Picture This

Best Bud Builders

Every month at Home Depot they have free and exciting projects for kids.  This month they made tool boxes for crayons, toys, or Father's Day.  Marshal and his best friend Max went together and had a blast.  I first learned about this fun (and free) activity at Angie's Blog.  They even got aprons with their names on them, a pin, and a certificate.

(Did I mention it was free???)
First Saturday of the month.  Anytime nine to noon.
Check your local Home Depot.
Fun day.

Glad it Wasn't Me...

I saw this car pull out of its parking place,
right in front of another car, and stop.
Then I realized it had no driver at all.
Someone missed the "P" and hit the "N" instead.
Bummer for them.  Funny for me.  Picture-worthy for sure.

Workin' at the Carwash!

Youth ministry is so fun. 
Car-wash for camp.
Lots of students, lots of money. 
Lots of wetness.
The boys thought they were one of the workers,
even though Daddy had to frequently undo what they'd done.
All-in-all a wonderful day, that yielded a nice long nap.
No sunburns; they'll thank me someday.

Babysitter Fun

Jalon tells this story of how he and his brothers once tied up their babysitter.
And then like made her eat their buggers, smell dirty socks, and so on.
This is Mason.
He drew all over his face with markers while "crafting" with the babysitter.
Not as bad as tying anybody up.  Agreed.
But he is only 18 months old.
And there is something in that face... what is it.
Mischief.
Disgust. 
Contempt.
DADDY.   

Cupppa Joe

I feel the same way little man.

The Gazillion Bubbles

Sure they are easily entertained.  They're babies.

They find as much fun in the PARKING LOT of the SD Zoo
as they do the park itself.

But bubbles? A big hit.
Marshal got The Gazillion Bubbles Bubble Machine 
for his birthday from his best friend Max.
(Along with a gallon of bubbles and six AA batteries,
way to go Max's mom!)

And it really does spit out a gazillion.
I counted.

Hours of endless fun... well at least until they knocked it over
and slipped on the concrete.
But then again, bath-time is fun too. 

Left-Foot Lover

Mason has a silly compulsion.  

Every time he's in his car seat, he takes off his LEFT shoe 

(and sock if applicable) 

and then plays with his foot.  

Sweet silly boy.  

Loves his left foot.  

Who knows. 

Mason Update

Mason! You are so funny! You crack me up.  Here are some developmental markers lately:

• You have a whole mouthful of teeth.
• You love to eat.  So much in fact, that sometimes you pack your mouth so full that you can't chew and end up spitting it all out. 
• You are daring.  You'll touch and taste just about everything.
• You are a flirt. 
• You are SO handsome - dimples everywhere. 
• You are a great dancer, not just a bopper, but there's groove in there.
• You are infatuated with your cousin Treyson, who you call "Ray".
• You love to play ball, and you have a KILLER lefty throw.
• You are a daddy's boy (it's okay, I know you love me too).
• You have the most expressive face. 
• You aren't afraid of anything.
• You are a snuggler.
• You are so cute when you sit in time out.
• You love the pool.
• You wake up at 5:30 every morning, and come and snuggle in our bed until brother wakes up. 
• You ask for brother and a breakfast bar every morning. 
• You are amazing.

Guess who's 100!!!

This is my 100th post!

In honor of turning 100, I decided to post this crazy old lady.  

No significance.  

A little creepy.   

A Letter to my Marshal on Your 3rd Birthday

Dear Sweet Marshal Boy -  

Happy third birthday!    I am so proud to be your mama.  You know, when I was pregnant with you I loved you from the second I knew you were in my tummy.  I thought I could never love you more than that precious, miraculous time we had together. But now, I can tell I was wrong.  I think I've loved you more and more each day I've known you.  You are truly amazing.  You are so obedient (thank you for that).  You have a tender and friendly heart.  You make friends everywhere you go.  You are REALLY smart.  You know all kinds of stuff: your ABCs, songs, the days of the week, people's names... and  you have this uncanny ability to know where were are while we're driving (even places you've only been once).  You love to read your Bible and pray.  You are compassionate.  You are sensitive.  You love your family.  You are so special.  Exceptional.

My prayer is that you fulfill the destiny God has for your life.  I pray for your preserved innocence and purity.  I pray that you will continue to trust and love and befriend.  I pray that you would have a deeply rooted love for Jesus; one that's your own.  Be a servant, put others first. 

You've taught me so much about life, God, calling, purpose, seasons, and family.  I love you.  Thank you for being you.  I look forward to seeing the story of your life.  Thank you for being my boy, you make life exciting.  You bring me joy.  I'm so proud of you.

Mama   

Peter Piper Pizza!

I'd never experienced Peter Piper Pizza with kids.
Until today.
Where have you been all my life?
Kids everywhere.
No one cares if you climb all over or under EVERYTHING. 
Or even yell.
Or if your 3 year old accidentally throws a mini bowling ball at the basketball hoops.
Time spent.  Memories made.  Fun evening. 

Introducing McKale William Peters

McKale William Peters (aka Mac)

18 weeks gestation

This picture was taken at the highly anticipated 3D sonogram training which actually turned out to be 4D. My sweet baby.  I love him already.  Can you believe how developed he is at only 18 weeks? The ultrasound was AMAZING.  At various points of the show he smiled, sucked his thumb, moved, turned, rested, and showed us once again - he's definitely a boy.  I have the best OBGYN ever.  Love him too.  Thanks for letting me see my sweet boy.

"Don't you see that children are God's best gift?
The fruit of the womb his generous legacy?"
(Ps 127:3)

The Death of Darch

Well that sure didn't last long!
If you missed it, read all about Darch here.
Notice legs are now up and stiff.
Yes, Darch is dead.

Some things I learned in this Darch loving escapade:

• Roaches are even more gross than I ever knew.
• They start out crisp and light brown when alive and healthy.
• They become GREASY and OILY and BLACK as they slowly die (BARF).
• A roach can live 3 days in a completely air-tight tupperware.
• I will not be using that tupperware again, ever, for anything.
• They stop pooping after day one.
• They can survive (for 3 days anyway) shaking, throwing, suffocation, spinning, and baking - all without any food or water.
• I very well might be roach-hunting tonight while Marshal sleeps so that tomorrow morning Darch is awake again for my sweet, Darch-loving boy.

Meet Darch

Absolutely disgusting.  Roaches are so ICK.  Unless you're Marshal Jay Peters, and then for some reason they're super cool.  He doesn't actually want to touch them.  Bless God.  And he keeps voluntarily telling me, "I won't eat him mom." Double bless God.  This beauty  was found in the corner of my bathroom, and is the size of a Shetland pony.  You can't see it here, but a small child could saddle and ride it for sure.  Marshal is convinced it is not only cool, but also his best friend, affectionately named "Darch".  We think that's the closest he can say to "roach" - who knows.  The first night it was caught he wanted to sleep with it.  Absolutely not! I have my limits.  But I did offer to make it its OWN bed out of a washcloth, on the other side of the bedroom.  He took it to his babysitter's house yesterday.  And wants to take it to his class at church tonight.  It's been relentlessly shaken.  It's been left in a Tupperware stall in a 100 degree minivan.  I think the pony might just outlive us all. 

Please note this horse's stall has no air holes.  

Not an accident.  

Please also note it's been alive now for 3 days. 

And it poops.  Gross.