Then we added some paint, using sponges and different sizes of paint brushes.

In the interest of transparency, a couple of quick notes about this project-

1) The feet/hands turkey project seemed like a really cute idea, but lets be honest. I did all the work and they hated being still to have their hands and feet traced. I’d rather do projects where they do most of the work. They enjoy it more and actually so do I.

2) The kids loved the painting, but it definitely tested my patience and I’m not sure it was worth it for the length of time it held Cbug’s attention. KJ probably could have lasted longer so maybe next time I’ll try to find a way to paint with just him. Then again, my shortage of patience might have more to do with the road trip we took yesterday with the three kids (should have taken 4.5 hours and instead took 7). Who knows.

Despite that, the finished product was super cute and I can’t wait to mail it! And it was great to have a plan for this morning because it kept me from getting swept up immediately into post-trip laundry and cleaning. I think my kids appreciated that…although, this afternoon (after refusing to take a nap AT ALL) they watched Cars so I could finish said laundry. At least we made a good memory first 🙂

ABL

…are made to be broken!

So one thing I hadn’t factored into this whole “Makeover My Monday” business was that I might actually learn a few things about myself. Today’s lesson: A type-A accountant with a plan is sometimes dangerous and may completely lose sight of the goal to protect the plan.

Today didn’t go like I planned and I was definitely frustrated at first. It was my fault, I hadn’t really prepared ahead of time, but I had big visions of doing wonderful things for some veterans. I mean really, we even dressed in red, white and blue. However, the book I was going to get from the library was checked out, the lady we needed to talk to at the retirement home about visiting veterans was out today and to be honest, my kids were in no mood for my plans. So even though we did color some awesome pictures to mail to our favorite Lieutenant, Uncle D, that was pretty much IT for our the MMM:Veteran’s Day edition.

BUT MMM was never really about “the plan” right. The heart of it really was spending intentional time with my kiddos. right? So, even though my plan failed with a capital F…this Monday was still a keeper. With every ounce of determination I could muster (and it took a lot), I abandoned the plan, then left the laundry, the dishes and the grime sitting right where they were and headed out for some fun. We may not have given hugs and handshakes to veterans, but we sure did makeover our Monday!

We sat outside and watched

the recycle truck. (A big event

around here! )

We celebrated the earning of a Mack Truck (it cost KJ ten hard earned pennies).

Then we continued our celebrations of

KJ’s accomplishments with a lunch with

Daddy and playing for a long time

at the “adventure bridge park”

(as dubbed by KJ).

Now, you tell me that wasn’t a Monday well spent…even if it is still killing me that my plan wasn’t the best plan for today 🙂 We did have several “Monday” moments today (thanks to a certain almost 2-year-old testing his Mommy), but I loved that we also did a lot of laughing, playing, and enjoying this beautiful Monday.

Oh, and I do have to tell you about my “consolation prize”. So, when I said we didn’t get to meet any veteran’s today, I wasn’t entirely truthful. We didn’t meet any in the way I had planned, but a meeting was arranged, none-the-less. We went to Chick-Fil-A (shockingly) to meet RRL for lunch and “happened” to sit next to three ladies working busily on a project for their church. We soon overheard that they were organizing an effort to send care-packages to soldiers. I nudged RRL and he just grinned. He knew that I had been frustrated last night when I couldn’t really figure out a good way to get stuff together to send to soldiers. I definitely went over, met the ladies, heard about the project and found out how I could help. I also got to introduce KJ to one of the ladies who just “happened” to be a Vietnam Veteran, having served for 23 years in the army. KJ got to talk to her, tell her thank you and shake her hand. I don’t think he had any idea what was going on, but it was an awesome MMM moment for his mommy. Thanks Lord for that, and for reminding me that even a type A accountant can step outside the plan and be BLESSED.

ABL

oh, and PS- after all of our “unplanned” MMM fun, all three of my kids slept for 2.5 hours and I got a LOT done around our house! Three cheers for that.

I LOVE LOVE LOVE pumpkin patch pictures. Seriously, I think they are so much fun! Every year, though, I seem to forget how much I sweat just trying to get one decent picture. It didn’t change a bit from one baby to three. Just as much sweat. Only this year, KJ was big enough to speak for the group. On the way to the pumpkin patch, I was getting them excited, talking about how much fun it was going to be and oh by the way, we are going to take some pictures. KJ spoke up from the way back of the van. “Um, Mom…we are not going to smile for pictures”. It was like he had consulted his siblings and just wanted me to know. They were true to their word, too. Ah well. Maybe next year.

2007

2008

2009

I still love them, even when the don’t smile. Its still a memory that I’ll treasure and over a year’s time, probably even forget the sweat part, and just remember that:

-this was the first year the KJ didn’t wear overalls to the pumpkin patch

-Cbug was happiest when everyone just left him alone sitting at a picnic table with a couple of tiny pumpkins to bang on it

-Lou had way more fun pulling the fake plants apart than anything else we did

-My favorite pumpkins are the ones I get to tuck into bed everynight!

ABL

Last week I explained a bit about my plan to “Makeover My Monday“

Today, we went on a nature walk.

I already had the idea to do a walk around our neighborhood but then I found a fun website with the idea to make it more purposeful, talking about your 5 senses. This was by FAR the best Monday project yet. My kids LOVED it, no set up or clean up, completely free, provides some exercise (especially for the nature guide) and it was even educational :). Even Lou loved being in the stroller outside. We couldn’t have better custom ordered the weather and it was so pretty we stayed out and about for nearly 2 hours. So fun!

God gave us

EYES to SEE.

We saw fall colors (at least various shades of green and yellow) and looked for “wild animals” in the “forest”. We watched the splash that rocks make and the saw the bright light that comes from the sun.

God gave EARS to HEAR.

We listened to the sound of the moving water,

the songs of the birds, the chirping of the crickets,

the sounds of an airplane and a train and our favorite…

the sound of an echoing hammer

(bonus that someone was working on their fence).

God gave us NOSES to SMELL.

We got to smell the flowers (mostly dandelions).

God gave us FINGERS to TOUCH.

We felt the tops of wild rye, the smooth rocks from the creek,

the coolness of the mud (not Mommy’s idea)

and the different textures of the leaves on the ground.

We also did some “feeling” before we left.

We felt cotton balls, sandpaper and pennies and

tried to guess what we were feeling without peeking.

Lou did lots of “feeling” the wind on her face and the sun on her toes!

And God gave us MOUTHS to TASTE. We made our snacks at home before we left as the nature guide for this activity was VERY certain that we would not find anything on this walk that we should taste!! While I was making the bag of snacks, I would put one item in their mouths and let them guess what it was (goldfish, marshmallows and M&Ms). I think this was their favorite part (thank you, leftover Halloween treats).

Some bonus activities that this nature guide might try to avoid next time:

-The smell of a nice large pile of doggy poo on our path

– Feeling how wet pants can get running through tall wet grass to catch a nature-exploring-escapee.

-KJ feeling the joy of a soaking wet slide (check out his pants

– Realizing that the leaf you think your two-year-old is looking at(with his hands) is really a decaying banana peel.

–Hearing your 3-year-old announce to the playground that he poo-poos in the potty.

-Knowing that there is no way that your boys didn’t taste some of what they touched!

But even with all of that…I wouldn’t trade these moments for the world.

Thanks, Monday.

ABL

A challenge to a dual or a consipiracy to escape ANOTHER photo shoot?

Either way, this is one HAPPY princess!

We had fun being with the teenagers while they collected can goods. It sure was a work-0ut for me, pushing 3 babies in a double stroller. Wowzers. They all LOVED it, though. Can’t you tell?

(please ignore the fact that a certain country music singer forgot to have his momma wipe his face after enjoying his pizza!)

I sure love spontaneous (and free) fun!

ABL

She can rollover now, but can only go from back to stomach and it makes her pretty mad that she can’t get onto her back. She LOVES her pacifier and her soft blanket luvy. She pulls the luvy up over her head to go to sleep like a real diva (don’t worry, I take it off of her face after she is asleep). She also LOVES to be in the sling on my hip and she LOVES to wear bows (ok, maybe that is momma’s love, but she doesn’t seem to mind). She could really care less about toys for the most part, preferring to just be in the middle of the floor watching her brothers play. She is easily the most laid-back at this age of any of our three children. Sometimes I think she is fake, she is so easy. She is also very alert, observant, and happy. All her brothers have to do is smile in her direction and she breaks into giggles. She giggles at everything (and nothing) all the time. I sure love this baby girl.

Two months

Three months

This was her first pedicure (sort of).

Girl’s best friend…a monkey? She gets in her carseat and just starts giggling at this orange friend. So funny!She absolutely LOVED her first tastes of cereal. She made a huge mess with it, mostly because she figured out how to make bubbles with it and because she likes to put her toes in her mouth. Probably should have used the tray on the highchair. Ah well, it was way more fun that way!
…and lastly… those baby blue eyes. How can you resist those gorgeous eyes? Her Daddy says its impossible (and her momma is inclined to agree)!

We’re only beginning to get to know this sweet girl and couldn’t possibly be any more in love with her! I can’t wait to see her personality continue to develop.

ABL

*This post could alternatively be titled “preserving Monday’s sanity” (or Mommy’s sanity), but the abbreviation has a few too many connotations/inferences that I am not willing to admit to. I much prefer the ‘M’ alliteration, don’t you?

I work part-time outside of our home, Tuesday-Thursday. So I am home with the cherubs four days out of the week. But for some reason, it is always Mondays that get us. As previously mentioned, I’ve learned that if I don’t have a plan the boys come up with one (see picture to left…don’t be fooled into thinking that is a hug). It just seems like there are more battles, more messes, more tears, more tantrums, more TROUBLE on Mondays. Maybe it is because RRL has been home to help all weekend and we are missing him on Mondays. Maybe it is because I feel overwhelmed trying to get the house cleaned up after a busy weekend and get us all ready for the week of work/school/babysitters house. Maybe its because my kids just have the Monday blues. Whatever causes it, I’m definitely willing to take ownership for the fact that Mondays are rough (my attitude, my patience, my attention to what really matters) and I’ve decided to do something about it. Something small yet intentional.

I’ve started “Makeover my Monday” plans. Today, and for the previous two Mondays, I just tried to plan ahead for an activity or craft for the boys that is something we don’t usually do or haven’t done before. In the morning while we get our chores done, I talk to them about what we are going to do. This buys me a little time to get the laundry going, clean up the kitchen or tidy up around the house while they get excited. Then we do our “project” (as KJ likes to call it) when Lou goes down for a nap.

1) The first week we made our first ever (but definitely not last) couch/sheet fort to:

hide in,

read stories in

and play flashlight games in

…and as a bonus, invited a friend over to make and decorate cookies.

2) Last week we decorated pumpkins using things we could find around the house (construction paper, stickers, markers)

Note: I can neither confirm nor deny whether Cbug

colored on his face with brown marker during this

little project.

Aren’t the final results just the cutest things you have ever seen? KJ declares them to be “BEEEAUTIFUL pumpkins”. I concur.

3) This week we played with dried beans. We measured them, dug for buried treasure (which may or may not have been candy left from last Easter), and made roads for racecars. For the big finale we used the beans inside of paper plates as noise makers and had a dance party (see video below).

Thanks to Kendra V for the idea of digging for things in the beans. The funny thing about the “treasure dig” was that they were having so much fun, they found and re-buried the candy about 12 times before even thinking to ask if they could eat it. And we definitely covered our noise-makers in stickers. Mostly I like involving stickers in every project just to get to hear Cbug say “steeeeeeekers”

over and over. So cute!

This Monday “mission” is definitely still a work-in-process but has already been successful, I think, at giving the boys some time on Monday with my undivided attention (or at least a little less divided). Its been a learning process to figure out the timing to make it happen, what are reasonable expectations for their attention span, etc. It really hasn’t been so much about the what we do, as much as just that I have a plan and am intentional about spending some Monday time with them.

I would love to hear your ideas of things to do. I would prefer it to be something we can do in our home, with few supplies, and age appropriate for a nearly 2 year-old and a 3 1/2 year-old. Share your ideas, then when we try it I’ll share pictures and let everyone else know how it goes. I’ve also been posting a facebook status on Sundays saying what we’ll be doing on Monday so if anyone else needs “a plan” you can use ours or maybe get an idea of your own. Hope that helps if there is anyone else out there needing “An Extreme Monday Makeover”. Hopefully it will also hold me accountable to having a plan ahead of time.

Let me know your ideas!

ABL

Last week, I did an update on our oldest son, KJ.
Now, for a bit about Cbug.

Oh boy, oh boy. How do I even put into words how hilarious, busy, snuggley, charming, sneaky, loving and mischievous our middle child is? I guess you just have to know him to know the amazingness that is Cbug. He is a rule tester (unlike his rule-follower big brother) but is also quick to say “sorry” and give hugs. We’re realized in the last couple of months that our middle son is more keenly aware that he is being disobedient than we gave him credit for. We’re having to really crack down on obeying with him. It is definitelytough not to laugh sometimes, though! Here are some recent pictures and thoughts about our stinker.

I’ve referred to Cbug as a “bull in a china closet”. He is a daredevil, goes fast and furious, is busy constantly, and thinks about the consequences LATER (if ever). On one such occasion this summer (just a week before his sister’s arrival), he tried to climb up onto our bed. In the process, the bridge of his nose had an unfortunate meeting with the bed railing resulting in 3 stitches. Does this keep him from climbing now? Oh, no. I’ve found him on top of my desk, on the dining room table, in the bathtub (not during bathtime), in the window sill, on the bathroom counter,etc…and that is just at our house. He jumped off of diving boards this summer and we have to watch him like a HAWK around water. At the retreat this fall he just took off running toward the lake. I have no doubt that if he had gotten there first he would have been in the water.

Cbug is growing and growing and growing! Really, it is amazing to me to see how different he is just in the last few months.

These pictures were taken on his

and

LAST –>

days in the nursery at church with one of his favorite people to snuggle!

If you follow us on facebook where we post a lot of pictures, you’ll see lots of photos of KJ and baby sister together and lots of Cbug by himself. This is for two reasons.

1) Cbug marches to his own drum. While he loves playing with his big brother, he often prefers to just wander around by himself. For example, to the left, he was at the splash park. There were definitely other kids (and adults) there, but he was just enjoying the water, dancing, splashing and having a big time by himself.

2) Cbug gets cropped out of a lot of sibling pictures. TERRIBLE…I KNOW. But usually he puts a toy on his head, makes a funny face, dives out of the shot, etc. For example…last week I was taking pics of the kiddos on the front porch. KJ was holding Lou so it was a super fast “photo shoot”. These are the faces of Cbug in that VERY short period of time. In the end, I got a really cute (cropped) picture of KJ with his sister…and these faces of Cbug.

Just like KJ, Cbug LOVES his siblings! He adores his big brother (especially when they are wrestling) and these days is quite a shadow of him. He also loves being a BIG brother. His carseat is right beside his sister’s in the van and because she faces the back they can see each other. I’ll often hear him get so excited and yell “SMILE” because he is pleased he made her smile at him. In the picture to the right he was reading to her and telling her the sounds the animals make. This kid has some AMAZING animal sounds. Monkey, sheep, crocodile, cow, horse, pig, rooster and cat are some of my favorites!

Cbug does everything BIG. Best of all he LAUGHS big….about everything. I love to hear his deep hearty laugh. What a JOY our Cbug is! He brings new adventures everyday and lots and lots of FUN!

And finally…a video. This video amazes me for a couple of reasons. First, because this is one of the only things C will sit still to do. There are a couple of others (loves crafts and stories) but they are few and far between. And second because this puzzle is HARD (i mean, for a toddler…i won’t talk about whether it is hard for mom). The pieces are only slightly different shapes and there is nothing to designate which order they go in. The first time I saw him do this I was truly amazed. But then again, I’m the mom!! As an added bonus, you get to hear his adorable deep voice and his 3-year-old brothers not-so-adorable tantrum!

Oh how I love this little boy!!

ABL