5

I ended up with 5 little eggs which have all hatched. Before I shared a few, I got a picture of each.

We haven't named them all, but for some reason, I named our largest one (next to CiCi), Katy. I can't figure out if I should call them boy names or girl names, so I'm just doing it as it seems fit. I don't think we know until they turn into a butterfly and then the size and dots will tell us more.

Anyway, Katy is by far the largest of the 5, and yet no where near the size CiCi was when we got him. (And I know CiCi sounds like a girly name, but it's a he according to Reece.) She's continuing to grow, steadily, but still has a ways to go.I think this next one is Fred, named and now owned by Grayson and the James family.One of these two is now with Angela and her family. Can you believe how teeny tiny they are? The egg is the size of the dot of a pen...and so they are actually quite big now compared to their original size in the egg. It still amazes me that these guys will get as big as CiCi.I hope they make it. I am enjoying each one so much.

into a chrysalis

We were wiped but thankful for our fun day. I went inside straight to CiCi, and indeed found that our little caterpillar had turned into a chrysalis.

We've got a few other eggs so I'm hopeful we'll still get to see this transformation this season. Can you tell I'm into it? : )

birthdays and baseball games

Saturday we celebrated 2 birthdays and cheered at 2 baseball games.
As we were loading up the car to head west, I brought CiCi out, fully expecting to bring the caterpillar in it's J with us. I guess that's how much I didn't want to miss it turning into a chrysalis. But as I carefully walked it out, I realized how much more it would be shaken about from the nearly hour car ride, and took CiCi back inside. : (

Turned out to be a VERY windy day today, and it was definitely the right decision for CiCi. Despite the weather, the boys had stellar games and we all had nice time together.Dylan's game was first. Being the lazy pregnant woman that I am, I took a couple of shots w/o moving from my fold-out chair. Dylan, first at bat, got a triple with the first crack of his bat and then ran home with the next batter.On his second at bat, he hit an in the park homer with some pretty exciting action at the plate. He jumped up afterward to celebrate.Reece enjoyed watching, but I think he enjoyed playing on the side even more. I remember when Dylan was too young to play just yet and used to do the same during Damon's games. : )Dylan, thanks for the great show you put on today!Back to Damon and Michell's for bbq, cake, and a quick bday celebration before Damon's game. I caught Grandmama feeding icing to Reece before we sang HB.Damon had a great game too, and got on base immediately.
I like this one below, father as 3rd base coach standing ready next to his son on 3rd.Reece wanted to play and found a field just south of the game where he pretended to hit and then ran and ran and ran the bases...Then, Damon hits the mound so we dash over to watch. BTW, Damon II sent me inside the fence, so I got a few shots 'fence free'.My favorite today. I bet it would be even cooler w/ a little Photoshop.stealing second...SAFE!Sweet Victory!

The Letter J

Right at 9pm tonight, CiCi made a J. I'd been watching sooo closely.
I read that within 12 to 24 hours after making the J, the caterpillar will transform into a chrysalis. Ooooh how I didn't want to miss the amazing event.

I didn't want to go to sleep, and stayed up way too late checking on him. I dreamt all night about it too. I know I'm a dork...a nature dork!

(btw, in the morning, he was still a J.)

preparing

CiCi didn't eat anything all day. That caterpillar roamed along the top of the terrarium and just sat still. If I hadn't read about this process, I would have been worried that something was wrong. But instead, CiCi was preparing for something big to come.

new cap

Daddy scored a new cap for Reece from Marshall's.He likes caps and often turns them around to wear them backwards. He's getting so big to me, and even his smile has improved. He wanted me to take a picture of him in his new hat and first gave me a big cheesy grin. I asked for his 'nice smile' and this is what I got. <3

The Very Hungry Caterpillar

Thanks to Chrys and all of her research and information sharing, we headed to a field today just a few miles from our house to hunt for milkweed. I missed Monarch season last year and thought I had this year as well. But the rain and weather sprouted up a whole new batch of milkweed and we were off to find it!

I already had clippers in the car from looking in some fields a few weeks ago unsuccessfully. So we grabbed Reece's rain boots, a baggy, and a cup of water, and headed out.

I called Chrys to make sure I knew what to look for and she was a great help. I was pretty much giddy when we found the milkweed. Reece loved using the clippers to cut it, although didn't have as much patience to look for the teeny tiny eggs. I did!

And, know what else we found, a Very Hungry Caterpillar, which Reece named CiCi in the car ride back home.He ate and ate and ate today. Naturally, we read the corresponding book during nap time today, replacing the word 'cocoon' with 'chrysalis'. I'm not sure who is more excited about witnessing this God designed transformation. Reece could hardly eat his lunch, as he jumped down to check on CiCi about 25 times. It's so fun to have found both a grown caterpillar and a couple eggs that we'll hopefully be able to see from the very beginning of the growth process. It's truly incredible how TINY those eggs are and how big the caterpillar becomes.

Lord, you are such an incredibly creative designer. Thank you for the milkweed, caterpillar, and teeny tiny eggs we found today. I am excited to teach Reece more about you and how you can transform anything to something beautiful...even me. <3

Fabulous

Today Reece made his 3rd purchase...the Fabulous Hudson Hornet.

He specifically asked me to take a picture of his new car. ; )
While the frequent desire and discussion of 'things' sometimes makes me a little crazy, I am thankful that he is learning more and more about saving and delayed gratification.

Instead of asking if he can have a toy right now, he usually asks if he can save up for it. He still asks over and over if he then has enough money yet, but it's such great process to be saving for things.

He clearly doesn't have a sense of the value or cost of things yet, and I expect it will be a while. For example, he'll see an airplane in the sky and say, "I want to save up for one of those." I'll say, "you mean a toy airplane?". He replies, "No, THAT one." That will be a lifetime of saving and a lot of patience, my sweet boy.

So, while we've got quite a few Cars cars around here, $2.99 is a pretty good price. It takes him about 4 weeks to save up for one (when he distributes his dollar in dimes a week like this: $.80 for spend, $.10 for God, and $.10 for save). Easter egg hunting at Grandmama's did expedite that second purchase (Dreaming Lightning McQueen) with a few dollar bills hidden in eggs. : )

Teaching patience

Thursday, in the car on the way to run some errands, there was a car in the right turn lane in front of us. It's a turn only lane, and she was in fact turning. But, she wasn't turning on red, even though no cars were coming. Now, it was her intention to turn on red, as she kept easing up and lounging forward. However, she was distracted on her cell the phone. There were a million (it felt like) opportunities for her to go. She was just chatting away, and peeking over to check traffic every now and then (which NO ONE came), but she never went...not at least until the light turned green.

So, I'm a pretty vocal person. ; ) I didn't say anything inappropriate, but stuff under my breath like, "Go, lady", "There is no one coming", and "Get off your phone".

Reece felt my anxiousness and impatience. After asking a question or two, he then told me that it was alright, that we had time, and that we'll get there. His words instantly changed my attitude.

I told Reece how absolutely right he was and told him I had forgotten my patience. I often ask him "where's your patience?", to which he replies, "it's right here" (and holds out his hand) or "I forgotted it." Sometimes I help him take off his clothes and put them back on, remembering the second time to put on patience. Because it's a little close to the fruit of the spirit, he still struggles with getting all of the words, but we try to recite Colossians 3:12 in the morning when getting dressed: "Cloth yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience".

Anyway, I asked him if he would forgive me for my attitude and not being patient. He said, "of course!" I prayed aloud in the car and asked for forgiveness, which I know was sooo graciously given. I also thanked Reece for telling me about my attitude, and allowing me to change it.

While this may not be the ideal way to teach patience, it's real, it's honest, and I believe it worked for us both that day. Thank you, Reece, for calling me out. Thank you, Lord, for a heart that received today.

I guess teaching by example is sometimes a good way to learn. <3

Make me a deal

This guy has become quite the negotiator.
If I say no to something, he'll say, "make me a deal".
He has become increasingly persistent (aka annoying), in asking the same thing over and over and over. I am pretty good about holding steadfast, but he still tries.

I do however often offer him another option, which is where I think the 'dealing' comes in.

My suggestions, even when they are GOOD ones, are often the worst ideas to him. He likes to come up with it on his own. And he likes options.

One of the best things I've done lately is with snacks. He usually asks for a snack right after his nap, and refuses the first option I recommend, even when it would otherwise be something he'd ask for. I'm not a big fan of this manipulation. Soooo lately, I tell him yes to a snack and that I'm going to make him a 'special' snack. He gets excited and says "what's it going to be???". I prolong the excitement and tell him he has to wait and not peek while I get it. I fill my 3-part server dish with 3 different, but healthy snacks. Often it includes something he didn't finish from lunch. ; ) So far, he's loved it every time and eats some of each, even when I thought he might just go for 1 thing. And, he knows that's it. No more of any individual thing before dinner. Ahh, small victories.

So, there's small successes in the deal-making department. Most of the time I think it's pretty funny that he wants me to make him a deal. But, I need to stay smarter, calm, funny, and steadfast!

Annual Block Party

The annual block party was this weekend. Although I was feeling a bit sluggish (as you'll see from the lazy and not so great pics), it's something we always look forward to.

I think this next picture represents our little block so well. (Sorry, Lisa, I can't resist a cute little outie!)Ms. Lisa is the next due, 1 of 3 pregnant ladies on the block. By August, we will have 16 kids, 5 and under. Sooooo much to be thankful for.

Ahh, and it wouldn't be a good party without food...especially for us preggers. I grazed all evening long on all the delicious side dishes. We lined up the grills and the men cooked up some great dogs and burgers.I think this one above may be my favorite from the day. I usually end up with a muse for some reason when shooting groups of folks, and Ainsley was it today. She deserves some spotlight anyway, as her world is about to get rocked with a new little sibling. BTW, she has THE CUTEST rolls on her thighs (you will see them better later)...I think she gets them from her hearty appetite. ; )Speaking of world's getting rocked, Allison's just did with the introduction of her little baby brother. I loved catching her and TinTin having some mommy/daughter time today.Welcome to the block, Taylor. Your appearance last year was limited to your mommy's belly.Reece didn't jump right away, which surprised me. He hung around on the sidewalk and played cars, sometimes not sharing particularly well. To him perhaps, this was just another evening in the front yard.
Amidst the babies, there are some other cuddly creatures our block. We are also a dog-loving block; we've got at least 9. Chester is the newest addition, most everyone stopped by for a pet or two.And our dogs aren't just cute. Check out the talent this one's got, while Stephen and Betsy try out Sophie's board...There was a bit of lounging going on today too. (Here are those rolls I was telling you about! Want to eat them up!)Chris (our most excellent block party coordinator) bought this anti-gravity chair for Kellie, whose just 2 weeks ahead of me pregnant. It's fun being pregnant together, and I look forward to sharing this next phase of life with 2 with her as well. Every time she got up from that chair, I was soooo tempted to steal her seat!I know Marian, the end to another great block party.

Actually, it didn't end until way after dark. We pulled out the projector, homemade screen and watched a movie on the lawn together. We went to bed after that, but I heard even ANOTHER movie happened after that. Block Party Animals!