The Truth Always Comes Out

A few days ago I was picking up the toy room and found the following:

Twiggy's beloved Lee Middleton doll with pen marks all over the scalp! My heart sank.  I guess I should thank my lucky stars because as of right now no walls have been graced with crayon marks, no paint has left the easel, and no hair has been cut.  If it wasn't for the letter-like symbols, I would have instantly suspected my rambunctious 18 month old son. So I brought Twiggy in for a few questions.

Me: "What happened to the baby doll?"

Twiggy:  "I don't know."

Me:  "Who wrote on her with pen?"

Twiggy:  "Z must have."

Me: "Really? Z made the letter A on its head?"

Twiggy:  "No, it's not an A! I made a B!"

Hmmm....guilty!  I'm going to try a Magic Eraser to get the marks off.  Any suggestions?

Rolling for Pumpkins

Here's a very inexpensive way to work on the concept of one-to-one correspondence!  I adore the dollar section at Target!  I found these super cute tin pails and a bag of pumpkin erasers.  I already had an unfinished wooden cube that I used a Sharpie to make into a pumpkin dice. 

The activity can be as open-ended as you'd like.  Twiggy and I would take turns rolling the dice and putting the corresponding number of pumpkins into our pail.  We played until the pumpkins were all gone, and then counted our stash.  We talked about who had more and who had less. 

Other ideas:
* Use the dice to "take away" pumpkins.
* Use ice-cube trays as grids.  Whoever fills up their tray first wins.
* Get a second type of eraser (we also bought bats) and practice patterning.

Itsy Bitsy Spiders

I love this time of year!  The leaves are changing, the weather is perfect for go-cart rides, and all things fall are fun!
At a recent family bonfire, we made these adorable T-shirts! They were super simple!!!

First, I found T-shirts on clearance on Walmart.  I probably should have pre-washed them but I didn't.  I put newspaper and old magazines inside the shirts to keep the paint from seeping through to the other side.  I used black fabric paint, but you have to be super careful not to get it on your clothes.

I painted the kiddos palms and four fingers (do not paint the thumb).  My little suggestion: if you are painting a younger kids hands I would do just one hand at a time to minimize the mess. 

Stamp the child's painted hand onto the shirt with thumb down.  Place the other hand down on the shirt, so the palms touch.  I let the spiders dry before I used white puffy paint to add eyes.  I used a thin paintbrush to paint the spider webs.

The kids had a lot of fun making shirts and had even more fun wearing them later that week!



Being Challenged

On my way home from our trip to West Virginia, I was searching the web on my phone.  I came across the HOMEmaker's CHALLENGE (you can get to the site by clicking on the button on the sidebar) which is based off of Sarah Mae's ebook, 31 Days to Clean, Having a Martha House the Mary Way. Hmmm...joining this was not a bad idea for me.  I know for sure that my house could use a little order!

I downloaded the book and began catching up on my ride home!  I was already 2 days behind.  So far I really like the book and enjoy reading the guest bloggers' comments on the HOMEmaker's website.

Day Two of Sarah Mae's ebook says that God made women to be "life-givers." The first way she says that women give life to others is through our words.  In Day Three, she gives 10 ways to give life to our homes.  The first step is to "give words that encourage, comfort, and edify others."  On the HOMEmaker's website, the guest blogger made reference to having to change her child's sheets in the night even though the child has been potty-trained for months.  The blog also referenced Proverbs 21:9, which I swear is my hubby's favorite verse.

“It is better to live in a corner of the housetop than in a house shared with a quarrelsome wife.”

Shoot, I just wanted to learn how to stay on top of my household chores!  I wasn't ready to take a look in the mirror!

Well, evidently God felt that I needed to take a deeper look at who I am and He decided to give me an opportunity to apply this knowledge.  The next morning, I pulled a brand new outfit for Twiggy from the back of her closet.  It was so cute!  Little black leggings (it was a cool 60 degrees out) with a black and white tunic.  The tunic had a sweet little 80's inspired necklace attached.  She loved it!  She kept modeling in front of her reflection in the fireplace.  While I was finishing up in the shower, my daughter came running into the bathroom.
Twiggy:  "Mommy...I broked my necklace. But don't worry, I picked up all the pieces so Z won't choke on them."
Me: "Okay.  Thanks for cleaning them up."
Twiggy: "Yep!" (A smile of relief crossed her face) "I put all the beads in my pudding cup and put them in the trash."
Me: "That was a good idea." (I may not have said this if I knew what she was going to ask next)
Twiggy: "Do you think you can fix it for me?"

Then I heard that still, small voice reminding me of all the things I had just read over the last couple of days. 

 I chose not to be angry when I heard how Twiggy broke the necklace (she hooked it around the bottom leg of her recliner and then stood on top of it). 



I chose not to snap when I saw all those beads drowning in the leftover pudding.



I chose to not grumble while I rinsed the offending pudding from those tiny beads.

I chose to honor my daughter's ideas when I saved those precious plastic beads.

I chose to speak life, instead of tear down.

I am embarrassed to say that this would not be my ordinary way of handling the situation.  I thank the sweet Lord for helping me remember to apply the lessons He is teaching me!

Let the challenge continue!!!

My Cup Overflows

Shame on me for trying to hurry through our nightly routine.  I know that these moments with the kids are precious, but I have to admit that sometimes I look forward to just vegging out on the couch.  I need tonight to be a reminder to me as to just how important these "mommy-duties" can be. 

After taking a bath, brushing her teeth, and one last stop at the potty; Twiggy's final bedtime gauntlet consists of being carried up the stairs a funny way.  Usually she wants her daddy to carry her by the arms and me to grab her legs.  We have to swing her 32 times before tossing her on the bed.  No joke, 32 times! Twiggy then picks out five books to take to bed.  We had to put a limit on this months ago, because the poor girl was running out of room in her bed!  I will read her one book and sometimes she will "read" one to me.  We say prayers and then I rub her back until she is almost asleep.

Tonight's routine was much the same.  The only difference seemed to be that she asked to be carried like a "princess in a parade," while giving her best pagent wave to her daddy.  We read the book, L is for Loving.  Then it was time for prayers.  I have been trying to go a little deeper with her prayers.  First we talk about what she is thankful for.  Her responses vary from "Daddy, Mommy, and Zaven" to "my new kittens." Recently, I have been asking, "Is there anything you want to ask God for?" To this she almost always gives me a blank stare. I model for her by saying, "God, please help Kinsley to have a great day at school tomorrow," or "Please help Zaven to feel better." Tonight when I told Twiggy it was time for prayers, I was totally blown away by her responses.

Me: What are you thankful for tonight?
Twiggy: That Jesus got dead so I can go to heaven.
Me: You are right! That is a wonderful thing to thank God and Jesus for. Is there anything you want to ask God for?
Twiggy: To fill up my heart.
Me: What did you say?
Twiggy: For Jesus to fill up my heart.

Tears filled my eyes. Twiggy said she wanted me to pray it for her, so we began:
Me: Thank you Lord for this day and thank you especially for my sweet little girl.  She wants to thank you for sending Jesus to die so that she can go to heaven. She also wants to ask you something...
I looked up at Twiggy and she looked right back at me with her bright, blue eager eyes. 
Twiggy: Fill up my heart, Jesus. Amen!

I gave her a huge hug and kissed her forehead.  We called her daddy up to tell him what she prayed tonight.

I am so very proud of my daughter and so blessed that we were able to slow down to share this moment with her!

Teachers Beware!

I taught in a preschool classroom for five years.  In that amount of time, I have learned countless lessons about life.  Today I will share one with you:

Don't judge parents by the actions of their children!

I'm not even talking about the major things at center time or recess.  I am not bring up hitting, kicking, biting, or the other big no-no's in a school.  No, today is something far worse...something that I think all kids must do at one time or another. 

I used to sit in front of the class of 20 kids, holding a puppet in one hand, turning the pages of a big book with the other; all while keeping my eye out for the "unthinkable." I was always amazed that the most darling, prim and proper little girl would do the "unthinkable."  I remember thinking to my self, "Oh how gross!  How can a little girl be so cute, but have such poor manners?  Aren't her parents embarrassed?!"

Teachers, I know many of you have just started back into the classroom for the year.  The school supplies still have that new smell.  The kids are just learning the routines and rules of the classroom.  Please remember the life lesson above.  You never know when the tables will be turned.

Here's when the roles reversed for me.  I was sitting on the edge of Twiggy's bed while she perused the countless books in her nighttime routine.  I was gazing at her, admiring her sweet little features, and thinking about how blessed Kee and I were.  That's when Twiggy did the "unthinkable!"  What is the "unthinkable?" Oh, you have all seen it!  It makes your stomach turn!  She placed her bubblegum pink painted finger inside her nose...and you guessed it...then put her finger in her mouth!  I can hardly write it, because it upsets my stomach! 

Me: What are you doing?
Twiggy: Nothing....
Me: Don't pick your nose!  And definitely DO NOT eat it!
Twiggy: Why? (It had never occurred to her that this was not what you do)
Me: It is gross! And it will give you a belly ache! (I was pulling at strings...when in doubt threaten sickness)
Twiggy: Mom!  I didn't chew it!

I was so grossed out, but it made me laugh at the same time.  Never did I dream that it would be my sweet, sweet Twiggy who would partake in the "unthinkable."  I'm just hoping she doesn't take her hobby to story time! 

Lessons from Bob the Painter

In a hunt for ways to spruce up our new home, Kee asked his coworkers for names of painters that they'd recommend.  That night Kee came home with a scrap of paper that said, "Fat Bob the Painter...(XXX)-XXX-9468."

There are many lessons to be learned from the contractor that we have hired to paint our new house.  Many of these lessons can be applied to your own career or job hunt.

1. Create a Name for Yourself
Bob came highly recommended from several of Kee's coworkers.  Funny thing is that they all referred to him as "Fat Bob."  Strange, I thought, and kind of rude.  I called the number that was given to Kee and left a voicemail.  About 9:45 that same night during a tornado watch, Bob called me back.

"Hey! It's Bob...the fat, old painter."

So that's why they call him that.  Everytime Bob enters the house or calls me, he says that same tag line.

It's even to the point that one day in the car I heard Twiggy singing, "Bob the fat painter...he can paint it!"  I have had several conversations with both her and Kee pleading them to stop calling him "Fat Bob."

2. Be Prepared at the Interview

Bob came to give us an estimate on Thursday at 2:00.  By 4:00 he was back at the house with a gallon of my chosen color and a gallon of white ceiling paint.

3. Show them Something They Can't Live Without
Like I said, Bob wasn't even hired yet when he came back to my house with the paint. In a matter of a half hour he spread out drop cloths and painted half of my kitchen ceiling and one wall in my kitchen.  I stood in amazement at the ease in which he trimmed without painter's tape.  It looked great!  He was such a professional! 
He wiped the paint from his hands onto his plaid shorts and said, "You just call me tomorrow and tell me if I'm hired or fired."
Then it hit me...I had to hire this guy.  First off, he was such a great painter.  Second, I couldn't live with a half painted ceiling and one painted wall in my kitchen!

4. Dress the Part

Now be careful with this one.  I guess what I mean is that Bob dresses like a painter.  He is a 66 year old man with a very typical physique.  His "uniform" consists of paint splattered shorts and white wife-beater tanks.

5. Compliments are Always Appreciated

Bob pulled into the drive in his green SUV with a silver Jesus fish emblem on the back hatch.  Carrying a rusty old ladder, he stops to meet my kids.  He plays peek-a-boo for several minutes with Z.  Then he takes one look at Twiggy and says,  "S@&T, she's beautiful!" 

Now I would definitely suggest avoiding the expletive-strung speech, but truthfully it made me smile.  A compliment is always nice if it is good-hearted.

6. Keep Your Employer Engaged

Now Bob likes conversation.  I think he likes it almost as much as he likes painting.  Countless times he has asked me, "Have you figured me out yet? Have you figured out that I'm a character?"  After talking with all my house cleaning helpers, I realize I am not the only one that he has posed this question to.  Honestly, Bob, I knew you were a character from day one! 

7. Share What You've Got

Bob is eager to share everything with you, whether it is his expertise or his lunch!  He started painting with his dad when he was six years old. He is quick to tell me why he is doing something a certain way or is offering me a free painting lesson.  Don't worry, I haven't taken him up on the lessons...I feel that would just ruin his beautiful work!  When he's not attempting to give painting lessons, he is trying to give away his food.  Everyday he brings a bunch of grapes in a plastic bag, a hunk of Longhorn cheese wrapped in plastic wrap, a bologna sandwich, and three Hershey's Chocolate Bars.  "Hey now, help yourself to some grapes or chocolate...seriously take some," Bob tells anyone walking by the room. 

7. Make Your Employer Feel Like They are Number One

Bob is sure to put our material bills and notebook paper bills in a hidden drawer in our house.  He cautions, "Now, I don't just do this for anyone."  When I'm contemplating painting a ceiling or tackling another room, he'll say, "Now you know I'm not coming back. H$#L I'm supposed to be retired."

Bob aced the interview.  He will get an excellent evaluation and will be missed when the job is done. And once again someone will be talking over lunch and asking about painters in the area.  We'll scribble a note on a piece of paper and hand it over in confidence.  It will read: "Fat Bob the Painter...(XXX)-XXX-9468"