Best Job in the World

I have the best job in the world. 

Who else gets to splash in a backyard kiddie pool with some of the best people in the world? 

No pictures today.  I was having too much fun splashing. 

Sad Goodbyes

It started with a small tear that gradually grew.  I watched it grow with trepidation, hoping the day it turned into a choking hazard would not come too soon.  Some big crocodile tears were shed this past weekend as a little boy realized his beloved pacifier was broken. 

You may think I sound overly dramatic.  Last year we stupidly and mistakenly tried taking away the pacifier cold turkey, traumatizing the whole family in the process.  (Two year olds should not stay awake until midnight.)

This past Saturday, I was fully expecting to have a long night trying to reteach Caleb how to fall asleep.  Surprisingly, he quickly fell asleep and has slept normally (if not easily) since, aside from a few early mornings. 

We’ve offered to let him keep his dilapidated remnant of a pacifier, but he’s made it very clear that he doesn’t like it. If telling us or throwing it off the bed wasn’t enough, he has also left it several times on the farthest corner of the bed, as if it had cooties. 

He’s still plotting how he can get another one from the store, so we won’t be going by that aisle for a very long time.  Thankfully he hasn’t realized that he could raid Sophia’s unused stash of rejected pacifiers right next door. 

And now when I check on him sleeping, I leave his room thinking, “He looks so old.” 

Here’s to growing up—moms who learn from their mistakes and little boys who learn to grieve over a broken pacifier. 

Letter S

If you’re like me you’re getting tired of reading these posts about crazy preschool-ish alphabet activities.  Summer was in full swing early last week, so we spent a lot of time swimming and splashing.  

Attribute of God: Strong
We had plenty of teachable moments while the storm sirens went off during a big storm Wednesday night.  We talked about how strong the winds were and who made the wind.  Thursday we toured the neighborhood several times, looking at the big trees that were uprooted or blown over by the strong winds.  If God can do that so easily, think how safe we are when we take refuge in him!

Story: I had planned on retelling the story of Samson, but didn’t get in gear to do it. 

Song: Mighty to Save

Common vocabulary: saw, stop, sad, splash, strawberry, swim, spaghetti, smoothie, sundae, Saturday, Sunday, sunscreen

People we know: Sophia!

Activities:

• Thanks to a delivery of prime hand-picked strawberries from Grandpa and Grandma, we enjoyed strawberry sundaes, smoothies, cereal, yogurt, and pie! 
• Splash pad (If you’re not in the area, we have fancy sprinkler systems at several parks in town…and they’re free!  Sophia loved it and “dove” right in.  Caleb still likes to stay mostly dry, but is learning to tolerate more water in his face.)
• Swimming in the kiddie pool
• Swinging (I can’t believe I haven’t taken pictures of the kids on the new swing set yet!)

(It got a lot of attention this week.)

Ramps and Racecars

Siblings

Just a few videos highlighting some of the fun ways Caleb and Sophia are interacting these days. 

Giggles

Games

Of course, this isn’t the whole picture.  They’re also getting lots of practice saying sorry and sharing.  My prayer for them is that they would continue to be best of friends for many years to come. 

Birds

Looking for the birds she heard out the window and climbing as high as she can to find them:

Sophia loves to look for and listen to birds. “Bird” was one of the first signs she used consistently, even before milk and all done.  I’ve seen more robins, blue jays, cardinals, crows, and other birds I can’t identify this year than any other.  It reminds me of my Grandma McCracken who could identify any bird I pointed out. I love that my kids open my eyes and help me be amazed by the world God made and put right in front of me.

Seeds Take Time

Just a reminder that seeds take time to grow:

I planted these columbine seeds three years ago.  This is the first year they’ve bloomed.