.Weekending.

I like the phrase "Weekending." 

I've been noticing quite a few bloggers are using this term and I'm joining in!

It makes me smile.

This weekend was an unusual one for our little Miller house. We had a full house. The two girls I nanny, Grace ad Joy, stayed with us! I have to admit, I rather like when their parents go out of town for the weekend. It's always a bit of a challenge but I love these girls and truly enjoy spending time with them.

My mother-in-law told me about a Garden Show the city of Lynchburg was hosting and asked if I would like to bring the girls and join her. How wonderful is my mom--always willing to help and always willing to love on some kiddos! (Can ya tell she's a grandmother?) The weather was delightful..cool breeze with the warm sun keeping our skin toasty! By the time we arrived, most of the flowers had been sold but we were able to see herbs, annuals, trees, and other shrubs. The girls had their faces painted and planted flowers! Mom and I were able to sit back and relax while watching the girls play on the playground in "Miller" Park..yes that is the actually name of the park.

Here are some pictures of our Saturday outing!

 The wild hair and messy faces mean one simple thing: FUN! 

 Also, I had to choose my battles wisely and I was OKAY with crazy hair today ;)

I hope you all had a wonderful weekend! Enjoy your Sunday Moms--

Happy Mother's Day! 

P.S. How cute are those old chairs turned planters?!

.A Rainy Zany Day.

We are definitely in the season of Spring here in Virginia. 

Rain. Rain. Rain.

 I enjoy it but I cannot say the same for the two little ones I watch everyday. 

Grace and Joy do not like the rain. 

Summer rain is refreshing and can be danced in while Spring rain is cold and can only be watched through windows.

It is Day 3 of rain.

 The girls have been rather zany on this rainy day so I had to think fast. 

Something fun.

Messy.

Colorful.

PAINT and lots of it :)

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I first told the story of Noah and the Ark to the girls.

They were fascinated.

I explained how God made a rainbow for man to remember He will never flood the earth again.

They were excited over the word "rainbow" and began speaking about pots of gold.

{We got back on track}

I used my paint bottles to portray ROY G BIV, the colors of the rainbow, to the girls. 

They had trouble saying "indigo."

We had fun saying each color and putting them in the correct order as they appear in a rainbow.

I then explained Warm colors and Cool colors.

They both wanted the Cool colors because they were "cool."

We went over how red, orange, and yellow were warm colors..as well as pink since it's obviously the favorite.

They learned green, blue, indigo, and violet were cool colors.

At this point, it was time to paint.

Paint. Paint. Paint.

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I only had my little point and shoot camera so the quality is not the greatest BUT just look at those happy faces! :)

The girls' painting outfits consisted of:

1. losing the pants

2. losing the socks

3. rolling up sleeves

4. pulling hair up and high

5. putting on adorable aprons

Grace began her canvas art using warm colors and Joy began with cool colors. After the canvas' were completed, we switched colors and used sketch paper!

Some close up of the lil munchkins hard at work.

Just take a look at those messy fingers! Remember..Mess=FUN!! Also remember, I'm a pretty kick a** nanny ;)

Tomorrow I will have the artists pose with their masterpieces but here is a little sneak peek!

I hope you all have enjoyed our Rainy Zany Day :)

P.S. Their legs and feet were covered in paint! So glad I didn't ruin their nice school pants!!

.I'm not a Mom yet..BUT.

Like I said, I am not a Mom BUT I am about to write a very "Mom-like" post. 

Take that as your fair warning ;)

Topic of discussion:

My first encounter.

I was first introduced to Veggies Tales when I was 14 years old. I was volunteering as a CIT (counselor-in-training) at Camp Orchard Hill in Dallas, PA. I was not a camper, I was considered a counselor and was much older than the campers..however..I felt like the kid sitting alone at lunch. Everyone at camp, and I mean everyone (including staff), knew about Veggie Tales. They could quote the characters and sing all of the songs and had inside jokes that could last a whole year! And there I was..completely left out. I was definitely not the cool counselor I always dreamed to be..I was known as the counselor who never even heard of Veggie Tales. It was the truth.

Why?

I was raised in a Christian home, attended Sunday school, church, youth group--you name it, I did it! Why were my group of friends and I in Northern New Jersey never exposed to Veggie Tales? I simply do not know.

Fast forward a few years.

My second encounter with Veggie Tales was in 2007 at Camp Tapawingo. This time I was Miss Katie, head counselor of the Commanche cabin. No more CIT for this girl ;) During staff training, my assigned group had to write the camp theme song all of the staff would sing during our welcome program. Sounds fun right? Well..my group decided to write lyrics to the tune of Veggie Tales songs..not just one song but songs--plural! AGAIN, I was that kid sitting alone at lunch. Everyone knew the tunes to every song. I never expected to be in this scenario again. The entire night I so badly wanted to participate in writing the song but I had no idea how many words, syllables, the lines had to be to fit with the melody. I was quiet. I'm not a quiet person. The other counselors had a blast remembering together the silly songs and laughed and laughed. Not me. 

Why?

I should have done my homework knowing I'd be working at a Christian camp with little girls who love Veggie Tales. Miss Katie FAIL.

Today.

If you have read my About Me post, you know I am a nanny for two darling little girls. Guess what--they had never heard about Veggie Tales! How the turn tables have...turned. I was thrilled when I discovered Veggie Tales on Netflix and even more excited when I realized I had a "reason" to watch them--Grace and Joy! The girls are 4 and 2 years old so this is absolutely perfect for them! The three of us have been watching Veggie Tales and have enjoyed every second! I am having so many "oh, this is where that's song from.." moments and "so this is what they were talking about.." It all makes sense. Just like that. Thank you Veggie Tales. 

Opinion on Veggie Tales.

Maybe because it is new to me BUT I love Veggie Tales. The creators were extremely clever in finding modern ways to discuss stories from the Bible. I am loving the lessons being learned from the shows which are good for both children and adults. The writing is perfect and will keep the children entertained and the adults laughing with the inside jokes directed toward them. It truly has been an amazing experience seeing how much Grace and Joy are learning and asking questions about Jesus and God. I love sharing the Lord with them. I love seeing the light bulbs go off in their little minds. I love watching as they incorporate what they have learned in the way they treat each other. I love singing the songs with them. I love Veggie Tales. 

If I had to pick.

If I had to pick a favorite, even though it is very difficult, I would choose Sweetpea Beauty. This short movie includes two episodes created for young girls to understand true beauty. It is "beautifully" written and clearly communicates the message. This particular topic, beauty, hits close to home as I have worked with young girls ages 11-14 for an entire summer at Camp Tapawingo. 11-14 is such a hard age, especially for girls. I remember those years for myself and the first things I picture are my braces, my acne, and my bushy eyebrows. Not exactly what the world accepts as beauty. Was I beautiful during those ages? Yes. Thankfully, during those ages, I knew my Heavenly Father and understood his love for me and that He created me. I was His masterpiece. My heart aches for girls who have low self esteem and do not feel "beautiful." There have been plenty of times when I, too, have felt this way but I cling to God's word and remember I was created in His image. While working with my campers, Psalm 139 was vital during devotions. I would like to share with you a few verses from this book.

Psalm 139:2-4

"You know when I sit and when I rise; 

you perceive my thoughts from afar. 

You discern my going out and my lying down; 

you are familiar with all my ways. 

Before a word is on my tongue 

you, LORD, know it completely."

Psalm 139:13-15

 "For you created my inmost being;
   you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
   your works are wonderful,
   I know that full well. 

My frame was not hidden from you
   when I was made in the secret place,
   when I was woven together in the depths of the earth."

I love these verses. The words are powerful and true. Every time I read them I have to stop and thank Him, my Creator, for everything He has done. Sweetpea Beauty focuses on these verses and uses the characters to tell the story. The first episode is titled "Snoodlerella" and it is a spin on you guessed it--Cinderella. Snoodlerella is a young girl with, "glasses and braces, uncontrollable hair and cumbersome graces.." who longs to be beautiful. Snoodlerella finally understands she is beautiful from the King, her creator, at the ball. The King says to Snoodlerella, "I think you're beautiful. I treasure you deeply, you're lovely my child. I think you're beautiful..your hair and your braces..your glasses and clothes and cumbersome graces..and many more traits which I could speak of, there's nothing about you I don't truly love. Your kind and your honest, your funny and smart..you're really quite charming, you have a good heart. Daughter, I am the King, and I made you that way. I delight in your beauty, you are wonderfully made. I knew you before the foundation was laid, you're precious to me..every hair on your head. Daughter, see and believe." Ladies--Veggie Tales are amazing! Read those words again and delight in the truth. The second episode titled "Sweetpea Beauty" speaks about inner beauty and the heart. It focuses on Proverbs 31:30 which says, "Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised." 

I'm not a MOM yet..BUT..

I had to share this with you. Veggie Tales are wonderful and speak God's word in a fun, entertaining way for young children to understand and enjoy. I am well aware I am about 10-15 years late on actually watching a Veggie Tale, but I am so glad I finally did.

What do you think?

Have you been a fan since a child..since middle school..high school? Are you new to learning about Veggie Tales? Do your children enjoy the Bible stories taught? Mothers, will you show your young girls Sweetpea Beauty? What do you think? Like "they" say:


There's never ever ever ever ever been a show like Veggie Tales!
..However..
NO HOWEVER!

.Down Comforter LOVE.

This morning I woke up with a headache and extremely swollen eyelids..(would have included a picture, but I thought I would spare you all from my Quasimodo appearance).. Last night I used my Proactiv, all three steps as stated in my Goals, and then used a facial moisturizer on my eyes. Friends, do not do this! The mixing of the Proactiv and face lotion resulted in a horrible, puffy mess. It is now finally clearing up..now, at 10pm. 


I was hoping if I wore my hair down and my hat, it would cause just enough shadows to hide my new, frightening look. I walked into the girls' school to pick them up with my head held down and was trying my best to be as invisible as possible..I politely greeted the teachers and feel I successfully hid my puffy eyelids until Joy (2) saw me..she ran to me like always and jumped into my arms only to say, "Ew what happened to your face?" in front of everybody...lovely, just lovely. I then went on to pick up Grace (4) and as Joy was exclaiming to her to look at my face, Grace says, "Oh Katie, does it hurt? Are you okay? You look funny!"--I failed. People and kids noticed, at least Grace was concerned first before pointing out how strange I looked. Ah well..tomorrow will be better! Lesson learned.


After lunch, I made a "special bed" for the girls on my living room floor. It simply consisted of 5 blankets, 2 of which were luxurious down comforters, and 5 pillows all smushed together creating a comfy, fluffy place to rest. They loved it because I used the word "special" and got them excited about it. Kids are so easy sometimes--"sometimes!" We all cuddled and watched a new Babar DVD I picked up at Ollie's for $2. (Thank you Ollie's for a very lazy, relaxing afternoon!) 


When the movie ended, I brought the girls upstairs for potty break and reading time. I then tucked the girls in bed for naptime and made myself a "special bed" on my couch in front of the tv. My laptop broke earlier this week so while the girls are sleeping I have been rather bored. Since my house was recently cleaned, I just watched movies..a lot of them! I was only about 10 minutes into Serendipity, when I heard the girls crying upstairs. (Skipping a long story...) I decided it would be best to split the girls up today for naps so Joy came downstairs with me and I made her another "special bed" on the couch. She was asleep instantly--yes!! As I continued watching my movie, I had to press pause to snap a few pictures of Joy and Colden sleeping on the couch. Apparently, I am not the only one who LOVES down comforters ;)


This is the first picture I took, I apologize for the blurriness, I had to post it because I love the way Colden's head is positioned.

At one point I let out a soft giggle--because let's face it, how cute are these two!--and Colden gave me a "look" like he was expressing his annoyance with me for waking him. No big deal, this was him two seconds later:

.We Survived.

Good news--Adam and I made it through another weekend with the girls!

Bad news--The precious little ones gave me bronchitis :(

This was genuinely one of the best weekends Adam and I have had in a long time. It was filled with so many smiles, laughs, crafts, presents, reading, cleaning, washing, and kisses! (hence the spreading of the illness) Even though we were all coughing a bit, EVERYBODY had an amazing weekend, even Colden!

Friday consisted of:

     - Numerous crafts, some more difficult and others perfect for two toddlers!

     - Movie watching, thank you to Hulu and their wonderful variety of family

       Christmas movies!

     - Snuggling and reading story books, how I LOVE children's books..the feel

       of the thick pages, the smell when you open the cover, and the beautiful

       beautiful illustrations!

     - Bathtime until every last finger and toe became wrinkled!

  

Saturday consisted of:

     - Special surprises under the Christmas Tree.
     - Trip downtown to meet Santa and his lovely wife, thank you Lynchburg 
       and our Community Market Place for a great morning!
     - 3 hour naps, yes!!
     - Sugar cookies! Sprinkles, stars, beads, oh what fun :)
     - Snuggling on the couch before bed.
     - Bedtime at 730pm, and then relaxation for the husband and I.

Sunday consisted of:

     - Sleeping in, just kidding!

     - Pancake breakfast.

     - Lazy morning playing with new presents, brought back so many memories

       of my brother and I growing up on Christmas morning.

     - Special photo shoot for Mom and Dad (In case a certain Mom sees this,

       we will keep the final pictures secret until they receive their gift!)

The weekend sadly went by fast, even waking up at 650am. Adam and I love these girls and we are honored their parents let us keep them for weekends they are away. Before I end this very long, very picture crammed post, there is just one more thing I forgot to mention...

I GET PAID FOR THIS! I HAVE THE BEST JOB IN THE ENTIRE WORLD!