Boys Bedroom

Henry and Sam have been sharing a room since December/January-ish. Within days of sharing a room Samuel started to *finally* sleep more, and it wasn't long before he officially began sleeping through the night. For the first time in his life he was also waking up happy. It has been a LONG and exhausting haul with him, but I think we are over the worst of it.

Henry's Bed

All that to say, when we moved them in together Henry was still sleeping on a mattress on the floor, Samuel's crib mattress was pushed up against Henry's bed (or really, Sam's new bed as they promptly switched mattresses) and it remained that way until last week. Their walls remained a sad yellow. Their room was a mishmash of furnishings (or lack thereof -- like beds!). For their Birthday we decided to give them a room makeover. It was something that needed doing, but I could indulge guilt free on some extra time and energy to make it special if it was for their Birthday!

Samuel's Bed

We purchased the beds on kijiji, and "shopped our house" for the rest. The bookcase was from the family room (switched with their old bookcase), the dresser was Sam's from his nursery. The art was from the nursery, Henry's room, etc. The duvets and duvet covers are new from Ikea. I really love the blue ticking of the duvet covers and pillow -- it's hard to see in the photos. I painted the walls a fresh pale blue for brightness (the room only has one smallish window) and a dramatic dark blue on the short wall to anchor the captains beds (which didn't have much of a head or foot board). I made the pennants with leftover scraps from the boys quilts. The room is completely finished except for installing wood floors (we have the wood waiting in Cory's office, just not the time to install!), and hang this print and this one over the boys dresser. I indulged in these prints because it is challenging to find children's art that is beautiful, wholesome, simple and for BOYS! I would say this was the biggest splurge.

From the door

Dresser from the Nursery above which the new prints will hang

I *wish* I had taken some before photos. You almost wouldn't recognize it!

Boys Birthday

Henry and Samuel are officially 4 years old and 2 years old, respectively. On Saturday we had a small and simple celebration for them with the Mains side of the family, and on Sunday we had a small celebration for them with the van der Meer side. The boys were thoroughly spoiled with love and gifts. They are so blessed to have so many people who love them.

When I asked Henry what he would like for his Birthday he said pizza, cake, bowls of candy (!!!???), strings (streamers), balloons, party hats, and musical chairs. All his wishes were met -- including musical chairs. It was entertaining watching grown men (Ahem. . .Cory. . .Dad. . .Jon. . .Jeremie) play musical chairs. It got a little violent at one point. Somehow, Henry was able to win both rounds (despite the competitive nature's of all involved they just couldn't steal a chair from a four year old at his own Birthday).

Samuel had no special requests -- but he indulged on fruit. That boy loooooves his fruit. Forget the bowls of candy, Samuel wants grapes! My sweet two year old, who giggles every time we get to the Birthday song in his favourite book, became very upset at all the attention when we sang him Happy Birthday on Saturday. By Sunday he was mostly over it and could enjoy it a little more.

The years are passing all to quickly. This Birthday has caused me to really stop and thank God for the years he has given them and to appreciate each day with them! I love my little 4 and 2 year old!

This year I put together two binders, one for each son, with 20 or so copies of a list of 20 questions. Each year they will answer the questions and they will be recorded in the binder with a photo from that years Birthday. This is my attempt to redeem failed baby book/record keeping. Hopefully Samuel will bet talking enough to answer these questions next year. A few funny answers from Henry this year:

What makes you laugh? "something funny like a funny donut or stuffed animal"
What do you want to learn more about this year? "playing hopscotch"
What is your favourite colour? "green, red, white, grey" (I think it's a hilarious combination and he always insists THESE are his favourite colours. Really? White and grey?)
What is your favourite outfit? "soccer"
What do you want to be when you grow up? "an anaconda"

. . .and my personal favourite:
What is your favourite holiday? "go to a wedding. and married"

I hope to have more pictures to post soon -- the better ones were on my mom's fancy schmancy new camera.

Books

Books are like people:
fascinating, inspiring, thought-provoking,
some laugh,
some meditate,
others ache with old age, but still have wisdom;
some are disease-ridden, some deceitful;
but others are a delight to behold,
and many travel to foreign lands;
some cry, some teach, others are lots of fun,
they are excellent companions,
and all have individuality -
Books are friends.
What person has too many friends?
-- Gladys Hunt, Honey for a Child's Heart (noted below)

I love books. I come by it honestly, as both my Oma and mother love to read as well. My sister became a librarian and also loves books. I don't post often about books, mostly because I am coming out of a fog. The past four years have been a wonderful adventure adjusting to motherhood. Between a lack of sleep and any concentration I had going towards books related to pregnancy, birth, first year, toddler years, etc., etc. I had little left for any other reading. But OH, have I been reading lately. This is not a review of the books below, as I have not finished ANY of them yet (some I have barely started!).

Firstly, I am still using my ESV Study Bible for my Devos' and Bible Study. I have just started using a 'Journible' through the book of James. I am writing out the book and recording my reflections as I go. We are also continuing to host Bible Study on the book of Romans and our newly gifted Complete Matthew Henry's Commentary has come in mighty handy.



This year my parents gave all of us daughters the most brilliant organizer I have ever seen! Seriously! It is called the Time Keeper: Finding Joy in a Well Kept Life. It has a Month at a Glance with room for monthly Project Lists. Each week takes up two pages opposite eachother and look like this:

The menu planning spot, and room for lists and notes to the right are my favourite part. In the back are perforated grocery list sheets, Gift Idea section, Planning Ahead for 2013, etc. There is scripture and inspiration on each page. A month in and I am still using it and finding it so helpful.

Next, I have been making my way through Karen Anderola's The Charlotte Mason Companion

This book has been such a blessing to me as a I ponder/plan for our homeschooling adventures. It has really confirmed what I already believed and experienced in the classroom and in working with little ones. Although written as a companion to Charlotte Mason's works on Education, I have found it encouraging in my parenting and homemaking as well.

The following books, Hints on Child Training and Honey for a Child's Heart were recommended in the Charlotte Mason Companion. The first is a parenting book from 1890, written by H. Clay Trumbull and he had a passion for Child Evangelism and restoring peace and order in the home. It may just be my new favourite 'parenting book'.

Honey for a Child's Heart is summed in it's tagline: "The imaginative Use of Books in Family Life" and so much more. My children already love books, but this book beautifully illustrates the blessings of quality literature in the home and has really great booklists in the back that I plan to photo copy and keep in my organizer.

Healthy Choices, the cookbook for people who want wholesome, nutritous food. No sugar. No white flour. No artificial anything. I am currently borrowing it from my mom for the second time. This time I promised myself I will copy out the recipes that interest me!



I have been making my way through the Little House books once again. Youth fiction is my favourite kind of fiction, and in my opinion it doesn't get a lot better then Laura Ingalls and her family.


Henry and I are on our second time through Storytime with the Millers. There is a series of books about the Miller Family, but so far the others are a bit too advanced. They are character building stories about children in the Miller family. I only have to mention "Joel and Amos" and Henry starts cleaning up his toys faster then I could have asked :) The Miller series is great for all ages, and I remember enjoying it as my Mom read it aloud to my younger siblings.



I recently also purchased Building On the Rock, by Joel Beeke as another potential read aloud for the boys and I. Some of the stories seem a bit above them, but I am always surprised by how much they understand. It is another character building, short story type of book.

Speaking of Joel Beeke, I am also currently reading The Law of Kindness, by Joel Beeke's wife Mary. The Beeke's were our speakers at Family Camp this past summer, and Mrs. Beeke had a session for Women titled 'The Law of Kindness' that really whet my appetite for this book.

Lastly, I am reading a recently republished book titled "The Mother at Home" by John S.C. Abbott. It was originally published in 1833 and is a beautiful and convicting book about my role as a mother. A quote from the concluding chapter:

She who was first in the transgression, must yet be the principal earthly instrument in the restoration. Other causes may greatly aid. Other influences must be ready to receive the mind as it comes from the mother's hand, and carry it onward in its improvement. But the mothers of our race must be the chief instruments in its redemption. . .O mothers! Reflect upon the power your Maker has placed in your hands! There is no earthly influence to be compared with yours. There is no combination of causes so powerful in promoting the happiness or misery of our race, as the instructions of home.

What are you reading lately?