Category Archives: Kid Stuff

October 14, 2008 · 6:00 am

Family Vacation

As I was putting John Henry to bed, I asked him what he was most excited about for vacation at the beach.

“I’m just gonna lay on my towel, practice my reading, and reeee-lax,” he said.

I’ll be sure he gets a good foot rub, too. You know, it’s hard out there for a Kindergartener.

I’ll be taking a bloggy break for the rest of the week as we head south for some much needed relaxation. A big shout out to Papa Joe and Linda (Mimi to my children) for the family invite.

I’ll be back next Monday.

With stories. I’m sure of it.

I’m taking “The Shack” and “In the Pit With A Lion On A Snowy Day” with me.

What are you reading? Any book recommendations?

Love ya. Mean it.

6 Comments

Filed under Kid Stuff, life

Tagged as books, children, relaxation, vacation

October 10, 2008 · 6:00 am

A Lunch Date.

There are days that going out to eat in public places with my three year old are as enjoyable as sitting through a presidential debate. Can I get an Amen? Or if you’re Sarah Palin, a wink?

Bad joke. Sorry.

The other day, I had the most enjoyable lunch date with Anna. And Jenny.

First of all, we dined at On the Border. And, you know how much I love my chips and queso. We talked about girlie things. Anna commented on how “lovely” the day was and fed Jenny a few of her chips. But not the queso upon my strong urging.

There are just those days where the stars are aligned just right. And, God’s grace seems a bit more abundant. And, you walk out of a restaurant to the tune of a princess saying, “That was a nice lunch, Mom.”

I think Jenny even enjoyed it. And, I’m sure she appreciated our respect for safe travel.

8 Comments

Filed under Kid Stuff, Motherhood

Tagged as baby dolls, children, lunch dates

October 2, 2008 · 6:00 am

Pippi Longstocking called. She wants her socks back.

Here we are again. I wish I had some life-changing wisdom to share.

I’ve been too focused on proving improving my baking skills to learn any life lessons. Especially after all of your encouraging comments from yesterday’s post.

No, really. I feel the love.

I even invited my friend, Lance, over to try some tasty confections….well, spaghetti. He gave some lame excuse about being too busy hanging out with Bill Hybels. I suppose tomorrow he’ll be dining with Bono.

I did re-dedicate Anna to the Lord yesterday. After I saw THIS.

“Lord, she is yours. Use her. Mold her.”

Granted, I purchased those socks. However, they certainly were not meant to accessorize corduroy CAPRIS.

Watch out Project Runway.

John Henry’s Kindergarten experience is going quite well. He won the desperately sought after “Respect Award” for his school. ‘Cause that’s how we roll.

Well, I’ve bragged on Anna’s ever-progressing appreciation for the fashion industry and John Henry’s impeccable manners. It’s your turn.

Go ahead. Brag on your bundles of joy. It’s Fall for crying out loud. (And Sting’s birthday.)

17 Comments

Filed under Kid Stuff, Randomness

Tagged as awards, baking, Bill Hybels, kids, recognition

September 26, 2008 · 6:00 am

The Dynamic Duo

Anna tells me a bedtime story every night. E.V.E.R.Y. N.I.G.H.T. I know it’s coming as soon as I say prayers and tuck her in. If I can be honest, there are many nights I just wish she’d say goodnight after I say “Amen.” But, how many more nights am I going to have a sweet, half-Scandinavian blonde telling me bedtime stories?

Anna’s latest stories comprise of the adventures of God and Jesus. Kris and I have come to refer to these stories as “The Dynamic Duo” stories. In one story, God and Jesus flew an airplane together. In another, they killed a bear. Hey, they’re God and Jesus.

The other night she told me this story. I went to get my video camera and asked her to repeat it. You can tell by her calm, poised demeanor that she was very aware that she was being videoed. But, I had to share the story, her story, nonetheless.

Even a three-year old knows the mighty power of God. Because, if Chucky Cheese was closed, they could go under it and still play games.

You see, nothing is too big for Anna’s God (and Jesus). How big is He to you?

5 Comments

Filed under God Stuff, Kid Stuff

Tagged as bedtime stories, God, Jesus

September 19, 2008 · 6:00 am

Celebrate Good Times.

I’ve spent a lot of time this week getting our house ready for John Henry’s birthday celebration. My parents arrived yesterday, and my dad had his list of restaurants he needed to hit before departing the great state of Oklahoma. Daddy Bryan arrives this evening.

We decided to make the weekend a family affair for the most part, and John Henry didn’t seem to mind scaling down his bash as long as Optimus Prime made an appearance on his birthday cake. No, I didn’t ask for Kris’ assistance. The Super Target bakery will do just fine, thank you.

We all get to watch John Henry play his first game of soccer tomorrow morning. It should be a wonderful weekend centered on a tender-hearted, soon to be six-year old.

Not much sweeter than time with family. It’s that kind of love that gives our children a foundation that will weather anything.

“There are two lasting bequests we can give our children. One is roots. The other is wings.” – Hodding Carter, Jr.

What are your weekend plans?

13 Comments

Filed under Kid Stuff

Tagged as birthdays, celebrations, family, soccer

September 17, 2008 · 6:00 am

Gee Wally. School kids can be so mean.

Monday wasn’t too much of a departure from most of my Mondays. I dragged myself out of bed and headed straight for the java.

I went to our office and caught up on some accounting. Do wha? Dusty, you actually go to an office? Yes.I.Do. As little as possible.

But, it was later where my day took quite the turn. I volunteered in John Henry’s classroom to help his teacher with centers time. One precious gift from God asked me if I was John Henry’s grandma. GRANDMA. I smirked at her as if we were both in the 8^th grade and said, “Um, no. I’m his mother.”

I know you are, but what am I?

Then, I thought to myself, “Glad I’m not your mother.” (Sometimes, I tell the Holy Spirit, “Excuse me a minute while I take care of some fleshly business.”)

Then, another little short person stared at my hair. “That’s funny. You have brown underneath and blonde on top,” the darling said, as she continued to stroke my hair. “It’s kind of weird.”

Yeah, well, you’re weird.

Okay, I didn’t say that. That would just be cruel. I am the bigger person. Ahem.

On the way home, I informed John Henry of the two girls he wouldn’t be bringing home to meet the parents. He understood.

So, how do you handle criticism…or just downright meanness?

In my case, I put my hairstylist on speed dial, and thanked the good Lord my brother-in-law is Dr. Leiv Takle, ophthalmologist and ocular plastics surgeon extraordinaire. Looks like I’ll be needing those botox injections sooner than I thought.

8 Comments

Filed under Kid Stuff

Tagged as children, school

August 27, 2008 · 6:00 am

She said it. She really said it.

Nothing like those little girls. Since John Henry has been in big kid school, Anna and I have been getting a lot of alone time together. It’s always an adventure with some precious moments mingled in there. Here is a recent dialogue:

Anna (Unprompted, I must add): “I love you, Mom. You’re so pretty.”

I know, I know. Could it get any sweeter?

Me: “Thank you! Thank you, Anna!”

I’ve apparently come a long way since being called “a monster.” Of course tomorrow morning, I could very well be the antichrist.

She started Pre-K on Monday. I picked out the cutest first day dress. Now, I will only imagine how cute she might have looked, because she had other ideas.

Nothing like a Tinkerbell tee to accent an aqua skirt. If only she could have look excited about her first day.

Her preschool teacher told me that she didn’t know our family had a pink pig that eats cat food. “I’m excited about the stories she will tell”, her teacher said.

Um. Me, too.

Anna also just started gymnastics yesterday. Since she first learned that she would begin training for the 2020 Summer Olympics, she has been begging every day, “Please, take me to gymnastics!” Some things are better left told on the day of the event. One would think I would have already learned this one.

She was all too excited about her fancy schmancy leotard.

“It sparkles!” she proclaimed to everyone who saw her.

She did love gymnastics. She was so confident in her tumbling abilities at one point that she left her group and made herself at home on the uneven bars and later the tumbling mat. I was so very proud – even if she had to be gently guided back to her group.

I love her confidence. It’s my job to help her channel that confidence into who she is in Christ. Then, there is no doubt that she can do anything.

Nor is there any doubt that you and I can do anything.

For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength. Philippians 4:13

Do you ever forget who you are in Christ? I sure do.

9 Comments

Filed under Kid Stuff, Motherhood

Tagged as confidence, gymnastics, Motherhood, pre-school

July 28, 2008 · 6:00 am

A day at the museum.

It’s been a pleasant 100 degrees here in Middle America. It’s so hot, even the pool sounds treacherous. I mean, it’s excruciating enough to wear a swimsuit at the pool. So, Saturday, I decided to take the kids to Oklahoma’s own Science Museum – the Omniplex.

To be perfectly honest, the only science I prefer is science-fiction – as in movies. But, to escape the heat, break up the monotony of the day, and give my kids some sort of educational experience, I endured the world of science.

The best part about the experience was the 45 minute movie on the Grand Canyon in the Dome Theater. Eight dollars bought us two sodas, two popcorns, a box of Junior Mints, and Strawberry Fruit snacks. That would have totaled about $150 at the “real” movie theater. The movie was narrated by Robert Redford and the music by Dave Matthews. I haven’t watched a movie on the ceiling since I was a kid myself and nearly lost my meal replacement bar I snuck in a few times. Holy head spinning, stomach turning Batman! Anna just kept asking “Why we moving?” Over and over and over again.

I think Anna enjoyed the face painting center most.

I’m thinking that the next time I spend a small fortune at the MAC counter (that’s make-up heaven for all you dudes reading), I’m going to explain it off to Kris as a science experiment.

I believe the black tape here is to prevent people from touching this display. Hence, John Henry’s arms raised as if to say “Are you finished taking the picture already?”

After three hours of me pretending to be oh so fascinated about science, we left. I picked up my wailing three-year old who kept saying over and over again, “I want this to be my home.”

If she thinks gravity is cool and wants to live at a science museum, I’m pretty sure I’m never taking her to Disney World. Else, she’ll have to endure years of counseling that we refused to let Cinderella be her new mommy.

9 Comments

Filed under Kid Stuff, Motherhood

Tagged as museum, science

July 27, 2008 · 7:08 pm