Thursday Thirteen #10 VBS (again)

I know you're sick of these already, but VBS really does take over our lives. I have gotten absolutely nothing done around the house all week, and I'm really not even that upset (however, Steve is getting a little annoyed, I think). Even though there is that issue from yesterday, I didn't let it cloud the fun today. And it has been fun. Usually, I am grumpy by Wednesday, but for some reason, this year, I am looking forward to tomorrow.

Here are my 13 Highlights...so far...there's still one more day and the ice cream social/water slide tomorrow night.

1. Our youth leaders have been wonderful, as usual. They really are so much fun to work with and I think without them, there would be much less energy during the music times.














2. Noah's behavior has been OUTSTANDING in general. He smiles every time he sees me.














3. Aaron has gotten to be part of a class this year and loved the pretend fire.



Aaron is the blondie in the navy shirt










Everyone did crafts
4.




Aaron made a hat, and actually WORE it














5.


Noah made a journal











6.


Aaron made a flower pot
















Lots of games

6.


Noah catches a ball











7.




Noah passes water









And LOTS AND LOTS of dancing

8.



Hannah, Noah, and Aaron












9.

Please disregard Noah's pudding stained shirt. Apparently, it jumped right out of the cup and onto his shirt.









10.




Aaron had to show off that he could actually do the motions too.













11.



Noah busts a move (he's the one in green where you can only see the top of his head)










12. Snack time of course




Noah actually knew NOT to take the RED licorice (he forgot about the punch the next day...Deb actually witnessed it's wrath)







13. And so far, my favorite picture of the week

Photo Story Friday: Operation Mean Mom

Remember my little Whine Fest yesterday (regarding legos/K'nex and my messy house, among other things)? Well, whining has never accomplished anything.

So this morning, while the boys were watching Caillou, I gave them a warning. "In a half hour, I will be collecting all of the K'nex and Legos that are one the floor" And when neither one of them moved, I devised my plan. Operation Mean Mom had begun. So I told them at the beginning of Curious George, that when George is over, the television will go off and we will begin cleaning up. In the mean time, I would begin going through some of the junk bins. I would make the decision as to what would be thrown away.















When Noah saw the garbage bag come into the living room, he sprang into action. I gave him a plastic bucket for all of the things he wanted to keep and he began. He then took the bin of thing and DUMPED them all on top his train table in his room. A start...














Does anyone else get a satisfaction from a bag FULL of miscellaneous pieces heading to the trash? I am not talking about BIG toys, but the various burger toys, missing game pieces, and other little useless junk.

So begins our adventure. I told the boys that they need to each pick up 5 things. I gave them each a list.



















About half hour later, Noah is ready to proclaim that he is...(read his sign)














I helped with the entire process as a way to help him work toward being able to do it all himself, but Mean Mom is asserting herself in one way. The bin of legos, K'nex, and mini pop beads each need to be EARNED back with 10 tickets apiece. Sorry to those of your that got them for Noah for his birthday, but something HAD to be done.














I'll let you know when he gets them back.

By the way, Does anyone have any suggestions about what to do with all of the INSTRUCTION BOOKLETS that go along with the building sets? They don't stay with the sets, but I know the boys will want them eventually.

Now to tackle the laundry...unfortunately, that's all me :(

#1 Flashback Friday 1974

I know others have done this meme and I just have so few pictures from before Noah was born that are on the computer that I have never participated. I actually don't even remember how these ones even got on here.

I was the youngest of three and there were very few pictures taken of me, even when I was very little. I really only have about a half dozen total. I can't really do that "I think my kid looks like me" because I don't have the resources.

My great aunt recently cleaned out some old pictures and sent us these. I still don't know when they got scanned but I am glad they did. I think I must be about 18 months old or so in this shot.













I really don't see either of my kids in me as I sit with my brother on my Grandma's knee. I know that I must have been a ham from the beginning, and my boys seem to be following suit. I kind of love my brother's expression...it seems to be saying, "EWWW...a girl"

Happy Friday, Everyone.

Favorite Weekend Shots

I will be sharing more later about our fun day at Steve's parent's lake yesterday, but there are a couple of pictures I fell in love with while I was downloading them so I just HAD to share.


An actual picture of me with one of the kids. I asked Steve's dad to take this quick shot and it will probably be one of my favorites for a long time.















I may have to post this one again as a wordless Wednesday because it turned out so neat. With a little cropping, I believe I will be entering it into several contests. I just love Noah's form.











Thanks for humoring me. I will post the full story from yesterday when I get a chance. It entails me pulling a classic boo-boo and Steve's brother "saving the day". I hope I have stirred your curiosity but I have to go grocery shopping now.

I hope you are enjoying the beautiful weather today in your area as we have here in West Michigan.

Wordless Wednesday #20 Forget Waldo...

Where's Mommy?