Taller Than Daddy

We got the boys a swing set for their birthdays. The other day we were discussing the position in the yard, the angle, spacing for the mower, stain color, what types of swings, etc, etc. When we hear VW exclaim, "I am taller than you, Daddy!" Only to find him climbing the ladder on the soft, malleable ground! Boy, was he proud of himself and Mommy and Daddy came to the rescue!

You know, someday he will be as tall as the sky!

Summertime = Chalk

At our house, we love ourselves some good sidewalk chalk. Oh, the creations VW makes are amazing.

This year DG has gotten in on the action. BUT he would rather just eat it! YUCK!

Silhouette

I wish I could capture in words how I felt a few nights ago walking into DGs room at 3:00 AM. No, it is not what you are thinking; I wasn’t in one of those middle of the night transience’s.  I was concerned; you could tell he was in pain. Silly teeth!

I opened the door to his room and see his silhouette. The light from his fish tank illuminated his body…standing up, holding onto his bear blankie, very distressed. As he reaches for me for comfort, I feel a sense of compassion, urgency to make it all better, and a love only a parent can have for their child.

I picked him up and he nestled in. It is amazes me how he fits against your body, chest, arm so perfectly for the comfort only I could provide. He leans his check up against mine and I start to hum…“Take Me Out to the Ballgame.” The crying stops, his tears wet my checks, and he leans back to peer up at me.

Today I can provide the comfort and reassurance he needs with a hug and a song. Tomorrow I will still be here for encouragement and support, but it may only be through a thumbs up or a silent prayer.

I imagine this is what it may be like with God. Sometimes we seek him, we are close, we can almost see (or a least feel) his silhouette/presence and we experience his comfort as he nestles around us. Other times, we know he is there, but check in enough to only get the thumbs up!

Through life’s battlefield, I pray that each of us sticks around enough to find the peace of God's love, grace, and compassion for us. May we experience his silhouette as he watches over us. May we have childlike faith to find comfort in his arms.

I Am Not Tired

Since daylight savings and the end of the "ma," VW has been going to his room at bedtime, but tells us he is not tired. We let him have his quiet time...we can hear him playing with his cars, reading books, and other times we are not quite sure what he is doing. How can such a little guy stomp so loudly?

A couple nights ago, we could hear him playing and then like most nights it became quiet. When I headed upstairs to go to bed, this is what I found!

He is too cute, never leaves his bedroom, but opens his door and finds a comfortable postition to sleep. Don't know if he thinks he will catch us going to bed and grows exhausted or if this is really the best place in the house sleep.

Nigh-nigh VW. Nigh-nigh VW. Nigh-nigh VW. It's time to say nigh-nigh.

We love VW. We love VW. We love VW. It's time to say nigh-nigh.

Spaghetti Night

DG loves him some good eatin'! Last night proved to be no different. After removing his white t-shirt, he was ready to eat! He gobbled up his broccoli and his spaghetti, sliding it to the edge of his tray so he could get the biggest, best bite ever!

Stop taking my picture and get me some more!

I'm Stuck!

I was changing DG and getting him ready for bed in his adorable monkey jammies, when I hear an urgent yell from downstairs! We finish pulling our fingers out of the skin-tight sleeves and run downstairs to find VW:

What I silly guy! And yes, we do feed him!

Helper

I have the most precious "helper" at my house.

DG helps me vacuum!

put my clean clothes on the floor!

What is so precious, VW was, and really still is, a big helper! My boys and their fascination with vacuums! Who knows? Maybe they will be amazing housekeepers with their wives some day!

Even though VW was "creative" in how he helped!

Sunday Evening Stroll

It was an absolutely beautiful Sunday evening for a short stroll in our wagon. VW pulled his brother. They are way too cute together already! Come along for the ride!

Remider to Self ~ Choose Carefully

"Mothers who know do less.
They permit less of what will not bear good fruit eternally.

They allow less media in their homes, less distraction,
less activity that draws their children away from their home.
Mothers who know are willing to live on less and
consume less of the world’s goods in order to spend
more time with their children—
more time eating together,
more time working together,
more time reading together,
more time talking, laughing, singing, and exemplifying.
These mothers choose carefully and do not try to choose it all."  

Julie Beck

Let's Have A Par-ar-ty!

Let’s have party! Let’s have a party! VWs beloved ma (aka pacifier) is on the curb today! Its garbage day!

VW has had his occasionally BM accidents overnight, always when he refuses to take a break in his life to go (such a hard thing, when life is so much fun). So, Monday night was one of those particular nights. We told him that if he has an accident overnight the ma was gone. He said “ok”.

As predicted we woke to the nasty smell. I cleaned him up and didn’t say much about his consequence. Tuesday night getting ready for bed, he told us he couldn’t have his ma anymore and that was that!

We’ve praised him, sang my goofy celebration songs, and he is very proud of himself!

Daddy asked him what we should do to celebrate. VW said we should have a “cutting party.” So, I guess we will get out our scissors and some paper and start cutting!

Life is so simple when you are three!

Ma Montage

You've lived life with me,

but life goes on without you!

We went on wagon rides together.

You were with me the first time I sat in the grass.

When I cuddle with Mommy, you were there.

You were there, even when I had crazy hair after my bath.

When I rested in Bailey's bed.

When I hid from Daddy in the couch cushions!

When I helped Daddy landscape!

When I wrestled Kelty!

Even NR helped me out sometimes! He prefers his thumb!

More playtime with Daddy!

When I showed off my knees.

And when I tried to convince DG he needed a ma
[didn't work].