The Organized Child and the Free-Spirited Child

One of the things I enjoy about being a mom is seeing the different personalities my children have.  I don't love one personality over another.  I love them both and love them for completely different reasons.  I am praying that all of my kids will use their "strengths" for the Lord.  As they grow I want to find ways to help them know how to use those gifts whether it be showing love to others through hugs (Madison) or making something for someone (Ethan).

Ethan's handy work

Yesterday I bought a little $5 tea set for Maddie.  Before I knew it I came out to the picnic table and saw every cup matched and sitting on top of its coordinating plate.  Everything was lined up perfectly, and in a very slight curve with the little teapot at the end.  I knew this was the work of my 2 year old, Ethan.  I don't think he has ever seen a full tea set, and when I poured the contents of the tea set all over the picnic table (for Madison) I didn't have time to show the kids what to do with it.   He just seemed to know and came up with matching all the cups and plates and lining it all up on his own.  He also had fun stacking all the plates and so on.  He never ceases to amaze me with his love for everything neat and orderly.  This is the same 2 year old that asks for his bed sheets to be changed because there is a little spot on them!  Today he got so frustrated and upset--come to find out- it was over not being able to throw all of the crumbs from his pop tart away.  (I had placed the trash can on the kitchen counter, and he couldn't reach it.)  Ethan's speech is still hard for me to understand, and for the life of me I couldn't figure out what was wrong!  I should have known it was over those crumbs.  He has an exact way of doing everything!  One of the really great things about that is that I can count on him to do a good job of what he does do.  If I ask him to watch baby and take care of her then he will do everything in his power to take care of her and keep her from crying.--Great!

This girl knows how to enjoy food!

Sometimes when I look at Maddie (my 1 and a half year old) and see her messiness and total obliviousness to order I can't help but find the extreme opposites of both children so funny!   Madison has no exact way of doing anything.  She is my "happy, go-lucky" girl.  Since she started eating food on her own she would just enjoy the WHOLE experience.  Food is always all over her and wherever she is sitting!  Most of the time it is not intentional, but she just doesn't care about trying to be clean :)  She does not like taking time to get sticky fingers and face cleaned either.  (VERY different than my oldest child who eats so cleanly, and has always hated having sticky fingers!)  She just generally enjoys whatever we do, and loves to suck her thumb and be cuddled, also.  The older she gets the more she is becoming my little social bug!  She loves to charm anyone in the store with a big, coy smile :)

Getting ready to destroy Ethan's work of art!

 

 

I can't wait to discover what Emily will be like! 

Little Sweetheart

"Fountains of Laughter"

Jon and I had so much fun laughing at the kids as we watched them play in the fountains at the Eastern Shore Center.  It worked out perfect to go get pictures of the kids taken (for only $10!) at Portrait Innovations, and then go right across the parking lot to play in the fountains.  The kids enjoyed it so much that we drove the 45 minutes away just to go a second time the next weekend!  These fountains are the perfect kind of family fun to do with little children.  It is also hilarious to watch the kids start out a little nervous, and get braver and braver until they are spraying each other and sticking their faces in the fountains of water.  I was recently asked by my pediatrician (who has 2 young children) if my husband and I are ever able to get out and do things with our 3 small kids.  The answer is, yes!  It is not always easy, but it is ALWAYS worth it.  Here are some pictures for proof :)  

How to Make Amazing Pumpkin Muffins:

This recipe for Amazing Pumpkin Muffins is sooo easy to follow.  The ingredients that make these muffins amazing will NOT be found in the cupboard, but most likely they will be found running around the house!  Be ready to have lots of fun and enjoy making the best muffins ever!

Ingredients:  a precious little boy (or girl!), smiles, laughter,  and lots of love!

How to make it happen:  taste testing, stirring, sticky fingers, messiness, pure enjoyment, and a whole lot of pictures to capture the moment of fun!

Even BIG boys wear aprons!

"This is great!"

Putting the ingredients in the bowl!

Lots and lots of stirring.

Uh oh!  The spoon fell in the batter!

"What should I do now that my hands are dirty?"

"Mom, can you PLEASE stop taking pics. and help me!"

Ethan, I never get tired of seeing you smile and enjoy life!  You are such a blessing to me :)

Watermelon Fun

The kids had so much fun eating 2 bowls of watermelon in the bath tub. Clean up was VERY easy :) These kiddos could eat a whole watermelon if they were allowed to! I really enjoyed seeing the expressions on their faces when I put the bowls of watermelon on the ledge of the bathtub.  I had to explain to them that it really was okay for them to dig in and eat it!  When I was taking Ethan out of the bath tub he immediately gave me a big, bear hug.  It was his 2 year old way of saying, "This was a lot of fun!"  Moments like that one make my throat tighten and my heart feel like it is about to burst.  It takes so little effort to bring joy to a child.  It is fun to make a big deal out of the little things, and see my kids enjoy the change of pace.