Memorable Things Kids Say - Volume 5

Tonight at bedtime, I was laying with Henry. I got a little too comfortable and ended up being on his bed for about 1/2 hour. I thought he was asleep. All of a sudden he opened his eyes and looked at me...

"Mommy, are dinosaurs nocturnal?"

"Umm... I don't really know. But I think they eat during the day and sleep at night. So that would make them not nocturnal."

"Yeah, that's what I was thinking."

Then he turned over and really did go to sleep. I wonder what he was thinking about for that 1/2 hour??

Hayride

We went on a hayride yesterday. It was so fun and the boys loved it. Got some fun fall pictures too! This was well worth the $5 ticket - you stopped in the middle and got pumpkins from a pumpkin patch. The ride was almost roller-coaster like... a little scary, but fun!

Imperfections

I spend a lot of time documenting the "good" things. Here is a post dedicated to the days when I feel very frustrated. I took the boys over to see my friend's new house that had just been built. I gave Henry VERY specific instructions about how he was to behave in the house. He didn't obey. After we were done, went outside to get in our cars and she and I stood and talked for a few minutes. This is what happened to Henry in about 2 minutes... He walks through the muddy lot across the street. I was so frustrated... I just wanted to 'ring his neck' as my mother used to say. When I put him in the car, he just kept saying, "Mommy, please have mercy on Henry... please show Henry mercy..." :) All in all, I was disappointed b/c it was one of those days you really 'expected' more out of your almost 4-year old. When we got home, he did receive discipline for the disobedience in the house... but not for the mud. I did remind myself that he is a 4-year old boy -- and I didn't tell him he couldn't go in the "dirt" with his new $18 tennis shoes... And I did realize that this was a perfect opportunity for me to talk with him about the Proverbs which we spend time in each morning. To help him realize that with his shoes, he could have used better judgment... he could have exercised wisdom that God can give him... he could be a wise 4-year old :) :) The last picture is just what Henry wants to wear everyday now that he needs his 'fall boots.'

Memorable Things Kids Say - Volume 4

After an intense discipline session, Jonathan was sharing the gospel with Henry again. It was one of those times while you're in the middle of the discipline, you feel discouraged and frustrated. But at the end, you see where God was leading you to a place where Henry's heart was very soft and he was very interested in the gospel. And you're thankful God gave you the grace to persevere through.

Jonathan: Henry, do you see how you can't change your heart? Only Jesus can change your heart. You will never do it on your own. Only Jesus can look inside your heart, take out that sin, and give you a new heart that loves Him and serves Him.
Henry: How does He do that? With His hands?

Sona & Grandma Cooper

Sona planned a visit to see us while David was working in Cinci. It was so fun! Grandma Cooper met her here and we were all able to spend time together as well as with the kids. It was a lovely visit!

A "Lewis" visit

Our old neighbors (and by old I don't mean age-wise... although they are older than us!), came for a visit on Friday night. It was such a special treat! Lewis is the original owner of the "lewis" bike that we now own. The lime green one with hot pink design... it's been a real hit. Him and his wife came bearing gifts for the boys. The favorite was this knights/dragon set. Henry has been playing "battle" with it ever since. Oh, yes, and Henry had his first 'can' of root beer. We've never given him a can to drink out of before and he thought that was pretty special! We had a GREAT visit and we hope they come again!



Random picture of Wyatt. He thought this was really cool b/c he was trying to eat with his pacifier still in his mouth... Two things wrong with this picture = (1) We don't allow pacifiers/blankets downstairs let alone at the kitchen table... so I'm not sure what the special occassion was here, and (2) We don't allow toys at the table... again, not sure how he got so lucky! Must be Daddy taking the picture :) :)

Some firsts...

The first fall fort... the couch was turned into a "truck" later on.













Wyatt's first pimple... poor guy. I hope he doesn't have my genes... :(















Football season... the boys LOVE playing this at night time before bed. (can you tell Henry missed that catch?)















Henry pumped... not sure this is the best pre-bedtime activity.

updates

Henry staring at a praying mantis on our screen.












We finally got rid of the mustard faux (sp?)... We personally don't prefer faux. Glad to see it go. It gave our room such a 'busy' appearance. We were going for an earthy green. It's so different trying to choose colors to go with wood trim rather than white trim Everything looks good with white. While we love the wood, it's definitely been a learning curve (an expensive one!) as we've tried colors and then really disliked them. I forgot to get the final picture... but you'll see it in other pictures. I think we like it!














Wyatt's new past time. He loves doing this... and then will stay like that to look at a book or play with a car. Talent...














Jonathan showing the boys a cocoon turning into a butterfly. Henry was completely fascinated... as you can tell by his concentrated look. He didn't even move once during the entire 3-minute video. Wyatt was just glad he got to be up on Daddy's lap too!

Rainy Day

The good thing about this picture: The boys played for 1 hour out in the rain in the sandbox. Had a blast... I was inside writing cards (something I love to do when I find free minutes)... they really engaged with nature...

The bad thing about this picture: Wyatt fell down the steps and hit the side of his face on the concrete, but I still really wanted the picture. Sorry Wy... I think Henry was sympathy crying. (Wy-guy and concrete are really becoming friends)

Flubber

Remember flubber? A great preschool activity. The preschool teacher at Jonathan's school sent home a big bag of it, and the boys have really enjoyed it. We've had a lot of fun playing together... the dinosaurs now have an island!
The garage. The boys have this slight obsession with wanting to play in the garage. After Wyatt's fall a few weeks ago, I really don't like the idea. There is just so much concrete! I have all kinds of bad things in my head that could happen. I do let them dribble. NO touching, NO running. :)

A good reminder

We so often take our children's health for granted. On Thursday, Wyatt took a hard fall on the concrete floor of the garage that knocked him unconscious. I was not in there when it happened. The story, according to Henry, is that they were chasing after a balloon and looking up, when, Wyatt tripped over a tupperware bucket and went down face first. When I came around the corner from putting the trash barrels on the side of the house, I see Wyatt laying completely limp, face down on the garage floor. Henry is still chasing the balloon... Of course, I don't need to tell you how I responded. Henry said he checked to see if Wyatt was OK, but he thought he was just playing dead. OH my... we clearly need to go over protocol again... But Henry was very sweet, and he relayed the entire story to me as best he could. And I could tell he did not have a clue as to what was going on. After about 20 seconds, Wyatt came back and was responding. I didn't know if I should call 911 or just wait and see. In about 5 minutes, he was acting fairly normal. The day went on and he seemed completely fine. I happened to already have a pediatrician appt at 5 that afternoon, and she said I needed to have him in for a CT right away. So - plans changed. I headed to Children's, I called Jonathan (whom, b/c he had a big parent night that, I had not relayed any details of the day... I didn't want to concern him. Needless to say, we had to have a quick recap that night on when to call each other with emergency situations. He wasn't thrilled to find out 8 hours later that his son was knocked unconscious... I did feel very bad. It was one of those times when you thought you were doing what was best, and then realized later on that it wasn't. He was very understanding which I appreciated.), and had the scan. We were so grateful to find out that everything looked great. But it was a very good reminder to remember Who holds our lives in His Hand --- and to remember that life can change so quickly. Also, seeing little Wyatt in there (just a side note, the picture is not painting the whole story. they ended up having to swaddle him... which was fine by us... we were just praying they wouldn't have to sedate him) reminded us of how many parents are dealing with kids who are not well everyday. Kids who are in pain and parents who have aching hearts and suffering as they watch their kids suffer. We are so grateful that we serve a God who is all-knowing and is the great Physician. What a comfort that is in times of uncertainty. Wyatt was so sweet on the way out. He said bye bye to the technician and then just cuddled right up. I was so glad I grabbed his pacifier and blanket on the way out the door.

First Day

Preschool. I really wasn't expecting any emotion. Then when I was walking him down the long hallway to his classroom, I kept getting teary-eyed. I was so surprised. It wasn't so much that he was going to leave me for 2.5 hours, but it was more that we are actually to this point. It's just frightening to see how fast it really goes. I just kept having these flashes to a HS graduation and I'll be thinking back on this day and looking at this picture... so many wonderful memories already! How can you keep track of them all?
Henry, you did great. You were pumped. A bit hesitant, but I expected that. You walked right in and the first think you wanted to do was hang up your backpack. Miss Marilyn showed you where to put it and then you were off to find the seat that had your name on it. The one that starts with 'H.' (Oh, yes, you'll want to know that Wyatt was following you everywhere and then screamed and cried when I picked him up to leave. We made a grand exit!) You weren't smiling a ton, but I could tell by your confidence that you were excited to be there. When I picked you up, you were so happy and excitedly told me that you "didn't have any tears!" The teacher gave you a special treat on your way out. We got to the car and I was so excited to hear about your time and was feeling all "mom-like." Then... you threw a royal fit b/c I didn't let you eat the sucker right NOW in the car NOW. So, the fit didn't end, and when we walked in the door you threw yourself on the couch, recv'd some discipline, no sucker, and then you were crying and said, "Henry's so tired. Please can we eat lunch and then take a nap?"

Welcome to preschool!!! We love you! :)

Strange

Henry is starting preschool tomorrow. It's so weird. I keep thinking that we are not really to this phase yet! He is very excited. Here we are working on his first "homework" assignment. Jonathan and I were cracking up about how many ideas WE had for his bus... hilarious! Now I know why so many parents are tempted to complete their kids projects!! :) We had fun working together and did let Henry make the decisions about what he wanted to share with his teacher. ;) His preschool is just 1 morning a week and it's free! It'll be fun to see how he grows this year.