Sunday, August 28, 2005

Incredible!

The Incredibles have invaded our home. For the past three days Violet, Dash, Jack Jack, Mom and Dad (who I am supposed to call Bob) have lived here. Big Brother (who I will now refer to as Dash) has played almost non-stop since Friday. I'm not sure what I'm going to do if I hear "No we're playing the Incredibles, remember? I'm Dash!" one more time! It's pretty amazing that the same little one who cannot remember to put his clothes in the laundry or let the kitty go when she cries has not even once forgotten that he is playing this game. Violet (Sister Bear) has even started calling him Dash, although I'm not really sure she knows why! The preschool mind and imagination are a pretty incredible thing, aren't they? If only we all could enter another reality as easily. It sure would make life a little more exciting. The baby wouldn't be crying just because he wants held, No! He would be needing rescue from some evil menace and YOU are responsible to save him! I keep hearing Dash telling Violet that they must save mom. They race all over the house until they find me (which in this big, new house can take a minute or two) and then proceed to save me from whatever has trapped me - most often some chore or something that I would really like rescue from. There are moments that I almost wish I could join the game with the same abandon my 3 year old has found! But, alas, I gain only glimpses of the pretend world nowadays - it seems my adult mind has lost it's ability to be lost in the fantasy. I can remember what it is like though....

When we were kids we would pretend we were lost on a desert island, or we were an Indian family who lived off the land and hunted food with bow and arrow. We started campfires in the backyard and cooked rhubarb soup. We drew roads on the sidewalk and road our bikes through our homemade city, complete with all the necessary stops - police, the gas station and a grocery store. We played house for hours on end with the neighbor boy. The land of pretend was our playground. It was an exciting place to be! I treasure my memories of pretend play. So, the Incredibles are welcome here, even when I am tired of them. They are my kids future memories, and though it is a difficult journey for me to make anymore, I want them to create and play and enjoy living in a place that is full of whatever adventures and opportunities they can imagine!

Simplicity

It seems the craziness of summer is just about ready to give way to the routine of fall. I can only hope that the routine others find will settle into my house as well! I have spent a lot of time recently evaluating my activities and what keeps me busy, you know, besides the three children, the laundry, the dishes.... Looking at what I want our life to be like and what it currently resembles leaves me challenged to create something better. I hope it is not just nostalgia and longing for simplicity that I won't be able to find, but simplicity is what I want. I am working at paring down the extras and focusing on and being content with what I find at home to do.

I am anxious to start preschool again with Big Brother. He loves the activities and learning and his Sister Bear is really beginning to enjoy it, too. She has been learning the alphabet and counting from him all summer. They together wrote the alphabet on the sidewalk the other day, him making the letters, her telling him what comes next. School will be good for us together. It will be fun to spend time with them where we are not hurried and trying to finish up so we can get to the next activity!

Tuesday, August 02, 2005

Sister Bear and Nevada


Sister Bear and Nevada
Originally uploaded by Sarah Snavely.
Please help us welcome the newest member of our family. Actually, she is here to work. Upon moving into the house, we have discovered evidence of mice everywhere. Mouse and rat poison and traps had been placed strategically throughout the house. Having such young children and such a large space, we decided against continuing to use the poison and traps.

So enters Nevada. This new little kitten is our weapon against the invasion of mice. Now Sister Bear believes we have acquired this new pet for her amusment, and I suppose we will let her believe that for the time being, but the time is coming soon that we hope this young charge will earn her keep around our home.

I am not a cat lover, but I am sure that Nevada will worm her way into my heart. She is joining us as our third pet. We have two dogs, Dakota and Montana, as well.

Finally Home!


all the kids
Originally uploaded by Sarah Snavely.
It has been one amazing month! Kid's Camp was great. All the kids had a great time. Moving was an effort, but definitely worth it!

My twin sister and her family came for a visit just as we were finishing our move. They have 3 kids and we all had a super visit together. We only see each other about once a year, so it is a real treat to have time together. All of our kids had fun playing together and getting reacquainted with one another. And of course, it was the first time they met our Little One.

Finally we have had some time to just be at home and enjoy this big house. Big Brother and Sister Bear have enjoyed the front porch and all the playing room. They can even ride their bikes and have a pretty good race around. They have become quite confident in the pool, swimming from one end to the other - of course, they are wearing floaty swimsuits and floaty rings around their waist, but they love it. We are going to have some fun memories here!

Last night and this morning we enjoyed a brief visit from Tony's parents and his oldest brother. It's wonderful to have them around. Grandma played games with Big Brother. He loves games!

Our life is busy and so full. We are very blessed. I am reminded often of the great gifts I have received from the Lord. He has given us a beautiful family and wonderful extended family to enjoy. He is a good God!