Unexpected Perks

The Monroes, the family of five that camped in our basement for about a month, left a little over a week ago.  I won't lie.  It was hard and sad to say goodbye to them.  We have spent the last week expecting small people to arrive in the kitchen for toast or applesauce or popcorn.  We will adjust to life as a family of four again, but it might take a few weeks.  On the up side, just yesterday I witnessed an unexpected highlight of having hosted a family with three small children.

We had a 2-year old visitor yesterday who was immediately embraced by my 8-year-old and whisked away to the playroom for time with trains.  While the moms sat and talked ministry stuff, the 2-year old was completely entertained by Paul.  His willingness to build a train track and facilitate a simple art project without being asked showed me how much he matured while we hosted the Monroes.

At the end of the visit, Luke popped out of his room where he had been reading, to say hey to folks.  And help the 2-year old  put on his shoes before leaving.  The moms were out on the driveway loading ministry stuff into a minivan when Luke appeared with the perfectly shod toddler.  I made a comment about how awesome that was and Luke just said he'd done it a ton of times for the Monroe's toddler girl.  Of course you did.

And now for the part where I post WAY too many pictures of our time with the Monroes.  And by that I mean pictures of their little girls.  Sorry, Asher.  We love you, too, buddy.  We are just a little too smitten with your sisters.

 First selfie in my kitchen with my girl

 She's two days old here.  It was the day they moved in.

 The boys with their books on the couch

Baby Montage

 She was almost smiling!

 Luke and Baby Girl

 Swinging with Tovah-SuperNova (a Bangsund original nickname)

 Face making 

 "Feed baby"

 Another face maker!

 Luke is blurry because he was moving from side to side.  Adorable.

Sisters!

Big Brother and Baby Sister

 Simply Adorable

 Luke spends time with Baby Girl

 These next shots are backlit, but I loved them too much to exclude them.

 Reading to all the people

About three weeks old.

 Paul reads to Asher and Tovah from Curious George

 Both my boys did this with the box at this age.  Asher, you are one of us.

 I could not resist the photo bomb by Luke and the half moon by Asher.  Swinging is fun.

 These two...

 ...really like each other...

 ...a lot.

 More swinging!

 Two days shy of one month old!

  Last selfie in my kitchen with my girl.  We are adorable.

Real Hospitality

Hospitality has never been my thing.  None of the rooms in my house would ever come close to being featured in a magazine, unless it were a periodical about people who get most of their furniture for free and leave fake wood paneling on their walls.   Not because it's hip.  More because they can't be bothered.  It's just low on the priority list.

I've been in homes that are beautifully appointed.  They made me feel like I was at a lovely bed and breakfast.  Now THAT'S hospitality.  Little soaps in the bathroom.  Fancy napkins folded in fancy ways.  Furniture that looks like someone picked it out instead of having it offered for free from a neighbor who was moving.  My house has just never fit the bill.  It's not that it's messy (although it often is messy).  It's more that none of the furniture/decor really matches or is fashionable.  And I don't care.  At all.

So, I've always figured this removed me from the realm of those gifted with hospitality.  Recently someone told me I was wrong.  Here's why.

About five weeks ago a family from our church moved into our basement for the four weeks before they left town to go plant a new church in Nashville, TN.  Five more people in our home, including a four year old, a 22 month old, and a newborn.  Crazy, right?

About a week after they moved in, I was explaining our temporary family of nine to my friend, Dena. I couldn't help smiling and laughing at how delightful it was having a very full house.  And she looked at me and told me that I clearly had the gift of hospitality.  I argued with her!  I said, "No!  I'm not baking or anything.  And the house is FAR from clean most days.  I just love having them in our home.  That's different, right?"

Dena just looked at me and shook her head.  "Amy, that IS hospitality - enjoying people in your home and making them feel comfortable and loved."

This exploded my brain.  What?  Hospitality isn't Pinterest everything?  I can't buy it on Etsy?  That just sounds nuts.  But it's true.  It is more about my heart than my home.  And lo and behold, I have a heart that LOVES having folks in my home.

First Day of School and Purple Belts

September has been a whirlwind so far.  No joke.  Let me back up a bit.

We actually started school on August 13th.  The boys had just arrived home from a trip to the cabin on August 12th.  I actually had three days to prep materials and resources.  And I was PUMPED to start.  However.  The children probably could have used a few more days to adjust to life at home.  Dang.  I hate it when my enthusiasm rolls over the top of my people.  We had a hard first day.  It wasn't helped by the fact that within a few hours of finishing one student would be lying in bed with a fever.  I was oblivious until that one put himself to bed at 12:30pm.

Meanwhile, our other person decided that he was going to refuse to do any sort of writing curriculum.  Forever.  The laser beams that shot from my eyes narrowly missed exploding his head. Good did come out of all this because our Daddy-Man/Principal made an unscheduled stop by the classroom to facilitate a meaningful conversation between a struggling student and his frustrated teacher.  We are blessed to have that guy.  And probably still alive because of him as well.

Anyway, nobody died on the first day of school.  And we took cute pictures despite bad attitudes.  What is a blog if not a place to be blunt?  Right?

 The table ready to go!

 The Paul.  He doesn't look like he's about to come down with strep throat, does he?  He is.

 I love this guy.  Even when he refuses to do his writing assignments.

102 degrees Fahrenheit that same day.  Boo.

But then he got better.  And it was time to get their purple belts.  Okay, clearly I have abandoned transitions.  Pictures.  Here they are.

 During testing - don't they look awesome?

Then they got to spar.  Sweet.

Purple belts!  Yay!

And since I had five hours of sleep last night, and a conclusion is failing me...the end.

Homeschool Organizational Bits

I added some new elements to our school room this year.   This will be our sixth year on this journey, if we count the year we did preschool with Luke.  I find that reassessing our organization each year helps me discover ways to improve how we do what we do.  I'm a huge fan of making things run smoother if at all possible.

 I've loved our green bins but really wanted to add labels to them.  Simultaneously, I did not want to commit to labeling them.  What if I decide to use them for something different in three months?  While pondering this (whining about this) with my husband, he made a suggestion that absolutely rocked.

Painters tape and a Sharpie white paint marker.  Brilliant.  It's something I can easily change, but they stay in place just fine.  My husband is awesome.  For those who aren't familiar with my bins, each one has a subject in it.  (WWE=Writing With Ease; FLL=First Language Lessons; HWOT=Handwriting Without Tears) Each day the boys look at their schedule to ascertain which subjects they need to complete.  Grab the bin.  Move to a workspace that isn't the same as your brother's workspace.  Work.  Replace bin when finished.  Having them labeled has helped SO much!

Then I prepped the binders for the year.  I do these at the beginning so that we can fill them up as we go instead of putting them together at the end.  It works well.

 The card stock background just makes it easier to insert the spine label.

 I don't usually get this cutesy with the labels, but I had time this year.  The boys were at the cabin with Grandma and Grandpa during the four days right before school started.

 Yep.  I had more time than usual this year for sure.  These pencil pouches are meant to ensure that everyone's stuff stays reasonably close to their school work.

I decided to try something new with my pencil pouch.  I had never actually purchased a pencil pouch for myself, so that was new.  I highly recommend it.  I often find myself sitting on the couch with the boys, reading something awesome and needing a pencil to write a narration or what have you or a pair of scissors to cut out a timeline figure.  I always have my Instructor's Guide with me, but I don't always have writing utensils.  Until now.

Look at this!  I put my pouch IN the Instructor's Guide facing the current week's schedule.  Perfect!  Sometimes it's the little things that make life SO much easier.

I guess that's it for organizational bits for our start up.  I will do my next post about our actual first day of school.  :-)

Luke Turns Ten

Well, folks.  Tomorrow is the actual day, but we had Luke's 10th birthday party today.  Ten.  I might spend time waxing eloquent about that later, but right now I just want to share all the awesomeness of his party.

For whatever reason, as Luke's 10th birthday approached, I really felt like it should be something special, something different.  At the same time, it needed to be something inexpensive.  Right?  I'm a big believer in using the gifts, talents and resources God has already provided.  We have an awesome basement with a projector.  Let's watch a movie.

I'm also a huge proponent for parental authority.  I don't think I've ever once asked my kids what theme they wanted for their birthday.  I tell them.  Okay, I strongly suggest by saying something like, "Hey!  Wouldn't it be fun to have a _________-themed birthday party?"  For whatever reason, they've always been super excited about each theme I pick.  Not surprisingly, when I suggested to Luke a Star Wars themed party during which we would watch the original Star Wars (1977), he had no problems embracing the idea. You see, our boys hadn't seen the film yet.  I know.  Plenty of younger peeps have viewed this film and they are turning out just fine.  We just prefer to enjoy limited media together as a family.  It makes viewings like this one incredibly awesome instead of everyday.  And folks, it was epic.

Star Wars Episode IV A New Hope on the big screen with surround sound.  Five of your closest buddies and their dads.  Toss in a few presents, some cake, and you have yourself a very nearly perfect 10-year old birthday party.  I LOVED the simplicity of this event.  I purchased simple snacks like popcorn, granola bars, Fritos, and trail mix.  We set up the food on my desk.  I popped SIX bags of popcorn, and they ate nearly every kernel while sitting mesmerized by the story of good vs. evil accompanied by LOTS of explosions and light sabers.   EPIC.

Sidenote:  We decided to preview the film with the boys the night before the event.  Having never seen it, we knew there might be moments of stress during the initial viewing.  So, we all watched it together Friday night.  There were a few moments of pausing to check on them, but for the most part, the boys simply sat, agog at the cinematic masterpiece playing out before them.  So.  Good.

Here are some pics for those of you who want to see the fun!

 I made star-shaped cupcakes using a Wilton silicone baking tray.  They weren't perfect, and not one of the folks who ate them cared.

 The party room ready to go!

 All the peeps are watching...

Like I said, it was rather epic.  After the movie we sang Happy Birthday, ate some cake and opened presents.  I took a picture of all the kids together to show off their party favors.  Can you spot the party favor?

Yep.  I bought a t-shirt for every party attendee.  They watched the film in them and then took them home.  Erik was at Target last night.  These shirts were $7 each.  About a half hour before the party started I decided each boy needed one.  I hadn't purchased party favors yet, thinking it would just be a favor-less party.  But this was irresistible.  I love the idea of sending kids home with something their mothers won't cringe over. I'm brilliant. ;-)

And that was the party.  I can't say for sure, but we might never host a movie-less party again.  It was so easy and fun.  I mean, we have this great projector and this great room.  Use what you have, people.  Pinterest Moms - you keep on creating awesome things and doing the crazy, awesome business that you do.  Me?  I'm gonna watch movies in my basement, and thank Jesus for giving me boys who don't care if the frosting looks right on the cupcakes.

Paul Turns Eight

This past Thursday our Paul turned eight.  How crazy is that?  And yes, I'm aware that this happened nearly a week ago.  It's been a busy one, folks.  I'll catch up!

 Baby Paul on the couch at about four months.

8 Year Old Paul after swim lessons on his birthday - I love the big smile that is all gums - I used to do this!

Paul's birthday began with the building of his birthday train, a Bangsund Family tradition.

After the birthday train there were two small gifts from Mom and Dad.

 A little bit of LEGO...

 ...with a side of ham.

A cool craft kit that allows him to make these neato dragon things.

After breakfast and some LEGO building, it was time to go meet Grandma and Grandpa for second breakfast at IHOP, per the birthday boy's request.  Paul ate all five of his silver dollar pancakes, and then opened his gifts.

 It's a Minecraft sheep.  And Paul is utterly delighted.

 It's the Ender Dragon from Minecraft - in LEGO.  Really it's the coolest thing ever for most 8 year olds in the Western Hemisphere.

Checking out the back and showing it to the others at the table.  The adults were clueless but polite.  The older brother was probably a little jealous, but handled himself beautifully.

We went back to the house for a few hours before swim lessons, during which Paul built LEGO and Luke watched Paul build LEGO.  It really does work well, for the most part.  We headed for swim lessons at 12:15.  The boys are doing private lessons this year.  They just haven't ever learned much with thirty seven other kids in the pool.  It's not the best learning environment for folks who can get distracted by their own arm hair.  For. Real.  I was blessed to be whining about this predicament to a friend of mine who shared her solution to a similar problem in their family.  Private lessons with a college student who teaches the boys at the nearby high school pool during the adult swim hour.  It's empty, people.  Except for two or three elderly folks swimming laps, my dudes are the only peeps in the pool.  And they go one at a time so they can't even distract each other.  Good idea?  Yes.  Yes, it is.

I don't have pictures of Paul in the pool on his birthday, but here are a few from two days earlier, when he had his first lesson.  Teacher Nikki did a fabulous job getting him to put his face in the water by the end of his first day.

After swim lessons, Paul got to pick lunch.  Jack in the Box.  $1 for a grilled cheeseburger.  Yes, I know it's not a healthy choice, but folks, birthdays only come once a year.  And you can't beat $1!

We ran over to Fred Meyer to grab the birthday cake, and then headed home.  Regarding the lack of baking on my part - here's the deal - I had it in my plan and on my calendar to bake Paul's cake.  When the day came, Tuesday, I had delivered Paul to Canby to spend the night at my mom's place.  Luke was on his first overnight bike trip with Grandpa.  I got home at 3pm.  And I did not want to bake a cake with my free time.  So, I got online and noticed I could buy a cake for less than $20 at Fred Meyer. Terrible?  Nope.  Do I feel guilty?  Nope.  I played piano and sang for nearly two hours.  And when my husband arrived home I wasn't grumpy or crabby or stressed or overheated from having baked a cake.  I was relaxed and happy to see him and ready for our date.  I am so smart.

Anyway...we grabbed Paul's cake and headed home where I put the finishing touches on the basement for Paul's Minecraft party that evening.  Okay.  I want to be SUPER clear.  I hired my friend Vanessa to help me put all this together.  She has an amazing Etsy shop called Timber + Lace where she sells adorable and awesome party decorations.  I approached her about a month ago and asked if I could hire her to help me throw a Minecraft party for Paul.  I had spent about three minutes on Pinterest, and it only made me sweat and weep.  Crafting does that to me.  Vanessa said yes, and I'll let the pictures tell the rest of the story.  Sidenote:  If you aren't familiar with Minecraft, none of these pictures will make sense.  ;-)

 It's a creeper face made from square paper plates.

 Paul's birthday banner with Minecraft themed paper.

 Paul's finished Ender Dragon acted as our tables centerpiece.  There is a creeper head in the background, flanked by Paul's new sheep and ocelot.

 Both boys pose with the Ender Man that they helped me create!  Yes, we did this together.  Vanessa was super inspiring and encouraging.  She also left me enough black plates and black streamer to make this happen.

With the basement ready to go, the guests began to arrive!  We did an evening birthday party on the day of the birthday so that our Daddy-Man could be there.  The Saturday after the birthday was not available.  In the future, we will find a way to have the party mid-morning.  Evening just isn't our best time of day, but we made it work this time!

The kids started by eating pizza.  Then we played a game.  Pin the tail on the Minecraft pig.  Pictures.

Pizza eaters with the pig in the background

 More pizza eaters

Each player wore the creeper head and pinned their tail.  This is the birthday boy.

This is the birthday boy's brother.  We are keeping this thing forever.

This is the birthday boy's five-year-old friend's dad.  Aforementioned five year old was NOT going to wear the creeper head.  So his dad said he would do it for him.  Awesome.

The Fred Meyer cake with the cool cake toppers Vanessa made.  Happy Birthday, Paul!

After the cake it was time to play an hour of Minecraft.  No pictures available because I was upstairs with the moms enjoying mom time!  Overall, the party was a HUGE success.  And I was SO happy when it was done.  One down, one to go!!

More Birthday Than I Ever Expected

Ever been surprised?  In a good way?  ;-)  As a stay at home mom, too often the things that surprise me aren't all that pleasant.  You put what into the dryer?!?  (a red crayon - not good)  You did what to the carpet?  (drew a map in marker on it)  You ate how many of the saltines in one sitting?  (Two packs) See what I'm getting at here?  Surprises can be a mixed bag around here.

Last Friday my husband surprised me in the BEST WAY EVER.  Let me explain.  I knew that we were going to be having a small, intimate dinner at my in-laws place in celebration of my birthday.  It was going to be us and two other couples from church, our pastors and their wives.  These are folks that we appreciate and with whom we rarely get to socialize.  In fact, the six of us had NEVER done anything without kids that wasn't ministry related.  So, my in-laws made us a beautiful dinner to celebrate my 40th.  So fun!  Wanna see the menu?

So nice

It was fancy, people.  Speaking of people, you should see them, too.  Here are the people pictures.

 The Vices with their salads

 The Monroes also with salads

The Bangsunds

Dinner was so lovely.  That is perhaps the hugest understatement of this post.  It was elegant and refined.  Our children were not present.  Oh, the pure bliss of uninterrupted dinner conversation.  It was good.

We finished our main course and prepared to retire to the veranda for dessert, as stated on the menu.  Lovely.  We walked down the hallway of the condo, and there on the veranda were stunning, shiny pink decorations, a table full of pink desserts and twelve of our closest friends in this life, blowing on party noise makers, wearing pins with pictures of me from childhood, and shouting, "Surprise!"  It was the coolest thing anyone has ever done for me.  And let me be clear, I walked right up to my husband and kissed him on the lips and told him, "Good job."  I know full well the sacrifice and effort this took on his part.  Yes, he had help.  Kirsten and Vanessa from Roots did all the decorating and dessert arranging.  But my husband went WAY outside his comfort zone and planned this amazing, beautiful surprise for me.  I was stunned and thrilled and so excited.  And I cried a little.  I love surprises...the good kind...and I had never been thrown a surprise party before.  It felt so special to know that people were thinking and planning to do something this wonderful for me.  I'm not sure which love language surprises fit under, but it's mine.  I don't think I knew that until Friday night.  Anyway...here are some pictures...I wish there were more, but the photo booth photographer is pregnant with her third and I am NOT going to bug her for the pics from that business.  If/when she gets them to me, you might see even MORE birthday business from my 40th.  It was that epic, people.

Okay, here's what I do have.

This is the moment!

 SO surprised and a little weepy.

I wore this tiara all evening.  It lights up and says, "Party Girl."  These people know me so well.

A selfie with my Holly

He's dancing.  I'm so happy I took this picture.

I am so blessed to know these folks.