You know it is almost summer when the crocs and the fishing poles are always at the front door!
Just waiting for the next Fishing Excursion!
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Crocs and Fishing Poles Together Again
You know it is almost summer when the crocs and the fishing poles are always at the front door!
Just waiting for the next Fishing Excursion!
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Cousin Greer Comes For A Visit!
(Oh and Auntie Alyssa too of course!)
Big thanks to Alyssa for flying by herself, at the crack of dawn, with her baby (and one in her belly YEA!), my niece Greer to come all the way to WI from MA to stay the week with us!!! The boys were thrilled and had a wonderful week. Minus the part that Taatjes spent throwing up for a day and night. So glad Greer escaped all that though. All Alyssa and I could imagine was her worst nightmare coming to fruition and spending 2 flights home with a baby vomiting on her lap! Phew, only a nightmare!
The boys love their cousin Greer. At times a bit too much. The statement that I had on repeat for the week was "Space, she needs some Space"! They followed her around everywhere, kept jumping in her face making their silly faces to get laughs, and constantly interpreting Greer's every wish and desire to her mother. Alyssa handled the information overload beautifully, thanks! Greer would just look at the stairs or the fridge and sure enough the boys would yell out to Alyssa, "Greer is hungry and she wants to go up stairs to our room". They were very involved. I think Greer loved it though. She is super social. Each morning when she woke she gave everyone a huge. She was constantly waving Hi to us during our meals from across the table. It is super cute to see how strongly she desires to love others. Great example in the picture above. She fell asleep while sitting in Taatjes lap getting a little love during TV time. I have never, ever seen a baby sleep in another child's lap! It was too cute! We loved our week with them and the boys are still arguing over who Greer likes more (even though I keep reminding them she loves them each equally).
Monday, May 24, 2010
Family Night
Kung Foo
The 3 Kung Foo Masters
The boys got together and picked this past weeks Family Night. Of course Kung Foo was immediately agreed upon! Alright all in for Kung Foo (American style that is). We cut up old shirts to make black belts and head bands to match. The boys gave the parents an "interesting" lesson in Kung Foo moves. The old saying of give them an inch they take a mile, came into play here. Before every move we tried we were required to kneel down on one leg, bring our hands together, and say "yes Master" to them.
Some Asian food was in order. This is where the American part comes in and we picked up Chinese food. Noodles, egg roles, wantons, sweet and sour chicken, and it just wouldn't be a real American/Asian dinner without our trusty fortune cookies!
Dad pulled out some card board for the boys, that is the Kung Foo Masters, to practice their chops and kicks! They were pleased to get a proper Kung Foo work out.
We ended our evening with a viewing of Kung Foo Panda as mom slipped out the door to spend some time with a few other moms...ahhhh.
The 3 Kung Foo Masters
The boys got together and picked this past weeks Family Night. Of course Kung Foo was immediately agreed upon! Alright all in for Kung Foo (American style that is). We cut up old shirts to make black belts and head bands to match. The boys gave the parents an "interesting" lesson in Kung Foo moves. The old saying of give them an inch they take a mile, came into play here. Before every move we tried we were required to kneel down on one leg, bring our hands together, and say "yes Master" to them.
Some Asian food was in order. This is where the American part comes in and we picked up Chinese food. Noodles, egg roles, wantons, sweet and sour chicken, and it just wouldn't be a real American/Asian dinner without our trusty fortune cookies!
Dad pulled out some card board for the boys, that is the Kung Foo Masters, to practice their chops and kicks! They were pleased to get a proper Kung Foo work out.
We ended our evening with a viewing of Kung Foo Panda as mom slipped out the door to spend some time with a few other moms...ahhhh.
Update - Sorry = Buddies
Trey did it! He made a great robot card for his apology note. Inside he also included 2 things he likes about this child. 1) "I like that you a very good at basketball and baseball." 2) "I like that when you talk to me you are very funny." At this age (7) you take what you get:)
When Trey arrived home from school he was thrilled to tell me that this child loved the card! That they hung out during recess, played basketball of course, did an art project together, and laughed a lot during lunch! Trey's smile couldn't be bigger as he told me how his day went. He did it and he loved the results. He is happy to have one of his "buddies" back.
When Trey arrived home from school he was thrilled to tell me that this child loved the card! That they hung out during recess, played basketball of course, did an art project together, and laughed a lot during lunch! Trey's smile couldn't be bigger as he told me how his day went. He did it and he loved the results. He is happy to have one of his "buddies" back.
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Getting Into the Hard Stuff
Today when I picked Trey up from school his teacher had to talk to me. Yes insert a large lump in my throat and the instant feeling of needing my gal bladder removed! When she has good things to tell you she usual writes these things to you in a beautiful email. When she takes her time at the end of her very long day to "talk" to you it only means one thing, your child has had a color change! Alright, I'm ready to listen. After all this is the biggest part of the "job" right? Right. It is the part of the "job" that is nerve wrecking and heart breaking and at the same time character building and humility seeking.
So there it was the dreaded color change and I needed and wanted to hear about it.
His teacher began to tell me 2 incidents that happened with Trey during school. The first, came about because Trey gave some answers to a few kids sitting at his table. This is not allowed and he knows this. The second, and the one that was extremely hard to hear, Trey was involved in a group of kids who "telephoned" to another child that he was "a nerd". This boy ended up crying and was of course very hurt! I almost started crying right in front of his teacher. My heart sank to hear about my son harming and hurting another in this cruel way. What, why, how could he,is all I could think. I reassured his teacher that I would be talking to Trey and taking measures to ensure that this will not happen again. Give me a moment here...I know this will happen again, and again, and again, but I have to believe that I can take Trey to a place where he chooses to not be a part of things that harm others. I want him to be a person who brings love, and fun, and words that make friends feel good about themselves. Phew, it's going to be a journey.
This is the part of life where we are "getting to the hard stuff". Trey and I did have a very long talk. We both shed tears! Trey does see that he hurt someone and made them sad. He now has to work through the consequences of a color change at school too. He will be writing two letters tonight.
One, he has to say that he is sorry to his teacher. For "cheating and not following the rules". There is no giving answers. He has to be able to communicate to her in this letter that he wants to be a student she can trust and follows the rules.
Two, he has to say sorry to his classmate. He has to write out why he is sorry and tell him that he is sad he made them sad. He also has to write out a few things he really likes about this child. And in his own child like way he asked if we could buy the child jolly ranchers because they are a favorite.
And, my own humility being put to the test. I will be walking him into his class tomorrow to watch and ensure these letters get delivered and he apologizes with his words as well.
(Deep sigh) This is rough. My heart is so very heavy thinking of the child whose heart was broken today. Who had to go to his teacher in tears. Who will be going home to his own family in tears. Tomorrow is a new day though and a chance for Trey to attempt to repair some of the hurt he did. He too has been crying knowing that he has hurt someone and understanding how hurt he would feel if he was the recipient of his own message. He also came to the conclusion that next time he would not pass along a mean message, rather, he would take a stand and say that he does not want to speak words to someone that will hurt them. Let the refining work begin.
So there it was the dreaded color change and I needed and wanted to hear about it.
His teacher began to tell me 2 incidents that happened with Trey during school. The first, came about because Trey gave some answers to a few kids sitting at his table. This is not allowed and he knows this. The second, and the one that was extremely hard to hear, Trey was involved in a group of kids who "telephoned" to another child that he was "a nerd". This boy ended up crying and was of course very hurt! I almost started crying right in front of his teacher. My heart sank to hear about my son harming and hurting another in this cruel way. What, why, how could he,is all I could think. I reassured his teacher that I would be talking to Trey and taking measures to ensure that this will not happen again. Give me a moment here...I know this will happen again, and again, and again, but I have to believe that I can take Trey to a place where he chooses to not be a part of things that harm others. I want him to be a person who brings love, and fun, and words that make friends feel good about themselves. Phew, it's going to be a journey.
This is the part of life where we are "getting to the hard stuff". Trey and I did have a very long talk. We both shed tears! Trey does see that he hurt someone and made them sad. He now has to work through the consequences of a color change at school too. He will be writing two letters tonight.
One, he has to say that he is sorry to his teacher. For "cheating and not following the rules". There is no giving answers. He has to be able to communicate to her in this letter that he wants to be a student she can trust and follows the rules.
Two, he has to say sorry to his classmate. He has to write out why he is sorry and tell him that he is sad he made them sad. He also has to write out a few things he really likes about this child. And in his own child like way he asked if we could buy the child jolly ranchers because they are a favorite.
And, my own humility being put to the test. I will be walking him into his class tomorrow to watch and ensure these letters get delivered and he apologizes with his words as well.
(Deep sigh) This is rough. My heart is so very heavy thinking of the child whose heart was broken today. Who had to go to his teacher in tears. Who will be going home to his own family in tears. Tomorrow is a new day though and a chance for Trey to attempt to repair some of the hurt he did. He too has been crying knowing that he has hurt someone and understanding how hurt he would feel if he was the recipient of his own message. He also came to the conclusion that next time he would not pass along a mean message, rather, he would take a stand and say that he does not want to speak words to someone that will hurt them. Let the refining work begin.
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Family Night
Bug Night
Our Family Night was loaded with all things Bugs.
We started our evening by making our own creepy crawlies. The boys were really into it and made quite a few.
Our food was of course filled with bugs as well.
Bug Juice / Chips and dip beware the spiders hiding / Worm Dogs / Ants on a Log
The Great Bug Hunt with a thrown in Magical Frog
The original idea was to head out to some near by woods and hunt for bugs. That was a huge no go due to a rainy, chilly evening. No need to worry when you have a few glow in the dark spiders and dad's fabulous idea of one magical frog. Once you found 2 spiders you could look for the magical frog. If you found the magical frog you got to hide the spiders and frog on the next turn. The boys loved it all the while screaming with joy for the "magical frog". We played for hours! It was such a hit we have been playing it daily since. ***Check out the picture with Teguae holding up the magical frog. You can see Taatjes in the back face down, pounding his fist into the couch. He was so upset he didn't find the magical frog the first 2 turns. This is a highly competitive group!***
The Grand Finale - EATING DIRT
Mix 2 scoops Mud (chocolate pudding) with 2 scoops Dirt (crushed oreos) and add a few Worms and Spiders (gummy ones)
Rule for eating dirt - tell everyone how gross it tastes while you shovel your mouth full with it.
Yum! Nothing like going to bed all bugged out and full of dirt:)
Already looking forward to our next Family Night.
*Thanks to Lisa for turning me on to a great blog with tons of Family Ideas*
Our Family Night was loaded with all things Bugs.
We started our evening by making our own creepy crawlies. The boys were really into it and made quite a few.
Our food was of course filled with bugs as well.
Bug Juice / Chips and dip beware the spiders hiding / Worm Dogs / Ants on a Log
The Great Bug Hunt with a thrown in Magical Frog
The original idea was to head out to some near by woods and hunt for bugs. That was a huge no go due to a rainy, chilly evening. No need to worry when you have a few glow in the dark spiders and dad's fabulous idea of one magical frog. Once you found 2 spiders you could look for the magical frog. If you found the magical frog you got to hide the spiders and frog on the next turn. The boys loved it all the while screaming with joy for the "magical frog". We played for hours! It was such a hit we have been playing it daily since. ***Check out the picture with Teguae holding up the magical frog. You can see Taatjes in the back face down, pounding his fist into the couch. He was so upset he didn't find the magical frog the first 2 turns. This is a highly competitive group!***
The Grand Finale - EATING DIRT
Mix 2 scoops Mud (chocolate pudding) with 2 scoops Dirt (crushed oreos) and add a few Worms and Spiders (gummy ones)
Rule for eating dirt - tell everyone how gross it tastes while you shovel your mouth full with it.
Yum! Nothing like going to bed all bugged out and full of dirt:)
Already looking forward to our next Family Night.
*Thanks to Lisa for turning me on to a great blog with tons of Family Ideas*
Monday, May 10, 2010
Because Ninja's Love Boxes
When I walked into the garage and saw this I did not flinch or even contemplate the idea of stopping them. Instead I thought how resourceful, the moving boxes have been re-purposed. And of course I know I am not alone in the thought - this will keep them busy for a few hours, now what can I get done!
Teague has no idea just how fun his life is! Younger siblings have it made when it comes to adventure and constant activity. There is no way I would have ever let Trey do this when he was 3.
And yes my boys really do think they are Ninja's when they get to scale and jump from boxes. Because this is what the "real" ones on TV do. Thanks off the beaten path Sports Center show, Ninja Challenge, that "all" the boys in this family love. All!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)