Gingerbread Party

Our housemate, Marcie, had a birthday this past week, so we decided to celebrate with a gingerbread party. We invited a group of friends over for the special occasion. Each guest was given a handmade gingerbread house (a la Marcie) to decorate with bright and colorful candy designs. Isaiah got his own house to decorate as well. He came downstairs after his nap with a look of amazement. At first it seemed that he thought, "So this is what the grown-ups do when I'm in bed." But the shock quickly turned to awe "Is Mom really going to let me loose with this much candy around??" It was so precious, and I think it resembled the way most of us adults felt initially too. With the table covered with bowls of candy of every kind, cups of frosting, and gingerbread galore, it was hard not to feel excited at the prospects of decorating (and eating) these lovely houses!

The birthday guests

Isaiah, just waking up from his nap

Decorating in action

Almost done

The finished product *note Isaiah cannot take his eyes off his gingerbread house*

Potty training

Potty training, thats the phrase for the day. I've said the phrase countless times today, and now Isaiah is running around saying it as well. Although...sigh... he doesn't really seem to be getting its full import. All day we have been unsuccessful in our mission! It appears that to him, potty training means sitting on the potty reading books, forget actually DOING anything in the potty. I'm trying not to feel too discouraged, but I was hoping that we'd at least have ONE successful trip to the bathroom by now.

I've been setting the timer, and putting him on his little potty chair every 30 minutes. He is more than happy to oblige. We read a book, or sit quietly. He gets rewards for dry underwear and for sitting on the potty. I was planning on increasing the rewards for success, but it hasn't happened yet!! He is wearing real underwear, so he feels wet. I'm pushing fluids so he needs to go often. It seems like everything should be going well, but there is some kind of disconnect when he sits on the potty. Like its just a neat little chair where mom spoils him with attention...

Its been a very tiring morning, and I was very thankful when naptime arrived and I could put the diaper back on.

Bathtime fun

Splish! Splash!

Please don't come and get me

I'm having grandest time

Splishin and a splashin

Feeling mighty fine

Love it when my face is wet

When curls are dripping dry

What a great sensation

Time it surely flies

Ruba dubba dubba

Splashing in my tub

Mama don't you worry

I promise you I'll scrub

When I am all finished

I'd like a mud puddle please

Anything to get back in

Life is sure a breeze

Feel a little sleepy

But I don't really care

When I wake up in the morning

My bathtub will be here

Morning, noon or night time
any time is okay
Just get me to my bathtub
the best time of my day

Cell phones

While talking on the phone with my sister Jennifer, Joshua quite rudely interrupted the conversation. Apparently the cell phone was just too tasty to ignore!! Both of our boys have always been very interested in phones. From the time Isaiah was little, he loved chewing, playing, and of course pressing buttons on the phone. As he got older he started to enjoy yelling "Hello!!" when the phone would ring, and then began to love talking on the phone itself. Joshua is also showing early interest!

However, in this age of technology, where even 2nd graders have their own cell phones, I wonder what I'm setting my boys up for? I understand the benefits of cell phones--its great to be able to make and receive calls regardless of where you are. But I also recognize that despite the conveniences, there are certainly some down sides. Cell phones are often too convenient and keep us from planning ahead. Instead of making a good shopping list, I can call home to see whats in the fridge. Instead of taking a map or looking up directions, I can call when I get lost. It is definitely a convenience, and those are all reasons why I like to have a cell phone, but I just can't buy into 7 and 8 year old's (or even 13 and 14 year old's), having their own cell phones. Maybe I'm just not up to date enough myself, or maybe I fear that we're setting up our children for a lifetime of poor organization and laziness.

A beautiful hike on a beautiful day

A happy group

At the top (we don't look too warn out, do we??)

Marcie and a sleepy Joshua

This past weekend, Marcie and I decided to make use of the gorgeous weather-- so we headed up the mountain to enjoy God's beautiful creation and get some exercise while we were at it. I had been putting off hiking for quite some time, not because I dislike it (I love hiking!!), but because of the logistics of bringing two little boys along for the ride. However, it being such a fine October day, and being well aware of the fact that there might not be too many more 75 degree Saturdays, we had to least make an attempt!!

So off we went. Marcie carried Joshua in the front carrier/pack, and I carried Isaiah in the Kelty backpack (thank you, Frits and Annemiek!!). It was quite a workout. I think we hiked roughly 3 miles, maybe a little more, but with us each touting 25+ pounds of chunky children, it was some good exercise for sure! We really enjoyed it. The mountains were alive with fall colors of red, orange, yellow, and green. It was so beautiful! The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament shows his handiwork-- Psalm 19:1