I experienced a first tonight.
We were at church and it was time for Ayden to go to Preschool Choir.
He put on his shoes (I don't know why he thinks he needs to kick them off at the threshold of the youth room).
He stood up.
He ignored my outstretched hand.
Then he informed me he didn't need my help.
"I can go all by myself, mama."
And, as I followed at an unseen distance, that is exactly what he did.
He marched down the stairs.
He pushed the buzzer button and waited patiently for Miss Deb to open the door.
He opened said door and took off down the hallway.
He didn't stop (too much) until he got to the doorway of the preschool choir room.
And in he walked his little four year old self.
I love that he's growing up.
But, I hate that he's growing up.
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Ode to Imaginary Friends
You may remember that I've blogged about Ayden's invisible friend Goliaf. Well, Goliaf got old, I guess, because he hasn't been around in a few weeks. He was replaced with Wall-E, Princess Eloise, and Prince Alexander. Now that trio has gone everywhere with us. After I unbuckle Ayden from his carseat he climbs into the back of the Suburban and makes a clicking noise as he "unbuckles" his "friends" so they can go in too. Sunday, we were running late to church and didn't have time for him to rescue his friends, so they had to stay in the car. Mean Mama. This week, Wall-E, Princess Eloise, and Prince Alexander are gone to the Movie Castle (that's Disney World in Aydenese). So, he's been hanging with the Furious Five. I've had to watch them practice kung fu all day today. Ayden shared his grilled cheese and Cheetos with them at lunch...which may explain why he ate TWO WHOLE sandwiches. The rested with him this afternoon, and they wanted to help me cook dinner. After all that, Ayden brought out the big bag of tools that Landon got for Christmas and dumped them on the living room floor (yep, the one I've been trying to clean). He announced that he was going to build a house. But, he didn't know how and needed my help. Only, I was feeding Camden, so I advised him to ask the Furious Five for help. He informed me that my idea wouldn't work. The Furious Five apparently don't know how to cut wood. "Oh," I replied. "Why don't you find Handy Manny? He's really good at building things." His response? "No, Mama, Handy Manny lives in cartoons."
Silly me.
Silly me.
Monday, March 8, 2010
Second Time's a Charm
You might remember our first experience with Ayden singing with the preschool choir. Well, I'm happy to report that the second time around was much better!! And, as an added bonus, Grammy and Poppy were here to see and hear him. He was very proud of himself and were also thrilled with him!! Here's a few pictures from the day!
practicing before church
with his buddies Luke and Sarah
waiting for their turn
waiting for their turn the big moment
all done...
all done...Friday, March 5, 2010
Landon Is Two!!
Dear Landon,
Today you are two years old. I can't believe how fast the time has flown by!! What a big boy you are...and so precious with big blue eyes and a smile that melts my heart and lights up the room. You have had a hard year. You went from being the baby to a big brother....even though you were still a baby yourself. And, we moved to Florida and rocked your little world. You have handled it remarkably well, though. Most of the time, you are a really good big brother to Camden. You share your toys with him and give him kisses. Sometimes you push him down or take something away, but you always tell him, "sowee" and give him a kiss. You love your big brother Ayden and mimic everything he does. Sometimes that's a good thing, and sometimes....not so much. There are days when the two of you fight like cats and dogs, but most days you play together so well. I love watching you play together. You race your cars next to each other or drive your trains around together. Sometimes you chase each other and both laugh and giggle the whole time. You adore your Daddy and come running when he gets home. He likes to fold you up into a little ball and say, "Where's Landon?" and you giggle from inside the ball and laugh when he lets go and says, "There he is!" You love to cuddle with daddy and me, especially when you first wake up in the mornings and after your naps. You have been in a big boy bed for the last several weeks and you are slowly getting the concept that you have to stay in it and go to sleep. If only you knew how much I'd love to laugh when I see you up with cowboy boots on and riding on the rocking horse. As soon as you see me or daddy, you run back to your bed as fast as your little legs will carry you. Speaking of little legs...yours are...along with the rest of you. You only weigh about 22.5 pounds, which is crazy because most days you eat like a horse. I guess you just burn it all off... But, I think you are perfect and I wouldn't change you for anything! Your words have started becoming a lot more understandable the last few months. Some new words are "me mem" (yes ma'am), "shesh shir" (yes sir), "ha ha" (hot, hot), "d'er y ahh" (there you are), "d'er" (there), and "sowee" (sorry). You love to play with cars and Thomas trains and Buzz Lightyear and things that make noise. You carry a little toy microphone around and sing your version of "Jesus Loves Me." Mostly its just "Je-us" but I still think its cute!! When you feel bad, your eyes are a darker blue. When you are upset or don't want something you grunt and turn your head away. You are strong willed and stubborn, but everyone that knows you loves you. I am so excited to see the young man that you will grow up to be. I know God has such great things in store for you. You love people and I think that God will use that to help you reach people as you get older. Did you know that God has a plan, just for you? A plan that only Landon Ryan Ball can fulfill? Something just perfect for you! He loves you so much!! Even more than mommy and daddy, and we love you so much our hearts might burst! He loves you so much that He sent His son to make a way for you to live in heaven with Him one day. He has engraved you on the palm of His hand! I know you don't understand all of that right now, but one day you will...and you will rejoice in His love! But, for now, I want you to enjoy being two. This year I hope we can get you potty trained. I'm excited to see all of the new things you will learn in the next year. You are a sweet little man and I hope you have a very happy birthday! Now, lets get to the park, break out the Thomas decorations, grill some hot dogs, open some presents, eat some cupcakes, and, most importantly, celebrate YOU!!
I love you Landy!!
Mama
Today you are two years old. I can't believe how fast the time has flown by!! What a big boy you are...and so precious with big blue eyes and a smile that melts my heart and lights up the room. You have had a hard year. You went from being the baby to a big brother....even though you were still a baby yourself. And, we moved to Florida and rocked your little world. You have handled it remarkably well, though. Most of the time, you are a really good big brother to Camden. You share your toys with him and give him kisses. Sometimes you push him down or take something away, but you always tell him, "sowee" and give him a kiss. You love your big brother Ayden and mimic everything he does. Sometimes that's a good thing, and sometimes....not so much. There are days when the two of you fight like cats and dogs, but most days you play together so well. I love watching you play together. You race your cars next to each other or drive your trains around together. Sometimes you chase each other and both laugh and giggle the whole time. You adore your Daddy and come running when he gets home. He likes to fold you up into a little ball and say, "Where's Landon?" and you giggle from inside the ball and laugh when he lets go and says, "There he is!" You love to cuddle with daddy and me, especially when you first wake up in the mornings and after your naps. You have been in a big boy bed for the last several weeks and you are slowly getting the concept that you have to stay in it and go to sleep. If only you knew how much I'd love to laugh when I see you up with cowboy boots on and riding on the rocking horse. As soon as you see me or daddy, you run back to your bed as fast as your little legs will carry you. Speaking of little legs...yours are...along with the rest of you. You only weigh about 22.5 pounds, which is crazy because most days you eat like a horse. I guess you just burn it all off... But, I think you are perfect and I wouldn't change you for anything! Your words have started becoming a lot more understandable the last few months. Some new words are "me mem" (yes ma'am), "shesh shir" (yes sir), "ha ha" (hot, hot), "d'er y ahh" (there you are), "d'er" (there), and "sowee" (sorry). You love to play with cars and Thomas trains and Buzz Lightyear and things that make noise. You carry a little toy microphone around and sing your version of "Jesus Loves Me." Mostly its just "Je-us" but I still think its cute!! When you feel bad, your eyes are a darker blue. When you are upset or don't want something you grunt and turn your head away. You are strong willed and stubborn, but everyone that knows you loves you. I am so excited to see the young man that you will grow up to be. I know God has such great things in store for you. You love people and I think that God will use that to help you reach people as you get older. Did you know that God has a plan, just for you? A plan that only Landon Ryan Ball can fulfill? Something just perfect for you! He loves you so much!! Even more than mommy and daddy, and we love you so much our hearts might burst! He loves you so much that He sent His son to make a way for you to live in heaven with Him one day. He has engraved you on the palm of His hand! I know you don't understand all of that right now, but one day you will...and you will rejoice in His love! But, for now, I want you to enjoy being two. This year I hope we can get you potty trained. I'm excited to see all of the new things you will learn in the next year. You are a sweet little man and I hope you have a very happy birthday! Now, lets get to the park, break out the Thomas decorations, grill some hot dogs, open some presents, eat some cupcakes, and, most importantly, celebrate YOU!!
I love you Landy!!
Mama
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Questions I Have
The following questions have come to mind throughout the day today. Its not been a bad day, just a busy one. I love my little boys and my life is better because of them. They make me smile (most of the time), and their presence in my life is a source of constant joy. I would like to reiterate...its been a good day. But the comments and stares of others have prompted most of these questions:
-Why does my almost two year old (in 4 more days) think that its funny to run from me in public? Doesn't he know it makes me look bad to chase him? Its a good thing his jacket had a hood, because I grabbed him by that several times. Hey, it thwarted the escape attempt. What's a gal to do?
-Why do people feel the need to ask "You have all boys?!" Uh, yes...its not like they are dressed in gender neutral duds...
-Why do people feel like they need to inform me that I have my hands full? Really? Are you sure? Thanks for letting me know!
-Why, oh why, can the folks at Costco not work with me? Can't they see that if I have to get all three of my children out of the cart in order to pay that my well-oiled routine is going to crumble? Why can't they break the rules, just this once, and let me keep my cart on my side of the register?
-Why do the same checkout people have to look annoyed as I pin my two year old between my legs, balance the baby who's chubby fingers are reaching for the pen I'm using to sign the check, and look every 1.3 seconds to be sure my oldest is still next to me? Remember Mr. Costco Cashier Man, if I could have just left them in the cart we wouldn't have run into this problem.
-And, finally, why oh why oh why does it have to rain before I make it out of the last stop of the day? I'm not talking about a downpour, but a steady, somewhat heavy rain just the same. The kind of rain that's cold with wind blowing it in your face and in the face of your three children who are ready for nap time. The kind of rain that quickly soaks through light jackets and hoods. The kind that soaks the box I had so thoughtfully planned to pack my groceries in. The kind of rain that drives a wife to call her husband and see if there's a chance he might like to meet her at home to unload the car, only to get his voicemail...twice. The kind of rain that stops and allows the sun to shine through about 4.7 seconds after getting everyone and everything unloaded and buckled and so on. Yep, it was that kind of rain.
And it was that kind of day.
But, I wouldn't change it for anything.
**No Costco employees or innocent bystanders were harmed through the course of this day. And through the power of the Holy Spirit, none were even treated rudely. Like Mary, I just "stored these things up in my heart."
-Why does my almost two year old (in 4 more days) think that its funny to run from me in public? Doesn't he know it makes me look bad to chase him? Its a good thing his jacket had a hood, because I grabbed him by that several times. Hey, it thwarted the escape attempt. What's a gal to do?
-Why do people feel the need to ask "You have all boys?!" Uh, yes...its not like they are dressed in gender neutral duds...
-Why do people feel like they need to inform me that I have my hands full? Really? Are you sure? Thanks for letting me know!
-Why, oh why, can the folks at Costco not work with me? Can't they see that if I have to get all three of my children out of the cart in order to pay that my well-oiled routine is going to crumble? Why can't they break the rules, just this once, and let me keep my cart on my side of the register?
-Why do the same checkout people have to look annoyed as I pin my two year old between my legs, balance the baby who's chubby fingers are reaching for the pen I'm using to sign the check, and look every 1.3 seconds to be sure my oldest is still next to me? Remember Mr. Costco Cashier Man, if I could have just left them in the cart we wouldn't have run into this problem.
-And, finally, why oh why oh why does it have to rain before I make it out of the last stop of the day? I'm not talking about a downpour, but a steady, somewhat heavy rain just the same. The kind of rain that's cold with wind blowing it in your face and in the face of your three children who are ready for nap time. The kind of rain that quickly soaks through light jackets and hoods. The kind that soaks the box I had so thoughtfully planned to pack my groceries in. The kind of rain that drives a wife to call her husband and see if there's a chance he might like to meet her at home to unload the car, only to get his voicemail...twice. The kind of rain that stops and allows the sun to shine through about 4.7 seconds after getting everyone and everything unloaded and buckled and so on. Yep, it was that kind of rain.
And it was that kind of day.
But, I wouldn't change it for anything.
**No Costco employees or innocent bystanders were harmed through the course of this day. And through the power of the Holy Spirit, none were even treated rudely. Like Mary, I just "stored these things up in my heart."
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