Bouncy hair boy

I know it's been a while since I've blogged - we'll just blame it on stomach bugs, head colds, laundry and life in general.

I didn't have anything in particular to write today, but the other day the boys and I were looking for a picture of Brian's dad and came across this photo of my adorable 18 month old in 2006. Isn't he cute? Oh, it makes me miss those toddler days - I can still see his hair bouncing as he toddled around (in case you didn't know, he hasn't stopped moving since he was born!).

filling "calories"

This was Elliott's fun on Monday. He had to go get a cavity filled (he and Ethan keep calling them "calories"), and I dreaded it much more than he did. A few years ago I took him to get a flu shot and it took the nurse and I together close to 30 minutes to accomplish that - didn't know he could scream like that! So the thought of a needle going into his mouth? Ugh! Was not looking forward to it - plus, the boys like going to the dentist and I just knew that after this he would balk every time it was time to go again. So there were lots of prayers going up for the both of us on Monday (thank you Nyla)!

But he surprised me again! He was incredibly chatty the whole time - asking them what was going to happen, excited to have control of the little water sucker thing, not afraid to say he didn't like something (pretty often). Really he was just himself the whole time....which I always think is so fascinating. I would have been very shy and quiet in this situation as a child, I think. But he's such the opposite. Wonder where that comes from???

He even got a toy at the end of it all. Then as we were leaving, he said "are we coming back next Monday, mom?" "Yeah, next Monday." And then he actually let out a "YES!!!!" He thought it was fun!!! See what prayer will do? Awesome!!

SNOW!!!

6 inches fell yesterday and today and the boys couldn't be happier. I'd be happier if it weren't 13 degrees out, but even though, it was still fun to go out and play today. I've enjoyed being "snowed in" these past 2 days - forced to slow down. It's probably back to school tomorrow, so I'm going to enjoy these last few hours (I can see Brian and the boys sledding down our hill as I'm writing this)!

more basketball

Ethan may have been waiting for a few months to play basketball, but Elliott has been literally waiting for a few years. The last time he played an organized sport was 3 year old soccer, and he really could have cared less. In fact, every time we ask him if he wants to play soccer or t-ball or whatever season it is, he always answers that he'll just wait for basketball and football. Well, he's been waiting a while since I checked all over the place and you had to be in Kindergarten to play basketball. THEN, when the time came, he wasn't sure he wanted to do basketball. Ugh!

He ended up signing up and the other night was his first game. Let me tell you - that guy was more excited about that than I've ever seen him (well, maybe Christmas morning)! He could hardly contain himself. He did great dribbling and threw some good passes. He was very upset that his team didn't score at all (although I believe Ethan was more upset about it than he was!).

Very fun to watch

basketball

Ethan has been waiting for this day for months now....first day of his basketball camp. For a few months now he has been coming home from school saying that he has basketball practice at 4. Or that he doesn't have practice today cause he already practiced at school. But on the days that he does have "practice", he usually goes up to his room and starts shooting some hoops. Very dedicated boy I tell you.

Now he's doing a basketball camp for kids his age and loving it. Of course, he's not totally satisfied cause he wants to actually compete in a game (almost killed him that Elliott got to play in a game and the scoreboard was even on the other night). Your time will come, big guy!

shout out to my mops girls!

It was so nice to get together with my MOPS group tonight - it was really a great night of just sharing, laughing and having fun. I love all the girls in there! I wasn't sure about MOPS at first cause I'd never been in a MOPS group before and all of a sudden found myself on the steering team - yikes! And not only did I not have any experience, but I was kind of feeling like my "preschool" mom days were coming to an end - Ethan was much more independent and sometimes (even still) I had to remind myself that he was only turning 4.

But, once again, God has quickly shown me that his plan is so much better than mine! I have met and gotten to know some really awesome girls and am developing friendships that otherwise probably wouldn't have come about if it weren't for being with them in MOPS. I didn't even realize I NEEDED new friendships - ha!

So, you know who you are, and I just wanted to say thanks for the laughter and friendship tonight (and every other day!).

gift of journaling

On Monday, Elliott came home from school with his journal from the first half of the school year. Every morning his teacher asks each student to write in their journals - they draw a picture and then write about something they did the day before or just whatever is on their minds. As I was thumbing through it I noticed what a change has occurred in his writing skills already, but I realized something even better. This is a daily record of what was really important to him the last few months! What a gift his teacher has given us in sending this home with him for us to keep! I saw that he wrote about wanting to go to the beach and to go camping. I saw that he was excited that we went to Applebee's one night. I saw that he was incredibly happy that Daddy came home after his weekend in Georgia. And I liked this one pictured above the most. In case you can't decipher it (you have to read it in columns - left side top to bottom, then over to the right side bottom to top), it's a picture of our church and says "I like my church. I like to learn about God." Melt my heart! I'm so glad that was important enough to include in his journal.