Double Mortgage

We are the proud owner of a double mortgage today. Luckily, this will only be for 2 weeks. God has blessed us.

A new house is like a brand new, tiny baby. You have many hopes and dreams for her and she has many wants to be fulfilled to make her feel like your own. She's naked waiting to be clothed, painted and decorated. Over the years you get to grown in your relationship with her and nuture her. You learn the quirks and foilbles together, unlike an older house which you have adopted--it is set in its ways and you discover those quirks immediately. I grieve the adoption of our Sugar Land house, but I know he will be in good hands. Hopefully, we can even visit him again when the boys are older.

I even have the same questions as a new parent would bringing their child home from the hospital... What does the Lord have in store for her life? Besides our family, who will she shelter? Who will she give comfort to? How will she show God's grace? I have no doubt that God has a plan for her and our family and I look forward to that new chapter in our lives come May 22.

P.S.--You might have noticed the "she" reference....well, if I can't have a daughter to dress, I'll just have to "dress up" my house instead.

Kendrick

This blog is brought to you by Kendrick. It's been awhile, a long while, since I have written and much less about this little firecracker. So, it's high time that I filled you in on my wee one.

His latest trick is jumping off curbs. First off he loves them, especially if they are painted red. He gravitates to them just like a camel to water in a desert. He uses them as balance beams and then squats all the way to the ground, waits for me to count (doesn't really matter, what numbers or how long) and then tries to jump. Sometimes, both feet happen at the same time, but others it's still one at a time.

He finds great amusement in sneezing. He has taken to just saying, "ah, ah, ah, choo!" whenever and employs the head motions to coordinate.

The lights in the parking lots at night--he believes those are cameras. He looks up and with the biggest, squintiest face and eyes and says, "CHEESE!"

He adores his brother. He wants to do everything just like him, even if that means sitting in time out next to brother. He calls Cavett "Khaki." He just can't get the V going.

At our SongPlay class he has learned the art of waiting. We play a "peek-a-boo" game that he will have his eyes covered for lengths at a time--upwards to a minute. He will even do it to himself. That is an eternity to a child! He loves the anticipation of the event.

He is quite a hurricane and is very determined and stubborn (I guess that comes from me), but the sweetest loving hugs and kisses come from him to.

The Komodo Dragon

We went to the zoo this morning as promised. This is probably our last trip there for quite some time. It was a gorgeous day, so I knew that it would be fairly busy--thus the matching red shirts and khaki shorts. Mom even got in on the act. It's also that time of year that schools take their field trips. Little did I know, it was our neighborhood elementary school's field trip day at the school and we ran into so many friends!

Kendrick enjoyed the playground most of all and finally pulled the stunt that had so many Moms gasping in shock and horror when Cavett did it before the age of 2. He made it down the fire pole reaching over the gap without fear or trepidation. Cavett's love is the Children's Zoo. From the time we stepped into the park, that is where he wanted to go.

However, the most interesting part of the trip for me and Cavett too, I think, was visiting the Komodo Dragon. We nearly forgot about him, but remembered on our way out of the park. Cavett must have sat there watching him for at least 10-15 minutes. Many groups came and went all the while Cavett sat there. (Which takes me to the observation of how quick people really look and observe things--mere seconds. And, it's not just the kids! The adults scoot the kids along just as quick sometimes. Ok, back on task.) Don't get me wrong, Cavett was not still, nor was he silent. He knew this animal and wanted everyone else to know what it was as well. Kids and adults alike called him an alligator, a lizard, a crocodile, an iguana. Cavett corrected each and every mis-spoken word. He also tried to encourage the Dragon to stick out it's forked tongue and show everyone. Luckily, he obliged.

I Just Can't.....

It seems that I have fallen off the "Blogging Band Wagon." I'm trying to accomplish so much with this move right now, that I am just not finding enough time to sit down at the computer. So, regrettably, I am putting "Literacy Thursdays" on hold. Don't worry, they will return mid-summer when you are dying to find something new to read and do.

With that being said, I will do my best to find a few minutes to keep you updated on family goings on and the move. So,...

Our point of interest today was a turtle. He appeared this morning on the road near our mailbox. As soon as I pointed him out to Cavett, he was out the door of the car touching the animal! Luckily, no fingers were bitten, but it was still pretty cool. Later on in the day, while I was peeling shrimp for dinner, we engaged in a discussion on shells which led to bones--comparing and contrasting. Good conversation. I guess "Sid the Science Kid" has really made an inpact on him with his "investigating" and inquisitveness.

Tomorrow--the zoo.

Literacy Thursday: Little Pigs

**Welcome to Literacy Thursdays. This post is designed to highlight some of our favorite books in hopes that you will blog about yours. We are always looking for new books to discover. Literacy is so important and even at the youngest of ages is crucial to development. If you don't have children of your own volunteer at a school, read to a neighborhood child, but get involved. It's a great way to share quality time with the youngest of our society.

Here's the play by play: You blog about your book. Give me a shout out in your blog by creating a link to my blog and using my Literacy button. Then at the bottom of my post, you will find Mr. Linky. Sign your name and add the web address of your post. Your post will automatically be linked to mine leaving a list for all to peruse. I hope you will join us.**

Today I thought I'd highlight a fairy tale we all know and love--"The Three Little Pigs". It has been told several different ways and want to share a few with you.

My personal favorite is "The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs! by A. Wolf," as told by Jon Scieszka. This is a great story to teach point of view as the whole story is told by the wolf, stating that the real story was all about a cup of sugar and a sneeze. Poor wolf.

"Wait! No Paint!" by Bruce Whatley is Cavett's favorite of the day. This one plays with the illustrator thoughout the story and the pigs get just a little bit frustrated with him when he runs out of paint. Strangly enough, we hadn't read the book in about 3 months (we checked it out from the library) and Cavett remembered the exact title and who the "Voice" was in the story and what that "voice's" job was in the book. Sponge, he is.

Another good one that Nana introduced to Cavett this past summer was "Pig, Pigger, and Piggest," by Rick Walton. I'm sure you can figure out what that one teaches. This one is reinvented and lacks straw, wood, or brick, boiled wolves and adds some witches. Go figure?

Do you have a favorite version of the Pig Story?

Highlights of Easter in Shreveport

We had a great time in Shreveport this past weekened celebrating many a joyous occasion--the Ressurection and William and KK's birthdays.

May favorite part was Friday morning. I loved watching all 5 cousins play in the backyard. Mostly, nicely. Really.

Kendrick couldn't get enough of the lawnmower.


That afternoon we headed to Plain Dealing for the birthday celebration. There were a few rounds of golf played as well as golf carts ridden, eggs hunted, 4 wheelers driven and pogo swings swung.

Happy Birthday William!

Saturday morning we headed out to Gran and Grampaws to hunt eggs in their backyard. Everyone was interested, except Zeke.

Stephen and I did the Easter Sunrise service at Centenary, but we were rained out and did it in the chapel instead. It was a rainy day, but it didn't matter. I was with my family and my sweet boys.

Kendrick--after his first chocolate bunny.
For the complete set of pictures, see my facebook page.

Literacy Thursday: Max's Words

**Welcome to Literacy Thursdays. This post is designed to highlight some of our favorite books in hopes that you will blog about yours. We are always looking for new books to discover. Literacy is so important and even at the youngest of ages is crucial to development. If you don't have children of your own volunteer at a school, read to a neighborhood child, but get involved. It's a great way to share quality time with the youngest of our society.

Here's the play by play: You blog about your book. Give me a shout out in your blog by creating a link to my blog and using my Literacy button. Then at the bottom of my post, you will find Mr. Linky. Sign your name and add the web address of your post. Your post will automatically be linked to mine leaving a list for all to peruse. I hope you will join us.**

This week, I am delighted to introduce "Max's Words" by Kate Banks and Boris Kulikov. This book is such fun. It is a great pairing of storytelling and pictures. Max has two brothers and they both have collections of things that they won't share with Max. So, Max decides to start his own collection of words by cutting them out of magazines and newspapers. He even uses the dictionary and writes words on slips of paper. As you see the words "cut out" they are in the shape of depict the word itself.


Max then realizes that when he put his words in different orders they had different meanings. For example: "A blue crocodile ate the green iguana. The blue iguana ate a green crocodile." He then began arranging the words to make a story. The brothers became very interested and wanted words to make stories of their own. Max shared and as a result, they shared their own collections.

We also made a collection of Cavett's words this past week. He cut pictures out of magazines glued them to an index card and we wrote the word on it. Then we rearranged the cards in different orders to make up our own stories. Great activity!

Palm Sunday and the "Hunt"

I was really looking forward to Palm Sunday this year. It had more meaning. I recently read my friend, Carol's blog about the palms. It seems she cuts them from her own yard for the choir and clergy---every year! I had never realized her act of generosity and love. And, these are not your ordinary Palm Sunday branches. The one I had was at least 3 1/2 feet long. What fun to wave something that big for Jesus!

The service this year also took a turn. Typically, the music this Sunday is full of Hosannas and "happy parade"hymns. But our service was shaped to reflect what happened in the crowd over the course of the week and to prepare for Holy Week. After the sermon, the music turned toward a more somber attitude. Very effective.

Afterward, we raced to get the boys and stopped by the car to pick up the baskets, just in time for the 2 minutes "hunt" on the field. Cavett enjoyed it, but Kendrick was more interested in kicking the eggs watching them roll or justs pulling them apart and then throwing them down. We have also made a decision on the Easter Bunny. He doesn't exist and we have told Cavett so, but he doesn't want to believe us. I just can't get into the Easter Bunny. I mean, at least with Santa Claus there is historical significance and he did help and give to the poor, needy children. But, the Easter Bunny is really just silly--Eggs? I just don't get it. Anyway, it's amazing how indoctrinated they can become at such a young age. We'll still give them small treats in their baskets, but it will be from Mom and Dad. We'll still hunt and hide eggs. I just want to focus more on the real reason for Easter.

"Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest heaven!" Luke 20:38

Mountain Climber

It seems I have discovered what Kendrick will be when he grows up--a mountain climber. The boy is just not afraid of heights. Yesterday, we didn't leave the house. Cavett had fever, but that was it. So, we hung around in our pj's and did nothing. During the course of the day, Kendrick was up on top of the island no less that 3 times. He also has a new fascination with taking the bar stools to the light switches to turn them on and off. (There is a series of 5 switches in the living room.)

But the best was after Kendrick's nap. Cavett decided to get in the crib with Kendrick and play. In the course of play, I caught Kendrick climbing out of his crib. He has been doing this for about 3 weeks now. I have found him in various places, like the guest room closet with his diaper pulled off. Either it is time for a tent or just go ahead and get a big boy bed.

(I have video of it too. I'll try and get that posted as well.)

Literacy Thursday: Odd Numbers

**Welcome to Literacy Thursdays. This post is designed to highlight some of our favorite books in hopes that you will blog about yours. We are always looking for new books to discover. Literacy is so important and even at the youngest of ages is crucial to development. If you don't have children of your own volunteer at a school, read to a neighborhood child, but get involved. It's a great way to share quality time with the youngest of our society.

Here's the play by play: You blog about your book. Give me a shout out in your blog by creating a link to my blog and using my Literacy button. Then at the bottom of my post, you will find Mr. Linky. Sign your name and add the web address of your post. Your post will automatically be linked to mine leaving a list for all to peruse. I hope you will join us.**

This evening I introduced Cavett to the odd numbers through the use of "One Odd Day," by Doris Fisher and Dani Sneed. It's a story of one kid's literal "odd" day. Through the use of rhyme the boy discovers only odd numbers on his clock, that his dog now has 5 legs, and he has 7 bananas for lunch among other things. By the end of the story, he hopes that when he goes to bed all will be back to normal tomorrow, but alas, it is an even day! You can guess where that goes.

I'm not sure Cavett quite grasped it yet, but we shall read it again and there is a "For Creative Minds" page at the back which gives other activities to expound on the concept. I can't wait to dive into them this afternoon.

F.Y.I.--There is also a version with an "even" day and a "half" day.

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