Madison and the Bugs

 Family devotions the other night was about the 10 plagues.  Jon couldn't get through reading the story without Madison pointing to the pictures and shrieking "Ick the bugs, ick the bugs!"  That poor girl has no hope :)  She just can't get over the bugs!  It has been an ongoing saga with her and the bugs since she was able to say the word "bug."  And if you are around to witness an unlucky bug flying on her arm, around her face, or anywhere remotely near her than you will see hysteria in every sense of the word!  Flailing, crying, and screaming like the mortally wounded are all things that may be a part of the scene.  I don't condone my 2 year olds shrieks.  However I do remember my own terror of bugs and I have a sympathetic heart for her fear of them.  Lately in an attempt to help Madison I have tried to get her interested in watching them.  I've even let an ant crawl on me, told her about how "cute" they can be, and said SO many times "It is JUST a bug!"  But no matter how I try to downplay the existence of bugs there always seems to be a repeat of her uncontrolled frenzy when one is around.  Madison is such a girly kind of girl.  She loves "pretty" things, and apparently bugs just don't fall into that category.

I had a good laugh a while back.  I asked Madison if her shirt (which was a little too big) was bugging her.  I was doing her hair at the time, and I couldn't figure out why she started crying, wailing, and carrying on after that.  Finally she started sobbing "buggies, buggies" and pulling at her shirt.  I realized then that her interpretation of what I said was that bugs were on her shirt!  Weeks later she was STILL calling bugs "buggies" because of that one question.  I don't laugh at her fear, but I do see the humor in it all!  I love my "bug-icky" little girl, and someday I know that she will arise to the occasion and learn to calmly deal with the bugs.  Until then we will deal with the drama one bug at a time!

In Short: I'm Thankful!

When Ethan is playing on the couch and he wants Madison to move out of his way he very kindly says, "Excuse you Sissy."  Madison does the same for Ethan, but she calls him "Ithin" instead of brother.  It's all very nice unless one of them won't move then the "excuse you" tends to become a little bit louder and a lot more demanding.  There was something that struck my funny bone the one (and only one!) time Ethan calmly said "Excuse you Sissy" and then shoved her to the floor!   Politeness doesn't mean much if the actions do not follow :)  Ethan and Madison are like peanut butter and jelly.  They love doing everything together, but sometimes things between them can become a little sticky!  Seeing my 2 and 3 year old communicate provides me with a whole lot of entertainment and humor.  Life is never boring, and I feel totally blessed!!  I'm a thankful Mommy of a one, two, and three year old. 

It has been a while since I've posted anything.  Ethan has taken off and become a puzzle maniac, Madison loves to jabber about everything at home, and Emily has 6 teeth and is cruising all over the house!  

Madison is proud of her brother.  She loves to see his puzzles when they are all done.

"Little Miss Sunshine" clapping. 

Going on a walk.  Ethan walks a mile with me.  P.S. We are still in the process of teaching Madison to pull that skirt down!  Yes, we are trying to teach at the tender age of 2.  Kids have to be taught because they don't magically understand modesty on their own!

Ethan has a gift for organization.  It shows in how fast he can put a puzzle together.  I'm starting to think he needs to get some 50 piece puzzles.  I'm assuming there are 50 piece puzzles?

Showing me the puzzle on the box.

This boy loves his puzzles!  He can do them in record speed. - Faster than me anyway!

Watching the ipad in the closet!  I have to admit the house was pretty quiet when they closed that door :) For some reason they love hiding in that closet.  You will not find me protesting!--hehe

Putting the last piece in is always the best part of doing a puzzle. 

Jon says this is how I sleep -- ha ha!

Ethan is not quite ready to give up nap time :)

Baby is adored by her brother and sis. 

My "Peanut"

Both Ethan and Madison LOVE playing doctor!

I'm not sure it is proper to be so happy about giving someone their shot! :)

Our life is not perfect.  It can be hectic, and some days my kids are running around in just a shirt and diaper. But I've learned that not every day has to have kids perfectly coordinated with a matching bow in a house that is spotless and in perfect order.  I highly recommend that you don't have 3 kids if that is your goal!  I've set aside my perfectionism to do something that is greater: motherhood.  I still find some time to do the organizing that I love, but in smaller ways that help out as I take care of our little one's and function in our home.  There are some things that I used to consider important that I now realize are not.  God is molding me and shaping me.  I'm thankful for that.  I am thankful for my husband, children, church, and home.  There is just so much to be thankful about!