Liam's Continent Project

As I have mentioned in a few other posts, Liam is very disciplined in many areas including his work at school.  For the last month, he has been telling John and I about a "continent project" he has been working on at school.  By the description he gave, I honestly wasn't quite sure what he was doing.  He kept talking about using push pins to make continents.  As it turns out, they had an outline for each country and then the child uses a push pin or tack and punches along that line making very small holes until the picture just basically pops out. Then, Liam put all the pieces together to make the continent of North America. Against both my wishes and his teacher's (for fear that it might get lost or forgotten), he insisted one weekend on bringing home the "Canada" portion (in brown) because he really really wanted to finish punching it out with the push pin.   Liam was so excited about this project and so excited to bring it home when he completed the entire thing.  We were talking about his project in the car the other day and we discussed that we live in the United States.  Liam said that the United States is in North America and I said that I thought maybe it was the orange one on his map, but I could not remember for sure which color the US was.  He response was, "No Mom, the United States is actually the yellow one."  Smart kid who seems to remember every little detail! 

Backyard Baseball

Liam is climbing the tree with a "helping" hand from Aiden. AJ likes to wear his new baseball helmet backwards.

Swwwwinnnnngggggg Batter!

Checking out his new bat

We have our own baseball game every night with dinner that is complete with bases, helmets, bats, and balls. That little blue speck in the top right corner of the picture is Aiden. He is in the outfield. Way out in the outfield. His attention span for baseball is minimal.

AJ really lacks personality (for those that don't know him, I am being sarcastic). He is all wet after playing in the sprinklers and getting sprayed a little by Luke (see story below).

Running in the sprinklers with our neighbor, Jack.

Lounging with Daddy and watching some movies on a Saturday morning.

Ahh, that's a little better.

We have had a mix of weather this week and therefore a mix of activities. On Monday, we had snow flurries. Yes, I hate to admit it, but we did. On Tuesday, it was 60 degrees and sunny. On our warmest day this week, we actually ran through the sprinklers one evening. The boys have been dying to do this, but I kept telling them that we are not playing in the sprinklers until "they are wearing shorts outside." So, we had on shorts, and they remembered, of course. During the sprinkler episode, Luke went upstairs to go inside for a potty break. But, rather than going inside, he opted to pee off the side of the deck. Not a huge deal for us and probably not a bad idea since he was soaking wet. Until, that is, I turned to see what Aiden was doing and realized he was playing/walking directly underneath Luke and walked right through the stream from Luke on the deck! Yep, as our neighbor pointed out, "only at the Carrithers house would that happen." There is a legitimate reason why we take a bath every night!

The boys newest love is playing baseball, basketball, and soccer with our neighbor in the backyard. We have upgraded our baseball games over the last week. We went from plastic bats and balls to real t-ball bats, helmets, and balls. The boys are learning some of the basics of baseball. John and I have not figured out where Luke's "athletic abilities" come from. Luke can frequently be found dancing or skipping to the bases and laying in the outfield grass. Liam, on the other hand, is focused and determined to hit the ball and run the bases. The sharp contrast between the two of them makes for an interesting game. Aiden, of course, is only around for a few minutes before he finds something better to do.

Ordinary Week

The boys with their doggies hanging off the deck. For whatever reason, they think it is super cool to bring their beloved dogs outside. Its not something we do often, but its a special treat to them when we do!
Working on some school stuff with the boys

Aiden on the trapeze at gymnastics

Daddy has a new helper with mowing the yard. Aiden has joined the yard mowing clan!

Found one! Aiden hunted for Easter eggs the same way the boys did at his age. He found one egg, sat down and ate all the candy in that egg, then he moved along to something else. Luke was nice enough to share some of his eggs with Aiden.

Luke being silly and showing me his green hands after helping with the first grass mowing of the season.

Liam watching everything. After Easter as he was going to bed, he said to me, "Mom, I really really like the Easter Bunny and I had a lot of fun looking for eggs today."

Some serious egg hunting

Ready for the Easter Egg hunt

So right before we took this picture (after taking at least 10 other pictures that also did not turn out), we asked Luke to stand straight like and toothpick and be very still with his arms to his side. Well, he did listen and this was the result.

The newest activity that the boys enjoy...hula hoops. We started learning how to hula hoop earlier this year at the open preschool gymnastics. Luke has come a long way in a few months and he is so excited to be able to hula hoop.

Liam with his hula hoop

We had a pretty ordinary week. We played a lot outdoors on a few nice days and found some indoor things to do when the temps dropped and it was cold and windy. I am also posting a few pictures from Easter because I had a bunch from last week. We hope you enjoyed your week!

Resurrection Eggs and Other Egg Fun

Sweet Luke and his Bunny Face. We went to an "Eggstravaganza" at the park again on Good Friday. It was much much easier this year than last and I would like to attribute that to our good behavior and more mature age, but I am certain it was only because John was there!

Searching for Eggs

Found one!

Playing Games on a nice but chilly day

Liam is showing us the face that he saw the bunnies make when they wiggle their noses

Petting the bunnies with "gentle" hands

Easter Bunny

Ready to hunt for Eggs

Our first attempt to dye Easter Eggs. Luke said he wanted to "do this everyday"

Cheese! Yes, I striped them down to their underwear. I have learned a few things about crafts in the past 4 years.

Liam and his eggs. They had to be green or some shade of it.

And Luke's had to be purple, of course.

Getting ready to start this whole process

The Resurrection Eggs that told the story of Easter

Liam opening a resurrection egg. If they look like they just woke up, they did! Mornings are the best times to get full cooperation and listening ears (typically).

AJ and his resurrection egg

I had a moment of revelation after reading a blog that I stumbled on through a friend this week and I am borrowing some of her thoughts. Motherhood definitely has its ups and downs and quite often I feel as though I am in some type of insane asylum and I am the only sane person there surrounded by a bunch of irrational people (this is particularly true when dealing with TWO year olds!). This is how I often feel after trying to do something like a craft or a special lesson/concept, story, etc....with all three boys. This week, I wanted to introduce the boys to the true Easter story of the death and resurrection of Jesus and try to teach them that Easter is not about the Easter bunny. I ordered something called Resurrection Eggs that were recommended to me by my sister. There are 12 eggs that walk through the story of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Each egg has a small object inside that is relevant to the story. Luke and Liam loved the Resurrection Eggs and they totally "got" the story. As a sidenote, I overheard them talking about bad guys one day this week and Luke said, "He is a bad guy just like Judas." To which Liam replied, "yeah, he is a bad guy like Judas and the Easter bunny is not bringing him any candy." Luke and Liam participated, opened the eggs, listened to the story of Jesus' death and resurrection and asked great questions (for the most part). But, as I have learned in the last four years, this comes with age and Aiden is definitely not at that age yet. So, while the process was fun to watch with Luke and Liam, it was difficult to keep Aiden involved. It is moments like these where I can become overwhelmed and annoyed after trying to initiate what was supposed to be fun and memorable only to leave feeling defeated and irritated. But, I was reminded of something that hit home when I felt my attempts to celebrate Easter were fruitless. Isn't this what Easter is all about?

Who is Easter for? Is it for doting mothers who never yell and are always smiling, and children who obey always and never argue, hit, scream, or whine? Jesus didn't die for the "perfect" people. When the scribes of the Pharisees saw that He was eating with
the sinners and tax collectors, they said to His disciples, “Why is He eating and drinking
with tax collectors and sinners?” And hearing this, Jesus said to them, “It is not those who are healthy who need
a physician, but those who are sick; I did not come to call the righteous, but
sinners.”
Mark 2:16, 17

Jesus came for all of us. He came to make us well. He
came to make the insane asylum a place of peace and joy and
righteousness.

Happy Easter!

On their own

We haven't gotten out the playdough in awhile, but this time around it was worth the effort to set it up on a cool and rainy day. The boys loved it!

Liam is playing with a dumptruck on the deck after lunch

Aiden watching his brothers outside

Aiden loves to steal the croutons off our salads while I am preparing dinner

We have finally reached another big milestone with Luke and Liam. At around 3.5 years of age, they started playing on their own without my direction and constant supervision. Most recently, however, they have even ventured outside to play on their own! Yes, AMEN! What activity is better to burn off the energy of two four year old boys than to send them outside (in the backyard) to play?! Many days after we finish lunch, I let Luke and Liam play in the backyard while I am cleaning up, changing Aiden's diaper, etc. It is often one of the most "peaceful" times of the afternoon because everyone plays independently and typically with different toys. I can see the boys from the kitchen window and they play on either the swingset, sandbox, or on our deck. We are very fortunate to have a big wide open grassy area in our backyard that gives them plenty of space to run and play. Aiden stays inside with me and plays on his own as well.

Are they really only FOUR?

Aiden just being Aiden

This puzzle is a big hit right now with the boys working on their letters. It was a birthday gift from Grandpa Morse.

Our summer/spring weather has continued this week although there has been quite a bit of rain. It really kind of feels like we just skipped from fall to summer again since our winter was so mild and our spring is so warm. Nonetheless, we love playing outdoors again!

All three boys had some spring teacher conferences last week. They are all doing very well and learning a lot. We have been very pleased with the Montessori school where they attend and love their teachers. Aiden is beginning to be more comfortable at school and is interacting more. Its hard for me to believe Aiden would be shy in a social setting, but apparently he is different when all of us are not around. He has been working on his colors at school and enjoys reading, playing outside, and likes to play with a little girl named Abby.

Luke and Liam are also doing very well. Liam has shown an interest in geography and enjoys many of the hands on tasks. Luke loves to help his teachers and enjoys many of the kitchen/food preparation duties. Both boys are learning their upper and lowercase letters and know their numbers very well. They are also doing some problem solving exercises and sequencing exercises which they really enjoy.

I titled this post, "Are they really only FOUR" because it seems early to have these discussions with a four year old, but we had a few things we needed to address. So, we had a discussion this week about making good decisions, picking good friends to play with, listening to your parents and teachers, working hard at school, etc... We also offered some incentive for their efforts in this area (as well as consequences for not listening and working hard). Liam was rewarded this week for some good behavior by getting to go to the store with Mommy by himself one night. He got the privilege of picking out special treats, helping with the groceries, picking a movie in the car, etc...When you have two brothers, it is a BIG deal to do things with Mom and Dad by yourself and this got Luke's attention so the behavior charts have been quite beneficial so far.

Hello Summer!

Liam is taking his beloved puppy on a walk outside. We even took the puppies outside this week when it got so warm. Everyone loved the fresh air!
AJ and his puppy

Enjoying a walk with all the puppies

And by the end of this week, it was warm enough for shorts, short sleeves, and barefeet!

Aj and the Digger

Wow, it seems that only three weeks ago I was writing about our big snow storm, right? Well, things changed quickly. We reached a new record high of 80 degrees today! Yes, it took us until around June to reach 80 degrees last year. The priority of summer clothing for the boys moved up to #1 this week when we tried on clothing from last year and confirmed the fact that the boys grew a lot over the winter. Liam's clothes from last summer will be handed down to Aiden. Liam has grown a lot taller, but not much bigger so he is still a tough one to find clothing for. He is so small and lean. Luke, however, grew in all areas and is going to need several new items. We had our first lunch outdoors this week and played at the park three different times. The boys are already asking when we can get the pool out and start swimming or playing in the water hose.

Luke and Liam said a couple of funny things this week that reminded us how much they are listening to us. Luke turned to me one night after doing something with his trucks and other toys and said, "hey Mom, how 'bout those apples?!" John uses that phrase all the time and it was hilarious to hear Luke say it. Liam's phrase of the week was also another one that John uses all the time when he said, "hey Dad, how slick is that?" On our first warm day of the year, we were in the car driving to do something and Liam said to me, "Mom, I feel the warm" as the sun was shining in on his face. It was so precious.