$25 Free OR $60 if you're married

I've always been one to try out those crazy internet opportunties where they offer free money, free merchandise, etc. Some of the deals turn out to be scams, but sometimes the deals really are worth the effort.

If you would like to receive $25 simply for signing up for a new online payment site (it is a paypal competitor started by the co-owner of AOL), it's easy and it works. Peggy and I both signed up and so far we've received our $60 ($25 for Peggy, $25 for me, and $10 to Peggy for referring me) and spent $25 of it online.

Use the link below so we get the $10 referral! The offer ends May 15th so if you're interested, hurry up!

2 Year Old Homeschooling

As we look to teach our 3 year old to count to 20, she continually skips the number 13. I'm pretty sure she is not superstitious, but I still cannot determine if she is simply joking with us.

An interesting conversation was had at our house this evening related to counting, and I wanted to share it with all of you.


Peggy (the mom): Kate, when Claire is 3 how old will you be

Kate (3 yrs old): Um, 4!

Peggy: That's right! Ok, when she is 17, how old will you be?

Kate: (puzzled) Um?

Peggy: What comes after 17?

Kate: (Strange look but no words)

Peggy: 15, 16, 17....

Kate: 15!

Peggy: No. 15, 16, 17

Kate: 18!

Peggy: That's Right! Good job.

Rick (the dad): (not willing to let a good teaching moment pass) Kate, when Claire is 18, how old will you be?

Kate: (Another puzzled look)

Peggy: Remember, 13, 14, 15...

Kate: (Interrupting) 13!

Peggy: No. 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18...

Claire (2 yr old): (whispering..) 19.

Peggy: HA! That's Right Claire!


While talking about writing this blog post, the following conversation continued....

Rick: Didn't you count 13, 14, 15...

Peggy: I think I started at 15

Rick: Maybe you started at 13 the 2nd time...13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19..

Claire: (a little bolder this time) 20.


So, apparently, homeschooling younger children isn't so difficult! It seems Claire will be the math wiz in our family!

Double Who

Here's a video of Claire singing her ABCs. It was taken a few months ago but I'm just now uploading it. She had her Auburn outfit on because the girls were playing dress up.

Kate 4-22-08 3 years 4 months

To my dearest Kate,

This month you and Claire stayed at grandmommy and granddaddy's house for 5 days! You had a great time but I sure missed you. The house was so quiet without you. I was so happy to see you when I went to pick you up. You ran straight for Henry though and just loved on him for about 5 min before you gave me a hug! You are so sweet to him.
You seem so old to me now; you are becoming a little girl. You are very protective of Claire and Henry. If you get something, you always make sure Claire can have one too. You say all the time, "I'll take care of my sister."
You are starting to reason and it is sometimes very funny. I was getting your shoes out the other day and you said, "Mommy, it makes more sense for me to wear my Crocs because I can put them on and take them off by myself."
You also have good taste. We were parked next to a BMW convertible today and you said, "That looks like a FUN car Mommy!"


When Claire was an infant, I used to find you sitting on top of her saying "giddy up claire!"


Imagine my surprise when I heard "giddy up" a few weeks ago and you were now saying it to Henry! I had to include that picture with your letter this month because I thought it was so funny.
You are my joy and treasure. I love ever minute that I spend with you. I'm so glad I can be home with you. I love you and I am so thankful for you.
Until next time....
All my love-
Mommy

Claire is 2!

Claire turned 2 on 4-19! If this picture doesn't say 2-year-old...I don't know what does!

Happy Birthday Rick!

Today is Rick's 30th Birthday!! I feel SO young now since I'm still in my 20s (at least for another year and 18 days!)
Happy Birthday Rick...I love you!

Parenting Tip #432 - #435

#432 - It's not a good idea to leave a 3 year old and a 23 month old alone with play-doh

#433 - Play-doh turns to a gooey substance that is hard to remove from breakfast tables when mixed with water

#434 - Taking a bath by yourself is overrated when you have a mess to clean up afterwards

#435 - Remember to have batteries for your camera at all times

Henry 4 months 4-3-08

To my dear Henry,

Today you are 4 months old! You are a joy and a blessing and I am thankful for you. You have blue eyes right now but that might change. Your hair is coming in and it's very dark like Claire's. I love you at this age because you smile all the time. I'm glad God created babies to smile early. It makes me happy when you smile. You've settled into a schedule with is nice. You go to bed at 7pm with your sisters and wake between 6:30-7:00 am. Then you take a morning nap from 8:30-10:00 and an afternoon nap from 1-3:30/4:00.
It's different for me to write you these letters. When you read them, you won't be concerned with the same issues as your sisters so my advice and thoughts to you have to be different. I must write them though because of my deep love for you. It is greater than you will know.
Someday I'll share my thoughts with you on how to be a good husband and father but for now you are still my little baby and my little boy. I will stick with the first things.
John 6:47 "Most assuredly I say to you, He who believes in Me has everlasting life." Your father and I will spend our eternity in Heaven and we want you with us. More than anything, we want you with us.
The second most important thing is that we love you. We will love you always and forever.
I love you my dear son-
Mommy