New Games

For Christmas, the Jorgensens (our good friends in WA) gave the kids these two card games: Animal Rummy and Go Fish from L.L. Bean. I think we play them every day! It was a great idea. The kids also enjoy stashing them in their "Sunday backpacks" in order that they might take them over to people's homes on Sunday and play during the long afternoon.

The cards are very sturdy and are bright and colorful. The kids don't have the knack for holding the cards in their hands yet, so they spread them on the floor. It hasn't occurred to them yet that they can see what the other has. Shaylen often tries to peek at Taigen's or mine though.

She must take after her father...

Quiet Time

About a month ago, I began noticing that neither Marshall nor Shaylen were really napping up in their rooms. They were very quiet and stayed very still in their beds, but I would hear them sigh or whisper to their stuffed animals. I finally decided that the time had come...the time to drop the naps. Gasp! and Gulp!

I treasured that two hour time span where I got so much done. When we first moved to Maine, I remember our pastor's wife, Judy, telling me that her kids had a quiet time each day when they were small. It was a great idea and I wanted to see if I could incorporate it into our schedule here at home as well. I'm glad I did. The kids love it and ask for "Quiet Time" each day.

They go to their rooms and are able to pick and choose coloring books, toys or books from their "quiet time basket" (or whatever quiet toy is already in their room) and entertain themselves quietly & independently. Their favorite thing though, is to lay on the floor and listen to one of their Classical Kids' CD's. They started off with 45 minutes of quiet time and lately have been asking for two CD's which makes it just over an hour and a half. They are so good and play so quietly. It is just enough time for me to get some quiet time myself and gear up for the rest of the day.

Is There Such A Thing as a Perfect Family Pet?

Yes, and we've got it!
1. Doesn't bark.
2. Doesn't need to be walked.
3. Doesn't scratch up the furniture.
4. Doesn't shed.
5. Doesn't need to be taken outside at odd times of the day.
6. Doesn't cause your friends to stay away from your home due to allergies.
7. Doesn't have accidents on your carpet.
8. Doesn't cost an arm & a leg in veterinary bills and dog food.
9. Doesn't lick.
10. Doesn't require us to go and clean up "presents" in the backyard. Eeww.

Introducing: Tramp, the perfect family pet. We got him as a hand-me-down from the Geaumonts last year and he continues to be a favorite with our kids. He is a maintenance-free dog. Marshall gets to sleep with his dog every night and carry him around all day. (Tramp is a bit odd though. Occasionally he will break out into song. His repertoire includes songs like, "Once In Royal David's City", "O Come All Ye Faithful" and "Angels We Have Heard On High". Next thing you know, Tramp will be wanting to fly Harrier Jump Jets too!)

The Infatuation Continues

Leap Frog makes these fantastic letters that go on your fridge. They come with a little machine that tells the kids the sound the letter makes. It is awesome. Marshall however used the letters to make a picture. Can you tell what shape he made them into? Surprised?

Great Expectations

When you're four, you look forward to special things. Of course, these things would hardly ever thrill an adult but for a four year old, it provides great delight.

Marshall and Shaylen look forward to crossing the border into New Hampshire every time we go down to church. They never fail to start counting the moment they see the Piscataqua bridge. When we reach the center of the bridge, there is a great cry from the back of our van, "We're in New Hampshire!" You would think this would get old for them the number of times we've made the trip, but they do it every time and with just as much joy.

An even greater expectation though, is for Friday. On Fridays we have what's called: "Fluffernutters". Shaylen asks me every day what day it is and when she asks on Friday morning and I tell her "It's Friday," she says, "We get fluffernutters today!!!" or "It's fluffernutter Friday!!!"

I never knew until we moved to Maine what a fluffernutter was. We don't even have "fluff" out west. We have "marshmallow creme". I remember when I was substituting in Old Orchard Beach, I asked a teacher what fluff was. She looked at me like I had ten heads. That spring before the end of the school year, she bought me my very first jar of the New England delicacy.

Shaylen would eat fluffernutters every day if she could and that is why I have limited them to Fridays. It limits the sweets and keeps them special. The sandwiches always disappear quickly at lunch and next Friday never comes soon enough. Fortunately, for my kids, it is tomorrow.

Four Year Old Pity

We were wrapping up dinner when Marshall complained of some ailment. I forget now what it was he complained of, like a tongue that was bit or a leg that was hurting. Most likely, he just didn't want to finish the last of his dinner. I don't know who taught them that telling Mommy and Daddy that something hurts is going to get you out of eating your dinner, but the advice was bad, because in our house, we don't buy it. They eat their dinner. I know, I know, we're sooooo mean!

Shaylen obviously had more pity on Marshall than we did because she piped up from the other side of the table and offered this bit of consolation.

"Dessert will make it better!"

If Only It Were This Easy

We are trying to sell our house. You all know that. You also know that we are praying fervently for this as a family. It is a rare occasion that Marshall & Shaylen forget to mention it in their prayers either before bed or before a meal. It is on their minds. We love our house and would rather not leave it. If only we could just pick it up and move it down to Dover!

Marshall got a book from his Sunday school teacher for Christmas. It was all about aircraft. He loves the book! (Surprise, surprise!!!) There is a section in the book on helicopters. I didn't realize there were so many different types. On one page there is a picture of a Sikorsky S-64 Skycrane. These are specially designed helicopters that can lift extremely heavy objects. As an example of the kind of things the Skycrane can lift, there is a picture of one lifting a house.

Marshall saw the picture the other day and said, "That one is a Sellhelicopter, because it is selling the house!"

Is Anybody Home?

Tonight when we got home from church (late), Marshall quickly went up onto our doorstep and started ringing the doorbell. He pushed it and pushed it and pushed it.

"It doesn't work! I'm pushing it but it's not working!" Obviously, he couldn't hear it from outside. I came and put the key in the doorknob. As I did, I heard Shaylen give her prognosis.

"It only works when someone is inside."

New Books to Delight In

If you've spent anytime on this blog, you know that one of Marshall and Shaylen's favorite things to do is read. When we come across a good book, it gets read over and over again until most of the lines are memorized. Heaven forbid I misread something. The mistake is quickly rectified!

Recently, I ordered new books for the kids to enjoy. Bob Jones University Press puts out some books are are wonderful for little ones to read. I have to be honest though and tell you that I found them cheaper from Tower.com. Tower.com didn't have all the ones I wanted, but the difference was several dollars.

The new favorite of the stack that we received is A King for Brass Cobweb. It is a beautifully illustrated chapter book that I read to them. They love all of the delightful (and not so delightful characters). It takes a while to read, but that means extra time to snuggle with my two favorite little people.

A Small Update

I thought I would give you a glimpse at our church in the winter. The photo on the right-hand side of the blog doesn't show the new wing of the church very well. I would love for you all to come and visit. It is such a beautiful church, full of sweet people and, of course, the BEST pastor! (I'm a bit biased, can you tell?)

Things have been busy, but nice over the holidays. Taigen was able to get a few days off and we have enjoyed the time spent together as a family. The kids got tons of new games and puzzles and toys for Christmas, so there is no lack of things to do with them when we are all home.

On New Year's eve, we had a family from our church come up and eat dinner with us. They are so sweet and such an encouragement to us. Marshall and Shaylen love their kids. After dinner the kids went out and played in the snow. They came in with rosy cheeks and icy noses. For those of you with kids, you know what I'm saying when I tell you that it seems like it takes so much more time to put on all the snow gear than it takes for them to play outside.

We have gotten pounded by two big storms this week. One started very early in the morning on Monday. Taigen thinks we got about 5 inches. The other storm started on Tuesday afternoon and lasted well into the night. Taigen was out bright and early snowblowing. I'm thinking we got another 5-6 inches. It all looks so beautiful. We are having a cold spell right now, but next Wednesday is supposed to get up into the 50's! It will seem like spring.

There is no new news on the house. We are still waiting on the Lord for His perfect timing. The kids are ever so faithful at praying that we would sell our house soon. Would you please pray with us? I know many of you already are. We are eager to move down nearer to our church family. (Until then, it is a gorgeous commute!)

We hope you have a blessed New Year!