Thai Chicken & Noodles

I made this...

...by myself.

Check around - we may be in the Twilight Zone.

Where is My Chopstick?

Saela has a new found love of chopstick. Kind of weird you might think...until you know that 'chopstick' actually means chapstick. She'll walk around saying "where is my chopstick? I need some chopstick for my lips because they hurt." It is really quite amusing - especially when Steve is going around the house lookng for a real chopstick.

This morning I knew she was MY GIRL when she said, "This chopstick smells really good. It smells like ice cream." There are few people that will know this brand but thanks to my Aunt Jan & Uncle Nat she was holding my favorite chapstick ever - LIP IVO. It does smell good...like a little vanilla ice cream!

Perhaps we should start calling it lip balm. :)

In Other News...

Cuddling with Grandma Green

Asher - "close your eyes."

No more pictures Mom, I just want to read Dora with Grandma.
~

We were fortunate to spend a few days with Grandma Green last week. She came to visit us while Mommy and Daddy went to Tennessee. We played dolls, did puzzles, played games, read books, colored, made art projects and just all around had a great time. We think she may have been a little tired out when she left. :) Mommy and Daddy were in TN deciding about a new job for Mommy...looks like we are moving to Murfreesboro, TN about 25 miles SE of Nashville! We are all very excited. We hope you are all doing well - Love, Saela & Asher

Miss Saela

Miss Saela, Miss Saela, Miss Saela...she doesn't really like to get her photo taken so these are a compilation of the most recent attempts at getting her to smile at the camera. Her favorite word these days is "no." I remember when she was Asher's age or even a little younger and just learning the word no. It was cute then. Not.so.cute.anymore. She and I have been butting heads a bit lately. She is really quite obstinate..."I don't want to, I don't want to take a bath, I don't want to get out of the bath, I don't want to put my coat on, I don't want to put my pajamas on, I don't want to go to bed, BUT I DON'T WANT TO..." We've been working on her listening skills - it seems we have the same conversation 5 times every evening. After a timeout she will, say her "I'm sorrys" in such a small seemingly sincere voice - I always think THIS is the time that maybe it will sink in just a little. I wake up everyday praying for God to give me the patience that he has with us humans. Sometimes I succeed and sometimes I don't. It really can be quite frustrating - but just when I think I can't take one more second - she will give me a hug and say, "I really like you Mommy." In that moment, my heart melts, the tension goes out of my shoulders and I smile and think I am so lucky to have you to love. I know this is just a stage and I am sure this stage will be replaced by another that is different but equally as challenging. I just pray that God will help me navigate each stage with love, compassion, the discipline needed for the situation and as much patience as I can possibly muster.

Signing For Ice Cream

Asher put his sign language skills to good use a few nights ago:

"Please"


"More"

Ice Cream!

That's what I'm talkin' about!

Mom wishes I would open my mouth

that wide for my vegetables!

Joe Cool Dancing Man

Asher loves to dance. If he hears music,

he's movin' and groovin'. Much to Steve's dismay,

Ash is quite partial to Dora's "We Did It" dance.

Joe Cool

"Mmm, mmm, mmm, mmm stayin' alive, stayin' alive!"

The ONLY Time...

...they sit this still...

...is when they are waiting for...

...table scraps!

Luckily for them Asher is happy

to oblige most of the time!