Playgroup at Brunswick's Nature Center

So this past week we had playgroup at the Brunswick Nature Center. It is a non-profit organization that teaches the community, and children, about Brunswick's natural environment and animals in the area. They opened early so we could have the facility all to ourselves! Andy Hudak was our guide and he was so good with the kids (fortunately he has two toddlers of his own)! First we learned about bugs, then we did a bug craft. Afterwards we got butterfly nets and went looking for bugs. Sophia loved that, which is suprising since she's scared to death of them all! Then we went on a hike looking for more bugs. He also had a little storytime with the kids. After that we ate lunch and then looked at the animals they have in their facility. They have a honey bee nest just outside their windows, turtles inside that you can actually touch, fish, mice, and lots of books and diagrams of animals and nature. It was a lovely time and the kids really enjoyed themselves. We will definetly do that again!

Twins #1 All-Star Birthday Party

So, yesterday was the twins birthday party! I started planning it about a month ago, and to me, that's the fun part. It wasn't that stressful because I bought everything during that month and made everything I could 2 weeks in advance so that I wouldn't be rushed. We ate traditional sports food: hot dogs, hamburgers, potato salad, cotton candy, peanuts, cracker jack, sunflower seeds, chex mix, gatorade, lemonade, ect. We asked all the parents for "vital statistics" about their child and then introduced the "players" one by one. Then they could play whatever game they wanted (all the instructions were written on the back of that sport's sign) and get a sticker after achieving the goal. Once they got 5 stickers, we had an award ceremony where they got a medal. Then we ate dinner...yum, yum! We also had yummy cupcakes and opened presents. My only disappointment is how little time I got to spend with my kids. Hosting a party always keeps you busy, so I do wish I had had more time with them....so today we spent the whole day on the slip-n-slide having fun! Anyway, hope you enjoy the video!

Twins First Year

On June 19, 2008, at 35 weeks pregnant, I went to my OB for a routine appointment. Driving to that appointment I went into labor. Just a few hours later, I was in the OR having a c-section (thanks to Baby A, Trey's, breech position). We were in the Special Care Nursery for 10 days and then I brought my blessings home! It has been a year with many sleepless nights, lots of spit up (thanks to Trey's acid reflux), many doctor's appointments (once again, thank you Trey for all your scares), and a prescription of Zoloft to take the edge off; but, it's also been such bliss watching two babies grow up together at the same time. My daughters have been such little "mommas" to the boys and the boys have enjoyed every second of them. The twins have completed our family and brought so much laughter, chaos, joy, "awes", cuddles, craziness, and love to my life. A year later, and with much more sleep, I can honestly say I would love more children...I just wouldn't want to be pregnant again. So maybe adoption is in our future? Who knows, but for now, I want to bask in the celebration that we made it through our first year with 4 children age 3 and under and we are no longer in the shadow of SIDS! It is celebration time! Hope you enjoy our montage of photos from the boys first year of life! :)

Flag Day 2009 with the Tidwell Family

Well, we just finished celebrating Flag Day for the first time in my adult life. It was very fun! What kid doesn't like marching around waving a flag? They certainly didn't memorize the Pledge of Allegiance or quite understand all the patriotic songs we listened to, but hey, they had something new to play with and do so it was a success! And, Sophia absolutely recognizes all "American" things and the American Flag whenever we are out and about. So at least she knows it's important. But my niece and nephew came over that morning and it made it all the merrier! Can't wait for next year!

Flag Day 2009

American Flag, Stars and Stripes, Old Glory, and Star-Spangled Banner

I’ve never celebrated Flag Day before, as an adult anyway. This will be the first year, but I am looking forward to it. The summer is so full of patriotic holidays from Memorial Day, Flag Day, 4th of July, and Patriot Day (9-11). It’s nice to have all these opportunities to explain to my children all the different details of our country, history, and patriotism. A few years ago, my family had the opportunity to spend 5 months in Washington DC with my husband’s job. We were there with his co-workers, all from other countries. At first I was nervous that they would not like us Americans due to all the bad publicity that America was receiving at the time. However, they all found America to be wonderful and commented that they were most surprised at the patriotism and pride that American’s took in their country, something they did not see much of in their country. I was very proud of that and happy that they all left, not only liking America, but admiring it too. I am truly proud to be an American and have the freedoms that we have each day!

What is Flag Day:
Flag Day, always June 14th, is a day for all Americans to celebrate and show respect for our flag. Our flag is representative of our independence and our unity as a nation.....one nation, under God, indivisible. Our flag has a proud and glorious history. It was at the lead of every battle fought by Americans. Many people have died protecting it. It even stands proudly on the surface of the moon. As Americans, we have every right to be proud of our culture, our nation, and our flag. So raise the flag today and every day with pride!

What to talk to your preschooler about on this day:
Teach them the Pledge of Allegiance:
With your right hand over your heart - “I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”

Teach them the History of the Flag:
The original U.S. flag was authorized by Congress on Saturday, June 14, 1777. It had 13 stripes - 7 red and 6 white - that represent the original 13 colonies. There were 13 white stars in a blue field representing a new constellation of states. Since 1777, there have been different versions of the flag that have been adopted. The red and white stripes with blue constellation have remained the same. Each state in the union is represented by a 5 point star. The number of stars has changed as states joined the union. There are currently 50 states that belong to the United States of America.

Color a Flag printable page:
Teach them how to color the flag with red & white stripes and blue & white stars. Here is a great website to print coloring pages and a picture of the flag: http://www.first-school.ws/t/ap/us_flag_color_by_word.htm

DID YOU KNOW?
Properly Display Our Flag
There is a right way and a wrong way to display the flag. The American flag should be held in the highest of regards. It represents our nation and the many people who gave their lives for our country and our flag. Here are the basics on displaying the American flag:
· The flag is normally flown from sunrise to sunset.
· In the morning, raise the flag briskly. At sunset, lower it slowly. Always, raise and lower it ceremoniously.
· The flag should not be flown at night without a light on it.
· The flag should not be flown in the rain or inclement weather.
· After a tragedy or death, the flag is flown at half staff for 30 days. It’s called "half staff" on land, and "half mast" on a ship.
· When flown vertically on a pole, the stars and blue field , or "union", is at the top and at the end of the pole (away from your house).
· The American flag is always flown at the top of the pole. Your state flag and other flags fly below it.
· The union is always on top. When displayed in print, the stars and blue field are always on the left.
· Never let your flag touch the ground, never...period.
· Fold your flag when storing. Don't just stuff it in a drawer or box.
· When your flag is old and has seen better days, it is time to retire it. Old flags should be burned or buried. Please do not throw it in the trash.

There is a very special ceremony for retiring the flag by burning it. It is a ceremony everyone should see. Your local Boy Scout group knows the proper ceremony and performs it on a regular basis. If you have an old flag, give it to them. And, attend the ceremony.

Betsy Ross was a seamstress who made clothes for George Washington. In June, 1776, Washington approached her to make the country's first flag and the rest is history.

Playgroup Roller Skating Lessons!

So today we held playgroup at the local skating rink. When I first called to plan this, I was a bit skeptical of the ability of our 2-4 year olds. But I scheduled it anyway because they were going to give the kids skate lessons and we were going to have the entire facility to ourselves! Well, Mr. Jim was wonderful with the kids! He had cute names for all the moves they should do. They were so kind and made it so fun, that we had a great time! Sophia and Bella picked it up right away and were not scared at all, even when they fell. We ate lunch there, and after lunch was when it got really fun! They turned down the lights, turned on the disco ball and I brought my "Kids Dance Party" CD for them to play. Some continued to skate, but most took off their skates and opted for the scooters or to just run around and dance! It was great fun even for the adults! We will have to do that again very soon...but next time I'll have to wear my leotard & pantyhose! :)

Today's Goals...for every day!

Sometimes being a stay at home mom can be a very un-filling job. It can become monotonous and boring; let alone the lack of appreciation that is received (and my love language is “Encouraging Words” so appreciation is very important to me). At some point this year I became discouraged with all of this and decided, as I am a goal oriented person, to write out my goals for my days. This helps me to re-focus on what is important as well as how important all the things I do, on these monotonous days, are sewing into my children’s future. These are my personal goals based on my personality and my contributions to this world:

T O D A Y ’ S G O A L S

My purpose on this journey of life is…to love my life, connect people, build relationships, create beautiful and special moments, help people through life, to see beauty in everything & everyone, to raise happy children & appreciate my husband.

Today I get another opportunity to love on my kids, to encourage them and build their self-esteem, to shape them into good people, to teach them that life is good.

Today I get to make my children’s day extra special.

Today I will consistently discipline my children with love and calmness so that they will be a joy to me and others.

Today I get to make my home beautiful and show my children how to take care of their possessions and be grateful for them.

Today I get to spend time with the man I love and show him, through my acts of service, how much I love him.

Today I am going to love myself by exercising, showering and looking beautiful. I may even relax a little!

Today, I want to learn something new.

Today, I hope to see a little bit more of God.