The Fun Stage...

This morning I felt like Cinderella getting ready to go to the ball... it is amazing how special an evening off is when you are a mom of young kiddos.  I wrestle with feelings that I am being "selfish" when I just want few minutes to read a book or a few seconds alone in my room (or bathroom for that matter) BY MYSELF...  It is amazing how full a day can be... busy fingers, busy feet, and BUSY mouths... the touching, chatter, mess, chaos and clutter day after day become reality... the norm -- but there is a "remembrance" of what it was like BEFORE... It never crosses my mind to GO BACK before kids, but there is a longing for personal space, making it a day without finger painted clothes (most days the "paint" differs... food, paint, play dough... other unmentionables!)... OR being able to take a shower without being scared to death by an uninvited little peeper... Wouldn't trade Mommahood for anything, but evenings off sure make it easy to handle the day ins and outs!

A few months back I found a fun blog that had an AWESOME idea for making fun (changeable) puppets (here).  I printed off the patterns and tucked them in my "later" file... this week was the week.  Ethan wanted to put on a puppet show for his Daddy.  I remembered these patterns and we got busy!  

It took us a whole morning to cut out all the pieces to our puppets -- but the kids were fully engaged the whole time.  Really this was a super easy project!!!

 After all the pieces were cut out we went to town decorating them!  

 Ethan loved changing the faces... he would just giggle at the super goofy faces.

 So... after nap time we took some boxes and made a puppet stage.  Ethan wanted to make a space theme so I cut out space ships, rockets, stars and planets for him to glue on.  I sewed the stage curtain and it looked great. 

 We brainstormed about a "plot" for his skit... but we didn't get very detailed... here is the actual skit he preformed for his Dad....

"Once upon a time there was a girl named "PeePee"... (a brief pause)  We shall call her Eden.  She blasted off into space and then came down to Earth again.  She then drove her car side-ways. The End" Micah and I were trying not to laugh... He is sooo funny to us!

This past week I talked with a lady from our Sunday School class who home schools her kids.  I asked her how she did it... and as we were talking she shared that they start by setting goals... and then figure out the best way to reach those goals (which curriculums to use, what activities to do... etc).  I loved that thought.  It made me start thinking about what are our goals?  I am good at keeping the kiddos busy... trying to present them as many opportunities to be creative... but I have often wondered how I can be more intentional...?

 This past weekend I bought a little Kindergarten workbook for Ethan.  It has simple worksheets ... like tracing letters (learning to write), simple phonics, numbers, shapes... etc.  He no longer takes a nap and so we have been spending time one on one every afternoon.  Most of the time it is fun teaching him things... although I would have to admit there is a whole lot of silliness mixed in that "learning" time...

 I have found that I haven't taught Eden as many things, but she seems to KNOW them.  I will hear Ethan teaching her the colors and letter sounds (and LOTS of other things... let me tell you -- he is a TALKER!).  Today as we were playing with our magnetic letters she held up the "K" and told me its sound.  She was right.  I started pointing to different letters and was AMAZED that she knew most all of the sounds.  

 I think Ethan has an astounding desire for knowledge.  I have a hard time keeping up with him -- especially HIS PROJECTS.  He would build things ALL DAY LONG if I let him.  He brought me a magazine and showed me the pattern for making "funoculars"... He was so excited to make these....

 Although I find that once we complete a project he is off to find another one...  I seriously think I am creating a CRAFT MONSTER.... I just pray all the time we spend cutting, talking, and creating is exactly what he needs in this stage of life!

 I see so many changes in both kids... we spend so much time "talking" about things.  The chatter is constant in our place... 

 (I just love soap beards)

 And clean kiddos... nothing is better than snuggling up with a clean, fresh smelling kiddo... not gonna lie... I give my kids baths every night... it is such a fun rhythm of our day!

Ethan's new picture look... I guess he is thinks his tongue needs to be seen in every single picture!

 To afford Ethan's craft hobby... I took a box and designated it his "art box".  I save lids, caps off of everything, plastic containers, small boxes... etc.  He can do whatever with the items in his "art box"... I never knew trash could be soooo much fun.  He spends hours arranging the lids, boxes... he is constantly begging to use the hot glue gun and is trying to convince me that he could use it by himself... I draw the line and he doesn't think that is cool! He designs submarines, planes, helicopters... 

 I found a book in the library that was making craft projects from recycled things... Ethan hasn't put the book down for days.  He found this car-clip project and begged until I finally gave in.  

 We sorted through his car suitcase and found cars with missing wheels or broken pieces.  Then the kids painted them, glittered them, and then glued "gems" on them.  I hot glued them to magnets and a clothes pin. 

They are perfect picture holders for the fridge.  I really like them... A LOT!

Eden's first crush... Jonathan...

 This week we spent a lot of time with friends.  We served several meals this week and had several meals in friend's homes.  I loved all the "people" time I got this week.  Eden has a new crush, Jonathan.  She is HILARIOUS ... She can say his name PERFECTLY... On Saturday we were running errands and as we were coming out of a store I could see Jonathan and HIS WIFE coming towards us.  I pointed them out to Eden and she TORE across the street and THREW herself in his arms.  When we told her than he had to go she stuck out her lip and drooped her WHOLE body... it was comical.  She thinks he is pretty special... it is cute. 

 This up coming week... we don't have too many plans...

 But I am sure I will see a lot of this....

 and this... This is definitely the "fun" stage.  See why I look forward to a few moments to myself on Monday night...? I can't keep up with them... I just can't...