Timeless Gifts

Our family, especially Peyton & Layla, was blessed with some precious and timeless gifts this weekend from their great-grandparents.

Peyton was thrilled to receive my grandpa's working Continental trumpet.  Grandpa purchased it used when he was in high school, circa. 1940.  After a bit of research, Jeremy believes it was manufactured in the early 1910's.  We know it works because Peyton is actually quite good at getting a sound to come out of it and while it's loud, it's not annoying yet.  We do keep it in a special place so it's not played often and maybe that helps Mommy's nerves more than anything.  Here are some pictures of Peyton, Grandpa and the trumpet.

Layla received a beautiful rocking chair from my grandma.  It was originally her grandma's (Layla's great-great-grandmother's) and has a date of 1903 on the bottom.  I will forever regret not getting a picture of Layla with Grandma and the rocking chair, but I didn't.  Maybe someone else who was there snapped this moment for me.  (If so, could you please, please, PLEASE share??)  I can only hope there will be another time to get a picture of the two of them together, although I know the rocking chair will not be part of it.  There's no way I could convince Jeremy to tote it along on the next 9 hour trip to Pennsylvania just for a picture.  But that is something I would definitely consider.  Layla also loves this gift and is frequently found sitting in it, reading a book.

 

Peyton and Layla were also each given a Christmas ornament.  They are neither sentimental nor old, just something Grandma wanted to give them.  The only reason I include it here is for this snippet overheard during the gifting:
Grandma to Layla:  Here's an angel for you, because you are an angel.
Layla:  Actually, I'm a princess.

Oh, how I love her honesty and innocence.

Writing this post also reminds me that Layla was gifted a tea set by my Grandma Karn the beginning of Sept.  We have played with it a time or two, but at this point, I don't want it to lose it's "special, only played with when Mommy is playing" quality for Layla.  I know she doesn't understand the value of a 85 year old tea set from a great-grandma.  Even if there is no monetary value, all of these gifts are priceless to our family.

This picture was taken the day Grandma Karn gave Layla the tea set.  Layla was being very affectionate this day, which is not normal. (Not the greatest picture, but really, it's priceless.)

These pictures were taken today when I realized I should have a picture of Layla with this gift as well.  I'm not as upset about not having a picture of her with Grandma and the tea set, because the one above says it all.  Grandma showed it to Layla and myself mid way through our visit and then put it away.  Layla asked both Grandma and me several times if she was really taking it home.   Grandma was thrilled that Layla was so excited.

It warms my heart to see my children connecting with so many generations of family.  I hope they remember these moments, but realize they are probably too young.  I hope there are more opportunities but also realize time is precious and life is fragile.  All of my grandparents have lived wonderful lives and I'm grateful for the opportunity to have known all 4 of them myself and introduced all of them to my children.  We will relish the task of caring for some treasured possessions after these special people are no longer with us.

Dreaming of Summer!

It looks like the kids are ready for summer! It was a very nice SPRING day today and they did play outside, but I think it'll be awhile before the dreams are reality.

Peyton attempts to blow up the huge
sprinkler beach ball. Mommy gets out
the air compressor when it's really time
for this toy.


Layla heads to the beach

and "floats"

Microphone Monday!

Kids say some of the craziest things and I want to document those thoughts more so I'm starting Microphone Monday to record the musings of the past week.

I know there were more than one this week, but it's all I got documented...

Setting: Sunday afternoon sitting on the couch watching the Colts game...

Peyton: So, he's a quarterback, right?

Daddy: Yes

Peyton: Then he should have a quarter on his back.

Makes sense to me!

Beans, Beans & More Beans

No, it's not what you're thinking.

I made a mess of beans yesterday in an attempt to make a white chicken chili. The chili was pretty yummy. It was the first time I tried to use dried beans and we could all tell, but it was edible, I learned a lesson and I'll do better next time.

First lesson, when a recipe calls for 3 lbs of beans, you don't have to buy a 4 lb. bag of dried beans.

Second, read the alternate instructions at the end of the recipe for using dried beans rather than the instructions on the bag of beans, unless you want to have a lot of beans left over for a sensory activity with your children.

Here are pictures of Layla spooning beans, scooping beans, spooning beans into the scoop, emptying the small dish back into the big pot and continuing. After this occupied her for 45 minutes this morning, I was glad I made way, way too many beans.

Then, I really let her dig in when I hid a few "treasures" in the pot and asked her to find them.

(Sorry the picture quality is horrible. She wasn't really cooperating, but what more could I ask, she was playing very well by herself.)

We also talked about whether the beans were small or big, wet or dry, warm or cold, a few or many ;-) and smooth or rough. She did really well with all of those descriptions and then starting naming some more opposites for me.

I won't intentionally cook extra beans next time as I could have done this activity many, many times with uncooked dried beans, but if I ever have too many of something like this, I'll know to save it for a rainy day activity!

Overheard

Things Mommy and Daddy overheard last night, long after bedtime, but obviously before there were actually sleeping children upstairs...

"It's boring"

"When is it going to get dark?" Remember, where we live at this time of the year, it's dark at dinner time.

"Layla is wasting water." We should've listened to this one and taken action, when we finally did we found not water, but soap, all over their bathroom.

"What are we doing tomorrow?" This is a question asked every single night before going to sleep.

"When's it going to be summertime?"

"She's bothering me." It has been requested many nights for her to be in bed with him, we tried it, this was one of the responses, but when she was then moved to her own bed, a meltdown occurred because, "I wanted her in my bed." My inside voice (that's the one in your head): "Well, then don't complain about being bothered, we are being bothered by your constant voices hours after you are supposed to be asleep...NO MORE NAPS for Miss L."

"Do better at posting on your blog." Oh, wait, that was my inside voice again. But as you can see, I'm back and trying to be more regular in my posting. I've already completed most of the post about the special activities of today, but I need Miss L to answer some fun questions for me tomorrow and then I'll post for all to see how we celebrated her birthday. And maybe someday, I'll get caught up and actually go back and post about our fun fall and Christmas activities of 2009. But, for now, my goal is to simply stay current with all the fun we're going to be having each day in 2010.

Pandas & Steaks

Oh...my sweet P,

It was a strange, strange day today!

I worked all day (9+ hours) and was exhausted when done and you were tired too. When I came "home", N (our fabulous babysitter) told me about your day.

She took you for a really long bike ride with L & R (N's son) took their nap. At the end of the ride, you freaked out over the "panda" trees. She said you were to the point of tears, came home and hid under a blanket and almost fell asleep you were so afraid. "Panda" trees are birch trees (I think), they are white, a little shaggy looking, with dark spots and you were convinced pandas were going to come down out of them and bite you.

I could hardly believe the story. You have never been this afraid of anything. She did some research with you, showed you bamboo on the computer so you could see where pandas really live and said you were doing better. I could hardly believe you'd be afraid of pandas, after all we have an entire room in our home dedicated to Mommy's panda collection. I love them and have since I was five. How could you develop this intense of a fear towards them at the same age?

Then, you did something impolite to R and I sent you to time-out just before they left. I got a taste of what N was talking about. You freaked out again, because from the time-out chair you could see the "panda" trees. I forced the time-out issue, hoping I wasn't doing something wrong and traumatizing you, eventually I caved and moved time-out to a new spot. The stairs...those didn't work either...you could still see the tree, so I gave up.

Then Daddy came home. By now, you probably know, he can be ruthless at times like this and he laughed at your fear and forced the issue more and more. I was worried and laughing at the same time. It did seem a bit ridiculous, but I could tell you were really scared and that worried me.

You wanted to watch songs on YouTube. Madagascar and Spiderman theme songs, specifically. This took your mind off the pandas for awhile, but then Daddy wanted to show you KungFu Panda. I was leary, but Daddy persevered. You did really well and said that panda was ok.

At some point in here, Daddy asked about dinner and you said, "I want steaks." Steaks? Really? How is it in one evening you can go this much against your MOmmy? First, pandas and now asking for red meat from your Mommy who spent 5 or so years as a vegetarian. But, oh, did you please your Daddy! He was thrilled and wished he had a huge New York Strip on the grill to satisfy your craving. But chicken will have to do tonight.

Then I had you get the globe. You showed me where we live and I showed you that pandas live on the other side of the world. We talked about how there was no way a panda would come out of one of our trees and hurt you. You told me you would never go there (to China). I was sad. I said ok, but Mommy is going there some day. You asked why and I told you because I love pandas and I want to see them in China some day. You asked if they'd be in a cage and I said hopefully no, I really want to see them in the wild. That got you worried all over again. So, I backed off and you seemed to be doing fine.

We were taking you to Grammy & Grandpa's house for the evening so I was a little worried about leaving you there in this state, but I still wanted the night out with Daddy, so I went to get ready. I could hear Daddy take you outside and you were talking about the panda trees again, but when I came downstairs you were still fine. Later, Daddy told me he made you go across the street and touch the tree and now you were fine. Pandas weren't going to hurt you anymore and the trees weren't panda trees! Cured! Yay! I could continue my love of pandas and not feel conflicted about the fear I was imparting on you!

However, throughout the whole evening, Layla has been listening to you, as she always is! And now she is afraid of red pandas. Who cares? Not Mommy, she never really liked them anyways. And isn't affecting Layla nearly like the pandas did you.

I think we're all over this episode. Layla hasn't mentioned red pandas at all. You mention pandas but realize they aren't going to hurt you and live far away. I realize it's just a phase, as is almost everything at this point in your life. And Daddy is still waiting for the day there is enough time to grill you up one of his fabulous steak dinners!

I love you, P, even in all of your oddities,
Mommy

UPDATED!! Signs of Summer!

UPDATE: Here is the video I promised in this post, over a month ago. Yes, it took that long to get the said firewire. I ordered the wrong one first, had to make a trip to the post office (one of my least favorite places to conduct business) to return it, before I could order the right one. But, it finally arrived this week and I've been having a blast uploading and editing videos. So, be on the lookout for more, soon.

Be on the lookout for the most adorable blinking and winking at 1 minute and just after.



ORIGINAL POST: Today was our last day of Kindermusik for Layla until the fall. I took some fun pictures and wanted to share them with you. Bubbles are definitely one of her favorite activities, both at Kindermusik and at home! Here's also a shout out to the best Kindermusik teacher ever...Ms. Lorie! We love you, we'll miss you this summer and we'll be back next fall!

Last Thursday, Peyton had his spring musical performance. There are no words to describe it. It was hilarious, cute, special, funny, adorable, well done, tearful and did I say full of laughter. I still can't decide if I was crying because I was laughing so hard or because I just can't believe my little man actually made it up on stage already. BARELY!! He didn't want to go, told us he wasn't going to sing (he didn't) and thank God for Ms. Gump who was once again willing to carry him away from us and back to the "warm up" area.

When they finally brought the littlest ones out, the crowd AWWWED and we started voraciously looking to see if Peyton even made it up there. We spent the entire first song looking for him so I can't tell you anything about it except that Ms. Batesole started out running across the stage with a tambourine and the kids danced! It was incredibly cute, I just wish I could've seen Peyton dancing to that.

We finally found him smack in the middle of approximately 200 3, 4, and 5 year olds, not singing a word, but doing all of the actions to a song called "Music Makes Me..." Some of the lyrics were Music Makes Me blink, laugh, dance, wink. Oh, it's the cutest, funniest video you've ever seen. I just wish I'd gotten the firewire (part needed to transfer videos from our camera to the computer) before just now (it's on order) and I promise I'll update this post as soon as I get it! Until then, here's a still shot.

Can you see him?

Us either...

Oh wait, he's practically behind a boy with a bright yellow shirt on.

Between him and the microphone stand

Believe me, Daddy was able to zoom in much better with the video camera...it's coming soon!

And finally, here are some more random pictures I've been meaning to post, but haven't.

Chillin in the shade finishing lunch outside

Posing for the camera

The first time he wrote his name without copying the letters as Mommy wrote them somewhere else...pretty good, I think.

At Conferences, Ms. Gump told us to have Peyton work on his fine motor skills and that hole punching was great practice. He liked it for a little bit, it was easy for Mommy and something we'll definitely try again this summer.

This probably fit better as a sign of spring, but it's too cute, so here it is anyways. Check out those cool shades on my girl!

There are only 10 more days of school for Peyton this year! And one of those is field day this Thursday, which I get to help out with :-) I can hardly believe his first year of school is almost over! I'm pretty much ready for him to be home, for awhile. We'll see how long that lasts. I'm sure we'll be filling it up with lots of fun activities and friends so keep coming back!

The Case of the Missing Pink Tee

Oh, it's going to be a long summer, spent in our back yard searching for pink or white or blue or orange or red golf tees.  Do you remember, not that long ago, I wished for golf rather than bowling?  I may be eating my words if I'm called out into the yard too many more times to look for a specific color tee somewhere around there, over there, or maybe over here. 

And I thought I was being smart buying pink...you'll always be able to find those in the grass.  Oh, but not in the lush green we are experiencing right now.  Maybe later, but not today.

And will one of the extras I have in the house or that you have in your bag work as a replacement?  NO!  So, the search continues.

We should buy stock now in whatever company makes tees and the nerf golf balls as well.  We've only lost 3 or 4 of those over the neighbors fence so far.

Zoo Day!

Forecast:
Sky: cloudy
Ground: wet
Mommy's mind: needs checked
Zoo attendance: next to nobody, which makes it perfect for us

But, we went anyways. The zoo opened almost two weeks ago and I've been dying to go - I can't believe we had to wait this long and I wasn't willing to wait any longer. Yes, we can go as much as we want whenever we want all summer long (Thanks, Grammy and Grandpa Dave) but we need to say, "Hello, Spring" to all of the animals.

So, when Peyton awoke this morning, I asked if he wanted to go. It was a definite yes response. Then I asked a goofy question (sign #1 I need a mental health check), "Do you want to go to school and then the zoo or just go to the zoo?" Now, it can also be called a hookie day!

So, with wet pavement, windshield wipers on, long sleeve shirts on, jackets with hoods up, stroller and snacks in hand we were on our way.

As we drove, I told Peyton and Layla they could each pick one favorite animal to see today, hoping we wouldn't have to do the entire zoo.

Peyton picks first...the drums. What's that you say? The drums aren't an animal. Well, don't tell Peyton. He was adamant that's all he wanted to do. Yes, that's right. We're on a trek in less the 50 degree weather with mist in the air...to play drums. And, yes, we do have drums at our house, but apparently not as enticing as the drums in the African Veldt.

Oh, and I should tell you, that's the only thing in the African Veldt right now. It's under construction and there are no visible animals for another month.

But, walk we did, for 5 minutes, straight to the drums and straight out.

And now he says his favorite animal is the orangutan. So, off we go. They were adorable. They played peek-a-boo with us and since we know their names from last year, you could hear Layla saying, "Peek-a-boo, Melati."

Meanwhile, Layla tells me she wants to see ducks. Oh, great, yet again, another animal that can easily be seen many places other than the zoo. Not the least of which is the pair of ducks which usually appears in our backyard this time of year. I'm sure they'll show up tomorrow just to make this zoo trip even less needed. However, they are easily spotted at the zoo without walking out of the way, at all.

So, now it was up to me to decide which other part of the zoo we traversed. Oh, wait, not yet, now Peyton wants to see the sharks. So, off we go, but he's scared of them?!?! As he was the peacocks (any and all of them) and this little bird in the rain forest. It was on our path and he was extremely afraid to pass by it. I was tempted (and Daddy would've done it) to jump and scream as he went by to scare him, but that would've ended our great zoo trip too soon.

You want to know if Layla was scared of anything? Of course, she was. The sea lions, just like her brother last year, and the baby chicks, I think just because a friendly zookeeper came to hold them for us and let her pet one - she wanted nothing to do with that.

Finally, I decide to trek through the farm on our way out and you guessed it, we saw the entire zoo except for the kangaroos. But, we had a fabulous morning together. Peyton and Layla listened amazingly well, never ran off and were ready to go before me. I guess there's hope for many more zoo trips yet this summer and they're sure to be warmer.

One of the best parts and best pictures from this trip came at Layla's instigation. It was the most helpful thing to me, as well. When she finally decided to walk and not ride in the stroller she wanted to be holding Peyton's hand. And since he kindly obliged today they were always within my reach. You see, Peyton usually likes to run through the zoo, with me 20 feet behind, saying Peyton stop, come back here, wait...you get the idea. But, since Layla had him under control he was not running and it was much more enjoyable. Again, if that keeps up, we can go to the zoo anytime they want!

It was also fun to hear Peyton tell me about things he's learned at school this year and can connect to the zoo. They've been talking about South America and the rain forest and so he was very interested in the animals around the orangutans. I have a funny feeling that will be the constant on our zoo trips this summer. Also, when we were looking at the wallabies and I pointed out the baby. He immediately said, "It's in her pouch." I have no idea if he remembers that from last year or has learned it this year, but it's always fun to hear him learn.

Then I have to remind myself he's all boy! For the next most interesting thing at the zoo today were each and every one of the animal butts. If he saw anything close to the rear of any animal he was sure to tell me he could see it's butt! Oh, what fun!

The whole way through the zoo I was thinking about what I'm teaching them when I bring them here, about all the animals, their environments, just by the words I use and wishing I had something for them to hold, read, draw, write or connect it to when we leave. So, that's what I'm looking for now - resources to help me help them learn more about everything we see at the zoo instead of just making it a fun place to go run around and once in awhile look at animals and, of course, their butts. Any suggestions?

The Weeks Are Getting Shorter

Today, Peyton informed me there are No More Saturdays. And if you remember from one of my first posts, you might be like me and wonder if we'll have any days left by the end of this year.

This past Saturday was the last day of the bowling season for Peyton. We have been taking him almost every Saturday to a bowling alley in town that lets littles bowl for $1 per game and even gives them someone to supervise/coach. And at the end of the season they threw a party (pizza, prizes and trophies included).



It has been great this year! But it's now over and he is sad. So, now, when he sings his days of the week song...it goes something like this...

"Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday...days of the week. But, wait, that's not right. We have to have bowling day"

But, I found a solution...free bowling this summer. I'm excited to try this on those dog days of summer when it's just too hot to head outside, even if it's the pool or zoo. I'm just keeping it a secret from Peyton until that time comes, because I know he'll be asking for it.

And maybe we can add Saturday back to the days of the week. I sure hope so; it's one of my favorite days.

This past Tuesday, I had to look at him and tell him how much I love to play with him, but I just can't play bowling anymore. It was 3 pm and we'd been rotating all day between watching bowling on TV, playing bowling on the internet and bowling in our hallway. I just couldn't take it anymore. I had suggested several other things, but bowling was all he wanted. I'm so ready to be able to head outside and golf (did I really just say that?) or baseball or anything besides bowling. But, hey, I'm sure at some point I'll be able to handle a free game or two again.


Did I mention that Layla got a trophy too? And she got to bowl on the last day. She had a lot of help from Daddy, some from Mommy, and had a wonderful time. And next year, she'll get to bowl every Saturday with Peyton.

Sea Weed???

One recent morning in the drama that almost always occurs trying to get a certain little boy to eat his breakfast, that little boy asked for Daddy's favorite for breakfast. Unfortunately, Daddy was not home to help interpret and so I probed further trying to please him so he'd eat breakfast before heading off to school...

Me: "Oh yeah, what's Daddy's favorite"

P: "Sea weed"

Me: "Oh, really?!?!" Thinking, yeah right, you're Daddy isn't adventurous enough in the area of food to even think about trying something that eccentric (see Daddy's favorites and notice sea weed is definitely NOT there). And, also thinking, what in the heck does he mean.

So, we head to the pantry.

Me: "Show me Daddy's favorite"

P points to the box of Shredded Wheat and I totally get it. Add the last two bite size pieces (who leaves only two bite-sized pieces in the box? We're still trying to figure that one out) to the bowl of Apple Cinnamon Cheerios and Voila! Peyton is eating his breakfast without sea weed and another morning of near chaos is averted for the moment.

No More Church Days

As we were driving to school last Friday morning and talking about what the next day's activities would be, as is the usual topic of conversation on these trips, Peyton informs me "there are no more church days for a while."

Me: Oh yeah, why do you say that?

P: Because there are no more football games.

Oh the backwards ways we've been teaching him. We'll start working on these priorities, IMMEDIATELY! Along with the normal Sunday request for pizza lunch in the living room watching football.