bird watching and eyelashes

I accompanied Garrett's class on a field trip today to a local nature reserve.  And while the skies were threatening all morning, it didn't dampen the science learning spirits at this place!  I was at ease when  I found out that the majority of the activities would be inside.. not so much due to the foreseeable rain, but because of the waiver I had signed stating I was aware we could see snakes!  Happy to say we actually had to stay on a concrete podium so not to disturb the wild life (phew!)  .. I no longer had to worry about what 2nd graders would think of "Garrett's mom" if she ran away.. leaving them to fend for themselves against some ginormous (ahem) snake!

• first they mastered the art of bird watching.. or in Garrett's case.. figured out why both his binoculars and mine had :flashing things across the screen".  ... yes, son.. you have amazing long eye lashes.  so you can't be a bird watcher.  get over it.  (btw.. sad that he doesn't call them "be noculars" any more). 

•  very intense listening and learning going on here... and sipping!  He insisted on wearing his Camel Back (also supplied with sunscreen and bug spray) so he wouldn't be thirsty.  I think he was imagining more of a hike.. but none the less.. yep, he had to pee mid "What You Find on the Beach" presentation. 

•  Using the two finger touch rule... i followed closely.. with antibacterial soap!

•  They needed to do scientific research as part of the "Natural Habitats" presentation.  They got to explore the displays and read to find the answers to the questions on the scavenger hunt paper.  It's awesome to see how excited they are to do this at this age!!

•  Garrett and his good buddy, Brock.. had a lot of fun together!  And they are two of the sweetest boys any 2nd grade has seen :)  (slightly biased on the G aspect).

• And while those boys may have taught me about estuaries, habitats, and turtles...  they should have realized that mom is right sometimes...  ie: eyelashes, camelbacks, and germs!!

Steelers Sunday

While we were in Ohio a bunch of us cashed in on a great Christmas present... tickets to a Steelers game!! (To be fair a few Griffin boys considered them tickets to a Browns game... poor souls.)  Garrett was SO excited!! I was too... though a little nervous about the 20 something temps... I've become a Florida girl ya know!
It was so fun to spend the day with "the guys".. Matt, Garrett, my dad, Matt's dad, and his brother.  We were evenly divided: team Steelers- my dad, garrett, and me. The Griffin boys made up the losing team.. oops I mean team Browns.  Personally I am glad to be a Steelers fan... but even more so because the relentless teasing Garrett did had to have been annoying!
Garrett was in awe even as we approached the stadium,  wanting me to snap pictures of everything. Here are some from a great day!!  (Ps: the Steelers won) ;)

Oh, and look out if you ever sit next to Garrett at a Steelers game.. he is wicked with his terrible towel!!! 

our seats were high, but still good and the crowd around us was very kid friendly

inside the stadium is tons of memorabilia

1978 Super Bowl Champs.. good year ;)

the exact spot where The Immaculate Reception was caught in 1972

J-O-Y!!

a fall wreath

i've been wanting to make one of the Pinterest saturated "address number" wreaths for a while.  I know.. everyone has one .. or one with a big Initial for their last name on it.  but i love both looks and really, no two are alike when it comes to DIY creations.  so... here we go with the address numbers!

i had an old grape vine wreath that needed new decorations

Grape vine wreaths are soooo EASY.. just shove the stems where you want them and they stay nice and tight

trim some extra accents to add with the flowers.

I don't know what these little Styrofoam picks are really called.. but they came in all different colors and add a great contrast to the flowers.  These I got at Hobby Lobby and I especially like them because the stem they are attached to is very twiggy.  I cut some of the curling twigs off of it as well and stuck them in there for more dimension.They are hard to see in the picture below, but they are there off the top and bottom.

First new wreath for my New home

So this is very fall.. and i love it!  oh wait!!  the address :)   I spray painted some wooded numbers a brushed silver.  I like.. but i didn't really want to permanently put the numbers on.  I know me and I like to change and move things around when it comes to decorating so I have a feeling those numbers will need to come off and make and appearance somewhere else.  I can also see this wreath back.. and who needs address numbers if you are already enjoying a glass of wine on the lanai! (sort of a perfect image right?)

I figured i would wrap fine wire around the numbers to attach them to the wreath... thinking it wouldn't show b/c the numbers are painted silver.  I was wrong.  Didn't like it at all because the wire was pretty obvious. "Well.. I guess I will just hot glue them"  i told my husband.  ............ from a room away i hear... "Why don't you just use fishing wire mom? You won't be able to see it!"  .... 2 things here.
     1. I hate it when my 8 year old is smarter than me.
     2. My 8 year old (though creative and resourceful) has really really good hearing!

Well, thank you my dear Garrett... the fishing wire worked and the numbers are on... with intent to come off when i cut them off :)

WELCOME!

this is linked to the nesting place... where she is hosting a "31 days of" one topic party this month!

I will do that...

Olympic fever is high with us.. watching prime time and tuning in at times during the day.  My phone ringer is even singing me that glorious theme song!

The kids have endless questions about the sports, the scores, the medals, and the teams. Addison decided there should be a purple team... hummm wouldn't they have to add a ring for that? ;)

I've realized there are some real teaching moments within these conversations .. today it was about building each other up.  Addie said that she wants to be a "gymnasticer" when she grows up. She was watching the gymnast on the tv flip on the beam. She looked impressed and then stated "I will do that." 

Earlier in the day Garrett was "air swimming" during a race.. he then said "Mom, I think I will do swimming in the Olympics."  I of course told him i would be there watching (even though I know my heart couldn't handle that.. )

So at this point both kids that can talk have declared themselves top athletes, bound for the Olympics. 

Addie started doing her tricks and started crying because she can only do cart wheels and rolls.. not the tricks she was watching. Garrett then told her she couldn't do tricks like that.. to which Addie said "I will do that." And again,G told her it wasn't going to happen. 
{Enter teachable moment}

At that point they got an earful about telling someone that they cannot do something.. and how if you hear it enough - well you know. 

My point is.. it was a good life lesson. And a chance to show them that cheering for each other takes everyone further than contradicting a dream or goal.  Pointing out how the athletes cheer for each other even when competing is easy.. so take the next two weeks to pick out some teachable moments and really cheer for each other.  *\o/*

Each of us should please our neighbors for their good, to build them up.
~ romans 15:2

Boxes and Boxes of Life

This is the view from my computer right now....

I am actually Relaxing for the first time in a few days.  Pretty much what I can do for the move.. at this point.. is done.  I like that.  We have moved 6 times already... I have no need to worry that my job is over.  i Know what is waiting for me on the other end!  :)

Seeing all these boxes used to stress me out. I used to worry so much about something getting broken.  Now I just sort of hope it doesn't .. and expect that it will.  Of course I hope it's nothing of great value or worse something sentimental... but really, it is out of my control.  and If it can be packed in a box.. ultimately it's just not that important.

I am so glad that my sense of worth is not linked to what can be packed into boxes.  or how nice the stuff in the box is.  I like nice things as much as the next person.. but when you are sitting here looking at your "life" in boxes, you realize it's not your "life" at all.  God has blessed me with a wonderful husband and three little ones for us to love and raise together.  And those are the things that cannot be boxed up.  (not to say i haven't thought of shipping myself to avoid the long car ride..hehehe!) 

That being said... there are some things Inside those boxes that just really really mean a lot.  They are things that need to be taken from place to place.  From home to home.  They make things feel normal, good, and safe.  If you have a child who has a special blanket or animal to sleep with.. you know what i mean!  In our case it's "Bubby".  And I'm willing to bet you too would open 10 boxes in a little boy's room to find said "bubby".  Yep .. last night going to sleep we couldn't find Garrett's bubby (it's a bunny from Bunnies By The Bay and when G was little, he couldn't say bunny.. so it's been Bubby ever since.. even for Addie and now Micah asks for "bu-buh").  Yes, Garrett is almost 8... and maybe he shouldn't have Bubby any more... but really, it's not hurting anything. He only sleeps with it.  And it's a constant for him.  I'm ok with it.

There we were Opening 10 boxes in Garrett's room.  Let's just say I was a little jealous that I had opened 9 and Matt walked in and opened 1... and scored!   But I was sure relieved that we found Bubby.  We taped up the boxes.... shhhhhh.. Don't tell the movers.... they can think they successfully packed up our "life".

Bubby 1. 2. and 3.

Lil Slugger

Baseball season is now in the past... it was super fun!  We had a great team..many friends which made it so great.  Garrett is turning into a little slugger.. and a smart infielder :)

Garrett "Cubs 2012"

proud mom

Good job Buddy!!!!

some history & titles

June 6th.
D-day.
This date would not have even entered my thoughts... not that long ago.
Nothing "history related" would have.
But, I'm encouraged to learn more about our country's rich history because I have been adopted into it.. serving along side my husband... he who actually deploys for our freedom, myself who tries to keep things intact and showing the kids that while we miss daddy.. we can still have fun, and the kids who serve as well by adapting and learning to appreciate the significance of the military..... and passing it on.

Garrett has passed it on.. to me!


 
Garrett has been interested in WWII for as long as i can remember.. seriously.  He was captivated by it all when we went to Hawaii. He drew Japanese flags everywhere... he was 3 so it was easier :)   We went to the Army museum next to the Hali Koa (military hotel) nearly every day.  He built bunkers in the sand. His sweet innocent eyes looked for the dead soldiers over the side of the Arizona ... then proclaimed that he saw "some red shirts" so he knew they were there.  He taught me the other ships that were destroyed that day.  He learned the ones that sank, the one that capsized (i think the Oklahoma) and the one that ran ashore (i wanna say the Nevada.. but don't quote me). He fell in love with the Mighty MO .. again I learned that it was a battle ship that housed the ending of the war. 

the Army museum

in a fox hole... ready

Mighty MO

Addison turned 1 in HI!

Basically I learned right along with G on that trip.  History.. was not an interest of mine.  In school it was easy to memorize and then dump.  It never seemed important to me.  I cringed when my mom would suggest touring some historical area for vacation. I still have never been to DC.

Obviously being a Military family.. i have come to see the important things about history.  I've actually even read a few books for pleasure! (crazy i know.)  If you are looking for a great summer read, I completely recommend Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand.... amazing story!  Lost in Shangri-La is another good read and true story.

We enjoy some Great books geared for kids as well.  and today, being June 6th.. we will pull out some of these to read and check out the links listed .... and we will all learn :) 

if interested..
the books below can be viewed at my Usborne Books and More website.

this is a lift the flap book.. really neat!

entrepreneur. fashionista. mover.

 Today i had to laugh at the roles each kid took....

Garrett. (aka.. alex p. keaton) =  Entrepreneur
 This morning he was getting ready to walk out the door for school when he remembered something that seemed important.  He ran upstairs and back.. he had a plain white undershirt with him.  He started putting it in his backpack.. which could mean any number of things.  I certainly didn't expect this answer though.  He said he was bringing it for a friend because they need to wear white shirts for their choir show next week.  (apparently his friend said he didn't think he had a plain white shirt.)   Oh yes, how sweet.  Garrett offers to bring him one.... except there is a catch.  He told me his friend was going to pay him for it!!!  what??  oh my!  So calmly i told him it was nice he wanted to help his friend, but he did not need to pay him for it.  End of story, right? no.  we get in the car and Garrett is still thinking about it.  "What are you thinking about?" i ask, looking at him in the rear view mirror.  "Well.  we kind of already made a deal.  I am bringing the shirt and he is going to pay me a dollar."  "oh, well that's nice hun.. but really he doesn't need to pay you for it," i told him.  He comes back with.. "well.. i figured a dollar would be good since we only paid like 6 bucks for the whole pack."  oh my!   I can only imagine the conversation that took place.. probably on the playground.. about the white Haines shirt Garrett would provide to anyone who needed one for the concert .. for a dollar. 

He did not come home with a dollar.... so i'm not sure where the transaction fell apart!  LOL.

My young business man also has "a job" to which he is very proud.  He is picking up dog poo for a friend of mine who just doesn't like doing that (can't imagine why).  The first week he did this.. he came home from school, and grabbed a quick snack where he said "i have to go to my job" no fewer than 5 times, in 5 different ways.  Very important sounding.  Then he ran up to change... he came down in jean shorts and a T.  I asked if he changed and he said Yes.. He took off his comfy shorts and put jeans on ... he didn't want his comfy ones to smell like poo!  LOL.  He was happy to do his job and thrilled to get his envelope of payment. 
Then last week we couldn't go. 
Today he asked if he could go to him job tomorrow.  "sure" i said.  He said.... "well, i will just take one weeks pay since she couldn't have me last week.  i won't make her pay for it."   ........ trying not to laugh because he was super serious... i told him "that's kind of you." 

Addison = Fashionista
Addie is so into fashion.  Loves to dress up.  change. change again.  and maybe again.  she loves jewelry... lots of it.  hair accessories are a must.  She loves shoes.  She always has at least one purse.
So today she got ready for playgroup and told me she was a fashion girl and wanted me to take her picture.  First she had to debate over the sandals with the jewels or the pink ones with the heals. 
she chose jewels.

Micah = Mover

Micah has been making us laugh so much lately.  He is so annimated.  He's walking pretty much exclusively now.  He is trying so hard to keep up with big brother and sister that he often falls down.  but he gets right back up.  He pushes his little car around and Addie's doll stroller all day long...

play ball!

It's Baseball time!  Garrett and a bunch of his friends are on the Cubs farm team. It's so fun to watch the kids get better throughout the season.  They have come a long way since t-ball days.  Winning is starting to become more and more a concern.. they want to win. Skills are getting refined. Getting on base is a must.. or they choke back tears. The rules are starting to make sense.. and the plays aren't always at first.

They do still wave to their mamas when they get up to bat and when they stomp on home plate. Then the mamas are choking back tears. ..... and sometimes the mamas find themselves yelling at a bad call.  ok.. so this mama has issues with that.

They get so excited when they catch, scoop and throw, hit...  one little guy last game hit a homer!  he crossed home.. put his hands up.. looked at his mama and had the biggest smile on his face.  The world series couldn't be better than that!

Garrett is enjoying hitting.. practicing all the time.  He's even listening to his dad as if he knows something.. sometimes they do.  He desperately wants to catch a pop fly during a game and win the team ice cream.  Last game he said while getting out of the car, "it's a good day to catch a pop fly."  (lol.. i couldn't help but think of grey's anatomy...)

Of course they still care about the after game snack... but they definitely aren't digging in the dirt anymore. Addie does the dandelion picking on the sidelines :)  and Micah is getting dirty as much as he can! 

Garrett warming up & Micah checking out the dugout

playing shortstop

the cheering section

brother and sister time

Garrett patiently teaching Addison to golf

I believe this is where I heard "Gaaaar I can do it all by myself!"

i love seeing this

then they tried to catch butterflies :)

bears this month

just wanted to show off Garrett's latest school project :) i think he was a little disappointed as he said "i only have a list and poster this time". He's been a busy skier and swimmer though so i told him to cut himself a break. I still think it's A+ material. i'm not biased... lol.



this month he read a book about bears..
full of facts that spill out of his mouth on
a regular basis....
we all learn.



























Skiing Heavenly with dad.
lake Tahoe in the background.

a little Encouragement

Tonight we were reading our little devotion book after dinner... I'd like to say we do this every night.. but we haven't opened it for a while :( but tonight proved to be a good time.

Encouragement.

i started reading and right away Addie interrupts me. "Mommy what's encourage?" I want to say "stop interrupting and you will find out." but, i encourage her to listen a little longer and then we will talk about it. wow. i was affected, maybe more encouraged by God, to suppress a quick response & cultivate a kinder one.

after reading i asked them if they could think of anything that was encouraging to them today.We talked about how teachers encourage them to keep working at something even if it is hard. Then sort of out of no where, Garrett responds he was encouraged that he didn't get 3 strikes at school.
"What?? you got strikes? What for?"
"Talking. Sometimes the 1st graders talk too much during times we aren't supposed to. It's not just me."
****
Encouragement.

i realized that Garrett was feeling comfortable right now. He felt encouraged to tell me what happened. He didn't need me grilling him about when it happened, how much, or why he hadn't told me before. He needed encouraged in this situation and to feel that encouragement to do so again. Honestly, i don't think i would have had that realization had it not been for what we just read.

So, feeling the encouragement from God, i asked him what he wanted to do about this. he said "not get strikes."
"ok. so what do you need to do."
"i can ask God to help me."
"good! so what should you ask?'
"to not get strikes??" he knew that wasn't quite right.
"well yes, you don't want to get those strikes.. and that's good. so you need to make a change in what you are doing. "
"like talking."
"yes, so you can ask God to help you control your talking when you are not supposed to."
".... and then i can encourage the other 1st graders? except brady, he never gets strikes." ;)

Encouragement.
Lesson learned.... till next time we need to encourage each other to watch either how we talk.. or how much!!

the Lowe's car.. remade by G

today i watched Garrett give his book report and project presentation. he has been excited about this project (they do one a month). he started his the first week back to school. (thought he was not my child... but then he was finishing up some last minute ideas last night.. so we are cool). We got a huge box in the mail and he knew right then what book he was reading.. based on what he wanted to make for his project. that's my boy! plan the craft first!



for the second consecutive month he chose a non fiction book. last month he learned all about tanks.. and built one of his own. complete with "ammunition". there was a straw on top and he blew the paper pellets through! His favorite was the "challenger tank" so that is what he made and he got one for christmas!






this month it was race cars. specifically "f1 cars" ... the Lowe's Car. He reported to the class all sorts of interesting facts on f1 cars... making me question again if he's my son because he remembered so many exact facts. i never could do that. i thought he did a great job picking out his favorite pages to share.

then it was time to show off his project!


#48 Lowe's Race car

.... driver Garrett Griffin!










many thanks to his generous sponsors! ;)













Pit Crew Chief, Addison Griffin poses for a photo while G checks the body of the car.












wind shield wipers are working... for all the races in the rain :)
there is one on the rear window as well.







and no worries... there are head lights for night time racing!

he used two of my battery tea lights! genius!
so this of course was the big finish at school today..

he crawled in his car... told everyone to imagine it was dark... and then Flick! on came the lights! yay! big hit. "how'd you do that, Garrett?" i heard one friend ask. ......

ok.. i know he's my kid now..... G said, "oh, they are just tea lights!" :) love my creative boy!