Raising Cubs in a Campground

...I spoke too soon. There are three of them. That makes eleven total - one for every month since she was born. No wonder she can do this to an apple!

...car seat manufacturers don't put a label on the handles of their infant car seats warning moms and dads that it isn't safe to keep the handle up while riding in a vehicle? For the five hundredth time I saw a mom driving along that way. How much trouble would it be to make sure everyone caught that important safety fact - that a handle crushed in a car seat (and crushed it would be - they are not strong enough to provide extra protection to the child) becomes an sharp object in a direct line to the precious cargo?

I discovered them when she bit down on my finger during dinner last night. She rarely drools and other than waking 1-3 times a night for the past 2 months I had no indication that she was teething. In hindsight I should have known that my baby girl who got her first tooth before her 4 month birthday would have 2 molars by her 11 month birthday.

That's the number of poopy diapers I changed before 3 o'clock today. Make that 8.

"We're going to catch a big one. What a beautiful day. Uh-oh! A forest! A big, dark forest. We can't go over it. We can't go under it. Oh, no! We've got to go through it!" Stumble trip. Stumble trip. Stumble trip." These are some of the words to the book "Going on a Bear Hunt" that I recite to Sam when he starts getting antsy when we are out for walk and still a ways from home. (read: he wants me to carry him for a 1/2 mile while I push a cumbersome stroller filled with babies) It also works when things take a turn for the worse during a long car ride for me to start reciting books from memory. "What makes a Rainbow" is another tried and true calmer of my kids. Then there's the old stand by: "Time for Bed". It pays to read a story two hundred times! But beware, the kids learn the exact words better than the parents. I was having trouble remembering how the rest of this phrase went, ..."Oh no! A cave! A ????? ...

dark spiky hair and LOTS of it We have hit a rough patch with Sam lately and I'm dreading his fast approaching birthday. He's no longer the little baby with head full of black hair, nor is he the inquisitive toddler who was happier to play with a box than a bin full of toys. His second year is coming to an end and we're praying that the battles we've been fighting over getting dressed, not picking on his sister, and pickiness over food will dim a bit. He's two so I know these things come with the territory, but everyone expects the "terrible twos". It feels, at least to me, that society cuts moms of two year olds some slack. But what about moms of three year olds ? I know I shouldn't worry about what others think, but who doesn't at least some of the time? I do strive to teach Sam solid Christian values and be a good role model for him, but when the kid won't put a shirt on with out a knock-down-drag out despite a thermostat reading of...

We draw quite a bit of attention when I take ALL the kids out in public, but having MSC ( Jennifer's term for Many Small Children) has it's advantages too. Not only is there more hugs and kisses to go around, the older ones help out with the babies. Julia and Grant loved being pushed on the swings by Sam and Bea. Both girls spend quite a bit of time climbing on this chair my Grandma made for me when I was a kid. They both squeeze their little bums on it. They are becoming the best of friends.

Now if that title isn't confusing. :) Let me explain: Sam and I went to class together on Friday, but today was his first drop off day. Julia and Grant had their first baby class down the hall from Sam this morning. Sam hardly looked back over his shoulder when I left his room. For the next two hours he played, painted, ate, read stories, and who knows what else. I don't get much information out of him afterwards. With 10 minutes to go another mom pointed out the observation room where we can watch our kiddos without them knowing it. By the time I learned this juicy tidbit of info they were only sitting and listening to a story. They'll be more opportunities to observe my little guy in the weeks to come. There wasn't anything that Julia didn't try in her class today. She was all over the place! It's going to be fun to watch her get accustomed to the routines of school. I think she and Grant remembered the parachute from their summer class. After school Sam sh...

Watching another generation of kids play ball in the driveway like their parents did All day Sam was asking for cake - It was worth the wait! YuuuuumMEEEE No need to call the fire department after all. :) Happy Birthday Ralph!

Love Sam and Julia Brian and his brother, Gary and sister, Sharon at Christmas in 1995

Brian and I were both able to sit in church today and listen to the entire service for the first time in three years. Thank you Lord for the wonderful new Sunday School teachers who taught our son about how God made the world.

This wasn't really the highlight of the weekend, but it was close. :) I am so ready for summer to be over and to enjoy the cool, crisp days of fall. After our open house yesterday (zero visitors) we took the kids to a nearby town for their annual festivities. Julia had the best expressions all afternoon. I wish I'd gotten a picture of her with the ducks since that has become her new favorite word. I'm so grateful the d's come out nice and clear! Sam fed the goats, didn't want anything to do with the cow or the sheep, and would have taken a cat home with him if we would have let him. As we went from activity to activity Brian shared stories of the years he attended this very same event. The petting zoo is on the grounds of the church he grew up in so his family has a lot of history there. Three little monkeys (Isaac, Kieran, and Sam) jumped until they dropped. Food perked them right up! and then Sam wasn't afraid of the dragon anymore and decided to do som...

This is the picture I submitted for the Proex Studio contest back in July. When I scheduled Julia's 1 year pictures two days ago I asked for an update on the contest. They told me that the semi-finalists had been contacted already and the finalists would be announced October 1st. Bummer. I guess that means we didn't make it. When Brian came home with the mail today that included an envelope with the Proex logo on it, I was expecting them to say thanks for your entry, but Julia wasn't chosen bla bla bla.....Imagine my surprise when I read the letter that said she's a semi-finalist!!!!!!!!!!!!! Now that's what I call a good mail day!

The house is clean, there are fresh flowers on the table, and the kids are at Grandma and Grandpa's. Please pray that someone comes to look at the house this weekend! and now it has started to rain :(