The Kids Corner

My Little Girl is Growing Up

2010-01-21T12:49:00.000-08:00

Its not enough to just get 'em to church...

2010-01-14T04:56:00.000-08:00

I recently decided to follow my long ago left behind credo to begin finding my passion, my voice, my..well, whatever it's called that gives that spark of creative meaning back to my life. Hey, I should write again! Duh! So I took a year off, and what I realize is that not only have I become less disciplined and purposeful but so has my son Noah.

Last week we fought about having to attend church. Something we do with consistency since he was baptized. He is now closer to 10 than 9 and really has some strong opinions and thoughts about why he shouldn't have to go each Sunday to church school or the service. It used to be enough for me to state with authority,
"because it's what we do. Now get dressed, we leave in 20 minutes." He knows the routine and my feelings and more importantly my beliefs, and that used to be enough. Not anymore. Each weekend its a struggle. More than a struggle some days. And so lately I've been wavering a bit. It is MUCH nicer when I just get up early and head off by myself or with Emily in hand to the 8am service. I can enjoy hearing God's word in a relaxing and serene environment. I come away feeling refreshed and grateful to have left the struggle behind me. But that feeling ends when I come home and Noah has this triumphant smile of, "Ha, I won". Which he sometimes even says.

That feeling of contentment gives way to a nagging pain that I've just helped enlarge the divide between what he wants and what I want for him. I don't know the answer to this problem. But I began where I think all good decisions come from. I began by sharing my concern with my MOPS group and asked for prayers. Prayers for patience, guidance and assurance that by holding firm to my church on Sundays rule is in my sons best interest. He may not know it now. But I believe. Enough for us both.

Guitar Hero?

2009-01-17T15:27:00.000-08:00

Guitar Hero, World Tour is the new language in our home, spoken by everyone except me. With the promise of great fun and "family bonding" I picked up the drum sticks and banged on the platform thingamajig but was swiftly booed off. Not booed by my own family but the stupid computer game. This big waste of time and $200 is practically worshipped by my son and husband alike. So for now I will let those two bond over old rock music and the delusion they are rock stars in our living room!

The Mom Song- New Version

2008-12-07T13:11:00.000-08:00

Thanks to my friend Brian for reintroducing this performance- new and improved- to me on a day when I really needed some humor. This is the greatest!!

"Must Love Dogs"

2008-11-27T20:03:00.000-08:00

Besides being a fun movie this is one of Emily's life mottos. This little black rat is my aunt and uncles dog, Nicky, who is mean, and poops in our house as soon as she walks in the door. She growls and doesn't like anyone - yet Emily still loves her.
Go Figure!?

Sleepover

2008-11-25T06:00:00.000-08:00

Remember how much fun sleepovers were?

What a bunch of goofballs

Noah's Report Card

2008-11-24T18:33:00.000-08:00

I cant help but brag. I am so proud. He has worked so hard and it is paying off.
Noah's report card and teacher conference went like this.

"Noah is a kind student who continues to improve and gain confidence."
A- reading
A writing
A vocabulary
A math
A- social studies
B+ science

He's reading at grade level, a 3.9 to be exact. He has come so far! The school year began so horribly. He believed he was behind before he even began. He was sure he would never keep up. He wanted to give up. But he didn't. And he has grown so much in his belief in himself. His teacher says he is still a perfectionist and it's that determination to be perfect that puts him at his greatest disadvantage. I am so happy for Noah. I know how much he wants to do well and be well-liked. He is both. He is, just as I knew when he was born, an amazing person. Keep on, keepin' on!

Sassy or Spirited?

2008-11-24T05:44:00.000-08:00

I've been trying to determine whether Emily's penchant for being outspoken and demanding is cute or just contrary. I do my best to watch for signs of a smart-alack attitude in my smallest and toughest offspring. She is 38 lbs of determination and I love her spirit while trying to correct her sassiness. It's not easy to do either. Most adults think her attitude and personality are cute. In my experience children who think they are cute can quickly descend to being plain obnoxious. I'm trying to teach her to use her manners, say please and thank- you, to not run anyone over, and most importantly, to be respectful and kind.

Me and my grand ideas!!!

My Little Rascal

2008-11-15T13:55:00.000-08:00

I try to watch and carefully choose what my kids see in terms of media: computer, tv, movies, commercials even, so I was shocked when Emily, in her sweetest voice, said to me, "I hate your stinkin' guts" EXCUSE ME? Where? What? How? I practically stuttered in confusion because I could tell she had no idea what she was saying. When I asked her where she heard that she said, "Darla says that on the Little Rascals!

So much for my nostalgia of the good ole days!

Everything about Emily

2008-10-24T18:46:00.000-07:00

In so many ways Emily just seems older than Noah when he was 3 years old. I realize this at the strangest of times. She seems older in her expression both verbal and non verbal. When she gets angry it's not just yelling to be heard, it's hand on the hips, and attitude to go with the tirade she delivers. It's in the way she has always wanted to chose what she wears each day and if I ever tell her "no", she's quick with a "reasonable" explanation for her choice and slowly tells me as if I cant possibly understand such a decision but she'll humor me for a while until I give in and allow her to dress herself. She has sat on the toilet sans potty seat to make her feel more secure and comfortable ( not to mention keeping her from likely slipping into the bowl) since she tore off her diaper at 18 months of age. She eats with utensils made for bigger hands, eats spicy food, sits patiently through a 1 1/2 movies with her big brother and helps with household chores. She calls adults by their 1st name ( if they will allow it) and wants an explanation to everything and anything she doesn't understand. She constantly surprises me with her abilities. She's growing up much to fast for my liking - yet I do - like it. Well, that's an understatement. Everything about Emily amazes and thrills me. I may not chronicle her life in detail as I did with Noah when he was this age- but I am no less awed by all that she does and who she is becoming. I am the luckiest mom in the world!!

The kids on their 3rd birthday

2008-10-24T18:26:00.000-07:00

She is my princess! - 2008

He was the cutest little guy ever at three! - 2003

Aren't We Cute?

2008-10-22T08:01:00.000-07:00

New York New York

2008-10-19T14:48:00.001-07:00

We are back!
What a great 48 hours we had. We do more in 2 days in "the city" than a week at home in Michigan. Pictures are comin soon!