Children's Books

I know some of my friends really like the children's book called Love You Forever. However, it gives me the creeps. If you have never read it, or even if you have, let me give you an unbiased run-down. A mother is rocking her baby boy to sleep and tells him "I'll love you forever, I'll love you for always, As long as I'm living. My baby you'll be." That's sweet. Then he does something naughty when he's a toddler and she's says it again. Then time passes, she sings this when he's a teenager, and THEN, when he's and adult (and possibly married--the book doesn't say) the mom drives across town, climbs her aging booty up a ladder, sneaks in a window and picks him up and while he's sleeping and sings him this song. UM--what??? oh, that's not the end of the CHILDRENS' story. Then the old lady is too sick to hold him and the son sings the song to her while he holds her.

I am typically a sentimental sap, but when I feel my heart strings are being manipulated, I tend to pull back the other way. I was talking with my husband about this story--he is about as big a fan as I am and we are in agreement that, after the mom died, the son kept talking to her as if she were alive and started the Bates Motel. That's right, folks! You've been reading to your children the prequel to Psycho!

Now I can't just be all negative so I will recommend a book I absolutely LOVE! I just found this book called Little Boy by Alison McGhee. It shows a boy going through his days and his wonderful imagination and the joy he has with such simple things as a cardboard box, a bowl, his dog, and fallen tree. I love it because it reminds me of my boys and of childhood, and the message at the end is suprisingly deep. To me, it seems to say that their childhood shapes the men they will become. This is the last sentence "Little boy, you remind me of how, so much depends on days made of now." My boys love it because they see a little boy doing things they like to do.
This author/Illustrator pair also wrote a lovely book called Someday. This is also a great book--the child in this book is a girl for those of you with daughters.

follow us on this wild ride!

okay, so it's not wild like wind in your hair, 90 mph down the highway and we throw the steering wheel out the window, but we have fun and if you would like to keep up you can click the link the in side bar where is says Followers.

Kyle's 2nd Birthday Party

Good Morning Birthday Boy! This is you on September 20, 2008 first thing in the morning. Notice the book in your hands that has been loved (to pieces). Ahhh, you melt my heart with those big round blueberry eyes!

Blake is sporting her cool new shades she scored from the pinata.

The birthday party was a storybook theme. The cake was a dirt cake which was the Bookworm's Garden. There was an appearance by a pirate who read the story How I Became a Pirate and a 6 foot long The Very Hungry Catepillar sandwich.

The kids were all captivated by the story the pirate was telling. We found out where he hid the treasure so we dug it up and tied it to the tree for everyone to swing at!

Little Nora watched and listened to the pirate tell the story.

Happy Birthday, Kyle!

Dear Kyle,
Happy birthday, little man. It’s your birthday and you’re turning TWO. Yes, two…not three. You told the minister the other day, and anyone who asks for that matter, “I free [three] years old.” Now don’t rush things, you have plenty of time to grow up. You are such a blessing to my life and a joy to be around. Your smile warms my soul.

Being just 14 months apart in age from Barrett has made for a unique and very strong brotherly bond. You are expected to share almost every toy and still get along and you are learning to do this very well. You really are friends as well as very loving brothers. Barrett started preschool this year, and after we drop him off, you often will ask in a sad tone, “Where’s my Barrett?” It’s really so cute I could cry. When one of you is in the corner, the other one is playing advocate asking, “When can he come out?” and “He’s sorry, Mommy.” People often tell me that I have my hands full when they find out how close in age you and Barrett are. I don’t feel that way at all. My heart is full but my hands aren’t. I am so glad you guys have each other as lifelong friends.

You seem to think you’re three and it’s sometimes hard to remember that you aren’t because you are so smart. I don’t know many 2 year olds who make 6 word sentences and can say their ABCs! Actually, you have been doing those things for a while now. Maybe next year you can do our taxes! You love to read books. Sometimes when I go in to check on you at night, I find that you have a book in your arms. Some kids sleep with a teddy bear or a favorite blankey, but you usually have a book. It’s so distinctively you--I love it!

You always say, “Hold you” when you want me to hold you. I love that you are a cuddler. I look back in the back seat sometimes and you and Barrett are holding hands. Other times I hear you asking him to hold your hand. My mom always told me that I would always fit in her arms. It’s true. Kyle, even when you are a grown man, you will always fit in my arms, even though you’ll probably be much bigger than me.

I love your smile, your good naps, the way you crack up at Row, Row, Row Your Boat (crocodile verse), your sweetness, your big blueberry eyes and your pineapple-scented hair. I love how you are easy-going until you need to stand your ground. I love your tenderness with babies and animals. I love your dirty face and I love your "I can do anything attitude!"

I love you more than words can express.

Love,
Mommy

I love this picture because it is so like you to sit back and watch, almost study, something or someone, and then with a burst decide to join in... And I love your belly in this picture.



These are things that make you happy:
Swinging
Smiling
Sliding
Singing
Steering wheels
Songs daddy makes up
Flirting
Fruit
Pineapple
doing your Pirate impersonation
Playing in dirt
Praying before meals - you are especially prayerful when given fruit

Peek-a-boo
your Bellybutton
Bumblebees - not really the insect, you just love saying the word Bumblebee!
Bare feet! (That one needed an exclamation point)
Books
Blueberries
Blackberries
Babbling made-up words in unison with Barrett
Bootscooting with mommy in the kitchen
Being held

hair today, gone tomorrow...to a good cause

I have been sporting a long non hairdo for a while. I have been growing it out to donate to Locks of Love. You can read about my decision at this blog entry. Yesterday was the day for the cut, and instead of going to my usual hairdresser, I went to Frinj Salon (formerly Seventeen Salon). I didn't go to my usual guy because I decided this week that my hair was long enough and I really could not take another week of it. However, my usual guy usually requires like a month's notice for an appointment! Added bonus--At Frinj, because I was donating my hair I got a hefty DISCOUNT! My cut, wash and style was only $20!!

Before

After

He did sing with me!

Make an on-line slideshow at www.OneTrueMedia.com

You'll need to pause the music on the sidebar (Cindy/Stacy, scroll down to the black box on the right) before watching the video. Kyle's first few letters are really hard to hear. Please ignore my singing in the beginning.

I was singing the ABC song to Kyle a while back and I noticed he was singing along and not.missing.a.single.letter! Um, since when do kids who aren't even 2 years old know their ABCs? I guess I should have been exposing him to the presidents and state capitals too! He probaly would have magically absorbed them because I certainly did not go out of my way to teach him his ABCs. He must get his brains from his daddy.

Barrett's First Day of Preschool

It was his first day and he did so well! I must say I did pretty well too considering what a sentimental sap I am! I took some pictures right when we got out of the car because I knew it was going to be pretty hectic inside. I am not sure why he got this sad face suddenly. I think he just realized what was happening even though we've been talking about it for days. The sad face passed quickly with a squeeze of Teddy. I didn't even have a chance to ask him why he looked sad or offer words of motherly comfort. Teddy was needed for support to get him to his classroom door but once we hit the door, Barrett handed me Teddy and zoomed over to the cars of course!

When we got home, he told us he played outside, Ms. Sheryl took pictures with her silver camera, the teacher read a story (I think he was saying it was about a frog). He also said he played in the kitchen, cooking apples and meat and all the kids shared. And he also said he took a nap...really??