One of the library books Ace chose the last library trip included a book called The Three Nasty Gnarlies. On the back, Ace found a recipe for a dessert. He asked that we make it while our friends were here. I obliged even though it looked completely gross. It was in fact called Grubby’s Mud Puddle Surprise. The kids loved it. It’s chocolate, peanut butter and cookies. What’s not to love!?!
Tag Archives: Josiah
Surprise Visits
While waiting on Bryant, my best friend planned to come visit. We were thrilled and prayed and prayed Bryant would come while she was here. Alas, God said no to those plans. But, while they were here, we had a wonderful visit. My kids didn’t know they were driving nine hours just to visit us. So, it was exciting to see their reaction when they pulled up. The kids were pretty pumped and even though they hadn’t physically been in contact with each other (only visually…through Skype) they all picked up right where they left off! Running and screaming and singing, “There are no cats in America” only a few minutes in to the visit.
Our husbands both speak computer…and so…this is what we found the first night we were all visiting. Mr. John came up a day ahead because he had to work at the local fort this week.
This is what you do with nine kids when it’s bedtime. Actually this is only six of them. The crib kids (or ones who need to be contained during the night…except one of them who was still awake), got to sleep in pack n’ plays and various ensembles throughout the visit. Now, here’s the ages of our kids…7, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, 1. Yep…just imagine the decibel levels which led to this the following day:
We loaded them up as soon as a jumping place opened and threw them in.
Meeting the Newest Character
The kids were so excited to come and meet Bryant. Normally, we would have them up at the hospital in the morning, they would hang out there all day playing in the waiting room or at the playground (which is a great playground by the way) and then go eat lunch and if I was close (which I’m usually not) they would hang out some more and if I wasn’t (which is the case) they would head for naps and be back up long before I delivered. But, since Zoe decided to, um “spill the beans” earlier that morning, we decided to have them wait at home and see if she let loose any more stomach contents. Which she didn’t…which leads us to believe she just ate a little too much or had a little something that didn’t agree with her tummy the previous night. So, we intended to call them when I got really close. But close came right before naptime and baby came right near naptime.
As Mark put it to Zoe, “you guys wouldn’t have even had time to get your shoes on and he was born.”
So, we opted to just have them come up right after naps. It worked out great because they arrived right as we were getting settled in our post delivery room.
Zoe was very patient about waiting for her turn to hold Bryant. But she definitely wanted to get her hands on him. She is really enjoying showing him off when we have visitors at the house too!
Ceili Rain decided he was all hers. We think her main thought was that he was a doll. Bryant had been very alert and finally settled into a good sleep when we got to our room. So, he was still and had his eyes closed. A sure sign to a 16 month old that mommy had been gone all day to get her a baby doll.
She also didn’t want to share him with anyone else and squeezed him tight when we tried to tell her she was all done. The next day, when he did stir she looked around at us. I’m surprised she didn’t flip him over to find the batteries.
We make up “labor bags” for the kids to keep them occupied on labor day. This year, we included card games much to their delight.
Rainy Day Fun
Slidin’ Fun
We love slip n’ slides! Last year, the kids got a dual slider from Ge & Granddaddy and that was a blast with the cousins and throughout the summer. However, while playing with some friends, it developed a hole. Mark’s in the process of patching it but one hot June day (and believe me we’ve had quite a few), we needed to get the kids wet. A cheap slip n’ slide was purchased and here’s the result…
Happy Birthday to Josiah, Take Two!
Happy 3rd Birthday Josiah!
So Josiah turned 3 this week. He was excited about it…well, no he wasn’t, um, maybe he was. I don’t know for sure. He kind of wavered back and forth in his excitement throughout the day. Anytime any of us said, “Happy Birthday!” he’d frown or grunt or hide his face. Finally, after a second phone call (that did not include singing, “Happy Birthday”) he relented and smiled while hiding his face. He insisted all day that we not sing “The Birthday Song” to him and then while at my ultrasound appointment, he starts singing at the top of his lungs, “Happy birfday to you! Happy birfday to you!”
Upon his request, we did not invite anyone to his party. He would have wanted Jack and “Waura” (Laura) there but a nine hour drive to attend a two hour birthday party just didn’t seem feasible right now. So, since he is only three and it is his birthday, we didn’t push it. We did, however, party “where a kid can be a kid.” And, although it was quite noisy, we had a very good time.
This is Josiah’s favorite “game” to play at Chuck E. Cheese’s. He’ll do it over and over and over until we tell him he has to share it with other kids who are waiting to play. We even ate right beside it. Unfortunately, it was out of order. Have no fear…there was a Barney (yuk) train to ride close by and he spent many a token on that thing (and even shared with Ceili Rain).
And a trip to Ge & Granddaddy’s…
We planned and attended a trip at the end of May to Ge & Granddaddy’s house. This was supposed to be out last big trip out of town…but Ge had other plans for a visit. During our visit we went to a craft show where Granddaddy sells pens that he makes using a lathe (I call it a ladle because it drives him insane when I do that).
Roasting…
Actually, right now, it does feel quite like we’re roasting as we are hitting a scorching heat wave…and I’m pregnant. Suddenly, having this baby the sooner the better sounds nice (really and truly though I’m content to wait it out…I’ll sweat off whatever weight I gain I guess!).
However, back in May we did some real roasting. Whenever we gather at Papa’s house it’s become a tradition to set up a fire and roast marshmallows…no matter how hot or how cold it is outside. Our trip up in May was no exception. And here’s our proof that it was enjoyed by all.
Singing and Playing In the Rain…
Spring and summertime around here means some rain and mostly thundershowers. So it’s few and far between that we have a warm rain where the kids can go out and play…and having been an avid rain-player as a kid, I throw encourage them to get out and enjoy the fun wetness that God provides (since it’s free and all). Ceili Rain really got into it this time. She seemed oblivious to the rain splashing on her face and thoroughly enjoyed riding her “horsey” in the downpour.
Mud. That seems to be Josiah’s most favorite thing these days. Piling mud up in buckets and dumping it out. Yep…that’s fun for a boy.
Ace enjoyed gathering in the mud too. Liam and Zoe played but didn’t have as much fun as these three seemed to be having.







































































