Blustery Day Activities

It's cold outside. The kind of cold where I don't WANT to stand around while the kids waddle around all bundled up and red cheeked. Sprinkling? No problem. Windy? I'm fine. But cold air? It's uncomfortable and not helpful when the kiddos are just getting over colds... So the alternate is, coming up with something entertaining to do indoors. I've got Noah asking me to please not turn the TV on and keep it off. Then there's Faithy squealing "Umizoomi! George! Dora!" And many days, the squeaky/screechy wheel of Faith wins out (depending on mommy's day).

The last couple of days I've improvised. Today, I even impressed Noah... "Mom, I'm so surprised and happy that you thought of this game using a lever! That's so smart of you!" Yes, he's my encourager. Today we took the round soft snowman-head ornaments off of the tree and used a pasta strainer (lever) and an alton brown measuring cylinder (fulcrum) and catapulted them across the room into a box. Noah got extra points for hitting our cat.

Yesterday I thought it might be fun to put a cookie sheet on the cutting board and pour baking soda into it. Faith spent a long time playing in it with her hands, paint brushes, and basting brushes. Noah loved it too. It wasn't too messy and I didn't have to worry about the kids eating it :)

In case you're wondering...

This is Megatron, transformed into a gun. It's a shame you can't hear the sound effect.

Noah singing Kim Walker

Noah singing "Happy Day" - one of his most favorite songs. I love this.

Faithy singing Kim Walker "How He Loves"

One of the only CD's Noah wants me to play in the car is a Kim Walker worship CD. I knew that Noah was learning all the music, but didn't really get how much Faith was picking up until she starting dancing and singing "How He Loves". I laugh at the end because I had NEVER seen those crazy jazz hands she does!

Thoughts from a former Facebook Addict

On November 1st, 2010, I did the unthinkable...

I deactivated my Facebook account. I still find it hard to believe that I haven't posted a status or looked through a stranger's photo album during the entire month of November. And I have to tell you, I feel AWESOME. The time it has freed up in my day to day is priceless. I no longer watch my kids play while I update my status about watching my kids play. Instead, I am present - watching my kids play.

I no longer linger in the kitchen checking my computer or phone to update my page to see if someone - anyone - commented on my hilarious/inspiring/boastful/humiliating/boring status. Instead, I am present - taking care of and enjoying my home, my husband, and my children.

And if I need to know how someone is doing, I call them, or text them, or email them. **side note, remember I no longer read your status updates, so I won't automatically know what's going on in your life!**

It has truly been liberating for me. I do still think in "status update" snippets. This is when you are in the middle of doing something and your mind automatically edits your experience into a soundbyte or perfect status update. Most of my days used to be full of those thoughts! Now I'm down to one or two... and I just hold on to them and tell Darren when I see him or maybe I'll blog them here. Who knows.

So, that's where I've been. NOT on Facebook. I didn't unfriend you on National Unfriend Day, I just took the plunge and walked away - and I haven't looked back :)

Check back in here for updates on the family and life - but not my minute-by-minute status :)

Traffic Jam

Noah found a sheriff's truck that said "traffic unit", so of course we had to make a traffic jam at Jenny's so the sheriff could investigate.

Gingerbread Village

This is partly a post to test out blogger since I haven't blogged in 4-EVER. It's also an opportunity to show how cute my kids are. They had no problem getting behind this year's gingerbread "village" - lots of mini houses to decorate. Though both of them, especially Faith, were more interested in the candy. They don't quite look like they did on the box, but they were fun and yummy :)