Face-lift

As our family has grown, so has our need for a new-to-us, bigger table. (Our appartment sized table just wasn't cutting it.) So last summer, we found a black table with a bench seat on Craigslist. When we went to go look at it, the house wasn't very well lit and we didn't realize what a horrible job they had done of painting it. I mean, who uses flat black paint on a kitchen table?!?!?!?

It looked bad and was impossible to keep clean. So Rich gallantly took on the challenge of stripping the table and then giving this baby of ours a much needed facelift!

BEFORE

DURING

stripped and ready for stain

RESULT

Ahhhhhhhhh, much better. We happened to find this table and our beautiful highchair during the same week. The highchair is what inspired us to go for a wood stained top with black legs.

A beautiful table, gorgeous highchair and a bench to squeeze little boy bodies atop!

Survivor!

Whew!

Well, I survived my week (ok, 5 days) unplugged. Five whole days w/out the internet was not easy and I have to say that way to much communication happens online for me to realistically make that a habit...

It worked out to be a blessing though since I was able to rest my swollen ankle instead of giving into the temptation to climb the stairs to check my email - over and over again. It was fun to curl up in bed with a good book (Dracula) and fall asleep early every night! (Amazing how reading Dracula produced more restful sleep than staring at my beloved screen...)

While I'm not tempted to try this challenge again, I am inspired. For the month of May, I will be keeping my computer off on Tuesdays and spending the evening curled up with one of my many books that I've been meaning to read. If anyone see's me lurking around on here on Tuesday's, hold me accountable!

This week probably could not have come at a better time for Xander. Since he was so sick a couple of weeks ago, he was still going thru TV detox (i.e. asking for a movie ever 10 minutes or so...). Although we didn't get to go out as much as I would have liked (silly swollen ankle), we were able to find some creative alternatives around the house to occupy us. After the first day or two the requests for movies subsided and we immersed ourselves in the business of play!

Rich didn't participate with us last week, but his poor x-box bit the dust and he will get the opportunity to 'go dark' in his own way for the next several weeks while it is being repaired. So it looks like all of us will be getting some 'unplugged' time.

Unplugging

I've been meaning to observe the Unplugged Week (sometimes known as TV Turn-off week) for a couple of years. Now that I don't have an internet business, it is actually more of a possibility this year. I was convicted this last year when I read that this week was not just about turning the TV off, but limiting ALL screen time.

Ouch.

We don't watch much TV/movies and the kids watch very little. We make exceptions when they are sick, we are flying and now for an occasional special treat.

So naturally, since we already limit TV/movie time, I've always been an advocate of weeks like this. Well, now they are talking about the importance of limiting computer screen-time too. This is where it hurts. I LOVE my internet!

It's so much easier to limit stuff for the boys, but putting a limit on myself????? Yikes.

I felt led to give up computer time on Thursdays and Sundays during the weeks leading up to Easter. It was not easy, but so good for me. The undistracted time with the kids during the day and my hubby or a good book at night were delightful.

This showed me that I could indeed unplug. So here we go.

My Goals:

Baby steps, but steps none the less.

No internet, email or computer time Monday thru Friday afternoon. I'll break my "fast" on Friday night!

Instead I plan on using this time to read more to my kids, get chores done that I've neglected, jump into my pile of great books that I've been 'meaning' to read and spend more time with Rich!

So whether or not you take a drastic plunge or just dip your toes into limiting screen time this next week, give it a shot. I know we have benefited from limiting our TV time and I'm looking forward to seeing how it goes to stop staring at this delightfully hypnotizing computer screen of mine.

Some helpful and interesting links:

Center for Screen Time Awareness ~ info on unplugged week

Unplug your Kids ~ awesome blog hosting the blog challenge and chock full of delightful resources to do with your kids instead of turning on the TV.

Recent Research on the effects of screen-time on young children

The Green Hour ~ Ideas on how to interact with your kids out in nature!

Local TV Turn-off Week activities ~ fun, FREE local activities to get your kids out and doing something else! Did I mention FREE?!?!?!?



~UNTIL NEXT WEEK...

Take-Off

I love watching their little imaginations soar.

Today we had some impromptu flying fun! The boys were struggling with sharing the 'baby' that I had out for a pouch sling demo. So I helped them out by letting them take turns piloting the plane so they could take the baby to the beach. (Notice the excellent care 'baby' is receiving from his 'daddy' on the plane.)

Trey enjoyed his role as co-pilot...

...until I pulled the camera out.

pshhhhhhhhhhhhhh pshhhhhhhhhhh

"This is Pilot Xander, requesting permission for take-off. Over."

pshhhhhhhhhh pshhhhhhhhhhh

Up, up, up and away!

Banking to the right before flying off into the sunset...

Flying planes is serious work.

:sigh:

Poetical Tuesday

So Stephanie over at Little Stuff of Life convinced me to try writing a limerick. I warned her that I DO NOT write poetry. After talking about it, she made the wonderful suggestion that I involve Xander and let him write my limerick for me.

I took the bait.

I should have known that Xander would not make this easy... He was insistent that the limerick should use his name and somehow be about football. Finding words and context that rhymes with Xander is not easy, but here is our attempt.

There once was a boy named Xander
Who loved to roam and meander
He played football and such
Although never too much
For he still had to gather some coriander.

Don't try to find any deeper meaning in all of this. Just appreciate that it is about Xander and football.

phew.

ok, If we can do this, anybody can. Branch out and explore a new side of yourself. Next week is a Dr. Seuss theme.

Don't Like It!

Our plans for this weekend changed. Funny how easily that can happen...

Xander woke up in the at 1am Sat morning, sick. He was sick every 30 minutes for the next 8 hours. He calls it "spitting." The rest of the day was spent lying listless on the sofa. No food, just water and juice. Poor guy.

We didn't get to color eggs or go to church on Easter. We figured it wasn't a good idea to potentially infect 3 separate classrooms and dozens of families with the little bug that visited our home.

We did however still make it up to my parents for the afternoon. They all had the nasty stomach bug the week before, so we figured it was pretty safe. Pictures on that to come.

But I just had to share this little song that Xander made up. I found him on Sunday morning singing it to himself. Of course, being my son, he promptly grabbed the mic when I pulled out the camera.

Ah yes, it's good to see him back to his old self! :)

Road to Calvary

What a day of remembering...

Keegan enjoyed the Hot Cross Buns. I had no idea that these were a traditional Good Friday treat. In his 2 year old way, he is trying to understand what is happening. He kept saying,

"Cross, hurt."
Over and over again. Baby steps...
Today, we read from The Picture Bible of the events leading up to the crucifixion: weeping as I read, in awe of God's love for us...

I find that I am moved, even with the children's books that cover what Christ did for us at Calvary.
We talked about the significance of today and put up another of the symbols on our Road to Calvary banner.
My mom had saved directions for making this banner and accompanying devotional. It is designed to start on Ash Wednesday and carry thru to Resurrection Sunday! Simply reading about church traditions during this season has been so faith building. It came from the book, Family Celebrations: Meeting Christ in Your Holidays.  Ann Hibbard, the author, has also published a book that has this and other Easter activities in the book, Family Celebrations at Easter.

I look forward to watching the boys growing understanding of the rich symbolism God laid out in the Bible pointing towards what Jesus would accomplish at the cross and the victory found in His resurrection!

Lastly, if any of you haven't checked out Holy Experience, I highly recommend it. God has given her a way with words... I'm always freshly inspired to sit at the feet of Jesus, to receive His love and then love Him in return after spending time on her blog.

She has two ideas that I wouldn't mind trying in the years to come for Easter. The Easter garden is beautiful and totally something that a young child would understand. Her Easter tree is gorgeous. I love the use of art to depict the Easter story. Sometime when my boys are much older, we might revisit this.

May you all have a wonderful Easter weekend, enjoying the presence of the One who suffered much so that we could be children of God!

Not Here

He is not here, He is risen!

As we've mulled over the events leading up to Christs death and subsequent ressurection, this has been a favorite line that Xander has enjoyed repeating!

A few days ago, friends joined us in making paper-mache Easter eggs.

The process was a bit messy...

But the results were beautiful!

Before I even placed the angel inside, Xander knew.

He pointed at the empty egg and exclaimed:

He is not here, He is risen!

Flannel-board fun!

A couple of months ago, I fell in love with the idea of making my boys a flannel board. So I bought a cork board at the store and glued/tacked a piece of blue flannel down. I love how simple it looks and the kids have enjoyed putting different shapes up and playing with the felt!

It has been so sweet to see them take to the Resurrection scene that I hastily cut out for our Easter learning day earlier this week. Even Treyton was mesmerized today.

I think I'll cut out some little stick people and crosses and let them tell me the story!

Growing up, we had a Resurrection set, similar to a Nativity set. It was made out of of 3-d paper dolls. I remember spending hours in front of that set moving the players in the the biggest event in history. I remember my heart being so moved as I physically moved these "dolls" through the steps leading to the crucifixion and than re-living the glories of His Resurrection!

My greatest hope in this life is that God would call my boys to a deep and wonderful relationship with Him. What a privilege it is to be their mother and watch this unfold.

My prayer this week has been for this revelation to shake my family to the very core. That we might stand in awe at what Jesus went through on our behalf. I am thankful that because of HIM, I am a child of God, both now and forevermore!

Living the Story

Yesterday we had a fabulous day with friends learning and experiencing the joys of the Easter account! Seeing little one's comprehend great truths is so precious. I am delighted to also see that teaching these truths is getting easier as they get older! There is a huge difference between two year olds and four year olds...

We started out our morning with a book. The kids loved putting up felt symbols as the account progressed! Their excitement was contagious!

And it only escalated into joyful shouts when they were told that they could dress up and act out the Resurrection scene!

:Heart Melting:

Two angels, three weeping women, two soldiers and an earthquake maker told us the story again, again and again! It's amazing what a few simple Bible costumes and a bunch of playsilks can do!

The kids concluded their portion of the morning with a ridiculously easy Easter craft. We simply put down making tape on watercolor paper in the form of a cross and let the kids water color all over.

Once dry, you gently pull the tape up and you have the crisp outline of the cross.

Lastly, as the children played - in costume, Noel brought Ressurrection Eggs so that our families could continue to explain what Easter is really about.
I'm so glad that we are not left to parent by ourselves. Having community is so helpful and encouraging!

Holy Week

With branches waving, Xander recited a recent Cubbies verse:

“Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.”

A perk of living in Arizona is ready access to palm branches!!!!

Our plan is to chronicle our adventures this week leading up to Easter Sunday! I would love to hear about any memorable Easter celebrations or memories you all might have.

To start things off, here are some of our favorite books:

The Tale of Three Trees: A Traditional Folktale ~ This beautiful tale is perfect any time of year, but we especially enjoy reading it at Easter and Christmas. It ties both in beautifully!

The Legend of the Easter Egg ~ We discovered this one at the local library this year. Xander is mesmerized with the story of this little boy. I think we’ve read it at least a dozen times in the last week! It is one I would love to add to our permanent collection!

Easter Eggs for Anya: A Ukrainian Celebration of New Life in Christ ~ I love how this beautiful story depicts such this girls simple, honest faith in Jesus. I probably am most drawn to it personally because the girl in the story has a special “praying place” where she goes to talk to God. It brought back wonderful memories of a couple of my “praying places” that I had growing up. My favorite was up on our roof, leaning against the chimney. (Shhhhhhhhhhh. Don’t tell my mom or my kids for that matter - yikes…) This one will be making it's way to my permanent collections as well!

What Is Easter? ~ A recommendation from my friend that would be perfect for one incorporating all of the secular and religious aspects of Easter. Although we didn't do the Easter bunny growing up and have no plans to do so now, this delightful little book does a great job at showing the primacy of Christ's Resurrection during this season without putting down the more secular traditions.

The Easter Cave ~ This story is told in the format of "The House That Jack Built." We love the repetition and rhyming. Even Keegan starts memorizing portions of books written in this engaging style.

The Easter Story ~ I love Gennady Spirin’s illustrations. His The Christmas Story: From the King James Version is so lusciously illustrated, that I checked out ALL of this books from the library. This one is beautiful in a symbolic way. Christ is always the focal point of each picture and depicted as the light coming to a world darkened by sin.  The symbolism will probably be lost on the little one's, but very enjoyable for you and also your kids when they are a bit older...

 

Easter ~ I love Fiona French's Christmas and Easter books. The illustrations all look like stained glass windows. The text is straight from the good ol' KJV.

He Is Risen: The Easter Story ~ This beautifully and realistically illustrated book gives a very thorough account of the Easter story.

On That Easter Morning ~ Stunning and uniquely illustrated, this book takes the reader through the events of Holy Week from Palm Sunday to the Resurrection. I just love how it ends:

"Jesus was alive again; not a king in this world, but the king of heaven.  The dark power of death was defeated.  God's own love lit the world on that Easter morning."