Here's my very first slide show!

The kids and I spent the day at the Dallas zoo. It is such a fun place! The weather was perfect. It was warm with a lovely breeze, and there are plenty of shady places to hang out. Bridget slept almost the entire time (she woke up once to eat and then went back to sleep), so I think she enjoyed it! The boys had a great time, capping it all off with a visit to the children's zoo area--or "the place with the stream" as Henry calls it.

We ended the day with a trip to McDonald's, and then the boys watched a movie on the way home. Well, Henry did. Jonah was asleep about five minutes after we left the parking lot.

In fact this is the first day that I can think of in the last four years that Henry didn't take at least a short nap! Henry is my child who does not miss a nap. He didn't sleep AT ALL today, and he had an awesome attitude the entire day! Not bad, huh?

The one we've been waiting for....

Here's the smile that makes me smile when I get up in the middle of the night!

Bridget has been smiling sporadically over the last few weeks, but I finally managed to get a couple pictures of her. Cute, huh?

Also I wanted to let you all know that I started a food blog (Cooking With Lou!) to share some of my favorite recipes. I'll try to post there at least weekly. Just Mom--you're my inspiration! :) Hope you don't mind.

Another picture of the kids.....

because I don't feel like writing anything today!

Just Pictures

"The Godfather"

"The Pirate"

and "The Princess"

Advice, anyone?

I'm looking for some parenting ideas in dealing with this child:

Jonah is a VERY sweet natured boy. He has a natural tendency to care for others. He is funny and loves to make others laugh (which he can do quite easily). He really is a great kid! He is happy 99% of the time (and when he isn't it is usually because he is tired).

The 'problem' that we are seeing in Jonah is a lack of focus. He has trouble paying attention to directions and even if he does listen to what he's asked to do, he forgets what he was doing pretty much before he starts. (And to clarify, I'm talking about simple directions such as "Jonah, go get your shoes and put them on."). Often when someone is talking to Jonah he will wander off as though they weren't even talking.

Jonah has a very difficult time hearing his name being called. He does not have a hearing problem, but he just doesn't seem to process that someone is talking to him. Sometimes it's like he is in his own little world.

Also he generally moves at his own pace. I know that this is part of who he is, but it does seem as though he could speed some things up when he is asked. (An example of this is that it can take him five minutes to get out of the van. He sloooooooowly crawls out of his car seat. Then he stops to pick something up off the floor. Then he turns around and sees a book. He starts to flip through the pages of the book. He finally realizes that I'm standing at the van door saying "Jonah, come out of the car, let's go!" and again starts to head my way. Then he notices the seat belt hanging over the middle seat. He starts playing with that. And on and on and on......)

So my question, for anyone who has any suggestions for me: what do we do with Jonah? How can we help him focus on completing tasks, paying attention to people talking to him, etc....? Have you dealt with this with your child or have you seen someone else like this? I really am feeling like we need to deal with it (somewhat) now before he is old enough to be in school. I honestly think that he would have to be home-schooled because he would get left behind in a classroom setting. (Yes, I know that he is only 2 1/2, but it's never to early to start, right?)

Thanks for your input, folks! :)

Big Brother Jonah

First I just want to thank you all for the encouragement you sent my way this week! It helped to know I'm not alone and other moms have hard days too.

I was getting the boys ready for bed the other night and Bridget was in the living room. She started fussing, Jonah said, "I'll be right back" and left the bedroom where I sat with Henry.

He came back a minute later and said, "I helped Bridget!" with the biggest smile on his face.

I went out to see what he had done....he had taken his most prized possesion (his blanket!) and spread it over his sister. If you've been reading this blog long, you know that Jonah does not often part with his blanket. It was so sweet and selfless!

He thought it would be best if he laid down with her for the picture. What a great brother, huh?

Smiles

Sometimes it's hard to be the mom. There is no break from the cooking, cleaning, fixing, doctoring, refereeing, comforting, snuggling, disciplining and entertaining. There are times it feels like I've given all that I have and it's just not enough.

I don't have anything eloquent to say. Some days are tougher than others--I guess this is a rough one. So I'm just sharing some pictures of the wonderful kids who truly make it all worth while!

Soccer Star

Henry's first soccer game was this weekend. It's been quite a busy week for this little guy!

He only had one real practice before the game, and he wasn't quite prepared for what would go on during the game. So the first half he spent wandering around the field (nowhere near the ball), running off the field to give me and Sam kisses and hugs, or waving to Grammy and Grand-pop. It was hilarious! We actually got a cute little video but I can't get it to upload (yes, I'm technology-challenged!).

At some point he finally figured out that he could run with the pack. He wasn't too happy that ALL the kids wanted to kick the ball at the same time, but he did get to kick it a time or two (or in his words, "I got to score the ball!")

We had so much fun watching the game! Can't wait to see what will happen at next Saturday's game! :)

Henry's first day of pre-school!

Henry had his very first day of pre-school on Thursday! He will be going twice a week at a pre-school at our church. Very exciting! He had SO much fun!

We started the day with chocolate chip pancakes and a brand new, spider man backpack. Then we headed off to school! Henry requested that I take a picture of him with his teacher (Miss Kimberly).

When I picked Henry up, I asked him all about his day.....he had short, one-word answers (What did you do? Played. Did you meet anyone new? No. Did you hear a story? Yes. About what? I don't remember.) I felt like I was talking to a reluctant teen-ager! Once we got in the van he finally told me, "It's a secret. I can't tell you about school. Maybe another day I can tell you." I laughed pretty hard at that one!

At dinner he finally opened up and shared some details. When I said I thought it was a secret, he said, "I was only joking. I just wanted to tell Daddy at the same time!" What a sweetie, huh?
Then today at bedtime Henry said, "I did meet a new girl at my class. Her name is Lilly and she's really pretty! And she's short too!"

Ratatouille

Anyone see the movie this summer? It's a cute one. The boys and I went to see it in the theater, and when we got home Henry asked if we could make ratatouille for dinner. Thinking he didn't really understand what it was (it's basically just vegetables--usually not his favorite), I took him to the grocery store and pointed out all the things that went into making it. He got even more excited about it, so we bought all the vegetables and made ratatouille! We were all surprised at how good it was (all except Sam, who really doesn't like vegetables so much!), and now it has made into my cooking rotation. I took a few recipes off the internet and adapted them to suit my family, so I'm sharing that here in case anyone wants to try it too! (I just finished putting ours in the crock-pot.....we are having this tonight!)

Crock-Pot Ratatouille

2 Tbs olive oil

1 onion, sliced into rings

1 medium eggplant, cut into cubes

1 small zucchini, sliced thin

1 small yellow squash, sliced thin

1 pound mushrooms, sliced

2-3 tomatoes

2 cups (or so) grated mozzarella cheese

Garlic powder

Salt

Brush crockpot with olive oil.

Place onion slices in bottom of crockpot and top with eggplant cubes.

Sprinkle with garlic powder and salt (to taste).

Sprinkle a handful of mozzarella over top.

Next layer zucchini slices, sprinkle with salt and a little more mozzarella.

Continue layering in this fashion (yellow squash, mushrooms and tomatoes with a sprinkling of salt and then mozzarella between each).

Cook on low for about 8 hours.

We serve this over warm egg noodles.....so yummy!