Red Crayon

The day before Thanksgiving I was cleaning, doing laundry and packing in preparation for our trip to Michigan. On one of my laundry runs to the basement, I discovered that a RED CRAYON had found it's way into our dryer. Not what I wanted to see. I was pretty bummed out about it and was frantically spraying the clothes with oxy clean and throwing them into the washer to rewash them. Not everything got crayon on it, but a lot of stuff did, including some of Gavin's clothes. I was struggling to have a good attitude about it so I thought I'd go upstairs, tell Gavin and we would laugh about it together. It's no big deal. It's just clothes. Right? I started telling Gavin the story and was just waiting for him to start laughing. Instead, the kid burst into tears and was being super dramatic about it. Turns out, that was just what I needed! I was laughing so hard at him and I even broke out the video camera to document his drama. He was not too happy about it, but I couldn't resist. There is just something so funny about my big old five year old boy crying about red stains on his clothes. Most five year old's could care less! What a goober.

Gavin talk

Quotes from my hilarious almost five year old!

- While looking at Ryan's face he said, "Dad, why do you have a web in your nose?" Time to trim the nose hairs, Ryan!

- When he found out that we missed church while we were in Michigan he said, "I bet all the kids said, 'This place is NO FUN without Gavin!'". We are working on a big dose of humility these days . . .

- If Gavin eats a good dinner we usually have a snack before he goes to bed. One night he did not eat a good dinner so he did not get his snack. When he woke up in the morning he said, "Mom, why is my tummy making music?"

- Charlotte was in his room bugging him and he yells out, "Mom, can I have some alone time?"

- His new favorite quote from the movie UP, "I thought you were dead." He says this to Charlotte a lot. It's weird.

I just had to share this picture. At Cubbies the kids were supposed to dress like what they wanted to be when they grew up. When I asked Gavin what he wanted to be he said, "A dad." Then he changed his mind to "a Starbucks boss." It was so cute!

Reading

When I started teaching Gavin with this book, I thought we would do it every day. Well, that hasn't happened. There were many factors that stood in our way:

- our trip to Michigan
- a few busy days
- unable to renew the book from the Library due to someone placing a hold on it!

I ended up purchasing the book and we have completed 21 lessons. Gavin read these two sentences the other day: "See the ram sit." and "The ram is sad." It has been so fun watching him learn and get so excited when he can read words. I am officially recommending this book to one and all!!

My New-to-me Car

In the great state of Illinois, your car is required to pass an emissions test every few years. Apparently, if your check engine light is on it will not pass that test. Our van wasn't exactly a clunker, but we were tired of pouring money into it. It was just a matter of time before it died all together. It was time to start the hunt for a new car. Ryan was NOT up for getting another mini van. They are very hard to drive around in the city and don't even get me started on parallel parking. So, we settled on this cute little wagon.



Even though I would have loved to have a volvo station wagon (I am aware that I am a dork), I am happy with this car. It was a great deal! My first day running errands with it was somewhat of an adventure. It happened to be raining and I had to be out of the house all day due to new windows being installed. When I had my van and it rained, I could get us all in and close the door and then buckle Charlotte and get situated. I could literally roam around in the van at my leisure. Not so much in the new wagon. Let's just say, I got wet! But it was all good, I'd rather be wet and able to run errands than break down on my way to the grocery store!

God is Good

What a whirlwind these last two weeks have been. It all started last Wednesday when our five day old niece, Jayne was admitted to Children's Hospital in Detroit MI. I hopped on the train w/ the kiddos on Friday morning to head out there and be with the Dobbertin's. Jayne went through a lot these last two weeks (not to mention her mamma and daddy!), but God is so good and he answered so many prayers. Jayne is still in the hospital and is still recovering, but we are praising our Great Big God (as Gavin would say) that she is breathing on her own, nursing effectively, and doing all of the things a two week old should be doing. Still, there are some concerns and we are still praying. Please join in prayer with me for this baby girl that God loves more than we can even imagine. We need to get Jaynie girl home!

How old am I?

Because Ryan and I head up the children's ministry at our church, I am constantly telling people who are my age and older what to do. It seems VERY strange to me. I don't really like being "in charge". But, it is what it is and it is necessary. Well, the other day I was thinking about this one person who is my age and was wondering what they thought about me and taking direction from me. I started comparing my life with theirs and the differences between the two. I stopped and then started cracking up at myself. This person is a freshman in college and is 18 years old. 18 years old!!! I am 28. That is a 10 year difference! I never understood how older people could say that they still feel the same age in their mind, it's just their body that seems old. Now I understand. Apparently I feel like an 18 year old freshman!

Bored?!?!?!

My almost five year old (you know the one with one hundred and one half million toys!) told me that he was bored the other day! Bored. Are you kidding me? First I asked him where he learned that. Of course he doesn't remember. "He just knows it." Then, I did what any mom would do. I put that kid to work! Let's just say I don't think he'll be saying that EVER again. If he does, my work load will be drastically reduced!

Numbers

Gavin's new favorite number is "one hundred and one half million". I don't have the heart to correct him. I love it when he says it, which is at least twice a day. It cracks me up!
Here's a picture of Gavin and a sea dog - his favorite boat. We think it goes
one hundred and one half million miles per hour!

Content

My husband is the most content man in the entire world. I really love and admire this about him. I honestly have never met someone as content in life as he is. This does pose a problem when it comes to gift giving. He never says what he wants! I have the hardest time coming up with something to get him for Christmas. When ever I do think of something good, I realize that it usually benefits me as well. Last year I got him a really cool coffee maker. He loved it and definitely uses it on the weekends. Most evenings though, he is prepping the coffee for ME in the morning. I am at a total loss this year as to what to get him. He doesn't really even have any hobbies. I realize that Thanksgiving isn't even here yet and I have plenty of time but if you have any suggestions I would greatly appreciate it!

Christmas is coming!

The first week in November I usually devote to cleaning my house REALLY well and decluttering. I do this to make room for all of the Christmas clutter!!! I usually put our tree up once the house is clean. I hate to say it, but I am actually procrastinating this year. I LOVE LOVE LOVE my Christmas tree but I just do not have the energy to to keep Charlotte away from it this year. She is so determined and I KNOW the tree will be a huge hit with her. I think she would even be able to pull it down on herself. I'm not quite sure what to do about it!

Reading

Wow! Teach your child to read in 100 easy lessons is NOT going like I thought it would. Gavin does not really like it at all! I don't blame him. It isn't fun. I didn't think I would have to be so forceful with him about it. That really caught me off guard. I also thought that we would do it everyday, but we are already two days behind! It IS getting better. I was really encouraged after our lesson today. I have figured out that I need to repeat one or two more times than the book recommends before Gavin can get it. Once I do that, he seems to do fine. I am also trying to figure out the best time to have our lesson. Tomorrow I'm going to try it first thing after our morning chores and see how it goes.
On the upside, it is working!!! He can already put together and read words with the sounds he knows. I am pretty impressed by the whole thing. I think with in the next couple of weeks, when it becomes more routine he will do better.

Trick or Treat!

Gavin had a BLAST trick or treating. At every house he would say, "Thank you! and Happy Halloween!" It was too cute. It was a bit chilly out, so Charlotte only did a couple of blocks with us. Ryan took her home half way through and I went back out with Gavin. We had a really fun time. At some houses the people were trying to give me candy, too. I was like, "no no, I don't need any!" It was pretty funny!

Shout out!

Here's a shout out to all my stay at home mommy friends! Seriously, click on this for a
REAL TREAT! I loved it and I know you will to!

Me and my fantastic kiddos!

We were spooked!!!

Two days before Halloween, we were sitting at home minding our own business when the doorbell rang. Ryan went to the door and there was a orange gift bag with black and orange tissue paper in it. He brought it inside and we found a bag full of candy with a note that said:

The Phantom GHOST has come around
To leave these goodies you have found.

And since the GHOST has gotten you,
Please read closely what you must do.

First, post the GHOST where it can be seen
On a door or window until HALLOWEEN.

Then no other GHOST will visit again.
Be sure to participate, it makes you grin.

Next, please do your part, you have only one day
So that everyone else has a chance to play.

Make two treats, two GHOSTS and two notes.
Now that's the gist. And take them to families that many have been missed.

Deliver after dark, when there's barely a light.
Ring the doorbell and run! Then stay out of sight!

And last but not least, have fun ... And try not to be seen.
And share in the spirit of HALLOWEEN!

We thought it was pretty cute.