Science Time - Volcano

This week we learned about mountains for Science with Austin (Kindergarten).  His favorite part was the volcano we built.  We found a bottle and made a mountain out of modeling clay and he searched the yard for the perfect rocks to push into the clay before it dried.

Then once it was dried we mixed up the necessary ingredients and waited for it to erupt.  We did not have to wait long!  Austin and Jesse were both so excited to see that it actually worked.  I think they were expecting something to explode into the air, but I had warned them that was not how it worked ahead of time.  They were still pretty impressed.

Afterwards we dumped out everything the best we could and cleaned it up.  When daddy and Tyler got home we were going to try it again, but with a twist.  They were surpised when it erupted BLUE lava!  Austin's choice of course.  Jesse is still voting for orange and I'm sure Tyler's vote would be purple.

Austin also wrote up a paper about his project so we can turn it in when we have our monthly meeting with our Supervising Teacher.

Time at the Park

Today we took a walk down to the park.  It is pretty close and we should do it more often.  The kids love it and it is a nice little bit of exercise.  I forget how much I actually enjoy being out there walking and watching the kids run around.

Was a little chilly today but within 5 minutes Tyler had her jacket off.  Jesse as usual climbed up things that I really believe a 3 1/2 year old has no business climbing.  Austin then tries to follow suit and part way up decides he is in over his head and I have to come to the rescue.  Maybe we'll go again tomorrow if it is nice!

Here are some pictures for my family and friends to enjoy.  Especially those of you who don't get to see them very often.  They are all growing up so fast!

Tyler trying to save Jesse from falling into the "Lava"

(we built a volcano today that we are going to set off on Monday if it is dry)

Oh NO!  I think Jesse's toes may have gotten burned off by the "Lava"

Tyler being dramatic and cheesy

Another "Lava" rescue - Jesse looks really upset here but in reality it was all acting.  He's pretty good!

Jesse climbing one of the things mommy thinks no 3 1/2 year old should be attempting.  I'm not usually what you would consider an overprotective mom but I tend to stand close by when he insists on climbing this to get to the top of the slide.  He's barley tall enough to reach from bar to bar!

Austin attempting to be brave like his little brother - he's a bit nervous here and Tyler is trying to help him.  He wants help but doesn't seem to trust her enough to allow her to do it.

This is the point where mom comes to the rescue and Austin practices his death grip on the bars and then mom - usually around my neck!

Notice the single tear under his right eye (on our left) - he had fallen down pretty hard and scraped up his fingers.  But here he is telling me it is all better - Mommy kisses heal anything!

Slide time - of course the only one Jesse will go down is the biggest one in the park.

Austin going down the slide - this was our second attempt.  The first just got a very small part of his head - he slides down this thing pretty fast!

Tyler being dramatic again - there is no real fear here for her.  She's been climbing this same thing making Mommy nervouse since she was about Jesse's age.

This was supposed to be a Smith Kid Train but Austin got a little impatient (and a tad bit scared) waiting for everyone to get lined up together.

Austin's Instructions for Making Milk

At lunch today Austin instructed me in how to make milk.  Here are the steps (in his words) in case you did not already know how it is done.

1.  The farmer gets a bucket and puts it under the cow.
2.  The cow squeezes the farmer
3.  The farmer squeezes the cow really hard
4.  The cow farts
5.  The milk comes out
6.  The farmer puts the milk in the carton
7.  The farmer puts the milk on the shelf at the grocery store where it says 'MILK' in big letters

And that is how milk is made.  All of a sudden milk is not quite as appetizing anymore after step 4.

Happy Birthday to ME!

Today was my birthday!  Growing up birthdays were a big deal and one of the perks was no chores on your birthday.  I've never outgrown that mentality of birthday's being a very special day.

So today, I turned 35.  I don't feel 35 - at least not most days.  And very rarely do I feel that age mentally :)

Today was special, not because of anything big that happened but just because I was able to spend the day with people I care about and love.

First stop was to see my dear friend, Pearl for a new do.  She does an amazing job on my hair, the only bad thing is that I don't go see her as often as I should.  Not only is she my hairdresser, she is a dear friend.  I spent a lovely morning treating myself to a rare cut and color and visiting with her.  While there, my cousin April popped in and I was able to spend some time visiting with her as well.  I don't see her as often as I would like either!

Then I headed off to work where my boss and co-worker took me to lunch at Mongolian BBQ - one of my favorite restaurants.  After I tried to go back to work, but she would have none of that and shoo'd me out of the building.  So I decided to go see my friend Gina who was off work this week.   She just got a new apartment and I spent a few hours visiting with her and another friend while helping her unpack.  (I think I did more watching than actually helping, but we had fun visiting!)

I then spent some time at Starbucks sipping on a delicious peppermint white mocha and then went in search of a book for me to treat myself too.  I ended up at a little used book store in the small town I live.  I've been wanting to pop into this place for awhile now, but never found the opportunity.  This place was absolutely wonderful.  They served me pomegrante tea and gave me a tour.  I ended up with a new Ted Dekker book!

Then at home I found that Shaun and Tyler had gone to Icing on the Cupcake to get cupcakes for my birthday, including red velvet with cream cheese frosting.   Yummy!  And of course Shaun had to stuff 35 candles on the cupcakes!

Now I'm off to take a nice warm bubble bath and start reading my new book.  What a lovely day!

Christmas 2009

Jesse with his Pillow Pet

This Christmas was very nice.  It was just us and the kids.  We had spent time in the weeks and days leading up to Christmas cleaning out toys and making room for things we knew were waiting under the tree for the kids.  This is the first time we've done this and it is amazing how great it was.

Tyler showing off her Lego creation

Also, the kids did not get alot of junk this year.  I don't feel like we have "stuff" all over the house like I have in past years.  For the most part we had a lego Christmas and spent the morning building things with the Legos. Oh - and the motorcycle!

We expected Tyler our daughter to be the daredevil who would be out on the bike every chance she got.  And we expected our son, Austin to be the one to avoid it.  He doesn't even like to be in the garage when Shaun starts up his Harley.  But we have been surprised.  Tyler wants nothing to do with the bike at this time, but Austin can't get enough.  He has even had a couple mishaps already which he has just brushed off with a laugh and kept going.  So now we need to get some more gear with him to keep him safe (we have training wheels on the bike right now, a helmet and gloves).  And we need to take him out somewhere to really let him practice riding and getting the hang of it all.

I'm very happy about this.  Austin is our drama child and can be extremely whiny at times.  However, when he is on this bike that all flies out the door.  I think this is going to be an amazing opportunity for Shaun and Austin to bond as I have been wanting them to be able to spend more time together.

Jesse of course wants to ride the bike too but at this time we only allow him to be on it with Dad.  The little guy can't even touch the foot pegs very well yet!  I think he'll be counting the time until he gets to ride by himself.

Austin's favorite "toy"

I am amazed at all the blessings in our family.  And I'm looking forward to see what God has in store for us in the New Year.

Austin's On-stage Debut

Last week Austin had his on-stage debut.  He was a penguin, a very adorable one at that.  We've discussed for quite some time now how he will most likely end up on stage one day so this year we signed him up at the local theater to perform in their winter/Christmas performance. 

His part was not big - just one of many penguins that waddled up on stage towards the end of the 2nd act and sang a single song.  I must say though he was very adorable.  He practiced his penguin waddle for weeks.  And mom even made his costume!  For those who know me very well, I'm sure you can imagine the look of panic in my eyes when they announced that we had to make our children's costumes.  But made it I did and it turned out pretty good.  Thank you Lord for velcro and staples!

While we still think he'll be on stage one day, I think I'll wait another year before we sign him up at the theater again.  For the little ones they have them sit with you until their cue.  So they sat with us for the 1st act and most of the 2nd act for three performances over a 2 day period.  He was so cute onstage, but prior to that each performance I almost lost my patience (okay, I DID lose it!).  He just does not have the ability to sit still and quiet that long when he is excited about getting up on the stage.  And I refused to let him just run around and disrupt other parents and grandparents who were trying to watch their precious ones onstage.  Each performance we ended up in the lobby for a period of time.  Given, by the third performance he was getting better though.

The first performance though was my favorite.  After the kids sang their song they were to sit while the big kids did one more song before they all took their bows.  After the song was done Austin stood a tad bit longer than the other penguins so he could bestow a huge dimpled smile and big wave upon the audience.  All my frustration wrestling with him through the performance just melted away at that point.  There is a very good reason the Lord made this one so stinking cute and funny.

God's Little Blessings

Grant me the patience to deal with my blessings!

This is a quote I saw for the first time a few years ago and I can so relate to it.  I love my children dearly but at times I have had the urge to just run away to a cabin up in the woods with my Bible and journal for some peace and quiet.

My boys drive me crazy at times, but I know that if I was away from them for any period of time I would be missing them desparately.  They make me laugh and down below all that obnoxiousness they are sweet and loving boys.  I would miss Austin's sweet dimpled smile and the way he comes in at night just to give me a kiss and say he loves me (even if it is all a ploy to stay up a few minutes more!) and I would miss my "Jesse loving" - those sweet hugs and kisses that he so freely gives.  And all the cuddling with my sweet little boys - I know it won't last forever and I need to cherish it now.

Today at house church Austin decorated an index card with stickers and then handed it to me and asked if I could send it to God for him.  He said it was a birthday card for Jesus. 

Then on the way home he asked me why nothing was new.  He said that everything looked the way it had always looked and nothing was new.  I was not sure at first what he was talking about but I think he must have heard something about God making all things new.  His next words to me were:

"Mommy, I want things to be new cause I want to see Jesus face to face because I'm tired of not seeing him all the time!"

The dear little boy has such a big heart and has such good intentions.  So - Lord, please grant me the patience to deal with my sweet, beautiful, exhausting blessings!

Help! I'm talking and I can't shut up!

A couple weeks ago I saw a shirt with this caption and immediately thought of Austin.  When I told Shaun about the t-shirt he asked me why I did not buy it for him.  I think I'm going to have to have one made up.  Especially after today - the boy has talked non-stop and the thought actually crossed my mind at a few points to duct tape his mouth.  I know bad mom - but I did not act on it!  He seriously talks non-stop even in his sleep!

I think today he told me over a dozen times that he was going to be quiet and then barely took a breath before he was off talking about something else.

Tonight for dinner he was eating corn dogs, and it is NOT the first time he has eaten them.  Not by a long shot.

"Mommy, something is freaking me out about this hot dog and bread mixing thing!" 

This is after we had talked about having mac & cheese and hot dogs for dinner.  But we realized we did not have hot dogs - Austin's solution was to pull the bread off the corn dog and then cut up the hot dogs to go in the mac & cheese.  We settled with corn dogs though because he didn't want mac & cheese.  (He informed me of this after his solution to the missing hot dog problem).

After this he tried to convince me that the corn dog had given him a brain freeze.  But knowing him - I guess it could be possible.

For dessert he was allowed to have one piece of my homemade peppermint bark which he calls candy bark.  I should have seen this one coming -

"Daddy, why do they call it candy bark when it does not actually even have real bark in it?"  Good question, actually.

Wondering if I should hit the "publish" button yet - he is still awake after all - there may be more to write tonight.

Christmas Lights & Green Eyed Monsters

Tonight after picking up my youngest from daycare I choose to take a bit longer route through the neighboring blocks so the kids could enjoy some of the Christmas lights. Jesse gets so excited when he sees the lights "Christmas Lights! Christmas Lights!" he says over and over.


As we passed one house I noticed a brand new Camaro sitting in the driveway. I made a comment about the car and Austin asked me what a Camaro was. I told him it was the very nice car that was sitting in the driveway - one that mommy would really like to have. I told him it was a "sweet" car.

"Do you know who's going to come now Mommy?" Austin asked me.

"No, who?" I asked.

"The Green-Eyed Monster is going to come now. And you know what he is going to tell you? He is going to tell you that you can ride any car you want and that you can steal that one. But you can't listen to him Mommy! Ok?"

Wise advice from a 5 year old.

Advent Wreaths & Calendars

I must admit that December snuck up on me this year.  I've wanted to do something special in our home to bring Jesus to the forefront of this holiday and Satruday night I realized I was not prepared at all!

So today, in between work, homeschooling and doctor appointments I struggled to find the supplies I needed to create an Advent wreath and calendar for our family. 

This is our first year of doing an Advent wreath and we are obviously celebrating the first candle two days late, but all things considered I think it turned out pretty good and the kids participated quite well.  We could not find a pink candle so we found the lightest red we could get for the 3rd Sunday candle.  Tyler is really excited about doing the wreath this year.  The boys are as well, but their attention span is pretty short.  It was very nice to sit at our table to pray around it though and see all three kids with their heads bowed and hands clasped.

I was looking for three of those cheap cardboard advent calendars with the chocolate already in them - but no luck.  I did stumble across the below item though and found that each day has just enough room to stuff in three chocolate kisses!  Therefore, I now introduce you to the Smith Family Advent Calendar!

Being the youngest I let Jesse open the first door.  You should have seen his little face light up when he pulled out three chocolate kisses.  I asked him what he was going to do with them and his response was "Eat them!" 

"Jesse we are celebrating Christmas though, what should you do with THREE chocolate kisses on Christmas?  What do we do on Christmas?"  I asked hoping to prompt the reponse "we share."

Instead Jesse looked at me with a huge smile and said "Eat them!"  I then mentioned sharing them and he willingly handed one over to Tyler and one to Austin.

I'm hoping this is the beginning of two soon to be long standing Smith Christmas Traditions.