Tuesday: boxes

Monday: hobbies

One of the things I like about quilting is that it is semi-difficult for the kids to hurt my supplies.  Today we got a backing.  Isaac loved it because it was black.  It ended up in the basement...


We also had a bunch of circles in bowls for dinner in celebration of Pi day.

The bad part of the day was there seemed to be extra "Joshua's touching me!" and "Joshua hit me, but it doesn't hurt!" and "I want to play with you" [in a whiney voice] and "I'm hungry".  I finally yelled and them and told them to stay apart or deal with each other because I didn't want to deal with it.  I was apologizing to Isaac later and he said, "It didn't hurt my ears."  "Did it hurt your feelings?"  "Yeah, my headache is almost gone."  So...it doesn't seem as though it phased him.  Phew.  Except that I still don't know what to do about it.

Sunday: life group

We had our Bible Study today.  It was nice to get together.  It was nice to discuss the book we're reading, Overrated.  The book makes me think and it's interesting to see how it makes others think too.

Saturday: family activities

This afternoon we went to Life Sized Candyland at the library.  We went on the later side, so it wasn't busy and it went a lot faster that I was expecting.  But it was kind of like trick-or-treating, so that was fun.  Team Blue (Ben and Isaac) were ahead the whole game until Team Red (Mom and Joshua) took a last spin lead.  I'm not sure where Team Blue and Team Red came from today, but we did a lot of competing.  Mostly on who could get their buckles on or off fastest in the car.

Then after dinner tonight Ben and Joshua were playing on the couch as they always do.  Joshua started falling backwards at the slightest tap from Ben.

Friday: a story from Wednesday

Wednesday while we were outside I was trying to show Joshua that he couldn't go in the road but had to stay in the driveway unless he was holding my hand.  (This didn't go all that well.)

At one point he went a few steps up the driveway, got down on all fours, and started crawling backwards.  That's what he has to do for the stairs.

Roads and stairs.  Both dangerous.  But unfortunately they require different mitigation procedures.

Thursday: madlibs

Today I did some madlibs in class as a fun activity.  We used VLookUp( ), so it was educational too.

When I got to Isaac's school, I found out that he did a MadLibs too.  His was a lot more funny and he was pretty excited about it.

How fun is that?!?

Wednesday: an excellent day

Today just worked.  It was wonderful.

The plan had been to do some errands this morning.  However, we were pretty slow in getting ready.  Then, just a few minutes before leaving there was a squirrel by the bird feeder.  Isaac and Joshua went outside and chased it away.  But that began the great morning.

First Isaac declared that "it's a nice day for a party" and brought out all the kids' place setting stuff - spoons, plates, glasses.  I thought about telling him no, but then I realized that I don't really care.  What's the worst that happens...I have to put it through the dishwasher?

That didn't last as long as I was hoping, so I gave them each a cookie for their party.  While they were munching, I started my school work.

They proceeded to play inside and play outside, to play with balls, and to sort of play with each other for the rest of the morning.  I interacted with them and helped dry some tears, but mostly they entertained themselves.

We went for a short walk to visit some neighbors, had lunch outside, and naps.  Isaac wanted to play outside a bit more, so we did that.

Then off to the gym for racquetball.  I played much better than normal, and we had some awesome volleys.  I even won a game!

The rest of the night has been pretty normal, but I do like our routine.

Tuesday: voting

I voted today.

I haven't voted in primaries in the past.  Mostly because I don't want to identify myself with one part or the other.

I normally feel as though the candidates want the best for the country, even if I don't agree with them.  With the race I don't feel that way, so I wanted to cast my vote for a different party member.

As a bonus, everyone got "I voted" stickers.  The boys were so excited for them.

Monday: games

Last night didn't go so well.  Joshua was up so many times and wouldn't go back to sleep like normal.  I brought him into bed with me for a few hours, because that seemed to be the only way to calm him down, but after those hours he didn't get any better.

Isaac was on a game streak today.  We played several, including spirograph (which is in the game closet).  I did the one below, Isaac did the one above.

Then he saw the plus gear in the box.  "Oh, that one looks like a plus and this one looks like an equals."  And before I really knew what was going on he had the following drawing.  He did say, "Oops, I made the three sideways."  But the overall gist is that 1 +2 = 3.

Isaac and Joshua also did a lot of running today.  I sang this song about 20 times, at which point I recorded myself so I didn't have to sing it for the next 50.  (Audio only.)

Sunday: hair

I recently realized that my hair is just long enough to be put in a ponytail again...and I love it.

I also realized that I don't have the same problem with Joshua pulling my hair as I did with Isaac.  I think I've had to tell Joshua not to pull my hair once...ever.  Maybe because it was a different length when he was born?  Anyway, that has been a nice fight not to have.

50 months

Isaac turned 50 months old last week.  Wow.  A milestone that I completely missed.

I'm not sure a ton has changed since last month.  So we'll just do a recap of life at this point.

Likes: black, being a puppy, doing the remote control for the TV, asking how many nights until Disney world, taking pictures, playing in his room, playing with Mom or Dad, (really, any playing at all), imagining things, and treats.

Dislikes: naps, going to the gym, getting hugs from Joshua, soup, salad, tomatoes, and the flash of a camera.

Likes: helping me in the kitchen, playing computer games with Dad, getting the mail, bringing the garbage and recycling into the garage, running, running while being a drill, running while bonging into walls, and being a gate.

Dislikes: hard pants, getting water in his face, sharing with Joshua, cleaning his room, and eggs

Likes: medicine, grandma's house, typing on a keyboard, the alphabet, -nators, pools, books, the solar system, sewing, Circuits, playing games, going to people's houses (mainly to play with their toys), making Joshua laugh, cleaning toilets, and being silly.

Look!  Isaac and Joshua wore matching socks!

19 months, a bit late

A week ago Joshua turned 19 months!

Attitude: this last month has been a bit trying.  Joshua has discovered that he has a will and wants to exert it.  I feel like I've been ignoring him cry on a semi-regular basis because we disagree about how things should be handled (see Eating).  He's been a little clingy at drop-offs (daycare/nursery/gym), but quickly recovers.  He seems to be cautious in new situations, sitting in my lap for 15-30 minutes before deciding that it's ok to get out and explore.  He's still a lot of fun to be with, especially since he's started showing us what he wants to do...sometimes his will works for the benefit of all.

Eating: Ug.  I feel like we've lost more foods than gained lately.  He'll still eat the pouches from the store (fruit/veggies) and bread and eggs.  Bananas are iffy.  Apples get chewed but then pushed out of his mouth.  He has been throwing food on the floor and getting in trouble for it.  (Once I put his high chair in time out too because I didn't want to clean him up first.)  When's he's finished eating he wants everything off his tray....I remember Isaac doing that though too.  He's discovered that he can ask to nurse, so there's been a few rough days that we've sat down together a few extra times.

Family: Ben is his favorite.  I'm a good second favorite, especially if Ben isn't around.  He has started to try and hug Isaac a lot, which Isaac doesn't really appreciate.  He really likes Flurry too.

Communicating: Joshua hasn't added a ton of words the last month, although "hi" and "bye-bye" are very clear.  He does seem to understand a lot more though...the other day I started asking him were his mouth, nose, ears, eyes, and tongue were and he could point to all of them (for the first time I've seen).

Activities: he enjoys playing in the basement, reading, running, Ipad, and singing.  He wanted to go for a sled ride on Tuesday, but we weren't dressed for it at the time.  He does not enjoy bath time, and often is in and out within about three minutes.  He does not enjoy sharing and lets everyone know by emitting a high pitched scream.

Sleeping: still about the same; some nights he'll only wake up once, some nights two-three times.  We got a sound machine, but I'm not sure it helps.  He has wanted to sleep with his quilt and so I changed his pjs from fleece to lighter without feet and that may or may not have helped too.

Last note: Joshua was crying when I got the quilt out for pictures (I think I wouldn't give him more snack) but once he saw it on the floor he instantly perked up and laid down (top picture).  He seems to love the flash.

Wednesday: how the day flew by

The day flew by today.  I kind of wish it had been slower as there were several things I wanted to do that I didn't get done.  Oh well.  Some days go like that.

In the morning we went to the pool.  Isaac had a great time.  Joshua took about 20 minutes to warm up to the idea and then I think he had a good time too.

We came home, had lunch, made some -nators (thanks to Phineas and Ferb), and had rest time.  I had been meaning to get work done, but by the time rest time came around I decided it would be a better use of my time to take a nap.  Besides, there was so much that I was supposed to do that it wouldn't all get done whether I took a nap or not.

Everyone slept very well, and so Joshua and I took longer naps than normal.  So long that my dinner plans suddenly didn't work as I didn't have time to prep it before going to the gym.  After thinking about it and realizing I should have also gone to the grocery store, we ended up with pigs in the blanket.

We went to the gym.  I did the spin class.  I liked it more than last time, but still not all that much.  The seats were rather uncomfortable.  I also felt like I worked too hard at the very beginning so by the end I wasn't working as hard as I should have been.

Home - dinner - put the boys to bed - did the work I should have done during nap time - quilted - bed.

Tuesday: snow

We received quite a bit of snow today.  (Luckily, day care didn't close today.)  It seemed as though the plows couldn't keep up at all today...it didn't seem like there was that much snow, but I guess I was mistaken.

I had to brush off the car for the first time this season.  I've been rather lucky so far, but couldn't not do it today.

Monday: made it

Joshua had a rough day today.  I'm not really sure what was going on, but it seemed as though anything that I did was wrong.

However, there was one time where he wouldn't stop giving Isaac hugs and kisses.  Isaac wasn't so excited, especially about the "baby spit", but was a good sport.

They even wrestled a little bit and there was only laughter.

Weekend pictures

Playing with the monitor.

Discovering fun things.

Jumping.  Isaac had a great time at a trampoline place.

More jumping.

Joshua running.  He never seemed to quite trust the trampoline, even after the 30 minutes he spent just watching.  So he walked the blue part and then did a quick circle on the trampoline, only to hurry back to the safety of the blue part.

With Jameson, the real reason we went down for a visit.

Joshua going down a slide at a cafe/play place.

Being an alien.  Joshua really missed Ben while we were gone and wanted to be with him any time he saw Ben.

Thursday: snow day

So...the big storm didn't hit us.  We got maybe for inched if snow.  But I thought I'd double check the school closings this morning, only to find out that daycare was closed.  Really??  I had been planning on getting a lot fine today.  (Turns out that the south side of town got about 10", but I'm still not convinced it should have been closed.)

However, the boys were really good.  I still didn't get as much done as I was hoping, but did make progress.

It helped that Joshua played with the monitor for close to two hours.  Then Isaac played with it for about a half hour.  They both played with sand.

Isaac packed his suitcase because the boys, aunt c, and I were going to see Nathan and family...it had about seven cups (some for Joshua), a game, a hand full of Duplos, My Friend (a toy), and some rings.  (Clothes went in a different suitcase.)

Wednesday: kids

Hmm.  I feel like my blog posts are pretty much all about the kids lately.  To be fair, I am with them a lot.  I'm just going to go with it, I guess.


Joshua ran into a wall corner today.  I was a bit surprised that there was no blood when I picked him up.  I was especially surprised five minutes later when I got a good look at the thing...it looks like it should have bled but must have just missed puncturing the skin.  I do find it rather funny that the bruise is a line.  We know exactly where he hit the wall.

Isaac is getting better in the kitchen.  Yesterday was his first time pouring by himself.  (There wasn't a lot of extra in the bottle so I knew that even if he spilled it wouldn't be a disaster.)  Today he did a pretty good job of scooping some spices from their jars.  For some reason he doesn't completely seem to understand that you need to fill up the spoon with the spice before it's enough, but we're working on it.

Monday: no head injuries here!

The day started out...poorly.  I missed a text to cancel a get together so we were already out with our winter stuff on but hadn't really done anything.  So I thought we should deliver the association dues and that Isaac could ride his bike.  It was a good idea.  I calmed down.  Isaac did an awesome job pedaling.  He needed some help on our street but once we got to a smoother street he was able to do several rotations in a row.

Joshua saw Isaac put his helmet on and wanted his helmet too.  So Joshua walked with his helmet.

Then Joshua ate his morning snack on with his helmet.  (The video isn't really that interesting.  Joshua had been stirring something in the bowl but then stopped.  He did get his eating area all ready though!)


Joshua was required to take off his helmet for nap time and grocery time, but once we got home he wanted it right back on again.

For playing Ipad (with his quilt!)

and for playing with sand.

Ben was then able to take it off right before dinner.  Of course, the TV didn't turn on quite correctly and so instead of asking for help right away Isaac turned up the volume from 50 to 99.  After Ben got the sound going it blared right at Joshua, scaring him to pieces.  It would have been a good time to have his helmet on.

Sunday: reasons to be sad

Isaac was sad tonight because all the snow melted.  Ben was playing the piano, and Isaac asked him to play a sad song (i.e., the low notes) because he was so sad.

Joshua was sad because he wouldn't take a nap.  I thought he'd take a great one; he slept rather poorly and was up early.  But no.  Instead he took a five minute nap in nursery and called it good.  He held it together better than I was expecting, but it still wasn't as good as normal.

And a reason to be happy?  Our house is clean.  I don't feel stressed out (too much) when it's a mess but it sure is calming to have it clean.

Saturday: counting backwards

It often goes like this:

Isaac: How many days until Busy World?
Amanda gives some number that is probably higher than the real one.
Isaac: Can you could from that number to 1?
Amanda: 80, 79, 78...

Today Ben was in the car too and suddenly said, "You missed 44!"
I told him counting backwards from such a large number is hard.  My cadence is all messed up...I usually emphasize the multiple of ten number and take a breath after it.  But if I take a breath between, say 31 and 30 it feels weird.   But if I take a breath between 30 and 29 I don't emphasize the multiple of ten.

I told him to try it.  He did it with no problem at all.

So what about you?  Easy or hard?

Friday: an often seen sight

1) The laundry baskets are still there.  (The pot holder migrated into Joshua's room.)

2) Isaac is running around the couch.  He probably does about 20 laps on an average day.

3) Joshua is eating.  He loves his snacks.

In other news, it was a super warm day.  The day started with quite a bit of snow and ended with almost none.  Our decision to not shovel the end of the driveway was the correct one; the bump is almost gone!

Thursday: success

I, somehow, successfully managed to finish all my necessary work while at work today.  I even did a few of the items that were "I really should do these if I ever have time."

It was rather awesome.

Wednesday: a rarely seen sight

Two empty laundry baskets!  I left them there so we could enjoy their emptiness, but there is plenty of dirty laundry ready to go back in.

Also note the pot holder on the floor.  Note that I should have picked it up, but didn't.  It moved around the house today, at one time a slipper.

Tuesday: winter break

Today was winter break.  I got more work done than I was expecting; apparently I've been somewhat keeping up so that helped too.


Joshua setting the table runner.

Isaac taking a quick running break.  He was so, so weepy this morning.  Probably the weepiest I've ever seen him.  Everything I did was wrong, especially cutting his donut as he wanted a circle one.  We had so many tears in the hour before school.  However, he seemed to be his normal self after school.

Monday: unexpected

Today did not go as expected.  I think I expected to get groceries.  Instead I dealt with the flat tire and sickness.

The flat tire:
Cons: the tire was flat, and so the kids and I spent a little over an hour waiting for it to be fixed.
Pros: It was flat in the garage, I have now changed out a tire all by myself, I've figured out how to get the jack out of the trunk (Ben actually figured it out.), the waiting room had a nice play area, they were able to patch the tire, and there was no where else I needed to be today.

Isaac got a virus or something which made it very painful to walk on his right leg.
Cons: Isaac didn't walk for most of the day and there were several bathroom accidents.
Pros: Isaac was a trooper...although I think the extra TV and Ipad time probably helped, I talked to a nurse without having to wait long on the phone and she suggested not coming in, he was doing much better around dinner time, and I didn't have to work today.

I'm pretty sure I was a funny sight at the fix-it shop though; carrying the eldest child and making the younger one walk.

Sunday: foiled

I was getting everyone out the door for church - and, admittedly, running late - when I saw it.  A flat tire.  Bother.  I had been trying, trying, trying, to get everything together and now this.  I could have changed the car seats to the other car, but I was running late.  Really, but the time that was done and we got there it would have been rather late.  However, as I reminded myself while calming down from dashing everywhere, at least it is only an annoyance, not a catastrophe.

So we were going to watch a sermon from a previous week on the computer.  After about five minutes the video wouldn't go any farther.  Foiled again.

The good news is that I wasn't told "Joshua touched me" so many times. today.  I finally told Isaac that Joshua touched him because he was trying to play with him and so Isaac should give him a hug.  Now, if told "Joshua touched me" I just say, "what should you do?"  I figure if Joshua doesn't want the hugs he'll quickly learn to not touch Isaac.

Saturday: silly kids

Isaac: hey Dad, can you be a silly statue?  It's a statue that moves.
Ben: uh, sure.  Where did you learn about silly statues?
Isaac: my tummy

Joshua bonks his head on the hard part of the couch.
Ben rubs it.
Joshua bonks his head on the soft part of the couch.
Joshua puts Ben's hand on his head to rub it.
Joshua bonks his head on a blanket.
Joshua puts Ben's hand on his head to rub it...

Friday: touching

I've heard a lot of "Mom, make Joshua stop touching me" lately.  Most of the time it is Joshua trying to get Isaac to play with him in a toddler way, which Isaac just sees as annoying.

But then, maybe once or twice a day, they get along.  Once today they ran around the couch, chasing each other.  Once was at story time, when Joshua bumped into Isaac's knee and Isaac just put his hand around Joshua.  (However, it only lasted a minute and then Joshua didn't want to be confined by his brother's hand and Isaac didn't want to be touched anymore anyway.)

I pray quite hard that this relationship is one that flourishes.  I'd like it to be strong, and think it is more important than having a good relationship with Ben and me.  But it will take some time. :)

Thursday: up early!

We put the kids to bed early yesterday.  The main reason is that Joshua seems to drag a bit at school and Thursdays are the extra early day.  Not a lot early, just a half hour or so.

But as I was getting up extra extra early to deal with the snow, Joshua decided to wake up too.  Normally I'd just take him into bed with me, but as I had all my winter stuff on I left Ben to take care of it.  When I got back Joshua wasn't quite asleep yet, and wanted to come to me.  However, it was a bit easier to wake up Isaac.

Needless to say, when we got home I turned on the TV for the kids and took several short naps on the couch.  Isaac cuddled with me the whole time.  (Side note: I've been taking many fewer naps lately.  Two weeks ago I think I only had 1.5 the whole week!  But then with all the sickness stuff last week they've been a bit more frequent this week.)

Wednesday: snow

Two days ago I was lamenting the lack of snow.  We now have some. :)

We actually received a surprising amount last night...about 4-6".  Not a ton, but enough that side roads could be difficult.  Isaac and I had a dentist appointment at 9am.  I rushed around trying to get everything ready so that we could leave a bit earlier than planned, as the roads would probably be slow.

I got on the east-west road that brings us to the office and was glad we had hurried.  It is a two lane road, but only the left side was clear.  We continue on.  We cross the highway.  We get to the next big intersection with similar conditions.  The following big intersection starts to show a decrease in snow.  By the following major intersection, the sun was starting to peak out and you could almost see the top of the grass in places.  So in two miles the conditions changed completely.  It was so odd.

We continued to get a little snow throughout the day and I don't think the snowplows came by yet.  We're supposed to get more overnight.  I'll admit, snow blowing the driveway on a day I already need to get up early is not really all that fun.  Even though I do love the snow.

Tuesday: it starts with...

Lately Isaac has been doing a great job of sounding out the first letter of words; I think I've mentioned that.  Sometimes it surprises me because they just reached P at school, but it seems as though he can do the whole alphabet.  The conversation usually goes like this...

Someone (me, Isaac, Ben): What does bear start with?
Isaac: bu-bu-bu B!

But then yesterday I asked him what frog started with and he said F.  Instantly.  No thinking, no sounding it out...he just knew it.  It happened a few minutes later with another word too, but I forgot what it was.

In other news, there haven't been pomegranates at the store in a long while.  I had been hoping to bring them to school for P week.

In other other news, I want to declare that I hate trying to find new items in the health and beauty aisles at Meijer.  I can never do it.  It tends to either take about ten minutes or three trips before I finally find them.  It always boggles my mind because the aisles are well labeled.  (Yesterday was saline.  I left without it.  But I finally saw nail polish remover...after about six months and getting it at the dollar store.)

Monday: patent

Congrats to Ben for his patent on "System and method for periodic lane marker identification and tracking".

Sunday: at home

We all stayed home today.  It seemed the smart thing to do after yesterday, when no one was feeling very good.  No one seems worse...Ben' wrist still hurts but isn't getting worse.  Isaac seems to be recovered.  Joshua has a runny nose and wanted his nebulizer medicine today, but it didn't really seem as though he needed it.  (I hid it away so that he won't remember it tomorrow.)  I took a wonderful nap this morning and started the pre-fever symptoms around 4pm, so Ben just told me to take some medicine.  Now I feel fine.  Yay medicine.

I just watched the last episode of Gilmore Girls.  I started watching it when I didn't have any audiobooks to listen to and got hooked.  The last episode was so sad...my boys are going to leave me too.  And if they're anything like me, they'll look back but not for very long.  (Sorry Dad.  I love you!)  Parenting does give one a different perspective, but I also will remember that they just won't have my perspective; they will just be excited about the next thing they'll be doing.  And that is how it should be.

Saturday: 4 for 4

Wednesday: Ben sprained his wrist and ended up at urgent care.

Thursday: Joshua came down with pneumonia.

Friday: Isaac didn't feel well after his shots.

Saturday: Amanda got a fever, Isaac still wasn't his normal self.

Sigh.  Hopefully we'll either be done tomorrow or we'll end up at the vet's because Flurry doesn't want to miss out on the family action.