Sibling Love

They were watching a movie together as I checked my e-mail.

Picture Update

she loves to talk on the phone (or at least pretend to)

Berry Picking

Today, while I was adding to our compost pile, which is close to a blackberry bush, I decided to go on a hunt for more berries. It seems as though every time I dump something in the compost there are more berries and we eat them as we pick them. Eating one berry at a time gets old since our family loves fruit so much, so, Courtney, K, and I set out on a search for more berries. We didn't have to go very far into the woods next to our house to spot ripe blackberries. They were everywhere. It reminded me of when I was a kid and I used to pick berries in the summer. Before we started picking, we went inside and grabbed one of Baby L's oversized empty yogurt containers to hold the berries.

As we ventured through the woods, we came across a lot of bushes and we almost filled an entire container. We probably would have if K wouldn't have been steadily eating them as Courtney and I picked them. Did I mention he likes fruit? As we ventured through the woods, much to my surprise we came across a blueberry tree too. YEAH!!! We now have fresh organic blueberries at my disposal. And to think, not even a couple of hours earlier Courtney was asking me to buy blackberries at the grocery store. Picking them in your backyard is not only cheaper, but it's a lot more fun and creates wonderful memories.

*I would have taken pictures, but my camera was hiding in the couch and I didn't find it until much later.

Garden

We officially have a garden. Or does something have to actually be growing before you call it a garden? Courtney, K, and I spent a couple of hours creating our 4x8 garden the other day. We planted corn, okra, tomatoes, squash, and watermelon. As I told a friend about it and what we did, she said I could have planted more seeds in the rows, but to be honest, there aren't really that many vegetables that I would like to have in abundance in my house. Plus, I'm not really sure how my "garden" is going to turn out. I'll post pics as (and if) things start to grow. Everything is growing!!! YEAH!!! I'm already thinking about what we're going to plant next.

Am I really becoming a homesteader?

Spelling/Phonics

Today, as we were driving home from church, Courtney asked if we could go to the M*A*L*L today? That was all she said. She didn't have a previous conversation with Victoria. I told her, "not today" and she politely said,"O.K."

It wasn't but a few seconds later that K asked, "Can we go to the mall today?" I was baffled. I turned to Courtney and asked her if she had been talking about going to Victoria and she hadn't. So, I asked K why he asked me that and he said because Courtney asked.

I was amazed that my 4 year old knew what Courtney had spelled. He's reading a little, but only on his terms. Maybe we should start spelling around the house more so he'll learn spelling and reading quicker.

A New Friend

While K was playing outside, he found one of the hundreds of lizards that live right outside our doors. He asked me to catch it. I did. It peed on me. That's the first time I've ever been peed on by a lizard, but I'm sure it won't be the last.

L didn't seem to mind the lizard. She actually tried to pet it and give it a kiss.

Despite his asking to keep the lizard, we let him go so he could go back home.

Ironman

Sunday, as we were leaving Cubbies, K & L were each given a birthday present from their favorite sitter and good friend, Ms. Alex. I absolutely LOVED what she gave them and K, although he has never seen the movie, but only clips of it, knew exactly what his was when he opened the package; an Ironman costume. He was SO excited that he put it on before we got to the car so he could "fly" home. Aside from when we went to the zoo, he was Ironman for 3 whole days. When he was wearing his costume, he could fly and had to be called Ironman. Now, although he still wears his costume, he doesn't wear it as much because he doesn't want to get anything on it. I loved watching the responsibility of him taking care of his favorite gift as he took it completely off to go to the restroom and (sometimes when he ate) then put it back on by himself when he was done. He is so much fun to watch as he is constantly learning.

Ironman even does his math....

K's Birthday

Yesterday was K's birthday. He is officially 4!!!



Although we celebrated his birthday this past weekend, I like to do a little something on their actual birthday too. I had hoped to have an individual cake for him when he woke up, but I didn't. Instead of waking him up with a birthday song and cake, we did it after dinner. He was completely surprised and actually shared his little cake with his cousins.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY K!!!!

Kids & Chores

I truly believe that children, toddlers, and even babies are smarter than we give them credit for or even think they are. K has such a wonderful servant spirit, that I can help but pray he doesn't lose it as he gets older.

Since he's been able to walk, we've taught him and encouraged him to pick up after himself and help others. Even though he's not yet 4, when he's done with his meal, it's his responsibility to put his plate and silverware in the dishwasher. He even gets his own drinks if there is a cup available. He helps with the laundry by putting the clothes in the washer or dryer and he learned how to fold washcloths and socks when he was 2. He has vacuumed my bedroom, swept my kitchen, and would help mop if I would let him, but I think he would have too much fun playing in the water. Just the other day, when I came back inside from taking the trash out, he had already put a new trash bag in the trash can for me. I didn't even have to ask or mention it. I never once taught him or showed him, but he's always watching. I don't say this to brag because trust me, he doesn't help every time with everything, but I can start to see baby L pick up on some of the same behaviors - yes, even at 10.5 months.

Today, while her and K were taking a bath, K started wiping the water off the tub and she got a washcloth and started imitating him. It was so cute. Here's a video of her helping me with her laundry. I'm teaching her young... :-) Now if I could just get her to stop turning red & screaming at me when she wants my attention...

K's Prayer

K and I have a running joke about him growing up. Every time I notice he can reach something new, I tell him he has to stop doing that. He looks at me, grins that wonderful grin, and says, "I can't. I'm going to keep doing it." What he's referring to is growing up. My little boy is growing up so fast. It's hard to believe that he's almost 4.

Anyway, today while he was getting out of the bath, I told him he needed to stop doing that (getting bigger). He looked at me, grinned that wonderful grin, and said he needed to get bigger so he could be a daddy. To which I replied, "you need to be a husband first because that's the way God intended for it to be." We then had a very short conversations about husbands and wives. It was a really cute, but short conversation. He then asked me who his wife was going to be. I told him that only God knew because He already had her picked out. Looking up, he then prayed this precious prayer, "Dear God, who is my wife going to be?" *grin* He looked at me and said her name was Sarah.

Hide-n-Seek

K peeking out a hole in a box he was hiding in while playing hide-n-seek. Hide-n-Seek is one of his favorite games. He also loves BIG boxes. I think I'll just ask everyone to give him an empty box for his birthday....

K's profession

K has decided he wants to be a pilot when he grows up. He says he wants to fly us wherever we want to go. I can't help but wonder if this will be one of those dreams that he'll actually pursue when he gets older or if it's one he'll forget about. Hopefully, he'll remember and pursue it so he really can fly us around one day. Who knows, by then, M or I might have our pilot's license.