I Stole Some Ideas

In an effort actually implement what I find on Pinterest and around the blogosphere, I tried some new things for Lee this birthday. The first was to distribute several small gifts throughout the house with a birthday string. This fit in perfectly with the Spiderman theme we had going, and we told him it was a Spidey web spun throughout the house.

I didn't do a very good job if imparting my vision to Bryan for the "web of gifts" so I won't say it was the most fun to implement the first time around. But Lee has already found a couple of items before he made his way into our room, and it got his day off to a great start. Plus, I love the idea of the kids doing this for each other as they get older. Then we won't have to create the vision at all!

I also finally got around to making Lee a set of magnetic robots. After months of having tin cans, lids, and random Home Depot purchases lying around the house, I finally glued magnets on everything and got them into one neat box. Thanks, B for your patience on this one!

One boy, happy with the way his birthday is going!

His Perspective

Lee is into taking pictures right now. These always include a few shots of me with a double chin as I look down at him. Humbling. Our kids think we have a double chin! 

The other day, he stood and took several from one spot, and it was interesting to see these. This is what it looks like for him as he moves about the house from day to day.

My huge hand as I call the insurance company.

Strong legs and feet!

Messy counter, I know

Small throw-back wooden chairs - they look huge!

Nostrils

Each and Every Box

KW spends some sort of time with every box that comes into our house - and since I shop mostly online, there are many! They have a short life span, though. Last week, she put my sandals inside a box and tried to carry it upstairs. It was too big and unwieldy, though she managed to carry it from the kitchen to the bottom of the steps. She eventually gave up, and it is still sitting there for me to break down.

Here she is playing peek-a-boo and then climbing in (the all-time favorite box game).

Zoo Map

 Last Saturday, we continued the birthday fun at the zoo for Members Only Night. Lee was pretty much only interested in the map. Whenever we arrived at an exhibit, we were there for about .5 seconds when he looked at his map and pointed to the next place we were going. It was so fun to let him be our "guide."  The mildly amusing part about this is that we actually had to lead him, since he has not yet learned to follow maps. But that is neither here nor there.

 

Enjoying his new Spidey chair and book.

Birthday (Cake) Traditions

I think we have a new tradition on our hands. For the past two years, the only place I have been able to store Lee's birthday cake overnight is in the oven. It makes for a fun discovery when we have him peek in the window and turn on the oven light. I didn't even get a picture this year, because he pulled the door open before I knew he was even interested in looking!

Fudgesicles!

This summer, I have introduced Lee to Fudgesicles, one of my childhood favs. By the end of lunchtime, and through bedtime, our front porch steps are in the shade, and are the perfect place to make a mess with any frozen treat. Last week, KW actually ate her first one. I think the cold had been throwing her off, but she finally got a good taste, and she is sold!

Beach Babies

My sister-in-law is by far the best photographer in B's family, but I did catch a few that I liked at the beach a couple of weeks ago. I will share:

Love how the chunks are showing off in this one.

And the personality in this one. 

Learning new skills on the car ride home. 

Such a great traveler!

Hope Comes

Today marks one year since I had one of the hardest conversations I have had as a parent. At the time, I perceived it as a direct attack on my child. I still do. But sitting here today, I can see how God has used it to show me how to become a better parent to my little boy. To learn the in's and out's of his sweet personality. To see the wonderful qualities that will serve him well in adulthood. To persevere.

I am thankful to be sitting on the other side of this year having embraced what God has shown me to become more like Him. God has used this to build my character, and my hope in Him. How blessed I am!

"And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us." Romans 5:3-5