The Holidays with a Policeman

I have been married to Brian for almost 9 years of which we have been a law enforcement family for 8. I knew when I became engaged Brian that I was going to be married to a man in the military or a man in law enforcement. It was what he felt called to and I was proud of him and happy to support him in his career choice.

One of the many ways I support this career choice is working hard along with Brian to make holidays in our home special. We have found our own way of making shift work function around our holiday celebrations and his work schedule. Even though I find myself alone on a lot of Christmas or Thanksgiving nights with my babies in bed and myself watching a movie quietly, I learned to enjoy the way we spend our time. We have made holiday functions work for our family with a few changes and lot of flexibility.

The biggest change for me was being flexible on what time of day I celebrated holidays. For example I often celebrate our December 31st anniversary in the morning for breakfast as opposed to a dinner. We head to the lodge where we were married or to the bakery where our wedding cake was made. My extended family has been flexible too. They have hosted Thanksgiving brunches, Christmas lunches, and celebrated birthdays with candles in a pancakes for breakfast to include Brian. We adjust the time however we can to make the day work.

Sometimes we have had to change the day we celebrate. Brian has only had off a handful of the many anniversaries, birthdays, Christmases, Easters, Thanksgivings, and Halloweens we have shared together. We have celebrated our anniversary the day before by going to dinner at the restaurant Brian proposed. We have also had birthday celebrations days before or later to make sure we are all together. I have learned Christmas is not as much about being celebrated on the 25th but more about being together so some years I participate in a Christmas Even family event then we spend a quiet morning at home with Brian before work and opt out of the big brunch my parents host on Christmas morning. The date of holidays is flexible in my home.

Lastly, I have worked hard to make Brian feel loved and special on holidays he works with notes and special food. One year some other LE wives and I delivered a Thanksgiving meal to working officers. Any officer could swing by a location and get a hot meal on a break. The Brothers and I send Halintines to work with Brian on Halloween. I try and bake a gingerbread cookie and special meal on Christmas and send a Valentine's Day card on February 14th. Anything I can do note or food wise to make his working holiday special I do!

Holidays, even if you or a family member have to work, can still be made special. Making a few changes to what day or time you celebrate and trying to make the actual holiday at work special can be all it takes to have great memories. I am so thankful for my family being flexible to include us when they can and understand when we can't make family gatherings due to work. I am also blessed to be married to a hard working police officer who is out there rain or shine, holiday or not, keeping us all safe. 

Thankful Thursday: Crunchy Autumn Leaves

Happy Thanksgiving! I hope your heart is filled with gratitude for the blessing of family, friends, food, and the beautiful season upon us.

Last week my family went on a little walk and stumbled upon this crunchy pile of leaves. I am so thankful for the beautiful place we live and that I could enjoy this special moment with my boys. Look at those two! Shane was in heaven listening to the sound and Keith enamored by the noise. I truly enjoy the Northwest beauty this time of year and the traditional crunch of autumn leaves!

What are you thankful for this Thanksgiving?

Paper Bunting Banners

When I started decorating for the holidays a year ago I came across a tutorial on how to make paper bunting banners. I had always liked the look of these banners but at about $20 for a 12 foot strand it was not quite in my budget. Once I found out I could use paper and make them myself in one evening I happily gave it a try. I not only made banners but went on to use this shape and size cut of paper for other decorations. The cost of supplies is very inexpensive and the finished product is super cute! 

I made a grey, tan, ivory, and pale blue banner for Keith's room. Shane has a navy blue one above his bed.

I used an individual bunting piece as place card setting for Thanksgiving last year.

I also use individual bunting pieces as gift card tags. I think they look so cute and they are big enough to use in place of a card.

To make some festive decorations I find a packet of thematic card stock paper and make these banners for our fireplace, kitchen, and on a mirror in our entry. You can write Happy Birthday, Give Thanks, or Merry Christmas on these too. Your uses are endless!

Supplies

12X12 scrapbook paper (I like to get packets like this that have coordinating color and themes)

scissors

ruler

pen or pencil

twine or ribbon

paper puncher ( I highly suggest this Martha Stewart screw punch for choice in hole size)

Directions

1. Using a ruler, make a tick mark at 5 and 10 inches on the top and bottom of the paper. Make sure that the top and bottom are both measured from the same side so the marks align (don't flip it over and measure 5 and 10 inches starting at the opposite side).

2. Next, using a ruler (or a book if you don't have one longer than 12 inches), connect the 5 inch top mark to the 10 inch bottom mark. Then connect the 10 inch top mark to the bottom right corner. Repeat the steps on the  bottom side to form a lattice pattern.

3. Cut along the lines to create four triangles and one diamond shape. Recycle the end pieces.

4. Using a ruler make a line through the middle of the diamond. Cut along the line to form two even triangles out of the diamond shape. 

5. Now you should have 6 triangles and it's time to make the holes for the twine or ribbon to go through. Using a ruler mark 1 inch in on both sides along the short side of the triangle. 

 Then measure 1/2 inch down from each tick mark. 

6. Punch a hole on each marking and repeat for all your triangles.

Your finished paper bunting looks like this. I use 12 for a fireplace and I used 21 for my boys banners. Using one uniform color is pretty but I prefer using various colors and patterns to make it slightly askew and eye catching.

I hope you have fun making your own inexpensive and festive decorations this holiday season or for future parties, events, and home decor!

Glitter Leaves

Fall has come and is on its way out. It is getting cold here! This Thursday is Thanksgiving so I wanted to do a fun craft with my kids that let us enjoy the last bit of crunchy yellow, orange, and brown autumn leaves. This week we made glitter leaves which Shane was really excited about and Keith can't take his eyes off of. They were really simple and quick and have made our home extra festive.

Glitter Leaves

Supplies

Glitter

Glue

Leaves

Small Bowl 

Water

Paint Brush

Directions

1. In a small bowl combine about 1 tablespoon water with about 2 tablespoons glue. Stir to combine.

2. Using a paint brush, apply a thin layer of glue to the leaves.

3. Sprinkle the glitter on the leaves. Shake excess glitter off the leaves and set to dry overnight.

This craft was so simple and they turned out beautiful! I used a variety of glitter, colors, and textures to mix and match and I think this would be beautiful on pine cones which would transition into winter perfectly. 

Happy crafting!

Cranberry Bars

I love having healthy snacks around my house and this recipe is one that we make time and time again especially around the holidays. It is easy and you can customize to personal tastes and seasons. I like this snack with cherries and my husband prefers apples but this week I made them with cranberries because it's Thanksgiving and cranberries seem like they accompany Thanksgiving. You can also add nuts, seeds, chocolate, fresh fruit, dried fruit, or mix and match a few of each. I originally got this recipe from a friend but have made adjustments and changes to soften them, make the texture smoother, and work to fit the food allergies in our family. I also found my toddler liked these ten times more if I pressed the mixture into a cookie cutter before baking them because food in the shape of hearts, stars, circles, and the letter S is way more fun to eat!  I hope you enjoy!  

Cranberry Bars

Ingredients

3/4 cup quick oats

1/2 cup unsweetened coconut flakes (can be stored in the freezer up to one year)

1/2 tsp. flax meal

1/4 tsp. salt

1/4 cup dried cranberries

2 mashes ripe bananas

1/8 cup canola oil

1 tsp. honey

1/2 tsp. vanilla

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper.

2. Combine oats, coconut, flax meal, salt, and cranberries. Stir in bananas, oil, honey and vanilla until combined.

3. Press a heaping tablespoon of mixture into  cookie cutter of choice (making sure each car bar is approximately 1 1/2 inches thick) onto the cookie sheet. Continue with the remaining mixture.

4. Bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on the pan and store in an air tight container for up to three days.

Family Traditions

Gobble Gobble and Ho-ho-ho! I am in the holiday spirit these days. I absolutely love this time of year. After having The Brothers I feel that holidays have become even more special to me because I am making memories with my sweet boys. Today I wanted to share my family traditions with you. I hope by consistently giving my boys these activities, meals, or events they will one day leave my home with a whole host of happy memories. 

Here are my current family traditions broken down into seasons.

Winter

We celebrate advent and I have 25 fun activities that I will share with you in two weeks! I am getting SO EXCITED for advent again!

Every Christmas Eve we get PJs just like I did as a child.

For Valentines day I make heart crossed buns and we tape hearts all over an area of the house. Last year I did this in the kitchen and Shane loved it!

On St. Patrick's Day I turn the kids milk green, a little Patty's day friends visits and leaves gold coins and a slightly askew home, and make corned beef. It is the Scotch Irish in me!

Spring

For Easter I make Baked French Toast and we decorate eggs along with an Easter egg hunt.

On May Day I take the boys out and we secretly deliver some treat or flower to front steps of friends and family.

Summer

On the Fourth of July we make ice cream each year. Brian is the king of ice cream making around here.

On the first day of summer we make Popsicle and go swimming. I want to eventually turn this into a water balloon fight but while they are little we just play in the pool.

Each summer we go berry picking and make jam and berry syrup

Fall

I always make a pot of chili on the first day of summer. Here is my favorite recipe.

Each year we go to a corn maze and pumpkin patch. That morning I make a Pumpkin Pancake Breakfast

Halintines

I make it a point to take my family on a walk where we can crunch through some leaves.

For Halloween I make a Jack-O-Lantern Pizza or Cookies. 

On Thanksgiving I make Morning Rolls which are like a honey cinnamon croissant.  We always watch the parade and have a big meal with family.

Thanksgiving Thankful Fives. I will be sharing more on this next week. This is an activity we started when we had Shane where we write down 5 things we are thankful for each year. Check out my post next week to see more details!

Ever year I on Thanksgiving I make Brian an Apple Pie. They are his favorite. Pumpkin always shows up wherever we go but for my love I make him his apple pie.

The day after Thanksgiving (or if Brian works the next free evening) we decorate for Christmas. We have a Deck the Hall Ball in our home where music plays, we decorate, dance, and have a red and green pizza. It is such a fun night!

I am sure these may alter in the coming years but for now this is how my family packs some traditional fun into each of the seasons. I have loved watching Shane look forward to some of these events this year because he knows and understands what is coming! What are some special traditions your family does?

Thankful Thursday: My Dearest Friend

I have a friend who I met in college 10 years ago. She has walked life with me in joyful and sorrowful times. She stood with me at my wedding and was the first person I called when Brian and I found out we were having a baby. We don't see each other often because we live two states away but when we do the time is cherished. I am so thankful for my dearest friend Stephanie. We have a lot of memories, a lot of history, and I love living life with this dear woman.

Thanksgiving Fives

With Thanksgiving next week, I am sharing one of my favorite family traditions with you today. We started making our Thanksgiving Fives the year Shane joined our family. We had so much to be thankful for and I wanted to document it each year. Thus, our Thanksgiving Five activity emerged. 

I make these on 12 X 12 inch paper and eventually will need to start doing separate pages because I can't imagine all our hands are going to fit on here in the coming years. For now I have them hung up in the house when I decorate for Thanksgiving and we can enjoy them. I think next year I may get a book and add the previous pages in.

To make these I write the year at the top and then let Shane decorate (I did the decorating the first year). Then we use a non toxic inc pad and stamp our hands onto the paper. Lastly, we each dictate five things we are thankful for and I write them on the fingers of our hand print. It is quick, easy, and gives memories for years to come! 

2012 Thanksgiving Fives

Brian: Disneyland, Warm Home, Apple TV, Knee, Job 

This year we had taken Shane to Disneyland and it was a wonderful memory that Brian looks back on with joy. Brian worked late nights during 2012 and I remember he was so happy to come home to a warm home after a chilly shift. In December of 2011 Brian broke his leg in two places and tore two tendons in his knee when I was 8 months pregnant with Shane so he had a lot to be thankful for surrounding that injury. We both were thankful for he kept his job despite the recovery time, that he was able to walk and run again after lots of rehab, and for a Apple TV we bought at the time because Brian had a lot of time to sit around after surgery.

Heather: Coffee, Family, Warm House, Teeth, Prayer

I was thankful for coffee. Any new mom really appreciates a cup of coffee...even if it is decaf! I was really thankful for all my family during the past year. I was helping Brian recover from surgery and had a baby who had some minor complications after birth which landed us in the NICU for a week and PT for several months. That year it was a COLD winter with lots of snow so I was grateful for a warm home. I had some dental work done in October and I remember being so thankful for a good dentist and my teeth. Prayer was something we really needed that year from surgery to health concerns to our home foundation needing major repairs and God answered our prayers time and time again!

Shane: Socks, Books, Chloe, Spatula, Mom and Dad

Shane loved to pull his socks off from about 6-12 months. It gave him pure joy! He also enjoyed reading and playing with Chloe. Spatulas were a supplemental teething ring for him and he carried one everywhere. Even though we made these for Shane we hope he was thankful for his awesome Mom and Dad!

2013 Thanksgiving Fives

Brian: Shane, Baby Angelo, Heather, Lower Mortgage, New Neighbors

Brian loves us all and I am so touched he three of his thanks for his family members. That year Brian worked with our awesome mortgage broker Kerry Day and saved us several hundred dollars on our mortgage which was a huge blessing. We also were blessed to have a new family move into our neighborhood who were friendly and super nice to live next to. 

Heather: Two Healthy Boys, Egg Free Cooking, Sleep, Amazing Friends, Patience

I was over the moon that year to have Shane and be expecting Keith. Shane had developed an allergy to eggs so I was really thankful for the resources I had to navigate egg free cooking in our home. Shane was sleeping consistently through the night and taking great naps so I was thankful to be getting a lot of sleep. I remember my friends were such an encouragement to me during this season. They prayed for me, threw me a baby shower, and helped me out with Shane when I had doctors appointments with Keith. Lastly, I remember how patient everyone was with me as I toted around my 18 month old and my 6 month pregnant belly that summer!

Shane: Chloe, Buttons, Big Boy Bed, Baby Brother, Legos

Shane seriously loves his dog Chloe. They are so sweet together and I think every year he will give thanks for her. Last year he was also fascinated with buttons. He always spotted them on shirts or coats and was fixated on them. We moved Shane into a twin bed around 21 months to make room for his baby brother and he moved over really well and actually enjoyed his new bed. We like to think that Shane was excited for Keith. In reality I don't think he really grasped the idea of a brother until after Keith had arrived but we still hoped for a brother to be a blessing to Shane. Last year Shane was into building and constructing with Legos. He still is!

Those are the past two years of thanks! We have really enjoyed doing this activity as a family and look forward to our 2014 Thanksgiving Fives which we will do next week. 

What are some of your Thanksgiving traditions?

Toddler Activity: Letters, Colors, and Shapes, Oh My!

This past month Shane has been very aware of letters and craves learning about them. He is constantly asking what the letter is called, what it sounds like, and what words start with that specific letter. I LOVE seeing him soak up the learning and seek it out in the world around him. 

In order to foster his learning we have been trying to have hands on activities focusing on letters for Shane. Brian and I surrendered our clean refrigerator to a set of alphabet magnets that both boys have been enjoying. I found a set of alphabet pocket flash cards in my teaching supply bin that I had tucked away and we have been utilizing those for a fun quick activity. Anything I can do to nurture my kids love of learning I want to take full advantage of.

My very favorite activity that we found was the use of contact paper and some foam strips. Shane and Kieth both enjoyed the feel of the contact paper and exploring how to put the foam strips up and take them down. Shane was able to practice building his letters and additionally he worked on shapes and his colors. I was thrilled to see that with three supplies I had on hand my kids had hours of learning.

Supplies

contact paper

colored foam strips or colored craft sticks

tape

Directions

1. Tape a large section of contact paper to a firm surface that is easily accessible to kids such as a low table top or window.

2. Using foam strips or craft sticks have kids construct letters by applying the material to the contact paper.

3. Kids can sort sticks into various color groups or shapes such as triangles, squares, stars, diamonds, hexagons, or octagons.

4. To make the activity more independent and challenging have a set of printed or handmade alphabet flashcards (removing any letter with a curve shape to avoid frustration) for kids to build. You can also use shape or color cards. 

Brown Bag Lunches: What I Pack For My Husband's Lunch at Work

I am always looking for ideas on what to serve for lunches because I find it is the most challenging meal to prep and serve. I thought it would be helpful to share a few lunch ideas for the different members of my family over the next few months. This month I will be sharing some lunches I send with my husband Brian, in December you will see what Keith tends to eat for lunch, January will be Shane's toddler lunches and finally in February I will share what I eat. I hope you join in on the comment section and share more ideas. It is always helpful to mix up the menu and promote healthy eating habits.

Brian works 1 pm-11 pm so his "lunch" is really at dinner time and I tend to pack a BIG lunch that includes a snack and a well balanced meal that can be eaten cold. Brian works as a police officer so he typically likes to take a sandwich that he can easily eat in his car and snacks that are bite sized in case he is needing to grab a quick bite between calls. I also like to pack as much as I can in mason jars because they make it easy for Brian to hold, are earth friendly, and I can pack most of his meal the night before. Below are two meals I sent back to back this past week. These are fairly typical meals for Brian each day.

Day 1

two slices of whole wheat bread

turkey (for sandwich which he makes at work)

hummus (as a spread on the sandwich)

tomato and cucumber slices (to go on the sandwich)

apple

hard boiled egg

energy bites

whole milk yogurt with 1 tsp maple syrup mixed in and frozen raspberries

Day 2

two slices of whole wheat bread

turkey (for sandwich which he makes at work)

hummus (as a spread on the sandwich)

tomato and cucumber slices (to go on the sandwich)

apple

pumpkin spelt muffin

whole milk yogurt with 1 tsp maple syrup mixed in and frozen raspberries

popcorn

spinach salad with sunflower seeds, pecans, a hard boiled egg and carrot ginger dressing

Day 3

two slices of whole wheat bread

chicken (for making a sandwich at work)

cream cheese to spread on sandwich

banana peppers for sandwich

purple carrots

raspberry lemon muffin 

Whole Foods made in house potato chips (a special treat!)

whole milk yogurt with 1 tsp maple syrup mixed in and frozen raspberries

Sandwich or Salad Ideas

PB and H

chicken Salad

egg Salad

Fiesta Salad (spinach, salsa, black bean, corn, peppers, cheese, shredded chicken)

chicken, bacon, avocado, mayo, mustard, and lettuce

chicken,cheddar, banana peppers, red peppers, and tomato

ham and havarti with lettuce and tomato

turkey and cream cheese with cranberry spread

hummus, turkey, cucumber and tomato

Snack and Side Ideas

hard boiled egg

cashews, chocolate chips, and raisin trail mix

pumpkin spelt muffins

lemon raspberry muffins

apple, banana, grapes or orange

hummus and cucumber or peppers

popcorn

side spinach salad and dressing

energy bites

yogurt

granola

crackers and cheese

tortilla chips and salsa or hummus

Don't forget to share your brown bag lunch ideas below!

A Cup of Grace

Sometimes I just need to sip on grace. Yesterday, after nap time was over, I strapped The Brothers into their car seats and headed down the road to the market. We arrived,  I snuggled Keith into the Ergo, loaded Shane into the cart, and we went in and did our shopping. When I went to check out, I unloaded my cart and then realized I had left my wallet at home. I had no way to pay for the groceries that were already being rung up.

I explained to the cashier that I could not pay. As I talked I could feel frustration at myself welling up inside. How irresponsible of me to drive without a wallet! Why was I not more organized! I ruined The Brother's afternoon by making them drive back and fourth between home and the market an extra time! I was mad at myself.

 Before I had The Brothers I was somewhat of a perfectionist. I was on time, organized, and my home was clean. I functioned best in my structured world. Now I am late for appointments, I miss church a lot, and I often cancel play dates because my kids have caught another cold. My once labeled toy bins are cluttered, the dishes are not done most nights, and the laundry is never done. However, my life is full of love and joy and at times I rob myself of feeling that love and joy to the fullest because I don't extend grace to myself.  

Being a mom means I need to practice grace with myself so I can extend it to others and teach it to my children. Little follies, like forgetting my wallet, give me the opportunity to model this lesson. I get to make peace with my imperfections and teach my boys at the same time. So today I am extending grace little by little, sip by sip, moment by moment. I certainly need a lot of it and my kids have a lot to gain by watching me.

Thankful Thursday: Sleep

Welcome back to Thankful Thursday. I hope the start of the month of gratitude finds you all well and you can dive deep into your hearts finding much to be thankful for.

I had two sweet boys 23 months apart. They are my joys and I love them. I also really enjoy a good nights sleep and these days I am getting to enjoy both!

This week I am thankful for a full nights rest. Hallelujah! 

What are you all thankful for this week? I love reading your comments and hearing what is bringing joy to your lives each week. Comment below to share your thanks.

Hostess Gift for the Holidays: Homemade Vanilla Extract

The holidays are coming up and that means parties and family dinners are just around the corner. I like to be ready with a few hostess gifts on hand to express my thanks for other's hospitality. Today I am showing you a quick and easy way to make a homemade hostess gift that others will love. Today I am making homemade vanilla extract which is relatively inexpensive and can be dressed up to look AMAZING! Here are four easy steps to a festive hostess gift.

To make vanilla extract you will need one bottle of vodka, two vanilla beans and two 8 oz glass containers. I used SKYY vodka, a mid-grade selection. You can experiment with flavored vodka or used unflavored as I did. I found my containers at the container store but found similar ones from Amazon here.

Split each vanilla bean down the middle with a sharp knife.

Add one sliced bean to each jar.

Fill each jar with 3/4 cup of vodka. You could use a funnel if you have one. Otherwise a spouted cup measure, which I used, works just fine.

Secure the lid and store the jar for a few weeks until the water turns brown; then it is ready to use. I suggest decorating with a festive bow and a cute tag around the top and you are ready for a party with hostess gift in hand.

Happy Holidays!

  

Turkey Family Craft

Gobble, Gobble!

It is November already and the holidays always bring out my crafty side. I absolutely adore doing little projects with my kids with whatever we have on hand. I especially like projects when gives me an opportunity to teach a little bit about a holiday to my kids. So this past weekend we made our own little Turkey Family and started talking with Shane and Keith about Thanksgiving. 

We were able to do this turkey craft in about 20 minutes and Shane loved it! We talked with Shane about what a turkey was, why we eat them on Thanksgiving, the Indians and Pilgrims, and what it means to give thanks. Shane always listens and understands a bit better when we have a hands on activity to go along with a teaching moment. He is such a kinetic learner! So here is how we made our Turkey Family while we taught about Thanksgiving.

For this craft you need some card stock paper or a paper bag, scissors, goggly eyes, foam strips or feathers, 3D foam or glue dots, pipe cleaners, a hot glue gun, and some hands. I like to use what I have on hand so mix and match your supplies as needed!

First, I traced everyone's hands on the card stock. I found some card stock with word definitions such as peace, joy, thanks, love that I chose to use. I think a brown paper bag would work too, just make sure the paper can hold the weight of the feathers or foam.

Then I cut out the hands. To me this is already adorable! I love little hand print shapes especially when they are my kids. 

Then I put some 3D foam squares on and let Shane add the foam strips. I wish I had feathers but I just used what we had and it work fine. I like to use Glue Dots or 3D foam because it is clean and holds up. You could easily use a glue stick with feathers but for the foam strips we needed something stronger.

After they were done they look like this. I bet you would NEVER guess which turkey is Shane's turkey (hint green is his favorite color)!

I used a hot glue gun and glued the eye, legs and beak on as well as the turkey's snood. The hot glue ensured the eyes and pipe cleaners stayed where they should. I also like to add a little dab to the end of the pipe cleansers because they can be sharp.

Then our Turkey Family found a happy view from my office/kitchen window. These turned out so cute! I hope you can make some with your kids and have the added time to teach about Thanksgiving.

In case you missed it these are my three top books for teaching about Thanksgiving and thanks. I highly recommend these books.  

Thank you for stopping by to read today!

Green Smoothies

Shane is a PICKY eater so this mama does all she can to promote healthy eating habits even with a picky pallet.

This week I am sharing our favorite green smoothie recipe. This drink has healthy greens mixed in with whole milk yogurt, and tropical fruit. My family prefers more of a icy type smoothie as opposed to creamy and this one is perfect.  Shane drinks it up and I feel better knowing he is getting the nutrients he needs.

Green Smoothie

1/2 cup apple juice

1/2 cup whole milk yogurt

1/2 cup loosely packed spinach leaves

1 ripe mango, peeled and cubed

1/2 cup frozen peaches
1/2 cup frozen pineapple

Directions

In a blender add the liquids first, then fresh ingredients, then frozen on top. Follow your blenders directions for blending a smoothie. Makes 2-3 servings.

Enjoy!

Why I Learned a Song About Cheeseburgers

The things we do as parents. I spent the whole of last week learning the exact lyrics to a song about cheeseburgers. In truth, I did this with a bit of a sour attitude at first because in my little bit of free time as a mom I had better things to be doing. I kept thinking about how I could be getting ahead on some cooking, calling my best friend in California whom I rarely get a chance to talk with these days, or reading a book. The last thing I felt like doing was watching Veggie Tales  on You Tube over and over again until I could sing The Cheeseburger Song word for word. However, I did it. I learned that song.

I learned that song for Shane. I learned that Silly Song from Larry because that is currently what Shane is into these days. He LOVES The Cheeseburger Song thanks to Brian playing it for Shane one night. That's all it took to become a current favorite. Brian sings it to Shane during bedtime on nights he is home from work and Shane sits in his lap and mouths the words with joy and delight. It is what my son is into these days so I learned it for him.

These little years are so short and as a mom to two boys I want to find every way I can to connect with them even if it feels as foreign as playing swords, as goofy as jumping like frogs in the park, or as silly as singing a song about a cucumber who loves a cheeseburger. I want to take advantage of any opportunity I have to  find joy in what my boys do, to make memories with them, to encourage them in their interests. One day I know Shane won't want me to sing songs to him at night or tuck him in so these days, as silly as it is, you can find me singing a song with gusto about a Cheeseburger because my son loves it.

I think we have all learned a silly song for our child, stayed up late to read a popular new book our kid loves, or eaten at a trendy restaurant because our children wanted to . One day they are going to grow up and leave us but as parents we get to send them off with the memories of us showing interest in what they are interested in and spending time with them. We get to show them their interest matter to us and I think that is a important lesson and memory for The Brothers. One day that interest in The Cheeseburger Song is going to turn into an interest in a girl, a college, a career, a faith, a car, a life calling and I want to be right there showing both my boys that it matters to me because they matter to me. So I practice showing interest in what they are interested in now which for Shane is a song about a cheeseburger.