Vegetable Soup

Webkinz

Have you all heard of these things?

I looked them up this morning & according to their website, a webkinz is “the stuffed animal that comes alive online in Webkinz World.”

Okay…

Ava went to a birthday party yesterday & she was given a Webkinz as a party favor.

Now, yesterday, I didn’t know anything about Webkinz. But, apparently kids really like them!

Ava knew that her Webkinz (which is a little white terrier that she named Sharpay) had something to do with the computer. She was looking forward to playing with it all day. I gave Adam the job of figuring this one out!

Anyway, she & Adam went downstairs to “play,” when suddenly I heard Ava howling.

She came upstairs & in her most serious voice, with tears in her eyes, she said, “Mommy I cannot play with my very first Webkinz.”

So, I’m thinking, “What did you say to your Daddy?” However, instead I simply asked, “Why?”

Apparently, there is a code on the tag of the stuffed animal. Neither she nor I knew any better, so when she took the tag off & threw it away, we didn’t think anything of it.

Here’s the thing…

She threw it away at church.

She then reminded me once more that this was her very first Webkinz – it was a sad moment!

I figured there was a good chance that the garbage had not been changed since we were there that afternoon. I quietly told Adam I was going to check, but asked him not to say anything to Ava just in case…

So, I headed over to the church at 8:30 last night & when I checked the room she was playing in, I found the missing tag.

Hallelujah!!

I went home & showed Ava the found tag. She was so excited & I got a huge hug from my little girl!

You know, there are days when I think, “Wow, I really blew the ‘Mom’ thing today.”

But then there are days like yesterday!

Grady’s new favorite hangout is the silverware drawer.

He gets a chair from the kitchen table & drags it across the floor the drawer. Oh yeah – he’s quite the little problem solver. Speaking of problems…believe me, I’m getting a lock for the drawer. Between the forks & the knives – oh my word, I know this new form of “enjoyment” is just a disaster waiting to happen.

Anyway, he likes the spoons. I used to think he liked them because he typically grabs a spoon & a pie tin, then bangs away. Today, though I discovered that he enjoys licking them & then putting them back. I don’t even want to think about all the “used” utensils the rest of us have had the privilege to use! YUCK!!

So, why is he my little helper?

Well, Grady has figured out how to unlock the dishwasher. He pulled out all the spoons, which were dirty of course & put them into the silverware drawer. Now, I don’t want to discourage his initiative. On the other hand, his daddy wasn’t too happy when he went to get a spoon!

All this goes to say…

If you come over to our house, it’s probably a good idea to stick with the plastic ware for now!

It was getting close to dinner time, so when Garrett asked for a snack I told him, “No, we’re going to eat soon.”

I then went upstairs to put the laundry away.

The doorbell rang & as I went to answer it, I noticed my dining room centerpiece moving.

I glanced back, & sure enough, there was Garrett, sitting on the table, hiding behind the flowers with the bowl of grapes!

I had to laugh – Kevin did the same thing when he was younger too. Only he used to sneak pieces of American cheese & hide behind the couch! My mom would ask him if he was eating cheese & he would deny it – silly boy though, would forget to hide the plastic wrapper – instant giveaway!

You’ll need to teach him the error of your ways Kevin if he wants to be a master snack sneaker!

There is a little trick I like to play on my kids.

If I ask them to do something (i.e. pick up their toys, put the pillows on their bed, put their shoes in the closet, etc…), I am usually met with an “Awww Mom, can’t you do it?”

So, I’ll tell them, “Let’s see how fast you can do it. I’ll count.”

Instant change!

Suddenly, they’re racing around, doing whatever it was I asked. They can’t wait to hear how “fast” they went. My favorite part is when I get distracted & stop counting. I’ll hear a little voice at the top of the stairs go, “MOMMY, you’re not counting!” It’s so funny!

Kevin, Lindsay & I used to do the same thing to Brandon. We’d count real slow & go, “1…1 1/2…1 3/4…” He loved thinking that he made it up the stairs & back down again in 3 seconds!

I was mulling over this whole counting game & it struck me how a little change in perspective can alter your attitude. In the example with my kids, things they don’t want to do seem less of a “chore” when I put a little fun in it.

I can think of so many instances in my own life where I need this little change in perspective.

Let’s just start with the obvious…

Housework

We all know that this is not one of my, well, let’s just say, favorite things to do. I’m sorry, but I hate scrubbing toilets!

And, you know what?

That’s exactly what I’m thinking when I do it! While scrubbing, my internal monologue is usually filled with, “I hate doing this” or “This is gross.” My focus is on the things I don’t like about toilet cleaning.

Now, I’m not suggesting that anyone start up the counting game when it comes time to toilet clean. Though that would be funny, wouldn’t it? I can just imagine Adam coming home one day with Ava going, “1…1 1/2…” while I’m racing from bathroom to bathroom!

What I am thinking though, is that I need to do a little reframing when it comes to doing the things I don’t enjoy. To continue with the example of housework – instead of focusing on what I don’t like about it, I need to see it as a way of taking care of the things I have been blessed with.

Now, if you’ll excuse me, I do believe there is a scrubber I need to get…

Have a great day!!

This missing camera is driving me crazy!

Today is “Wacky Wednesday” at Ava’s preschool. The kids are supposed to dress really silly. She looks hilarious & I can’t take a picture!

I’ve been looking for the camera for almost 2 months now.

So, is it time to buy another one or do we keep hoping it’s going to turn up?

Remember how the kids slept in until 9:00 yesterday?

Not today.

My neighbor is having the roof & all the siding of their house replaced.

The workers are out banging away by 7:30 am!

Instant alarm clock…

It’s finally here!!

We spent the afternoon outside yesterday & the kids had a great time. Even better, they slept until 9:00 am this morning! Booyah!!

So far, all my plants are coming back. You have to understand that this is huge! I’m a horrible gardener. I love it, but I have a talent for killing my plants (just ask my mom). That, and they usually fall victim to the treacherous bunnies…

I have all of my windows open & Adam put in the screen, so I can keep my back door open. I just love a breeze going through the house (well, except when it knocks all the papers off the counter!). I have a lilac bush in the front yard & when it’s in full bloom, it’s fills our home with a heavenly aroma. It’s budding now, so hopefully it will flower in a few weeks.

We’re getting the grill ready today, so we can start using it tonight. I don’t know about you, but I love cooking corn on the cob on the grill. It’s so sweet & juicy – yum!

And for dessert?

Strawberry Shortcake!

Hope you all have a great day!!

Adam just called me & asked if I felt the earthquake this morning.

Now, my lovely husband knows his darling wife is quite naive (and maybe a little gullible too), so I thought he was messing with me.

I was wrong.

Apparently, there was a 5.4 earthquake this morning in Illinois around West Salem & people around our area said they felt it too.

Did anyone else?

By 3:15, I sit by the front window to keep an eye out for Garrett.

The school bus usually brings him home around 3:20.

3:25 came & I reminded myself to ask him how his school pictures went today.

3:30 came & I knew he’d be home any minute now.

3:35 came & I thought, “That’s odd.”

3:40 came & I realized I was holding my breath.

3:45 came & I remembered that this was the latest the bus ever came. And when that happened they called me so I wouldn’t worry.

3:50 came & the thought I kept trying to push aside crept up to the surface – “What if he was in an accident?”

3:52 came & the bus finally pulled up.

I can’t even begin to tell you how relieved I was! I kept thinking that I should call the bus company to see if everything was okay, but I couldn’t leave the window.

Turns out his usual bus driver wasn’t able to do her afternoon shift, so another woman drove him home. She apologized for being late & said she made a few wrong turns. I told her I understood & made my way to his seat. I was just anxious to get my arms around him.

As I’m writing this, I can’t help but wonder how it’s going to be around 10 years from now -

If I’m this worried about a bus coming a half hour late, imagine how I’ll be when the kids have their license and they’re not home on time…

I found 10 soup cans in mine.

10 FULL soup cans.

Looks like Grady has a new game…

During small group last night, our leaders shared a story about their son, Gabe, who is 9 years old.

Gabe was telling another boy about Jesus.

In his words:

“Jesus healed the blind, raised the dead & he’s stronger than The Hulk.”

My little guy, Garrett, made some strides this week.

For the first time yesterday, he said he had to go potty without being asked & then went. Yeah!!!

Second, I first shared here, about Garrett & his need to work on social play with his peers.

Anyway, this week, he & Ava were pretend playing!

They like to play Enchanted. They both love this movie & I think it’s cute too.

Here how the “play” goes:

Garrett plays Giselle & Ava plays the Wicked Queen. Ava gives Garrett an apple, he says “happily ever after,” bites it & then dramatically fall down, letting the apple roll away.

So, here’s the fun part – he takes a new apple each time. He absolutely refuses to play with an apple that he’s previously bitten. My kids went through an entire 3lb bag of apples!

But, I don’t care! He’s playing – I’ll buy another 3 bags if it means he’ll keep it up!

So, does anyone have any ideas on what to do with all the apples??

My dad’s birthday was over Easter weekend. This is the same weekend my grandfather passed, so I decided to wait a bit before posting about him.

My parents will tell you that I’m a good mix of both of them. Here is a sampling of what I get from my dad:

• We tend to think more rationally as opposed to emotionally. If your house is on fire, you want one of us there with you! We think quickly on our feet, but we stay calm & don’t get stressed.
• We’re doers. Once we make a decision, we act. And when we act – we jump in with both feet!
• We love numbers! My dad is a CPA, so I definitely get my love for math from him. I love equations & problem solving – just like him!
• We love public speaking. Dad gives lots of presentations for his job & he is an incredibly clear communicator. He amazes me every time he does it!
• We look at all the angles. When we make decisions, we take the time to evaluate the situation from many different pespectives.
• We’re committed to God. I can always talk to my Dad about my faith & my desire to be used by God to help further His Kingdom. He has always understood this about me & supported me.
• We make up silly songs. Some day you have to ask him to sing the “Rocket Ship” – it’s one of Ava’s favorites!
• We like our veggies plain. Please don’t drown them in butter & salt – we love the natural flavors! He will also always join me on a veggie pizza without cheese – not many will!
• We’re steady. We have a very high work ethic & when we say we’ll do something, we do it & we do it well.
• He is generous. He will give without expecting anything in return. Both he & Mom share what God has so richly blessed them with.

Dad, thank you so much for just being you! You are a wonderful husband to Mom, father to Kevin, Lindsay, Brandon & me, father-in-law to Adam and grandpa to Ava, Garrett & Grady. You continue to inspire, encourage & support me – having you in my life is a blessing! Some day, I’d like to reprise our “Rock Around the Clock” number, okay?!

I love you!!

I got this from Aunt Carol today.

The email was titled, “God Parting the Heavens.”

Incredible!