn aspires to be Cinderella, who has bird and mice friends.)

Lauralyn: I want to hold a bird.
Me: You can't hold wild birds, they are scared of people.
Lauralyn: I can hold Nanet's birds?
Me: Ummm, I think they might be scared of people too.
Lauralyn: They're not scared, they're just shy.

Admiration

There are so many people I simply admire. Sometimes I can feel a bit covetous of others' skills and talents. While I am thankful for all that God has blessed me with... I am sure I have talents I don't even consider to be a gift, because it comes naturally to me. It's the skills I lack that I recognize much quicker.

For instance, I admire any person who can sew. Really sew. My mother-in-law is absolutely a talented seamstress. She can design and create the cutest clothes. She even created a leather vest and leather chaps for Isaac out of an old jacket. The inside of the vest is lined with the material she used for a matching "cowboy" shirt. Seriously. The ensemble could sell for big bucks at a kiddy boutique. And don't get me started on the adorable dresses she has made the girls over the years... and the quilts, too.

I have tried to sew. Sewing and me aren't a good match. I am impatient when it comes to working with thread. I wish I had a knack for it. Maybe I should try again. Maybe making cute kid clothes would be a motivation. Maybe not. I certainly admire those who can sew... I appreciate their talent.

While on the topic of my incredibly gifted mom-in-law, she is also a gloriously talented stained glass artist. Not just little windows, she does those big church window, too. She taught my dear husband the art of stained glass, and attempted to teach me as well. Have you ever tried to cut glass into a certain shape? It's worse than working with a needle and thread. Much worse. Unlike paper, you can't use scissors. I struggled to even cut a simple straight line, never mind a curve. BUT, I can admire the beautiful pieces of art that hang from my windows courtesy of Nanut.

I especially adore the baptism windows she makes for each of our children. They have the date of the baptism in Roman numerals to make them very personal. Another favorite is the Tiffany style window we have hanging in our entry. I have great hope that some of the artistic genes will be passed on to our kids. :-)


Isaac's


Lauralyn's


Kristin's

School... at home?

I'm re-thinking homeschooling. Honestly I could write an essay on the reasons why, but I know most of you don't want to read all my thoughts on education. I know that it must be God stirring my heart on the issue, because until recently I was 100% convinced that sending Isaac to Christian school was the way to go. Now, I am 75% convinced that homeschooling would be a better choice. That other 25% of not being convinced means we'll keep Isaac registered for school until the chunk of money is due to keep his spot (sometime this summer).

I do know that pre-school has been WONDERFUL for Isaac this year. No doubt, it was exactly what he needed as he developed this year, and it was exactly what I needed. But as he has matured, he has become easier to teach... he also has become more independent. His pre-school class has 5 students, including him. It has been a great learning environment. Next year there will be closer to 20 students in his class. This would be a huge jump in numbers, meaning much less personal attention from his teacher. Not that he can't learn with 20 other children around, he might thrive in the classroom.

The main reason for my change of heart is God's prompting. If it were up to me, I would not want to make an effort to teach my kids at home, I would like a break... but suddenly, the idea of home education is extremely appealing, even fun. Weird.

So, the research is on! I checked some books out at the library, pulled a book off my shelf my mom got me a couple years ago, and ordered some off Amazon. In the spare moments here and there I am learning all I can, talking to other moms who have been there, done that. Thankfully, our community is full of homeschool families and support groups. Should we venture down this road, we won't be alone. More than anything, I will be relying on the Lord, without Christ carrying me along, I cannot expect this to work.


Notice the book my mom bought me... "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Homeschooling." Thanks, Mom.

Bye Bye "Babbies"

I confess. I allow my kids to keep their pacifiers past the age of 3. They don't take them out in public, but at night and nap, and even around the house, we are not strict about growing up and throwing out the pacifiers. Lauralyn, remember, was my kid who drank from a bottle past the age of two. That is why I never even introduced the bottle to Kristin... one less habit to break.

"Babbies," are Lauralyn's pacifiers. I admit that I took a poor approach to breaking the habit, but I was fed up with her babby obsession. I told her if we gathered up all her babbies, and put them away in the closet, she could have a "big girl" princess outfit. It worked... until bedtime. Tears, mourning, anger, "I will never have my babby again!" over and over and over. I felt bad, but I couldn't cave. But later that night when she woke up and was so pitiful, I broke. I gave her the babby and told her I would need it back in the morning.



The second night went much better. No tears, just sleep. Mid-way through the night, she requested her babby. I agreed. I figured weaning may be less traumatic than cold turkey.

Night number 3 and 4... bribery. "You will get a treat if you can make it through the night without your babby!" OKAY! It worked! Forty-eight hours babby free! Woohoo! And the second morning, she didn't even ask for the treat.

On a side note, Granny gave Lauralyn some makeup that she no longer needed. I found Lauralyn in the kitchen, working hard at beautifying herself.

"Look, Mudder! I so pretty!"