It's Raining, It's Pouring...

Today is officially hot. Spring has been here for a bit, but as you probably know, spring is sometimes warm sometimes cool anywhere (at least for those areas that have spring) and here is no exception. But today was the first of those sweat-just-sitting-in-the-sun days. Todd and I were on the back patio while Cooper was walking around playing with the dog, or a toy, or eating random foliage (all non-toxic, I think). Anyways, we were talking about how totally different our two kids are and that gave me a brilliant idea.

You see, Em still screams like you've chopped her arm off if the water temperature is not to her liking. Bath, shower, pool, whatever. Has to be "just right." The hose is and always has been a no-go for that stick-in-the-mud. So my brilliant idea was to see how Cooper would handle the cold hose water. Low and behold, this second child of mine fell in love!

Woah! This stuff gets off grass from my hands!!! Who knew?

Clap for the wet stuff... oh wait, then I get junk in my eyes. Hum... not sure what to do now to show I'm excited.

Did I mention I LOVE dirt? Cause I do... love it I mean!

Playing Catch

We went for an interview at a preschool for Em the day after her 2nd birthday. She joined in the activities of the kids (who were all 3-6 years old), including the 'physical education'-type class where they were catching and tossing a ball. Em, obviously couldn't handle the ball like the older kids. She then came home and started playing catch with her dad, tossing a ball to herself and all that. She's since gotten so good at catching a ball, she's become nearly obsessed.

Here it comes...

Hehe, here it comes!

Ahhh... Got it!!!

But she's so stinking proud of her accomplishments... and so stinking cute with that ball!

Cups

Em, who loves to inform the world of EVERYTHING her brother does, decided that Cooper needed to use her cup. After some gagging and spurting though, Cooper got the hang of it and started guzzling the liquid. That told me it was time for a sippy cup. Boy did he take to it like a fish in water!

You guys really gotta try this thing... it's GRRRR-EEAATTTTT!!!!

And not to be a wallflower while her little brother gets his picture taken, Em promptly informed me "Okay Mommy. Baba pictures done. Now Emme picture!"

Look Mammia, I'm a porcelain doll... an INNOCENT porcelain doll.

Yeah, that's more like the kid we know and love... usually (hehe)!

Jabulani

The dog has been driving us nuts lately. A few months after we moved flats, she suddenly decided that she needs to bark... at everything. The birds, the gardner (who Lani has NEVER barked at in her life), the neighbors walking by, cars, us... you name it, she barks at it. Therein lays the issue we've had with her. She's woken the kids up from naps with her ruckus, not to mention added to the chaotic noise that is our house. There have been more than a few days when I just want to ship her off to the nearest animal shelter (and still might, don't get me wrong) but then, she has her moments of GLORY with the kids.

Em loves making an "Emme sandwich" between Daddy and Lani !!!

She was only a few weeks old when she came home and Em wasn't even walking, so the very idea of Lani doing more than licking someone to death is absolutely unbelievable. Lani's favorite thing in the world is chasing her tail, and Em's favorite thing is the world is reminding Lani that her tail is back there, just waiting to be chased. They crack me up, and now, Cooper wants in on the action, which is hysterical because his favorite thing to do is "pet" the dog's nose, which generally translates to a finger or two getting stuck up her nose, and then Lani sneezes said finger out, to Cooper's delight and surprise.

I got your foot! I got your foot! (Cooper LOVES this as he's the most ticklish person on the planet, and his feet are his weakest point! Lani LOVES to exploit it to the fullest extent as well.)

Lani come to bed with Emme?!

Needing a Laugh

I'd venture to say that EVERY mother out there can tell you about a day that just got away from her. A day where everything seems to be more... colorful than you'd like. Today, I was planning for a calm day of laundry and cleaning, but alas, my day seemed destined for something a little more... flavorful.

You know those days? The ones where you've heated your cup of coffee up 5 times before 9am and your cup is still only half-drunk (that is, if you can still find it). When you find your daughter's missing hair clips in the cheese drawer in the refrigerator. The days when your toddler decides she doesn't want to be alone in the bathroom so you go in to help her, only to find her contribution to the planet on the seat... and the floor... and her thighs... and her brother. I officially called the day complete at 4:43 exactly when, still nursing a bruised fingernail from the frozen chicken fiasco (don't ask!), I managed to dump ALL of dinner onto the still-not-cleaned kitchen floor. Can anyone say McDonald's? (Yes, we have those here in Africa)

I'm sure someone wiser than me, who is a bit further down this path than I, will remind me that I'll someday miss these days. So, this is my confession: I wish I was to the "missing" phase more than where I'm at in this particular moment. So, is anyone else brave enough to share a not-so-hot-to-trot day? Because honestly, I could use a good laugh at the moment!

Man of a Thousand Faces

As my computer is in the shop until further notice and the PC I've been using won't work for pictures and such, posts for a while might be few and far between. That said, here are a few great shots from the last little bit.

GET... THIS... HAT... OFF... ME!!!!!!!!!!!

Look Ma, I can clap AND I can sport my tooth while doing it. I'm such a good multi-tasker.

Yeah, I know I can work the spaghetti face like nobody's business! Bring on the ladies!!!
What? Don't look at me like that, I missed some!

Er... Prayer?

I once asked an acquaintance teacher-friend how she EVER made the switch from kindergarten to junior high (grades 6-9, give or take). She said they were pretty much the same, only the older kids had more words. When asked what she meant she explained the following: "Both can giggle for hours over nothing, are totally fascinated by the opposite gender, have a rather foul smell about them, and think bodily functions are the best part of the day." When put like that, she's absolutely correct. Still, I prefer my "can-hold-a-full-conversation-with-you" big kids over the little ones who need help unbuttoning pants any day.

I was hoping I'd grow to like the ankle-bitter variety once I had one of my own, but the reality is, I'm not a big fan. Em's great and I know Cooper will be too, but there's still a part of me that longs for the day we can read chapter books together (I know, I'm nuts to look forward to my daughter at 13 right?). However, there is a need in our church and Sunday will be the first day of my attempt to fill that need.

As of right now, ALL the children are in church service with all the adults. To say that Em is distracting is an understatement. So, since I'm not getting any sermons anyways (and neither are any of the other parents), it was decided to start a children's service. So, this Sunday will be the first attempt on my part to teach in almost three years... I'm excited to be teaching again. It's my passion and I love it. I firmly believe that sometimes God gives you EXACTLY that which makes your heart rejoice, allowing you to hear the "Hallelujah" chorus from the angels above. I also believe that sometimes, God's gifts you in areas that aren't necessarily your "calling" but will, in fact, help you as a person and help bring you closer to Him. I'm pretty sure two-to-five year olds will teach me a thing or two... and will manage to increase my prayer life... and probably bring me closer to Him. But (and this is where it gets mushy), they scare me to death. Yep. That's right. What if, when we're studying the flood, a kid asks if Noah brought goldfish onto the ark? If that same kid were 12, I'd tell him to google it with his mom. Or, how do you explain to a 4 year-old that snakes aren't actually sin but rather that was the tool the Devil used to tempt Eve? See what I mean??? They're scary!!!

So, if you've managed to read this entire thing without falling over (either from sleep or laughter at my paranoia), please keep myself and all the little kids in your prayers. And if, you find it in your heart to pray earnestly, pray for a large cold to strike so that I can start off with a small class... you know, get my "feet wet" (yes, that was meant to be funny, don't pray any illnesses on any little people, their poor parents!).