Jesus Christ is risen today! Yeah, best holiday ever!
We had a family filled weekend of fun to celebrate Jesus. We did lots of the usual Easter things (coloring eggs, egg hunts, Easter dinner at my grandparents' home, far too much candy, staying up to all hours of the night playing cards, playing with cousins, Bible reading, resurrection eggs, resurrection rolls, etc.), but unfortunately, we didn't have any live animals to gift our niece and nephew this year. We just needed a break from that this year. You know, it's hard to top a lamb. Plus, we're on our third fish in a month, so we don't exactly have a good track record going for us right now when it comes to animals. I feel a strong comeback sometime in our future though.
It seems there is always a trade off for having fun, and more often that not, that seems to be poor nutrition and inadequate sleep. Well, that held true this weekend. Playing cards to all hours of the night doesn't lend itself to a full night's sleep. Neither does waking up to a very restless and completely naked son sharing your bed. When I asked him what he was doing, he simply said, "I was hot, so I decided to just sleep commado." Nice. I can't really blame him because my dad keeps the thermostat setting on "nursing home"...that's just a level cooler than "fires of hell" just in case you're wondering. Even if the bare body was a survival technique, we've got a new family rule related to naked sleeping now...and another line we've filed under the "Things you never thought you'd have to say" parenting tab. Geesh!
After a few busy days, I just wanted to put it on cruise control, literally and figuratively, and coast through the last few hours of the weekend. Well, everything was going just as planned on our trip home. Light conversations, E sacked out, radio on quietly and then BAM! There we were having a basic sex talk with our seven-year-old. Gulp! We were very basic in our answers, and J was taking the lead in putting all of the necessary events together. The questions ended when he thought for a bit and exclaimed, "Gross!" Oh boy. That was a little more than I was prepared for today.
We got through that, and the kids were welcomed home with a random assortment of goodies from the Easter bunny. They didn't get any candy in that basket because our Easter bunny is kind of a fun hater, but they were both pumped about the travel toothbrushes. Oh, happy day! Jesus has risen and we've got travel toothbrushes. I don't know if it gets better than that.
Happy, happy Easter!
Sunday, March 31, 2013
Friday, March 29, 2013
Wednesday, March 27, 2013
Screen Time
J is supposed to be keeping track of his screen time this week as part of a school effort to increase overall family health and wellness.
In short, we kind of suck at moderating screen time at our house.
I could conjure up plenty of rationalizations and excuses for this parenting fail, but from the looks of it, J already has that role covered.
This is his screen time log that I found, complete with a personal message...
In short, we kind of suck at moderating screen time at our house.
I could conjure up plenty of rationalizations and excuses for this parenting fail, but from the looks of it, J already has that role covered.
This is his screen time log that I found, complete with a personal message...
When March Maddness is on it is almost impossibble to stop looking at the screen. And I forgot about the challenge on Sunday.
Sunday, March 24, 2013
Nice Pick
This year we gave J options for celebrating his seventh birthday: a party or a family night in a hotel.
Even though Steve and I love to plan parties, I was delighted that J chose the hotel. Something about not having to cook or pick up after ourselves for two days is so appealing. It was a little after the fact, but we headed out of town this weekend for some birthday fun. When I asked him if he liked his birthday weekend, J replied, "I loved it!" What's not to love about a hotel, pizza in bed, nonstop NCAA basketball, water slides, movies, and junk food?
The only picture I snapped all weekend...
The added bonus of a delayed birthday weekend for J: The timing is just right to add Steve's birthday into the celebration mix. It's like a BOGO deal. Score!
Happy birthday to my two handsome boys! I love you both!
Even though Steve and I love to plan parties, I was delighted that J chose the hotel. Something about not having to cook or pick up after ourselves for two days is so appealing. It was a little after the fact, but we headed out of town this weekend for some birthday fun. When I asked him if he liked his birthday weekend, J replied, "I loved it!" What's not to love about a hotel, pizza in bed, nonstop NCAA basketball, water slides, movies, and junk food?
The only picture I snapped all weekend...
The added bonus of a delayed birthday weekend for J: The timing is just right to add Steve's birthday into the celebration mix. It's like a BOGO deal. Score!
Happy birthday to my two handsome boys! I love you both!
Wednesday, March 20, 2013
Grandma to the Rescue
Who needs Google or Siri when Grandma is just a phone call away? E called and asked her Zacchaeus question, and Grandma was able to lead us to this...
Luke 19:1-10
New Living Translation (NLT)
Jesus and Zacchaeus
19 Jesus entered Jericho and made his way through the town. 2 There was a man there named Zacchaeus. He was the chief tax collector in the region, and he had become very rich. 3 He tried to get a look at Jesus, but he was too short to see over the crowd. 4 So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree beside the road, for Jesus was going to pass that way.
5 When Jesus came by, he looked up at Zacchaeus and called him by name. “Zacchaeus!” he said. “Quick, come down! I must be a guest in your home today.”6 Zacchaeus quickly climbed down and took Jesus to his house in great excitement and joy. 7 But the people were displeased. “He has gone to be the guest of a notorious sinner,” they grumbled.
8 Meanwhile, Zacchaeus stood before the Lord and said, “I will give half my wealth to the poor, Lord, and if I have cheated people on their taxes, I will give them back four times as much!”
9 Jesus responded, “Salvation has come to this home today, for this man has shown himself to be a true son of Abraham. 10 For the Son of Man[a] came to seek and save those who are lost.”
E was delighted to finally have an answer! There we go. Question answered; Zacchaeus climbed down. The end.
Unfortunately for Grandma, it was as if this answer caused the dam of curiosity to break.
How high did Zacchaeus climb up the tree? What was his house made out of? What did Zacchaeus have in his house? Was Zacchaeus married, and did he have a baby?
Oh my. Does anyone know if there's a Very, Very Detailed Translation (VVDT) available?
Tuesday, March 19, 2013
Calling All Biblical Scholars
You know how it feels to have a pressing question that no one is able to answer? That's how E is feeling tonight, and she hasn't been able to successfully fall asleep because of it.
Her question: How did Zacchaeus get down from the tree? Did he climb down or jump down?
Steve's Google search of "How did Zacchaeus get down from the tree? " did not lend any specific answers. E requested we ask Siri, but that also was a dead end. Imagine that.
Any answers?
Saturday, March 16, 2013
In Like a Lion
I've discovered there is a direct correlation between the amount of photos I take and my blogging frequency. Needless to say, I haven't pulled out my real camera in weeks.
I went back to work at the beginning of March after three weeks off following my surgery. Aside from my sick little lady, it was a good and restful time. I read a lot and started watching Downton Abbey because I wanted to see what all the buzz was about. I'm not the best television watcher as I much prefer wasting my time mindlessly surfing the web. My honest review of Downton Abbey (because I know you care): This series made me so sleepy. After falling asleep about fifty times, I finally made it through the second season. Yawn. I opted to just read the synopsis of the third season online and save myself an incredible amount of time. I don't think I'll be tuning in for season four.
After a fairly manageable January and February, our March schedule comes in like a lion and out like a lion. We had the pleasure of cheering on three cousins during the state basketball tournament earlier this month. E's favorite part of any sporting event is the concession stand, of course. However, she's quite the cheerleader when her short attention span allows for it. She's watched enough basketball to be able to independently recognize when her team of favor is on defense. She belts out the classic "Defense!" chant like a seasoned veteran of the game. That's cute and all, but her "No defense!" cheer is even cuter. She makes me smile.
J was in basketball heaven. He had his grandpa sitting beside him, his program in hand, and a winning team to follow all weekend. What's not to love? Although he wants to be a microbiologist and an NFL replay/review official some day, I could see some basketball announcing in his future as well.
The kids made some encouraging messages for someone they love very much. We didn't have time to mail them, so we emailed a picture message instead. Technology to the rescue again!
About a month ago, Winter Storm Q was hyped up for about ten days prior to making its weak arrival (in our neck of the woods at least). Why we need ten days to prepare for snowfall during winter in the Midwest is beyond me. A little heads up would be nice though. Ya, that didn't happen last weekend, and we surprisingly woke up to a blizzard. I'm still thankful that happened before Steve left town for the week. Shoveling snow is a boy job around here, and it was a heavy one. Here's to nice timing!
Although it doesn't look like spring around here, we sure enjoyed our week even though Daddy was gone. J was so excited to head to daycare to see his beloved friends. He really did enjoy himself despite the delayed basketball weekend hangover that set in on Tuesday. There's always a price to pay for having fun. We filled the rest of the week with swimming, too much junk food, an indoor picnic, a trip to the zoo, visiting cousins, and an overnight trip to see our friends. This relaxed week has just made me long for summer to come soon.
Speaking of summer, we booked our vacation. We've gone on vacations the past couple of years, but this one is a little bigger for us. Actually, it's a huge thing for us. With passports applied for and tickets booked, now it's time to start seriously researching some activities and buying sun screen. When one of the whitest families on the planet goes to the beach, there's going to be a lot of sun screen purchased. A lot.
I can't be looking too far ahead though because the lion is still roaring loud and clear right now.
Happy March!
I went back to work at the beginning of March after three weeks off following my surgery. Aside from my sick little lady, it was a good and restful time. I read a lot and started watching Downton Abbey because I wanted to see what all the buzz was about. I'm not the best television watcher as I much prefer wasting my time mindlessly surfing the web. My honest review of Downton Abbey (because I know you care): This series made me so sleepy. After falling asleep about fifty times, I finally made it through the second season. Yawn. I opted to just read the synopsis of the third season online and save myself an incredible amount of time. I don't think I'll be tuning in for season four.
After a fairly manageable January and February, our March schedule comes in like a lion and out like a lion. We had the pleasure of cheering on three cousins during the state basketball tournament earlier this month. E's favorite part of any sporting event is the concession stand, of course. However, she's quite the cheerleader when her short attention span allows for it. She's watched enough basketball to be able to independently recognize when her team of favor is on defense. She belts out the classic "Defense!" chant like a seasoned veteran of the game. That's cute and all, but her "No defense!" cheer is even cuter. She makes me smile.
J was in basketball heaven. He had his grandpa sitting beside him, his program in hand, and a winning team to follow all weekend. What's not to love? Although he wants to be a microbiologist and an NFL replay/review official some day, I could see some basketball announcing in his future as well.
The kids made some encouraging messages for someone they love very much. We didn't have time to mail them, so we emailed a picture message instead. Technology to the rescue again!
About a month ago, Winter Storm Q was hyped up for about ten days prior to making its weak arrival (in our neck of the woods at least). Why we need ten days to prepare for snowfall during winter in the Midwest is beyond me. A little heads up would be nice though. Ya, that didn't happen last weekend, and we surprisingly woke up to a blizzard. I'm still thankful that happened before Steve left town for the week. Shoveling snow is a boy job around here, and it was a heavy one. Here's to nice timing!
Although it doesn't look like spring around here, we sure enjoyed our week even though Daddy was gone. J was so excited to head to daycare to see his beloved friends. He really did enjoy himself despite the delayed basketball weekend hangover that set in on Tuesday. There's always a price to pay for having fun. We filled the rest of the week with swimming, too much junk food, an indoor picnic, a trip to the zoo, visiting cousins, and an overnight trip to see our friends. This relaxed week has just made me long for summer to come soon.
New shirts from cousin C and Uncle D. The kids are thrilled!
Zoo time...
J was intensely taking pictures all afternoon with his very own camera that Grandma bought him. I was swelling with excitement and pride just watching him find so much joy in his photography. The joy didn't last long, however. For the third time this week, all of the images were spontaneously deleted. There's obviously some glitch in the camera, a very upsetting, stupid glitch. He was heartbroken, and honestly, so was I. Ugh!
This is how my two sweeties walked around the zoo for awhile. Melt my heart!
Speaking of summer, we booked our vacation. We've gone on vacations the past couple of years, but this one is a little bigger for us. Actually, it's a huge thing for us. With passports applied for and tickets booked, now it's time to start seriously researching some activities and buying sun screen. When one of the whitest families on the planet goes to the beach, there's going to be a lot of sun screen purchased. A lot.
I can't be looking too far ahead though because the lion is still roaring loud and clear right now.
Happy March!
Sunday, March 3, 2013
Fish
We are not really pet people. By we, I actually mean me. I'm all for a catch-learn-release program though. We've done that before with snakes, a turtle, and praying mantises (manti?). To me, that's fun, novel, and short term.
The whole 'we acquire an animal and house it for its entire life' thing doesn't appeal to me. Fur, urine, and excrement...I can do without. Cats make me sneeze, and we certainly are not home enough to properly care for a dog...nor would I want to. Once I told a co-worker that I'm not a lover of dogs, and he replied with a horrified, "Do you even have a heart?!?"
Of course, I have a heart (some days). It just doesn't go pitter-patter for pets and the commitment that goes along with them. This is why I have been dragging my feet for months about getting a betta for J. He's been begging and begging for one. I keep finding excuses to say no, but I finally caved for his seventh birthday.
He carefully selected his fish and named him Phelps. He checked on him frequently and even talked to him. Aww, so sweet! I even caught myself thinking, "Maybe this fish thing won't be so bad." And then four (four!) days later, Phelps died (died!). Really, fish? Four whole days? Thankfully, J wasn't emotionally distraught and was totally content with utilizing the pet store's return policy to get a new fish, Durant.
Here's to hoping we have a little more success with this birthday gift.
Legos are so much easier.
The whole 'we acquire an animal and house it for its entire life' thing doesn't appeal to me. Fur, urine, and excrement...I can do without. Cats make me sneeze, and we certainly are not home enough to properly care for a dog...nor would I want to. Once I told a co-worker that I'm not a lover of dogs, and he replied with a horrified, "Do you even have a heart?!?"
Of course, I have a heart (some days). It just doesn't go pitter-patter for pets and the commitment that goes along with them. This is why I have been dragging my feet for months about getting a betta for J. He's been begging and begging for one. I keep finding excuses to say no, but I finally caved for his seventh birthday.
He carefully selected his fish and named him Phelps. He checked on him frequently and even talked to him. Aww, so sweet! I even caught myself thinking, "Maybe this fish thing won't be so bad." And then four (four!) days later, Phelps died (died!). Really, fish? Four whole days? Thankfully, J wasn't emotionally distraught and was totally content with utilizing the pet store's return policy to get a new fish, Durant.
Here's to hoping we have a little more success with this birthday gift.
Legos are so much easier.
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