Bug Week

Inspired by my friend, Jessica, I wanted to do some themes for the kids during the summer. The first one we did was Bug Week, and it was lots of fun!

We enjoyed all kinds of things such as bug hunts, bug crafts and eating bug snacks. We also read great bug books like Miss Spider's ABC's, The Very Hungry Caterpillar, and The Grouchy Ladybug. The boys really enjoyed the whole week!

Thanks, Jessica, for the great lesson plans and ideas!

I didn't get pictures of everything we did, but here is a sampling:

Making Lady Bugs

The Finished Product

We also made Caterpillars...

...and ate fun snacks like Ants on a Log, Spider Cookies, and Dirt Cups.

We used homemade magnifying glasses (minus the glass) on our bug hunts...

...and found some ants, a spider, a beetle and a few roly-polies.
(I think I'm glad we didn't find any more than that!)



Of course, Seth was along for the ride,
but he let the big boys do most of the work!
What a fun week!

***For links to the crafts shown above, click on the blue words.

The Wonderful World of Boys

One night at dinner, I was leaning towards Max to help him cut up his food. When I turned back to my plate, my dear first-born caught my eye. He was giggling and doing this:



"Oh, Cole, take your fingers out of your nose, please." I said. (More giggles from Cole)

Of course, Max just had to join in, because anything Cole does is the greatest thing on earth. So as I looked back at a giggling Max, I saw this:



"Oh, great, now Max is doing it, too. Max, take your fingers out of your nose, please," I said with a sigh (and a half smile).

I looked up at my sweet husband for support, and smiled, shaking my head. His reply was this:

Sigh.

Needless to say, we are working on our table manners, but I sure do love the sound of my boys giggling together and having fun.

It won't be too long until this one is joining in on all the fun:


I love my boys!

Music to My Ears

This evening as I was preparing dinner, I could hear the sound of Max and Cole playing together in their room. A few minutes later, Max appeared in the kitchen, without Cole. I didn't think too much about it until a few more minutes went by and I realized it was strangely quiet in the bedroom.

"Cole," I called out, "What are you doing, Sweetie?"

His answer warmed my soul, "I'm reading my Bible in my room, Mommy."

Oh how I pray I hear those words from him often and forever.

Comments from Cole

I've been jotting down some of the random things Cole has said lately. Here's a sampling:

"Your tummy looks weird, Mommy." (Yes, I know, dear. Thank you for noticing. But I do have 3 sweet babies to show for it, so that's ok.)

"I really wish I could be a crane driver."

"When the next baby comes out of your tummy, can we name him Trey?" (Um, next baby??)

"Mommy, I'm going to get on a plane and fly a long way to heaven, 'cause it's very far away!"

Van Cole

Cole requested to do a "bug craft" this afternoon (we are having a bug themed week this week...more to come on that later), and while I was getting the stuff set up, he picked up a few crayons and drew this caterpillar. It now has a place of honor on the refrigerator door. Until, that is, it gets taken to The Louvre. It's only a matter of time, I'm sure.

I'm still here!

I have so many post ideas floating through my head, but well, finding the time to sit and write them is a little difficult. Hopefully soon, I can catch up a bit.

In the mean time, here are just a few of the (most welcome) reasons I haven't had time to write:

Welcome, Baby Seth!

We are proud to announce the birth of our third son, Seth Daniel Rowden, born April 14, 2009 at 8:06am. 9 lbs 4.5 oz, 20.5 inches long.




So far, Seth has been a sweet, laid-back baby. Big brothers Cole and Max adore him, and he has had no want for cuddles in his first 12 days of life. We are so happy to add him to our family!