Bathtime

I really like Thursday evenings. So does Shea. We eat our dinner early in a mad flurry, and then the 3 big boys rush out the door to Awana around 5:40pm. I am left with a dinner mess, but it's quiet with just Shea and I. I pop in his favorite video and quickly get the kitchen in order. Then it is bathtime. He plays til the water is cold and then it's time for stories and bed.





He seems to have as much expression as Liam!!

Future keepers!

Wow, parenting is a full-time occupation. It is so much more than feeding, cleaning, helping them get their sleep, taking them to school, blah de blah de blah. I didn't realize how much of a TEACHER I would need to be. Teach them to ride their bike, to chew with their mouth closed, to use an inside voice, to wipe their bums, to eat their veggies, to share... We have now expanded to chores. I put up charts this week with one daily chore they need to accomplish. I have kept it pretty simple at first, dusting, cleaning the mirrors, getting the bathroom garbages to the kitchen one, helping with making supper, setting the table, helping wash dishes, tidying the basement toys, etc. Surprisingly the boys are THRILLED with the new lists of things that they get to do. Moms, you all know...it is MUCH easier to do the job yourself. But this is good...Riley did an amazing job with the garbages and he LOVES to cook!! These boys are going to be fine husbands if I can keep this up.

Claire Bear

20 random things I remember

1. I remember when I HAD to curl my bangs under in front and rolled back at the back or I could never face the public.
2. I remember that some of the kids who were in my cabin (and I was their counselor) had underarm hair before I did.
3. I remember laughing about a joke with my brother until I peed my pants.
4. I remember doing jumping jacks and sit ups with my family as a group exercise that was set out for us in this little book.
5. I remember dancing and dancing in my papa and nanny's living room.
6. I remember many fun times running around through the church basement and classrooms with my friends in the dark.
7. I remember knowing that I was one of the last kids in my kindergarden class to tie her shoelaces.
8. I remember thinking I was fat, long before I ever was!
9. I remember being super nervous on my drivers test, and crying after it was over, even though I had passed!
10. I remember the trip over to Israel and arriving when it was dark and hot.
11. I remember when your pants had to be tapered and if they weren't, you had to do the tuck and fold.
12. I remember getting the butterflies when a boy would grab my hand.
13. I remember learning how to do cursive handwriting.
14. I remember the ring of fire, three times over.
15. I remember calling the radio station? at a certain time and you could listen to a Bible story.
16. I remember asking a lady while she was breastfeeding if one side was milk and the other side was water.
17. I remember listening to Kids Praise tapes and pretending I was one of the singers.
18. I remember learning to swim.
19. I remember thinking my parents were old when they were in their 30's.
20. I remember wanting to stay up late and faking the cry in my room as long as I could and my parents would NEVER give in. I tried.

Goodmorning, Sunshine!

goodmorning sunshine
Originally uploaded by Sarah Dzines

Unfortunately Shea is quickly approaching the "terrible...I mean terrific" two's. I don't know if it is that or teething or what, but he has many cranky moments throughout the day. He is testing my patience as he continuously goes back to the CD player and takes the discs out and so I say NO and smack his little hand and he'll do it over and over and over, and especially when he knows I'm busy!! Akk! Baby no longer.
But he is always happy when he first wakes up, and for those little moments, it makes up for all the tantrums.

About my loves...

As you all know...I am lucky to not only have one man with me for Valentine's Day, I have four. I am the princess, and I have four men all in love with me. Sometimes they love me a little too much to the point that by 5pm, my "giving-out-affection and/or receiving affection" tank is completely running on exasperated!
Oh, but they all have many reasons to be loved and I wish I had more to give back!
Shea...
I love it that I am his mom and he does not give much affection to anyone but me. He has a sweet giggle and loves to laugh. He looks adorably sweet that you can't help but want to squeeze him.

Liam...
He is the most expressive and verbally encouraging. He talks and talks and hugs and smooches and is charming and silly all at once. He needs a lot of work, but he will be the funnest guy to hang out with when he's older.

Riley...
He is a sweetheart. He is sensitive and thoughtful. He takes things in and is learning to appreciate others and return love without being selfish. He treats his baby brother like gold and will be a loyal friend.

And Greg...
He's been my Valentine since I was 16. He has always been my favorite guy ever. He makes my laugh. He keeps me happy. He's encouraging, he's supportive, he's always there when I need him. He helps, he listens. He loves me.

Yup, my heart is pretty much full.

A bunch of lunch

I have been packing lunches for Riley for a few years now. It gets a little hard to be creative, making sure it is healthy but is something that he will actually eat. The kid hates sandwiches. He loves dessert. But he fortunately loves fruits and veggies too.
So this is what he's been eating in the last 9 school days...









The pictures are pretty self-explanatory ...I included some rolled up maple ham or teriaki chicken. In the containers was often cooked veggies or salad and ichiban chicken soup in the thermos. The "processed foods" are applesauce, granola bars, yogurt tubes, pudding and a yogurt roll up. I make my own applesauce and buy yogurt in tubs, but find it always easier to send it in individual packs. Oh, and there's a baked potato in one lunch...I wonder if he ate that?! He always drinks water. Like most kids, he would eat his favorites every day, soup being at the top of his list. He loves noodle soup so much that he eats it for recess!!
Anyway...maybe it gave some of you "school moms" some new ideas, or you'd care to share yours?

Can't wait!

My brother and his wife are due with their baby in a few weeks! We are looking forward to the new addition!! I think her big brother is too!

Update on the losers

There were two guys arrested in connection to the vandalism done to Riley's school. The losers had come back on Thursday night to finish off the windows they had forgotten the first time! so there were over 50 windows broken altogether. Anyway...that's all I've been told thus far, but hooray! they are now in custody!

Blah humbug

It seems as I scroll through my friends blogs, so much is happening for everyone else! new jobs, new babies, new adventures. Not here. No, I'm in the blahs of winter. Doing nothing and going nowhere fast! I am seriously ready for a change of the weather and time outside. We've pretty much worn out the swimming pool and skating rink and now we're just all bored and cranky. I wish I had something more interesting to say, but SUCH IS LIFE.

Shoesies

Shea got his shoes in the mail...so far he seems to be ok with them on. Though man, they hurt like a son of a gun if he manages to step on your foot or boot you one with them on. He clunks around with them on our wood and tile floors quite loudly. His foot seems to twist in from the ankle now, but I know they must be stretching the top portion of his foot to make the difference we need to obtain. I'll have to talk further with the physio. I hope he doesn't have to wear them long.

Outraged

I arrived to school today with Riley for his usual drop off and discovered it was like a crime scene. Some idiot broke 31 classroom windows. Six of those being in Riley's class. The kids were not allowed to enter their classes. They all were ushered into the gym to watch a movie and then will be scattered around the school somewhere to accomplish some sort of work. SO SAD! The school has had a history of someone coming and breaking the windows all year, but usually just one or two, not all 31! Some of the teachers were crying, and all of course are mad. I can't imagine what kind of person would want to vandalize an elementary school? Get a life. I hope they catch the culprit quick, as this is getting stupid.