Campbell's Way: March 2014

Sunday, March 16, 2014

What've we've been up to, part 2

David said that Davy is cute + chaos, and that pretty much sums it up. He loves to help with anything happening in the kitchen. So he finds the step stool (which sometimes I admittedly tuck away), opens it up, and drags it all around the kitchen to whatever looks most interesting. He loves being in charge of the rinsing when I wash dishes, and he loves to help cook. I love his company and try to encourage him to help and be involved, but sometimes it is tricky to walk the lines between my sanity, his safety, and his desire to help. He is fairly fearless and very curious, so I have to really watch him around hot things and dangerous or disgusting things. Just today he was helping to make lunch and he picked up a vacu-sealed frozen chicken breast that I was going to defrost for dinner. He picked it up and looked at it for a few minutes, which seemed harmless enough, but then I turned my back for a second and he was licking the outside of the package as if it were a popsicle. Thankfully, it was still all sealed up and I'm pretty sure no salmonella bacteria were crawling around on the outside of the package, but it was just ... wrong!

Claire is 6 months old next Saturday!! She is getting so big and aware of everything going on around her. She has mastered rolling over onto her stomach, but unfortunately has forgotten how to get back to her back, so she gets stuck and we have to roll her back over ... again and again. She blows raspberries and is always trying to get into things that get into her general radius of reach. Her current favorite "forbidden" toy is the baby wipes package which makes that irresistible crinkling sound. She has also tried some solid foods recently and seems pretty happy about being able to eat with us at the table. I put away all of her newborn, 0-3 month, and 3-6 month clothes recently and it was (as it always is with babies) a little bittersweet to realize how not tiny she is! We are going to try moving her into Davy's room tonight since she has not been sleeping well in our room anymore. I don't know if it's a good idea or not, but it's worth a try. I could really use more sleep!

I am having a good Lent so far (and by that I mean it's been difficult, but in a good way). I find myself becoming increasingly anxious about things and I am trying hard this Lent to be less anxious and worried. We have plenty of crazy work/life events coming up this year so I'm sure I'll get plenty of practice at it.

Saturday, March 15, 2014

What we've all been up to, part 1

I've been wanting to write a catch-up post on what we've all been up to lately. I have a few minutes now, so I'll try and write a little.

Jack, at the moment, is at an early Saturday morning baseball practice with David. He's in a 10-11 year old league this year, and let me tell you, some of those 11 year olds look so big! It's hard to believe he's what everyone seems to be calling a "tween" now. He'll have 2 games and 1 practice each week, and he's excited, although a little rusty since it's been a while since the weather has been nice enough to play catch or practice batting.

He in in Lego club once a week after school, and Lego and reading books are still his favorite pasttimes. At times I struggle to find reading material that is appropriate for his reading ability, because he devours books much faster than I can preview them.

Thomas is also in baseball this year, and I am thinking about putting him in the children's choir at church. He loves to sing, and has a knack for picking up songs, but I'm trying to decide if I want to add another activity to our schedule just yet. He also loves Lego and dancing and being silly.

Peter is also in baseball (three kids on three separate teams!) and is a fierce little guy. He has a "never quit" attitude, especially when competition is involved. He's also the king of non sequitors in our house, and generally hilarious comments or observations that come out of nowhere. He is doing well in school, although some days he puts up a fight and declares he won't do any schoolwork, and then I have to try my best to be patient yet firm and get through the day.

Davy is pretty much the stereotypical 2-year old boy ... equal parts adorable, annoying, fearless, tough, whiny -- you name it (and it can change at a moment's notice).

Duty calls, so to be continued! ....