March

Hopscotch:

Our new favorite outdoor activity this spring.

Ever see a pregnant woman play hopscotch?

Photo credit: Joshua

Look Mom! I can climb up this high! (Last year Joshua couldn't get himself up into our dogwood tree but this year it was no problem.)

We took a field trip with our friends the Johnsons to National Colonial Farm in Accokeek, MD.



They had turkeys, chickens, these enormous rams,

and the hairiest pigs I've ever seen!

Joshua and David have seen spinning wheels before and even carded wool, so they were very attentive during this demonstration.

But back to hopscotch. Sidewalk chalk is wonderful!

Drawing number 13.

Joshua's very own hopscotch game. I helped him with the 6 in 16 but otherwise it was literally all him. (And I discovered it's not easy drawing curves on a bumpy sidewalk!)

And what is warm weather for if not also for riding tricycles? These guys would ride all day if I didn't have lots of other things to do that they have to do with me.

Re-entering the blogosphere

I've actually started taking pictures again! I'm grateful for our camera that we were given when Joshua was born, but I think it's feeling its age. I remember now why I was so frustrated with its slow focusing...and focusing...and focusing while the perfect moment disappears several times over. But some pictures are better than no pictures, even if they're not perfect. In looking back over the past few months I find myself increasingly delighting in our family and the ways we spend time together, giving thanks to the Giver of all good gifts for these special people and sweet moments.

We've been busy making lots of memories this spring! In March, we enjoyed warm enough weather to ride trikes and play hopscotch, while indoors we cooked our way through The Toddler Cookbook. In April, we had visits from Chris's parents and my parents, who all worked hard, nay positively slaved, in our house and yard. We went to Williamsburg with the Kinsingers; then Grandpa Al and Grandma Monika bought Joshua a new bike and David a new bike helmet. In May, Joshua closed his first year of preschool with a rousing "Spring Sing," and we watched Aunt Renee sing her master's degree recital songs as well. We enjoyed several play dates at playgrounds, and even went ice skating at Cabin John Ice Rink and saw the butterfly exhibit at Brookside Gardens! June has begun sweetly with strawberry picking and swimming, along with several doctor appointments that have all thankfully indicated good health. And in the midst of it all, we're turning our house upside down and inside out as we get organized in preparation for the imminent arrival of...No Name Yet Kinsinger Boy #3! A smattering of photos below will give you a more complete picture of our lives this spring. There's even a movie, so enjoy!

First, the movie. I think I'll post the photos month by month. This was June 4:

Cute Quotes

Here are a few of David's recent sayings that I don't want to forget.

Last night at dinner Joshua remarked, "When our baby is born he won't have any clothes on." And David pointed out, "Just like Adam and Eve!"

This morning during the waving-goodbye-to-Daddy ritual, David got more than usually excited. He shouted, "He waved, he waved, he saw me! He saw my friendly blue eyes!"

And at nap time, he narrated his companion's ascent (and descent), "Wham! Pooh headfirst crashes into the bed."

I think all the reading we do with him is having an effect.

Baseball

We're starting spring training early this year at our house. Joshua and David have been wanting me to pitch to them at the open gym we attend once a week, and have shown surprising coordination at the bat. The gym floor has lines painted all over it, of course, and so we pretend one of the intersections is home plate. Then I make them straddle one of the lines, which helps them keep their feet properly aligned for their stance. They've been able to adjust their arms when I've told them "put your elbows up" or "hold the bat up in the air" and I'm impressed that they can follow these directions. Finally I remind them to watch the ball - here is a situation where giving Mom great eye contact is actually not so helpful! - and when they do - wow! They can hit it! It's a dodge ball so it's about 6 inches in diameter, and the bat is also about 6 inches across at the fat part, but hey, they're doing great for hitting without a tee! Joshua is taking after Babe Ruth in that when he connects, he really wollops it. (When he doesn't connect, you can feel the breeze from that swing ripping through the air!) David is more consistent but doesn't quite have his form down yet. Anyway, I ramble on because my dad spent years of his life coaching me in softball, and teaching my boys this wonderful old-fashioned American game is definitely nostalgic. I don't follow the major leagues much anymore - without time or a TV it's too much trouble - and I don't care if the boys ever do either. But the joys of playing baseball in the innocence of youth without any commercialization can still be found, and I hope that learning the game serves them well. Meanwhile, the boys and I are bonding. Batter up!

Baby News

We found out this morning that...

We're having a boy!

And by all indications he appears to be lively, cute, and healthy so far. Will he be another truck rolling-Lego building-couch jumping-ball throwing-cymbal clanging-train loving-tight squeezing-hearty eating-book devouring-worship song singing son and brother? Time will tell! We know he is in God's hands and pray for his safe arrival this June.

Naaman?

On Sunday at church, the kids heard a story about Naaman, the army commander who had leprosy and was healed when he washed in the Jordan river.

After church, I took David potty and noticed red blotches all over his torso. Joshua found out about David's mysterious rash and told one of his friends about it.

I overheard the friend ask, "What is a rash?" And Joshua responded, "Well - remember Naaman?"

LOL!!

By the way, I am happy to report that David's rash is all gone and his stomach hasn't fallen off.

David's Big News

He's wearing underwear! Not for sleeping yet, although often his diaper is dry when he awakes. David is doing great with potty training so far, and he has even gone #2 in the potty a few times! This last is a challenge for us all because he urgently calls to us that it is about to come out, makes us sit in the bathroom with him for several minutes of nothing, and then gets up with the assertion, "I don't have to go." Thirty seconds later, nature's calling again -maybe - hello? hello? anybody there? Not a thing. So our patience is being tested in these pre-BM hours, but of course it is worth it when at last it happens! Joshua got to sit with him for the big moment this morning and was as proud as could be of his lil bro. Way to go, David!

In baby news (week 16), yesterday marked the first day of multiple distinct movements that I could feel in utero, definitely more than flutters or bubbles, and they are continuing today. Hi Baby! Love feeling you wiggle around in there!