Magnus passed his swim class

Yeah for Magnus! He has worked so hard for this. We started with swim lessons for him last year. He was a little timid in the water so the instructor didn't pass him. So this year we spoke to him about the areas that he can improve on. Well he did a great job! Or so we thought until the last day of class and the instructor handed me his "report card". Not passed. I was so fumed at the instructor I could've punched her lights out. I thought about confronting her about why she didn't pass him and so on, but then I realized that I would just come across as a crazy mom to others and emotionally scar my child forever. So this mom didn't make a scene and went with it. Enrolled him in the same level class, Tadpoles, a few weeks later...well what do you know???? In the second day of class, his new instructor took him over to the Waterfrogs class because his skill levels were beyond that of a Tadpoles class! So in your face to the old instructor that didn't pass him!(not that she would ever read this).

(kinda look like he's giving someone the stink eye) He is so proud of himself and his swimming skills are improving everyday. I don't know if they will pass him or not, but he looks good out there!

I caught Soph doing this

isn't she the cutest ever!!!

Shoestring fries

Onion fries. Whatever you want to call they are good!!! Oh so good,not for your health, but good tasting. So simple too. I got the recipe from Pioneer Women. (That lady rocks)! I substituted seasoned salt for the salt in there thinking that I was going to add more flavor and save some time. Well, bad thinking. My stomach for some reason doesn't agree with seasoned salt. I can have all spices in it, just not in this format, I guess??? Anyways it was delicious while I ate it, but a few hours later I was balled over with stomach pain. Didn't know seasoned salt could be so potent. This happened a couple of years ago also, I just forgot. Never again!!! Besides my stomach pains, everyone else enjoyed this yummy onion fry very much.

Soph is 1

Isn't it sad that it's a couple of days past her birthday and I am just now posting this! Actually I am not that bad of a mother, this week both of the kids came down with something. Bad enough that we had to cancel her dinner party.

Anyways here are some of the things about her right now:

*she's loving milk, she can actually have cows milk, not lactose intolerant like her brother-yea!

*when she doesn't want to eat anymore she spits out her food and turns her face away

*sometimes makes a face like the chucky doll from the 90's

*when she wants food or her mom she says mum-mum

*loves playing with her big brother

*is very cuddly

*likes her dad to imitate a swing set with his arms while brother pushes and does an "underdog"

We love you so much. You are such a character! Happy late Birthday!!!

I signed up for a 5k

Yep, that's right! The run date is Sunday August 29 at 9am. So basically I have one month to train for this thing. I think I can do it. It's only 3.1 miles. I think I can make it within an hour. I think I can, I think I can...



I've had my eye on running this thing for the last 2 years but something would always come up. The first year I found out about it too late and I would have not had the time to train for it. Most people had already started training months ago. I only had one week before the date. The next year I was pregnant, not just regular pregnant. It was the oh everything smells bad and my stomach is quesy and I am going to throw up all over you. So that wasn't going to work out. This is almost a fluke thing. We took Magnus to swim practice and there was a sign for a charity run to benefit the swim center. I saw it, went hym, and then while I was sitting there waiting for Magnus to get done with swimming. The idea emerge, why not!!! So what if I only have a month to train, it's make it or break it time. We'll see what happens. If I make it, great. If I break it, then maybe next time I should bring a book to read while Magnus is swimming instead of letting my mind daydream of me running across the finish line in slo-mo with the crowd cheering wildly for my great endeaver. We'll see...

Here's the link if you are interested in joining me http://ci.santa-rosa.ca.us/news/Pages/SaveOurPools5KWalkRun.aspx

A change in attitude

So it's been a week since I made my last post about Magnus and my reactions to him. Well, let's just say it has been a miracle week. Our relationship has improved so much. Many times during the week, he would pick up all the toys in the "toy living room" without me asking him. I am so impressed with him. I guess the "secret" to this is all in my attitude. I have been praying a lot, especially during the day cause that's when I see him the most, to love him and to be gentle with him. I don't want this to end. I am having a great time enjoying my son.

John and I are the smartest people around

not tooting our horns or anything! The kids went over to their grandparents on Sunday and John and I went to Costco looking for some school books for Magnus. Costco on a Sunday is crazy busy! So I came up with a clever idea to get it done. We took all the books that pertained to Magnus, loaded it all into the cart. Since Costco was featuring their furniture stuff, we took it over to the dining table, sat down and looked through all the books. An hour later, we finalized our selection. All with the comforts of "home". Oh how I love Costco!

Homeschool convention Weekend

John and I went to a homeschool convention here it town on Friday and Saturday and we came home with a really good feeling about our decision to homeschool Magnus. I am very excited to see him learn. There's also a slight anxiety feeling of the "what if's". What if we bought a cirriculum and end up not liking it, what are we going to do? What if Soph doesn't cooperate with our day? How am I going to manage with 2 kids and John being at work during the day? Lot's of what if's, but I know the Lord is faithful. He wouldn't have us consider homeschooling if homeschooling was not an option.

Anyways, during the conference we got to listen in to 3 great ladies speak about their homeschooling life. I learned quite a few things from them and about myself. One not so pleasant about me is that when I yell at Magnus I am not honoring the Lord or my son. This thought hasn't entered my mind in quite some time. It's just always been the norm around here. Now I will try not to do the crazy yelling act, but instead treat him with love and kindness. Something that I will need constant prayer about.

So this is what Soph can do

Sorry I had to keep it in suspense. I didn't mean to. We had my niece stay with us all last week and that knocked out any time for blogging or sewing. Then midweek my 89 year old grandma was hopitalized for a few days. I thought this might have been the end of it for her, but what a trooper! They didn't have a diagnosis for her, but she is well. She is home and lovingly cared for by my aunt, uncle and load of cousins. I spent a half a day with her in the hospital (while John stayed home to take care of the three little ones. What an awesome husband!) She is so cute, so fragile yet so together.

Anyways, Soph can climb onto the couch! I am so in awe of this because it took Magnus such a long time to conquer this skill. She's got 2 new bottom teeth and that is probably why she was such a crankster last week.