Birthday Girl

E on her 2nd Birthday. She loved the hat and wore it most of the evening.

Tea Party and Kid Stuff.

E got a tea set for her birthday from Grandma F. It's a hit!! Today we pulled out the little table and J washed it off. Then L got the dishes and set it. I got them some crackers and some chocolate chips, made a small pot of hot chocolate and filled the 'creamer' with milk and they had 'tea'. We practiced our manners some but mostly they just had fun. J poured and L passed out crackers. They all love it. When they were finished. E cleaned up the napkins, L put the dishes in the sink and J washed them. J made the comment at the sink that he felt 30 years old.(He actually said 30 years old. He knows Papa is 31) " This must be what its like to be a Papa." Then he went on and on about what he's going to do with his kids when he's a Papa.
Today while washing up after a meal L commented that God didn't want him to play at the table. I had to chuckle at that one. It's not so much that God doesn't want him to play at the table but that God wants him to obey his parents. And his parents don't want him playing at the table. He understands that because later he told me that God didn't want him throwing fits either. From the mouths of babes. It's amazing how they pick up stuff that it takes adults years to figure out.

Birthday Party.

E's birthday party was a hit for all involved. Everyone had a great time and enjoyed the cake and homemade ice cream. The kids favorite food was the juice. Which was a cranberry/grape mix with 7up added. Though J did have 3 cupcakes and a piece of cake. I'll try and post some pic's soon. E loved all her gifts but the one that is so far most loved is her stroller for her baby. She runs around pushing her baby holding on the the string with her balloon. A close second is the little people house (which makes all kinds of noise) and the dishes and food set. The boys really like the dishes and food. Baby R really liked the wrapping paper which she tried to eat and the ice cream. Which she'd never had before except a tiny finger full. We had a small group, and our kids had great fun with Cousin M. M is 9 months older then E and 9 months younger then L. So she fits in perfectly. :) J and L are already planning for their birthday parties.

Working as a Team.

I want my children to think of each other as team-mates not competition. So I'm doing team training. Starting them young. But I want teamwork to become automatic not 'if I got too'. So far it seems to be working. The boys often help E take her shoes and jacket off. J also helps L figure out if his shoes are on the wrong feet. They bring me jars from the pantry and containers full of flour or sugar or whatever, J taking them down and passing them to L or E who then brings it to me. I use it and pass it back to E or L and they in turn bring it back to J who puts it away. So today I sent the boys out to get the eggs. L was suppose to carry a bit of chicken feed in a bucket and J was to take the bucket for the eggs. They both carry foam swords. Ready to do battle to get the eggs:) They can both climb over electric netting so one stands on it and lets the other over. Then L feeds them his 'treat' and J gets the eggs out of the dog carrier we are using as a nest box and hands them to L who puts them in the bucket. They take turns swiping, with their foam swords, at the curious turkey who likes L a bit too much. L being just the right height to see eye to eye with the turkey. Eggs gathered they grab their buckets and climb back over the fence, swords in hand. My brave boys :)