don't hate me...

Just FYI:

A few of my friends have decided to make their blogs private after having them public. I usually don't ask to view it. It is not because I am offended or lazy (though the latter may be a factor) it is because I don't remember. I have a certain amount of time that I spend on the computer. I look at my blog to see who has updated and read those blogs. Private blogs cannot be put there, so I forget to check them. I still really care for you, but knowing myself I won't check in often, if at all. Sorry.

Missed me?

I am sure you have all been missing me and my frequent posts...I feel as if I have been away from blogging forever instead of just a couple of weeks. Maybe that is a sign of something.

School is out for the summer. Andy is taking an Old English class and preparing to teach next month. I am still watching Baby Marcus and getting ready for Girls Camp. (All of my things need to be at our camp director's house by tomorrow night even though we don't leave until next Tuesday.) Marcus has big plans for his summer. Anneke loves going outside to work in her "garden". Luke is a handful.

I have been putting together my Secret Sister gifts. It is a big deal here. They have theme days and when you draw the name, it has a whole questionnaire attached to it with favorite color, temple, scripture, etc. with a budget of $25. I have been finding thoughts to go along with my gifts. Also, since the girl has a name from the bible I have been finding scriptures with her name in them for the tag. (Nothing bad...)

Marcus loves science. So, two days a week Andy is doing science activities with the kids. Yesterday he did baking soda and vinegar experiments. We are going to get them notebooks to write/draw what they observe and questions they may have. Plus, Marcus went through my preschool file box and we pulled out all the things he wants to do. Now, we have theme days 6 days a week. Monday - food activity; Tuesday - science; Wednesday - games (large motor); Thursday - science; Friday - arts and crafts; Saturday - songs and stories. The last was because Marcus liked the alliteration.

Anneke and I are working on reading. It gets very frustrating because she loses her focus quickly and stops really trying but guessing. She has started saying "Oh, cheesecake" as an exclamation. (It is pretty funny that Baby Marcus and Luke say "Cake" now when they see bubbles.) She loves being able to just go outside and dig in the dirt. She calls it her garden.

Andy is still corrupting my children. Luke now says, "Go Joe" when he sees GI Joe or his siblings say it when playing. He calls any super hero "Bangin'" or Batman. Now, Andy is trying to teach him "Thundercats, Ho". He has got the "Ho" part down. I am waiting for the day when the boy says, "Father, I am your Luke". Oh, my baby has said his first sentence..."I like read". I am so proud.

Unintended internet holiday

Hey. This is Andy posting for Heidi. Our current apartment doesn't yet have the glories of the internet and it hasn't yet become a high priority for our landlord to fix it.

We're learning to have patience, but until he gets things worked out Heidi's most likely going to be offline for a bit.

Happy Day 8

Day 8 - My happy for today is my parents and sisters. Get ready for cliche, "I don't know where I would be without them." I love that I can call them and they can help me, or make me laugh or tell me they love me. I have a very supportive and close family. I am happy.

Happy Day 7

My toddler is my happy for the day. He smiles and cuddles and loves books. He yells, "Go Joe" now and can just make me smile by looking at me. Luke = Happy

Happy Day 6

Anneke is what makes me happy today. She loves to cook and cleans the toilets for me. She will wash windows, mirrors and doors without being asked. Anneke is my only daughter and that makes me happy.

Happy Day 5

First, I am happy because I have a smart, cute 7 year old. He is always happy and optimistic. He tries to find ways to help and it is awesome.