Beans, smothering, talent night, craft, playing, & crazy hair and glasses

 So a while ago I posted on facebook that I just heard about "busy bags."  I loved the idea and started googling ideas to do with the kids.  The other day I decided to bust out some beans--who knew playing with beans was a brilliant way to entertain kids!?!  Maybe you did.  I'm not very creative, so I need people to give me ideas like this.  Beans, bowls, measuring cups, big spoons.  I'm definitely going to be using this a lot this Winter.  Oh, and yes, they did get beans all over the floor. I recommend sweeping PRIOR to busting out the beans.  Otherwise, when you sweep up the beans, you get other gross stuff mixed in.  Yeah, I should have thought of that since Mr. Caleb is my after meals sweeper.  Sometimes he misses stuff....

Caleb's been learning how to take pictures with my phone lately and asked if he could snap one of me and Anna.  This sums up the smothering of Anna that takes place 90% of her wake time.  HAHA.  Ok, not really, but I SERIOUSLY cannot get enough of her sweetness, and I cannot stop kissing her cheeks!

I remember feeling a bit overwhelmed when I found out I was pregnant with Anna (Grace was 8 months I think), but she is ABSOLUTELY THE sweetest baby I could have ever asked for.  She is so easy and wonderful.  I am so blessed, and God was so good to give her to me just when he did.  His plan is perfect, and I'm so glad I can trust Him to do what's best for our family. 

A couple weeks ago, Caleb and I sang at our church's talent night.  We sang "The kings of Israel" by Jamie Soles.  His cds are GREAT, and I believe I've mentioned him before on here. We learned all the kings to song, and that makes it SO easy!  I was so proud of my Caleb for singing in front of everyone, and when he put his arm around my neck to sing, I melted.  The bad news is that we forgot half the Israel side for the real thing....dahh!  Oh well, you win some and you lose some. Ben couldn't come because Anna and Grace were a bit under the weather.  We had planned to sing as a quartet-- Me, Ben, Caleb & Grace. ha!  I was bummed that didn't work out.  

I made this at MOPS. I repeat.  I made this at MOPS.  Can you believe they found a craft that I could participate in!? It was unbelievable, and I think it's so cute! 

Here's where I put it! 

The other day I was playing around on the piano, and I went to check on the kids.  I heard them giggling their heads off.  This is where/how I found them. 

Yeeep, they're all there!  Here's another one..  Caleb yanking on Gracie's legs... bhaha

I love when they all play together.  Caleb and Grace have been playing together more and Anna has been joining in.  I hope they're all friends forever.  I'm trying so hard to foster good relationships between all of them!! 

For the last couple of months, I've been trying to use natural shampoo and conditioner on my hair.  Anyway, I've been trying different things- -I won't go on about what or how.  After I was finished making my shampoo Ben said something to me like "You're so weird".  Ouch.  And actually, I have to disagree.  I'm not weird, I just DO weird things.  There's a difference. ...right?!

Speaking of weird and hair, today I made an egg, honey, yogurt mixture for my hair.  After I rubbed it on my scalp and in my hair, I put saran wrap on my head so it wouldn't drip all over my neck.  As I was doing it, I took an INCREDIBLE picture with my new Harry Caray (as Ben calls them) glasses. 

This is me cracking up at my own reflection in my phone.  I cannot stop laughing about this.  And as I was taking the picture, I said to myself.... "I think I really AM a lunatic!!" 

There's another nice one! ;)  I know I know.  My selfies are ALL wrong.  1. I look terrible, 2. I'm not holding the camera 5 feet above my head 3. I'm not puckering up. 4. I have a crazy vs. seductive look in my eye.  Maybe next time... NOT!  Anyway, like my glasses?  You see, I ordered them online from Zenni optical and they were SUPER SUPER cheap.  And, well, there is always a risk when you order something online... HOWEVER, they are so huge that I can see really well through them!! So, I've been wearing them around the house all day today.  Caleb likes them.  He's my favorite. ;) 

Oh and Caleb came downstairs and saw me like this.  He started giggling and said "Mom, you look SO silly."  That was a sweet way to put it, wasn't it?!  I'm glad he's not older.

Oh and I HAVE to report-- My hair seriously feels WAY softer!!  So, even though it was a crazy thing to do, I'd totally do it again.  Maybe next time I'd get a shower cap or something.  The saran wrap took it to a whole new ridiculous level. 

I think that's all for now.  

-Melanie 

Just an update

I decided to blog today because on my Facebook memories this morning, I read a previous blog that I posted two years ago today. I LOVED reading back on what was happening around here, so I thought I'd better keep up with it!

Sometimes we go grocery shopping as a family because neither one of us wants to stay home alone with the kids. HAHAHA.  No, it's really just a nice way to get out as a family, and the kids enjoy it.  I'd take them myself, but I have trouble fitting the groceries in the cart at Aldi.  And that's my main shopping place.  Caleb and Grace weren't having that much fun at that moment, but Anna sure was! One day soon I'll post a picture of ALL of them sucking their thumb/fingers.  It's quite a sight.

A few weeks ago we went to a park sort of near our house and brought Jimmy John's for supper.  It was super fun and this thing was SO FUN! Look how happy they are!!

Let's do little updates on the kids.  We'll start with Grace. I love having a daughter.  AND, I love that she's old enough for me to do her hair.  

 Isn't that cute?!  The only bad news was that before we even got out of the car, she had taken her bow out.  Dahhh! She's such a little stinker.  She is talking constantly, and she has a pretty hilarious personality.  This is a common conversation in our house.
Me: How old are you Grace?
G: Good.
Me: No how OLD are you?
G: FIVE (and opens her whole hand to show me)
Me: No
G: Two.
She's improving, but it's still a work in progress.  She might get the finger part down by the time she's three.  Maybe I should just start working on that instead.

She loves Caleb and gets sad when he leaves for preschool.  She says "ah-kay?" (ok) all the time.  Like... "A get Kaybub from preskul. ah kay? ah kay."

Anna Sue is turning into Miss grabby pants, which is awesome because then I'll have TWO of those.  (Grace is grabby pants #1) Anna LOVES the fridge.  Like every time I have it open, she books it over there to start grabbing things.  She's standing alone quite a bit, but isn't really taking steps yet.  

She loves Caleb the most.  He could say anything, and she'll burst out laughing.  It's pretty cute.  It's also really helpful for when I'm taking a picture.  I just have to say, "Hey Caleb, come here!"

**I have to mention since you're looking in my fridge anyway-- the lettuce was a DOLLAR at Jansma's.  Peppers are also an incredible deal there.  You can get FOUR orange peppers for A DOLLAR. And 2 red for a dollar... it's CRAZY! If you tried that at other grocery stores, it's like over a dollar a piece!** 

Anna is still super sweet and laid back.  And, her hair is growing!  You might not be able to tell there, but it is.  The bad news is that she was referred to as "he" twice when we visited my grandma at the nursing home.  Sorry Nannos. I should probably refrain from putting her in blue... 

Let's move on to Caleb. He started Angel Academy preschool and loves it!  We hope to homeschool him next year, so hopefully this isn't ruining it for us....

He recently discovered the small kid carts at Jewel and it's his favorite thing ever. 

A couple days ago we had a nice talk.  He was being really obedient and had a happy heart, and I was just so proud of his attitude etc. SO, I said

Me: Caleb, I'm so proud of you! You've been obeying so nicely and have had such a happy heart!

C: Thanks mom. I'm proud of you too.

Me: Yeah? Why?

C: Because I really love you.  And you always obey God ...sometimes.

hahahhaha. 

Today we had this conversation, and I'd say this is pretty typical of a lot of our conversations.

C: What's this?

Me: Sprinkles

C: Why are they sprinkles??

Me: ....

I just LOVE those kinds of questions.  NOT! It reminds me of a Facebook conversation I had lately where the guy asked me if animals were people.  Yes. I'm serious. 

Him: Do you find some animals are people?

Me: Animals are not people.  Why not? Because they aren't. They are animals. 

He didn't think that was a sufficient answer, but I think sometimes answers can be like that.  Like sprinkles-- THAT'S JUST WHAT THEY ARE! Can you tell I'm passionate about it?! I should clarify, I have more understanding towards my 4 year old than a grown up. 

I turned my basement into a playroom (sort of)!!!!  There used to be a bed and dresser etc.  But I decided to make it a play area instead of a bedroom.  We have a decent blow up mattress, so if someone stays with us, it's not terrible. =) Do you like the snickers wrapper on the ledge in the picture?!  It's my new hershey bar and by that I mean it's my latest candy of choice.  So delicious.  The problem is that it's way smaller than a hershey bar... although I suppose you could look at that another way...

I am feeling super motivated preparing for this week.  I hope to do a bunch of freezer meals. PLEASE fill me in on your absolute favorites.  I'm not really a freezer meal person, but I want to be.  I don't like casseroles that much, and I don't like to use cream of soups.  Other than that, I'm open.  Ok, it's not like I won't eat casseroles, it's just I don't prefer them. SO, if it is a DELICIOUS casserole, I'm willing.

 As you may know, we have oatmeal every morning, but I'm going to try THIS tomorrow for a little variation, doesn't it look yummy? My dream is to make a delicious Sunday breakfast... like homemade cinnamon rolls.  I just have to learn how first. I'll work on that. 

I'm also going to make THIS on Tuesday because Ben won't be there.  I don't want Mr. Whiney pants crying about quinoa again. ;)  (Ben's the best and really quite easy to please.  He just crabs about quinoa, so I have to make fun of him.)

Alright. That's all I've got. Hope you're enjoying this beautiful day! 

-Melanie