Water Walk

Almost every day of the week, Gus, Lucy and I head out for our daily walk.  We don’t go far, and we’re never gone long.  We walk down the street to the see the water. To be perfectly honest, it’s just a drainage creek with a bridge.  But Lucy loves it!

Since this is such a big part of our day-to-day, I decided to bring the camera along to snap some shots.

Here’s Gus with his hat and his game face on. It’s starting to get kinda cool here, so I pulled this hat out from Gam.

Lucy likes to push Gus in the stroller.  Thankfully there’s not much traffic when we head out, because you can imagine how good she is at pushing a stroller with her brother in it. Her brother who won’t sit still and weighs about as much as she does.

As we approach the water, we collect sticks and acorns.  Then Lucy carefully drops them into this tube that is above the water.

Next we scurry up to the edge of the bridge to watch the sticks float downstream. It’s much like the game “Pooh Sticks”, which if you’ve never played before, please find some running water and do that soon.

Gus displays both shock and awe as he observes this process.  Between trying to toss his body out of the stroller and clapping with glee, he’s quite a handful.  Thankfully he hasn’t figured out how to release himself from the stroller yet…though it’s only a matter of time.

Wonder Place

We have this cool place in Little Rock called The Wonder Place. It’s a play space specifically for kids under 8 years of age. Needless to say, my kids LOVE IT.  There is tons to do — a huge water table, art area, play kitchen and much more. I try to go once a month when it’s “Free Adult Day” and I only have to pay for Lucy because it’s kinda pricey.  But it’s FUN!

Gus is amazed by his own cuteness in the mirrored triangle toy.

I like to call this picture “Gus’s Personal Heaven” because it’s an area full of balls where he can climb. He pretty much hung out here the whole time.

Lucy scaled some walls.

Lucy enjoyed her first Lunchable at The Wonder Place.  Her lunch bag is also proudly displayed in this picture.  Cheese, crackers, ham, a lunch bag, and a cup with a straw=the BEST DAY EVER for Lucy!

I found this little stinker climbing around and being adorable.  So I decided to take his picture. And then I decided to pick him up and kiss him excessively for at least 5 minutes.

All in all a super fun morning with the babies and me!

The Color Box

Lucy has been busy doing work with the color box. This is a little something I put together with some easy household items.  I used a small drawer organizer and placed squares of colored construction paper in each compartment.  Then I collected items from my craft supplies that corresponded with the colors.  I used buttons, puff balls, feathers, and colored paper clips.

I used a place mat to define a work space for her.  Then I showed her how I placed the correct colored item in each compartment of the box.

She caught right on and I’ll need to think about ways to modify this and make it a bit more challenging. If anyone has any ideas, send them my way!

I am preparing several other items for Lucy to work on that enforce matching, sequencing, sizing, and much more. I am hoping to make this work a a part of every day. Most of the things I’ve been working on are inspired by Montessori principles and ideas.  More posts are to come!

After doing her “work” for a while, we started to get a little silly, which is fine by me!

Happenings

Interesting, and/or hilarious things always seem to be happening around this house.  Or maybe I only think so?

Clearly, Lucy means business when it comes to snack time. Don’t mess.

After naps, Gus likes to greet the neighbors.

After daddy comes home, Lucy loves to play the Rest Game. And daddy loves it, too. The rules are this: Daddy lays down on the floor and Lucy gives him a pillow and a blanket. Then everyone is quiet while they “rest.”  Funny how Lucy never wants to play the Rest Game with mommy.

Willie likes the Rest Game, too.

Here’s Gus wearing a darling little button down shirt to church.  I promptly brought him home and put him in the most baby-ish item of clothing I could find.  He’s looks too grown up for me!

My dear mother-in-law sent Lucy and Gus this adorable nativity set.  They love it! Gus gets to chew on everything and Lucy sets them up so they can “eat.”  It’s kinda hard to see here, but she had arranged all the animals and figures around a food bin that contains fruits, fish, and bread. The only one not eating is Baby Jesus. Guess he wasn’t hungry.

Sunday night I made two cakes and set them to cool on the kitchen table.  I was waiting to frost them and Lucy sat down to prepare for dinner. I turned around to finish the frosting and Lucy grabbed the cooled cakes and started eating them right out of the pan!  Above is the grief-stricken and hysterical face I received when I promptly removed the cake from Lucy.  Thankfully the icing covered up all the chunks she ate out.

Everyone had a blast playing in the leaves. Then daddy had to bag them all up. By himself. By the gleam of a work light he attached to the fence because it got dark.  But the back yard is raked!

Lucy was a huge help. Brad sawed off half of the handle on this rake so it is the perfect size for little girl.  She thought she was Mr. Big Stuff.

I guess this random assortment of pictures would seem pretty “ho-hum” to most of the world. But to me these regular, silly, day-to-day, mundane things seem to be most precious.

 

Cheers for Years

Five years ago today Brad and I got hitched.

It was the coolest day.  It was the fall, which I love. The night before we had had an incredible rehearsal dinner at the local bowling alley.  In honor of that festive occasion, we’re hitting up the local lanes tonight. I’ll let you know who wins.

I remember rolling out of bed on November 13, 2004 and thinking two things: I feel totally calm and this wedding day is going to be over really soon!

Our wedding was so beautiful and remember almost all of it.  I remember my flowers, my feet hurting, and that it felt funny to have bling on my left hand.  I remember getting my hair done, doing my make-up, and happily wearing my veil. I’m actually wearing the veil right now while I type, and I’m considering wearing it bowling tonight. Why not, right?

We’ve had our share of good and bad times. However, we’ve spent the majority of the last 5 years laughing. Laughing at each other, laughing at circumstances that were beyond us, laughing at another meal that I burned, laughing at our attempts to be capable parents.

A dear friend once asked me before she got married what the “secret” was to a Christ-centered marriage.  I certainly don’t know any secrets, but my response was simple: be gentle.  Speak gently. Respond gently.  Be sensitive and kind in dealing with one another.  Gentle regard for one another has taken Brad and I far.  And he’s a lot better at this than me (hard to imagine, but it’s true.)

Without sounding trite, the best part about our wedding day has been every day since then.

Weekend To-Do List

I have neglected my sweet little blog and the yellow desk this week.  We’ve really had a lovely week, but I’ve just gotten tired at night or distracted by laundry or reading other blogs, or the 2nd Percy Jackson & The Olympians book The Sea of Monsters which I am currently enjoying.

I really love lists. I make one almost every night before I go to bed.  A nice pen to paper lists always helps me relax and fall asleep.

So here’s the list for the weekend, before I turn in.

1.  Anniversary: have one tomorrow. A blog on that will be forthcoming.

2.  Bake. I have SEVERAL cookie recipes to try for the Oatmeal Cookie Contest, perhaps more than I’ll ever be able to bake even with my trusty cooking sidekick, Lucy.  But a big shout out to every single one of my peeps who has sent me a recipe. You’re awesome.

3.  Write. First off, I am a self-proclaimed dork. And I like it.  I am currently working on a little December project that I am looking forward to sharing soon.  It’s a series of crafts and activities leading up to Christmas which will start on December 1.  Everything is interwoven with the Christmas story. Basically it’s going to be totally awesome and Lucy and me are going to have some big fun. And I think this all sounds a bit dorky, even for a former teacher. But who cares?

4. Read. As I mentioned above I am thoroughly enjoying this juvenile literature series Percy Jackson & The Olympians. I am also re-reading the seventh Harry Potter book because I love it.  And whenever I read Harry Potter I always have the best dreams about attending Hogwarts and drinking butter beer and having a owl deliver my mail.

5.  Sleep. I am going to try to sleep till 8 a.m. on Saturday morning. Wish me luck.

And Gus says, “I’ll drink to that! Let’s sleep till 8 a.m.! In your dreams, momma!”

Surprising

And so another week begins at the Herndon house, and for me, it began with a flat tire.

I was driving to the gym this morning around 6:15 a.m. Without sounding uber spiritual, I was praying for my kids. It was quiet, I was half asleep, and I was praying. Did I mention how quiet it was? And how I had just rolled out of bed 4 minutes before entering the car?

Well, I guess in the morning haze I drove a little to close to the curb, and I got a flat tire.  I turned onto a residential road and parked the car.

Almost as a reflex I called Brad. But it was early, he and the kids were still asleep, and his phone was MIA.

I decided I didn’t want to miss my workout, so I started walking. I was thinking I knew some people who lived in the neighborhood, but I wasn’t about to knock on their doors at 6:30 a.m.

As I was walking, a guy from church jogged past me with his dog. We waved and acknowledged each other.  As he sprinted past me, I turned around to ask for help with the car, but he was already long gone.

About 2 minutes later I was still walking, wondering what to do about the tire, when Douglas ran back up behind me. He mentioned something about not seeing me in the neighborhood much, and was wondering if everything was okay.

Well, thank you Jesus, Douglas saved the day!  He took the next hour to help me change the tire and fill it up with air.  Of course you all know that learning to change a flat tire is #20 on my “30 for 30″ list. Douglas was very kind to show me what he did every step of the way but seriously, I will not be changing a flat tire by myself any time soon.

The more I chatted with Douglas the more amazed I became.  There was no question that this morning had been amazingly orchestrated by God.  Douglas had pushed the “snooze” button a few times which allowed him to be right where I needed to see him at 6:30.  I had the only car with car seats, so Brad couldn’t have gotten to me to help at all.  With Daylight Savings it was bright outside, which helped alleviate any fears on my part about being stuck outside with a flat tire.

This morning I was surprised. Surprised that God was taking care of me. Surprised to see how He lined everything up “just so”. Surprised how he loved me. Surprised how unselfish someone can be.  Surprised at His mercies. Surprised by how small the tools are that involved in raising up a car and attaching a new wheel.

I guess it’s not bad to be surprised by God’s greatness. I always love being amazed by God. But why am I so surprised when God takes care of me? That’s exactly what He said he’d do.

Oatmeal Cookies: The Contest

Tonight as I was making some oatmeal cookies, Brad came into the kitchen to look things over.

It was after dinner, which as you can see, was a festive event as always.

Gus was trying to scale the kitchen wall directly from his high chair.  Attention all Gams and Grandmas reading this blog: I was watching him, I promise.

Lucy thoroughly enjoyed her cornbread. I added a little dab of honey and she went wild.

Here’s Brad, also loving some chili and cornbread.

This next series of pictures I like to call “Mom attempts to take a picture with Gus and does a terrible job.”

I decided again this evening after dinner that warm cornbread (homemade only) with butter and honey is honestly one of my favorite foods.

But another favorite food — one I don’t eat nearly enough — is oatmeal cookies.

So I decided to make a batch with extra walnuts, and Brad couldn’t believe it.

He actually said to me, “What’s the deal with oatmeal cookies? Why would you want to do that to a chocolate chip cookie? I have a philosophical problem with oatmeal cookies.”

Oh, really?

Wow. I had no idea I was living with the Guru Master of All Baked Goods.

Anyway, I’ve been on the search of an amazing oatmeal cookie recipe. I made one tonight that was promising, but I’m personally looking for something a bit more cakey and thick.

So here’s where you come in.  Send in your most incredible oatmeal cookie recipes. I will bake them and decide on a winner.  The prize?  The winning oatmeal cookie will win the following:

A personalized piece from the petite artiste, Lucy.

A high five from Gus.

And a $5 Starbucks gift card!

So send them my way!!!! You can always email me recipes at allison_anne@hotmail.com.  Send them soon so Lucy and I can start baking!

Cha Cha Chili

I haven’t posted a recipe in a while, so please enjoy this delightful fall dish as soon as possible.  It’s very easy (as is everything I make) and goes beautifully with Aunt Lauren’s cornbread. I suggest making a double batch — give some away, save some for yourself, and maybe even freeze a little bit for an evening you don’t feel like cooking dinner.

I will also add that I did win a chili cook-off several years back with this recipe. It’s super yum!

Mexican Cha Cha Chili

Ingredients:

1 c. diced onion (I usually use frozen to speed this up)

1 c. diced green pepper (I also use frozen here)

1 lb. pound ground chuck

1 ½ c. no-salt added beef broth

1 T. chili powder

1 ½ tsp. ground cumin

¾ tsp. dried oregano

½ tsp. salt

1/8 tsp. pepper

3 garlic cloves, crushed

2 (14.5 oz.) cans no salt added diced tomatoes, undrained

2 (15 oz.) cans black beans, drained

Sour cream, shredded cheddar, and chopped cilantro as garnish

Add first 3 ingredients to a hot stock pot.  Cook until browned, stirring to crumble.  Drain well; return meat mixture to pot.  Add broth and next 8 ingredients (broth through beans); bring to a boil.  Reduce heat; simmer 15 minutes or until slightly thick.  Top with sour cream, cheddar, and chopped cilantro if you desire.

Enjoy!

The Potty Diaries and More

Four days after we got back from Cancun, while still in the midst of  unpacking, grocery shopping, and caring for sick baby Gus, Lucy decided she was ready to use the potty.

Initially I thought this couldn’t be worse timing. But then I realized that it was actually perfect.  We were pretty home bound for several days while Gus was recovering so it was a great time to just let her run around the house in her underwear.

So we loaded up on 12 new pairs of panties, and we were off and running.

At first Lucy asked to sit on the potty. Then I started putting the panties on her and seeing what happened. For two or three days I reminded her about going potty and she would go when she needed to. Then she was telling me when she had to go.  Now she’s getting better at just walking into the bathroom, removing ALL her clothes, and hopping up on the potty all by herself.

She’s learned how to work the step stool to get up to the potty after slipping once and having her arm fall directly into the toilet.

I’ve been giving her stickers to put on a poster each time she goes #1, but she’s already starting to lose interest in that. I’m great with that since we all can’t have a cheering section each time we sit on that potty. That’d be nice, wouldn’t it?  Though with all the cheering we’ve been doing for Lucy, she really enjoys being a potty cheerleader. Just today I got a round of applause for doing my business.

The real issue is going #2.  I know I’m not alone here.  I put together a “Poop Prize” box and that’s been helping so far.  She’s gone on the potty several times and each time she does she selects a Poop Prize.  She either goes on the potty or waits till she’s wearing a Pull-Up at nap time. Smart girl.

Lucy examines her first Poop Prize — a Dora the Explorer whistle.

“I pooped. I rock!”

Many of you may be asking what we’ve been up to when we’re not going potty or receiving a Poop Prize.

Gus, as you can see, is just rollin’. I mean, he’s “G” (as I like to call him).  Sometimes I literally feel sick that I have to hang out with this ugly kid all day long. I mean, really.

Lucy and I often do some crafting while Gus naps.  This week we made some harvest crafts. Our inspiration was an egg carton.  Our media was paint, stickers, glue, and puff balls. Our enjoyment was endless.

The egg carton pumpkins.

These are not really harvest-y, but we enjoyed making them. And I enjoy having them in my kitchen.

The supplies. The petit artiste.

This is a mixed media piece by Lucy.  Paint, puff balls, stickers, stamps= Masterpiece.

This is my favorite art.  I’m trying to pick a verse each week to talk with Lucy about. My goal is to eventually connect the verses with crafts, read-aloud books, and other activities.

This precious art work hangs in our kitchen:

“Oh thank you God– he’s so good! His love never runs out.” Psalm 107:1 (The Message)