Mystery Plant Week 2

Last week, I got a ton of response over my mystery plant. The overwhelming consensus was to leave it alone. I think that is good advice. Margerie at Margerie's Blog suggested that I post it each week to show the progress. I thought that was a fun idea so here it is on week 2. I don't think it looks much different other than I did trim down the twigs a little bit. I think the greenery may be a little higher.
There were also a few questions about how dark the soil was. It was planted in topsoil and I got one of those plant fabrics to cover around it because the weeds in those beds last year were out of control. I covered the fabric with a little more topsoil just to hold it down. I am trying to decided if I want to put mulch or something else. I have had conflicting reports about mulch. Any ideas?

Another follow-up: Yesterday's post about the devotional. I got several emails asking what book I use. Like I said before, I love this book. there are three sets, 2-5 year olds, 6-9 year olds, and or pre teens. They have separate ones aimed at boys or girls. And they have two in each age level. I got it at the Family Christian stores a good two years ago when we started praying with Noah. I think he is ready to move up a set but since Aaron is still in the first one, we are repeating it the third time around. They are all spiral bound, which is why I think it has lasted the test of time.
Each day starts with a verse, followed by a story, followed by three questions about the story and then a prayer. I have always used the prayer as an echo. The second page is a fun activity. We have done a lot of these activities and Noah really enjoys them.




Have a great Tuesday.

Something new

So today was the first day back to school after Break. We had a little bit of struggle getting out of bed, but not too bad. Because of the ticket system, Noah was doing a pretty good job of trying to eat his breakfast at a decent clip so I decided to try something new.

My friend, Beth had mentioned that she started doing devotions int the morning with her son, Alex and they both enjoyed that time. We have always done the boys' devotions at night before bedtime. We have a great book that we use that I highly recommend to anyone looking for an appropriate book for young children.

So I thought, why not try to do the devotions in the morning while he's eating breakfast instead? I think he really liked the idea. Then, instead of just reading about how to act and then going to sleep, we are able to put them into the context of the coming day. I think they will help me with facing my own day, as well as Noah.

Today's topic was "helpfulness" I was able to use it to praise him for taking care of his pajamas without being asked and also talk about how not talking so much in class will help other people learn.

An added bonus for both of us, he got ready for school on time without me nagging him.

Happy Monday!

Making Ronin Laugh

I am feeling nostalgic about Spring Break being over. The next break we have will be summer, then my little boy will be heading to "real" school as a first grader. So, instead of feeling sad and depressed about it, yet again, I will still ponder the happy fun of our visit by sharing some of the many ways to make my nephew, Ronin, laugh.

Aunt Jenny starts with some well placed kisses












Big Sister Kira tries the tickle method












Cousin Aaron lends an ear for a toy snake
















Big brother Odin seems to bring a smile out of him by simply his presence.












Noah's Valentine monkey did the trick EVERY time.


I












In reality, this is one happy baby that pretty much smiles at the drop of a hat, puts himself to sleep amidst the loud noise of four other kids running around, and just emits the epitome of a happy baby.

Happy Monday.

Whirlwind Trip

Spring Break is now almost over. I'm glad we did something memorable, even if It was for one quick night.

We were due to pick up the rental car at 9 AM. Because we don't have a credit card (by choice), we had to use a debit card, utility bill, and pay stub. I had all these things and headed up to the counter.
She opens the utility bill...it's a shut off notice...can't use it. I scrounge the car for the comcast bill, and it works.
Then we move on to my pay stub...it's from more than 30 days ago...can't use it. Now I have to call Steve at work to fax a copy of one of his pay stubs...it takes two tries before it goes through.
Get in the car...can't figure out where to put the key...it's a push button start.
Pull out of the parking lot...car lurching...car to the store...didn't change gears the right way.
At 10:16...we are FINALLY on the road.
3 hour drive was thankfully uneventful.
Played with cousins for a few hours after we got there. I got my baby fix by playing with baby Ronin.
Kira playing "Robot"











Noah was bouncing off the wall after awhile...he just couldn't handle the noise level and the excitement so we decided it's time to head over to the hotel for a swim. So frazzled mommy, two psycho boys, sister-in-law with three kids of her own in tow, bags for her, luggage, blankets, pillows, and inflatable beds all slink into the hotel to check in and relax in the pool. Odin (my nephew) gets stuck in the spinny door...Aaron is already climbing on the luggage carts...I go to check in.
"We don't have your reservation"
OH COME ON!
Apparently, our reservation is at the OTHER Comfort Suites on the other end of the city. I still don't see why
they couldn't just let us stay there.
So, back to the car with everything. Mommy loses it in the parking lot, yelling at a child (one of mine) who was running in a busy street , saying a "bad" word (stupid) in reference to the hotel policiy, which Odin is in shock that Aunt Kristi said.

We FINALLY get to the right hotel and check in. Swimming was fun and relaxing.
I tried to take some pictures but the cameras both fogged up. We did get a shot of the boys (tummy and above that is) when we got back to the room.


Aaron, Odin, Noah











Thankfully, dinner out with 5 kids and slow service at Chili's was calm and successful. It was the only time we got to see Uncle Matt the entire visit.

The weather actually looked pretty good the next morning so we decided to make the zoo a go. But first, Aunt Kristi had to get her "girly fix" by playing with Kira's hair. Kira had just gotten it cut with really cute bangs but she wanted "pretties" anyway so up to her room we went. After some fun, we ended up with goofy...



















but we forgot to take it out and it stayed in most of the day. Good thing I'm raising boys, huh?

The zoo was fun. The kids were happy to just be outside running. Well, actually, running at the beginning, DRAGGING by the end. We did get a couple of cute shots of the group...

in front of the buffalo,






Odin, Kira, Aaron, Noah







and during a snack break.




Aaron, Kira, Odin, Noah, Ronin, Aunt Jenny



A fun but short visit. The boys were as sad as I was when we returned the car this morning.

On the tap for today, naps all around and possibly Open Swim for Noah.

While writing this, I have broken up at least a dozen fights. I AM SO SICK OF THE FIGHTING!!!!!!!!!! I am thinking of just letting them start fighting it out and not putting so much effort into actually getting them to be nice to each other. It seems as if I am the only one who cares about how everyone treats each other. (sorry...venting moment)

Back to reality now.

Have a nice weekend.

We're off!

After all the worry all week, we are finally off tomorrow morning. I wish Steve could come with us. The boys and I will be saying a prayer before we drive out the driveway. We pick up the rented car at 9 AM (van is still not done), fill up at $3.49 a gallon (Are ya kidding me?), brave the rain storms (could be severe the entire time), hopefully swim (again barring no BIG storms), probably skip the zoo (storms, again), hopefully get the boys to sleep in the hotel room (remember my break of dawn boy), and hopefully make memories that will last.

I am so excited to see my brother, sister-in-law and nephews and niece again. I love living out my dreams of a little girl through Kira. Here I am with her at the Brookfield Zoo in December.
I know I'm biased, but isn't she the cutest thing on Earth?



















Noah and Aaron both refer to their cousin Odin as their "friend", not their "cousin". Here they are (Odin on the left) at the Brookfield Zoo over Christmas.



















The last time we saw Baby Ronin was Christmas, and I know he's grown a ton in three months.
Here is Noah holding him and making him smile.



















I always love getting together with Matt (brother) and Jenny (sister-in-law) because I know the fully accept Steve and me for what we are. They may not always agree with everything but I know I can tell them anything and they will be on my side.

So, there are some worries clouding our trip, but I know it will be wonderful when we get there and just have time to visit.

I will miss you, oh blog-world, but I will hopefully bring back some fun memories to share with you all.

BTW...Thursdya morning weigh-in...down 2 pounds...Yea!


Happy Thursday/Friday!