Severe Weather

In the past two weeks we have experienced an earthquake and a hurricane. The earthquake wasn't all that bad. It happened to be on a day Tim was working from home and I was giving Gavin a bath after we had played all morning in the sand at the park. When the shaking first started I almost thought I was going crazy. Then I shouted downstairs to Tim and said "Is our house moving or am I going crazy?" I was glad that I wasn't going crazy. The last time I have felt an earthquake was when I was a kid, so it was a weird feeling when our house started to shake. Go figure, Tim and I lived in California for an entire summer without experiencing one earthquake. Then we move to the East Coast and experience an earthquake in a place where it is rare to have an earthquake happen.

Over the weekend Hurricane Irene reared her ugly head. In preparation for the severe weather we filled our gas tanks, stocked up on water and some groceries, and made sure we had the basic necessities covered. We experienced a lot of rain and strong winds. The power went out a couple times for a short while and we had some minimal flooding in one corner of our basement. Luckily it was just some carpet that got wet and nothing got ruined. We were lucky. Downtown Easton may have flooding tomorrow as the river continues to rise, but we are safe and sound.

As my family and I have experienced two natural disasters in such a short time it has really made me think about our emergency preparedness or lack thereof. It is now my goal and project to get our household more prepared for things like this in the future.

We are praying for those who are closer to the shoreline and hope that others can recover quickly from the aftermath of this disaster.

Some silly quotes from Xavier lately:

First:

Xavier: "Mom I think I want to live in a castle."

Me: "Really, what would you do if you lived in a castle?"

Xavier: "I'd marry a princess!"

Me: "Who would be your princess?"

Xavier: "Hmmm. I don't know?"

Me: "Why don't you think about it and get back to me. Okay?"

Second:

We visited the doctor the other day and as we were checking out the doctor said to Xavier,

"Will you be a doctor when you grow up?"

Xavier replied, "No, I'm going to be a fireman. After that I'm going to be a Jedi."

When we were in the car he said "Mom, then when I'm done being a Jedi I'm going to be a paleontologist." Not a bad career path for a 4 year old.

Third:

We've been listening to a CD with all the Primary songs that he will be singing at church for his

annual primary program. There is a song called "Choose the Right" and the lyrics for the first verse are

Choose the right when a choice is placed before you.

In the right the Holy Spirit guides;And its light is forever shining o'er you,When in the right your heart confides.Choose the right! Choose the right!Let wisdom mark the way before.In its light, choose the right!And God will bless you evermore.

Every time Xavier finishes the first verse he says, "Mom choose the right, not the left!" It's so cute. Then he asks, "what is choosing the left anyway?"

Any thoughts on what choosing the left would be?

The Ice Cream Lab

Without ice cream, there would be darkness and chaos. ~Don Kardong

There is nothing that says summer like a nice cold ice cream sundae on a hot and humid day. We visited this fabulous ice cream shop called the Ice Cream Lab.

Do you see all the dispensers along the wall? Yes, those are toppings my friend.

The first thing the kids got to do was decorate their very own ice cream making hat. Xavier got to sit next to his friend Jaden and across from him was his friend Sarah.

What says happy more than this face?

Gavin had to get in on the action too. He loves his crayons.

After they finished making their hats the demonstrators read Curious George makes Ice Cream and then they played a ball toss game. The toss game determined who got their ice cream first.

Then the kids got to make ice cream from scratch. If you want to try it at home the recipe is really simple:

1/2 c whole milk
1 T Sugar
1/2 tsp vanilla
Put all in plastic bag....seal...put bag in another bag.

Place ice cream bag in a big bag of ice. Make sure the ice cream bag is buried in the ice. (4 cups of ice)

Pour rock salt (4T) on top of the ice. You can also use ice cream salt. It's sold in the supermarket.

Shake bag really hard and fast for about 3-4 minutes. Longer if needed:)

Finally, they got to make their own sundaes. This was Gavin's first taste of ice cream. Let me tell you, he figured out how to use a spoon very quickly. I could not pull him away from this ice cream if my life depended on it.

Delish!

It was hilarious watching how different all the kids were with their toppings. Xavier's friend Jaden I think had more chocolate syrup than ice cream. His other friend had a ton of sprinkles. Xavier had a little bit of everything-caramel, marshmallow, chocolate, sprinkles, gummy bears, and m&m's. Others just preferred the ice cream. No matter the amount of toppings, one thing is true, the room was full of satisfied little tummies.

I'd have to agree that ice cream satisfies a sweet tooth like no other treat can. (even chocolate)

I don't cry over spilt milk, but a fallen scoop of ice cream is enough to ruin my whole day. ~Terri Guillemets

If you are reading this what is your favorite dessert?

End of Summer Activities

Pizza! Pizza!

Xavier, Gavin, and I went with a playgroup to Pizza Hut for a pizza making party. The pizza experts showed the kids how to make pizzas. Xavier was so excited to make pizza at a restaurant just like he does with daddy at home. First, they showed them around the kitchen and took them into the giant fridge where they kept all the ingredients. Xavier was in and out pretty quick. He hates being cold. He wanted to move on to the fun part.

Pizza goodness right before his eyes. He did such a good job standing still and waiting for his turn to put on his toppings.

Wouldn't you know that there wasn't a single girl in this group.

The boys are anxiously waiting for their pizzas to come out of the oven.

Here are Martin and Xavier enjoying the food their very own hands prepared.

It's supposed to be the end of summer where we soak up every last bit of sun we can, but this week has been nothing but rain. We've had to find lots of indoor activities to do. Not my favorite week, but we managed to do a lot of fun things despite the constant rain. We even snuck outside a few times in between the storms.

During Gavin's nap time Xavier and I did a little crafting. Here is Xavier's very own supersonic jet pack made out of Gatorade bottles, plastic cups, tissue paper, and duct tape.

Xavier played with this thing for hours! Mommy win!

If we are in the house too long it gets a little goofy and crazy. The boys decided to climb into the dryer as I was trying to fold a mountain of clothes.

I guess all those times me and my twin sister got into trouble together is getting me back. My two are definitely trouble when they get together.

Guess who started the whole climb in the dryer thing anyway? Not Xavier, it was Gavin. You wouldn't guess it from this face would you? Gotta love 'em.

Quote

‎"The way we talk to our children becomes their inner voice" -Peggy O'Mara

I love this quote and it's something that has been on my mind a lot lately. Since I had Gavin I feel like my patience has dwindled. I am always tired and I feel that that has really affected my mood and my patience. When I lose my patience with my children I find the way I talk to them is not the greatest. Many times I get angry and yell, especially those moments when they are testing the boundaries and limits we set in our home. I am constantly finding myself asking why am I talking that way to my children. So I am trying very hard to be aware of it and stop it in its tracks.

I feel very strongly that if you want your kids to be a certain way you should model that behavior yourself. I don't believe in spanking because I feel that if I were to tell my kids don't hit and then I go and spank them I'm setting up a double standard. As for the quote above, when I read that all I could imagine is my kids inner voice screaming at them. I don't want that. I want my kids inner voice to be a positive one. One that forgives them for their mistakes, cheers them on when they are trying something new, gives them a smile when they accomplish something great, an extra boost of courage when they are scared or nervous, and a voice that is compassionate when they are feeling out of sorts. So I am trying to find alternate ways to handle this major weakness of mine.

I also found a great list that helps remind me of other ways to deal with the stressful moments of parenting besides yelling.......

100 Things To Do Instead Of Yelling Or Spanking

1. Take a parental time-out.
2. Call for help from a friend or family member (ask them to give you an immediate break if possible).
3. Pile everyone in the car and drive to the park (or anywhere – just go for a change of scenery).
4. Sing a silly song about how angry you are.
5. Do jumping jacks.
6. Draw your feelings out.
7. Make yourself your favorite snack.
8. Write down 3 instances when you felt intense love for your child.
9. Clean out your clothes closet and set aside a bag for Goodwill (now would probably not be a good time to do this with the kids’ toys).
10. Change the subject – come back to it when you and your child are calmer.
11. Whisper.
12. Practice progressive relaxation.
13. Act like animals: stomp like an elephant, growl like a lion, etc.
14. Run around the house (or around the block if your children have alternate childcare).
15. Do a load of laundry.
16. Set out clothes for the kids for the next week (or do some other task that will pay off later).
17. Release tension: shake your shoulders, roll your neck, etc.
18. Count to 100. Out loud. In a robot voice.
19. Immerse yourself in an easy craft project.
20. Dust off the hedge clippers and trim your trees or other landscaping.
21. If your child allows it, give him a huge hug and tell him you love him.
22. Scream into a pillow.
23. Bake cookies (with help from your child), bring some to a neighbor or your local fire department.
24. Dance to your favorite song.
25. Instead of yelling at your kids to do something, act out your request in a game of charades or pictionary.
26. Pluck your eyebrows.
27. Clean out the refrigerator.
28. Bang your head – to some loud music.
29. Write down the angry words you could have said, then rip the paper up and throw it away.
30. Do some yoga.
31. Rearrange the furniture.
32. Make a list of the many reasons you love your child.
33. Wash the car by hand.
34. Laugh in as many different ways as you can think of (think Mary Poppins).
35. Take everyone and go sit in a car wash. Choose the option for colored soap.
36. Chocolate.
37. Call a friend who supports gentle discipline (think about finding a “gentle discipline partner” who you can talk to anytime you feel the urge to yell or spank).
38. Fall down theatrically on the floor. Lie there long enough to collect yourself.
39. Pay bills.
40. Keep a roll of tape handy – use it on your mouth.
41. Squeeze a stress ball.
42. Recite multiplication tables.
43. Stand as silent and still as possible.
44. Paint your nails.
45. Do 25 sit-ups.
46. Finish a task you’ve been putting off.
47. Listen to an audio book.
48. Take a bubble bath.
49. Ask a silly question. Ask another.
50. Take a walk around your neighborhood or a park and clean up the trash.
51. Run up and down the stairs.
52. Paint on different mediums (paper, rocks, your windows, etc.).
53. Write a story using only 100 words.
54. Cook a meal for the freezer.
55. Look at pictures of your child when she was a baby.
56. Play Solitaire (or whatever game strikes your fancy).
57. Brew some of your favorite tea or coffee. Have a tea party.
58. Sweep, vacuum, or mop.
59. Learn something new online.
60. Play with Playdough or clay.
61. Put a movie on for the kids; have sex with your partner.
62. Take a shower.
63. Organize meal plans for the next week. Or month. Or year.
64. Set up an obstacle course for you and your kids to do (inside or out).
65. Instead of shouting something angrily, shout “I love you!!”
66. Make up a rhyme about how much you love your child. Recite it while standing on your head.
67. Play ball (basketball, throw a tennis ball against a wall, play catch with someone, etc.).
68. Take artsy pictures.
69. Make a PostSecret postcard.
70. Pull weeds.
71. Decoupage something.
72. Blow bubbles.
73. Make a list of “things I would rather do than engage in power struggles with my child.”
74. Trade roles with your child: pretend you are the little, and she is the adult.
75. Reorganize a closet or cabinet.
76. Roll around on an exercise ball.
77. Make bread or pizza dough (the kind you have to knead).
78. Form a drum circle: everyone grab a drum or a pot, and start playing.
79. Build a tower out of books (or anything handy). Knock it down.
80. Gather the kids for a nature walk around the block.
81. Have a few funny videos saved on YouTube to watch when you need a break.
82. Take silly pictures of yourself. Invite your child to help.
83. Ask your Facebook or Twitter friends to tell you a joke.
84. Scrub the shower.
85. Write a poem (it doesn’t have to be a good one).
86. Send postcards to random people.
87. Make a silly (and unrelated) announcement. (“For the rest of the day, everyone must hop on one foot when moving about the house!”)
88. Make funny faces. Tell your child that no matter what, they must not laugh.
89. Turn on a videocamera. Turn the opportunity into one of love and connection that you can be proud of later.
90. Play an instrument.
91. Take the family to a park with sidewalk chalk: write/draw inspirational messages/pictures.
92. Learn how to say a few words in another language (ASL, Spanish, etc.).
93. Floss.
94. Jump rope.
95. Do something nice for someone else. (Involve your child if he wants to help.)
96. Write your feelings down on paper.
97. Meditate or pray.
98. Hug your child’s teddy bear or doll and talk about how much you love your child (while your child is watching, if you’d like).
99. Look into a mirror and realize what your child is seeing when you are angry.
100. Remember your child is young, and innocent, and loves you, and needs to trust you.

Now that I have this list written down, I can see more clearly that I have so many options that are positive rather than yelling and setting a negative tone in my home. When I'm happy, my kids are happy. When I yell, all it does is frustrate me and my kids. So wish me luck on this daily battle.

MusikFest

We celebrated our 8th anniversary with a trip to Musikfest. Every August Bethlehem, PA hosts Musikfest, which is a week long music festival. A lot of great bands come to this event every year. I guess it's a pretty big deal here in the Lehigh Valley. Tim surprised me with tickets to see Maroon 5. As we waited in the unbelievably long line to get into the venue I was giddy with excitement. One thing Tim and I loved to do when we dated was go to concerts. Some of our favorite concerts we've been to are Red Hot Chili Peppers, Usher, Ben Folds, Jason Mraz, and Jimmy Eat World. Tim and I have been fans of Maroon 5 since they came out with their first album. We got a little lucky at Musikfest, which makes this anniversary and concert a hit.

The 8th wedding anniversary is usually celebrated by giving something to your sweetheart that is bronze. Pottery and lace or linen are also symbols that commemorate an 8th wedding anniversary. For us, we decided to go see a Multi-Platinum pop sensation.

While we were waiting in line, the guy behind me in this picture offered us two front row seats to the concert. When he offered them to us Tim and I just looked at each other. All I could think was "What's the catch? Is he for real? Is this a scam? This can't really be happening?"After a couple minutes we ended up taking him up on his offer. AND I'm sooo glad we did.

Front row baby!

The guy must have known we were celebrating something special when he offered us those tickets!

Tim's sister pointed this out, but Tim kind of resembles Adam Levine. All he needs is some tighter jeans and he could pass as his double.

It started raining during the concert, but that didn't stop the show or our enthusiasm. The concert was so much fun! I love going to concerts where I pretty much know every song they sing.

He's got "moves like jagger".

I'm a pretty lucky gal to have such a great hubby. I'm glad we can experience life together and share in every moment whether it is happy, sad, fun, hard, challenging, or scary. This year has been a year full of moments that have tested and tried our family. We have experienced many life changing moments including a move away from everything familiar, a new baby added to our family, a new job for Tim, and trying to establish a home for our growing family. Events like this have taught us to come together as a couple and a family unit to establish the kind of life we want. Every year that goes by just solidifies my devotion to Tim and I realize even more fully that I married the right person for me.

The number eight is considered particularly auspicious in Chinese culture because it sounds similar to the word for 'prosper' or 'wealth'. It is pronounced like "bah" in Mandarin (pinyin: bā). I can't wait to see what this next year will bring for Tim and I and our family. I hope it is a year where we prosper, not so much in financial gains, but in the things that matter most- family, faith, friends, and finding joy in the every day.

Warren County Fair

There is nothing like going to a county fair to celebrate summer. We headed to New Jersey with some friends to check out the fair's hot air balloon festival and the Demolition Derby.

Xavier and his friend Aiden had to try out some of the rides before the balloons launched. This was Xavier's first roller coaster ride. He had a blast. When I asked him what he thought of the roller coaster he said, "It was cool, but I kept bumping my head." Gotta love carny rides.

It's funny that Xavier is riding a dragon roller coaster. My first ever roller coaster ride was on a Pete's Dragon coaster. Kind of funny.

If you can believe this, the Demolition Derby sold out. Everyone started lining up to get a seat on the bleachers super early, so we didn't get to watch the balloons launch from the grass. Translating into not getting any good pictures of the balloons.

Gavin and mommy anxiously waiting for the derby to start so Gavin would sit still.

As soon as the cars started banging into each other Gavin was in the zone. He was mesmerized. Every time a car bumped another car he would grunt. He even started making a zooming sound.

During one of the derby rounds a car got flipped. The guy was okay, but about 10 firefighters and crew members were searching the arena for who knows what. They didn't really say what was happening, but later we found out that the driver lost a couple fingers. I guess with that said the demolition derby could maybe move into extreme sport status.

Flutterbies

We ventured a little further from home than usual and visited a place in Jim Thorpe, PA. It's about an hour and 15 minutes from our house, but what the heck, it's summer and my friend invited us to visit a butterfly house located on Bear Mountain. I couldn't resist.

We were able to attend a special preschool program they have before their regular business hours. The woman leading the activities was so cute with the kids. She told a story about a butterfly to explain how they are created and what their role is in nature using flowers, a butterfly puppet, etc. The kids really had a ball. She also did some songs and fingerplays and ended with a story. Xavier now knows what metamorphosis means and even explained it to Tim at dinner.

She also taught the children the sign for butterfly. The program had so many great learning activities for the kids, which I love, plus the kids had so much fun they didn't even realize how much they were learning.

After the activities the children got to color a picture and add things to their garden. Then they finished it with some butterfly stickers.

At the end the children got to go into the butterfly house to see the butterflies in action. This was by far the best butterfly house I've been to. Usually there are a few butterflies flying above your head and you never get to see them up close. This was an entirely different experience. The butterflies were everywhere. One even landed on my cheek. Xavier kept catching them on his finger. Talk about hands on. This was truly hands on.

Xavier and his buddy Kohlmann.

Gavin got so excited when they came close to him he would squeal in excitement every time.

I could have stayed here all day, but Xavier and Kohlmann were ready to go after about 20 minutes.

Butterflies are such beautiful and gentle creatures. My mom's favorite living thing is a butterfly, so every time I see them I think of her. I'm glad Xavier could experience these up close and personal.