this and that--our 4 littles

What they are up to . . .

1. Miles has a slight obsession with the book We're Going On a Bear Hunt by Michael Rosen and Helen Oxenbury. You know the one? Lots of rhythm, repeating and funny word/noises? Well, at the part of the book when they reach the cave and tiptoe, tiptoe, tiptoe and then ask, "What's that?", Miles always says, "A bear hunt!" Really, it's a bear, not a bear hunt. Makes me laugh every time! Love it! Maybe you have to be there with us.

2. Lukey just finished a huge unit on the Presidents, wrapping up with the cutest, most impressive Presidents program I've ever seen! When I say he's been really into the Presidents, that's a major understatement. He's loved every minute of learning, can tell you crazy facts and almost anything you want to know about our presidents. Just ask him. He'll know! We are so excited and proud of his thirst for knowledge! From Day 1 at the beginning of the unit, right until the end, he's been non-stop talking about presidents. His favorite being, Lincoln. I began praying the first week into the unit, that Luke wouldn't be sick for his program, because I knew this was epic to him and he would be crushed to miss it! Praise the Lord, he was well! He was Benjamin Harrison in the program (the first President to have a Christmas tree in the White House and electricity too) and said his part perfectly! This weekend he must have told us (all glum-faced) 597 times that they weren't going to be learning about the Presidents anymore. He is bummed! But on to the States now! Can't wait to hear all he learns going forward!

3. Charlie just participated in his first gymnastics class. So cute! Let me set the stage. The child walks into any room and immediately assesses the situation. What can I climb? From what can I hang? He also jumps/bounces to most destinations. So, a gymnastics class seemed right up his alley. Well, we walked into the gym and see his class. Chuckles was done. There were only girls and said girls were ALL wearing very girly leotards and were all swaying to babyish music to warm-up. Like I said, Chuckles was done! I was too, but I paid $10 for this trial class that they were only 2 minutes into. I wanted to stick it out a little longer. Charlie didn't, so he sat out of the stretches that lasted for 15 grueling minutes. Then the director popped over, had Charlie lead the line to the uneven bars and BAM! just like that, he was sold! Fastest change of heart I've seen! He loved flipping around the bars, playing on the parallel bars and the balance beam. Next week it's the trampoline! He's going to flip (pun intended)!

4. Baby Way is loving some squash! Sweet potatoes, green beans and peas too. Next up, fruit! However, oatmeal outweighs them all! He gobbles it down in no time flat! That is unless he's busy blowing his tongue. Because that of course, sends his oatmeal everywhere! No need to shower before feeding him, if you want an oatmeal bath. Isn't oatmeal supposed to be a good facial? Point is, he's obsessed with his tongue and unless he has food in his mouth, it's pretty cute! All of his brothers and their friends scream and come tell me that Baby Way is spitting! They would get in trouble if they were spitting, but a baby spitting isn't the same. Double standards, I know! ;)

A Valentine's getaway

Last Wednesday night I stayed up waaayy too late preparing for Valentine's morning with my littles! I love Valentine's day, as Hallmarky as it is. But hey, I love Hallmark too! So staying up late to make a day a little more special is just fun! I'm not in it for me anymore--just want nothing but to show my Big Valentine and my little Valentine's how much I love them! Some homemade cards, slippers, muffins, a special lunch for school and maybe a smidge of candy to start their day!

But this year, after spending time with my littles in the morning and sending them off to school, I did get to do something for me, and for us! I hopped on a plane and flew to meet Chad in Naples, FL, where he was attending a conference earlier in the week, and we were able to celebrate Valentine's together and the weekend too! It was good for me and for Chad for obvious reasons like alone time to enjoy each other and have no responsibilites! But it was also good for our boys as well. Not only did they get to have a blast with their grandparents, but they were able to see that we value our marriage and want to take steps to get away together, because following our relationship with the Lord, our marriage takes priority! It's hard once we all have kiddos and schedules and activities and work, etc. to get a lot of quantity time together with your spouse. So when Chad and I can get time or see an opportunity to make time, we want it to be quality! I went on a little rant about dating your spouse here, so I will stop for now. My parents made our trip possible by watching all 4 boys and we are so thankful!

While we were in Naples, it was rainy or freezing cold. But you know what, it didn't matter a bit! On the rainy day, I spent the day at the spa (while Chad finished up his conference playing golf) and it was glorious! I sat a few spa chairs down from Ann Romney and drank one of these. . .

it was quite green, but very tasty--a detox drink they named Envy!

I also read the funniest book I've ever read, but I'll save that for another post. And on Saturday, when it wasn't raining, we were snuggled under towels inside our own little pull-up cabana around us, protecting us from the frigid wind we were having! I had hot chocolate for the first time ever on a beach because of that wind! And during the 20 or so minutes I was convinced we weren't blowing away to Kansas, I uncovered and of course got a smidge sunburned. In 20 minutes. Oh well.

We ate deliciously every night, but my favorite night was Valentine's with Valentine!

 Thank you Chad for making our marriage a priority and for making the weekend so much fun! I love you!

Still Always.

What I like to call Bravery

So a quick little post from the beach. Well, really our hotel room because its cold and rainy. But don't feel bad for me. I spent 5 hours enjoying the spa today while hubby finished up his conference! I got to read and have simple adult conversations with other women (including Mrs. Romney, though she didn't join in conversation) and then end those conversations because we needed a dip in the hot tub or had to get back to uninterrupted reading. Glorious, I tell you!

Recently I read something having me ponder what my bravest moment in life was. I tried to think of one, but thinking is hard these days. Just ask my hubby. He will verify that is true. I wondered if it was when I didn't get my epidural with baby Way. But is crying and begging and screaming that I'm going to die if I didn't get the epidural all that brave? Not really I suppose. However on my tougher days I sure tell myself I can do anything because I never got that oh-so-coveted epidural! Anyway, today I may have experienced my bravest moment! It came when I was soaking in the hot tub. To my right, there was a "warm" tub walk through and to my left there was an "ice frigid cold" walk through tub. You may see where I am going with this. The reasoning behind these 3 tubs side by side is to treat your body to rejuvenation and get your blood circulating, by going in each one up to your neck. I, on the other hand, was convinced it would just give me a heart attack on the spot, and had resolved to just watch countless women walk through the ice cold bath squealing and dashing for the hot tub! Until, 2 Australian women came into the hot tub with me. Now, you may or may not know this, but I have a HUGE obsession with accents. I could write a whole post filled with stories involving me and accents and maybe I will, another time. But back to it, these lovely speaking women decided they would take the polar bear plunge and quickly did so, screaming and describing it in such a glorious Australian way! Just watching that almost made me go for it on my own, but I quietly resolved still, not to do it. Until (again), these women with their accents took it upon themselves to convince me to take the plunge. They encouraged ever so passionately, and well, I did it! I bravely, walked into shoulder depth-colder-than-Siberia-water! And I felt like a 90 year old woman trying to get out of it! I couldn't move fast enough! But, wow, it was awesome! Yes, I squealed, because I was frigid, but also because it was exhilarating and tingly and because I was brave!!

I just finished telling my hubby about my bravest moment and he was excited! He then told me about someone who was giving up complaining for Lent. Hubby decided that he is going to attempt to do that too, Now that is brave!! Maybe not polar bear plunge type brave, but a whole other level of brave, don't you think?


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

smile

This sweet baby is half a year old! As in 6 months. . .amazing!!

I've hinted in the past month that baby Way is beginning to smile here and there. And it was true, but it was here and there and not so much in response to us. Well, an answer to prayer from the Lord, he's really starting to smile now, at us, and laugh too! Just this morning, I wish you could have heard Lukey's excitement when baby Way laughed at him! "Baby Way just laughed!! That's the first time I've heard him! Baby Way laughed again!" Ohhh, it warmed my heart--the joy Luke showed from hearing a laugh! It's been hard for me to be patient for his smiles. I've worried, I'll admit it. To me, the long awaited smile, that has come by 2 months with our others, is soooo long to wait. But Baby Way, he made me wait even longer. And if possible, waiting these 6 months for his precious smile, makes it all the more worth it!!

We love your smile, Baby Way! We love you!!!