We spent the morning at river bend “fishing” in the swamp, the river, the rain-filled canoe. 

Noah and Harrison have been taking swim lessons since September.  The first lesson they both screamed for 30 minutes.  That day was most certainly one of the top 10 embarassing moments as a mom.  The next week it was all different.  No screaming, no fear.  Now we’ve got 2 new swimmers in the family. 

I couldn’t figure out how to take a decent photo through glass, and I didn’t think about video until Noah’s class.  I’ll have to take some video of Harry next week.  Oh how I enjoy my little fishes!

Noah can swim a couple of feet on his own.  He just beams in his new goggles, and is starting to learn to dive for objects at the bottom of the pool.  Noah has a good kick and stroke, and can float on his back all by himself.  He has more muscle than fat, so he has to bend his legs slightly when back floating to keep balanced!

Harrison enjoys the water, will jump in at any time.  He has great kick and is able to keep his legs together and not bend his knees.  He’s working on the back float.  He is not a fan of the slide.

Noah and Harrison have been asking questions about money.  A few weeks ago Harry offered to clean out my car and requested to keep all the loose change he found.  The new chruch we’re attending has a great Sunday school program, and the kids voted to buy a goat for a family in a foreign country wiht the offerings.  Noah was asking me the difference between selling something and giving it away; and, of course, they ask for EVERYTHING cool they see when at the store.  So, the time is right to start a money management program. 

We’ve done sticker charts for potty training and chores, but now we’ll switch to money.  I have fond memories of my parents using stacks of pennies at dinner to teach us table manners.  Plus Rob supplies me with a never-ending source of loose change found in the washing machine, so we’re already set.

I used old play-dough containers and sprayed them with chalkboard paint.  That way the boys can personalize and re-docorate or we can draw a picture of the object they are saving for right on the little bank. 

Hopefully the boys will like this idea and it can be both a positive motivator and a life lesson in money management with an emphasis on giving and saving before spending!

The banks are a hit.  We’re saving for the goats and chickens at church, and for new clothes for the kids who we donated toys to last month!

Harrison yawns, “Mom, I’m just tired in my mouth”

Noah breaks wind, “I just toot from my boot (short pause) eeee”

Harrison, when asked to do something not unpleasant, but maybe not the same caliber as eating ice cream or going to gymnastics,  “I’m busy, in two minutes”

Noah all day long, “You want to play hide the spoons”

Harry at 5ish every morning in a clearly outdoor voice (as opposed to indoor voice) , “Want to go downstairs mama”

Noah whenever we get close to the bike trail, “Where’s the squished raccoon?”

Hands down, best carved pumpkin we've ever seen!

A few months ago, I started using a Biblically-based method of discipline.  The gist is to reach the heart of the child, to teach them right from wrong, to be obedient to their parents so that in the future they will have an easier time being obedient to God. 

We are reaping the rewards from this new time-consuming method!  To God to be the glory!

Yesterday we went through the basement, the living room and their bedrooms to look for toys to give away.  I was overwhelmed at their generosity.  They really get it!  Noah says to me, “Some kids don’t have any toys or money.  We have enough”  Teachable moment for sure. 

This morning we dropped off 2 huge boxes of toys and 2 motorcycle ride-ons at the fire station.  The boys were rewarded for their generosity.  Two of the firemen gave them a tour of the fire engine and let them sit in the front.  My boys just beamed, and so did my heart. 

Noah and Harrison have a book where Goob, a brown bear, makes a lemonade stand so he can buy a bug collecting kit and eat honey pizza.  The boys have been wanting to have a lemonade since we first read the story.

This morning our art project-playdate was cancelled, so we used the time to make a lemonade stand.  The boys were so excited to use it, they didn’t even want to decorate.  We’ll save that for another day!

The boys are still using their lemonade stand!

Noah and Harrison were quite clear that they wanted to be front loaders for Halloween this year.  Last year Noah was a back-hoe-loader.

The costumes turned out even better!  The boys were able to help and very excited about being construction trucks.

We were able to try the costumes at Boo at the Zoo this morning.  They work great because the loader can be used for candy.   The boys were very polite when complimented and when given candy. 

Here they are posing with the tiger (he was quicker than my camera).

We are all underwear all the time at this house.  Day and night.  Pee and poo.

It’s an accomplishment deserving of a huge reward.  The best reward for a 4 year old boy just happens to be a massive dump truck.

Take a look!  It’s so big they can ride in the back.  The first suggestion was baby Joey, but I put the kabosh on that.

We’ve really been enjoying having baby Joey at our house.  I’ve yet to have to throw away a dirty diaper, and Joey never lacks for toys or entertainment.

Harry played preggo with his balloon

How I wish men could actually experience pregnancy.  It would make them better people, I think.

Noah helped give baby Joey his bottle.

He is so gentle and kind.  I’m impressed with his big brother skills.