Valentine's day....what fun! Mike and I didn't go out this year, but we certainly do appreciate each other. Our friend Jill issued a challenge that we have been participating in...as of January first, don't buy anything until Easter that isn't a "need." WOW! We consider ourselves frugal, but I can tell you that we spend more money that we realized.Because of that, my gift to Mike was $20 to spend at the Goodwill/Salvation Army any way he wanted. He enjoys the shopping, but since it doesn't count as a need, has been missing his "break activity." Well, I needed to give him a gift, and he isn't spending his money this way. It was a loophole, but I am so proud of him for taking this challenge that it is worth it.
The next picture makes me proud. Gavin went to preschool the day before Valentine's day and they had a party. After school, the teacher shared with me that they were playing musical chairs. 
It came down to Gavin and his friend, Megan. When the music stopped, he said to Megan that she could have the chair. He got the sticker as a consolation prize...but he may have given up the chair for that reason too. All of the kids got a sticker when they were "out." Either way, he is still polite and loving.
It came down to Gavin and his friend, Megan. When the music stopped, he said to Megan that she could have the chair. He got the sticker as a consolation prize...but he may have given up the chair for that reason too. All of the kids got a sticker when they were "out." Either way, he is still polite and loving.I've been contemplating the nature of blogging. I envisioned this as a way to keep a family record, being able to eventually print this out and save it for review in the future. It becomes a little harder when some events in life are not as happy, especially when I think about the nature of sharing information openly on the Internet. In the end, I guess I have decided that life is life, and should be documented....
In the second week of January, my sister and brother-in-law ended their marriage of almost 21 years. It took a mere 5 minutes or less in court, mostly because Deborah and Jeff made a point of agreeing on everything beforehand. Here is a picture I took of Jeff with Toby at the courthouse:
Jude is such a powerhouse these days. I had to sing the "Superman" song about 40 times today while he ran around with his cape. His favorite word is still "mine." 
Toby has four teeth now, and his eye teeth are coming in. He is exceptionally good natured, considering how terrible the teething is right now. His laugh is nothing short of infectious! Gavin talks to him to make him cry less. Sad to say, he is a little afraid of Jude. I am sure they will work it out, but Toby will start to cry if Jude gets too close, so we're being careful. We took Toby with us to dinner last week, and found that he can sit up in a high chair:
While I don't want the blog to morph into a list of things the kids have said, this one is going to be that way because of how long I waited. I want to get these things recorded, because I know I won't remember them later, smile.
On January 11th, there was a tornado that touched down in Hazel Dell (the northern part of Vancouver). Later, Gavin asked me why tomatoes were so scary. I told him they weren't, but he commented that the "tor-matoes" were frightening because they are "squishing" through the sky all over.
Sometimes, I don't even know where to begin or end a story, but..Gavin looks for an adventure in the "sewer." We were on our way home from church last week and Gavin had to go to the restroom. Looking for a place to go to the bathroom, we happened upon a Porta-potty. Mike took him in while we waited in the car. Next thing I know, Mike is pulling Gavin out while Gavin is screaming about staying in. He gets in the car and tells me, "Mom, I've got to go into the toliet." I asked him why and he said, "because it is an adventure." I told him that what is in the toliet isn't pleasant (only I explained it graphically enough for him to appreciate the yucky nature of it) but, unconvinced, he continued, "I will close my eyes and my mouth and it will be fine." Take two (Let's just pretend we didn't all think #2) of me explaining the "depths" of how bad this is. Gavin's response: "Mom, I need to do this. I am a big boy. Okay, I will take off my clothes too and it will be ok." There really isn't much more to add--what can you say?
And lastly, from the "I know they'll love each other later" file. Gavin's recent prayer: "God, thank you for making me part of this family. But Jude bites. Can you please take him back?
