A little something to tide you over

Post-Nap Conversation

Yesterday, I was changing John's diaper after his nap and we were chatting.

SJ: John, how about we get a new diaper and go to the tennis courts to play?

J: Yeah.

...

J: How about a cookie?

I managed not to laugh and resisted the temptation to give him one because he's so darn cute!

Blog Bog

So, I haven't been the most dedicated blogger or photographer lately. You see, it's rained nearly every day since we got back from our trip to NC and while our apartment isn't the darkest thing, it's not very light when it's cloudy outside, so natural light photos (my favorite) aren't really possible. No pictures, no real reason to blog since no one really reads my drivel. You want pictures of my children--I'm fine with it! ;)

I wanted to share these pictures. This is what breakfast looks like when Daddy makes it. This was young John's breakfast last Saturday, courtesy of his father. Sliced waffles peppered with raisins, served on a real plate.


Here are a couple of pictures of William, helping me with the laundry.



He loves to reach. If he sits in my lap while eating, I usually end up wearing it after he reaches for the plate. And following in his brother's footsteps, he's fascinated with technology! He reaches for my phone and iPod all the time.

And here's John, on his beloved step, doing something in the kitchen. "Touch a button!" he says when I'm on the computer, he's by the dishwasher, or we're at the check out. (Thankfully he can pluck away at the credit card machines with no consequence!)


John has been so handy around the house lately. He empties our bathroom trashcans with ease and is an eager helper emptying the dishwasher. He's great at handing me the utensils one-by-one. He also puts back all the things that he unearths--books off shelves, tape from the drawer, shoes that were by the door, dirty laundry back in the basket. Tonight while I was preparing dinner, I asked him to put a fork on our napkins at the table. He did it! If we had plastic plates and cups, I'd have him set the table and he's so observant, I bet he could do it!


I love how the forks are placed in the center of the napkins even though the napkins are caddywhompus.

Biltmore Barnyard

During our trip to NC, we visited the Biltmore Estate's Barnyard. Gigi and Granddaddy love the Biltmore and go often, so it's only fitting that we go when we're visiting them. What fun we had! That evening, John told Granddaddy all the animals we saw. (John is quite the reporter these days if prompted.) We can't wait to go back.

"Walkin' walkin'! Tractor!"

William enjoyed the view from Gigi's arms.

This sheep followed me around and munched on our stroller.

The "Pet-and-Run" is perfected as John pets a naked neck chicken. It was as ugly as it's name implies.

"Goat! Maaah!" The animals were great and enjoyed the attention.

Looking for chickens

Here they come!

Moving on

Making fast friends

Fire Station

John took his first trip to the fire station today. We are in NC visiting family, so he got a personal tour from Uncle Bryan. John loves pointing out fire trucks and ambulances he sees drive by. He hears their sirens and is quick to identify them. We say a quick prayer for the people the rescue workers are going to help, and John really likes seeing them around town. Like many things for a two-year old, being up close and personal is a little more frightening, so John was a little hesitant in the fire trucks, but enjoyed running around the fire station pointing out the trucks and lights. And, he managed to find some basketballs which also enjoyed! He was sad to leave, and we'll have to go back again soon!

The line-up

John preferred to be on the ground rather than in the trucks. Uncle Bryan shows him how to turn on the lights.

Basketballs and fire trucks--what more is there to love!

Uncle Bryan was great guide.

The lights--so fascinating!

Cooking with Mommy

If we're friends on Facebook, you may remember that I asked about a step stool in the kitchen a few weeks ago. Well, we bought a safer step stool (rather than let John use the step ladder that even he was afraid to climb!) and now I have a constant companion in the kitchen. There is much joy in this companionship, and sometimes there's much terror, but we both live to tell about it.

Last night, I was making French toast after my attempt to make white chili was foiled by some bad beans. I got out the eggs and I heard the drag of the foot stool and John's little voice say "Eh-zz". I gave him his own bowl and an egg, figuring it was a manageable mess if it all ended up on the counter and the floor. John cracked his egg with his bare hands and gleefully dumped it into his bowl. I was able to pick out the shells and he added it to the bigger bowl. By added, I mean that he turned his bowl over into the bigger bowl and then dropped it. Nonetheless, the egg was added to the bowl. I got out the whisk and proceeded to scramble the eggs. John was eager (read: on the verge of a meltdown) to help, so I gave him the whisk and let him have at it. Thankfully, the bowl was large enough to handle the sloshing, and John's observant enough to use the whisk correctly. I added the milk, cinnamon, and vanilla and tried to regain possession of the whisk. After a small fit and some mix on the counter, John asked to stir in a calm voice, and I figured I was already in this deep, we might as well continue!

John whisked while I sliced the bread. "Knife! No-no!" he repeated. I'm watching him out of the corner of my eye and wondering what in the world I was thinking! He whisked away, keeping everything in the bowl. It was time to dip the bread and John was a little hesitant over his diminishing mixture, but he managed quite well for a two year old. I browned them in the pan, then transferred them into the oven to finish cooking and to stay warm. Husband John came home once the toast was finished and was on the sidelines for the excitement of scrambling eggs for our side dish. I'll venture to say that the bowl of eggs and the toddler were too much for him and he distracted John from the kitchen so I could finish up.

When we sat down to eat, I was relieved we managed to pull it off with no burns and only a bit of egg on the counter, and John seemed pleased that he had helped make dinner. Young John enjoyed some of his French toast, John and I devoured ours, and then it was bath time and bed time.

I don't know what I'm getting myself in to by letting John be in the kitchen. John's propensity to touch hot things and general toddlerness makes me nervous. I don't want to be foolish, but it's fun to see him work so hard to mimic what I do and be so eager to help in the kitchen. Pray for patience for this Mama and that sweet John would heed his mother's warnings!

I managed to get the camera out and took a few pictures. Does this make anyone else nervous?!

This is what makes me nervous!

William's Baptism

The weekend we celebrated John's 2nd birthday was also the weekend of William's covenant baptism. It was great to worship with our families and celebrate God's wonderful covenant of grace to our children. It is our prayer that God will draw William to himself and he will share our faith in Jesus Christ.

Having seven adults and four children look at the camera at the same time is a near impossibility but we managed to pull it off!

Our good friend and pastor Robert Cunningham baptized William.

We eat; William sleeps.

Getting ready for a photo shoot with Sweetie.

Looking skeptical

And I will establish my covenant between me and you and your offspring after you throughout their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and to your offspring after you. Genesis 17:7