Some New Toys....

Last night, we went to our friend, Oliver's, birthday party. He's getting ready to turn the big 3 this week.

I actually didn't take any photos at the party...Hopefully, one of Oliver's parents will post some photos (Hint Hint).

But, to the brilliance of Oliver's mother and/or father, they requested no gifts. Instead, each child was to bring a wrapped used toy for a toy exchange amongst all of the kids. WONDERFUL IDEA!

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This morning, Oliver and Lily were here.

Oliver showed up with his "new" toy from the exchange.



I'm actually not sure what it's called, but there's a magical little switch inside the ball. When it's turned on, the ball moves uncontrollably. The little animal is attached to the ball. So, it spins as well....

Oliver & Lily think it's funny. Luke was scared of it :(

So, I picked it up for a bit to avoid crying. I put it on the table.

After awhile, Luke saw it. He pointed at it and said, "a ba."

Since he wanted to play with a "ball" so badly, I took it down. He promptly threw it down on the tile floor in our kitchen -- probably not the best for it.

So, I picked it up again and distracted him with one of his balls.

Lily then managed to find this toy. She too promptly threw it on the floor -- again, the tile floor.

So, I hid it.

I hope it still works, Oliver....

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A very sweet little girl named Ellie brought another toy for the exchange.

Luke got this toy from Ellie. It's a battery-powered steering wheel that has a horn, a gear shift, and a bunch of buttons that make noise.

This morning, A.L.L. 3 children were amazed with this toy.



While this photo is sweet and cute, it really didn't last long. Shortly after taking this photo, a fight ensued.

So, the toy ended up being taken away for the morning.

Ahhhhh.....the fun of "new" toys!

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Being the 20-month old that Luke is, we frequently have a mess of toys in our home. You parents know EXACTLY what I'm talking about.

But, when there are two extra children here (as there are here 1-2 mornings/week, it gets especially messy.



Many times, it's worse, but you get the point. Fortunately, Oliver's pretty good about helping me pick up toys if I sing one of two "clean-up" songs with him. Luke's getting the hang of picking up toys -- especially if he sees Oliver cleaning up toys.

Lily's not so much there yet, but she'll get here -- especially with two older boys showing her "the ropes."

And, just for fun -- Luke has been really into playing with these plastic cookie cutters lately. He makes a nice mess. You certainly don't want to step on them with bare feet. But, he does do a good job of picking them up when he's finished.

I'm not sure what the thrill is, but they do keep him busy for a bit.



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On a completely different note -- Do you ever have those stages in your life where you feel God is really trying to teach you something? God is always teaching us all things. It's just whether or not we choose to listen to Him and learn.

But, over the last five months or so, I feel God has been teaching me sooooo many things. I almost don't know where to begin. It's one of those things in life I really can't full describe. I'm not sure you can fully understand until it's happened.

So, periodically, I may start posting a few things...I certainly don't want to promise a certain number of times a week or anything, but you know -- when I feel like sharing.

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So, here goes....

Like all of us, I periodically do get angry over something -- usually something later to be deemed stupid.

I've been going through The One Year Book of Hope by Nancy Guthrie. Our friend Jess has mentioned it a couple of times on her blog, and I know several people around here are also going through it.

Anyways, I've been on the chapter titled "Joy Robbers." One of the joy robbers mentioned is anger.

In the book, Nancy (the author) talks about how feeling a flash of anger isn't necessarily a sin. But, anger does become a sin as we entertain it -- as we stir it up and allow it to drive our emotions and steer our actions. (page 278)

I've thought about some times in my life I've been angry. I've thought about those times that the anger expressed caused other sins. Yes, the devil did win in those cases.

The Bible C.L.E.A.R.L.Y. states that anger can cause other emotions or can cause us to sin in other ways.

Whoa -- that's something I need to work on....

Just my "learning" for the day.

In your anger, do not sin; Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and DO NOT give the devil a foothold. Ephesians 4:26-27

Nothing too deep there -- just something to pray about, think about, study about, and remember.

Bye for now!