More May Memories

A big change for us is that we are no longer regularly attending Christ Wesleyan on Sundays and Wednesdays and helping with the youth there.  We have been going there 20 months.  We're going to miss the close-knit fellowship, but are going to try and attend the first Sunday night gatherings.  We prayed about it for a month or more and feel like we need to find a church closer to home and that takes less commitment.

Well, I remembered how my Grandma Doris has a plant in her bay window that was growing from a sweet potato.  So, Simon and I put a sweet potato that had seen its better days in some water and weeks passed with no signs of growth, then little sprouts, then the plant took on a mind of its own and over took our window blinds!  I had to remove it delicately from its intricate path ... and we're trying to figure out what to do with it next!

Above:  the sweet potato uses our blinds as a trellice

Simon is proud of his block-creation.

Happy Hearts, even with empty plates!

Simon and I put together the Rainbow Fish puzzle.  I picked him up some new 'toys' at the resale since we were sick and needed some new, quiet activities.  This puzzle gave us its 50 cents worth that evening, and it's now a new favorite of Simon's.  It also helped him 'rediscover' his Rainbow Fish book!

Poor Little Evie was sick, too!  The kids are still congested and we've been battling it for over a week now.  I think it just takes kids longer, and we're sure they are not contagious at this point.  Matt had it the worst, I think, but is all better now!

The play-rug.  You might can tell from this picture that we rearranged the living room/kitchen.  We were trying to make the television armoire less of a 'focus' in the living room.  We have disconnected our tv access (all we had was an antennae anyway) to also help the mindless turning on of the tv.  So, now our tvs can only be used to watch videos, to play music, to play games, etc!

The BIG CLOCK puzzle!

Simon loves this one, too.

I like how Evie is right in on the action.

I took this picture b/c the box reminded me of comedian Brian Regan's joke about the kid's book titled, "The Clock" ....

We are so glad Tony and Teressa introduced us to Brian!

Ha ha, I just noticed you can see my 1.09 price tag and the original 12.95 price-tag!

Evie lounges.

As I type, I am literally eating from a bowl full of cherries!

Cherries!  Yum, summer's bounty!

Evie's first Cereal - Monday May 19th

Evie took to cereal much easier than I remember Simon taking to cereal.  I remember feeling so frustrated with Simon, because it seemed to take so much more time to feed him cereal than when he just nursed or had formula.  It seemed like he had more of a learning curve to learn how to eat solids.  Evie, though, just gobbled it down!  Maybe it is because we waited until she was practically 7 months and was more developmentally ready for cereal ... ?  I think Simon was just 6 months.  Could a month really make that big of a difference?

Simon is enjoying the "Music Machine" cd that mom gave him.  He likes to listen to it and 'dance' and Matt and I have fun just watching him interpret the music!

Simon is amazing!  He knows how to use his daddy's Nintendo Wii better than I do.  He can create new 'miis' and really understands (now) how to do it.  He isn't very good at creating names, though, so we have a whole army of mii's whose names are similar to :  alskdf, 10823, alskfj asdf82igjh, lkduisg, etc.!!!

Simon also manages my itunes library very well and can select what we want to listen to!  It's amazing how well kids adapt to technology!

Simon wanted to go to the zoo and here is who he said was coming with him:

Timmy, Rylee, Jenna, Asa, Eli and new Eli.

The new Eli part is hilarious.  (Okay, and a little sad, Lindsay!)

Explanation:  Elia moved to New Mexico.

Eli lives down the street and is a playmate we met at the park!

This "bib" is an old apron from my mom's house.

Simon is drawing our family ...

And here is the final product!

Daddy, Evie, Mommy, Simon

For a 3 year old, I think the attention to detail is impressive!

Notice Daddy has some facial hair, Evie is formless, Mommy has awesome hair and an a-line skirt, and Simon looks like he is wearing a baseball hat.

This is Timmy's Family, minus the two older brothers who Simon apparently doesn't realize are part of the family !

Not sure why this picture posted twice.

Funny story:  Later, Simon was drawing Rylee's family with FIVE CHILDREN (there are only 3 at current)!  Hmmm....

Mommy:  Simon, do you want to clean up the blocks?

Simon:  Mom, you clean and I'll dictate.

Mommy is thinking two things.

One:  Did he really just use the verb dictate correctly???

Two:  Well, you know what mommy was probably thinking at his suggestion.

So, I decide to try and solve the mystery of his use of the word 'dictate.'

Mommy:  Simon, what does the word 'dictate' mean?

.....

....

Simon:  It means, "I write."

What a funny coincidence !

Tamitha randomly called Friday morning and said she was in Carrollton for an appointment and asked if she could stop by afterwards and see us!  I told her she should call more often and "threaten" to come by, because I did a lot of housework very fast!  This was Tamitha's first time to meet Evie!  Tamitha's daughter Chloe is almost 11 and was our flower-girl 8 years ago!  So, it turned into a nice two-hour chat over some coffee.

Matt and Alex versus Tony and Nathan

Beanbags?

Timmy is thinking, "Hey, I like that Buzz-Light Year suit."

One little musician

Several little musicians

A bigger musician ...

Matt serenades our little corner of GFA's picnic.

Timmy and Simon play with the beanbags ...

Or, is there something more dangerous going on than a friendly toss of the bean-bag?

Evie about to take a nap

Towards the end of the party, the bounce house was empty and Matt tried to take a little rest, until Simon and Timmy joined him!

Then, Matt playfully 'attacked' them and they would try and escape !

Cute Story:  When we were loaded up in the van and leaving the picnic, Simon declared, "That was a good party."

Today at nap when I gave him a hug, I just kind of stayed 'in' the hug for a long time.  I was actually trying to see if I heard congestion in his lungs.  Anyway, it was longer than normal, then I 'retreated' from the hug, and Simon said, "Thanks, mom.  That's a good hug.  Was that a big hug?"

Who Is This?

Okay, So I didn't even recognize this handsome little boy!

He looks so much older!

(I cut out his papa to make it harder to figure out who it is!)

Mother's Day Weekend

This is my friend Kellie's garden of celery, cilantro, lettuce ...

There is more to read about this garden later in the post.

Mother's Day Weekend

Brother and Sister

Amanda surprised her parent's with a gathering honoring their 20 year Anniversary.

This is Amanda on the phone, orchestrating her parents' late arrival.

Pictured above is Nicole holding Amanda's Olivia and Connie holding my Evie.

Steven and David.

David made me play the keyboard to prove that I could read music !

Here's hoping there's no lightening in the area, as Junior (Amanda's husband) handles wires.

Funny story:  I have been keeping a little children's New Testament on Evie's changing table and/or dresser.  I've been trying to read a verse or so aloud to her when changing her.  The funny part is ... Well, have you ever had a book that tends to always open to the same page?  This Bible seems to always open to Ephesians, with a whole page (illustrated) dedicated to the verse about children honoring and obeying their parents.  It just strikes me as funny to be admonishing 6 month Evie to do this, especially as often as it opens to that page.

Stan and Candy would have known something was up when they saw all of the vehicles, so Amanda had us line up outside, so the 'SURPRISE' was when they drove up.

Evie is wearing an adorable dress on loan from Miss Rylie and Miss Jenna.

It was perfect for the weather last weekend, and she ended up wearing it the next day (laundered) for the Arboretum, as well. 

Lyric (Amanda's daughter) helping Simon with trampoline confidence.

The honored couple:  Stan and Candy!  20 years

(dear friends and supporters)

You might notice a shocking lack of pictures of Matt from Saturday's festivities.  He was at home!  He had painted our front door and it needed two coats and wasn't dry enough for him to leave the house (with the door open) !

I just stayed in the Forney/Mesquite area after the Mother-Daughter Brunch that morning at Keystone.

Yesterday we tried the pumpkin-oatmeal variation from the Deceptively Delicious cookbook of which most of my mom friends rave.

Simon liked the oatmeal, but I don't think we'll make it again unless I tweak the recipe some.  I think the pumpkin spice was a little too much, maybe we'll just go with cinnamon next time.  I guess the health benefit is adding 1/2 cup pumpkin ... BUT, Simon enjoys eating pumpkin right 0ut of the can, so that might be an easier option for us that changing up our oatmeal regimen!

Matt and I vegetated a bit yesterday in front of the computer on youtube.

We were looking up old 80s commercials and cartoons from Nickelodeon.  It was fun to reminisce.  I'll have to share some of our conversational highlights.  It was funny to hear our adult commentaries and discernment on old advertisements and media.

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Wendy's commercial that boasted more beef than a Big Mac or a Whopper.

"You never have to ask Where's the Beef? at Wendy's."

Matt:  The only reason they could say that is because their patties were square and others were round so they had slightly more meat.

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I have to admit I am severely lacking in advertising discernment.  I am easily manipulated by advertisements.  So much, that after yesterdays viewing on so many commercials, I wanted McDonalds of all things (with a chocolate shake).

Don't worry, I didn't indulge, but only because we're sick and I am fairly certain McDonalds would only acerbate my cold.

I think Evie is teething!  I can't see any teeth, but she is crying some and is not quite herself.  She is also definitely mastering rolling over.  Yes, I know that is a milestone she should have reached months ago!  She is doing it more, but still pretty much just used the roll-over technique to hurriedly get off her tummy and doesn't much care to roll the other way! 

Well, Evie said her first word last week!  

Monday Morning, May 12, 2008

"Da-Da"

Now, I know that Da-Da is easy to 'interpret' from baby syllabic repertoire, but she really said it!  She just lights up and follows Matt with her eyes and last Monday she kept saying, "Da-Da" when he came by!  

Ooh, in case I have forgotten to boast, gush, brag ... (can you tell I'm excited!)

... Teressa and Tony have asked me to be with them at the hospital for Ava's debut !

Yes!  I am seeking to serve, excited, and available for any future local deliveries -- hopefully I'll get a good grade and referral from Ava!  I will exercise my presence with utmost discretion - and, following Teressa's strict orders, shall never speak of the hospital experience in public.  :)

More on our 80s YouTube Adventure:

As we watched a cartoon trailer montage from the 80s...

Amy:  I thought cartoons were bad today.  There are horrible. 

 (dark spiritual influences)

Matt:  I know.  The 80s were freaky.  But, as a kid, you weren't thinking.

(this was sparked by a cartoon that had 4 Horsemen standing on Pentagrams)

One cartoon that we saw the intro-to had a very frightening character/person with an unattached head that he carried on a stick that introduced himself to the kids as an "angel."  They asked his name and he said, "Satan" and then went on to parady what I think is a Mark Twain short story called "The Mysterious Stranger," but nonetheless evil and chilling.

We looked up the Gummi Bears Theme Song on YouTube.

Matt and I both knew the lyrics and were vocally reminiscing about how we remembered it as kids.

Simon:  I remember this from when I was little.

Matt:  No you don't.  And you don't even get to watch today's cartoons.  You have to watch ours (old dvds we have of classic cartoons)  Well, I guess you get to watch Curious George (PBS show we like)

We discussed how we probably wouldn't let Simon watch Gummi Bears if it was on now because of the role that magic plays in it.

Speaking of cartoons, Devin and Simon !

Now Begins the Arboretum Picnic Pictures from Sunday, Mother's Day.

A wonderful new tradition.

It is VERY POPULAR on Mother's Day, but that really just affects parking as the grounds are so big, and most are picnicking and listening to the outside concert.  Complimentary crafts and face-painting for kids!  Simon opted out of waiting in line for those things, though, and gleefully played in the fountains while Matt and I watched!  (Mom and Dad took sleeping Evie for a stroll)

As we watched the youtube videos of 80s cartoons and commercials, Matt commented:

"Don't you get it?  The whole reason they made tv shows was to sell action toys.  Hasbro would pay someone to make a show so they could sell toys.  I didn't realize that until I was older."

Matt was right!  Watching the commercials as adults was enlightening!

Smurf Berry Crunch

("My favorite," Papa Smurf said when they brought him breakfast in bed.)

New Smurf Pasta from Chef Boyardee

(Thank goodness, for Chef Boyardee)

And, it still works!

We were both craving some Nestle Quik and thinking that they should re-release some of these vaulted-commercials, repackage NestleQuik (or other products) to look old-school, and all of us twenty-somethings and thirty-somethings would be buying it all over again to share with our kids!

At the arboretum, outside the English cottage with the thatched roof :0

Precious

The other day we were driving to church and Matt was singing, "I've Got a River of Life" line by line and Simon was echoing.  It was funny to hear Simon's interpretive echoes

Matt:  Spring up, O well

Simon:  Spring up, Oatmeal

....

Matt:  Opens Heaven's Doors

Simon:  Opens Heaven's Doors

Matt:  Set the captives free

...

Amy:  Really?  There are captives in heaven?

Matt:  Oh, I don't know all the words.

...

Mom is so excited!  She is doing the "Music Machine" children's musical at their church this summer, and finally, after extensive physical, emotional, and spiritual energies, has located an accompaniment tape (they aren't made anymore) in the choir room of the small Saraland, Alabama, church where we did the musical probably 20 years ago.  

She has already asked me to be thinking about the possibility of her getting Simon every Wednesday in June and July to take him to church so that he can be in the musical!

Still at the Arboretum.  Matt had never been and really enjoyed it and wants to go back soon!

Handsome fellows.

Evie and her Pops

And, in this corner, Miss Evie Grace, who is rumored to be a heart-stealer and smile-giver :)

Yesterday hit the low 90s.  It was pretty warm, but manageable, when I had to drive to Albertsons for some eggs and to rent two movies.  I was thinking how nice it would be if that is the warmest it gets here in Texas!

We rented "August Rush" and "Kite-Runner"

I unashamedly admit that I love "August Rush."  I'm a sucker for feel-good movies.  And we hope to watch "Kite-Runner" tonight when Simon is in bed.  My friend Kellie in an unnamed country in Asia recommends it as it gives a good frame of reference for Afg. culture.

Kellie commented in an email about the blog picture I posted a while back of Matt on our roof with a kite,

I'll just include a huge chunk of the email, to bless you with Kellie's commentaries on life...

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"Okay, here's something that may make you laugh.  When people come and visit they bring bags of Starbucks so we can have a nice treat every morning.  I didn't really start drinking coffee regularly until lately.  As you know it's nice to have during devotionals, etc.  Anyways, we currently have 5 bags of coffee at our house, and I know there is no way we will be able to drink it all in the next year, so I looked at the expiration dates.  I asked the others if it was okay to get rid of the ones we wouldn't use before they expired (or the ones that were expired already).  They suggested that I use it for fertilizer (we have celery, lettuce, and cilantro growing in our yard), so I just opened the bag and poured it out as I walked around our garden.  As I did it I thought how ironic that this poor miss-nary in Asia is using starbucks coffee to fertilize her garden.  I guess I really don't lack any good thing!  -----I am enjoying looking at your blog, keep the pics coming.  I also thought that if Evie doesn't have a god-mother then maybe I could recommend someone .... :)

I really don't know what a god-mother entails, but I'm sure you coudl make up something, and that way the god-mother may feel closer to the child she has never seen!

As for Matt flying kites on your roof (as mentioned in a previous blog), I'll try to get some pictures of the kiddos here.  They all fly their kites on the roof as well."

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The garden referenced is the first picture of this post.

Matt and I are reading A. Tozer's "The Pursuit of God" together.

I love it on many different levels, one of which being that I get to look up two new words in the dictionary!  Words that I know I used to know but have forgotten:  harbinger and spurious

After the arboretum, Matt and the kids and I picked up Scott and Tania at the airport.  They went to CA and enjoyed many local attractions, including Disneyland!  Their Mickey Mouse Pirate hats were amazing!  They brought Simon back some Mickey Mouse hands and they brought Evie a cat (from Aristocrats)