Griffin - May Wk2

Griffin,

Griff, Griff, GRIFFY! Your name is constantly on repeat whether it is from you running down the driveway to the road or dancing to a jig.

What's Happening
Over the course of your life you have dealt with bad case of eczema. At first it started on your hands and feet, but soon it spread to your legs and arms.  We tried to avoid steroid cream and fight it with bleach baths, Eucerin cream, and humidifiers but nothing seemed to cut it.  So we begin rubbing the steroid cream on you.  It actually started to work until in April we noticed you were breaking out around your hairline and bottom.  Turns out you had a case of Hand, Foot, and Mouth.  While the symptoms of itching did not seem to bug you, the rash spread like rapid fire across the trunk of your body.  At the final stages your feet and hands started peeling and you looked a mess.  Just when we were almost in the clear you got another virus that cause some vomiting and hives all over your body.  I scrubbed you with soap and water and you still reeked of vomit.  For whatever reason I thought if I sprayed you with perfume it would mask it.  Honestly, it was the most disgusting smell and I could not re-bathe you since we had a playdate later in the day! Poor you! Three weeks later the hives are slowly starting to subside.  This is only after I have switched laundry detergent, cleaned your room from top to bottom, bought probiotics, added essential oils to your skin lathering routine, and now the newest one will be washing with apple cider vinegar.  Something has to help you!

Even though you have had skin issues, it never slows you down. While at the bike rodeo last week a newspaper, Sun Post, photographed you riding the obstacle course! You are famous and oh so cute.

During family bike rides you tend to fall asleep.  Luckily you have a sweet older brother and he allows you to rest your head on his shoulder. He even rubs it and twirls your hair. This is so much better than the alternative!

The weather has been getting hot enough where we are able to break out the swimming pool! Briggs and you are two fish out of water. You could splash in it all day.  Lately the game has been to make 'chicken noodle soup' by adding sticks and rocks.  Also, a squirt gun has been found.  Briggs knows how to operate it and loves to 'teach' you how to suck the water up and spray.  Oh the giggles!!

Working On
After meal times Briggs carries his plate up to the counter.  You have taken notice and have started doing the same.  If we do not let you it is a full blown fit, so we have encouraged you to carry plates, bowls, utensils, glasses up to help!

Prayers
Dear Lord - Please provide us the wisdom to understand how to treat and manage your eczema.  We know we will overcome this, but the hope is that you will not have to endure any more years of suffering. Amen.

Briggs - May Wk2

Briggs,

Time is flying with spring weather turning to summer and days getting longer.  Time is being spent more and more outside versus inside making life joyous yet challenging to maintain a balance.

What's Happening
Two Saturdays ago, the whole family got bikes and went on our first official ride! Settergrens showed us the ropes as we headed to the Coon Rapids Dam.  Griffin and you sat so well for the five mile bike ride there.  Once you heard the water gushing over the dam, you begged to get out but we had to wait until we had lunch.  Of course, you chowed down on Settergren's cantaloup.  I swear I could pack a chocolate cake and Stacie pack carrots and you would still opt for the carrots.  It is the Stacie effect!  On the way back George and you rode your bikes quite a ways.  We were so proud of you having a blast pumping your legs to the top of the dam to throw off sticks and stones.

I painted my toes pink this week for the first time in a long time.  You were very interested that I had put paint on my toes, and you wanted the same. I explained that boys don't paint their fingers or toes. You seemed to take that all with stride until you looked me square in the eyes and said "God painted my toenails silver." I cracked up laughing and agreed.  Since then you have said it a few times!

We made windmill flower planters with Settergrens at the Home Depot kid workshop.  They gave you a pack of green beans to plant; however, you had a much different idea for planting as you wanted WORMS.  You searched my hostas for the squiggly worms and luckily found a couple exclaiming each time - "look how cute he is!" I am loving this bug/worm/insect phase!

We learned about bear sloths recently and how they can close their nostrils and suck with their mouths with such great force to get ants out of logs.  We tried this technique by transferring marshmallows with straws to bowls.  I had a mom fail as the marshmallows were jumbo sized and it was too difficult to suck them up, so we ended up eating way more than we should have!

Ready, aim, and fire! You have been learning how to get a better shot by taking your squirt bottle and shooting bubbles out of the air.  My hope is one day that you can have your own BB gun and hunt the trees like your Dad and uncles.

On Saturday we had a fantastic adventure at your first bike race! I discovered a store in St. Paul called Seven Spokes Bike Shop that holds monthly Strider races. Settergrens and I entered all the kids in their respective age divisions.  Oh man, you were amped to race with George around the cones.  When the time came you had the biggest grin on your face as you weaved through the course estatic to be riding with your best friend! Three times around the course you flew.  Although you didn't come in first you made it in the top 1/3 of the pack.  We were so proud of you not being nervous and listening to directions.  Hopefully your love of biking and competitiveness will continue on for a long time.

Mother's Day was just the other day and you boys pulled out all the stops. Dad had you boys make cards. He asked for you to keep it a secret, but your tender heart couldn't do that and you instantly told me that you made a lion card and Griffin made a sheep card.  I was surprised since I did not know this was happening! You even went as far to tell me that Dad hid them in the third draw in the downstair's bathroom vanity.  Luckily, I had enough restraint where I didn't peak.  On the actual day you were so excited that both of you paraded into my room to showcase your creations!  The whole day you proclaimed it was a special so we should do various activities such as eat at a restaurant or buy flowers. Griffin, Daddy, and you made me feel so special!!

Working On
We are working on not interrupting people during conversations. This is so hard as we do want to hear what you have to say but the constant yelling of MOM or DAD while we are talking will have to start ceasing.

Zingers
"This is sooooo AMAZING!"- Referring to painting with celery

"You could find better while playing hide and seek." Referring to when Dad asking how he could be a better dad
"Cori. We went to a restaurant as a family on Mother's Day. Mom, Dad, Griffin, and Briggs. It was called TACO BELL. I ate meat and cheese." Randomly talking to our neighbor Cori
"I am going to ride in the middle of the road to protect Evelyn." Referring to helping Evelyn stay towards the side of the road versus running into the road.

Prayer
Dear Lord - We love how you want to apply what you learn to real experiences, whether it is catching spiders in spider webs at parks, sucking ants or marshmallows with our mouths, or creating the couch into a giant volcano with hot lava.  May you always be able to apply your learnings to your everyday adventures and conversations.

Griffin - May Wk1

Griffin,

My little boy, you are fiercely determined and know what you want.  Nineteen-months going on 19-years.

What's Happening
Anytime someone is doing something you scoot a chair up to the counter or grab a spray bottle to assist.  Nine times out of ten you are destroying the already created mess.  Selfishly I have started saving some of those tasks such as washing dishes or cleaning a toilet as you believe that is a giant puddle to splash in for when you are sleeping.  Oy vey!  I pray you future wife realizes how awesome it was that I taught you how to clean.

Just like with cleaning you want to be included in anyway.  For example, you pucker up your lips and whine until Dad gives you chapstick.  This tends to become community chapstick as it soon travels to Briggs's lips and Dad's lips. Secretly I stash mine away :) Sorry guys!

Briggs has officially switched to his grey Jackrabbit baseball cap for summer.  While you want to wear a cap you insist it is your winter cap.  Basically you are looking like a hipster on Idaho Avenue by be-bopping with a stocking cap.  Grandma Amy sent you a blue Jackrabbit baseball hat.  While you wear it for a few minutes typically you will quickly toss it aside and ask again for the stocking cap.

We went to the Crystal bike rodeo as a family.  You were so excited to show off your moves.  I feel like perhaps you were the youngest kid at the event, but you owned it.  The obstacle course was no problem and you even got stopped by a police officer! Speed demon! You also got a little flasher light for the front of your bike from Three Rivers Park.  Now whenever you ride the bike the light needs to be blinking regardless if it is in the middle of the day.

Dad and I purchased bikes this week along with a bike trailer.  What does this mean?  Family time all the time :).  The day Dad purchased his bike he arrived home at bedtime.  Every bedtime ritual went out the window and you took off outside to ride with the 'big boys' in your footie pajamas! You have absolutely loved riding in the trailer.  A few times you have fallen asleep on Briggs's shoulder.  He is such an awesome big brother as he gently stroked your blonde hair and let you sleep on him.

Words now include: dump, bike, help, Briggs, hot, dog, George, uh-oh, water, apple, car. I fear you will not know how to count correctly since all you ever hear is 5, 4, 3, 2, 1... blast off or 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 ... timeout.  I have tried switching it to counting forward but you get mad or Briggs corrects me.  A parent always fears they mess up their child, and well this may be my area.  I'm sorry!

The day may be coming nearer to put the toilet paper back on the holder!  The little excitement of this should not be that thrilling, but this means you have stopped unravelling and stuffing it down the toilet.  It's the little things that we are making progress on :)

Working On
We are working on you saying please and thank you.  It doesn't seem to be sticking, but consistency will be key.  I'm just worried I may go crazy saying "Say please" or "Say thank you" over and over.

Oh man, when I see you share I get so giddy! Usually when we encounter a situation that both Briggs and you want something I need to talk the whole situation through and ask you to nicely share with him.  Slyly, you look at Briggs and tentatively hand over the object.  Those are the moments I feel like I'm winning.  Or the situation goes sour and the object is chucked across the room or at someone's head and bawling ensues. You are lucky you are cute!

Prayer
Dear Lord - In Luke 21:19, you say to stand firm and you will win in life. These words help ease the current trials.  Please provide the patience for us to understand Griff's needs and wants, but also provide him some room for compromise with his parents. Amen.

Briggs - May Wk1

Briggs,

Little speckles of excitement and wittiness dance across your eyes and come out of your mouth every moment of the day!

What's Happening
It has been such a busy week filled with lots of friends.  One day we went to Plymouth Creek Park with the Settergrens and Palmers. In the last month we have made it a priority that you must eat everything on your plate if you are going to have a snack later on.  It is not an unreasonable ask as the portions are small.  We started this because five minutes after eating you would claim to be hungry and it was hard constantly making food - for my sanity. Anyways, at the park I said you needed to finish your plate before dessert.  You interpreted it as if you left your plate you couldn't have dessert... yet you wanted to play with George and London, so you improvised. You took the food storage lid with your sliced peanut butter and jelly sandwich and two carrots and ran around the playground.  You went down twirly slides, ran across bridges, and climbed ladders.  Loyalty and determination to not drop the food while still joining your friends.  It was hilarious! After a while you ran back over to Ashley, Stacie, and myself and you proudly displayed that you had all your food and never slipped.  What a sight and cleverness! Also a new discovery - skate parks! George and you were flying down the ramps with the bikes, but what was even more fun was scooting down on your bottom.  Oh boy, what a mess you were.

Your meal of choices have been steak and potatoes, hamburgers and potatoes, and daddy-style macaroni and cheese.  One night you got curious and asked for a spinach leaf off my plate.  Oh the excitement I had that possibly you would like spinach! You ate it exclaiming 'I'm a rabbit!'.  And that was the end of that.

Last Saturday we went to a City Truck show in Plymouth with Settergrens.  You were able to climb all over skid steers, bulldozers, excavators, dump trucks, and even take a tractor tour! Each vehicle you honked the horn - several times - and aggressively steered. By the end of the morning you were thrilled to get hoisted into the larger dumper trailer for a photo opt with George, Annika, and Griffin!

The whole family went to the Crystal bike rodeo on Thursday night.  Honestly, I was hoping the police officers would tell you to ride slow, on the side of the rode, and to listen to your mom.  But I am pretty sure that was wishful thinking on my part.  Instead you learned the signals, got your helmet checked, and had an opportunity to go on obstacle course.  Well, you almost got hit by the fake train, did not stay on the white line because of your speed, and ended up 'wheelie' at the end.  I'm pretty sure you were in heaven with your wild ways :).  While this event was a hit, I will say the skate park close by was more appealing and we ended up there for the majority of the evening.  Griff and you rode the ramps with the older kids with your orange Strider bike.  Basically the coolest kids there :)

Working On
As you still love the same things as last week, you have also really developed a interest in coloring.  Everyday you get out your colors at the kitchen table and write letters, numbers, and color beautiful colors. If we had a million stamps, I'm pretty sure Great Grandpa and Grandma, Great Gma, Grandma, and Grandpa/Grandma would be getting daily letters!


Zingers
"There is a chicken in the yard!" - Referring to a robin in Settergren's yard
"Our friends were there." - Referring to any random person at the park
"We have a situation." - Referring to whatever Griffin is doing wrong in the kitchen like climbing on the table or throwing food on the ground
"I'm going to plant worms!" - Referring to what you are going to plant in your flower pot.  You decided green beans weren't as exciting as worms.

Prayer
Dear Lord - Thank you for worms and the fearless nature of Briggs. Please grant him wisdom not to eat them and only look and transfer them from place to place. Amen.

Griffin - April Wk4

Griffin,

In God's wildness lies the hope of the world - the great fresh, unredeemed wilderness. Griff, you are our wild, wilderness boy who relishes dirt, bugs, slides, and the sun.  Separating you from the outside is a workout in itself.

What's Happening
A few months ago I taught Briggs the game Johnny Whoops. Briggs has been saying it quite often and now you have chimed in!  It is absolutely adorable seeing you point to your finger tips saying Johnny, Johnny, Johnny, Johnny, Whoooooops! Johnny Whoooooops, Johnny, Johnny, Johnny, Johnny! Although the words are mumbled jumbled, you can definitely hear the WHOOOOPS as you pucker out your little lips.

You have been a musical kid from the beginning.  Bopping your head to beats, fist pumping, or shimming your little rolls around, so it was no surprise that you love sing-songs music.  Current favorite is the Zoom, Zoom, Zoom we're going to the moon.  You shake your hands as if they have maracas in them during the zoom parts.  When you hit the 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 verse you stick up your two index fingers and mumble numbers quietly and erupt into BLAST OFF while throwing your hands in the air!

Our backyard has a large play set and at the young age of 19 months you have mastered scaring me half-to-death by climbing the ladder to go down the slide.  Where has the fear gone?!

You love bikes. You scream bike when you see others riding one and frantically look for your little blue balance bike. Dad built a ramp for Briggs and you. I thought you wouldn't be able to climb it, but your little legs pushed your little body and bike up the ramp without problem only to wheelie at the top, and exit on the down side.

Working on 
The same story is with the hitting and biting. We are working on re-routing you. I'm hoping the vocabulary growth will help.  Until then prayers and hugs and many high-fives and NO's are our chorus!

Jump, jump, jump, JUMP! A little squat into a big bounce and arms swinging to the side only to result into a plop on the ground. The effort is there, the execution is not :)

Prayer

Dear Lord - Thank you starting the Spring thaw and placing magically discoveries on the low ground and up in the trees for my little Griff to discover. Please guide his wild heart to uncover the littlest creatures and the biggest messes this Spring. Amen.

Briggs - April Wk4

Briggs,

In a matter of a week you have been a BMX biker, tropical vacationer, volcanologist, scaled trees, and hunted squirrels.  And yet when you role out of bed you are not exhausted but a chipper fella!

What's Happening
We were filling the winter blues and had a virtual luau with Aunt Mindy and the Jones gang.  You were so excited to put on your swimming suit, rash guard, lay out your beach towel on the hardwood floors, crank the heat, and eat ice cream while FaceTiming. I was so impressed that you wanted to expand the theme by putting down blue blankets for water and adding a bunny for a lifeguard.  Next you tossed in your two stuffed sharks and adorned your snorkel gear.  By far it was better than I could have imagined as you were literally leaping from the couch for joy! Or was that the ice cream?! Before I actually scoped out the ice cream you asked if I was going to serve you real ice cream or snow ice cream.  Earlier in the week I had tried to fool you by bringing in snow and putting sprinkles and chocolate syrup on it.  You ate it out of being polite but ever since you have asked specifically for 'real' ice cream.

As the weather has warmed up we finally busted outside! You have been obsessed with lava and volcanoes.  At the library you check out National Geographic books to look at the pictures and beg for us to read the stories.  We upped it notch by using vinegar, baking soda, soap, and dye to create the Jones eruption! Instead of sand we buried the bottle in a snow pile.  You were pumped to watch it foam out and insisted that you needed animal figurines and fake trees to place on the side of the volcano so the lava could cover it.

A squirrel ate your last DIY bird house, so Dad took Griff and you to Menard's to purchase a bird feeder and house.  Each day you check to see if the birds have come and feasted.  Unfortunately, we have a squirrel epidemic and they have mastered scaling the chain to the feeder.  One time you yelled for Dad to get the squirrels and he took off after the rodents with a shovel into the tree to scare them.  He scared them for only a moment, but left a lasting impression on you.  Now each morning you march out to the bird feeder with your shovel ready to scare any predators... which you actually have called them several times.  Oh my!

Sometimes you think a habit will stay at home, but each time I'm proven wrong.  Your territorial ways with squirrels have seeped into our playdates.  On Tuesday we were at a park with Palmers. You love cantaloup, a lot.  Before I knew you had grabbed the whole container, yelled you were were going to eat it on a swing but didn't want any squirrels to get it.  So you armed yourself with a stick gun and munched on the fruit while watching for squirrels.  You were quite a sight and a force to be reckoned with!

Dad and you made a bike ramp out of some old plywood.  You have had such a good time riding over it with your balance bike.  I foresee you trying to take your bike down the actual skateboarding ramps soon.  Fearless and determined. Each time Griffin goes over you exclaim, "Mom, did you see that?! Griff did it!" Absolutely melts my heart.

Working On

This week you are still trying to make it a streak for night dryness. I feel that you may be on the verge  since you wake up immediately after yelling at me... or perhaps that is me trying to find the silver lining? Today I bribed you that if you had successful several nights of dryness you could spend the night at Stacie's.  Luckily she loves you like a son.

Your counting to 20 is a delight.  1,2,3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, eleven-teen, 14, 19, 16, 15, 20.  I don't have the heart to tell you that eleven-teen isn't a number as it is just too darn cute.

Zingers
"I'm going to leaf blow you away!" - Said while refusing to go to bed.
"My Grandma lives on Earth too!" - Said at Stacie's while learning about Earth Day
"Does Uncle Steve wear sunscreen?" - Randomly at the dinner table
"We should bring Evan Band-Aides, water, and volcanos." - Talking about our neighbor having surgery and feeling better
"Mom, how did you get so big?" - Driving to a playdate

Prayer
Dear Lord - Thank you for giving Briggs endless amounts of energy as my mind never stops thinking of activities or adventures and he is always game for the next big thing! I pray his spirit to find the excitement in the little things never ceases and his honesty continues to shine in the future. And please help the neighborhood squirrels... Amen.

Briggs - April Wk3

Briggs,
Whoa, wait - you are 3 1/2?! But next birthday you will be 4... And after that 5... And after that 10! This is your opening line these days to people.  Hand counting is always added as an extra bonus without charge.

What's Happening
This week you have been really into trying to read.  When you see words on signs, shirts, and books you instantly say each letter. Also you have been just throwing out different letter combinations and asking what it spells.  Nine times out of ten it doesn't spell anything, but that never deters you from trying.  However, you have learned to spell Stop, Mom, Dad, Briggs, Henry, Jones, and Griffin. Not too shabby my son! In addition to saying the letters you have been asking for pieces of paper and asking me to write a word and you will re-write it on your paper.  I've been impressed as Grandma, Meghan, Stacie, and Great have made their debuts.

Every once and a while I will ask you what you are thinking about as you stare off in a daze. I have to chuckle when you say you are thinking of your Ka-BOOM shirt.  Unfortunately you do know this yet, but I had to pack it away since it was 3T and you are pushing 4T/5T. Heart break is nearing!

During the great blizzard, we had our dear friends the Settergren's over for a game night. Like always we have a blast and it has been fun putting George and you in the same room to go to sleep.  While it isn't instant you do eventually fall asleep.  This last time we heard over the monitor "SCAN!". Us parents peered into the screen to see George and you taking books off your shelf, holding them up to the nightlight while yelling "SCAN".  Both of you thought you were hilarious for scanning books.  As George told Stacie later, it was all Briggs's idea... he has a lot of great ideas!

Working OnYou have been hard at work night training.  I have promised the moon and stars if you wake up dry, and have come to regret this.  Honestly, you have not been very successful at this until we had your good friend Alli over one evening. As you were getting changed I explained Alli, who is younger, does not wear a pull-up or diaper to bed.  You were a little taken back by this revelation and refused to wear one that night.  I said if you woke up dry you would get candy in the morning, didn't have to do quiet time, and could watch an episode.  You proved me wrong and have woken up dry 5 days this week.  And at 6:30am you have indulged in chocolate bunnies, juice, and M&Ms.  Bad parenting decisions, but it shows you can do anything you put your mind to. 

Griffin absolutely adores you. He mimics your every move.  You take this in stride and I have heard you randomly say "I love you" while in the same moment leveling him.  Brotherly love.

Prayer
Dear Lord - Thank you for giving us such imagitive young man with a thirst for learning. Help us quench this thirst by instilling everyday lessons as well as your WORD. Amen.

{Love and Hugs}