Ode to find Joy as often as Matthew! :)

We had just gone potty, and were washing our hands. As I looked over to go dry my hands, I found Matthew thoroughly enjoying himself and his reflection in the hand drier. He absolutely cracked me up and I really wished in my heart that I could find simple joy as often as he can. :)

This is how I walk 5 miles with my pals.

The other day, I just wanted to walk. I wanted to get a workout in, but I can't push the both of them in the stroller on the hills by my house anymore. It's about 120 pounds with both of them in it, and the hills are steep enough that my back tells me it's not a great idea. Ha ha ha So, I brought them to a mall that has a 1 mile loop, and I walked for 3 hours. Yes, 3 hours and 5 miles later (we had to go slow sometimes because of traffic)...They sat in their seats and were great boys for me! Those Leapster Explorer handheld games are a LIFE SAVER when I need them to enjoy just sitting somewhere (also great for our long drives up north!). I'm so thankful that my boys are good boys. They were sweet to let me get a walk in, and they were kind to people we passed by too!

Fire Station Field Trip!

Joe's Kindergarten class went on a field trip to the Fire Station... I was one of the 5 lucky parents who got to join them! I LOVED getting picture of all the kids being able to spray the hose! This fireman gave each child special time, talked with them, and really made them feel important! LOVE that!

Joe's Sweetness...

My boy went and got his own scissors, found a little container, filled it with water, and walked around our back yard to cut roses from different bushes for me. He said, "I looked to make sure I got the ones that didn't have bugs." :) What a sweet guy he is.

The Things They Say...

I've really been enjoying hearing the little things the boys come up with. I thought I'd put together a little list of the recent verbal pleasures I've experienced!

* The other day, Joe had spilled his water on the table clothe during dinner. After Joe had left, Matthew walked over to Joe's seat and sat down. He saw the wet table clothe and said, "This is Joe's spit I presume?" Oh my goodness. I said, "YOU PRESUME???" He smiled in victory of having used a new word. He picked it up from "Mega-Mind"... I'm just thankful he tends to pick up healthy new vocabulary and not the more colorful type that is sometimes displayed in movies!

* While Joe was at school, I was walking through the grocery store with Matthew. In the middle of an aisle, he said, "Mama, I wish I could see God right now so I could play with him and maybe pillow fight." I smiled and told him, "God would LOVE that Matthew, because you're very special to Him." He sat in a smiley faced thought.

* The other morning, the boys were sitting at the table having breakfast. Matthew got a bit too rowdy and threw his thermos cup down. Unfortunately, it hit the bottom of my piano (Luckily, no damage done). I had been in the kitchen getting Joe's backpack ready and walked into the dining room. I bent over between the piano and Matthew and expressed to him how precious it is to me. It was a gift from my grandparents when I was 8 years old and it helps me to play music to tell Jesus I love Him. My eyes got watery (kind of with intention), and I looked at them both and asked them to please treasure my piano and treat it as my most precious thing. Joe sat in thought for just a second, and then said, "Mama, our lives are most precious." I smiled and said, "You guy and our family ARE my most precious people and loves... the piano is just a "thing" but it is my most precious thing." He seemed to take that answer OK. :)

* Matthew has really been into trying out his new sayings... I put some cereal he really likes in the cart and he picked it up and said, "SERIOUSLY MAMA?.... SERIOUSLY?" :).... Another instance, I heard the boys playing and Matthew getting frustrated with Joe. All of the sudden I hear, "Joe, you have left me no choice!" I sat, on the other side of the wall from them, smiling at my little guy who's brain is growing so much.

OK, Last One!

* I was driving home from bringing Joe to school, and Matthew and I were enjoying a rainy morning. He said, "Mama, it sure was nice that God gave us a shower today, because he knew that bird poop on my window was bothering me."  Ha ha ha!

Joe's "Who Am I"...

We went to Joe's Open House for his Kindergarten class this week. The kids each painted a picture of themselves.  They came up with hints about themselves so their families could find them. I thought Joe's was VERY cute!

His hints were: I have blue eyes. I like Star Wars. My mom makes dinosaur chicken nuggets that are yummy! Who am I?

Joe's Latest Masterpiece.

I LOVE this... Joe's spelling makes me smile.

She loves him!!! :)

This is a note that Joe's "Girlfriend" Delaney wrote him... We went to a play date at her house (luckily for him, I enjoy time with Delaney's mom!)... She sat there asking how to spell "Because" and "Special." When Joe received the note, he felt special... and decided to write her a note too. His note said, "Delaney is crazy." ha ha ha When she saw it, she felt like he was making fun of her... But, to him, he enjoys her craziness! :) The beginning of male v.s. female perceptions for Joe!

My Time with Mr. Magoo...

This morning started out, EARLY. Matthew has been into waking up at 5:45. When the whole house finally got in motion, we got Joe to school and Matthew and I started some time together. By the way, I have no idea where "Mr. Magoo" came from, but I call him that very often.  He and I decided on an impromptu photo shoot. I have no idea why I agreed to this, seeing that my face still looked half asleep, but here's a little peak into that adventure:

After this, we decided to have a painting adventure.  My friend Shavonne got Matthew THE CUTEST birthday present (OK, no hard feelings, all the presents were great but this one was very unique!). Here's some pictures from THAT adventure!

The box came with 3 pets for "us" to paint!

Look at that form, holding his brush! :)

I LOVED watching how intent he was about this adventure!

Finished Product! :)

I would introduce our new pet to you, but when I asked Matthew what his name was, he said, "I will think about it when I'm sleeping." ha ha ha

For those of you who know me, I mean REALLY know me... You KNOW how difficult it is for me to just "let um rip" with messy things... I had fun letting him do what he did on the fish, and I had my water cup and paper towel standing by! LOL He was actually pretty clean with it, only a few spots on the ground to clean!

We are raising our glasses over here (Chocolate Milk and Coffee for us)... Here's to a great day full of fun adventures for all!!!

Good Morning World!

My Littlest Sunshine woke me up at 5:45.
(Rockin his new sunglasses!)