Simple Pleasures

Yesterday was one of those days...you know those days when you wish time would stand still. There was nothing extraordinary about it. It was just filled with life's simple pleasures and there was a spring in my step. The weather was perfect and everyone is finally healthy. I threw the boys' bicycles in the back of the truck and went to meet them after school. We stopped by S*nic to get our 1/2 priced favorites...lemonade for the boys and a Diet Vanilla Cherry Dr. Pepper for me. We went to a beautiful park nearby and spent the afternoon riding and playing. The boys and I took a new trail and they rode for about a mile while I followed behind pushing Brady in the stroller. The sun was shining, everyone had smiles, it was one of life's simple pleasures.

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Walkin' on Sunshine!!!

Daddy calls this my "leisure suit!"
Thanks, Mimi and Pop Pop for the Valentine's gifts!

Brady is a walking maniac! He loves it and it is so much fun to watch him take off! The twins were very different from Brady. They never opened cabinets or got into things. Brady is a "curious" little fellow. He is so inquisitive and gets into everything...I mean everything. Even the toilet that was filled with one of the twin's bodily functions that were not of the yellow kind was not off limits to this little guy. We have to block off the kitchen, put locks on the doors to all of our armoirs and close all bedroom/bathroom doors. He loves to explore, touch buttons and doesn't like taking no for an answer. :) He keeps us on our toes and we love it! He loves walking because his eyes are now at a higher level and there is even more to explore...including looking out the window which is a new favorite pasttime. This is such a fun stage and we are soaking up every minute with our little guy!

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Valentine's Day treats!

The boys' teachers are getting bubble bath from Pier One. They really bubble. They also have lovely scents...amber vanilla and cranberry orange...yummy!
Mason had to sample our product!
We made pretzel sticks dipped in white chocolate and sprinkled them with little hearts!
Our finished product...the tag reads, "Dear Valentine, Good friends "STICK" together!" Signing their names on sixteen Valentine's was good kindergarten practice!

I love Valentine's Day. Yes, I know that we should be telling the people in our lives that we love them each and every day and show them by our actions. Yes, I know that many people believe that Valentine's Day is one big marketing ploy...but I love it anyway.

I'm not one for all of the red "stuff!" I prefer a picnic by the lake or dinner in front of the fireplace (neither of which have I done). To me Valentine's Day is a day to put thought into what you do or make or buy for the people God has placed in your life. I much prefer to make my Valentine's cards or make homemade treats. It's not about the money...it's about the thought and the heart behind it.

I am trying to convey these things to my boys who don't quite understand the significance of the day. Today we made Valentine's for our friends at their preschool. While working in the kitchen we talked about how Jesus shows love for us and how we are suppose to show love for our friends. We talked about how special it is to appreciate the people that God put into our lives. We talked about the importance of showing and telling people that they are special simply because God made them. The kids on the playground that say rude things...yep...God loves them. The boys who kick our shoes when we are standing in line...yep...God loves them. The boys on the other side of the fence that say, "Your name is Dumb-Dumb!" Yep...God loves them. The people who don't look like us...yep, He loves them. Most importantly, we talked about us...how we don't always do the right things or say the right things and yep...He loves us, too!

Cute little Mason said, "Well, then why do give presents for Valentine's Day because Jesus is the best present." Well said, Mr. Mason. Well said.

Karate Mom???

When I realized that God made me a mother to boys, I imagined years ahead of basketball jerseys or football helmets or soccer cleats. I imagined sitting on the sidelines and cheering my little heart out waiting for my little men with some sort of sports drink and a hug. Not once did I imagine myself watching my boys learn how to karate chop or kick!!!

We were invited by a school friend to come to a karate class ("Bring your Buddy to Karate Day") at a local karate gym. I wasn't sure if the boys would even like it. It was registration time for t-ball and soccer, so I decided we'd expose them to each of these activities and let them choose. They enjoyed watching soccer in the morning and were eager to join the team. In the afternoon, we went to the karate class and their smiles never left their faces. They had a ball!!! Afterwards, it was a done deal...absolutely no interest in soccer or baseball. They only have eyes for karate at the moment. So, we let the registration deadline pass for baseball and soccer and are driving from karate school to karate school in hopes that Mom will find the same sort of enthusiasm for this sport! I actually loved watching them! :) They'll be even cuter once they are in their little white uniforms!!! (Do those have a special name? I'm sure one day soon I'll know more about karate than I ever intended to!)

So, for now it's karate...maybe next year we'll encourage them to expand their horizons and if they end up being a black belt one day...I'll thank God that they sleep under my roof at night and make sure I have them with me if I'm ever walking down a dark alley!