S Club Mama

After my fourth baby was born this summer, I've started to have my biggest boy, who is 11, get food out of the oven for me. He doesn't have the most grace so this was a leap for me. I just hate for him to burn himself. Needless to say, having the opportunity to have these Cave Tool BBQ gloves was great! These BBQ gloves are thick and have this red silicone parts so he's not going to have something hot slip from his hands. He did spill fries getting them out last week but that was his inexperienced grace. Oops! I love that the light weight flame retardant aramid fiber part of these that extends way past my wrist (and his) so no real chance of a forearm burn. They are flexible and have a great grip! It doesn't feel hot at all when I'm reaching in. Do be careful if your gloves get wet; these gloves are not waterproof. So steam and hot liquids can still burn you through the gloves (like most oven mitts).  My husband has huge hands and the...

As Mother's Day approaches, there seem to be many things online that have made me cry: a post from JJ Heller's girls encouraging mothers and Nichole Nordemen's song, "Slow Down," and the accompanying video. Tear jerkers. Look them up on YouTube and you will not be sorry (unless you hate crying and then ignore this paragraph). Anyway, Karen Kingsbury has written two books that are tear jerkers, too. "Forever My Little Girl" and "Forever My Little Boy" are cute momento-type books that remind us how fast childhood goes. image via Amazon In each, the parents have just had their little boy or little girl and realize what a gift from God he or she is. There are prayers throughout the book to correspond with each developmental stage. So fast you flip through from babyhood to toddler to school age to marriage. It's an emotional rollercoaster...just like real life. I've watched my big boys grow so fast from babies to elementary age, I c...

You're not missing Day #1 of this gratitude challenge (hosted by my good friend, Evi); I just didn't post anything. I did get out my handy dandy gifts notebook to begin (again) logging the blessings poured upon me in a day. Day 2 Challenge:  Stop , actually stop, somehow "pull over" in your day, even if it's for 30 seconds to notice a gift.  Find a way to  give back to the giver  (whether that's a person or the big G Giver). Today I was given a reprieve. A reprieve from my boys' growing.  Squirt wanted to walk in himself today. I reminded him if he did so, he'd have to go in the (very loud) gym with all the other kids. Well, that didn't sit with him and so I got a reprieve. I got to walk my baby to class today.  Not sure when he'll stop being my baby, but for today he is.  My baby.

"I will praise the Lord at all times. I will constantly speak his praises!" Psalm 34:1b

Last Friday, I wanted to try this chicken and dumplings recipe.  And it's not exactly like I have a free moment to myself often, especially to try new recipes. So, what's a mother to do? Let the boys help me make supper!! although there was slight throwing of flour, Moose is practicing VBS songs. They, of course, liked the flour the best. And I really never mind a mess (at least not one that can't be swept or wiped up). I gave them spatulas and had them lift up the dumplings after I cut them. I can't say they were beautiful but it did turn out delicious! How is it the one that joins the party late gets the messiest? And that one always ends up on the counter? This child loves to help me. I can't ask for a better helper. Daddy took the boys outside to be pounded like erasers (or maybe just wiped). And I think Casper paid me a visit.  What sweet little feet. Do you let your children help in the kitchen? Did...

I've been wanting a chore chart for my boys for a long time. We have done some homemade ones periodically, but none that lasted. Then my friend, Stacey, told me about Accountable Kids. It's basically a system to teach children not only to do their chores but to hold themselves accountable for their responsibilities. Here is Accountable Kids creators, Scott & Traci Heaton's philosophy: " to strengthen families by providing fun, hands-on tools that help parents teach accountability, responsibility, and character development in the home." blurry picture (sorry) but you can see the whole system; low enough the boys can reach Big A and I sat on this information for awhile before purchasing our boys' start-up kits. Each kit comes with:  "the Accountable Kids book, one child kit, and a link to the online Quick-Start Video. Each child kit contains  a natural wood Progress Board, 60 Reminder Cards, 3 blank Reminder Cards, 10 Tickets, 10 Bonus Bucks, 4 Bes...

 A few weeks ago, Squirt decided to fall out of his crib. So it was time for the big boy bed. This was something new to us (having a kid fall out of his crib) because Moose would probably still be in a crib if we hadn't moved him out at almost 3. Anyway, this was our second attempt with Squirt - the first time had been abandoned because he kept jumping out of bed. He has done an excellent job of NOT jumping out of bed (although sometimes he does jump in bed...but gets in trouble for it). He's thrilled to be in a big boy bed...this mama is, too, but between the big boy bed and big boy underwear, where's the baby??? first night in the big boy bed the morning after - must have been a rough night!

Squirt got sick on New Year's Eve in the midst of our celebration. He was jumping in the ball pit we got from Grandma Fonda and Auntie Amber for their birthday and .... just spewed everywhere (so maybe the title to this post should also say bye-bye ball pit because I was not cleaning out all of those crevices. Yuck). And the poor kid just kept going, so I got to enjoy the rest of the festivities (playing board games!) while Big A got to (chose to) hang out with Squirt in his room to avoid more clean up than necessary (he even slept in Moose's bed while Moose got to cuddle with mama!!). last picture with the pa-pa (back in October)  The boy made it through that night without his pa-pa (pacifier). Just plumb fell asleep without it. So...Big A & I decided that if he could go without it while being sick, then it was time to just chuck it. And we did. He asked for it the next day at nap time, but we just told him, "when you got sick your pa-pa got dirty so no more pa-...

Last night we got our first snow fall of the season. It had rained for a few days prior (I was thinking about praying to Noah to see if I could borrow his ark) then the flakes started as I was coming home from the gym last night. This morning it was a slick winter wonderland as I headed to Bible study. I think snow is amazing when you see it from your kids' perspectives. Moose knows snow - loves it! All he wants to do is walk in it, run in it. After school today, I taught him to make snow angels. That brought him much joy. Moose also enjoyed our snow ball "fight" - I threw some snow at him (which he loved!) and he picked up some and chucked it at me. Even got me a few times. This is my polar bear. Squirt is another story. It's cold and wet. He dislikes it much. He's interested enough to touch it, maybe walk in it. But he always ends up whining and wanting to be picked up. Squirt is definitely a sun bear; he enjoys the nice weather and warm temperatures. I lo...

Moose has been having a difficult time this year with following directions. His teacher says she can tell he's testing the waters, seeing how far he can go. I've noticed it here, too, at home. I know this is an important developmental milestone that all kids reach (usually much sooner than 4-years-old, too). It's also a frustrating milestone. I dislike hearing that Moose tells his teachers, "no, I don't want to follow directions." He does well sometimes and he knows the answer to the question, "are you going to follow directions today?" That doesn't mean he will, unfortunately. That being said, on good following directions days, I am elated! I'm elated that he loves his teachers so much (which he does regardless of how he acts - same with how he loves me regardless of how he acts). I've written a social story for him about following directions. He loves social stories. He does even understand the ones I've written. Apparently it...

today their feet are beautiful.... ...all too soon they will be smelly ...and hairy Join Angie at Seven Clown Circus for more Wordful Wednesday fun!

It's true, they all grow up so fast (even the cranky ones)...

I love baby milestones! *rolling over *rolling back over *crawling *first teeth *second, third, fourth teeth *sitting up *standing up *cruising and... walking!! I have 2 walkers now (sort of...one is still quite shaky)! I'd pretty much forgotten how sweet those first few steps are. How off their balance is. How scary it is to watch them. How exciting it is to watch them. So not only is Squirt growing up fast by becoming (more) mobile...but he says "mommommommommom" (finally)! I love that! Too bad he said "gagy" (which Big A seems to think means "daddy") first. There's a possibility that "bubbabubbabubba" means "bubba" which is Tristan's nickname, too. Not yet sure on that one. But I'm glad he's finally talking. Hopefully I'll be able to upload pictures of him walking (when I catch him on camera).

FIVE INCHES. That is how much taller Squirt is than he was TWO MONTHS ago! 3 pounds and 5 ounces. That is how much more Squirt weighs than two months ago. 50% weight, 95% height. Do I have a (gasp) basketball player on my hands? (if you don't know I LOVE wrestling) Oh but he's so precious. I'll support and watch him in anything he chooses.

...we're on our way, to help a little Moose celebrate his birthday! That's right! I am again planning a birthday party for my little Moose. I'll probably write a sappy post about how I can't believe he's turning two (yes, I will, you know it), but for now, I'll focus on my big bash plans. I debated between an Elmo, Wonder Pets, or a Super Why! birthday party and Wonder Pets won. Probably because they're my favorite (and so many others do Elmo). Then I started to research cupcakes or cakes. I want to make his cakes again, otherwise I'd go to Walmart and get a pre-made one. But I really like doing it myself. Someone somewhere on some forum turned me toward the Nick Jr. website. Ah-ha! I found Linny , Tuck , and Ming-Ming (too) cupcakes! They look slightly complicated, but....it means a lot to me to celebrate his birthday before the new baby comes and to make it special. So I'm going to try - they may not come out perfect but that's just fine! I wa...

Dear Moose, Yesterday was your first day in your new big boy bed. I know you probably were confused at naptime when I laid you down in this strange new bed. I didn't really mind kneeling by you and laying my head by yours, telling you "shh," "shh," until you fell asleep. Daddy put you to bed last night because my back's been hurting lately. I think he had it easier because you probably didn't see that the bed was different in the dark. I heard you right away when you cried during the night. As I raced to your room, I (again) felt the heart-pounding joy that I'm your mommy. When I opened your door, your scared little face lead me to believe you fell out of bed (as did the rumpled covers on the floor). I squatted to your level and you came to me and just clung. You certainly do have quite the grip when you're frightened (or want to suck up). I was prepared to bring you in to our bed (not realizing what time it was - before 2am), but I had to pee (b...

Dear Moose, I just wanted to let you know that, although I had a blast letting you eat cake, you do NOT get cake and sweets every day (even if Daddy & I eat them....right in front of you....and, yes, I know that's mean). You get Cheerios, dude face! We bought you new sippy cups that aren't too hard to get liquid out of. You need to drink your formula (until I switch you over to milk, then milk) out of them - even if the cup is pink or purple (give me a break, the selection at Sunmart was sparse). I will switch between the bottle and sippy until you've gotten the hang of the sippy; I know it will take more than one day. You are one now. You have been alive for one year (post womb). This means you know the routine of things around here pretty much. You still cannot put your hands in the heaters. I know it's summer and they are off, but when it comes winter time again, I know you'll forget they are hot and burn your fingers off. I'm so proud of you for walking ...

I hate the saying, "time flies when you're having fun," mostly because it's true. And that's the worst time for time to fly because you're enjoying yourself. That's how I feel about the last 10 1/2 months. Tristan's first birthday is drawing closer and closer and it seems to be going faster and faster. I know it's because I've greatly enjoyed these months with him. It's hard for me to believe how much he's grown, and I'm having an even harder time trying to figure out where my time went (I think it was school). So, here's a sneak peek at the last nine months so you can see how much my babe has grown. July 2007 - my little moose - so worth the 2 hours of pushing August 2007 - our first family vacation! September '07 - one of my favorite family pictures & times October '07 - the thumb sucking began November '07 - ha! I don't know but his eyes are really blue December '07 - daddy's buckaroo January '...