Noah's "Special Day"

With the baby coming very soon it is clear that Noah is feeling like he's losing some our attention already. Here is an example:

Mommy: Noah...I'm so glad you're my son. You're mommy's special boy. Do you know you'll always be mommy's special boy?
Noah: Well, there is another boy coming.
Mommy: Yes, but you're always going to be my big boy. Your brother will always be younger than you.
Noah: But he's going to grow!

This conversation, among others, gave Kristina the idea to give Noah his very own "special day" in which he gets to make all of the decisions about what the family will do, what we'll eat, and where we'll go. He loved it. Here is a brief summary:

Breakfast: Apple Sauce and Cereal (with the TV on today)
Science Spectrum: He and Juliana played and had a great time.
Lunch: McDonald's for happy meals and play time.
Nap: (this was Mommy and Daddy's only requirement)
Library: Noah and Juliana got to pick out new books and videos. Noah picked 2 Bob the Builder movies, a Curious George book, and a Wallace and Gromit Comic Book.
Dinner: Furr's cafeteria :) He loves it! (Especially the Jell-O)
Movie: He got to watch one of his Bob the Builder movies from the library while Juliana took her bath.
Bath: Always a favorite with Noah. He loves to play basketball in the tub.

During the day Noah was trying to understand how far his "special day" privileges actually extended. He kept asking questions like "does Juliana get to play at the Science Spectrum too?" and "Does Juliana get to take a bath tonight too?" meaning he'd like to be the only one to do any of those things. The next two mornings he asked if he could have another special day. I think he really enjoyed the extra attention, and I think we've started a new family tradition. Eventually it would be cool if we could rotate each child (maybe even adults in the rotation too) once a month. Kristina painted a "special day" family plate the other night at the "Clay Cafe." Each family member will be able to eat off of the plate on their own birthdays, special days, and important days. I'll have to post a picture when she picks it up.

At the Science Spectrum playing checkers with chess pieces

It is a "special day" when Grimace joins you for lunch

Ah...chocolate milk and french fries (he was very adamant that we get him ketchup too)

Enjoying the view from above

Surfing?

There's always room for two (so thinks Juliana) :)

Dr. Noah

Noah "checked" Juliana's temperature. He said she had a fever so he
sat down and wrote out her prescriptions. He said she needed lots of
medicines.

Cat in the hat

Notice the forced handshake.

At play

"football"

Baby!

Juliana's ready for her baby brother to come. :)

And the two became one

In anticipation of our new baby boy's upcoming delivery we moved Noah and Juliana in to the same room. It hasn't been a completely smooth transisiton as you might imagine. Oh, they're both excited about being in the same room, but they are more interested in playing than sleeping when bedtime comes. Noah sleeps with the light off normally (and plays when it's on), Juliana sleeps with the light on normally (and cries hysterically when it's off). Solution? We got a very dim nightlight and the last two nights have gone much much better. I'm sure this is just the beginning of the concessions and sacrifices they'll both be making for their little brother. :)

Here is a picture of Juliana as we found her in the middle of the night shortly after we moved her from her crib to her "big bed." It took me awhile to find her actually...when she was nowhere else to be found, I looked under her bed. :)

I also wanted to share one of our new family traditions with you. Noah and Juliana got to decorate Christmas cookies with thier "Da" (My mom) and they left them out for Santa. "Santa" ate the cookies and left a note. I plan to leave a note every year for them as a response and kind of a year end summary of thanks and praise for their good behavior and attitudes.

Attention Teachers in all shapes and sizes

Ok. I don't normally recommend books to others unless they are extremely valuable and worthwile. So here goes...I am reading this book:

We're reading it in our Family and Youth Ministry class right now and as I'm reading each chapter I find myself saying things like "I wish I had read this book before I taught for five years," "I should buy this for all of my friends who are teachers," and "I can't believe how true and helpful this information is." What a difference this is going to make in the lives of students whose teachers take this material to heart!

Challenge: If you teach anything to anyone in almost any setting...please buy and READ this book. You will not be dissapointed.

-Jeff