1. Bird watching in our pajamas. We have two bird feeders on our back porch and we love to watch and identify the birds. This morning we sat and watched many of our little friends come and go. Among them were cardinals, mourning doves, robins, crows and house sparrows. The kids are very good at identifying the birds and, long after they had flown away, we all sat on the dining room floor looking through our bird books and talking about all of the different birds.
2. Spending some quiet time reading with Joshua. He is really starting to enjoy books and being read to. Today I found him in the playroom alone, looking through the pages of one of his favorite books. After watching him for a moment, I sat down beside him and he climbed into my lap and together we read his book. I cherish those moments.
3. Catching big, cold, fluffy snowflakes on our tongues. . .in April. Although I long for the warmer days of Spring, it was fascinating to see snowflakes resting on the cherry blossoms.
4. Enjoying free cookies from the bakery at Sam's Club with my children.
5. See post below.
Showing posts with label Fabulous Five. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Fabulous Five. Show all posts
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Fabulous Five
1. Taking all five kids to Evan's physical therapy session this morning. There is something energizing (and validating) about getting five young children up, fed, dressed and out the door by 8 am. And there is nothing more heart warming than watching my children offer Evan their encouragement and support as he works hard to achieve his goals. He has his own fan club and they motivate him to keep going when the going gets tough.
2. I took a long nap today. It was fabulous.
3. I love spying on my kids. . . .watching them when they don't know that I am there. I love observing how their minds work and seeing the intensity, focus and creativity that goes into their play. Today I watched from a distance as Joshua played alone in the playroom while the other kids were busy creating artistic masterpieces at the kitchen table. Watching Joshua always brings a smile to my face and it takes a lot of willpower to remain in my "hiding place" when all I want to do is eat him up!
4. The kids and I made chocolate chip cookies this afternoon. As we stood in the kitchen licking the batter from the beaters, the spatulas and the bowl, I was reminded of all the times that my siblings and I stood in the many kitchens of our childhood doing the exact same thing with our mother. It made me smile to think of all of the yummy memories we were creating at that very moment!
5. My "exercise buddy" came to visit me again tonight. Several months ago, while I was in Philadelphia with Evan, Richard called and told me about a mammoth possum that he had discovered on our back porch. A few days later, as I was sweating to the oldies (well, not literally, but I am sure it looks just as silly), I noticed something move out of the corner of my eye. I turned my head and there, staring right at me through the french doors, was the mammoth possum. I can only imagine what he was thinking as we stared at each other through the glass. It made me giggle. Tonight, as I was once again getting my groove on, I looked out of the french doors to see that my buddy had returned. . .and he had brought a friend (I can imagine their conversation went something like this, "C'mon man, you've got to see this crazy lady!"). I tried to capture them on camera (yes, it really is amazing that I can keep pace with my workout while operating a camera), but my efforts were thwarted by the hundreds of tiny fingerprints on the glass (which I must admit, made me smile as well). Ah, the things that amuse me!
2. I took a long nap today. It was fabulous.
3. I love spying on my kids. . . .watching them when they don't know that I am there. I love observing how their minds work and seeing the intensity, focus and creativity that goes into their play. Today I watched from a distance as Joshua played alone in the playroom while the other kids were busy creating artistic masterpieces at the kitchen table. Watching Joshua always brings a smile to my face and it takes a lot of willpower to remain in my "hiding place" when all I want to do is eat him up!
4. The kids and I made chocolate chip cookies this afternoon. As we stood in the kitchen licking the batter from the beaters, the spatulas and the bowl, I was reminded of all the times that my siblings and I stood in the many kitchens of our childhood doing the exact same thing with our mother. It made me smile to think of all of the yummy memories we were creating at that very moment!
5. My "exercise buddy" came to visit me again tonight. Several months ago, while I was in Philadelphia with Evan, Richard called and told me about a mammoth possum that he had discovered on our back porch. A few days later, as I was sweating to the oldies (well, not literally, but I am sure it looks just as silly), I noticed something move out of the corner of my eye. I turned my head and there, staring right at me through the french doors, was the mammoth possum. I can only imagine what he was thinking as we stared at each other through the glass. It made me giggle. Tonight, as I was once again getting my groove on, I looked out of the french doors to see that my buddy had returned. . .and he had brought a friend (I can imagine their conversation went something like this, "C'mon man, you've got to see this crazy lady!"). I tried to capture them on camera (yes, it really is amazing that I can keep pace with my workout while operating a camera), but my efforts were thwarted by the hundreds of tiny fingerprints on the glass (which I must admit, made me smile as well). Ah, the things that amuse me!
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Fabulous Five
1. Doing the hokey pokey with Evan while we waited for the school bus. Keeps us nice and warm and it always gives us the giggles!
2. Although I prefer NOT to have sick kids, I sure do love the snuggle time I am able to get in while they are down (because let's be honest, it is one of the only times they are still long enough to snuggle), especially with Joshua, who let me hold him and rock him like a little baby.
3. Knee hugs. You know, the kind where you are standing at the sink washing the dishes and a little set of arms wraps around your knees and gives you a good squeeze. I get lots of knee hugs when Aiden is around!
4. Homemade pizza. Yummy.
5. Richard's strong, comforting arms around me after a long day.
2. Although I prefer NOT to have sick kids, I sure do love the snuggle time I am able to get in while they are down (because let's be honest, it is one of the only times they are still long enough to snuggle), especially with Joshua, who let me hold him and rock him like a little baby.
3. Knee hugs. You know, the kind where you are standing at the sink washing the dishes and a little set of arms wraps around your knees and gives you a good squeeze. I get lots of knee hugs when Aiden is around!
4. Homemade pizza. Yummy.
5. Richard's strong, comforting arms around me after a long day.
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Fabulous Five
On this particularly long day, I felt it would be most beneficial to report my fabulous five, because, believe it or not, no matter how long the day may seem, there are always, always five wonderful things to report!
1. Warm chocolate chip cookies. Need I say more? So I am cheating a little with this one since we actually made (and devoured) the cookies yesterday, but just the thought and lingering smell of those yummy morsels brought a smile to my face today, as did watching my children delight in the last of them after lunch.
2. Stacey came to play today (and brought her boys Will and Aiden along as well). What more can I say, but there is nothing quite as refreshing as a good friend and light and easy GROWN UP conversation (not to mention the fact that the kids keep each other wonderfully entertained).
3. Before bedtime this evening, Richard called to tell the kids he had a surprise for them on mommy's computer. We all piled into the office to check my e-mail and there, in my inbox, was an e-card from daddy. This is what it said:
1. Warm chocolate chip cookies. Need I say more? So I am cheating a little with this one since we actually made (and devoured) the cookies yesterday, but just the thought and lingering smell of those yummy morsels brought a smile to my face today, as did watching my children delight in the last of them after lunch.
2. Stacey came to play today (and brought her boys Will and Aiden along as well). What more can I say, but there is nothing quite as refreshing as a good friend and light and easy GROWN UP conversation (not to mention the fact that the kids keep each other wonderfully entertained).
3. Before bedtime this evening, Richard called to tell the kids he had a surprise for them on mommy's computer. We all piled into the office to check my e-mail and there, in my inbox, was an e-card from daddy. This is what it said:
Evan, Maren, Lukas, Jacob and Joshua.
As I settle down for the night here in Atlanta, I want you to know how much I miss you and how much I look forward to seeing you again. Be good for mommy and sleep good tonight!
With Love-
Daddy
As I settle down for the night here in Atlanta, I want you to know how much I miss you and how much I look forward to seeing you again. Be good for mommy and sleep good tonight!
With Love-
Daddy
Have I mentioned just how much I adore my husband, who also happens to be the most fantastic father in the world?
4. When Richard called to say goodnight to the kids this evening, Joshua came full speed ahead from the opposite side of the house yelling, "Daddy, daddy, daddy!" He also does this every day when his daddy comes home from work. There just are not words to properly describe how sweet it is to see how much our little man loves his daddy. Some day, I am going to capture it on camera!
5. Although I hate that Evan was feeling ill today, it made me happy, as I snuggled with him on the couch this afternoon, to know that, now, when he is feeling sick, he has a mommy to hold him, love him and care for him while he heals. Before he joined our family, there was never any advantage to being sick. He simply felt miserable and lay there by himself with no one to cuddle him, love him or tell him that it would be alright. Now that he has a mommy, I think he is quickly learning that being sick actually does have it's advantages. Although misery is still a factor, who doesn't love a nice quiet afternoon watching their favorite movies while snuggled up in their mommy's lap? I sure do love making sure that he knows he is loved!
4. When Richard called to say goodnight to the kids this evening, Joshua came full speed ahead from the opposite side of the house yelling, "Daddy, daddy, daddy!" He also does this every day when his daddy comes home from work. There just are not words to properly describe how sweet it is to see how much our little man loves his daddy. Some day, I am going to capture it on camera!
5. Although I hate that Evan was feeling ill today, it made me happy, as I snuggled with him on the couch this afternoon, to know that, now, when he is feeling sick, he has a mommy to hold him, love him and care for him while he heals. Before he joined our family, there was never any advantage to being sick. He simply felt miserable and lay there by himself with no one to cuddle him, love him or tell him that it would be alright. Now that he has a mommy, I think he is quickly learning that being sick actually does have it's advantages. Although misery is still a factor, who doesn't love a nice quiet afternoon watching their favorite movies while snuggled up in their mommy's lap? I sure do love making sure that he knows he is loved!
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Fabulous Five
Several months ago, at the end of each day, I started writing down five things that made me smile that day. It is so easy to get lost in the busyness of doctors appointments, therapies, school, work and all of the other things that we fill our plates with, and I wanted to take a moment to appreciate all of the little things that bless my life each day. After a few days of keeping this "joy journal" I found that I was starting to focus more and more on each of the moments that bring me joy and less on the exhaustion and frustrations of the daily grind.
While many of those moments are precious and private, I would like to take the time to share some of those moments with you occasionally, so without further ado, I bring you today's Fabulous Five. . .
1. I love watching my children play together. As with most siblings, they certainly have their moments of fussing, fighting and general discontent, but more often than not, they play so well together, and look out for and are compassionate towards each other. One of the things I love about having children so close together in age is that they are each other's best friends and I hope that they are always as close to each other as they are now.
Jacob and Lukas playing with their Leapsters (or as Lukas calls them, "Lobsters")
Jacob, Lukas and Evan playing with cars (taken a few weeks ago)
Maren and Evan snuggling on the couch
2. "You're beautiful mommy," "Thank you for this wonderful dinner mommy," "Mommy, you are the best cook ever." My kids tell me things like this every single day. Why? Because their daddy has taught them to love and appreciate me. . . and boy do I love and appreciate that! Richard has always been wonderful at complimenting me and taking note of the things that I do for our family. When we first started dating, I remember feeling uncomfortable at times at how freely he complimented me. I wasn't used to having someone shower me with praise constantly. Now I have such a deep appreciation for this expression of love. I never doubt that I am loved and important to my family and I know that, the spouses of all of my children will be lucky to know, all the time, that they are loved, appreciated and important.
3. As I was working on some pre-surgical paperwork this morning for Evan's upcoming surgery, Maren came running into the room to tell me that something was wrong with Joshua. I followed her to the opposite side of the house where I could hear Joshua crying in the hallway. As I rounded the corner I saw him laying on the floor outside of the bathroom and immediately realized the cause of his distress. Apparently he had decided that the kids' potty seat would make a nice necklace and was wearing it like a "pageant sash." His arm was stuck and he couldn't get it off, thus causing the distress. Like the loving mother that I am, I immediately ran for my camera trying to hold back the laughter! Once our photo session had come to a close, I knelt down to free him from the potty seat. It took me about five minutes to finagle him out, but soon he was free and after some hugs and kisses, I disinfected us both (and gave the potty seat a good cleaning. . .ew) and all was well once more!
Joshua, the potty king
5. My kids LOVE to sing. I catch them singing multiple times throughout the day. Sometimes it is songs that they have learned and other times they just make up songs about what they are doing (they come by it honestly as I tend to sing about everything). Today I found Jacob in the playroom, playing by himself with his cars, singing "I am a Child of God" at the top of his lungs. It always brings a smile to my face when I hear the kids sing, but my smile grows even more to realize that they know this truth. . .that they are children of a loving Father in Heaven.
While many of those moments are precious and private, I would like to take the time to share some of those moments with you occasionally, so without further ado, I bring you today's Fabulous Five. . .
1. I love watching my children play together. As with most siblings, they certainly have their moments of fussing, fighting and general discontent, but more often than not, they play so well together, and look out for and are compassionate towards each other. One of the things I love about having children so close together in age is that they are each other's best friends and I hope that they are always as close to each other as they are now.
Jacob and Lukas playing with their Leapsters (or as Lukas calls them, "Lobsters")
Jacob, Lukas and Evan playing with cars (taken a few weeks ago)
Maren and Evan snuggling on the couch3. As I was working on some pre-surgical paperwork this morning for Evan's upcoming surgery, Maren came running into the room to tell me that something was wrong with Joshua. I followed her to the opposite side of the house where I could hear Joshua crying in the hallway. As I rounded the corner I saw him laying on the floor outside of the bathroom and immediately realized the cause of his distress. Apparently he had decided that the kids' potty seat would make a nice necklace and was wearing it like a "pageant sash." His arm was stuck and he couldn't get it off, thus causing the distress. Like the loving mother that I am, I immediately ran for my camera trying to hold back the laughter! Once our photo session had come to a close, I knelt down to free him from the potty seat. It took me about five minutes to finagle him out, but soon he was free and after some hugs and kisses, I disinfected us both (and gave the potty seat a good cleaning. . .ew) and all was well once more!
Joshua, the potty king4. Every night before bed we have a family song and prayer and then, before we tuck each of the kids' into their beds, we have individual prayers with them. I love listening to toddlers pray. There is such a purity and innocence in everything they say and occasionally I even find myself needing to stifle a chuckle at something funny that they have said. It is one of my favorite times of the day and it is a wonderful illustration of why we are commanded to be "like unto little children."
5. My kids LOVE to sing. I catch them singing multiple times throughout the day. Sometimes it is songs that they have learned and other times they just make up songs about what they are doing (they come by it honestly as I tend to sing about everything). Today I found Jacob in the playroom, playing by himself with his cars, singing "I am a Child of God" at the top of his lungs. It always brings a smile to my face when I hear the kids sing, but my smile grows even more to realize that they know this truth. . .that they are children of a loving Father in Heaven.
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