Playing together

Right now, Luke and Erin play together well about 50% of the time. The other 50% they are fighting. I'm trying to stay a "glass half full" person right now because both kids are at really challenging stages discipline-wise, so I took some pictures the other day when they were playing nicely to remind myself that they don't always fight.

Luke was very proud of himself for building this track by himself. He usually needs me to help him figure out how to make the 2 ends meet.

Surprisingly, he did not fuss when Erin wanted to play, too.

He showed her how to move the trains on the track and how to keep them from falling off.

Just trying to stay positive here. I keep telling myself, "this won't last forever."

Christmas Preview

For all you Bosschers coming out to visit in 45 days or so (who's counting?) here is a little preview:

We had breakfast in our jammies yesterday -- and subsequently discovered that Erin no longer fits into the one-piece footies since she is much taller than she was last year. Guess we'll have to find some new jammies so they can match on Christmas morning again. I'll have to go shopping - bummer.

We then went upstairs and did a little rearranging. We put the workbench in Erin's room and the table back in Luke's room. He said he wanted to do his homework there. Fine with me - will give him something to do during rest time, which he balks against so much these days.

Here's some insight on Erin: see how she forgoes the chair? She also got rid of the book 2 minutes later and colored on the table. The attention span of a gnat, that one. At least she wasn't ranting at me, which is her latest preoccupation. I'd rather not talk about that.

Fun with boxes

Luke and Erin are explorers today, thanks to Huggies. We cut apart a Pull-Up box and made telescopes and binoculars.

Luke searching for an elephant.

"Ooh! A big giraffe!"

Every explorer needs a break for some trail mix.

"Sit down, Erin, so we can drive our jeep."
Incidentally, apparently the telescope can become an exhaust pipe for a jet pack when it is put into a backpack and worn. Very versatile.

"Me too want to drive too!" (still working on grammar with her)

Hope Squared

See the new little thingy over there on the right? Click on it.

Welcome back. Neat, huh? My friend Carin is the one who started Margaret's Hope Chest - read the website for more information about how it was started and why. Quite inspirational - both for the hope aspect and the crafty one.

The reason I'm posting about it is because I want to help spread the word about her latest adventure, Hope Squared, the point of which is to make a quilt for every homeless child in the Grand Rapids Public School system by Christmas. Since they will need over 200 quilts, every bit can help. I plan on making one to use up some of my stash. Mom? Got anything you can send?

For complete instructions, go to the post where she explains it. It's pretty easy and if you don't quilt, spread the word to the people you know who do.

When there's not enough time to duck

Last night Alec got out his Frisbees for Luke and Erin (and himself) to play with. Our backyard isn't really that big and not 2 minutes after they started playing, Alec threw one and it bee-lined right to Luke's face. He put his hand up, then down and it hit him squarely in the left eye/nose bridge. He cried for a while and we iced it right away, but it swelled up a little and turned red. Today it is a nice, dark red on the nose and all around the eye. I'm guessing tomorrow it will be turning purple.

Here's a picture of what may turn out to be his first black eye. It's not really that dark in the picture, but it's pretty noticeable in real life (if you click on the picture you can see a little better - it's red around the eye on the right). I'll take another picture if it gets darker.


And here's a recent picture of Erin, just for fun.