Nibbles

Cameron: Look at my boobies! (Raises his shirt)

Jeremy: Boys do not have boobies, just girls.

Cameron: Then what are these? (Points to his nipples)

Jeremy: Those are nipples.

Cameron: There must've been mice when Jesus made us.

Jeremy: What? Why?

Cameron: How else would we have gotten these nibbles?

(and from a few weeks ago driving with a friend in the car)

Mom: What are you two giggling about?

Cameron: Nothing!

Mom: Come on, you can tell me.

Cameron: Mom! Sometimes we like our privates! (meant to be: privacy)

Gavin's Preschool Graduation

I know that I have raved about our preschool before, but I am reminded at the end of every year that my kids go there what a blessing it is to have a place like 4 R's for my children to go. The teachers are nothing short of phenomenal and being such a small school they really do go the extra mile with these kids and treat them like their own. It is a completely nurturing environment where these little ones can learn the very basics of everything from their letters to how to treat their peers. Mrs. Winger, Mrs. Peacock, and Mrs. Rutter have all become extra mothers to my children and through the years my relationships with them have bonded us for life. They are dear friends and I am honored to know them.

This year Gavin's class did a nursery rhyme program. Gavin had many parts including the Knave of hearts, the farmer that went to market to buy a fat pig, a duck in the 5 little ducks song, one of the King's horses, and he said the Old King Cole nursery rhyme. This kid is a ham and loves the spotlight. I don't think he fully understands that preschool is over but we are lucky enough to be able to send him for a camp there this summer and he's made some good friends that we'll be playing with as well so before he even is aware, he'll be back at school in the fall. The structure has been really good for him and it will take some time to get into a new routine, but we are both looking forward to the summer!

To Market, to market...

5 Little Ducks went out to play...

Gavin with Mrs. Winger

Gavin with Mrs. Peacock

Sully Plantation

All my years growing up in Virginia and I have never been to Sully Plantation before today as a chaperone for Cameron's first grade field trip. The plantation, built in 1794 was the home of Richard Bland Lee, Virginia's first Congressman. Our group toured the home where we learned that 4 people used to share a full sized bed so conserve body heat in the winter and breakfast was usually just leftovers from the previous day's supper.Then we went to the kitchen where we learned about cooking over a fire and we made our own spice packets that they used to infuse certain spices into soups and sauces.
We also made crackers and baked them in a dutch oven. They were served with sugar and jelly that tasted like honey and were very tasty!

After the tour, the kids had a picnic lunch and it was time to head home. I love that I can go on these fun and educational trips with Cameron to experience these memories with him. Sully Plantation is a one of a kind place that can give him an appreciation for the historical landscape that surrounds us here in Virginia. What a blessing to be able to learn about our forefathers in the very same places that they once stood!

Can we have salad for dinner?

Don't be jealous, but that is what Gavin asked me today. He can't really help it though, because our lettuce comes from here:And because of that, all three of my kids will eat a salad, chock full of home grown herbs and lettuce. After all, ,they helped to plant it and water it and cut it to bring to the table. This is my second year attempting a vegetable garden and this time around we've planted, zucchini, cucumbers, peppers, lettuce, peas, green beans and tons of herbs. Most are only in their primary stages, but in a couple of weeks, we will be eating out of here every day.
How could I forget my favorite veggie to grow at home- tomatoes! Once these babies bear their fruit our salads will even more irresistible!

Berry Nice Morning

My kids all LOVE strawberries. Seriously, it is their favorite fruit and we love to go strawberry picking in May every year. Today I sprung Cameron from school in the morning and we headed to Hartland Orchard with our Toler buddies. It was the perfect day to go, it has rained the last two days and was even sprinkling this morning, but cleared up just as we arrived, which meant the weather was cool, and there was nobody there. Also, there were tons of ripe, juicy strawberries that we just couldn't wait to sink our teeth into. We picked 4 quarts of these suckers and probably half of those will be devoured today. I'll be making some freezer jam with what's left which will make our PB&J's insanely better. Mmm, they are already calling my name!

ClearPlay

Cameron has been all about Star Wars lately. It probably has something to do with the Star Wars Wii game Cameron earned and has been playing like crazy. Gavin has since caught on and the two of them have been begging to see the movies, which up until now, they haven't seen because I wasn't sure what they were rated or if they were appropriate.

A few years ago Jeremy and I purchased a ClearPlay DVD machine that edits things like language, sex, and violence out of movies using filters you can download from the computer. We bought the machine for us, we don't watch rated R movies because it is something our church advises us to do so that we can avoid the undesirable content of these shows. We've been able to see many of the movies we wanted to using this editing system and have been happy with the results.

It only just barely occurred to me to use it for the shows that the boys watch. I have always been the parent complaining that the movies targeting young boys with super heroes or cartoon-like characters are rated PG-13 and for us that means we don't see them. For Cameron this has been particularly hard since many of his friends are allowed to watch them and it seems like he is the only kid that can't. This is a major rant of mine, but I'll save it for another day. Well now we can let him watch those movies with this device. What a relief this has been for me. Now he can see the same shows with all of the bad stuff taken out and still enjoy the movie the same as his friends. We've watched three of the Star Wars so far and some other favorites of mine like Goonies, Princess Bride, and ET. I have probably enjoyed seeing these classics again just as much as the kids.

Some may think that we are being overprotective and that may well be true, but I would rather lean in that direction than the other. For as long as I can I am going to try to shield my kids from some of this filth that surrounds us. Cameron still thinks the "S" word is "stupid" and I'm in no rush for him to think any different. The only reason I'm posting this is because I thought some other parents may want to consider getting one of these machines for their kids (or themselves). My list for movies that we can now rent for the kids is growing longer by the minute and I don't have to stress over whether there are any "bad parts" anymore. We think this thing is great!

A Mother's Day to Remember

I have been horrible about taking pictures lately and completely failed at the task yesterday, leaving no photos of the thoughtful waffle breakfast all four of my boys made me, no photos of the pretty flowers my husband got me, no photos of my boys and I all dressed up for church and no photos of my mother and I with our feet up while the men cooked dinner (and even cleaned up after)! It was a dreamy day and I was completely taken care of. Jeremy got the necklace I've been wanting:Gavin made me a sweet hand print card:
And I didn't think Cameron had done anything at school until he pulled it out on Sunday morning. That little stinker had kept it a secret and hidden in his desk!

In case you need translation it says I like lasagna and to snuggle, and that I'm 32! What!
I also got a coupon book with hugs and back rubs and my personal favorite:
And a darling card from my first born with what he loves the most- money.
It was so nice to have mom over for a delish steak dinner complete with chocolate cream pie. I wish I had a picture to show you, but instead you get my Super-Gavin!
Super hero/cowboy for hire. Will work for cookies...