Today's Activity

Joel and I played with craft pom poms today working on his fine motor skills. He enjoys playing and holding little things, so this activity was right up his alley.
He used tongs to lift the colored pom poms into the ice cube tray "homes".
I also got an old Rubbermaid container out and cut holes in the lid so he could practice putting different size Pom poms into the holes.
Fun fun!

Homemade Finger Paints

Joel and I tried homemade finger paints today! The paint needed to be more watery, but for the first time it wasn't bad. Joel and I had a great time measuring, creating, cooking, stirring, cooling, painting, and washing up!

Cubbies Boy Joel

I snapped a few photos with Cade at Cubbies yesterday. He really enjoys Cubbies. Though we do not work on his verses like we did with Cade at his age, Joel is still getting it. It took him a few weeks to get to the point where he wanted to wear his vest, but now he will! Check out my cute Cubby!

Happy Thanksgiving

We celebrated Thanksgiving with the Odell family this year. It was so nice to have the Lambert's in town. Cade was so excited to have his best friend here to spend 4 days with. The girls did a little Black Friday shopping. The men enjoyed lots of fishing moments and a full day of rabbit hunting. And of course there was lots and lots of food the whole weekend, which meant lots of preparation an cleanup! What a great weekend!

Brookfield Zoo

I made a last minute decision trip to go to the Brookfield Zoo the Tuesday before Thanksgiving. I had been investigating for a few days and discovered they had free admission on Tuesdays and Thursdays. I knew Cade had school, but I still thought maybe it would work Curtis encouraged me to go, so I decided we would then we wouldn't then we would. I was not a good decision maker. Cade first wanted to go to school, then wanted to go to the zoo, then back to school. And he did go to school till 9:30am, when I finally got my act together and just decided to go. Silly me.
We arrived at the zoo around 11:30am an stayed till 3:30pm. We had no problems with traffic or finding the zoo. It was so nice to just get away and enjoy the boys.
Cade was so fun to watch investigate the zoo. He got a map and started planning our route. He did a great job knowing where in the zoo as we moved from one exhibit to the next. He planned when we would stop and play at the playgrounds and when we would see certain animals.
The boys loved the big cats, giraffes, ostrich, and the small animals in the desert and rain forest buildings. Really there wasn't anything they disliked. We will definitely be going again!!

Joker

Joel is my joker. It is just him. He is always playing a game, and waiting for me to play along. I am so opposite of him. I am too serious and need to learn a few lessons from my little one. I feel like I am always in a rush and always needing to accomplish a task. I have this internal drive and my conscience feels as though I will be a bad steward of my time and resources if I act differently. I am baffled each day as I look at my family and the different ways God made each of us. I know He made us all differently but yet all in His image. How did he intend for us to handle His commands and what is that suppose to look like with different personalities? Joel's joking personality doesn't respond to discipline and direction like my serious personality. It is hard to understand how God wants me to parent and simply be. I am really so thankful for the way God has blessed me with Joel for he makes me laugh when I need to. He even reminds me when I am upset, "Smile Mommy." God help me to understand to understand myself and my family so we will honor you in the way I live.

Donut Date

A new donut shop opened in town and we had to try it out twice in the first weekend! Yes, twice!
Joel and I had a donut date on the grand opening day of the shop, after we took Cade to school on the Friday of shotgun season (Daddy was hunting!). Unfortunately the donut shop was sold out and the sign said to return an hour and a half later. So that is what we did. And we got the last donut of the day. Yes, there was only one left. It was close. And we had a great time sitting at the table looking at funny donut pictures. I really enjoyed our time.
Since Cade did not get to join us on our date, I surprised the boys and left for church early on Sunday so we could stop and have another tasty treat. The boys were so excited and I loved just enjoying their delight.

Tae Kwon Do

We tried out a Tae Kwon Do class at a church about 20 minutes away last week. I would like for Cade to have a physically outlet this winter, but we don't want to get into the crazy schedule of practices and competitions that come with most sports. I like the positive environment at the Van Orin Gospel Church, but it wasn't as disciplined as I thought it would be. Not that the kids were out of control, but it was silence and respect throughout the class. We have not decided if we will be regular attenders. Curtis isn't for it too much. He would rather see Cade wrestle, but the environment and schedule with the local wrestling program doesn't work for us. We will see.
Cade did have a great time. He broke 4 boards his first night. Pretty cool.

Great Times with Grandma and Grandpa!

We were blessed with 2 days withe Grandma and Grandpa. They made a special trip to our home to bless us not only with their presence and love, but also with a bunk bed for the boys' room and a fun bike with training wheels for Joel.
It was a complete surprise to the boys, which made the start so fun! Cade came out of school running and yelling "Grandma, Grandma" with arms stretched out. It was priceless.
I know my Dad doesn't feel well and gets worn out very easily, but it was wonderful to have him come too. Curtis enjoys chit chatting with him about hunting and such. Plus the boys love playing with him. Cade knows grandpa is in pain a lot and it was so compassionate of him to immediately ask my mom on the way home from school how he was doing. And me, how can I not love my Daddy visiting. He has sacrificed so much of his life for me.
My Mom and I enjoyed a garage sale on Saturday morning. Just our style of shopping, so it was perfect. We got a few great bargains, including a new sunshine blanket for Joel and a Little Einsteins June. Plus new curtains for my bedroom closet. A little interior decorating! My Mom has taught me so many frugal tips for life so it is fun when we can be frugal together.
It was nice to have a couple days of getaway without leaving our house. Thanks for coming Grandma and Grandpa.

Organic Farm Field Trip

We went on our third field trip this last Friday. We had beautiful weather to enjoy the organic farm's animals. We saw turkeys, guineas, baby chickens, adult chickens, pigs, and cattle.
The chicken coup was very impressive and we enjoyed feeding the chickens wheat. The family was washing the eggs and packaging them to take to market.
The extra special part of this trip was Grandma Glenna got to come with us. Grandpa Bill stayed home with Joel so he could get a nap. Grandma is a teacher at heart and enjoyed interacting with the children and adults. She even made a song with our van load of kids on the way home.
"Thank you Miss Read. Thank you Miss Read for the noisy, smelly, manurey, busy, fun farming adventure."
What a great privilege to have Grandma join us. We are so blessed.

Happy Birthday Grandma Bev!

We made Grandma's 61st birthday cake for her this year! Unfortunately it wasn't very pretty but it sure tasted good! We had a nice cake and ice cream party with Pop and Grandma! We love you Grandma. Happy Birthday!!

Barker Gathering

Cousin Clarissa was in town from the state of Utah which calls for a Barker family gathering. The kids loved playing with each other and the adults loved chatting. Family moments are so fun when the thread of Jesus Christ runs through everyone's hearts.

Family Photo

We attempted a family photo for a Christmas card last week. We got one photo with everyone looking, which made the decision easy I guess. Another was 3 of 4 lookers and it was so pretty outside but we wanted everyone's smiles. So here we are, the Odell family at the start of November 2012.

Fall Open House

We had a great evening seeing Cade's classroom and school work at PCA's Fall open house. We were even treated to a little program with the kids singing. Cade had no fears getting up to sing, which is almost a first for him. He always says he is 'stage fright'. He loves Mrs. Bachelor, the music teacher, and follows her lead. This was a proud moment for Curtis and me to see him have no issues to perform.

Trick or Treating

We don't put a lot of emphasis on Halloween in our home but we do let the boys trick or treat. The first few years if Cade's life I planned a costume for us, but I quickly learned that filling the dress up box is the best way to get a trick or treating costume Why? Because the boys can never make up their mind or if I do purchase a costume they don't want to wear it anyway. Cade picked out his trapper costume just 30 minutes before we went out. This is him! Joel wanted to wear the dragon costume which I had actually purchased for Cade this summer for $3 at a garage sale. Oh well, we made the size 7-8 fit that little 3 year old.
We went out trick or treating for about 30 minutes before we went to Awana. It was a great amount of time to get plenty of candy and make tired legs. The highlight of our trick or treating was seeing Cade's teacher, Miss Read, handing out candy at her fianace's home. I had a real sense of joy seeing my boys faces this trick or treating evening. They were happy, excited and happy!

My Helper

Too cute! I love you Joel Charles!