Nov. 16, 2006 - Buttons Counts to Ten
Buttons (my preschooler) officially counted from 1-10 perfectly yesterday!
Way to go, Buttons!! 
Nov. 15, 2006 - What Bird Fed Elijah?
Punkins is an avid listener to this avid reader. 
We read everything from Curious George to classics like Anne of Green Gables. For a young child, she has a very good attention span. It's nothing for her to listen for an hour straight. ESPECIALLY if the book happens to be a Bible Story book!
We have rediscovered a set of 10 volumes entitled "The Bible Story" written by Arthur S. Maxwell. These are the same books that were often in the waiting rooms of family doctors in my childhood! I hope to someday purchase the set but for now, we have access to the entire set through our public library. We're in Volume 5 now. Disclaimer: I can't give the set my complete endorsement because I've not finished them all and I haven't checked out every story with the Bible - but so far they seem far more accurate than most rewritten Bible stories for children.
Volume 5 covers from Elijah to the Fall of Jerusalem, focusing on the great men of God. So this morning as I started to read, I decided to review some of the highlights from the stories we read last night. I found the interview amusing and thought you might enjoy it as well:
Mommy: "What did God send to bring food to Elijah (by the brook Cherith)?"
Punkins: "Birds!"
Mommy: "What kind of birds?"
Punkins: "Raisens!!!!" 
(For those who don't know, they were Ravens!)
Nov. 14, 2006 - Thankful for the Thorns
Have you ever had the priviledge of a precious 2 year old praying for you??? It's an awesome thing. A friend recently shared a wonderful story with me. I hope it's ok to pass it along via my blog instead of filling up everyone's email box. After I share it, I'll add my own personal "Thankful for the Thorns" part.
Sandra felt as low as the heels of her shoes as she pushed against a
November gust and the florist shop door.
Her life had been easy, like a spring breeze. Then in the fourth month
of her second pregnancy, a minor automobile accident stole that from
her. During this Thanksgiving week she would have delivered a son. She
grieved over her loss. As if that weren't enough, her husband's
company threatened a transfer. Then her sister, whose holiday visit
she coveted, called saying she could not come for the holiday.
Then Sandra's friend infuriated her by suggesting her grief was a
God-given path to maturity that would allow her to empathize with o thers who suffer.
She has no idea what I'm feeling, thought Sandra with a shudder.
Thanksgiving? Thankful for what? She wondered. For a careless driver whose
truck was hardly scratched when he rear-ended her? For an airbag that saved
her life but took that of her child?
"Good afternoon, can I help you?" The shop clerk's approach startled
her. "I....I need an arrangement," stammered Sandra. "For
Thanksgiving? Do you want beautiful but ordinary, or would you like to
challenge the day with a customer favorite I call the Thanksgiving
"Special?" asked the shop clerk. "I'm convinced that flowers tell stories," she
continued. "Are you looking for something that conveys 'gratitude' this
thanksgiving?"
"Not exactly!" Sandra blurted out. "In the last five months,
everything
Sandra regretted her outburst, and was surprised when the shop clerk
said, "I have the perfect arrangement for you."
>
Just then the shop door's small bell rang, and the shop clerk said,
"Hi, Barbara...let me get your order." She politely excused herself
and walked toward a small workroom, then quickly reappeared, carrying
an arrangement of greenery, bows, and long-stemmed thorny roses.
Except the ends of the rose stems were neatly snipped: there were no flowers.
"Want this in a box?" asked the clerk.
Sandra watched for the customer's response. Was this a joke? Who would
want ro se stems with no flowers! She waited for laughter, but neither woman
laughed.
"Yes, please," Barbara, replied with an appreciative smile. "You'd
think after three years of getting the special, I wouldn't be so moved
by its significance, but I can feel it right here, all over again,"
she said as she gently tapped her chest. And she left with her order.
"Uh," stammered Sandra, "that lady just left with, uh....she just left
with no flowers!
"Right, said the clerk, "I cut off the flowers. That's the Special. I
call it the Thanksgiving Thorns Bouquet."
"Oh, come on, you can't tell me someone is willing to pay for that!"
exclaimed Sandra.
"Barbara came into the shop three years ago feeling much like you feel
today," explained the clerk. " She thought she had very little to be
thankful for. She had lost her father to cancer, the family business
was failing, her son was into drugs, and she was facing major surgery."
"That same year I had lost my husband," continued the clerk, "and for
the first time in my life, had just spent the holidays alone. I had no
children, no husband, no family nearby, and too great a debt to allow
any travel."
"So what did you do?" asked Sandra.
"I learned to be thankful for thorns," answered the clerk quietly.
"I've always thanked God for the good things in my life and never
questioned the good things that happened to me, but when bad stuff
hit, did I ever ask questions!
It took time for me to learn that dark times are important. I have always
enjoyed the 'flowers' of l ife, but it took thorns to show me the beauty of
God's comfort. You know, the Bible says that God comforts us when we're
afflicted, and from His consolation we learn to comfort others."
Sandra sucked in her breath as she thought about the very thing her
friend had tried to tell her. "I guess the truth is I don't want
comfort. I've lost a baby and I'm angry with God."
Just then someone else walked in the shop. "Hey, Phil!" shouted the
clerk to the balding, rotund man.
"My wife sent me in to get our usual Thanksgiving Special....12
thorny, long-stemmed stems!" laughed Phil as the clerk handed him a
tissue-wrapped arrangement from the refrigerator.
"Those are for your wife?" asked Sandra incredulously. "Do you mind me
asking why she wants something that looks like that?"
"No...I'm glad you asked," Phil replied. "Four years ago my wife and I
nearly divorced. After forty years, we were in a real mess, but with
the Lord's grace and guidance, we slogged through problem after
problem. He rescued our marriage. Jenny here (the clerk) told me she kept a vase of rose stems to
remind her of what she learned from "thorny" times, and that was good
enough for me. I took home some of those stems. My wife and I decided to label each
one for a specific "problem" and give thanks for what that problem taught us."
As Phil paid the clerk, he said to Sandra, "I highly recommend the
Special!"
"I don't know if I can be thankful for the thorns in my life." Sandra
said.
"It's all too...fresh."
"Well," the clerk replied carefully, "my experience has shown me that
thorns make roses more precious. We treasure God's providential care more during
trouble than at any other time. Remember, it was a crown of thorns that
Jesus wore so we might know His love. Don't resent the thorns."
Tears rolled down Sandra's cheeks. For the first time since the
accident, she loosened her grip on resentment. "I'll take those twelve
long-stemmed thorns, please," she managed to choke out.
"I hoped you would," said the clerk gently. "I'll have them ready in a
minute."
"Thank you. What do I owe you?"
"Nothing. Nothing but a promise to allow God to heal your heart. The
first year's arrangement is always on me." The clerk smiled and handed
a card to Sandra. "I'll attach this card to your arrangement, but
maybe you would like to read it first."
It read: "My God, I have never thanked You for my thorns. I have
thanked You a thousand times for my roses, but never once for my thorns. Teach me the
glory of the cross I bear; teach me the value of my thorns. Show me that I
have climbed closer to You along the path of pain. Show me that, through my
tears, the colors of Your rainbow look much more brilliant."
Praise Him for your roses; thank Him for your thorns!
I was touched by the story and at the same time, so very grateful that I truly feel I have very few thorns in life right now. Really, not any that compare to the sharp pricks Sandra was experiencing.
This concept of being thankful for the thorns was beautifully personalized for me by the Lord this morning. I've had a cold/cough that has lingered for over a week. Sometimes making me feel pretty low, sometimes giving me pain, sometimes just being an annonyance. At any rate, it has affected my "activities of daily living".....including homeschooling. (I just had to bring in that word to justify this personal post on a homeschool blog!!) 
It dawned on me that I have not truly asked the Lord to take away my problem. I just accepted it as a "fact of life" that would be over in about a week. As I lay on my bed, asking God to heal me, and two of my children who I am still concerned aren't over their coughs yet, my bright little Sunshine came in. "I pray for you, Mommy. Help Mommy feel betta". And then my little Buttons came in and looking at an old family picture, made the comment "When I was a baby, I held a flag and had tubes all over me...........I had oxygen in my nose".
Suddenly I was thankful...oh so thankful for the tiny thorn of being sick. For if I'd never been sick, I wouldn't know the wonder of being able to ask my Heavenly Father to heal me, the joy of hearing my 2 year old pray over and over for "Mommy to feel betta", and the reminder from my Million Dollar Miracle from God about true thorns.
I'm so thankful for Buttons. Her very life is a miracle. A gift. A reminder that God can sustain a hurting family and bring something BEAUTIFUL from roseless days.
Nov. 8, 2006 - On the Road Again!
I'm pleased to report that our day of homeschool went well. We started with the imaginary bus ride. I'm the bus driver, of course! I sit on the bottom step while the children get on and then we're off! Well.........that's how it usually goes.
Today Punkins was the last to board the bus. Suddenly, she fell backwards! I was quite amused at her response when the bus driver asked her what happened. She's a quick thinker! She said something like: "I don't know what happened. I just fell. It's because you don't have a hand rail!!!" The bus driver said that was probably the reason and she'd have a talk with the School Superintendent. 
The remainder of the trip was filled with fun as they sang their ABC's, warned me of approaching hazards (even a bear), etc. Usually we sing "The Wheels On the Bus" but we didn't have time today. The bus ride was already taking a LONG time.
At our destination, Punkins decided that Ms. Collins has been usurped by Ms. Smith. There's some history behind that decision. The other day, after a morning of exasperation, I'd made a comment to Punkins "I bet you hope Ms. Collins comes back soon, don't you?" She replied "No, I don't. Not really. She got FED UP too. Same as you." 
So do you see my logic behind letting Ms. Smith step in today?! Maybe once Ms. Collins shows that she has more patience during trials, we'll rethink this!
We had a nice class with the Abeka curriculum mixed with lots of fun. I discovered that by giving the little ones something to do (yet at the same table), I can put a little more concentration in to teaching Punkins.
If you enjoyed hearing about our bus ride today, I'll have to tell you about the time they went to a restaurant to eat with the bus driver. Ahhhhhh.....but that's another story for another day!
Nov. 8, 2006 - Powersuits
With the "Homeschool Slump", an unexpected 20+ hour trip due to my Grandfather's death, the typhoon of sickness that hit this house (2 children with Pneumonia, one with Strep, the other with double ear infections), and everything else that I haven't mentioned, this well meaning lady spun "outta control"!
In a desperate, tho rather eccentric, attempt, I donned my Powersuit to take back this planet called "HOME".
You see, I'd just been reading about wardrobes. The article stated "Every woman needs at least one powersuit in her closet". So Monday, I stood before my closet, looking for anything that would fit that description. RED. That's it! I chose a black skirt, black blouse, and topped it with a snappy red plaid blazer.
The only problem was that the red blazer was given to me (thanks, Lanitha!) and was a size too small. I decided against heels. I've been known to do my housework in heels before, but decided some flats would be more appropriate for the amount of work I had to do.
I wanted to laugh as I realized the ridiculous picture I must have made as I swept the hardwood floor in the dining room! The sleeves on the jacket shortened with each stroke as the shoulder seams creaked in agony. I was voiceless (due to my cold) - so just some silent inside humor was all I could manage.
I wish I could report that the powersuit was the ticket out of the slump. It wasn't. Here it is Wednesday, and I find myself in PJ's, blogging. I got up at 4:30am to houseclean. I've decided that it's not in the heels and it's definitly not in the powersuit (especially if they're too small!!). Yep, give me PJ's and DETERMINATION and I can accomplish quite a bit. Of course, having sleeping children always helps, too!
Today will be our first full day of homeschool this week. I'm so ashamed to admit that, but I guess under the circumstances (you know, powersuits that let you down with a thud!), you understand. Yes? 
Hopefully I can return to true homeschool blogging with glowing reports of an fun educational day!
Nov. 5, 2006 - A Gift for God
A gift for God
Made by Punkins during one of
our days of "Creative Homeschooling".
Several weeks ago, we took a "Nature Walk" in the field, each child equipped with crayons and a little notebook, which I called "Nature Notebooks". When they would spot a pretty flower, they would choose the appropriate colored crayon and draw in their notebook. We picked quite a few wildflowers and had a very lovely time making memories.
When we returned to the deck, they enjoyed making arrangements. Punkins decided that she was making hers as a gift for God. It was so neat to watch her express her love.
Admist His sorrow over the disobedience of mankind, I am sure God smiled as He watched His little child that day!
Nov. 5, 2006 - Family of.......SEVEN!!!
Dear Family and Friends,
I have an announcement to make! I will apologize in advance if you are offended that I'm announcing it to the world wide web instead of calling you personally this morning.........but I felt perhaps this way will avoid any hurt feelings over who I told first.
I just found out this morning, myself! I'd noticed that I craved chocolate yesterday (as the 1/2 empty M&M bag will attest!).
I've always loved big families. I sometimes look at our children and think of how we could stop right now and be socially "smiled upon". Familes of five are the socially acceptable "max" these days, it seems. But over and over, I've reminded myself that I really don't care if society bestows their pastey smile upon my life or not. Children are precious and children are a blessing ........ and I'm delighted to publically declare that once again this morning!
But to go to bed one night, a happy family of five, and to awake to the glorious news of being a family of seven!!! This is just too neat!
This is how I found out: I was lying in bed this morning, bemoaning the terrible way I felt. My children were concerned that Mommy wasn't at the breakfast table and that I wouldn't be going to church this morning. Unable to stand it any longer, they (unbeknowst to their father) knocked on the bedroom door and at my bidding (although given somewhat reluctantly!), came in and scrambled upon the monstrous Paul Bunyon bed to comfort their Mommy in her sickness.
Little hands soothed my hair back and loving eyes looked down at me. "Mommy, I love you. I love you more than horses.
I love you more than castles. 
I love you more than this bed!"
Then, encouraged by the fact that Mommy was awake, smiling, and making cooing sounds in response to her talking, she went on.....................
"Did you know we have 6 people in our family?"
Hmmm........I responded "Well, if you count the baby in Heaven, I guess we do have six people in our family."
She replied "No! That makes 7. Did you know we're a family of 7?"
I said "Really? How's that? Who's the seventh?"
Punkins smiled sweetly and said "JESUS!!"
So there you have the exciting news and all the juicy details .......we're a family of SEVEN! I suppose I should apologize if I misled anyone...everything I said is true, however. Please, be sure to get the rumor to all my dear relatives who are holding their breath that we will show up at the next reunion driving a bus to contain our happy family!
They needn't worry. Limo's are more my style!
Oct. 24, 2006 - Progress
I'm really proud of the children's progress so far. Punkins is doing really great with phonics. She loves to say a word and then say a letter she hears in it. Aunt Lully's lovingly-created phonics book has helped solidify the sound of each letter. Buttons is proudly singing the ABC song. I love to hear her little voice saying "Mommy, I did it!!". And even the youngest, Sunshine, surprised us the other night when I asked what letter says "Buh". She brightly said "B"!!!
Other progress: Punkins can read the words red, blue, purple, yellow, black, and brown. Although we're learning phonics, I am also using some Rod and Staff type books called "Before We Read" and they are teaching some words by sight. I really like how they teach reasoning skills and attention to detail. Today Punkins became a detective as she figured out how to narrow down the choices to find the correct answer on a sequence worksheet.
Oct. 16, 2006 - Monday. Again.
It's Monday. It's 7:59. In the morning. The kids have been up since 6:00. In the morning. Homeschool should start. Soon. I'm not ready. Again. I feel grumpy. Again. The kids are fussy. Again. The house is a mess. Again. I feel like packing up the clutter. Soon. I pray to be sweet. Again. Joy. Frusteration. Joy. Frusteration. It's Monday. Again.
Oct. 12, 2006 - The Slump
I'll admit it, I've been a grump.
Chalk it up to the homeschool slump.
Or could it be that the homeschool slump
is only the result of being a grump?
And with that honest confession, I'll resume my bloggin'! I'll TRY not to be like the lady who promised that she'd write every day, then corrected herself to say "well, at least every other day" and then didn't ever post again! 
Oct. 3, 2006 - Music Lessons
I've been teaching Punkins a few piano lessons here and there.....but putting off the milestone of beginning "official music lessons". My heart tells me that I know enough to teach her the basics of piano. My head makes me doubt my abilities because I don't have the beginner books I feel she needs and I don't want to start her with any bad habits that I could unprofessionally teach her! However, I received a link to a "fabulouso" website yesterday that may help me with the confidence factor. Even if I didn't know how to play, this site would teach the basics. Check it out! www.ilearnmusic.com It's a great resource!
Punkins often tells me "Mom, I think the Lord wants me to be a piano teacher when I grow up." I guess we'd better be starting!! 
Sep. 26, 2006 - The Curriculum of Imagination
"So, what curriculum do you use?" Chalk it up to be the #1 question asked to homeschoolers and by homeschoolers to each other. It's a comfort question. It gives you a mental "catagory" or "label" that you can stick on that person, file them away, and either dismiss or pursue the conversation further.
I'll confess that I don't have a label yet. Whoohooo!! Oh sure - I throw out a name to those who ask so that they can comfort themselves - but I really don't have one set curriculum yet. I'm still too busy experimenting with creativity! Will I end up settling down to the Alpha Omega "Weaver" curriculum I purchased? Or maybe the Abeka Kindergarten that someone so generously gave to me? What about the "Old Fashioned Education" free curriculum, or the many on-line resources? So many choices.......so much fun!
What I don't want to do is to get so "tied" to a set curriculum that I neglect the one common denominator that bridges the generation gap between a mother and her children. I think I've discovered this gold mine over the past few weeks.... it's simply Imagination!
Just last week, what orginally started as a calm painting on paper, wound up as a "let's paint Mommy's legs!" (Above is the picture I promised in my 9/20 post) I told them it was a once in a lifetime opportunity!! I'm not sure what the mailman thought when they delivered a package in the midst of this artwork........but that made it even more hilarious!
**Please Note: Another post will follow within a few days detailing some more of our exclusive "Creative Imagination Curriculum".
( Hmmm.....maybe I'll keep a straight face and use that as my "label" tomorrow when we attend our first homeschool group field trip!!) 
Sep. 21, 2006 - Working it all in.....
Ms. Collins took the children to town today. First we stopped at a florist and purchased a yellow ribbon to replace the one on our porch (Patriotism). Next we went to the library and spent several hours there. I utilized their extra large books for "Storytime", then used their manipulatives to work on counting (math time). They enjoyed the educational games on the computers that are there just for them (Computer Lab?). One of them must have decided English was too boring.......I heard the animated story being told in Spanish. (I bookmarked that one! I love the idea of them learning other languages while they're young. In fact, they already walk around saying "Como se llama?") I chose about 24 books from their awesome selection. Some of my "finds" are several books by Jan Brett.
Jan Brett is the author I spoke of the other day (The Gingerbread Baby). This morning I rediscovered her website: www.janbrett.com and I really, really, really like it!!! She is also the illustrator of her own books........and I think she's a pretty good artist! On her website, I discovered that she gives online art demonstrations. We watched the one about how to draw a rabbit. It's neat.
The librarian likes our children so well that she took time to make special crafts with them. They made little pom-pom caterpillers on clothespins with magnets attached to them. So that was craft time! We managed to sneak in some cheesesticks from our favorite pizza shop on the way home. (I think that could qualify for "lunchtime".)
Now I'm headed to the comfy couch to snuggle with my children and read those Jan Brett's books. I'm still of the opinion that reading is one of the best things I can do for them. The physical closeness, the emotional bonding as we laugh together, the soothing sound of Mommy's voice, new words to learn, explaining the ethics/lack of ethics of the characters (training them to recognize right/wrong), the "scope for imagination", it's all between the covers of a good book!
Sep. 20, 2006 - No Time for Details
I've had two of the "funnest" days of my life this week as I let my creativity and imagination run wild in our homeschooling. Interestingly, it was on the very days that I hadn't prepared enough to use the purchased curriculum.
Achh! Did I dare admit that?!!
The days were so perfectly beautiful that we had "school" outside on the deck. What joy to be in God's great outdoors and learn at the same time. Somehow I think I was wired for that! I feel like I could kiss good-bye to the traditional sit-at-a-desk-and-fry-those-brain-cells style of learning! 
(Don't worry. I just had to use that cute emoticon. I'll try to stay traditional enough that skeptics of the homeschool philosophy can rest in peace.)
I long to share details, details, details of those days. But the detail of a four-poster bed is calling my name. If only I can make it there without tripping over any details left on the floor by the little munchkins ....and landing on de tail. Ugh. That was bad. It's only 9:16pm but when you got up at 5:00am, it feels MUCH later!!! More details on the details tomorrow. 
Sep. 20, 2006 - Photo Uploading Success!!!!
HooRAY! I did it! This is the picture of our favorite library book from last week. It's a book by Jan Brett entitled "Gingerbread Baby" and it's responsible for teaching my toddler how to "tweak" noses! I loved the new tweak to an old story.
I'm happy to have a way to post pictures........ I can't wait to show off the children's artwork from today!! Brace yourself, though. It's rather bizarre!
Sep. 19, 2006 - Trials.......photo uploading
Ok...here's my first attempt at uploading a picture to my blog. I'll attempt to insert it first. If that doesn't work, I'll send the URL.
Sep. 19, 2006 - Lessons from the Dictionary
I was mildly shocked the other week when I heard Punkins exclaim "Oh my g*sh!" I say "mildly" because I realize that every child is impressionable and will often imitate what they see and hear. That day, I tried to respond calmly but I firmly explained that "g***" is a form of taking God's Name in vain. To support that claim, I cited Webster's dictionary. 
Furthermore, I told her that if she said the word again, we would discipline her because now she knows the truth.
You guessed it.......she expressively said "Oh my g***!" as she passed through the room today. When I spoke to her about it, she began to insist "I didn't mean to!....It was just an accident!!" I'll skip the next few clips in the saga. 
After requesting me to leave the room so she could pray about it by herself, she came out and calmly asked for a dictionary. I was sure that she wanted me to look up the offensive word just to make sure that it was indeed an offense. 
Amazingly, she had no further interest in bad words. She was intrigued with the large genuine (although outdated) volume of The Official Webster's Dictionary. It turned into about 30-40 minutes of informal schooling (which I secretly admire!!) that included an overview of the alphabetical layout, how to find words, and reading the names of the pictured flags of all the states, many countries, and the goverment offices. I found her comments to be refreshing. For example: when I read the word "Peru", her head jerked up in amazement. "Mom, that's where you went to school!!" For the sake of privacy, I won't post the name of the college I attended.........but it does indeed sound similar to "Peru"! 
Further investigation of the dictionary led to the awesome priviledge to introduce Punkins to George Washington, John Adams, and the remaining presidents. Well...as far as the outdated version allowed. I think I escaped having to show her a picture of former President Clinton. 
I'd already told her that some presidents are good and some are bad.
As I read the names of the presidents, she interrupted "I don't like some of those names!" Hmmmm......I have to agree! She also commented on their different clothing styles. She was duly impressed with regal pictures of The White House. The concept of having a President seemed easy for her to understand when I correlated it to a "King" but one we elect when we vote.
I'm increasingly fascinated with the everyday teaching moments in life. I mean......who would have ever thought that saying a few bad words would catapult a mother and 5 year old child into a U.S. History and Civics class?!!
Sep. 18, 2006 - The Snow Never Stops!
It's SNOWING!!!!!! Would you believe we had six inches before 12:00 today?!!
The other night as I fell into bed, I said to my husband "I heard someone say that trying to keep a clean house while the children are little is like trying to shovel the sidewalks before it stops snowing!!! It doesn't mean you don't do it......just means that it's NEVER DONE!!"
Sensitive yet practical man that he is, he replied sagely; "I think if it was me, I'd find the source of the snow and make them shovel some of it themselves!!!!" 
Months ago, we were on a roll with "Chores". The children had one chore for every year of age (ie. 4 years old = 4 chores). They really did well with them. Then with changes in the "every day life" (visitors, travelling, etc) I let it slip. Have you ever noticed that once you miss doing something important, it becomes easier to neglect it the next time? In the medical world, it's been discovered that most "medical errors" aren't because people are incompetent but because they veered off-course from the usual standard of care. So easy to do in housework, home life, school life, spiritual life. Dear Lord, please help us stay ON COURSE! Anyway, the daily chore list needs to be re-implimented in this household for this Mommy's sanity! ( Did I mention that there can be DIRE consequences when you let things crowd out the good standards of living?!) 
HA
Well, gotta run........it's SNOWING again!!!!!!
Sep. 18, 2006 - Um, uh...
I wish I had some inspiring post to make......but I don't. I want to post pictures of books we've read, crafts, cooking projects, etc. but I can't get that part figured out. Yet. I will!!
So I find myself with nothing exciting to report. Homeschooling continues to be an exciting journey. Housework continues to be a ...um...journey.
(more on that later!) We've been to the library. I'd planned on posting a picture of the books we checked out and the favorites from the group we took back last week.......but my inspiration fled when I couldn't figure out how to upload the picture. I will share the gist of that "would be" entry. Our youngest is two years old. I was going to rave over the treasures of reading to children and how it broadens their vocabulary (among other benefits). And my final words would have been........"How else could a two year old reach up and playfully pinch your nose as she says .................................'I TWEAKED ooo(your) nose!!!!'"?! 
Sep. 13, 2006 - Milestones
Punkins is no longer "Guyve". You know, she was gore and then she turned guyve on her last birthday. 
She can officially say "F"!! It's a milestone and I'm so proud of her! She even says the f sound during conversation without thinking sometimes. Way to go, Punkins!!!!
