Anybody Need a Hero?

He Was Very Hungry

I sure hope this caterpillar visits us as a beautiful butterfly some day as we let him munch every single leaf on our carrot.

Officially Unemployed, Briefly

Well, it's official. I've just delivered my resignation letter to my employer. After seven years with this organization (and three babies), I've decided to stop working full-time. We'll be able to give Grammy a break from being the caregiver and more time to be just Grammy. I'll be able to spend more time preparing to homeschool in earnest next year and have some pre-k fun this year.

I've been looking forward to this day for many years, but I have to admit I was still a little teary as I sent the letter. My supervisor and I have discussed a contract for some project-based work and I'm very much looking forward to continuing to work with the applications I helped develop and the people of the organization.

Hopefully I'll be back to work next week!

Learning Patience at a Young Age

A wise friend once told me she would address the needs of her oldest, even while her youngest one cried, because the youngest couldn't run away.

I know just what she means.

Every time he can put together a few hours, Kansas Dad drives to the new house to remove wallpaper, prep walls for painting, paint walls, replace faucets, clean, paint trim...really, the list is extensive. For me, that means being home with the kids, often covering dinner, bath and bedtime alone. I know many women handle such situations all the time, but it's new for me, especially with a baby. We're learning together, the kids and I.

Tonight, all three of them needed diapers or bathroom assistance at exactly the same time (really quite a feat, now that I think about it). As uncomfortable as she was (and she was letting me know it), I decided to let Second Daughter wait until last because the other two, you see, are mobile, and I was just a little afraid of the potential consequences of asking them to stay still when they just might get distracted and wander energetically around the house instead.

Second Daughter survived and was even stunningly happy with the gift of a clean and dry diaper, showering me with smiles and coos.

No messy disasters and baby smiles. Life is good.

By the way, Kansas Dad is often at the new house until midnight. Every night. Such is the life of a sacrificial dad. We'll both be glad when we're able to move down there, even though there will still be lots for him to do.

A Contrast in Character

First Son loves this book. I guess I shouldn't be surprised to discover a four year old boy loves a book about a cockroach, leaf-cutter ants and a horde of army ants. There are some notes at the end that give startling insights into their little insect lives. For example, leaf-cutter ants do not eat leaves; they carry them home, chop them into tiny bits and grow fungus on them. They subsist solely on the fungus. Fascinating!

From the beginning, I didn't like the story very much myself and I've finally settled on one line that just rubs me the wrong way: "Now that his wing no longer hurt, he could think clearly." Apparently, you see, all his grumpiness and bullying should be attributed to his painful wing. I suppose it could be taken as an example of how we should consider the hidden pains or fears that prompt uncivil behavior. What a better example it could be if the cockroach behaved with greater concern for his fellow insects because of his pain! While he redeems himself before the end of the story, I would have even preferred a plot that presented his redemption before his wing was healed.

It's a fine book for us to read from the library, but I decided against adding it to the list of books we'd like to own. Not so for this next one:

I loved this book from the very beginning and am thrilled First Son is loving it, too. (First Daughter also likes to roar as she points to the lion on every page.) The overt moral is that sometimes rules can be broken for good reasons (like roaring in the library when someone is in trouble and needs help), but what I really love is the friendship and sacrifice the story reveals. The lion sacrifices his visits to the library by breaking the rules for a friend. One of the librarians sacrifices his own feelings and an evening searching in the rain to reunite the lion with the library and everyone who misses him.

The illustrations are also lovely. The lion is realistic, but lovable, if you can believe it. Borrow it, buy it, read it, enjoy it!

Sometimes, Even Superheroes Need Naps

A Thankful Heart

First Son and First Daughter were blessed with an extravagant evening out with Grammy and one of her friends to see Bob and Larry in person. They had a wonderful time and I am so thankful for the generosity of Grammy, especially with her time. My kids love Bob and Larry, but they were mostly excited about spending time with their Grammy, even insisting on bedtime stories for each of them after she brought them home.

The hats are a side benefit.

Some Sibling Shots

Dress Envy

First Daughter goes through a couple of dresses a day. Partly she doesn't like to be wet at all (which she always is after washing her hands), but mostly I think she likes to wear different dresses (or outfits). She just likes to get dressed.

Today, this dress is what she picked for her second outfit. I had to send her back for a different one, though, because this is a size 6 month dress for Second Daughter.

I'm amazed she got it on (though I never would have been able to button it for her).

One Strong Garbage Bag

I recently signed up with FreeGreenCleaners.com to review environmentally friendly cleaning solutions. I'm really excited about this opportunity because Kansas Dad and I do try to clean without too many chemicals, especially around the kids.

Recently, I received a sample of these biodegradable trash bags from the GreenOfficeStore.com.

According to the promotional material, these bags will fully degrade in commercial landfills (degrading in approximately 36 months, depending on the available oxygen and microbial activity present). Of course, I don't have the ability to test those claims myself, but I do have some trash around here, so I pulled them out last week and starting filling them up.

I found some sharp corners to drop in there along with some heavier garbage and hefted them around the house. I was very pleased to find they handled the weight and the corners exceptionally well without any tears! Frankly, though I like the idea of a "green" garbage bag, I want one that's not going to tear and leak on its way out the door and these bags seem to fit the bill. (I wish I had thought to take a picture of the full bag...I'll remember to do that the next time I review a garbage bag.)

You'll see from the link the bags are $22.75 for a box (which I believe holds 120 bags). I wanted to do a price comparison with some conventional brands, but just haven't had a chance to get to the store with a little free time to browse the garbage bag aisle. I would guess these are more expensive, but if you've made an effort to decrease your trash, as we have, you should find a box lasts quite a while. The next time we need bags, I'll consider them, but will need to do a price comparison. (If cost is an issue for you, work on decreasing the amount of trash. We've found that makes a big difference in the number of garbage bags we use and is always a good way to be kind to the earth and a good steward of God's resources.)

If you're in the market for an environmentally-friendly garbage bag, I would definitely recommend these. They can handle being full to the brim.