While the saying above usually irks me because it is typically used as an excuse for poor behavior, there is some amount of truth to it. Refer back to my post from earlier this month entitled Boys vs Girls. Enter into evidence the following pictures…how can one be so opposed to girls and yet so excited to be in ballet class with his sister…not just excited but dressed head to toe in pink. This only happened once and no Arianna didn’t talk him into it. He found her tights from the day and was interested in trying to put them on all by himself. That evolved into Arianna getting dressed up in her ballet clothes which led Ryan to end up in a leotard. Granted he cried soon after because it was his turn to wear the black outfit. As I said in my previous post, I am quite open minded to dolls and such but it was a bit challenging seeing my sweet baby BOY dressed in pink from head to toe. I am glad that in general he has his VERY STRONG opinions against girl things.
Saturday, January 31, 2009
9 Happy Years
I meant to post this on our actual anniversary (1/29) but that was a busy co-op day and then we went out to eat that night and then we enjoyed our evening together!:)
In honor of our anniversary, I thought I would share our engagement story.
We got engaged on July 24, 1999. We were going up to the mountains of NC to a friends wedding. I thought her wedding started at 4:00 so we had planned to go to the Blue Ridge Parkway and sight see. On our way Saturday morning, I found out that the wedding was actually at 2:00 and I had to be there early because I was handing out programs. I told Chris that we wouldn’t get to go up into the mountains. He was extremely disappointed (at the time I didn’t understand why.) We went to my friends wedding and then went back to my parent’s house for dinner(they were out of town). Chris cooked dinner while I went downstairs to play with my dog (yes, I was even spoiled then by my soon to be husband!) All of a sudden Chris asked me to come upstairs quickly. I thought he might have broken something. He tells me to look out the kitchen window. I did and didn’t know what he was so worked up about. He said “Do you see the red bird (cardinal)?” I did but I figured a family member of mine had left the stuffed beanie baby cardinal on the back deck so I didn’t think it was significant. Chris said let’s go outside and see it. He picked up the cardinal and said “Make a Wish!” (Side note: it had been our tradition to make a wish when a cardinal flew across our path). He asked what I wished for and I told him that I couldn’t tell him or it wouldn’t come true. He said I’ll tell you what I wish “I wish for you to be my wife!” He got down on one knee and turned the bird around—it had a ring tied to it’s neck. He proceeded to ask me to marry him. I said “YES!”
I have an amazing husband who spoils me! He is by far my best friend in the whole world! I am very grateful to have someone like him to share a life with!
WWF at our home
Ari and Ryan had friends over last weekend. My kids love to wrestle with Chris. I join in sometimes but the kids don’t like it as much for me to be involved because they get upset that Chris is hurting me. He is rough. The kids love it though and keep coming back for more. Well last weekend all 4 kids wanted to wrestle with Chris. These are the pictures from the event. They wore Chris out! 
Ryan usually gets hurt at least once but then he climbs back into the ring.
Friday, January 30, 2009
Our fun and busy day with other Homeschoolers
On Monday we joined one of the local homeschooling groups in the morning at Langley’s Gymnastics. Ryan’s friend Aaron joined us for the day. The kids had so much fun! Unfortunately you have to miss the photo op of me stuck in the foam pit. I got in to “play” with the kids and got stuck. It is really, really hard to get out of those things. I tried to play it cool but finally had to cross over to the otherside to climb on a “boat(mat)” and climb out from that. The kids made it look so easy!
That afternoon, we went to the museum with our Homeschooling Group from church. We went to the Meet the Animals Class where we got to see and pet a live alligator. The kids had a great time together.
Whoever said that a disadvantage of homeschooling was socialization, obviously never homeschooled!
Homeschooling Co-op
I have been blessed to meet a dear friend last summer at our pool. (I joined the pool solely to meet others in our new neighborhood.) She lives nearby, has kids my kids age and homeschools. Not to mention, we have similar philosophies of homeschooling. What more could I ask for? On top of that, our kids adore each other.
We decided to begin a co-op together in January and it is going great! She teaches my kids one week and then I teach her kids the next week. The kids look forward to the times together, have the privilege of learning from another adult, and one Mom gets a break.
I am so grateful for Beth’s friendship and her positive influence on my kids life.
Alana and Arianna made up a story together about a Snow House.
Playing outdoors together at co-op…Ryan and Aaron nailing nails into a board
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Siblings
I love that my kids adore each other! They are usually quick to share their last piece of food with each other. They usually play so well together. Ryan says his best friend is Arianna. I say usually because they also have their times where they fight like cats and dogs.
In this picture Ari was holding Ryan and I caught the grin on Ryan’s face because of his sister’s love.
He is dressed up as a knight and she is dressed as a princess. Ryan is really enjoying dressing up lately!
Lasting Friends
Our Friendship
by Melinda Stankosky
Our friendship started many years ago.
Where the days have gone I don't know,
But when I think of all we've done
I stop and smile because we've had such fun.
I hope you know how much I care.
It's friends like you who create a pair.
I wish I were closer to share your happiness;
But near or far, I wouldn't miss
All the things you have to share.
I hope you know I am always here.
I know it is harder being miles away,
But always remember this when I say,
"Our friendship is a treasure
Well beyond any measure. "
Arianna and Daniella have been friends since they were 3 months old. Their birthday is just a day apart. The boys have always been friends since the girls loved spending time with each other. Their family moved to Connecticut last year and came to visit today. The kids had a blast hanging out! This is the infamous Zach that Ryan wants to grow his hair out like. They are an amazing family and we were all grateful to get to spend the day at Planet Child with them.
More Winter Wonderland
During School yesterday we read The Snowy Day. We then went outside and tried to do what we remembered from the book. Ryan walked around and made footprints. Ari and Chris had a snowball fight. When we came in, we made snowflake pictures and then dictated a story about our time in the snow. Today we went out and played in the snow some more. Ari enjoyed using a stick to knock snow on her head. The snow was too soft in the morning to build a snowman so we came inside and had some hot chocolate. In the afternoon we succeeded in building a snowman finally. Ryan named the snowman “Batman”. When we came in, we read a book about a snowman (can’t remember the name) and then read The Mitten. We tried to see how many kids and dogs we could fit into a sweater of Daddy’s (lots of animals climb into the mitten).
I am going to try a photo album to display the pictures. Not sure how this works so you get to be the guinea pig:)
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Winter Wonderland
God answered my prayer…snow. We have been discussing winter in school and I wanted the kids to see real snow instead of just reading about it. We woke up to a beautiful white yard. 
I thought this was funny…we have snow on our back deck and Ari is looking at it in her underwear. Chris and I are dressed warm and Ari is running around in just underwear.
The kids had a blast playing in the snow! 
Ari was throwing snow balls at Pandora. The dogs really enjoyed the snow too!
Chris and Ari having a snow ball fight. This was just before he coated her face in snow.
Ari making snow angels
Frozen Hot Dogs
Enjoying hot chocolate after playing in the snow
I Have A Dream…
Ari’s dream came true today…she had her cast removed!! She has to go through 2 weeks of Physical Therapy. She had her first session today (Monday). The physical therapist said her range of motion was good, they just want to work on her straightening her arm.
Today we discussed MLK, Jr.’s Birthday. We made our own poster with our dreams in memory of his famous speech. Ari’s dream was for Dorothy to meet Glenda. Four year olds are so interesting.
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Nature’s Bed Warmers
Dachshunds love to burrow. I came home to this twice in the last few months. Pandora stuck in a shirt sleeve and then later Goliath stuck in a sweater sleeve. They both acted pitiful when I got home!
If you have ever stayed over at my house, you know that unless you want to be in dog heaven, then you better not get under a blanket. If you have a blanket you will be surrounded by five burrowed dachshunds! It worked great when the power went out in the middle of winter several years back. It was a five dog night and we all stayed warm!
Homeless Homeschooler
I was playing with Ari yesterday calling her a homeless homeschooler. She picked out this outfit and it made me laugh. The pants do in fact match the dress because according to Ari they are pink and they have dogs on it that perfectly match the dresses dog. Which they do. It is from the same Gymboree line. Ignore how the stripes on the dress seemingly clash with the dog spots on the pants. The socks are pink too. She has them pulled up to her knees because she calls them soccer playing socks. The socks have a large picture of sleeping beauty on the side. The red and black Mickey Mouse crocks really set the outfit off. Believe it or not, Ari is very picky about her outfits matching. She was just convinced that this matched.
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