Elam and Haven go to Mother's Day Out

Today was the first day of Mother's Day Out.
It was Elam's first time to go.

Haven picked out her pretty dress.
She was going to have Gibson's teacher from last year.

This is Elam's teacher Ms. Betty.
She said he had lots of fun, but NO nap.
Acording to his sheet he mainly ate and pooped.

To Home school or not to home school

Whether or not I home school (that is still to be decided) I will still teach my children scripture and moral lessons at home.
Each "season" I go through with my children usually sends me to read some sort of parenting book.
The early stages are covered in "The Happiest Baby on the Block."
I've also read another book about using schedules in those early new born days. (I can't remember what it is called right now)
Then there was "Shepherding a Child's Heart."
Shortly after that was "Don't Make me Count to 3!" I love that title!

My latest and most favorite book is the one I'm currently reading. When I saw Bridget for my 10 year reunion, she gave me "Creative Correction" by Lisa Whelchel.
Like some of the other books, this book uses scripture for instructing our kids. Unlike the other books, she combines the importance of scripture with tons of creative lessons instead of just spankings.

I've decided to share with my readers, (ok, my family and maybe a few friends) some of the important lessons and scripture from this book.

I plan on reviewing something every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

Here's what we learned on Monday.

Aggravating/Stirring Up Strife
Proverbs 10:12 Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all sins.

Pro. 26:21 As charcoal to embers and as wood to fire, so is a quarrelsome man for kindling strife.

Anger
Pro 29:11 A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise man keeps himself under control

James 1:19-20 My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires


These were some of the verses mention for anger and aggravating.

Lisa also provides a story or activity to help teach a lesson.

Our activity for Monday had to do with fire.

Gibson and Haven each had a sheet of paper. I asked them to tear their paper into little pieces.
Each piece represented their angry actions or angry words. Then, in a big pan I started a small fire. The kids then added their little pieces of paper to it. This made the fire bigger. I then took a damp cloth and put it on top of the fire. This represented turning our listening ears on and zipping our lips when we get angry. (James 1:19-20)

As mom to these kids, I think it's important for their family out there to know what lessons we are teaching at home. That way when they are off visiting you and they begin to aggravate each other or hit or yell, you can remind them to be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry. Help them "put out" their fire. :)

I'll let you know what we study today later.

Monday night celebration (andrew's photography)

To celebrate Gibson's first day with daddy, we had a special dessert Monday night.

Here is the info sheet Gibson brought home from school. I can't believe the teachers took time to do this for every child.

Andrew took a few pictures of his kiddos.

He really captured our sweet little princess!

Look at all those teeth!

Who does Gibson look like in this picture??

Gibson's first day of school!!

This is Gibson Andrew Littleton

Today was his first day of school.

He took his red tote bag and headed toward the van.

I had my camera ready to capture every moment.

"Ok kids, say preschool!"

We parked and headed for the school. I saw fellow moms and dads and grandparents with their camera and camcorders capture their own "first day" moments. I knew I was in the right place.

Gibson's buddy Ian and his brother Connor arrived minutes later.

We waited in the lobby till 12:30.

I need you to picture 20 or so kids with their tote bags. Each kid had at least one and sometimes two parents or grandparents with them. ALL were snapping pictures and video taping. I felt so comfortable with all these other adults who couldn't stop taking picture after picture.

Gibson and Ian were summoned into the "Kingdom of Learning."

Gibson looked for his picture.

This is where Gibson will hang his tote bag.

EVERYTHING was fine for me up to this point.

Gibson and I had waited anxiously for school time to come.

It was a happy time for both of us.

He was so excited.

THEN..........

As we were about to head toward the room,

Gibson turned toward his sister and hugged her and said,

"Haven, I'm going to miss you!!

He did that all by himself.

I was still able to smile (and take pictures)

Finally, it was time to head toward the big room where all the kids meet.

We had a hard time getting in b/c of the parent traffic jam. I wasn't planning on going into the room, but since everyone else did I decided to too.

This was when it hit me.

All these parents we letting go of their child and entrusting them to these teachers.

Ian's mom kissed and hugged him and I hugged and kissed Gibson.

Then, they headed toward the carpet.

They weren't sure where to sit, but before I headed out of the classroom, I saw them heading toward the front of the room to sit right up front.

The walk back to the van was SO HARD. I looked at Beth, Ian's mom, and said, "I thought I'd be ok, but I'm getting a little emotional." Her eyes were glistening and she said this was harder than she thought it would be. (she was letting go of both of her kids)

I put my sunglasses on and walked to the van. I sniffled a little and decided to call Andrew. He didn't answer, so I called my mom.

All I said to her was that I had just dropped Gibson off at school. I hadn't even gotten to the part about Gibson hugging Haven and she was ALREADY crying!

Somehow I was able to choke out the hugging story. I told her I'd go home and work on my blog.

Well, that 2 1/2 hours FLEW by.

I didn't get a chance to do much of anything.

I laughed at myself.

In the span of 2 1/2 hours I went from crying about letting go to plotting about how I could get more time!!!!!

Ten till 3 we load the van and head back to the school.

We have a sign with Gibson's name on it placed on our visor.

We waited in the car pool lane and a teacher brought me my baby boy.

He had a hat on that he made and was carrying his snack from snack time.

Gibson enjoyed his first day of school.

Call and talk to him about it.

(He will mainly say that he played, but you can ask him what his story was about and ask him what he had for snack)

I'm so excited

Gibson's own words about school today.

Gibson's new school

Today, Gibson was able to go to his new school and see his class room and meet his teacher.

He was very excited. Ian was there too. (Ian goes to church with us and came to Gibson's birthday party)

Here they are up high in the reading tower.

All my kids had fun today at school!!

Monday is Gibson first official day of school. He goes from 12:30-3:00.

Happy faces

Haven's got her face painted at the Wednesday night carnival at church. This will be her first year in choir.

Elam is definitely related to his sister. She had a banana stuck to her head back in Dec 2005.

http://okeedokey.blogspot.com/2005_12_01_archive.html

They are naturally happy kids, but yesterday we were EXTRA happy.

Thursday morning Andrew left with our Mercury .

Thursday evening, Gibson, Haven and Elam are all waiting anxiously for what daddy was bringing home.

Here they are inside their brand new van! (ok, not brand new, but the newest car we've ever had)

We were all very excited. (even gibson didn't mind that it's not a dodge!)

Elam likes his new view too!!

Haven's new room

We started with a green room with plaid wall paper and little doggies as a border. I did have to scrape off the doggies. Believe me, they did not want to leave, but Haven's pink room did not include doggies.

I need to remind everyone about the room change. We decided that when Gibson turned 5 we would move the 2 boys in together and let Haven have her own room and we would paint it whatever color she wanted.

She of couse chose pink! Since it already had wallpaper I decided to "embrace" the wall paper and not fight it.

The kids came with me to the wall paper store and had a blast! I never knew wall paper could be so exciting! (I also never knew that it could cause a sweet inoccent girl like me to want to curse)

Here's the before with painted walls and primer painted over the wall paper.

She loves her sweet flowers. She helped me put them on the wall.

Last night was her first night in her own room BY HERSELF!

She did much better than I expected. She only got up once last night.

So, Gibson and Elam were in the other room. Gibson slept on his big boy futon.

And Elam was in his crib. (He wasn't asleep yet) :)

Now Gibson says he wants his room to be red!!!