Playground Experience and Pee Pee on Mommy

Since the weather has been so beautiful we having been spending a great deal of time outside and at the playground.  On Tuesday we visited our neighborhood playground and had quite an interesting time.  As soon as we got onto the grounds of the playground, a little boy who was about 4 told Madeline and Ryan to go away (no big deal, as that happens all the time amongst young children).  About ten minutes later, he called Ryan a stupid boy.  Not cool with Mommy. . . Since the boy's mommy was not paying attention and far off, I told the boy that it is not very nice to call people stupid and that he would not like it if someone called him stupid.  I could tell immediately that he did not care that I was an adult reprimanding him.  And then a few minutes later he started spitting towards Ryan and yelling ugly things to him from the tennis courts.  I promptly left.  After getting over the anger that some little boy was so unkind to my son, I felt bad for the little boy.  Obviously, there is a reason he acts that way and I cannot imagine what his behavior will be like years from now.

Situations like this just confirm my desire to home school the children when they are young.  It is Matt's and my desire to build them up in character and the esteem they have in the Lord, and not to be shaped and molded by the children around them, whether that's the behavior other children model or the way other children treat our children.  I definitely think Ryan could hold his own in peer situations, but I can see Madeline really withering under teasing.  She has such a sweet and tender spirit.  And right now she is such a follower, doing anything someone older or bossier tells her to do.  And while I think Ryan can hold his own, I can see him getting in lots of trouble, as he tries to keep up with older boys and prove himself.  I'm excited to start our home school adventure next year.

Well, Ryan has tinkled in the potty three times in 24 hours!  The only problem is that he either tinkles on my hands or my shirt and pants.  This morning I REALLY tried to point him in the right direction, but I quickly realized that he enjoyed seeing his tinkle going in different directions.  Thus, it is essential to go to Target today and get the boys' pee pee guard.  No more pee pee on Mommy!!!  Right now I'm sitting here typing, smelling of pee pee. . .

Shows over. . .off to play with the kiddos.  Matt and I are going on a date this morning and I am SO excited!!!  We are actually going go carting. . .I think he has no idea what a wimp I will be. Maybe I will surprise him! :)

Quiet Time and tid bits

I read some verses this morning that really pricked my spirit.  

"The Lord says: 'These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.  Their worship of me is made up only of rules taught by men'".  Isaiah 29:13

This verse really hits me because it is so easy to become a lukewarm Christian, going through all the motions, but not having a passion for the Lord, a desire to live a life that glorifies Him in every way.  I hope to read this verse daily to be spurred on NOT to live like this.

The second verse has been my favorite verse for the past 9 years.

"This is what the Sovereign Lord, the Holy One of Israel, says: 'In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength'".  Isaiah 30:15

I LOVE this verse.  What a great reminder that knowing the Lord can be equated to peace, trusting Him in every area of life.  I don't want my life to be painted as running around like a chicken with its head cut off, or be consistently stressed about life.  I want to find my rest in Him regardless of the circumstances, I want to trust Him in ALL things.

Matt and I have been having such fun with the kids recently.  They are at great ages.  Though he is all boy and a blur of activity, Ryan has a tender spot for babies.  He usually likes to pat or pet their heads and kiss them.  On a walk today, we met a one year old.  He was a bit unsteady on his feet, so Ryan took his hand and gently walked him down the sidewalk.  It was precious to watch.  And I am in awe of how smart and perceptive Madeline is.  She often shocks me with what she says.  Oh, she said something funny yesterday.  We are working on not sucking the thumb, so she told me that she wanted to go up to heaven with Jesus so that she could always suck her thumb.  

Our Week

One of Madeline's birthday presents was an unfinished treasure chest.  She took great pride in painting the inside and outside, and decorating the lid with jewels.

Last night was the Bridge's Christmas party.  Mr. Jamie pushed the kids around in the big stroller.  Actually, the ride in Mr. Jamie's stroller was more like a ride on a roller coaster, as he zoomed the kids from hallway to hallway.

Ryan in his jester hat.  Who couldn't be in love with a boy who smiles like that?

The Wells' were up to some mischief last weekend.  We stole the snowman from the yard of our friend's the Muchnicks and pretended to hold it hostage, sending them a ransom "email".  The snowman has been returned, but we are still waiting for our $1 million in unmarked bills and the Oreo ice cream pie.

At the Christmas party last night, the kids got up on stage and sang a few songs and it was precious!  Madeline sang loudly and Ryan was busting a move.

Madeline loved every bite of her tri-level marshmallows dipped in chocolate.

Can you tell that someone is excited about his first bite of chocolate covered pretzel???