1. It's HOT. Yeah, well, I didn't say they were ten new things on Tuesday, just ten random things.
2. Last week Ansley was moved up to the 4 year old class in gymnastics. She is doing great, and really loves it. The last class was for 2 and 3 year olds, and while Ansley definitely enjoyed it, she really seemed too old for a lot of the things they were doing. Now she is in a class with all four 4 year olds, and she is doing all kinds of new stuff! Fun to see. She is on the uneven bars now, balance beam, trampoline, learning cartwheels, headstands, handstands, pikes and backbends, to name a few.
3. On Sunday, we went to a family picnic with the guys that John is in a Bible study with. It was only about 25 minutes from here, but seemed so secluded and peaceful. (It was at the cabin of one of the couples in the group). On the way there, we passed the entrance to Blackberry Farm (on my wish list of "one days") and then the cabin was just past it. Ansley thoroughly enjoyed herself - we saw a wild turkey and some cows, she enjoyed a super-cool see saw, and found lots of bugs to enjoy. Everyone was very sweet to her (John is the youngest in the Bible study - most of them are our parents age, or a little younger - so we are the only ones with small children), and we enjoyed a delicious meal and dessert - grilled fruit with ice cream and chocolate syrup - YUM.
4. I am getting ready to order some materials to start working with Ansley on how to read. I am so excited! After a lot of research (and lots of emails to my friend Renee!), I think I am leaning towards Five In A Row . Any opinions? I just can't imagine how unbelievably cool it will be to start working with Ansley on this, and then to see her read on her own! This brings me to another random question for all you homeschool moms out there - when did you start official homeschool cirriculum? Ansley would miss the cut off for public schools next year, but she will be almost five, so do I start that year, or wait until the next? Anyway, random things on my mind today.
5. Christian continues to scoot his way all over the house! He is so close to crawling - he gets up on his hands and knees and moves back and forth, but then collapses and scoots to what he wants. It's so cute! He has two teeth now - can you see them in this picture? I love his baby blues.
6. Have you heard? John's Manville is here. Check out the basement photos to see.
7. Last week, Christy came to take some pictures of Christian at 7 months. We have a "parts and faces" of Ansley when she was 7 months that I love, so I wanted to do the same for him. I can't wait to see the pictures, and while Christy was here, she shared with me some of her trade secrets. Thanks, Christy! I have been pouring over books and my camera manual trying to become as half as good of a photographer as she is.
8. My Dad continues to feel great and is doing fabulous! This Thursday is his CAT scan, and the following Monday he meets with his oncologist to see what's going on. I am doing a partial fast (since I am nursing, I can't do a full one) in the time leading up to my Dad's doctor's appointment. As I have been praying for my Dad, I have felt that this is something God is wanting me to do to demonstrate my faithfulness. Why? When you seek me with all your heart, I will be found by you" (Jeremiah 29:13,14). Andrew Murray says, "Fasting helps to express, to deepen, and to confirm the resolution that we are ready to sacrifice anything - to sacrifice ourselves - to attain what we seek for the kingdom of God." I couldn't put it any better than that. Please join me in praising God for all that he does and has yet to do in our lives, and for praying for his glory in this situation....for his glory.
9. We just had a little rain pass through (or as Ansley calls them "Stormy Normies"). Maybe that's the start of a cool front??
10. Ansley just came downstairs and announced "My playroom is a MESS! I'm gonna clean it up, because I'm almost four, and that's what girls do who are almost four." Wow, really? I'm all for that!