2 busy days down....

Numbers 4 & 5 can be crossed off of the first list,  1 &2 off of the second.

I'm so worn out...

Everything went very well.  I didn't clean as obsessively for this party as I normally do, so I that lifted some stress.  I also did not buy plates and forks and stuff.  We had some left over, and we used real forks and bowls.  All of the food was good.  The kids had fun.  My Grandpa and Aunt from Alaska fell asleep on the couch  :).  That's what's so great about family--no pressure.  You're exhausted?  Go right ahead and fall asleep.  I take no offense in the least.  Actually, it makes me smile that they are comfortable in my home.  Granted, Papa is narcoleptic so the odds of him falling asleep are pretty high; and Aunt Penny is trying to switch from Alaska time.  Regardless, please feel free to nap here any time!

Once again, it was nice not having the house as crowded as it had been in years past.  Not as overwhelming.  Having THAT many people all in my not-quite-2,000 sq ft-house at one time is pretty stressful.  It's hard to find places to sit.  And the people who know each other tend to clump together while the ones who don't know hardly anyone tend to be segregated.  With less people there is more mingling which is nice.  Yes, it is a little more work having 2 parties one week apart, but I think it was the best decision.

Noah's Swim Party was a lot of fun.  Everyone was very nice.  It was great getting to know some of the parents better--you know, people "our age."  The kids had a blast.

 


(The pics are of a few of the gifts David received today.)
 

busy busy

The past few weeks has been so busy.  Birthday parties (of course David needs more than one), play dates, painting, babysitting, cleaning (yes, that counts cuz it takes TIME), church, school stuff, and more that I can't remember.  And it's not letting up any time soon.

Shopping List

1. shop for school supplies  (thanks, Leah for giving me a head start!!!!)
2. shop for school uniforms
3. dress for Bobby's wedding (maybe)
4. buy food for David's family birthday party
5. paper plates, plastic ware

Schedule Reminder:

1. Friday:  Castaway Cafe 11am
2. Sat:  David's party 11am,  Noah's swim party 3-8pm
3. Sunday:  Church:  graduation Sunday 9am, Right Hand of Fellowship 5pm
4. Mon:  David's well checkup and physical 1:30pm
5. Tues:  Play date w/ Isaiah 12pm
6. Wed:  Kindergarten Orientation 12-2pm or 6-8pm
7. Thurs:  Sara's birthday (unknown day and time for "girl's day")
8. Sat:  Bobby and Jaennetta's wedding

I enrolled Noah in preschool yesterday for 2 days a week.  He is actually very excited, which I was happy to see.  The paper work was technically suppose to be in last Friday...  oops.  whatever, I've been busy  :)

Ava's dad's schedule is being switched, so no more 6:30am babysitting!  I may work longer in the evenings now.  Fine with me!  

We're finally officially joining our church; effective Sunday evening at 5pm.  I'm still not entirely sure how I feel about this.  According to the Bible you become a member of the Church when you are saved and baptized.  I'm not sure it says anything about needing to "become members" in the paper work sense.  Absolutely you should faithfully attend church, hear the preaching of the Word, and fellowship with other believers, but I don't think it needs to be actually written down in an earthly book.  My name is already in The Lamb's Book of Life.  I don't really need to be in your book.  All those who come to a church, agree with what is taught, and generally like the other people there will continue attending and grow close with the other believers.  If they don't they will leave.    

Now, is there anything necessarily wrong with "becoming members"?  I don't think so, but it may reinforce the world's idea that we are like a stuck up country club, and I hate to see that.  In this day and age there are probably good reasons for "membership" such as: nursery workers and teachers.  Those caring for children should definitely be "screened" shall we say.  I do not want just anyone teaching/caring for my kids.  

Hmm...  just thinking.  Regardless, we are becoming members, and I am happy about it.

If we discover a desire within us that nothing in this world can satisfy, also we should begin to wonder if perhaps we were created for another world.

C. S. Lewis

I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen: not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else.

C. S. Lewis

Christianity, if false, is of no importance, and if true, of infinite importance. The only thing it cannot be is moderately important.
C. S. Lewis

snake birthday

Tummy Ache

Noah: My tummy hurts
me: want a band aid?
noah: no, something bigger
me: ok
ace bandage it is....
me: feel better?
Noah: yup!!

The bandage stayed on all through dinner.  I asked a few times if he wanted to take it off.  "No.  It will hurt again."  OK.

5 yr pics

The "5 year photos" that my oh-so talented sister took of David.  Thanks again, Leah!!

painting the wood work

This is what I had been working on while Dave was out of town.  Well, this and all of the other wood work in the living room.  My mom helped a TON, and did most of the work.

Dave was shocked and so happy when he came home.  Now we just have the whole rest of the house to do!  

Thanks for the photo bomb, Brody.

why?

I propped open a window with an old VHS tape.  The window was just painted yesterday.  I did not want to risk scratching it up with the window fan.

Two minutes later, David comes running into the room and tells me that Noah had tried to take the movie out and the window had shut on his hand.

He was not kidding.  Ran out to find Baby's wrist trapped between the window and the sill, and he was (understandably) wailing!
Poor kid  :(  He calmed down, fairly quickly so I can assume that nothing is broken but it had to hurt.  I have seen that window slam shut before.

But why?  Why would he try to take out a movie that he never watches and has told me that he does not like?  Especially when he saw me put it in to hold open the window.  And I told them countless times today, "don't touch anything white."  All of the trim was just painted yesterday, and it needs time to cure completely.

sigh.  poor Noah's hand.  :(
Thank you, David for being a good brother.

what I've been doing for the past 3 days

It's a surprise!

Dave has been away on business for the past 3 days, and I have made some changes.
I haven't told him because I want him to be surprised.

Will post a pic or two later.

"Ava 6:30 AM"

Once in a while I watch Ava at 6:30am.  The first couple of times I did this I slept just fine the night before.  Since then, I toss and turn all night worried that I will sleep through my alarm or turn it off in a half-sleep fog.  This has never happened, yet the anxiety caused by the mere possibility of it is just too much for me and my sleep-sensitive mind.

Tonight will be another one of those nights.

It makes for a great morning as well.

zoo

We have also gone to the zoo in the past month.  I forgot.  :)
Yes, these are the two little boys we also spent David's b-day with.  They all get along SO well!

of course there are signs on every fence telling you to stay off.

Noah at the polar bear exhibit

after the train ride through the park

in the bird house

Reptile house.  Not sure what Keaton is doing.

Yes, i know.  Where are the animals??  Well, my camera doesn't zoom that far.  And lets be honest--the animals are not my family; the people are.  I want pictures of family.  And if an animal happened to make it into the pic too that would've been cool as well.  But this zoo believes in giving the animals a very LARGE area in which to roam making visuals and photography difficult.