Goodbye Ugly Bushes

It's been a year since we moved in, oh ugly bushes, but now you are gone.

Our builder chose you, but we never liked you. And tomorrow you will be replaced with nice, pretty bushes that do not grow all over and make our front yard look messy.

Braving the Basement

OK, I can laugh now. But two hours ago? No laughing matter.

I hate spiders. If I see one, I call to my knight in shining armor and he bravely comes to my rescue.

Well when I went in the basement to retrieve the highchair today, no one was here to defend me from the hairy, ugly, scary, evil, why did God have to create these monsters?, creepy spider.

So what did I do? I took my highchair on upstairs and decided to bravely go into battle. I grabbed a shoe and slowly descended into the basement of terror. When I got to the bottom, I had to pause and recite to myself about 50 times, "I can do all things through Christ, I can do all things through Christ, I can do all things through Christ..."

Well, yes...I can. But in a minute. First, I needed more ammunition. A shoe just doesn't put that much space between you and the enemy, you know? I tried, but the thought of him running after me sent shivers down my back.

Round 2. Now I had Raid spray. It said it's for flying insects, but it also mentioned spiders on the back, so I figured it was worth a try. I screamed and sprayed him (you know, 'cause the screaming could just scare him to death) but he ran away, so I kept spraying. Eventually he curled up in a little ball. Ah ha. Got him.

Only a second later, those little legs popped out and off he scurried. I screamed again and sprayed some more. Apparently Raid does not kill man-eating spiders because it happened again and again - I thought I had him, but he tricked me. He was down, but not out.

I totally felt just like Julia Roberts did in Sleeping With the Enemy.

So, attempt number three. A fly swatter. I headed downstairs one last time to defend my honor and save my children from impending doom, and this time I got him.

At least I think so.

I'm too scared to go down and check.

The Cute Things Kids Say

OK, I admit. I struggle with recording all the cute things my kids do and say. I have some down in beautiful scrapbooks. But those end when Josh was 2 1/2, Sarah was 9 months, and poor Megan - she wasn't even a twinkle in her daddy's eye.

It's much more likely that I find random pieces of paper with notes on them. They end up in my "to be filed" box - the box I think I'll get to when I have spare time. (What's that?) : )

So I found one of those pieces of paper today while I was organizing and it made me smile. Here is what it said:

"Does this bathroom have a fastpass?"
-Josh, Nov 07 at the end of the day in line for a bathroom at Epcot

"I have an allergy to Sarah's crying. Ah choo."
- Josh, in the car on the way to Grandma and Grandpa Flint's house Christmas 07. (Apparently Sarah wasn't enjoying the trip so much.)

Don't kids just say the silliest things? I love it.

Olympic Dreams

Is it not the most motivating thing to watch the Olympics?

Sure, Michael Phelps is way cool and I'm super impressed. But not only him. "Old" people, too! So far I've seen 41 year-old Dara Torres swim like mad and a 33 year-old (slightly scary looking) German lady hold her own against the teeny-bopper gymnasts.

Here's my thought process...

I'm only 31. I could so find something to do and be there in 4 years standing on that podium with a medal around my neck.

The trampoline looked cool. Maybe I could try that. Nah...afraid of heights and they jump way high. Swimming? Who am I kidding. I still like to hold my nose when I jump in. Rhythmic gymnastics has always looked like fun. I haven't seen that yet, though...do they still have that? I have some rhythm, but the gymnastics part could be tough.

Ugh. My hopes are fading.

I think the official Olympic people need to come up with something that doesn't require so much oh, I don't know...athleticism.

At least they're fun to watch!

Go USA!

Kindergarten

Is my baby really old enough to be in Kindergarten??

Here's Josh on his first official day...
And here's his first completed worksheet:

For those of you interested in the details, we're using Sonlight's Core K with 1st grade readers and Language Arts, Horizons K math, A Reason For Handwriting, and I've ordered The World God Made for science.

I still sometimes can't believe I'm actually homeschooling, but I'm so glad God has called me to this! I am so proud of my excellent student and all he has done so far and I love spending the time with him. I just love snuggling on the couch together with a good book and learning about God's world.

I'm still trying to find the right blend between following a schedule and enjoying the flexibility that homeschooling offers, but otherwise it's going so well.

And at the fair last night when he was reading us the signs?

So incredibly rewarding.

I wouldn't trade it for anything.

Goofy Songs About Cereal

Around our house we...well I... like to make up goofy songs about ordinary life experiences. We have a "Good Morning" song, a "We Are Family" song (similar to the real one, but with our own twist), even a "Pink Cup Day" song.

But now it's time again for one of my favorites.

It's baby cereal time.

Do you remember that old song by Olivia Newton John, "Let's Get Physical?" Not exactly the most holy little song, but quite a catchy tune. Well, we sing our baby cereal song to that tune. Our song goes like this..

Cereal

Cereal

Let's have cereal

Yummy, yummy cereal

Yummy in your tummy, tummy

So yummy yum

Yummy in your tummy, tummy

You get the idea.

Or at least you get the idea that I'm a total goofball!

Is anyone with me? Do any of you have silly made up songs, too, or am I the only one? Leave a comment and let me know!

And here's how well her first cereal experience went...

Maybe she didn't like my song???

She's been at it now for a couple of weeks and is getting slightly better. She seems to like the song and doesn't cry when we feed her, but still thrusts her tongue back out at us with the cereal all over it.

Maybe she needs a song about swallowing.

A Visit with Gaga

Hi y'all! Anyone still out there? I know, I know...I've been terrible about blogging lately. My sincere apologies go out to all you amazing fans who have missed me terribly.

All 4 of you. : )

Anyways...life is going well here at our household. We've had a few new milestones reached lately, but I think I'll keep you in suspense and post about those over the next few days.

I'm cruel like that.

I will share that we've had some super fun times the last two days. My mom, affectionately known as Gaga, came down for a visit. And she came bearing gifts. Dinosaur and princess colorform-like-toys for the kids and coupons and People magazines for me. That woman sure knows what we like!

Hubby and I got to go out for a much-needed date night last night (seriously, when did life get so hectic?) while Gaga babysat. Uncle Matt and Aunt Jessica came over, too, and I think were a huge help to mom. Hubby and I enjoyed a nice, quiet dinner out, did a little shopping, and got to see a movie. It was a great evening!

Then today, we ventured to one of the kids' favorite spots - The Children's Museum! It was Megan's first trip there, and she did great! Josh and Sarah were thrilled to be back (we realized it had been over 6 months since we'd been there) and got to do some of our favorite regulars (the dinosaurs, the water table, and the carousel), but also got to see some cool new things like a mummy tour and the Batmobile. Lots of fun!

(This is Josh in front of the Batmobile - you just kinda can't see it.)

Thanks, Gaga, for coming down and hanging out with us. We loved seeing you! And hubby and I definitely appreciated the free babysitting!