Tuesday, August 28, 2007
Marking Their Territory
[Disclaimer: Please know that this is only about 5% complaint, and 95% just an observation! Now, with that said…]
Why is it that whenever I clean something, the kids toodle along behind me to make sure it’s dirty once again? When I clean a closet mirror, the kids look at it in awe and then slowly reach out a hand to touch the surface, once again ensuring that smudgy look that made me get out the Windex in the first place. Jack will watch me clean a toilet and suddenly, he has to go to the bathroom. In THAT toilet. And no, he doesn’t have to just pee. I see it as his way of marking his territory or something. Every mother knows that as soon as you mop the floor, the kids will come running through the house wet and muddy. And really - what mother can keep her kitchen floor clean for more than 2 days in a row?! If you can, let me know your secret!
I know kids make messes all the time, so maybe I just notice it when I’m cleaning house because it’s in direct contrast to what I’m trying to accomplish. When I’m just sitting on the floor playing and reading and romping around with them, I don’t notice them running up to the mirror with their sweaty little palms. I just enjoy their laughs that tell me we’re having a really good time.
This phenomenon is just interesting to me, and one I know every mom has dealt with since the beginning of time! It reminds me of a little story I heard somewhere about a Grandma who had her grandchildren over one day. Of course, they ran around playing and getting dirty, and they left their little fingerprints on her wall. She washed away some of them, but left a few behind. One day when a friend was over, she asked the grandma if she was going to clean her wall of the little fingerprints. This Grandma said no, she wasn’t going to, because they were a reminder of her sweet grandkids and that soon enough they would outgrow leaving handprints on her wall. What a sweet attitude!
However, I do wonder how she felt about skid marks….
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
Writing and Wilting
Jack is beginning to take an interest in writing his name and drawing a little. Here are a couple samples:
Gotta love the sidewalk chalk
A happy face and a dragon kite. I drew him a traditional diamond kite, but he said, “No, Mom! A dragon kite, like on Little Einsteins. Here, let me show you.” Last week we were super busy and one night Abby fell asleep at dinner. She didn't even wake up when I tucked her into bed!
Sunday, August 12, 2007
Self Portraits
Jack loves to take pictures of himself on the computer.
Watch out. He’s found all the options and knows how to use them.
Sometimes Abby and I like to get in on the fun
Wednesday, August 08, 2007
Like Dad
This morning Jack asked how old Daddy is and when I told him he’s 32 he responded,
“When I grow so big, I want to be 32 like Dad.”
Sunday, August 05, 2007
More of Abby Girl
Kari posted one of my favorite recent pictures of Abby below, so I couldn’t resist putting a few more up. These were taken at the same time that Jack was jumping off of the couch:
Jumping Jack
One of Jack’s favorite games now is to pile up a bunch of pillows and go sailing off of the couch on to them. He gets pretty good air and Abby tries to emulate him but her version is more like jumping straight into the air, landing on her bottom on the couch, then rolling off onto the pillows. It’s pretty funny.
Anyway, here are a few shots I snapped of Jack mid-air. Unfortunately the first one below is the best shot except for the fact that it was out of focus:
Abby Girl
Abby went to the doctor this past week for her 2 year old checkup. She weighs 27 pounds (54th percentile) and is 34 1/2 inches tall (64th percentile). She brought her baby in with her and the doctor was great about first checking baby and then checking her. Abby loved this! When he forgot to check baby’s tummy first, she promptly reminded him, “No! Baby’s tummy!” It was cute. She only had to get one shot. Jack quickly gave her a kiss and things were all better. The only negative thing about the appointment was that they took so looong to see us. How can you be 45 minutes backed up at 9am? The kids were okay waiting, but they did have a lot of energy. By the time we got home, they were fine, but I needed a nap!
I’m so thankful that our children are both healthy. So often these days I hear about children who are very sick or even dying, and it just about makes my heart stop. I imagine my own children in their position and am overwhelmed with gratitude that so far in their little lives, God has seen fit to bless them with healthy bodies. What a blessing that Jack and Abby are strong and healthy, able to run, jump and talk. I don’t take it for granted.
