Day 243.

Jason and I celebrated our anniversary with a gift of a new camera - a small Canon Point and Shoot because that's what we'd actually use. We had a bigger, slightly nicer camera that we never took anywhere because it was too heavy and bulky. Now, we take a lot more pics because we can carry this almost anywhere. I love it.

I am grateful for a new camera.

Today I put a bunch of pics on my computer from the last few weeks and I found this gem, made possible by the Canon Powershot. I love this one as it just captures what my kids usually look like most of the time, and I don't always get "normal" faces.

Day 242.

After five weeks of almost nonstop traveling, we are finally home. And today we finally went back to our church. I felt a huge dose of comfort, just sitting amongst my own congregation, breathing in the genuine worship. It was hard not to be happy - feeling at home, my dad was visiting with us, and it was gorgeous outside.

I am grateful for "fall."

It's not really fall yet - but it sure feels like it outside. It was 60 degrees and sunny today and so wonderful to wear long sleeves and pants. We actually had to shut the windows tonight because it was too cold inside! Weirdness in August. But I love it. It makes me feel warm fuzzies for my favorite season. Bring on fall.

Day 241.

Dylan, Noah and I went to the Hyde Park Suzuki Institute concert on the lake today at noon. It was a gorgeous day - 60 degrees and sunny, and we wore our jeans and brought sweatshirts. We heard some great music from the students at the Institute, bought some baked goods and signed Dylan up for Suzuki violin starting in 2 weeks. Yes, 2 weeks. WOW.

I am grateful for my violin roots.

As a former Suzuki violinist, I have great respect for the Suzuki method. I know I learned in a way that was invaluable to me as a lifelong musician. No, I don't really play violin anymore, but that may change - I feel inspired to pull it out and make beautiful music with an instrument that I once was pretty gifted.

As I sat and watched these 3-16 year olds playing violin, I found myself unexpectedly tearing up. At first I thought it was because Dylan was old enough for this - and she could actually be doing this next year - performing with her own wee little violin. That would have been enough to cry about. But then I realized it was deeper. The tears stemmed from my childhood, and really were about my gratitude for being trained as a Suzuki student. Gratitude to my parents, who made it a priority to pay for Suzuki lessons, even though it is dang expensive (I know that now!!). Gratitude to my whole extended family, who encouraged me, listened to me screech through my initial practices, and came to see every concert faithfully...even though they probably really only cared about my 30 second performance.

I guess that's why I find it really important to give Dylan this chance since she is really interested in it. I am so grateful that I played violin, even though I quit in middle school, when I could have really gone far with it. I guess a piece of me feels like this is a second chance for me. I'm going to get out my violin with her and remember the great feeling of making beautiful music. And how cool that we will be able to do it together.

Day 240.

A facebook friend gave me a good suggestion for backtalk yesterday, so I tried it out.

I am grateful for facebook advice.

Dylan and Noah were playing together when Noah did something she didn't like, so she yelled at him. I told her, "Dylan, he wants to read books right now."

"I'm talking to NOAH!" she snapped at me.

Wow. Time to try it.

I told her calmly, "That kind of talk is unacceptable in this house. Come with me." I walked her to the back door (where we have our own porch - which has a private lock on it - no one call Child Services on me) and told her to go outside. I shut the door, and she whined back dramatically, "Are you going to leave me out here FOREVER?"

"No, not forever. For two minutes. That talk is unacceptable in this house." Still calm.

And that was it. After two minutes (and me standing two feet away from the door watching her the whole time), I went and got her, and she was standing calmly looking over the edge of the railing. It was done, and the point had been made. I love it.

Day 239.

Thursday, August 27, 2009.

We're having two big discipline problems with Dylan right now. Backtalk and biting. The two B's. The backtalk is out of control the past few days - I feel like I'm dealing with a dramatic preteen or something. I remember backtalking to my parents, and the struggles they had with how "mouthy" I was, and gosh, I'm in for it.

I am grateful for a dose of humble pie.

Didn't your parents ever tell you - you just wait til you have your own kids and they talk this way to you?! Uggghhhh...I am chewing, swallowing and choking on those words.

The biting is also another trait that comes charmingly from me. Dylan has been getting so frustrated with Noah lately (he has his own mind all of a sudden and isn't going to just be her robot playmate), so she ends up getting physical occasionally and biting him. Sweet. The tough thing is - sometimes it's not TOO rough, and he just ends up with a bite mark on his arm that we see later and never hear any cries. I'm not sure if that is better or worse...

But today, I heard her running out of their room in terror - "Mommy! I bit Noah's eye!" She was already starting to cry in fear of what she had done, and he was obviously already crying from sheer pain. (Seriously Dylan, his EYE?!?!?!?!)

My anger could not be stopped and I growled at her, inhumanely - "Get in your room!" (btw - since when did I become an ape?) I was livid.

I scooped Noah up and assessed the damage...sure he was going to be blind in one eye. Honestly, it could have been that bad. Sure enough, his left eyelid was swollen and bloody - blood blisters spanning about a 1/2 inch over the whole eyelid.

I'm still pretty shocked my own flesh and blood did this to another of my flesh and blood. Sibling rivalry is pretty hot stuff. I sat and stewed over this for quite some time. I don't do corporal punishment, so what is there that conveys the severity of this act? Biting your brother's eye?!

I won't go into detail over the whole reconciliation, but let me tell you, just her having to look at his eye all swollen and bloody, was enough to throw her over the edge...I don't think there will be any eye biting any time soon in our house, unless Noah takes revenge...

Day 238.

Wednesday, August 26, 2009.

I am grateful for play.

Playing with my kids outdoors is something I enjoy almost more than anything else I do with them. I don't have anything else to do but play, enjoy nature, and enjoy them. We spent the morning at Smith: The Kid's Playplace at the Park in Philly. What a wonderful outdoor playground they have there - truly inspirational and FUN as all get out. Anyone with kids MUST go here if you are close to Philly - it is a gem and I totally felt like a local checkin' it out. Thanks, Cookie Mag, for filling me in on this really cool, really off the beaten path, place.

Day 237.

Tuesday, August 25, 2009.

Growing up, I can't say I was that into museums all that much. I really didn't like history, and social studies/history were usually my least favorite classes. But, something about growing up that makes me want to know more about the past, more about the people that came before me, and more about the world in general. You know, stuff that is in museums. And history books.

I am grateful for history lessons.

http://hphotos-snc1.fbcdn.net/hs147.snc1/5450_160061327984_754227984_3542914_6594226_n.jpg

We visited/hiked up on Hawk Mountain this morning. Beautiful views, good exercise, and the kids were troopers. Dylan "Quit" within the first minute of the hike, but somehow Jason saved the day by making up a game of smashing mushrooms on the trail's edge with a big stick. Something I would never have thought of. So, thanks J. I'm grateful for your made-up games too.

Back to the history lesson, Dylan loved learning about the mountain and having me read about why everyone was killing the hawks many years ago (and why they created the Hawk Mountain Sanctuary). She's pretty fascinated by death lately, so the huge 10 foot picture of the hundreds of hawks dead in a big pile was right up her alley.

Learning history with your kids is way more fun than by yourself.