Caio Says the Cutest Things!

Tonight during dinner, Caio dropped his fork on the floor. He gasped, “Oh, NO!! Mom! I lost my spoon!” Then he planted his hands on his cheeks and stared forlorn at his unfinnished food and moaned, “Now I’ll never eat my dinner!” Marcio and I could hardly contain our chuckles. Marcio told him to go get a clean one and he jumped up and put the dirty one in the dishes and retrieved a clean one from the drawer (all of which made him very happy).

One day he realized that Jordan was getting into something and he called out, “Oh, no, Mom! Jordan is getting into something!” “I’ll come and get her,” I sighed. “Don’t worry!” he commanded with full confidence, “Caio will save the day!!” I had never heard him say that before, but off he ran and pulled her out and shut the door to the room. He came back to inform me that he had saved the day and that he is my “super helper.” This has been a wonderful discovery, because there are many times that I have been able to remind him that I need a super helper (like when he is making huge messes and I need him to help pick up :-D).

A little over a week ago, he came up to me while I was getting Jordan ready for bed and announced, “Mom, Caio got hurt; needs see the doctor!” I smiled inside but put on a serious face for my baby boy while I looked at his stubbed toe. I didn’t think he liked his last doctor’s visit very much, but I think that after he saw me rush Marcio to get stitches in his hand recently that he just figures that is where you go when you get hurt. He requests a doctor visit frequently. The other thing he asks for are popsicles. He hit his mouth pretty hard within a day or two of this conversation and was crying pretty loudly. I rushed to grab a popsicle and had him eat it in the kitchen. Now he believes popsicles cure everything from a bonk on the head to a rug burn on his knee. LOL! He keeps me smiling.

On another happy note, he has successfully made magic on his royal throne twice. The first time was a bit of a pleasant shock at home (when I wasn’t even near the bathroom or expecting it—Marcio and I went pretty crazy--he informed me as soon as he was done washing his hands that he was now a big boy and wanted to wear underpants). The other time was in the middle of story time at the library a few days later. He came and told me he needed to go to the potty and then he actually used it. He is still working on it, but it is encouraging to see that he wants it and is leading the charge to get it in check.

Jordan is doing majorly cute things all the time, too. And I will get on soon to expound upon some of that. Suffice it to say that I love being a mom!

Ginger

AMAZING GIVEAWAY!!!

Lucky you!The first five people to respond to this post will get something made by me! My choice. For you.This offer does have some restrictions and limitations:
1- I make no guarantees that you will like what I make!
2- What I create will be just for you.
3- It'll be done this year. (might be a little while)
4- You have no clue what it's going to be. It may be a story. It may be poetry or an article on properly cleaning your face before a masque. I may draw or paint something. I may bake you something and mail it to you. Who knows? Not you, that's for sure!
5- I reserve the right to do something extremely strange.
The catch? Oh, the catch is that you must repost this on your blog and offer the same to the first 5 people who do the same on your blog.
The first 5 people to do so and leave a comment telling me they did win a FAB-U-LOUS homemade gift by me!
Oh, and be sure to post a picture of what you win when you get it!
Good luck!

"It's Not Working!"

So, Friday night we went to a production my friend and her husband were performing in. About two-thirds of the way in, Caio asked if he could go to the bathroom and use the toilet. I wasn't sure if he was serious because he has never really been able to make any magic on the mini throne at home, but I wasn't going to tempt fate by refusing his untimely request. So the two of us trudged off to the bathroom and when I took his diaper off, it was surprisingly dry and clean. He jumped on the toilet and got all ready and then smiled up at me.
"Want to hear my poop sounds, Mommy?" he asked.
"Sure!" I responded. I thought it was funny and cute, but I wanted to see what he would do.
"Get ready, hear my poop sounds!" Then he looked like he was focusing. I have to admit that I think I was way more excited than he was. I couldn't help but wonder if this was going to be our first celebratory Mommy/Caio potty dance? I was poised to cheer and wave my arms and make people in the hall wonder what was wrong with the crazy lady in the bathroom. We both sat there in silence until he looked up and asked, "Did I make a poop sound?"
"Not yet," I admitted, "But you can try again if you want." I could tell that he was dissapointed but my enthusiasm renewed his spirits.
"Okay," he smiled and focused again. He looked into the toilet after a minute and despaired, "It's not working!!!" I kept myself from laughing but continued to try to be encouraging, just in case he really did need to use the bathroom.
"It's okay," I soothed, "do you want to try some more?"
"Yes!" he said. He got serious one last time and really tried to make something happen. This time when he finished trying he looked pretty deflated. He looked up at me a little sadder and said in a smaller voice, "Maybe if Daddy help me do it."
I told him it was okay and that I was sure that next time he would make it work. We went back to our seat where he asked Marcio to have a try helping him go. I guess he only tried once with his dad before giving up for good. It was cute and funny and sad all at the same time. He really wants to do it (he asked again this morning and tried with no luck) and I want to help, but neither of us have done a good job of figuring out how to make it work. I am trying not to be pushy with it, though, because I don't want to cause anxiety over this. I just know how much he wants it (all of his friends are out of diapers by now--good peer pressure) and I would love to see him succede (for multiple reasons *every day* if you know what I mean ;-D).
Anyway. I am sure one of these days it will work. I hope!
Ginger

My New Music Find—Enjoy!!!

My sister came to stay for a week with her family. While she was here she wanted to show me this music video on you tube. The name of this song is “The Show” by Lenka. (It didn’t embed into my blog, so you probably will need to click on the darkened screen to view this video… or click here) I really, really LOVE it and it has helped me be happier, so I hope you will enjoy it too.

“I want my money back!”

“Just enjoy the show!”

LOL!

Ginger

Picasa Content

Hooray! CPSC Might be catching on...

At least, I hope they are catching on! I found this link to the L.A. Times through the link that Marcio left in his comment on my last post. I found it enlightening and encouraging to think that our voices were heard.
Thank you to all of you who did something about this!
Ginger

Help!

I know I have been worried about some of the problems with toys and other goods coming from China lately, and I definitely would like something done about it, but I think the US legislature is about to make a serious mistake to try and over-correct this problem. As of February 10th they are planning on making it illegal to sell something second-hand or homemade without spending a prohibitive amount of money. There are some grassroots movements to try to stop this outrageous problem. This blog has many links and ideas. Please, please, please check it out! We can make a difference!

Thanks,

Ginger

No Place Like the ICU For the Holidays

So… since last I wrote:

Halloween was great. We did the ward trunk or treat with Caio dressed up as a dragon and Jordan dressed up as a pumpkin. I will post pics later. Thanksgiving was at my house and I did all the cooking. Everything tasted wonderful and this also turned out great. Then came the day after Thanksgiving and the trip to the ER—Black Friday indeed.

My mom became ill Thanksgiving night and got worse and worse over the next 24 hours. Friday night we took her to the ER and they said that she would need to be operated on. Without going into too many details, she has had problems with hernias since she was in the hospital following my birth and she was told that because she was a poor candidate for surgery she would have to wait until it was an emergency situation to take care of any of it. Well… this was her emergency situation.

The following Monday she went under the knife for a four hour procedure. When it was over she was in the ICU for over a week. She stayed in the hospital until about a week before Christmas and then she was moved to a Care Center for rehabilitation across the street from the hospital. We hoped she would be able to come home for Christmas, but she wasn’t strong enough. I prayed she would be home for New Year’s Eve, and she stayed in for that too.

My mom is doing much better now, but she is still in the care center/nursing home until further notice. She is getting stronger and looking healthier each day. I can’t wait for her to come home. I visit her as often as I can, but it isn’t really quite the same.

In the meantime we did manage to celebrate Caio’s, Marcio’s and Jordan’s birthdays, Christmas and New Year’s Eve and we threw a birthday party at the church house in there to boot. The last couple of months have been pretty intense and interesting to put it mildly, but I hope to get in and give a few more details (with pics) about as much of it as possible over the next few days.

Ginger

Blah, Blah, Bleck

Today was one of those sick days. We have actually been kind of dealing with it for a few days, but last night and today we hit a low... by we I mean the whole family... and by low I mean down for the count. I think there is a rule somewhere that says two parents in the same household are not allowed to be sick at the same time and to the same severity, especially if the kids are sick too. If that rule doesn't exist, it should. If there is a rule like that, we broke it anyway, so I guess it really doesn't matter.
Last night I was worse off than Marcio, so I got to sleep more and he helped put on movies and keep the kids out of trouble. Today I thought I was better, so I went off to church and substituted the Relief Society lesson about standing fast through the storms of life (how fitting) and got back to help out. I wasn't home for long when I realized that I was still sick, but I knew Marcio was worse off today, so I took my turn picking up the slack. Neither of us were up to much so we put in movies and held sick kids. We drank lots of liquids and ate a little toast.
At one point I went downstairs to contribute to a family thing for Marcio's family and Marcio and the kids followed me. Marcio got on his laptop and I typed away on my computer. *click, click, click* Suddenly, we heard both of the kids break out into histerical laughter. We looked back and realized that they were in the closet in the office. They just kept laughing and laughing and we couldn't figure out what could be so funny in that closet. Marcio looked at me and said, "I have to see what is so funny." I agreed, so we snuck over and drew the sliding door back ever so slightly. When we peaked in we saw that they had already completely emptied a box of Kleenex tissues and thought it was extremely funny. LOL. There wasn't much either of us felt up to doing at that point, so we just quietly shut the door and let them finish having their fun. Caio can get Jordan to laugh harder and for longer than anyone else can. I am so happy to see him being such a good big brother already.
I am hoping that Marcio can work part of tomorrow at home. He is determined to go in for at least the morning. I am just very worried about his health right now. I can't wait for everyone to get better and for everything to get back to normal.
Ginger

Jordan, Jordan, Jordan

I was right there and I still don't know how my baby girl fell off of my bed when I was going to feed her the other day. She slammed right into the door frame of the closet and got the biggest ugliest goose-egg either of my kids have ever had. Marcio and I felt so bad for her as we cleaned up the blood and tried to put a cold pack on it (she ended up winning that fight in the end). But I had to take pictures and share her pain.The other thing I took pictures of earlier in the same day is Jordan's favorite place to hang out. She loves to climb onto the table in our living room and just sit there all the time. Caio will normally bring her toys and entertain her and when she wants to get down he will usually help her off (she can do it on her own, but she still gets nervous about it). She has also been experimenting with walking, but she isn't there quite yet. She has gotten so big, so fast--I just don't know where all of the last nine and a half months have gone.

The other thing I love about Jordan is how well she and Caio get along all of the time. They play so well together and love each other so much. I could never want anything more. I feel so much joy in my heart for both of them.












Ginger

P.S. I guess I will put some more pictures of her right here.... Just because :-D!!! -GKS

Catching Flies With Honey

We are having more and more fun with Jordan's mobility... or at least Jordan and Caio are having more and more fun with her mobility. Mom is becoming more and more frustrated with it. We have had quite a few flies recently and have been placing fly traps all over the house to try and help. Well Jordan found one in the garbage and was covered in fly trap goop on her arms and hands and face--yes, my baby tried eating a fly trap. I couldn't wash it off at all... my only consolation was that no flies had been caught on that particular fly trap yet. I was so distraught. Luckily, the glue came off on its own by the end of the day.
We bought a pink headband with a little brown flower on it and I have loved putting her in it all the time. I hope to post a picture of her in this within the next couple of days. She is so cute. She tries pulling it off a lot, but ... well we just stick it back on.
Caio is saying full sentences now. It is so cute. He comes up with these words that I dont know where he gets them from. Today he showed me a picture of a tennis racket in one of his books and said "Look, Mom! A ping-pong paddle." I was blown away. A few minutes later he correctly identified a "Pillar!" LOL!
Well... That is all I have time fore.
Take care,
Ginger

Marcio Has Cooties!!!!

This morning during morning scripture studies I was having trouble keeping my eyes open, so I moved over to the couch on the other side of the room. Marcio looked at me and said, "I know what you are doing! You think I have cooties!" I responded, "That's right! I do think you have cooties! I even think your cooties are coot! I am just glad that both of your cooties are still sleeping right now!"
Well, speaking of the kids, they are getting bigger every day. I can't believe how quickly they grow up. I remember hearing my parents say that when I was younger and thinking that it made them sound so old and un-cool, but now that I am here... well I guess it is what it is.
Caio surprised us by saying his own prayers about a week or two ago. He doesn't want help and he does a really good job. Marcio and Rigo heard him a few days before I ever did, but the first prayer I heard him offer was over breakfast one day. He thanked Heavenly Father for Jordan, Mommy, Bamba's house, Uncle Tom and lights. I giggled a little under my breath, but I was so pleased! He continues to be such a good boy and a blessing to our family. Today I heard him talking to Jordan in the kitchen and when I went to the door to look I saw that he had put a baby blanket over both of their heads and the two of them were giggling and having fun. I just thought, "Wow! I love being a mom!"
Jordan smiles ALL of the time (almost :-D). She loves to follow C.J. and try and do whatever he is doing, but she is definitely her own person. She is happy and independent and curious and content all at the same time. She is crawling and climbing up things and she wants to eat solids like everyone else. She has tried to walk a few times, but she still hasn't taken her first steps. She is trying less now than she was about a month ago, but I think I like it better that way. I remember longing for Caio to grow older and do new things, but now I regret that. I am wiser now about babies. I know that you can only hold them for such a short period of time before they get too big to snuggle. I dont want Jordan to be a toddler. I watched her sleeping last night and couldn't help but think that she really is my Princesa Amada (beloved princess).
I am just so blessed with my little family!
Ginger

"Where's Your's Jackets, Penkins?"

I know I should probably be writing about my husband's grandmother arriving from Brazil yesterday or all of the preparations we have been making for her coming. Perhaps I should tell of all the things that have happened in the last month that have occupied most of my time or caused the most interruption, but instead I want to focus on all of the wonderfully small and whimsical things that have made my time as a mother beautiful this last month; things like pumpkin seeds and pink dresses and penguins.
I woke up this morning a little early, while the house was at its quietest and the world was just beginning to be bathed in the soft gray, pre-dawn light of morning. I sipped at a glass of water and looked through my kitchen window when something in the windowsill caught my eye. Two little leafs peaking out of a paper cup. I had only thought of that cup once or twice since I put it there a couple of weeks ago. I didn't know anything was really growing inside it. I looked closer and realized that, sure enough, a tiny pumpkin plant has begun to take root and sprout up. Caio planted the seed in nursery at church. He was so proud and excited when he carried it out of the class and handed it to me. He was so ready for a big hug and lots of kisses too. He has gotten old enough and confident enough that he isn't afraid of going to nursery alone anymore. When he sees that we are getting closer to the room he starts pulling us toward the door and calling out "Want Toys!!" with much anticipation. It warms my heart so much when I get to be the one who picks him up after church because he is always excited to see me. His nursery teachers are wonderful and he is always bringing home little projects that he has colored or pasted at church. Looking at that tiny pumpkin plant beginning to grow reminds me of my little boy in a very poignant and symbolic way. It reminds me that he is growing up--that he isn't my baby any more. I never understood why that kind of thing would make some mothers so emotional... Until now.
Caio has been showing signs of compassion over the last few weeks and I feel a sense of relief seeing the beginning of those kinds of feelings in him. I used to wonder how you teach a child compassion and empathy and when you start and whether I would fail with my children. Then we checked out the movie March of the Penguins from the library and watched it as a family. C.J. loved the movie and started asking for "penkins" every day. It just so happens that he has a couple of penguin toys and a "Tux" the penguin stuffed animal. One day, he and I got sick and had to lay down the whole day, so I told him he could watch whatever movies he wanted to. He chose "penkins" and I put it in. He grabbed Tux and started whispering in his ear to look at the penguins on the screen and was telling him which ones he thought were mommies and which he thought were daddies. At one point I had left to change Baby Girl's diaper when Caio ran in and frantically called me back to the television. "Loke! Loke, Mommy!" he cried, "It's cold!" I looked at the on-screen blizzard and agreed that it did look cold. I could tell that baby boy was worried and he ran up to the screen, concern written all over his face, and he began calling out, "Where's Your's Jackets, Penkins? Where's Your's Jackets, Penkins?!?!?" He turned and looked at his own stuffed animal and informed me that Tux was missing pants and diapers. He began running around the house in search of penguin sized pants and diapers. When he gave up a few minutes later he hugged his penguin closer and kept him warm with his own body heat.
Just two days ago I was nursing Jordan when I heard Caio crying and whimpering. He came into the bedroom where we were and looked so sad. I asked him what was wrong, but he just kept sniffling and whimpering without a word. "Did you get hurt? Do you need kisses better?" I asked. He just stood there looking at me while he wept quietly. I decided he needed his mommy right then and so I unlatched Jordan and put her down. She began to fuss and voice her displeasure and Caio immediately stopped crying and looked alarmed. I reached to scoop him up in my arms when he began protesting, "No, Mommy! Baby nurse, Mommy! Baby turn nurse, Mommy! Please, Mommy! Please baby turn nurse Mommy!" I was surprised to see this reaction and I said, "I think Mommy needs to hug Caio first and give kisses." It pleased me to see the love and concern that he showed for his sister. He is such a good boy.
Speaking of Jordan: she giggles all of the time. She is wonderful. I was going through her clothes on Friday and sorting them by sizes. I found a pretty pink dress and turned to show it to her. "You can wear this one when you are about six months old," I stated. Suddenly she looked up at me and pulled her arms up next to her cheeks and squealed in delight. It was so funny and cute and right on cue that I could have sworn she new exactly what I had said and was expressing her girlish delight at the prospect of wearing such a beautiful outfit. I decided to show her the next one too. "Oh, Look!" I held it up, "This one is for six months too!" She again broke out an ear to ear grin and pulled her arms up tight and squealed. I smiled so big. I have never been big on girly things and the color pink, but I found myself excited to be showing my baby girl all of the pink things she would get to wear in the coming months. I pulled another one out and looked at the tag. "O my!" I smiled at her, "you can wear this one next month!!!" This time she pulled her arms in again and let out the loudest and happiest squeal yet (even she looked surprised after she did it). I laughed so hard I got tears in my eyes. I am so happy to be a mom to a girl.
Well I can hear people waking up. I think Baby Girl will need her breakfast soon. Thanks for reading.
Goodbye :-)

Pictures

I want to put a lot of pictures in here that I have had trouble getting out of my camera. I guess I will start with some photos we took last July. We went for a famiy hike one day and got a lot of great shots of Baby Boy and the family. I hope you like them.
Ginger

"Want Choc-it, Honey!"

My poor baby boy has been becoming more and more sick with a cold. Last night he was up for most of the night (my poor husband taking care of him while i tended to baby girl). Today he slept and slept through the entire morning. I was getting so worried and feeling a little guilty for having such a good morning alone with my beautiful daughter.
Jordan finally went down for a nap somewhere between noon and 1 PM and I took the opportunity to try to wake Caio up. He rolled over grogily and I asked if he was hungry.
"I huuuuungy!" he responded sleepily.
"Do you want some food?" I asked.
His eyes didn't even open. "Want food." Then he rolled over and immediately went back to sleep.
I gave up and went into the kitchen to get some chores done. About five minutes later I heard little footsteps coming into the kitchen and a little voice saying, "Mommy?"
I turned around and smiled at my handsome, sick boy and put on my best excited voice, "Good morning! Did you sleep well?"
He didn't even miss a beat as he responded, "Want choc-it, Honey!" Meaning that he wanted chocolate milk. I laughed and was just relieved that he was finally awake.
He got a good breakfast and a glass of chocolate milk.
O... quick explaination: Usually he calls me Mommy and sometimes Mom, but he has begun to call me Honey from time to time under certain circumstances and I haven't quite picked up what those circumstances are.
Anyway. It is time for me to leave again.
Ginger

Collin The Baby Whisperer

I haven't even looked yet to see when my last post was or what it was about. I am pretty sure that it was before I knew I was pregnant again. We had a girl as of January 2, 2008. She was born at 12:38 PM weighing 8lb 10oz and measuring 20" long. She was born with at least as much hair as her brother and has been such a joy.
Caio is already such a good big brother and likes to try and help with her from time to time. He will ask to hold her and then tell us that he is done after just a couple of seconds. She prefers me to almost every other person (including Marcio) which is very good for my ego :-) and the opposite of Caio who only liked being taken care of by my husband. The biggest exception to this rule is my nephew Collin, who likes to hold her and walk with her. He seems to be able to take her when she is at full throttle and calm her to the point that she is sleeping within minutes. I remember that I used to be able to do that with babies when I was younger, but I lost the ability somewhere in my older teenage years/younger twenties.
Well... speaking of baby... she calls! :-) Time to go do my mommy thing.
Take care.
Ginger

"This is a Coke!"

So, I am back. I apologize to all those who have actually checked back here over the last few months. Thanks for your interest. I will try to catch you all up on what has gone on for us since last November.
Marcio was promoted in December and we were, of course, very pleased. In February we began the purchase of our first home and moved in after the first week in April. Incidentally, Marcio was unexpectedly promoted again the day after we closed on the house, which was a huge blessing from Heavenly Father.
Things have been really great in our new home. We have really appreciated the neighborhood and the proximity to friends and family. Marcio's brother returned from his mission last December as well and moved in with us shortly after we moved into our new home. His name is Rodrigo (Rigo) and he lives in a room in our basement. He is going to college right now and has been a joy to have in our home. Caio especially loves him. Speaking of missions and missionaries. My brother, Andrew, left on a two year mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in March. And speaking of my beloved son, he has been growing up so much. He is now 19 months old and is less of a baby every day. I love him so much!!!!
He now has a growing vocabulary (ball, bubble, duck, shoe (and shoes), nose, knee, mouth, mamma, dad, this, that, etc.). It has been such a joy. We all love it. A little over a month ago he would go around the house pointing at things and asking what they were by saying "This?" or "That?" until we would tell him what it was. We didn't get what he was doing at first, but when we figured it out we were good to play along, not sure what was really sinking in; but it was nice that he was understanding what we were saying to him better and better. Then one day he was pointing at a wall and asking me, "This? This?" and I said, "Wall." He looked at me and smiled and pointed again and said twice, very clearly, "This, Wall. This, Wall." I just about fell over. He has never said the word wall since, but he continued to ask what things were and our communication with him has become increasingly better since then. Then on the 3rd of July, we were on our way to see a fireworks display and my husband sat in the backseat with him for a minute. Caio became so excited that he started babbling for a little bit and then grabbed his little left foot and said, "This is a shoe!" A day or two after that while I was giving him a bath he picked up a rubber duck and told me, "This is a duck!" I can't do it justice in writing because he has a very strong "baby accent" (LOL) ;-) but it is very distinguishable to us. Today, Marcio got a little sick to his stomache and feverish. I got him a Coke to try and help out and pulled out my other nursing magic that I can remember seeing my own mother do. He became better after only a couple of hours and came out with his bottle of Coke to watch some TV with the family. Since we rarely have soda pop in the house, Caio became interested and walked over to the bottle and started pointing and asking, "This? This?" Marcio answered, "Coke." Then CJ repeated a few times, "This is a Coke," while pointing to the bottle.
Another funny thing that happened tonight was the increasing bravery of Baby Boy. Now that he is a walker (well it would be more acurate to call him a runner/dancer since he does those more than walking) he has also become quite the talented climber, so his nerve has been ever increasing, anyway. Well, tonight he stood on the edge of the couch cushion and decided it was time for him to become a jumper. His first attempt was a little shaky, but he quickly gained courage and momentum. After a couple of successful jumps I began doing a "one-two-three" countdown for him, which he loved. After doing that a couple of times he would climb on the couch and hold up his index finger and say something along the lines of "wee-wuh-ah-ah" or something like that and then jump. When Marcio joined us later, CJ decided to show off and jumped up there and held his finger up and said his little mantra and jumped. When I explained to Marcio what he was doing, we both laughed and began helping provide the countdown for the proud performer.
Really, everything has been so great for us that I am just so happy. I forgot to mention earlier that I am expecting baby number two (the due date is New Year's Day 2008, but we'll see).
I will post again soon. Maybe this time I will get some updated pics on here.
Take Care!

Caiosaurus Rex

We had so much fun on Halloween. Everyone thought CJ was so cute (and I really can't blame them because I thought so too). No trick-or-treaters came by our place, but we did have some family over to eat pizza and watch movies. I made the costume with the help of my next door neighbor, Peggy, but I think it looks at least as good as a store bought costume. I was so pleased with how it all turned out. My parents' wedding anniversary was on the 29th and I showed it off there. Unfortunately for Caio, we had to put it on him about four times just to show it off to everyone who kept coming. Anyway. I also wanted to show a great picture that my friend, Tammi, took of my baby boy. She is doing so great with her photography. She has been working extra hard and I think she is fabulous!!! Right now I am getting ready to attend a book club on the 9th that is being started by a TJEd (Thomas Jefferson Education method) homeschooler. Our first bookclub book is A Thomas Jefferson Education by Oliver Van DeMille. It is really good (and since I have my own copy and am planning on using this method to homeschool my own children, I am really happy to read it again). I also watched my sister's kids over the weekend so she could attend a conference and she bought me a copy of the new book A Thomas Jefferson Education Home Companion by Oliver DeMille, Rachel DeMille, and Diann Jeppsen. I am really excited to start reading this as soon as I am through with the book club book.
Well, the whole reason I am going into all of this is because there are three questions that a Thomas Jefferson Education asks and I thought I would take the time to answer them here.
1--What books are your companions through life?
This is kind of a tricky question for me. When I think about how this question is phrased, I immediately notice the word companion. I think of a companion as a person that stays with you and walks with you through everything--someone who will be there no matter what no matter where. Then there is always the stipulation "through life." I think the books that have been and that I choose to be my companions through life are the Book of Mormon, the Old Testament, the New Testament, the Doctrine and Covenants, the Pearl of Great Price, the Hymns of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, and Shakespear. I am sure there are others, but these are the books that I am always coming back to over and over in my life that I think of right now. Books that are with me through a lot of things.
2--If you were evacuated to another planet and could only take one book, upon which to base the whole teaching of your family and establishing right and wrong for your community, what would it be?
Hmmm... I wonder if a Quad counts (this includes the Bible, Book of Mormon, Pearl of Great Price, and Doctrine and Covenants). If not, I think I would have to say the Book of Mormon, bar none.
3--What is good? What is evil?
Well, as politically incorrect as this may seem: things that draw men toward God's presence are good; things which take men away from God's presence are evil. The End!

Well, now that I have answered those things, I think I will get back to reading this book.
Toodles! :-D

CAPOEIRA!!!

Wow! My husband just had me watch a few videos on Capoeira (a Brazilian martial art that originated in Africa, but came to Brazil with the slaves). We had already toyed with the idea of having our kids do Capoeira (pronounced: cap-oh-aid-uh), but after seeing this I keep thinking that I really do want my kids to be a part of this. It is really athletic, and amazing to watch.
We'll see what happens when C.J. is a little older. ;-)
(By the way, I linked two different you tube videos of Capoeira demonstrations to the word: Capoeira in the previous text :-D).
In other news. Tomorrow I am taking my mom to Idaho. We are going to see her oldest sister. Marcio and I have been together for almost 3 years and married for 2 1/2 years and he has never met her. We are going to take Caio with us and show him off and everything too. I hope he does okay with the trip.
Wish us luck!

Great Day!

We had such a nice slow morning today! CJ crawled all over the bed pounding on our faces and running away and giggling over and over while Marcio and I talked about nothing and everything. Then we got up and did a few chores while Marcio worked on fixing a broken TV he picked up (one of his latest hobbies). All together, this was one of those really nice slow days that I love. And I really needed it--this week has been really hard, long and stressful.
Anyway. This afternoon we decided to head out for a drive with the intention of having a picknick at a park, but CJ fell asleep instead. We drove about 15 to 20 minutes away to a place we go fairly often and found a park that was right across the street that neither of us had ever noticed before. We got out of the car and walked around and found a huge stone amphitheater right in the middle of it all. There was a plaque that said it was built at the end of the Depression to provide government jobs. It was really, REALLY cool and we had a ton of fun exploring with baby boy.
We finished with just enough time to go shopping for a present for Marcio's brother and make it to the birthday party (his brother turns 17 on Mon. and we bought 4 EFY style cds and dvds (J. Bytheway and 2 others)). By the time we got home we were all a little burned out, I think.
I don't know what I am going to do about a costume for Caio. I want to make a dinosaur costume. My next door neighbor is willing to help, so hopefully it will be done soon. Wish me luck!

Lots of Pictures

I haven't put pictures on here forever. I have been trying to get some in here, and now that I am finally able to do it I am going to try and catch everyone up on our pictures. There are some of Caio before and after his hair cut. All of the pictures were taken on the same day. I will have to put some of the pictures of the actual hair cut later. Marcio and I are having so much fun being parents right now.
Caio has begun saying "Bah-bah" and waving his hands every time we leave. He did this the other day (completely un-provoked). Marcio was walking out the back door and C.J. called out "Bah-bah" and we bothed looked with open mouths and wide eyes to see our little boy waving his hand at Marcio. We were stunned but excited. It was late at night but I called and bugged half my family anyway. LOL! I couldn't help myself. He has been climbing onto the couches and getting into everything. He is just so much fun that I can't believe it.
Today I was giving him a bath and turned my back to put something away in the bathroom. When I turned back he was standing up and had one whole leg hanging out of the tub and he was trying to climb out. I was so scared for him! I said, "Hey!!!" and he looked up at me, quickly pulled his leg back into the tub and sat down again. Then he looked up at me and smiled, swishing his hand back and forth in the water as though he hadn't done anything. I just can't believe how much he is growing up every day.