Several weeks ago it was REALLY nice out, so while I had handbell practice, EJ and his daddy went walking in the botanical gardens.
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Today, unexpectedly, my husband had a day off, so he filled the morning and early afternoon with much-needed errands, and we spent the beautiful afternoon together enjoying Spring.
Another name for this post might be "A Zoo Visit with my New Camera." I love my new camera.
About a month ago, I typed up a chore chart for EJ--it was quite detailed, listing the chore, how much money he would earn from it, what time he completed it, along with spaces for extra chores and daily totals. Almost immediately, EJ started speculating what he would buy. Cookies, fruit snacks, chocolate pop tarts (anyone notice a common theme here???). Which is fine; we told him he could use this money to buy extra food that we don't normally get. And like all good Christians, we taught EJ how to find a tenth and fill out a tithing envelope. Two weeks ago, he put in his first tithe. (He had earned an odd amount, but I didn't have change, so I just gave him $11--and thankfully he had a dime from something previous, so finding and giving his tenth was fairly easy.) This week, his tithe was a strange, odd amount. It took a while, but his brain got some exercise while he figured out how much he should give if he didn't have any pennies. Everywhere we go, he takes his wallet and asks what he can spend his money on. Everywhere we go, he talks about what he wants to buy, but he never actually buys anything. This morning, he took his wallet to church, and when the offering plate started coming our way, he silently pulled out his wallet and retrieved some change. It wasn't a showy, "Hey, I have some money!" thing; it wasn't a hesitant, "Should I give some money since I have some?" thing. Honestly, I think that money was burning a hole in his pocket, and he finally realized where he could spend it without having to wonder if he could get a better deal somewhere else. If only we all thought like that! (Yes, I am aware this is play money, and no, this is not what he put in the offering!)
You know, instead of "Play it again, Sam". Anyway, it was a bea-U-tiful day, so we went outside for a bit and played. I took three videos and edited them together, added some captions here and there, and now for your enjoyment, EJ and his Skip it:
The McWane Center has 4 levels of fun, and to see EVERYthing would take longer than one visit, so with our year-long membership, we've gone quite a few times in the last year. It expires at the end of the month, so I figured we'd get in one last visit. Normally, I tell EJ to pick a floor to explore, and we always explore a little on the first floor, head straight to the top where we spend the majority of our time, and then lollygag on the second floor on our way out the door. (Most of the second floor is evolution, anyway, so EJ doesn't mind missing that.) These are some things we do at every visit, except today he took forEVER because he knew it would be the last visit for a while:
This year for Christmas, some friends gave us a zoo membership. It lasts all year long and includes lots of coupons. We get in for free, but the train is extra (except when we have coupons for it!)
All December, the zoo decked itself out in holiday lights and posters and stayed open until 9 at night so patrons could enjoy the displays. They even blew cold (but fake) snow at us! This past summer, for two of EJ's friends' birthdays, we got them this Skip it toy. Of course, it was a hit both times, and when I saw one at the thrift store, I knew it would make a great Christmas present for EJ. Today was nice enough outside, so I let him play with it in the driveway.
Last year, EJ got all decked out in some sparkly lights: This year I draped him with garland.
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Who am I, you ask?
In 2006 I had a stroke, and every day my husband encourages me to use my remaining brain cells to the best of my ability. I love to organize, make crafts, and go on adventures (safe ones). I hope that through my blog posts, you will be encouraged to accept and make the best of challenges God throws at your life. Categories
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