Paul the Wanna Be Newspaper Boy

Paul has a haversack from Williamsburg that he received as a gift from Grandma Dianne in remembrance of our trip to WA D.C. As of late, he has discovered the joy of taking mail to and from the mail box in it. Then he got the bright idea of delivering newspapers, which would have the added bonus, he contended, of contributing to the family income--and how convenient to have a haversack to carry the papers. Daddy and I have talked to him, on occasion, about the responsibility he will someday have as the provider for his wife and children. I think these conversations may have spurred his thinking in this area. He bugged and bugged me about the newspaper carrier idea while Matt was in Chicago this past week. I told Paul he'd have to ask Daddy when he got home. I privately forewarned Matt that the subject may come up. Paul was not easily dissuaded when the conversation actually happened. "I think there is an age limit in order to be a paper carrier, Paul." "Oh, I hope it's six!"

Daddy went on to give Paul the option of doing some extra chores around the house to earn some money. "That doesn't make any sense, because then I'll just be giving your money right back to you," he said. Well, it's getting harder and harder to pull the wool over our firstborn boy's eyes.
Mr. Paul is definitely growing up.

Bye Bye Binki

Lydia took the big plunge this last week. She took all of her binkis to her three year well check and gave them all to Dr. A so that he could distribute them to little babies who need them. She was so proud of herself--until we got home and it was quiet time. I gave her a stuffed moose from my gift closet as a "sleeping buddy," but even this didn't stop the cries of, "Momma, I want my pink binki back." Needless to say, quiet time was a bust, which was less disappointing for her than it was for momma who really needed a nap. She didn't fall asleep until 9:30 that night, but she did make it through the night without waking (thank you, Lord). She has occasionally asked for her binki over the last couple of days, especially when she gets her feelings hurt, but all and all she's doing quite well. The anticipation was much worse than actually executing the plan. Matt and I had geared up for a week-long siege and thankfully it did not materialize. You'd think we'd be quite experienced in the parenting department by now, but we're still learning all the time. Thank the Lord that He gives us the grace to cover our lack of consistency and the occasions when we're just downright lazy in the training up of our children.

Girls Day Out

I've been trying to spend some one-on-one mommy/daughter time with each of my older girls. Elizabeth had her turn a couple of weeks ago and last Saturday morning was Gracie's turn. We went to our favorite little restaurant for breakfast (the one we only get to go to once in a blue moon) and split the "kitchen sink" omelet. As the name implies, this omelet is packed with everything and I don't know of a man or beast who could eat the whole thing by themselves. While we were waiting for our food, I read aloud to her from a book on purity we've been working through. Then we headed to the hospital to visit Matt's 93 year old grandmother, who fell and broke her hip last week. She is an extremely active and intelligent woman and this mishap has more than put a crimp in her style. After having a nice visit with her, we headed to the fabric store to pick up some pretty pink fabric to cover the not-so-pretty black plastic bead risers I insisted on getting for Grace's bed so that she'd have more storage. I told Grace how proud her dad and I are of her, not for all the ways she helps us (she's my right hand girl), but for who she is becoming in Christ and for how much she loves her brothers and sisters and is so kind and patient with them (for the most part). On the way home Grace said, "Mom, that was way more fun than going to the mall." Not that she even knows what the mall is like because we go there less often than we go to our favorite little restaurant for breakfast, but it was still nice for this mommy to hear.

The Toothless Wonder Turns One

Little Joel turned one on Friday. That's right, he still has no teeth. His main source of nutrition is bananas, which he absolutely loves. He eats at least two per day. We just peel one and hand him the whole thing. Within three minutes he's got it devoured, often stuffing the last third into his mouth, chipmunk (or monkey) style. He is beginning to walk, just a couple of steps before he loses his courage and sits down. One of his favorite games to play is "peekaboo" with his sister Lydia--except she says, "bugaboo!", to which Joel giggles uncontrollably. By the way, last night I was checking Joel's bottom gum line and what did I discover, but the tiniest edge of his teeniest first tooth just beginning to break through. Maybe he'll branch out from his banana diet soon. In the meantime, we thank the Lord for this little one's life. He's been such a blessing to our family--a constant source of joy and laughter for all of us.

Lydia the Big Girl . . .Errr Little Girl

Lydia is so proud of her big girl status. Now that she's three, she's proud of her big girl panties and is quick to tell anyone who will listen how big she really is. "I a big girl. Paul is a big boy. Joel is little." We've been trying to get her to give up the binki, now that she's a big girl and all. Yesterday we talked about the binki again and we all agreed (including Lydia) that it would be a good idea to give the binkis to her new baby cousin, who is very little. Last night Lydia went to bed without her binki. Ten minutes later she came out and said, "Daddy, I want my pink binki." "Why do you want your binki? You don't need your binki." "Daddy, (in the most pitiful voice possible) I a little girl."

January in Review

Since February is now here, I thought I'd better give an update on last month. I apologize for being so remiss. We did celebrate Epiphany again this year with a party to remember the faith of the Maggi in seeking the Christ child. We invited some friends over, ate a Middle Eastern meal that the wise men would have enjoyed and each family received a gift of a glass decoration with the star and the wise men embossed on it. (Funny side note--my friend Julie and I are notorious clearance shoppers and we both found the same gift at after-Christmas sales--so each family ended up with two of the decorations.) The wise men from our creche finished their long journey around our living room and made it to their final destination, the Nativity set.
Three of us celebrated birthdays this month, two of us were actually happy about that. Elizabeth and Lydia each added another year to their lives. Lydia is now officially a "big girl." She's even going potty in the big girl potty and is very proud of what her body produces, pronouncing them to be "little cuties." (never had a kid say that before).
An update on the raccoon--he has yet to be caught, much to Paul's disappointment. Matt said he may have to break down and buy a trap. In the meantime, we make double sure to close the hatch to the chicken coop every night. Right now our 3 little hens are not producing any eggs, despite having a warming light in their house to fool them into thinking that the days are longer. We plan to replenish our flock in the spring, but we won't see any eggs until the fall--a real bummer considering the price of an 18 pack at the store is now almost $3. Not that our home grown eggs are any cheaper, but it feels like it when all you have to do is go out to the chicken coop and grab the eggs out of the nests. Yet, we have learned in every circumstance to be content. :)