Learning To Ride a Bike

Getting instructions from Daddy

First, she started off with one training wheel.

Then, she went to no training wheels.

Whoops!

"When do I get to ride a bike?"

"Waahh!! I want to ride a bike!!"

"I'll help you, Sissy"

"After I explore these bushes."

Another close call.

Emily did great. She still has to practice some more, but it won't be long before she's riding like a pro.

Noah was so tired he took a nap sitting up in his crib.

Saturday morning

Emily spent Friday night with Nana and Papa and Griffon was at his mom's house, so Noah had us all to himself. As soon as I went to get him out of the crib, he pointed to his Mickey Mouse hat which sits on a shelf in his room. He wore it most of the morning.

When Matt got up, Noah decided he should wear the hat. Matt was mad that I was going to post pictures of him right after he woke up, but I'm going to do it anyway. They're too cute not to.

Noah brought us this book to read to him which is funny because we are having an Elmo birthday party for him next Friday.

A Control Issue

Emily for the most part is an obedient child. It is rare for us to have to punish her, but she has her moments like all children do. Like all of us do, really. There have been a few instances recently when I can really see her struggling between doing what she wants to do and obeying us. We've had a few conversations about how I am the mother and she is the child. She is to do what I say. Not the other way around. This has been a tough thing for her to accept. You can see it in her face sometimes how she so much wants to be the one in control. The other day we were playing outside and she pushed Noah out of the way so she could go down the slide first. I reprimanded her and made her sit on the patio in a timeout. She started sobbing hysterically and said through her tears, " I want to be a mommy!". I said, "Why? So you can tell your children what to do?" "Yes", she said.

I thought about how I am the same way with God. It's hard for me to relinquish the control over everything in my life to him the way I should. It's amazing the things we can learn from our children.

That night before she went to bed, we read out of one of her Bible devotional books. I let her pick out what page we would read and providentially, she turned to one about obeying your parents. It talked about the reasons parents have rules for their children: to protect them and keep them healthy and safe. When I read that to her, she said "Ohhh. So that's why you have so many rules.

Enjoying the Present

Emily said something this morning that I have been thinking about all day. She said that she wished she was back in preschool. I asked her why and she said that she misses her preschool friends and teachers. I told her that she needs to enjoy her time in kindergarten because next year when she's in the first grade, she will probably be missing her kindergarten teacher and friends. Then, the following year when she is in the second grade, she will be missing her first grade teacher and friends. And on and on. She smiled and we laughed. I told her that it is good to look back and remember the fun times we have had, but it is also important to enjoy today and the place we are at right now.
Even as I was saying these words to her, I realized how much I need to take this advice for myself. I remember when I was a child and in school how I could not wait to graduate and be out in the world on my own. Then, I was out in the world on my own and I wished so much to be a kid and back in school where I had few responsibilities and no bills to pay. Now, with my children, I sometimes find myself wanting to fast forward through some of the difficult stages and phases to an easier time. Then, I picture, years from now, an empty house with the kids grown and gone and I know that I will long for those days when they were little and running around the house. I need to slow down and enjoy each day as it comes and the circumstances God has blessed me with at this present stage of my life.

This is the day that the LORD has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Psalm 118:24

Raising the Bar

My friend from elementary school, Kristen Ariza, is an actress in Hollywood. She has a part in tomorrow's night Raising the Bar on TNT. I'm excited to watch it and see her. I haven't seen her since we were ten years old. How fun!

Butterfly Encounter

This weekend there was a Butterfly Exhibit at Lukas Nursery, so we thought we'd head over there to check it out especially since Emily is a big fan of butterflies.

This exhibit was larger than the one we saw in North Carolina, but they didn't spray sugar water on our hands. I think Emily was disappointed because none of the butterflies would land on her. We did get to see hundreds of beautiful butterflies though.

They also had some animals there. Here is Noah meeting a baby alligator.

It's a good thing that baby alligator had its mouth taped or Noah would have lost some fingers.

Enjoying a sno-cone in the sun.

On our way home we stopped at a restaurant called "Noah's Red Hot's". Of course, I had to get Noah's picture next to the sign.

Fun with Daddy

Strange Toy

On our way home from the doctor, I told Emily that I would get her a special treat for being sick. She said she wanted a Happy Meal and milkshake from McDonald's. This is the toy that came in her Happy Meal. My first thought when I saw it was "What in the world????" Upon closer inspection I realized that it is a miniature Madame Alexander doll of the Winkle guard from the Wizard of Oz. Too bad we didn't get the cute Dorothy or Cowardly Lion or one of the munchkins. We rarely eat at McDonald's so I doubt we will be collecting anymore of these.

Wii are family

It's been a rough week in the Butler household. The week started off with myself and both kids being sick. Noah and I had a cold and Emily had a fever and was throwing up. We were all well for one day and then Emily spiked another fever and was crying about her throat being sore. Last year we had to put her in the hospital because she had a high fever that would not go away. We found out that she had 5 different infections and had to spend a week in the hospital. So, anytime she gets a fever I get really nervous and stressed. I took her to the doctor for a strep test which thankfully came back negative and she was fine the next day.

Anyway, on Monday we ordered a Wii game system using some hotel reward points. They had said that it would not be shipped until the middle of next month. However, in God's perfect timing, it arrived on Wednesday. I think He knew how badly we needed some family fun and an opportunity to release some of our stress. We have all enjoyed playing with it. Even Noah who thinks by holding the television remote that he is participating in the game too.