Hidden Hammers...

My adorable son has two hammers. They are currently hidden...up on the counter...between the mixer and tangerines...cuz...welll...he likes to use his hammers inappropriately!

I don't recall teaching him to hammer and bang PULVERIZE with these tools. As far as I know, he's never seen much hammering. The occasional picture hung...maybe.

He's "king of the smashing." He takes his favorite dried sticky tacky gummy blueberries...and smashes them into the carpet. They were removed from his possessions as a result of his making rice dust out of his rice chex cereal.

So, it makes me think. I never have to teach my children how to do wrong...how to sin. Don't know about you...but no child I've ever met (or adult for that matter) naturally does good and avoids wrong. I've never taught my children to lie either...yet they do. Hmmm?

It's not because God created human sinners. Humans were created good and called to communion with God but refused God's call. (Gen.3)

"Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me." Ps. 51:5

The currently hidden hammers make me think...and realize what an important job I have in teaching my children about their sinful state...and their need of a Savior.

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16

Memory Monday...cuteness from one year ago...

Fun Frugal Friday: Yes, good ole cardboard boxes!

We rarely buy any toys for our kids. In fact, last year my sweet Loverbrains actually considered getting a bunch of empty boxes for Christmas gifts! We didn't...but it's still in the running for this year. I let them play with diaper boxes for a few weeks..or until I can't stand looking at them anymore.
They become tables, houses, boats, bathtubs, cars and trucks...to name just a few possibilities. When it seems like all fun is gone from the boxes...break out the markers, crayons and paint. Voila...even more cheap fun! I love to hear their little imaginations at work!

I myself have very fond memories of playing in boxes. I know there is a picture of me somewhere playing in the box my Christmas Kitchen Set came in...with my beloved dog, Spots. Good times!!

Gruff Green Goat!!!

The letter of the week is G...g...G!!! Do you like our green goats?? Naaaa??
We read the "Three Billy Goat's Gruff" too! WHO'S THAT WALKING OVER MY BRIDGE? ROAR!!!
She wanted you to see her green snowman. See...it has green eyes!!

Reading to Suzy...

I love the age of emergent literacy...

It's a time full of modeling reading...the treatment of books, the proper way to hold a book, page and print orientation, voice/tone, word recognition...

I love hearing her sweet little voice telling her version of a well known story to her beloved doll.

Portrait Innovations!!

We had family pictures taken at Portrait Innovations. I'm totally going to give them a plug...not only for their AWESOME service and the great experience....BUT ALSO...
...the price, getting all our prints on CD.....AND (yes, there's more)....
...getting all our prints the same day! How cool...and I must say...a d o r a b l e. There are soooo many great pictures....I'll share more soon! Oh, and all Grandparents, Nana/Papa, and Grams...your pictures are on their way. Merry Christmas!

Fun Frugal Friday...

To begin this activity...always make sure you take pictures of their dimpled knuckles...awww!
Save old cracker and cereal cardboard boxes...they break down to lay flat...it doesn't take up a lot of space...and they are FREE posterboard!
I got this idea from my new favoritest blog......She calls this a holiday travel craft. It is good prep for the upcoming holiday trips to the Grandma's. It's also just fun...to see what they choose to go into their suitcases!

We chopped a bunch of things out of magazines the other day...so we got out of clippings tub...and they sorted through their recycled magazine pictures. Anyone else hearing...CHEAP CHEAP...!?
Notice, my sweet daughter is bringing Dora, flowers, money...and soup and a jar of bugs!
I love this little face. She said she was being "snooty"...hehehe! She then pranced into the living room with her suitcase...saying, "Latee dah..." We chose the luggage tags on the outside by places she suggested...Grandma's house, Australia (we pray for missionaries there), China (Daddy goes there for work trips), Ireland (dancers on Sesame Street), New York (where Nana and Papa live), and Hawaii (okay, MomE suggested that one).
Little Lubby wants you to see...there are frogs, a dump truck (we do produce garbage in our van of an astounding amount), Diego, trains, etc. He really liked the money coins too. He's into money...too bad I can't yet trust him to keep it out of his mouth. Oh, cursed molars...when will you come in already?!
He is now attempting to carry his toy trucks in the suitcase. He cries when they fall out. Maybe I'll tape the sides!?