Having Sydney in school a few mornings a week has been great for us in regards to getting into a routine and really having to stick with it. For us, mornings are the best time to get going and make the most of our days. So I love it when I take the time to plan out our days & week ahead of of time. I’m all about being flexible…but I know for me, if I don’t plan specific things that I know I need to do, it will not get done. For example, I waste time taking silly videos (like this) of Logan.
On Labor Day we always have a big picnic over at NTM. The kids played in the bounce houses for a bit, swam in the pool, & ran around while Rodd played volleyball! It’s always a fun time. These first 2 pictures show what our property looks like this year–as a result of the rain and storms we’ve been having. The riverwalk is totally covered with water, and the water has come WAY up.
Water is covering what is usually the riverwalk–plus a two lane road!
This is what I get when I say, “Look at me and smile.”
Logan has been KILLING us with his guitar playing skills on his new guitar he got for his b-day. His specialty is “Jesus loves the little ones like me me me.” (He hasn’t quite figured out how to do the hand motions while playing at the same time, however.) :) Sydney will occasionaly take lead on guitar, taking song requests of course, and Logan will follow along ”singing.” They’re a funny little duo.
Well, all systems were a “go” for our zoo party for Logan on Saturday. The van was packed with everything we needed—food, presents, towels, sunscreen and swimsuits on for the splash pad. And then on our way to the zoo, we felt sprinkles, followed by the sound of thunder! We started racking our brains–thinking WHERE we could possibly go for a picnic, since it was pouring outside, with the last resort being our house. Our house was a wreck!! Not just any wreck–the kind of wreck before a birthday party–where every surface is covered with things, and you don’t really care because you think, “Oh I’ll come home and clean this up after the party! I love my son and it’s all worth it for him type of wreck!” Well, with guests 15 minutes away, Rodd and I kicked it into HIGH gear, cleaning up the house and turning it into a zoo–a real animal zoo not the pigsty type of zoo!
In the end, I think it was totally fine. Logan had fun & that’s what mattered. Thinking we were going to be having a picnic at the zoo, I had made up box lunches for the kids, and we got some chicken from Publix for the adults.
Animals at the party: Sydney the Seal, Madison the Monkey, Ann the Alligator and Logan the Lion
Rodd is now living vicariously through his son. Logan got a Kawasaki Ninja–Rodd’s dream bike 
So far it is the BEST thing and is working great for us!! It’s something fun for the kids to do and they’re really getting into it. I was originally thinking we’d pick one stick out at each meal, but should have known that they would each want to pick one out–so we are praying specifically for 4 different requests each time. I considered making it so that each color is a different category but I’m finding that the more complicated/detailed I make anything, the harder it is to implement and follow through.
Okay– so this isn’t the greatest picture, but it will give you an idea. I’m still trying to find the perfect container to hold them in. (Yes, mom–I will use something that I already have around the house and not go buy something just for this.)
Happy Birthday to our sweet Logan boy! Is he really two today? I cannot believe it!! Logan makes us laugh all the time. He doesn’t have to do anything and he’s so funny! Happy Birthday Logan! We are SO glad you’re a part of our family!
August 30, 2006
August 30, 2007
Big TWO Year Old now
I definitely did NOT win any mother of the year awards today for making his birthday special. With Sydney going to school and lots of other things going on today, we didn’t have time to do anything that great for him. I felt kind of bad, even though I’m pretty sure he didn’t. (I did enjoy some one on one time with him while Syd was at school.) It was a SCORCHER of a day, so going outside for too long was out of the picture. After dinner we were thinking of all the things about Logan that we love so much. Here’s what Rodd, Syd, & I came up with: His hearty laugh when Rodd’s tickling him, his big hugs he gives, the way he talks and the funny words he uses, his animal sounds he makes, his super mischievous little grin, his feet, his singing, his kiss-ably soft cheeks…and on we went. We’re having a small party at the zoo tomorrow, so I’ll have more pictures of the birthday boy for you tomorrow.
Awww. I just found this card and cookbook that my sweet mom left for me. My mom was a big help with my wonderful (NOT) time management skills while she was here– and this “fuss-free dinnertime solutions your family will love” cookbook will hopefully help in my “better steward of my God’s time” learning process. They all look really easy to make & really good to eat, so I’m excited. It was perfect because I hadn’t planned my meals for the week yet–so I’ll definitely be trying all new ones from my new book this week. Thanks, mom! xo
Our month with my parents has come and gone…much too quickly. They left early this morning at 4:30 so I said goodbye to them last night before we went to bed. I’m pretty sure I’m going to be 50 and still crying when I say goodbye to my parents. :) It’s just so sad after having them here with us all the time. As we were laying in bed last night, Rodd was like, “Well, tomorrow we go back to being parents again.” :) We’re so spoiled having them here. (I got used to sleeping in those extra 20 minutes or so-while S & L were in my parent’s room or eating breakfast with them!) They are a huge help with the kids, the house…EVERYTHING!! Plus, we just like being with them! Anyway, we sooo appreciate them and are already counting down the days (one year) until we see them again.
One thing I’m thankful for was that yesterday my mom and I got the house back in order and moved Logan’s clothes & toys back into his bedroom (where they were staying). We got the house all nice and cleaned up so it’s not like I have all that “recovery” work to do like you normally would after company leaves.
On an exciting note, Sydney had open house/first day of school today so that was something fun to look forward to! She got to meet her teacher—who I can already tell we are going to love! She did a little craft, played in the room, made a few friends, and even got some “homework” to bring back on Friday. :) We are SO excited about this and I am particularly thankful for the peace God has given me about this. I’m not used to having my little girl in someone else’s care like this. I know these are crucial molding/teaching/training years for little ones but I am comfortable with the decision Rodd and I have made and am thankful for the opportunity to do this. Next year it might be something totally different. We’re just taking it one year at a time…thankful for God’s help and direction.
Getting in the van
Craft time…with Logan’s help
It was a late night and my dad wanted to teach us how to play Pinochle. Let me just say… don’t start learning a new game at 10:00 at night. You can see we were all a bit loopy by the end of the night!
One of the last things we wanted to try to fit in before my parents leave on Wednesday was a get- together with Gene & Sherrie, Jana & Joe. We kept trying to find a date that would work for all of us–and this was the one night that everyone was free, so we met up at a fun little Mexican restaurant, ate lots of chips and salsa and shared a lot of laughs!
Missed you (sister-in-law and friend), Marisa!
rkharris
roddharris
