Monday, November 23, 2009

Did he really just say that?

Gustin: Mommy! I want do laundry.

Gotta love that kid!

Friday, November 20, 2009

7 Quick Takes Friday (vol. 7)


--1--

Jonathan had a pack meeting last night (for all the cub scouts from 1st to 5th grade). They are always fun and we always go as a family. Last night the Bears (3rd graders) were receiving recognition for earning the right to carry a pocket knife. They had completed all the requirements for learning the proper use, care and safety of their knives and as the cub master passed out their recognition, he reminded them that improper use of their knives would lead to them losing the right to carry them. He finished his little speech with, "Because a knife is not a toy, it is a..."

All the boys, of every age, yelled in one voice, "Weapon!!"

I don't think that is what the cub master was looking for!

--2--

We have our married couples group meeting at church tonight and I'm signed up to bring dessert. My plans are to make chocolate glazed pumpkin cookies and an apple-cinnamon bundt cake. My house is going to smell fantastic today!

--3--

We finally have Gustin understanding the concept of "first...then." As in, "First you eat your supper, then you can have dessert" or "First you brush your teeth and then I'll read you a story." He's a reluctant eater in the morning and sometimes his breakfast can span over an hour. But, this morning I told him, "First you eat your breakfast and then you can watch Blue's Clues." His breakfast was done in five minutes! Fantastic!

And, no, I don't consider it bribery. I'm just teaching him the positive consequences of obedience. ;)

--4--

Eric and I are both complete nerds. When I was pregnant with Jonathan, I remember telling people that he was either doomed to be a nerd as well or he would be a more artistic type and we'd never be able to relate. Well, Jonathan is definitely displaying some nerdy tendencies. He only wants me to check out science books for him at the library, he loves studying You Tube videos of Rube Goldbergs and then trying to build his own, he can spend hours taking apart and putting back together an old dead bolt lock, and just last weekend he and Eric kept stealing from each other a book on how the medieval cathedrals were built. It's so fun to watch his mind work!

--5--

When I say Eric is a nerd, I mean he is a serious nerd. He taught himself calculus and astrophysics as a teenager long before taking any classes on the subject. His mom (who herself is a more creative type) always talks of what an amazing journey Eric took them all on when he was a kid. He had interests in things that she had never even heard about, and though she didn't understand most of it, she always encouraged him in his pursuits. I hope to emulate Eric's mom with my own children. Regardless of what their skills and aptitudes are, I want to nurture them. No matter what talents God has given my children, I know they will each take me on an amazing adventure to places that I have probably never dreamed of going.

--6--

Though I almost have our Christmas cards done, I have barely begun shopping for gifts. I really need to get on top of this since it's just getting physically harder to do things as my belly grows, my ankles swell, and my energy levels drop. Also, the baby is due a mere two weeks after Christmas and my babies have a historically come a week to a week and a half early. I am one of the few moms who actually hopes that my baby will be born later instead of earlier!

--7--

The other day I came across a recipe for homemade egg nog. I don't know why, but it has never occurred to me that egg nog is something that someone could actually make. I guess I thought the egg nog at the grocery store came from egg nog producing cows or something. But, I'm now so excited about the idea of making my own and can't wait to try it this holiday season (minus the brandy, of course)!

Be sure to head over to Conversion Diary for more posts for 7 Quick Takes Friday!

Thursday, November 19, 2009

Subliminal message

Last weekend we took our family picture for our Christmas cards. (The pics from the previous post are outtakes from that brief photo session.) I'm trying to get our cards out early because I haven't sent out a change of address to our friends and family since our move and I thought I would combine the two. I ordered our photo Christmas cards online on Saturday and they arrived in the mail a couple of days ago. Now I just need to write our Christmas letter and address and stuff and they'll be ready to go out next week.


When I received the cards in the mail, I opened them up to make sure there weren't any typos/mistakes/etc. It was only then that I really took note of the scripture verse on the card. When I ordered the cards, I picked the first religious themed template that looked nice with our family photo and went with it. So what was the quotation?

"For unto us a child is born..."

Do you think people will notice the double meaning? We are anticipating two births this Christmas season!

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Sunday, November 15, 2009

A quick snapshot by Elizabeth

Can you tell I'm bigger than last time?


32 weeks!

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Elizabeth's homework

Write one sentence using the word "my".

Elizabeth: My mom is fat.

Affectionately and largely yours (31 weeks, 4 days and counting!),

Saturday, November 7, 2009

Speaking of Gustin's sense of humor...

Gustin: I want drink that.
Me: No, you can't drink my water because I'm sick.
Gustin: I want sick!
Me: No, you don't want sick. Do you want me to get you some water?
Gustin: No way! I want sick.
Me: No you don't. Sick is yucky.
Gustin: No, not yucky. I like sick.
Me: You silly boy! You don't like sick. Sick is no fun. Do you want some milk?
Gustin: No, I want sick. I like sick. I love sick! I want sick in cup!

Friday, November 6, 2009

7 Quick Takes Friday (vol. 6)


--1--

Gustin is old enough now that his sense of humor is really starting to shine. He purposefully does things to make us laugh. His latest comic invention is a nickname for me; he's taken to calling me "Mom-oh". It cracks me up every time.

"Okay, Mom-oh."
"I know it, Mom-oh."
"Pretty please, Mom-oh?"
"No way, Mom-oh!"

Yes, even the cutely defiant "No way, Mom-oh!" gets me rolling. It's so hard to be stern and to correct misbehavior when inside your laughing you head off!

--2--

I've had a cold for most of this week. Luckily no one else in the house is sick and I've thanked God many times that it isn't the flu. But, for me at least, colds seem to be more severe and last about three times as long when I'm pregnant. Has anyone else had the same experience?

--3--

I'm so excited that we are getting to take the kids to a local children's production of Alice in Wonderland tonight. It's a musical and the 9 year old daughter of one of our friends is in it. The best part is that tickets cost only $5 each and the theater is only 10 minutes away! We need to do this with the kids more often! I just hope all my coughing and sneezing isn't too much of a disruption...

--4--

I've always loved going to plays and musicals and in college I was part of the Opera and Performing Arts Society. Our group sponsored broadway plays, musicals and operas to come to campus and we did all of the ushering, ticket taking, etc. Basically, after doing a small amount of work we got to watch all the shows for free! I saw Les Miserables, Madame Butterfly, Miss Saigon, Damn Yankees and so many other amazing performances. Fun times and good memories!

--5--

We found two more live bedbugs in the boys' room this week. They were even so bold as to be out in the open in the daylight! Grrrr.... These defiant little suckers just won't die!!

--6--

Who will admit to stealing candy from their kids' halloween stash? *raising hand in the air*

--7--

Do you ever find yourself just staring at your children? I do it all the time. Their features are so precious and their skin is so perfect and their expressions are so charming, I just want to take it all in and burn it in my memory forever. I'm so smitten by them! The Good Lord has blessed me so abundantly.

Have a great weekend everyone! And, be sure to click over to Conversion Diary where Jen is hosting 7 Quick Takes Friday!