Just a BlinkProof Time Flies

Climber

So we have a little climber on our hands. Tables, toy boxes, baby gates, rocking chairs! You name it, Molly will climb it. I caught her on the table one day with her hand literally in the cookie jar. She is very strong not to mention strong willed even at 16 months.

I gleaned a touching lesson from authors and speakers, Jim and Lynne Jackson as they presented some insightful information at one of my MOPS meetings last year. They suggested that parents try to see the goodness in their child’s current personality “challenge”.

i.e. If you have an older child always tattling or telling the others how naughty they were the parent would try to see strengths of honesty and justice.

So my dear Molly what strengths can I pray for?

How about an adventurous spirit, willingness to learn and sense of determination!

Okay, but for now…Get OFF the table!!

Bible, Book of Genesis, Chapter 49, Verse 22

“Joseph is a fruitful vine, a fruitful vine near a spring, whose branches climb over a wall.”

Patience is a Virtue

The front loader windowed washing machine has been great. It substitutes for a fireplace during evening meals. Really, it is transfixing to watch the sudsy beast rotate around. Without a laundry room door we are often pulled into its gaze.

Below is a photo of Molly lulled by the swooshing of the watery wash cycle…

until she realizes that Pink (her chosen one) is in there.

Poor dear. Patience is not a virtue that you possess. Not yet anyway.

Of course Molly reigned victorious as she cuddled in her crib with her fresh Pink and other assorted loveys. Notice her slightly mistrusting eyes as if to say, “Take one step toward Pink and I’ll call Dad on you!”

Super Hero Party

Renovation blues draggin’ ya down? Why not have a drop off birthday party with 7 kids under the age of 5.

Shake off the sawdust and cover those outlets! Be sure to remove all table saws and 10″ screwdrivers from the play area. Or if you are like me you do this as guest arrive.

Plan to get behind on your scheduled projects and try to have fun. I really believe hospitality is an attitude not a state or condition of my home.

Here are some highlights from Ryan’s 4th birthday super hero party.

We used cardboard and pipe cleaners (yes I know they are chenille stems but I just can’t convert) to create a party sign for the front door. Placing a sign at the door before company is expected is a welcoming tradition that Ry has established.

Pre-party happy jitters.

I keep a stack of white lunch sacks on hand for parties. By decorating them myself I always have the ‘theme’ I need.

Contents: mini play-doh cans (purchased at 50% off in the Halloween area), candy and batman fruit snacks.

I bought only a few commercial items. The balloons were a gift from Ry's party helper Grammy Lu.

We made a Bat Cave from a washing machine box, Spider-Man and Friends Memory game pieces and tempera paint. We kept the top open a bit and cut out two eye spy holes on one side and a secret mail slot on the other side.

For this super hero party I gathered all the toys in the house that would work as party props. Featured here is singing Spider-man with steamers.

Each guest wore a custom painted Super shirt. They each used fabric markers to decorate their own capes (white flour sacks). The little guests 2 and under had capes (1/2 a flour sack) with Velcro tabs on their shoulders. The doorway shown in the upper left of this photo was draped in red streamers for decoration and fun!

Super Molly snacked on pretzels.

Super Colin goes for a ride without his cape!

My baker Sam made this cake for Ryan. You know Sam don't you? He has his own club and everything. Sam put in extra Spider-Man details since we were having a multi-hero party.

This picture speaks for itself.

Who wants a photo? We want CAKE!

Of course the nice part about not having any furnishings in the party area was freedom! We ran, played Spider-Man Hoops, Spider-Man Clothes Pin Drop and Super-Man Jump.

Of course you can't beat an after party, "I love you Mom!"

Ryan

Photo taken shortly before his 4th birthday. He posed with his cozy named Baby.

Things that come out of his mouth these days-

• What the heck?
• Oh my gosh!
• This is giving me a headache.
• Poop, pee, butt-head and all potty talk in general.
• You are a naughty mom. I hate you! (When the rules are tough or in his way.)
• I love you. I love my whole family. (When the rules are in his favor.)
• Awww, she [Molly] is so cute! She is such a big girl now.
• I am happy about this!
• Adjective-head or any name calling
• Guess what….
• I’ve gotta tell you something.
• Knock-Knock jokes

Words of wisdom at the park-

One sunny fall day while playing at the park we (Ry and I) taught Molly how to climb the chain ladder.

As she scaled the swaying equipment she froze one rung from the top. She wasn’t budging and she looked way down (four feet) at Ryan.

With their gazes locked Ryan said, “Go for it Molly! Just believe in your DREAMS!”

Conversation walking home from the park-

Me: Look Ry, litter.

Ry: What is litter?

Me: Garbage that other people threw on the ground. Let’s pick it up and throw it away at home.

Ry: Touch it? (candy wrapper) Yuck! Why?

Me: We do what we can to clean up our Earth.

Ry: [picking up wrapper] So, what you are saying is that we are the real winners here.

Me: Sure, Ry, we’re the winners.