My son Ryan never ceases to amaze me. He is constantly saying and doing things that literally cause me to do double-takes. Case in point, the other day I was putting Jenna down for her nap. I was taking a little longer than usual but Ryan was watching TV so I wasn't concerned. About the time I laid Jenna down, Ryan peeked in and said he had something to show me. This video says it all...
If you have kids under the age of 12 you are familiar with the entity known as Chuck E. Cheese. If you're in my age bracket you may remember it as ShowBiz Pizza way back in the day with its animatronic characters that freaked you out far more than they entertained you. Well, today was Ryan's first trip to Chuck E. Cheese and it has changed a lot. We thoroughly enjoyed our experience from beginning to end. They stamp you when you enter and check you when you leave to make sure you have your child and not anyone else's. There is an entire section devoted to toddlers and a separate section for older kids. You can play any game or ride for only one token. The pizza was actually pretty good and with the coupon we used it kept the cost down.
We were there to celebrate Ryan's potty training accomplishments - he has gone an entire week without a single accident, goes to the potty without being reminded, and let me tell you, as reigning queen of laundry duty I am ecstatic!!!! We're looking forward to going back, hopefully soon and with our cousin Daniel!
Since we moved to Murfreesboro we've been gradually exploring our new town and finding out what it has to offer our family. With the weather being as frigid as it has been we have been limited to indoor fun but there's still a lot we can do. The library is one of our favorite places. We don't stay long but Ryan knows exactly where to find the Thomas the Train books and DVDs! Recently we found an amazing museum called the Discovery Center. It's a hands-on science museum for kids and has so many things to do that even after being there for almost three hours we didn't expore it all!
This is in response to my sister-in-law's post earlier today. After reading it I couldn't help but be reminded of a poem I've cherished in one of my devotional books. Credit for the original version goes to poet Sally Meyer but the version I'm posting is slightly different.
To My Child
Just for this morning, I am going to smile when I see your face and laugh when I feel like crying.
Just for this morning, I will let you wake up softly, all rumpled in your sheets and I will hold you until you are ready for the day. Just for this morning, I will let you choose what you want to wear, and smile and say how perfect it is.
Just for this morning, I am going to step over the laundry, and pick you up and take you to the park to play.
Just for this morning, I will leave the dishes in the sink, and let you teach me how to put that puzzle of yours together.
Just for this afternoon, I will unplug the telephone and keep the computer off, and sit with you in the backyard and blow bubbles.
Just for this afternoon, I will not yell once, not even a tiny grumble when you scream and whine for the ice cream truck, and I will buy you one if he comes by.
Just for this afternoon, I won't worry about what you are going to be when you grow up, or second guess every decision I have made where you are concerned.
Just for this afternoon, I will let you help me bake cookies, and I won't stand over you trying to fix them.
Just for this afternoon, I will take you to McDonald's and buy us both a Happy Meal so you can have both toys.
Just for this evening, I will hold you in my arms and tell you a story about how you were born and how much I love you. Just for this evening, I will let you splash in the tub and not get angry.
Just for this evening, I will let you stay up late while we sit on the porch and count all the stars.
Just for this evening, I will snuggle beside you for hours, and miss my favorite TV shows.
Just for this evening, when I run my fingers through your hair as you pray, I will simply be grateful that God has given me the greatest gift ever given. I will think about the mothers who are searching for their missing children, the mothers who are visiting their children's graves instead of their bedrooms, and mothers who are in hospital rooms watching their children suffer senselessly, and screaming inside that they can't handle it anymore, and when I kiss you good night I will hold you a little tighter, a little longer. It is then, that I will thank God for you, and ask Him for nothing, except one more day.
So... we were at my brother's house watching the Titan's playoff game (yeah, I know, but we're not here to talk about that sad, sad game) and the kids were running around like kids usually do when there was an unfortunate incident. While none of us actually witnessed the event we know there was a slip/trip/crash/collision and well, here's the result:
Our first Christmas in Murfreesboro was a wonderful one. We had our family Christmas on Christmas Eve morning and headed out that night for a run of FIVE more Christmas events in Clarksville with our families spread over three days. Ryan's big hits were his remote controlled car, his roundhouse, and his Thomas the Train legos (his Uncle Thomas would be proud!). Jenna got a whole new wardrobe of clothes and loves her new dollhouse, talking purse, and all her various and sundry stuffed dolls. It was wonderful to see all our immediate family and distant relatives and catch up on everything with them. Seeing all the cousins I marvel at how much a child can change in just one year. Overall, a great and glorious time was had by all and my only regret is that is was over too quickly.
