For Your Listening Pleasure. . .

our little drummer boy

What in the World?

Last week at this time is was a blazing hot 101 degree day. Both the boys spent the day splashing in the baby pool outside and hanging out indoors wearing only diapers trying to stay cool under the breeze of the ceiling fans. Today, one week later, it is rainy, cloudy and 51 degrees! We all have on pants and long sleeves and when we went outside earlier we had to put our jackets on. What in the world?

Chopsticks and Boxes

Once again Aden proves that kids don't need much to be happy. Here he is sitting in his "boat" playing his "drums". He loves to sing and play the drums! He does so by pulling chopsticks out of our utensil drawer and beating them on anything in sight while singing at the top of his lungs. Of course, he's learning what objects are appropriate "drums" and which ones aren't (like his brother's head) and occasionally (for sanity's sake) I give him the choice between no more singing or singing out on the back porch...with the slider shut =)

Aden said, "Mommy, Jonathan sit too?"

We pulled this activity table out of the rafters today for Jonathan and weren't at all surprised by the fact that Aden was just as excited about it as Jonathan was. They played side by side with it for quite some time this afternoon. I love the shot below...if you look closely you can see that they are laughing together.

Playmates

When Aden gets his cars out he always brings one for Jonathan, sets it in front of him and says, "Jonathan play." You can't see it but Jonathan's car is hidden behind Aden.

Aden trying to push Jonathan out of the dirt

Lego time!

Jon Jon crawls (army-style) all over the house trying to keep up with his big brother. I'll find them in random places playing and "talking".


It has been so much fun to see them interact more and more as Jonathan gets older. Lately when I say, "Aden, let's change your diaper." or "Aden, it's time for your nap." or "Aden, let's pick up your blocks." he'll say, "Mommy, I play with Jonathan." which basically translates to, "Yeah Mom, I'd love to do that but I'm busy playing with Jonathan." I have to admit that I enjoy watching them play together so much that I'm usually willing to postpone my agenda for a while longer just so I can watch them enjoy each other for a few more minutes.

Brilliant!

Why didn't we think of this sooner? Aden always wants to push Jonathan in the stroller so you can imagine how much fun he had pushing Jonathan around the backyard in the red car. Jonathan had a great time as well and it kept both boys busy (and happy!) for about 30 minutes! Great idea Daddy!

Oops!

The other day Jon Jon leaned forward just in time to collide with a spoon full of baby cereal. He is such a goose!
Many thanks to my friend Summer for capturing this cuteness with her camera. =)

My Master of Theology

On Sunday, after two intensely busy years, my dear husband graduated (yet again) from The Master's Seminary. This time he earned his Master of Theology degree. I am so proud of him! These past two years he has shown amazing discipline, diligence, and dedication as he has balanced supporting his family (financially, spiritually, emotionally) and completing his studies. The mere sight of him in his cap and gown made me very proud so you can imagine how my heart swelled with pride when they announced that he was graduating Suma Cume Laude which means that he graduated at the top of his class with a 4.0 GPA! Praise God for his faithfulness and for giving Daniel the grace to manage the ever present demands of his family and academic life during his time in the ThM program. To God be the glory!

Daddy Time

Daddy showing Aden where to water

Getting outfitted with Daddy's shoes and "cubs" (gloves)

Shuffling through the garden

Surveying the crops

One of his jobs is to water to mint that is planted along the back wall

Jonathan's contribution to the yard work =)

Aden loves helping his Daddy in the garden! He looks so forward to Daniel coming home from work each day because he knows that most likely they'll get to spend some time together outside. Pretty much from the time he wakes up from his nap until he hears Daniel walk through the door he says, "Daddy coming?" or "Daddy, water plants?" or "Daddy, prinklers?" And when his Daddy does walk through the door it is just precious to see the excitement in his face and hear the excitement in his little voice.
Although Jon Jon isn't quite old enough to help, he enjoys watching the action from his swing.

"Prinklers" + a buddy = good times!

Aden and Andrew had a "golden hour" play date tonight. They had so much fun playing in the sprinklers together! And we had so much fun watching them! It was very cute!

Too cute to not post!

This is another picture from yesterday's get together.
It is just too cute to not post!
Jonathan has so much personality! I love it! He does however tend to operate in extremes. He's either extremely content...rolling around on the floor babbling and squealing with joy over his toys or balls or he's extremely fussy...arching his back, screeching in a high-pitched, shrill manner while kicking his feet, flailing his arms, and twisting his little body every which way. It's actually almost comical how dramatic he can be. But in his defense he has had a TERRIBLE time with teething and it seems like his teeth just come in one after another. Poor baby. Last night he had a really rough night and as I sat there trying to console him at 1:oo am I realized that he was providing me with a clear grasp-able example of God's love for us. God loves us so much despite all of our faults and his love for us is unconditional. In the same way, I love Jonathan SO much! Even when he screams and kicks and flails and is completely inconsolable in the middle of the night and even when he has those days where he starts to cry at the slightest hint that I'm going to set him down, even then I still love him to pieces.