TTT: Season 3, Episode 46

1. It's been a good week around The Asmussen Abode. We kicked off a new "project" of sorts this week and it has been going really well! It's kind of hard to define the project...mission, experiment, lesson, overhaul...all of those things somewhat suffice to say. Basically, over the past few weeks...especially with all of the Christmas toys and ads out... I've noticed my kids have majorly bad cases of the "I wants" and "I'm the boss." Of course, when you get everything you want, you naturally think that you are the boss, so these two go hand in hand. I, however, have been feeling more of the I'm-not-going-to-raise-a-bunch-of-spoiled-kiddos and it's-seriously-time-for-a-"stuff"-purge-around-here. Thus, Mark and I decided it was time to go a little drastic and start a new, six-week family mission. This past Tuesday marked six weeks until Christmas. So we explained to the boys that over the six weeks, we were going to refrain from "extras" or "treats." No slurpies or pretzels at Target, no Sonic runs, no sneaking in a Hot Wheels at the grocery store. No getting to share a soda at Pinkie and Pa's house. You get the idea. Instead, we are giving those things up as we prepare for Christmas, the birth of our Lord. Furthermore, we've made it a mission to learn the Fruits of the Spirit (on a kiddie level, of course) and how they apply to our words, actions, thoughts, tone of voice, etc. They have caught on very quickly. "Kolbe, that wasn't very kind." "Mom, Rudy is not using self control! He just took Grant's toy!" (Ha!) Really, I just figure that this is the simplest way for the boys to connect the outcome of their actions with the motive of their actions. Why are they doing what they're doing? Is it something God led them to or not? You might be rolling your eyes and thinking this is way too deep for a couple of pups, but really, they're smarter than you think. They certainly still act impulsively and it's a constant process but it has been very cool to see them really start to think about motives and consider God in their actions. And let me just tell you, it's been as much of a challenge for me as it has for them! The last little element of our mission has to do with discipline, generosity, and the mandatory before Christmas purge. ('Cause when new stuff comes in, old stuff needs to go.) When poor choices are made (no, not every single time...) they have to go select one toy that they no longer use or want. Then, just before Christmas, they will all be bundled up to leave for Saint Nicholas so he can take them to other boys and girls. It's a win-win; they learn the fruits of the spirit, they learn how to apply them to their behavior, we purge toys in the process, and nothing new comes in until Christmas!!!

The boys and Dada helped me make a Fruits of the Spirit board so we can all have them memorized by Christmas!

2. It's been a long time coming, but I think we have finally turned the corner with the weather here. As in, the kids can play outside without fear of a heat stroke. And I can go outside and watch them without needing to shower immediately after. We've had about a week now of temps in the seventies and it has been so nice! The boys have spent hours out back exploring, digging, climbing, wrestling...boy stuff. And it's actually given me some time to do some much needed cleaning up while I can watch them from the porch or out of our many windows. And let's not forget the best part: by bedtime they are completely exhausted! That being said, the one total downside has to be the bi-annual switching over of wardrobes. Here, once the fall finally arrives, you do have to switch over to pants for bottoms, but then the tops are still a mix of short sleeves, long sleeves, and the occasional sweatshirt. Going through all of their clothes and deciding what needs to be stored, what needs to be donated, what needs to be replaced is one of my most loathed of all mother chores. But I have to give a huge shout out to my massive storage closet upstairs. It sure is nice to walk in, select a tub, pull out the bags and get to storing. Or pulling "new" items for Grant. And I'll also give a good horray to the fact that Kolbe and Rudy are the same size. In everything. Three drawers: pajamas/undies, pants, tops. Covers them both. And at the rate he's going, Grant may be caught up before long too!

3. Kolbe had his last soccer game this past weekend. What a fun, fun season! When we started out, we were really debating back and forth on whether we should even do it or not. After all, he was only four. And I can't stand investing money in something that's a total flop. Would he even be interested? Needless to say, it was one of the best moves we made. Not only did he absolutely love it, but we all loved watching and taking part too. Plus, it gave us an opportunity to meet other families, gave us something to look forward to each Tuesday evening and Saturday afternoon, and burned a lot of the endless supply of energy these boys have. And though I try not to be competitive while he's at such a young age, it's safe to say that Kolb is quite the little soccer player. I'll totally admit that I had to beam a little bit when a parent from another team came over to tell us how good Kolbe was at one of his last games. That's muh boy! He says that for now he's happy that the season is over, but that he's already looking forward to playing again next year.

This was actually from very early in season but was one of the best videos we got of Kolbe playing.

Pa entertaining Grant

Of all our babies, Rudy is the cuddliest. He just curled right up with Pinkie and took a nap after the soccer game.

Two brothers hugging.

I know this is horribly blurry, but this pic is SO my life. Beautiful chaos!

Ready for a Grantness overload!?!...

Getting soooo big, but still a blankie boy.

Totally thrilled that Kolbe let him sit in the driver's seat...even though his foot can't reach the pedal.

Showing off his new Chuck Taylors! (we had to get some shoes with ties...he's in the phase where if you leave him alone with velcro shoes on, they're coming off instantly.)