In Shape

Nathan and I were reading a devotional last night. It talked about exercise, sleep and eating healthy foods to keep your body "in shape" because it's a gift from God. He looked at me and said, "What would happen if my body became a rectangle?" We both laughed and laughed.

Pictures from Nanny & PopPop's house

We spent last weekend in Cheraw with Nanny and PopPop. Here are some of the best pictures.

Being Brave

Nathan's mantra these days is, "I'm going to be a very brave boy about that." This applies to everything from coming inside when I tell him we have to go in, to sharing, to getting a haircut.

The haircut was what he was brave about this morning. He and Mark both truly needed the attention of a beautician. (I know that's not a masculine term, but that's what they needed and received.) I was so proud of both of them. Mark barely whimpered and enjoyed the novelty of a lollipop while his soft baby locks were snipped. She left enough hair so that he doesn't look too grown up, but you can tell for sure he's a boy. Plus, the mullet is gone.

Before:


After:


Nathan happily watched and then bounded up in the seat when it was his turn. He told Miss Cynthia that he was going to laugh and giggle this time instead of crying. Remarkably, he let her use clippers to get a nice, close cut! He got to enjoy a sucker, too, and she even gave him one for later. She got a hug when all was said and done.

Before:

After:


Come on, warm weather!

Hello from the boys

We tried something new for dinner last night and it was a big hit - Ravioli with Sweet Potatoes and Thyme. Here's the recipe if you want to try it:

1 bag frozen ravioli (cheese or meat-filled)
1 lb peeled, diced sweet potatoes
olive oil
thyme
salt
pepper
1/2 cup crumbled feta or goat cheese
1/3 cup reserved pasta water


Toss sweet potatoes with olive oil and thyme, and season with salt and pepper. Roast at 400 degrees for 25-30 minutes, until tender. Cook pasta according to package instructions. Toss ravioli with 1/2 cup crumbled feta or goat cheese and 1/3 cup reserved pasta water; fold in sweet potatoes and sprinkle with more cheese if desired.

Yummy and filling!

Nathan woke up yesterday morning and told me his right ear hurt, and asked me what I could do to make that feel better. So, we found ourselves at the doctor's office again. I have a cheering section when I walk down the hall and the nurses see us coming. Anyway, he does have an ear infection and is on another round of antibiotics. We have an appointment with an ENT in a few weeks to talk about tubes.



We've been outside a lot lately. Nathan and Greg hit the tennis courts this weekend and I hear that Nathan's favorite part was chasing the balls and splashing in puddles.


Mark is full of laughter and new words these days. He's saying:

ball
Da-da
down
bird
bye-bye
uh-oh
no-no
dog
ba-ba (banana)
beep-beep
Ma-ma

There are probably more, but I am a bit distracted at the moment by an invitation to play with the xylophone. Better scoot.

Mark Spark

Saturday was clean-up day around here. Greg and Nathan took care of the yard, and Mark and I worked on the inside a little bit. I think Mark really wished he could have been out with the big boys. He got his chance later in the afternoon. All he talks about these days is "Da-da." He LOVES, LOVES, LOVES Greg!


The weather is beautiful here today...sunny, 65 degrees, just as pleasant as can be. We did our grocery store run this morning, and the boys played outside after lunch. We'll be back out there when they wake up from naps.

We put up a new bird feeder on Friday and the kids have had fun watching the birds. There is a robin's nest in the bush right outside our kitchen window, too.

For some reason, I am making a batch of chili for dinner tonight. No particular reason; just wanted to try this easy new recipe. I am hoping it will be my last effort of the season. Bye-bye, winter weather!!!!

Laughing

It's been a quiet morning at home. We washed clothes. We played upstairs. We ate a snack. We changed diapers and pull-ups. We had time-out because we couldn't share toys nicely. We read books. We combed hair. Nathan even combed mine, and it was really relaxing. We found Mark's blue elephant. It had been hiding in Nathan's headboard cupboard for days. We had lunch. I think that's about it so far.


One of the side benefits of the boys being sick this winter is my new attitude about being home. I have decided I like the slower pace, not having something to do or somewhere to go almost every day. I still like seeing friends and getting out of the house, but I also like just being here. It's nice to be able to get my housework done and dinner made in plenty of time.

The sweetest thing Mark did yesterday was to start playing the "bye-bye" game. He's been doing it for a while, running away, usually with the big red firetruck, and and waving as he goes. But yesterday when he said bye-bye, I waved back and said "I love you!" Then he came and hugged me and then went on his way. He did this over and over.

Here's what happened right after lunch today.

Brotherly Love

I have come to realize that I live in a house full of boys. They are loud. They are busy. They move all the time. They eat constantly. I have begun making a big breakfast and giving two snacks a day to help fend off the perpetual question of, "What do you have for me, Mama?" This question is always in reference to food. Last week I made Staci's baked oatmeal recipe. It lasted four mornings. This was a 9 x 13 baking dish full of oatmeal!!!


Lately they have taken to a very primal form of communication. When Nathan is defending his "toy territory," he growls. Mark doesn't back away. Instead, he gives the "Mark-o-saurus" yell. It's a high-pitched scream that definitely answers the growl. Neither one is really intimidated by the other. They are each standing their ground.


So, I find myself realizing that I'd better pray often for brotherly love and peace. And I can be pleasantly surprised and count it as a blessing when they do actually get along. Like when I have them hug each other after a "fight." Those are sweet moments. Mark usually runs right up to Nathan and initiates it even when he's the one who has been wronged. (The photo below was staged. No fight precipitated this particular hug.)


I have to relate a funny conversation I had with Nathan last week. We had been to PetSmart on Thursday morning to visit the animals. That afternoon we were playing on my bed and waiting for Greg to come home. I told Nathan that Daddy was going to be glad to see his boys and his wife. Nathan said, "Mama, who is my wife?" I said, "Well, you don't have one yet but we will pray that God gives you a good one." He said," Well, they have some wonderful animals at the zoo, and one of them can be my wife." I asked him which animal he liked the most. "Well," he replied," I like the lion the best. The lion can be my wife."