Active Imagination

Here in the Barnes household we like to encourage the use of imagination. We limit TV drastically (there are times when we indulge) and try to read and play as a way to pass the time. Also, cooking/baking is a favorite way to spend time together. So, on the occasion when we see our children's imagination at work we are typically pleased. However, on a recent trip to Publix when Miss Holland was playing pretend, I was not particularly tickled. Her calling out in a public place "where is my mommy?" while I'm standing right next to her and engaging in conversation (with a complete upbeat attitude for sure) is NOT the kind of pretend we want to encourage. Then, with my thinking a bit late, I gently take her chin and explain to her that's not an ok way to use your imagination. It was only a few seconds later when I turned to look around to make sure no one heard her and to make sure no one really thought I was trying to take her. Good thing I didn't have any hair dye in the shopping cart!

Flurry of Activity

Springtime always brings a flurry of activity. We are able to be outside a lot more and frequently picnic at the park for lunch (an attempt to run the energy out of Rowan & Holland). The weekdays are filled with school, school activities, t-ball games, birthday parties. In addition to those normal activites we had a carnival at church, a field trip to the strawberry patch with Rowan's class, a fancy night out at the art museum's annual gala for John and I, a sister-in-law who moved to Columbia (yay!), and of course work.
Next week is the last week of school. (imagine the tears welling up in my eyes). The last week Rowan will be at "pre-school" (more tears). This time in his life has come to a close and it's time to start a new chapter. I just really can't believe it's actually going to happen. Didn't I just bring him home from the hospital? Didn't we just watch him take his first steps? I know every mom goes through this and it's always hardest with the first child. Still, it doesn't make it any easier. Thank goodness we have some time to enjoy and relax before that chapter begins.
The funny thing about the flurry of activity is that it is much like a tornado. It touches down, does the damage, and moves along at just as swift a pace. With 3 little ones life is always hectic, but I love the calm that arrives almost immediately after school ends. SUMMER. ahhhhhh. No rushing out in the mornings. No rushing to make it to pick-up in time. No saying "we don't have time to play with that right now". No saying "so and so is in all day school, so we can't play with him/her". We LOVE summer at the Barnes house.

Who doesn't love to save money?

I am a coupon mom. There, I said it. My new system of buying groceries and personal care items has taken a total 180. My new favorite places to shop are Publix, Bi-lo, CVS, & Walgreens. BUT...Walmart is so much cheaper! NOT TRUE ANYMORE!!! I used to say that all the time-that the only place I could afford to shop was at Walmart. I hereby retract that statement. I do not plan to grocery shop at Walmart ever again. And I can't say that I am sad about it.

Ya'll! I'm serious. I've been collecting coupons for some time now, but I didn't have a good system to use them. I use a website called http://www.southernsavers.com/. It is a free site that matches the weekly coupons to the great deals at the grocery stores. This is specific to the south east region, but I am sure there are other sites that will reach your region. I have already seen a great benefit. The name of the game is stock piling and knowing each stores policies and reward programs. You may say, "yes, but I wouldn't have bought that if it wasn't on sale. I don't really need that." That may be true, but the concept involves much thinking ahead. Will I use this product in the next 6-8 weeks before it goes on sale again? If so, you buy it. If not, skip it. Just because I have a coupon for benefiber and it's buy-one-get-one doesn't mean I need to buy it. I would never use that product. You get the idea. I got hooked when I needed to buy non-dairy coffee creamer. I had a publix coupon and a manufacturer coupon and it was BOGO. I walked out of the store with 2 pints for about .25$. I was hooked! Here are some other recent examples: last week at Publix, spent $79 and saved $56. This will only get better and better as I save my coupons up. Just today I earned $6 to use at CVS. They have a rewards system where I can make an initial purchase (today's was about $40). I earned $6 that I can use toward products that earn me money and the cycle continues. I will be able to do this at Walgreens as well. After an initial purchase, I am earning money to put toward future purchases that are on sale, with coupons, and earning extra $ to spend at their store. In essence, I will be paying VERY little or nothing for my items there in just a few short weeks. I know I sound like an infomercial, but it's been great for us. That's why I wanted to share. It is a little time consuming, but once you get the hang of it, it's a no-brainer. Go on, give it a try!!! Oh yeah, many stores give rain checks if they're out of an item that's on sale.

Wilcat T-ball

One of the many fun things to do in the "spring" is t-ball. I say "spring" because the season begins in February and there have been a few games where we've frozen our toes and fingers and have had to bundle up the little ones-even the players -to get through the game. There are all boys and one girl on Rowan's team. Needless to say, the dugout is CRAZY! We finally had to put a mom on post in there to keep it from getting too out of control. :) They call it t-ball, but allow 3 coach's pitches before the "t" is brought out. It took some getting used to, but now Rowan is having a great time swinging and hitting the ball. This league is particularly wonderful because at his age they don't keep score, everyone gets to hit the ball, and there is fairness all around. They are learning to basics while having a great time. The siblings have a good time cheering the team on, as well.

Shep's Dedication

Back in March we dedicated Shep at church. It is a sweet service they do one time a year for all the babies that were born. It's loud, a bit chaotic, and full of laughs. What a great time for our family to stand together and commit to bringing Shep up in the ways of God. However, for some reason I do not have any of the pictures that were taken. Well, I can't find them right now anyway...

Time

Time is a strange thing. Why is it that one day when I wake up my thoughts go directly to: "I must get ABCDEFG&H done by 12:00"? Why is it that the next day when I wake up my thoughts go to "Gosh, is it only Tuesday?" Some days fly by and some days drag. Despite the activity that occurs in our house, every day is pretty much the same. We have a routine that we've all become accustomed to and we stick by it for the sake of sanity.

Time is particularly strange when children enter the picture. If a child is fussy and crying, 5 minutes can seem like 5 hours. If you're at the park, you lose track of time and you're wondering why everyone is all of a sudden everyone is entering a meltdown when you look at your watch and realize it's 20 minutes past naptime. Oops! Your first child you spend entertaining and agonizing over the "next big thing". Rowan walked at 12 months-very normal, but he didn't crawl until 11 months or get his first tooth until 11 months. I just couldn't stand it that he wasn't progressing in a timely enough fashion for me. Now he's 5 1/2 and playing t-ball, reading, becoming more and more independent of me. How did that happen? Holland, who did (and still does) everything at mock speed was always ahead of the curve. People are always asking me how old she is and then, in turn, comment on how she acts older. Because she's always been like this, I have a tendancy to put her capabilities closer to Rowan's than they should actually be. Now we've got Shep. I am so overwhelmed that he is 6 months old already. How is it that he's progressed this far and I've barely noticed it. He is such a go-with-the-flow kind of baby that I guess I have taken his development a bit for granted. This has all hit me as I've put away the baby baby clothes and taken out the next set, the 6-12 months stuff. What? Did I just write 12 months??? I feel like an old lady when I say it, but I better stop hurryin' up their growin' up or they'll be grown up in too much of a hurry!

Other Stuff

Let's see, we are back in the swing of things and 2009 is off to a great start. January went by in a flash. In fact, I barely remember it. We have been spending good quality time with mom and dad and that is so fun. I'm so glad the kids still get excited to see them even when we see them more than once a week. What a blessing! We have applied for Rowan to go to the public montessori school and will hear in early March if he gets in. Holland is registered and will be attending 4 or 5 days a week next year at the same school we've been at since Rowan was 3. We love it there!!! I wasn't sure about sending her that many days, but I really want her to attend kindergarten there, so I kind of have to keep here in there so she has a spot. Speaking of school, Rowan celebrated his 100th day of school this week. He had to wear 100 of something. Off to the craft store for inspiration we went. He finally decided on 100 stars glued onto a t-shirt in the shape of a "100" on the front and back. Very cute! He starts t-ball practice today. Holland has been practicing writing her name. I know this is very early, but she has an older brother to keep up with. She doesn't even know all her letters yet, but she can write an "H" and and "o" to start her name off. They are her favorite letters. She is an interesting one. Shep is rolling everywhere and so over the bouncy seat and swing. I use them for about 10 minutes so I can wash dishes-which I've been doing since January 1 when our dishwasher broken-or go to the bathroom. That's about it. He loves his excesaucer where he can stand up and watch the comings and goings of big brother and big sister. John is busy with work as usual. He will be studying for the CFP exam again and will take it in July. Pray he passes! I just finished up my Bible study with my college girls and will start a new one with ladies from my sunday school class soon. Most of my days are spent cooking, cleaning, laundry, washing dishes, carpooling, reading with the kids (Rowan can really read now!!!), reading books from the library for myself-imagine that, and playing with the kids. We are ready for spring so we can frequent the parks again. And that about sums it up!

Christmas 2008

Yes, I realize it is February. I am always apologizing about not posting. It is what it is. If you want to see more pictures, look at facebook b/c it's easier to download them there. Here are a few to capture the moments. Enjoy!

Correction

Correction from previous post...As I was reading through the Christmas story again in the Bible, I reliazed I made an error. The reference was from Matthew, not Luke. Rowan likes me to read the whole story so he can recreate it with his nativity set that I bought him, so we've read several versions, both long and short and different verbage from different translations. You know I've got to switch it up a bit so as not to go crazy over the repetition!!!
We are officially on Christmas break now and it's weird because it's 70 degrees. We spend lunchtime at the park with a picnic and all are resting now. Whew! Still no Christmas cards because that would require 3 children awake, dressed, and happy at the same time, not to mention 2 adults showered, dressed, and in the same location (and happy :)). We're working on it. Perhaps a Happy New Year card will be better. Ha! Hope to post some pictures from Ro's pageant soon. Baking will begin next week when we're looking for more to do and the weather is cooler.

Well, I sat down tonight to download some pictures from my camera card so I could post some recent photos. To be honest, things have been so busy that I'm not even sure what was on there. Nothing is coming to my mind other than that I needed to do it and catch up. Well, they're gone. For some reason in order to get the camera to work at all, I had to delete the pictures that were on there and was unable to view them prior to my deleting them. Terribly sorry. I guess that's what I get for getting behind.

We had a great Thanksgiving with mom and dad and JuJu and Matt. We were all able to stay at mom and dad's without getting too smushed or tired of looking at each other. Holland only fell out of the bed twice-of course it was her. The weekend went way too fast and reality hit us all on Monday morning. We had too much fun eating whatever we wanted and playing games and watching football. Dad, John, and Matt were able to get in a round of golf on Saturday and had beautiful weather! The weekend was great.

We did receive some shocking news on Friday that has really broken my heart, however. A friend of Rowan's from preschool was diagnosed with a brain tumor. He has a very long road ahead of him with chemo and radiation. He will be out of school for a year. He is 5. There is never a good time to hear this kind of news, but with the Christmas season upon us, it is difficult for his family to experience the "magic" and wonder we all so eagerly anticipate. I so desperately want them to have a sense of peace and hope in their lives despite this new reality for them. I understand there are no answers to the difficult questions they have looming in their minds right now. I don't underestimate that. I am not naive to that. I just know there is meaning beyond it. And so right now I am offering practical ways to help them as they cope. Rowan is taking it fairly well and is trusting that he will be alright. And he leaves it at that...so do we for now.

With that, Christmas has gotten off to a different start for us this year. We are concentrating on the closeness of our family and the true gift of the birth of Jesus. Our advent calendar is in full swing as we share the nativity story in short sentences each day (along with a treat). This year I bought a nativity the children can play with (www.playmobil.com) and enjoy instead of just look at. Rowan has asked some very interesting questions: "what is a prophecy?" (he's hearing the reference in the Christmas story taken from Luke, referring to Isaiah- so smart!) and "how old do you think the little drummer boy was?" He really listens to words and wants the meaning of them. Holland is enamored with the tree and all the "exquisite" ornaments. It's amazing she hasn't torn the wrapping paper off all the gifts under the tree right now. And I'm pretty sure Shep will know the words to Jingle Bells before he says mama or dada due to the sheer number of times it is sung to him in any given day. The poor child is smothered with entertainment-it's no wonder he's so tired and loves to nap away the day-his little brain can't possibly process it all!!! I am planning to bake cookies soon and hope to share pictures of that soon. Keep checking!