Pet Store

Today I took the kids on a special adventure to the pet store. The whole experience turned out to be a bit of a bust, but we surely started out on the wrong foot. From the moment we got on Woodward Grant began yelling, "easy, mom, easy." I asked Grant what he meant and he said that is what you are supposed to say if someone is going over the speed limit. No idea who taught him that. Jim, if you are reading this I was not speeding.

We got to the pet store and it wasn't long before Grant discovered that they had a vacuum. I allowed him to pretend to vacuum for 5 minutes(it wasn't even on) before the manager got really upset and we had to quit that. Then Kate stuck her hand in a fish tank (they should keep them covered) and we got another scolding. The last straw was when Grant found some lettuce on the floor and tried to feed the 2 foot tortoise crawling around the ground. Okay, so it was my idea. The science teacher in me should have known it was dangerous, but it seemed like a great way to pass the time. The manager didn't think so. We'll dress in disguise next time we go.

Tidbits

Kate's favorites:
Book: "Teeth are Not for Biting" (now if only she would listen)
Song: "B-I-B-L-E" (she pats her legs as it plays in the car)
Activity: swimming (pronounced "shwim, shwim!")
Food: cereal (this is a great way to keep her occupied after dinner)
Phrase: Me Tate! (while patting her chest)

Grant's favorites:
Book: Arthur and the Trouble with TV
Song: "All you Need is Love" (dancing with mom or dad)
Activity: climbing the structures at Kiddie Klub in Rochester
Food: mac n cheese
Phrase: "I love it when you call me Big Papa." (don't ask)

Florida Picts

The Villages

The kids and I met up with Jim at his parents house in The Villages for the second part of our vacation. The weather was slightly better so the kids even got to play in the pool once. We also took our third annual trip to "Uncle Donald's Farm" where the kids had fun feeding the cows hay and feeding the goat from a baby's bottle. Kate's favorite part was trying to climb the animals cages. Jim's mom calls her “dexterous." The thesaurus defines this as “able, active, adept, agile, apt, artful, clever, crackerjack, deft, effortless, expert, having the know how, nimble, nimble-fingered, prompt, quick & skilled.” We decided this is a very fitting description of Kate. Jim is excited to have someone to rock climb with him in a few years! We had a great visit and hope it won't be quite so long before we make it back.

Freezing in Florida

The kids and I are in Florida this week visiting my parents who spend the winter there. The record-breaking lows have made our vacation unlike any other we've had in Florida. The kids have been playing in the sand wearing their fleeces and sneakers. We've found interesting activities to do each day like visiting the Naples museum yesterday and the Discovery Science Center today. Thankfully, the kids are pretty happy as long as they have things to climb on and a place to run around. They proved the first night that they could not sleep in the same room (at home they have a barrier between them) so Grant is now sleeping in the shower. He woke up twice the first night crying but he's been okay since.

Fo' sho

Derme went back to Africa and left her mark on our family. When I ask Kate if she wants to do something she has been answering "fo show!" I definitely get double takes when we are out in public.

Grant is finally at that age where he is using his imagination. It is so much fun to watch him play. Yesterday he made a fort with a hole on top. He was trying lower one of his guys down it and said, "Look mom! I'm lowering the paralyzed man down to Jesus so he can get healed." It sure beats playing war!

Quote of the Week

Grant: Kate, when you get big like me you will grow a penis too to shoot pee in the toilet.

Kate: A huh.

Where's Kate?

Some places where Kate was found this week:

1. Locked in the bathroom (thankful for the old paperclip trick)
2. Painting her face with Jim's chapstick
3. Putting paperclips in her ears saying, "(ear)Rings Mom!"
4. Naked in the bathroom (took her own diaper off) brushing her teeth
5. Screaming next to the pack and play which she just climbed out of

Basketball Practice

Not sure we have a star in the making...nor do I think he really cares. :)

Sick Again

Yesterday Grant had a horrible day. We were in the grocery store and he cried the entire 30 minutes because he wanted to get out of the cart. Then, at basketball practice he wanted to sit on the bench with me and when I told him no he completely flipped out and threw a sobbing fit. This was not my typical joyful kid.

I started feeling bad that perhaps Grant didn't feel loved enough or secure enough or something (I know, typical mom guilt), so I planned to take him out to lunch just the two of us today. But, when I picked him up from Bible school the teacher said he wasn't quite right and that he had green puss oozing out of his eye. Great. My plan for lunch was foiled. At least this explained Grant's weird behavior. We instead went to the doctor and found out that he has pink eye and a double ear infection again! He just finished his antibiotics from the last ear infection on Sunday. Unfortunately, I have pink eye too, for the third time since the beginning of December. Please pray that our infections would go away for good and would not spread to the rest of the family.

Talk Talk Talk

Kate's language has exploded. She probably has close to 100 words now and is speaking in 2-3 word sentences. Her first sentence was "my name daddy (as she patted her chest)." Clearly she doesn't have all the details down, but she is trying. We're thinking that her skills have something to do with constantly being around a certain older brother with the nickname "motormouth."

Speaking of Grant, we seem to have crossed a major hurdle with potty training. I can't wait for the day when I can take the extra pair of pants and underwear out of my purse! We're not there yet, but he's definitely improving. Trips to the toy store with dad have helped.

Finger Painting and Swimming

Sick Sick Sick

Cindy's introduction to our family has been a bit rough (although she's handling it quite well). The day after she got here both kids got sick. As is typical, my kids are totally different when they are sick. Mostly crying and whining all the time. Jim and I kept trying to assure her that they really are better behaved than they appear. Then, on Wednesday, I got really, really sick. I have more or less been in bed for 3 days. As a result Cindy had to take care of the kids full time while Jim was at work without really knowing the ins and outs of our routine. Thankfully, Grant is pretty opinionated and told her what to do much of the time. :) Yesterday I tried to get up with Kate to let Cindy get some sleep because she wasn't feeling well either. After about 15 minutes I realized I was super weak and not doing well so I put Kate in her pack and play with some books and laid down on the couch. About 15 minutes later I heard a loud "thump" and then screaming. Kate had climbed out of her pack and play! Thankfully she landed on carpet and there are no battle wounds.

Good-bye and Hello

This week we said good-bye to our beloved Derme as she headed back to South Africa. We will be forever grateful that God chose to send her to us.


We also welcomed, Cindy, our new au pair. Cindy is also from South Africa and is Xhosa. (This is the name of her language and her people group.) She's had a lot of firsts this week including flying on a airplane, eating chicken noodle soup and using a dishwasher. She is eager to learn about Americans and about our family. We think she will fit in perfectly. Please pray for a smooth transition for her.

Jumping on the bed

Yogi Pokey

This morning I took Kate to "baby yoga." She didn't get it. I'm not sure if any of the babies did, but it was something to do at the library nearby. Kate mostly went around pointing in each child's face saying, "baby. baby. baby." Some moms didn't mind while others thought she was a little too direct. Kate's favorite part of the morning is when we did the "yogi pokey."

Grant started a new class this year called "Toddler Boot Camp." I was a little nervous because of the name (I'm sure you are too) but he ended up having a blast. It is 2 1/2 hours long at our local YMCA and includes gym and swim. The best part is that I don't have to be there to change him in and out of wet clothes. He really had a blast and keeps talking about his teacher, "Coach Kyle."

The Guys

I just came across this picture on my camera from Christmas. Grant continues to talk about his uncle Bry and Uncle Hal even though he doesn't see them very often. They play rough and do only things that guys can do.

Still Mopping

Yes, Grant is still into cleaning. He probably mops the floor over an hour a day. The great thing about it is that he's really getting pretty good so our floors have never looked better. He loves to do art projects so most days while Kate is still napping we get to do a project or two. He's in a really fun phase and is doing a great job being obedient so he is a joy to be around. We're in week 4 of potty training. Ugg! We're down to one accident a day.

Kate continues to mimic what she sees her older brother doing. Several times a day she'll run to the potty and yell, "potty!" She's yet to actually go on it, but I wouldn't be surprised if she did one day soon. She is all girl and sleeps at night with her doll which she can see burping often throughout the day.

Nicknames

I thought it would be fun to record the nicknames we have for the kids:

Kate: Katerator (we're not sure how she got this, but we've called her it from birth), Rator (short for Katerator, pronounced raytor), potato, monkey, cutie (called this by Grant)

Grant: Grant Samuel (when he's not listening), sockman (when he puts his socks on his hands, treseur (called this by Jim when he jumps off high platforms)

Christmas

Christmas was really fun this year because Grant actually "got it." He did a great job taking turns while everyone opened presents. His favorite gift was a kid-sized blender that actually works. (The blades are dull.) Kate mostly just wanted to climb all over everyone and stand on boxes.