Weekend work and play

Saturday was a work-around-the-house day, and we (mostly Greg) got all kinds of tasks accomplished, including getting my garden rototilled and ready to plant. Kari and Joel loved "working" outside with Daddy.

Like the boots with the shorts?

After church on Sunday (and after naps) we spent a few hours by the Sandy River with a bunch of friends. One of the couple's family owns some property on the Sandy River, and they invited us to come hang out and let the kids run around. There were 3 other familes besides ours-- 7 kids all together and all age 3 and under. It was a lot of fun--and beautiful, too. We roasted hot dogs, threw rocks in the water, took a little hike, and later roasted marshmellows for s'mores. The kids had a blast playing and getting dirty.

I think I need to call in sick...

...oh wait--there's no one to call in sick to when you're a mom (unless it's a very nice grandma who is willing to come watch the kids while you go to the doctor and get meds--thanks, Mom!). You know it's not good when the dad comes home from work at 4pm and finds the kitchen a mess, the laundry not done, and the mom in the same place she was when he left her at 6am--in bed, and now with child #1 in bed with her watching Toy Story 2 (child #2 had the good sense to take a really long afternoon nap and was still in his crib).

So what happens when mom gets sick? The kids watch Sesame Street AND Bob the Builder and get to watch whatever DVD they want to watch, get to eat and drink pretty much whatever they ask for, and we all just try to just make it until daddy gets home. It worked, the kids survived, and today is a little more of a normal day.

Today I'm thinking of the benefits I do have as a stay-at-home mom, as opposed to those I do not have. :) I don't have sick days or vacation days I can take whenever I want, but I do get to cuddle and snuggle with my baby boy, read books and play games with my big girl, and I get to guide and shape their little lives each and every day. I have the privilege of telling them about God's love for them, what he's done for them, and how to live a life pleasing to him. The fruits of my labor may not be apparent until later, but for now, I know I'm doing what's best for our family and enjoying it. I'm thankful to be able to stay home with our kids. Not everyone has that luxury. Some choose not to stay home, but others simply do not have a choice.

Rainy Day, Big Air

The kids needed to expend some energy on this stormy Saturday afternoon, so we brought out all the cushions and had forty-five minutes of family fun.

Kari getting some serious air.

Proof

Here he is, the day before he turns 15 months old. Kind of crazy--Kari had been walking for 3 months already when she was his age. Such a funny little guy!

Blog-worthy news

Yes, it's finally happened--Joel is walking! Yeah, Joel! And even before 15 months! :) He'd been taking 6 or 7 steps at a time for a couple weeks, and then on Easter he walked all the way across my parents' kitchen, and since then he's improved every day. He's still very cautious, especially after he takes a spill, but he's on the move!

Pretty soon Joel will be on his feet dancing with Daddy and Kari. (That's what they're doing here--dancing to very loud kid music).
just happy Joel boy

Easter at the Arnolds

Church was great. We had a very nice time at my parents' house, celebrating Resurrection Day and being together. We missed you, Blake.

Never quite got the Easter kid shot I was going for, but I'll share what I did get.

She's got a hold of his leg, trying to keep him on the couch.
Grandpa, Joel, and Tostie.

Joel loves the pup, and Kari is still terrified. She'll tell you, though, that she and Tostie are "friends."

Past years

3 1/2 months

16 months

3 months

(Last year's Easter was a long day. I dont' remember exactly why, but I do remember I wasn't in the mood to take any pictures. Hence, no photo of big sister and little brother together.) 2 years

Dying Eggs

It's great to be able to dye eggs with others who enjoy it as much as I do. Greg was always a willing participant, but he never felt quite the same level of joy that I did.

I gave Joel a hard-boiled egg to play with. Once he'd done some damage to the shell, I peeled it and gave it him whole. He thought it was funny. Kari thoroughly enjoyed herself. How long does it take dye to come off of little hands?

JELL-O Eggs

Kari helped Grandma make Jell-0 eggs yesterday. This year, they actually may all get eaten, thanks to Kari and Joel. The brown one's all yours, Kari! (brown was one of the colors she really wanted to make)

Silly Kari camera look

Joel wanted in on the action.

Jell-o tastes pretty good before it's set, too.

Fun new game

They really had a great time with the laundry basket today. Kari pushed him all over the house--spinning in the kitchen ended up being the most fun (and the easiest). I think it's funny that in every picture I took, Joel is looking at the camera.

He's home!

Greg made it home safely last night. Joel was already asleep. Kari was in bed but still awake and was very excited to see her Daddy, even more excited when he told her he brought her a treat from Kentucky (second photo). It took her a while to go to sleep last night. Sure is nice to have him back.

Daddy's coming home tonight!

Greg's been in Kentucky on a business trip all week, and we can't wait to have him back! Each time I go it alone for a while, I have more awe and respect for all the single parents out there. It's a tough job. I'm thankful for my husband, thankful that he works so hard to provide for his family, thankful that he wants to come home to us. :)

Recent pics

We're having a rather long week--more on that later--and I just haven't felt like blogging, but today I thought I'd post a few photos from the last week or so.

Our bejeweled ballerina

watching a video after bath time

Joel thinks that some days he doesn't need a morning nap, but these lunch pictures say otherwise. I never did get him to wake up. I had to just put him down in his crib.

Grandma spent the morning with us today, and Kari showed off her new bike riding skills. She just started riding her "big girl" bike with training wheels. She hasn't figured out how to stop yet, so we go slow.

Kari Bible Verse Video

The irony of posting this immediately after the previous entry is not lost on me. :-) Dad put together this video of Kari saying verses she's memorized and used it at church on Sunday. The notebook in front of her has been the key to getting her excited about it. I print off a page with the verse and a picture and hang it on the frig while she's learning it. Once she knows it pretty well, she gets to put it in her notebook, which she loves. We're proud of her! Click here to watch.

Mystery solved--suspect guilty

morning mug shot

Yes, we found the cookies (the ones that hadn't been eaten anyway)-- in Kari's room. She showed me where they were in her closet this morning when I asked her about their disappearance. Her response was, "Well, I think I was going to be hungry sometime for more cookie."