Museum of Life and Science

While Oma was visiting last weekend we also went back to the Museum of Life and Science in Durham. This time we went on a Friday and there were school buses galore which made the exhibits a little more crowded. Thanks to my husband being an IBM employee, we got 2 free passes which made it a much better deal considering we only spent about 2.5 hours there.

Maddie and Oma at the farmyard:



The girls did a little digging for "fossils":



Drove sailboats:



Played in the mist garden:

Bike Riding

Here's Anna riding her new bike. (The annoying squeak is Maddie on her tricycle following Anna)

Growing Up, Up, Up

Yesterday Maddie had her 2 year appointment and I was surprised by some of her stats.

Weight: 29 pounds (75 percentile)
Height: 36 inches (95 percentile) !

I knew she was a little tall but I didn't realize she even measured in the 50 percentile for a 3 year old! I talked to the pediatrician about discipline and food issues - things that seem to be an issue through the ages.

Here's Maddie showing her 2 year old pouty face (she can do this on cue, it makes me laugh :)).

Yardsale Find #2 - Sand/Water Table

As we were riding around the neighborhood looking for Anna a bike, I saw this Step 2 Sand and Water Table sitting in someone's driveway. A little boy was selling some of his old toys to make a little money. It came with an umbrella that wasn't in the best of shape so we have taken that out for now which also allows us to put the lid on it. The lid has already come in handy as we had a downpour of rain last night after filling the table with fresh sand. The table is meant for both sand and water but the girls are happy enough with just sand and I'm hoping it will keep the table less messy. The table has already provided an hour of entertainment, so for $15 I'm well pleased.

Yardsale Find #1 -- New Bike

As the rain clouds crept in this morning, we decided to forego a trip to the NC Agfest and drive around the neighborhood to see what our neighbors in WoodSpring had to offer at their yardsale. We were hunting for a new bike for Anna since she has outgrown her tricycle. After stopping at several houses that had smaller bikes with no training wheels, we finally found this one.



It was in fairly good shape, had a cute basket on front, a place for Anna to put a doll on back and pink - so for $15 it was hard to pass up. When we got home we took a quick test ride down the sidewalk and Anna was able to pedal with a little help from Oma.



Maddie quickly took her place on the tricycle.



I look forward to watching them both learn to ride their bikes this summer.

A Stop by the Strawberry Farm

Yesterday we were driving down the road and happened to go past Page Farms. We had been talking about going strawberry picking all season but had not made it yet so we stopped. The girls each took a bucket and enjoyed looking for the reddest strawberries. We only picked a few and so after a night of strawberry shortcake, they are already gone.

Lessons in Writing

These days Anna much prefers drawing to playing with her toys. She could go through 100 pieces of paper a day if I let her so I keep a pile of scrap paper and old mail for her to draw on. She has graduated from scribbles to pictures of people and now LOVES to write. Anna is constantly asking me to spell words.



I'm convinced Anna got her writing style from her Mimi. Anna starts with her left hand 'A' 'N' and then she will switch to her right to finish. I'm guessing the hand she uses is dependant on where she is on the paper and what is more comfortable but I'm not exactly sure.





Through this writing time, I am also seeing some of Anna's personality and just how much encouragement her tender heart needs on a regular basis. Any letter written that does not meet her own standards often results in a rage of "I can't do it!" and the end of writing for the day. Any new letter she often practices in private until she gets it "just right" and then comes to show me. I have a feeling this will be a struggle for Anna long after she perfects writing the alphabet and I pray that as a mom I can help her to gain confidence not only in herself but most importantly, in the Lord.

Bearing Fruit

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control - Galatians 5:22-23

This summer our bible lessons are taking on a picnic theme. I found these Fruit of the Spirit printables from Lapbook Lessons and thought it would be a great activity for the summer. We are starting with a fruit basket and adding a fruit each week as we learn about the fruit of the Spirit - what they are, scripture about them and what they look like in our day to day lives (this should be a good lesson for me as well :)).

We'll also be reading Elizabeth George's book, A Little Girl After God's Own Heart to go along with each lesson.


I am looking forward to learning together with the girls this summer and planting the seeds to grow in their hearts.

Here's a fun song the girls and I have been singing around the house:

The Value of Friends

And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. - Hebrews 10:24

One of my favorites things to do these days is to sit down with a friend and a cup of coffee and just talk. Much of our conversation revolves around the kids of course but that is the stage we are in and so that is what is pressing on our minds. Whereas the conversations use to be about eating and sleeping schedules, we now talk about issues of the child's heart. As a mom, we desperately want to know that we are "doing ok" and that there are others around us going through the same battles.

I am blessed to be surrounded by so many wonderful women who also desire to raise their children right in the eyes of the Lord. They encourage me; they spur me on.

Let us not give up meeting together... but let us encourage one another - and all the more as you see the Day approaching. - Hebrews 10:25

Maddie's New Bed Update

Today is day 3 of Maddie in her big girl bed and she is continuing to do great. She has taken 2 naps (which is actually really good for her even in her crib!) and today she is doing puzzles quietly in her room. At night, Maddie is getting into her bed with no problems and falling asleep but she is waking up a few times during the night and getting out of her bed. My supersonic mommy hearing is tuned into her and as soon as she thumps on the floor or touches the doorknob I jump out of bed. Usually I find her standing in the middle of the room or curled up in front of the door. I then tell her to get back in her bed and she does and tells me she loves me :). These middle of the night comfort sessions are cute right now but maybe not after a few weeks so I hope this doesn't last too long.