I've got PERSONALITY!!!!!

Can you just see their personalities??!!! Haha! I love it!

Oh, and I do remember that I have a third son in case you are wondering. One of which you haven't seen many pictures of lately. That soon will change! He has been under the weather with super teething troubles and a cold to top it. Green snot and a raw nose just doesn't make for a nice picture. He will return to object of my photographs soon enough!

My Girls

It's just me, and them. We are the girls in this family of much testosterone. We've had them for about a month now...maybe. Not really sure, but they were cute when we got them. Now, well they are just ugly. Soon to be pretty again I hope. Looking forward to lots of fresh eggs, and nervous about chicken snakes. Christian and Ben love them, sometime a little too much love. We have to keep reminding them not to squeeze, be gentle, and don't kiss. They came with a fl yer with several health warnings. Don't put the chicks near your face or mouth. Wash hands immediately, and do not let children handle. Right, so I have to tell my children not to touch or breath the air that the birds breath...I think not! We let them hold, but they do have to wash their hands shortly after. Jack doesn't get to hold them, mostly because he would kill them. The baby loves to squeeze, pinch, and throw! Bye bye birdie! As of right now, we have 13. We eat a lot of eggs, but I still feel like there will be a surplus to share!

Chores

(The raw steel was a bad choice - lots of fingerprints. Also, should have chosen a different color scheme; I forgot that the wall was the color of a terracotta pot!)

I just start cracking up looking at these pictures, and reflecting on my last two weeks of implementing them. Many things to be learned from a chore chart, on both sides. It has been fun...for the first week. My boys were super energized and over enthusiastic about having a cool chart with their name on them. Christian especially loved the organized fashion of the design and being in charge of certain tasks along with the sense of accomplishment. It's heavenly for him. He is a real work horse and still wakes to check his chart and set his goals for the day. He also will take it upon himself to oversee the chores that Ben has not yet completed, and that doesn't go over very well.

Just yesterday Ben asked with a dramatic shrug, slumped shoulders, big frown and a definite whine in his tone "Maauuummmm, why did you make this chore chart? Why Mom, why?" On the inside I was laughing. These are my two oldest boys, night and day in everything they do. Ben is not one for responsibility. He is carefree and messy. He goes about his day leaving a trail of crumbs, toys, clothes, liquids, garbage... He changes clothes about 3x a day (leaves all of it on the floor) and usually wears whatever is the most contrary to the current climate. Shoes ALWAYS get put on the wrong feet as if it were intentional. So, as you can see, the chart is torture for him because it represents everything he is opposed to. It goes against his very nature, but it is good. It is good for him to learn how to serve others, be responsible, organized, and follow direction.

There are also a few chores that are considered "Extras." If they have finished their normal task and would like to earn some money they are able to take on an "Extra" in which case they are paid 1 penny. Yes, I know that isn't a lot, but they are only 4 and 5 years old. A penny is a treasure to them and it is meant more for motivating them, and helping them keep track of/count money. Once they accomplish this, I'll give them a raise! :)

Fairy Tale Ball

Some friends came down to visit and we took the little ones to the Fairy Tale Ball. Fun event, and the boys wanted their pictures taken with EVERYONE! We met up with some other friends toward the end of our stay, but no pictures there. By that time, I was tired of taking pictures, juggling baby, diaper bag, camera strap, and being pulled into many directions. A little overwhelmed I think! It was fun, but I may re-strategize for next years event.

Children were encouraged to come as their favorite fairytale character, or in our case whatever hodgepodge costumes we could scrounge up. Christian was a pirate, Ben a knight in shinning armor, and Jack was Curious George (not sure if that counts but I was desperate). Hannah (friends daughter) was a fairy. The boys had such a good time, they REALLY didn't want to leave. They especially loved dancing. Probably because we don't do that a lot at home. I have two left feet and can barely clap to a rhythm, so Daddy will definitely have to take over in this area of their lives and encourage more dancing. If you notice the picture of them with Puss n Boots, we had to track that kitty down and ask him for a sword fight, and then a picture They were excited to meet a cat with a sword. Shame on me for not giving them a more well rounded education in the area of Fairy Tales. They didn't understand who most of the characters were but still found them interesting enough for a photo.

T-Ball Time

As I type this I am smiling because Ben is constantly smiling when hitting/running. This is his favorite part of t-ball. He least favorite part is being in the outfield. Especially right field. Poor little guy just doesn't pay attention enough yet. He is young. Christian played right field his first year too.

Christian has gotten a lot more serious about t-ball. He hits hard, runs hard, and fields hard. His batting has become very impressive and only plays in the dirt every once in a while. :)

Opening Day!

Our team: The Braves

Christian: 2nd base Ben: Right Field

Bad Dog

So, ya know how I was kinda braggish about Lucy, the wonderful stray dog who must have been sent from God because she is truly the best dog we have ever had. I would like to take this opportunity to retract any and every nice thing I have ever said about her. She is a bad dog, sent from Satan himself to ruin my life and make me want to harm her in the kind of way that would make for a great reality TV show "God Fearing Women Gone Wild." Seriously, I loved these shoes, and the other pair she ate as well. Mark my words; this dog, this dog named Lucy, will be conquered....I think. Ha! Stinkin' dog really shows me how I can be so easily ruled by anger....maybe she is sent from God to reveal my sin! Ahhh! Stinkin' dog!

Talent Show

A video will be coming soon, but for now here are some pictures.

Christian and Ben participated in a Talent Show Fund Raiser at their co-op school. Aaron and I came up with an illusionist act. A simple trick followed by a disappearing act. It was so much fun to teach the boys about stage presence and work with them on their lines. I was impressed with them and their boldness to get on stage and perform. They were smooth little fellas! I was a little apprehensive. I felt like they were too young to do this themselves, but they amazed me! A friend of ours recorded the whole thing and I have GOT TO GET a copy and put it on here for everyone to see!

A little side note: I made their costumes, no pattern, no direction....it took forever! There were tired of Mommy asking them to try it on, and tired of getting stuck with pins!!! Haha! Next time, Beth, you are going to come down and assist. What I really mean is I will assist you!