Malachi's Car

Malachi plays with this little rocking chair and calls it his "car". There's a little bar that opens and closes that is his "door". He will get in and and say "Where are my keys?" I love seeing his little mind working!

Morning Glories

I have begun to teach Malachi some Scripture verses, catechism questions, and songs using a great tool called the Truth and Grace Memory books. I didn't really think he'd be ready this soon, even though the book begins with ages 2 and 3. However, when he began to quote lines from the books we read him (over and over), I realized that he really enjoys learning to quote things he hears.

So, I've embarked on this journey of training my children in the Word of God - and it is a lot of fun!

So the first thing, of course, was Genesis 1:1
Malachi's version: "In the beginning, God created, the heavens and the eluf!"

Then John 1:1 and John 3:16. I simply quote the verses to him throughout the day - and he usually loves it (except when he's in a bad mood and nothing pleases him!). He usually says "Gi-en" (again) at the end so I end up saying the same one over and over. The verses are very helpful in getting him into a better mood and taking his mind off of whatever is bothering him.

Not only are we learning verses, but we are also learning a question and answer style instruction called "catechism". Commonly associated with Catholocism, catechism was used in the early church, went on the way-side during the middle ages, and was revived by Martin Luther in the Reformation.

Here are the questions we've been working on.

#1
Mom: "Malachi, who made you?"
Malachi: "God made Dylan! [his favorite answer]... God made Daniel.... God made Norah... etc., etc..."
(Proper answer: "God made me." He just now is beginning to say, "God made Malachi!" We're getting there!)

#2
Mom: "What else did God make?"
Malachi: "God made all things!"
(He got this one very quickly!)

#3
Mom: "Why did God make you and all things?"
Malachi: "For his morning glories!"
(Proper answer: "For his own glory." Malachi got a bit confused on this one because one of his new favorite books talks about morning glories. I love my job as a mommy!)

What A Mess

Well, at least we know Sponge Bob won't be having a diaper rash any time soon.

This happened a few days ago - and I'm still getting the grease out of his hair!

Letter From a Grandma

Granny Sheila sent a letter to Malachi. We cracked up! Can you de-code it?

Hi Malachi,
When you come to Grinny's house you can see Din Din. We will play with Wila's up-down and you can have a duppie duh and dabi~ohs for lunch. Maybe you can even have an onk. You might even get a dindee if you peepee, toy get. After that we will wa-ee the cacus. Grinny can't wait!!

Faces

Morgan loves patty cake - he gets the biggest grins. He's been cooing a lot! I love it.

Malachi has been growing up so much. He has some words that he says funny that I want to write down to remember.

"Up-down" = elephant

"Wila" = Wiley (Poppy and Granny's dog)

"Duppy duh" = sandwich

"Dabi -ohs" = strawberries

"Toy-get" = toilet

"Onk" = orange

"Cacus" = cactus

"Wa-ee" = water

"Din-Din" = Dylan

What's so funny is that he can pronounce almost anything - like rhinoceros, hippopotamus, opposites - but these things he says almost everyday, he can't pronounce accurately. It's so funny!

"Peepee toy-get!"

It's been a week since Granny Sheila came and helped us begin potty training Malachi - for real this time! He's been a whole week with using diapers only at nap time. To tell me he has to go, he says, "Peepee toy-get." It is so cute!

While we're at home, I just put a shirt on him and let him go without underwear. That way I don't have to help him get his pants off every time he needs to go; my hands have been a little full with Morgan! I thing not having underwear on helps him remember to go to the potty when he has to pee, too.

We went to a movie, a restaurant, to church (they had a potty chair there), to the grocery store, and to Grandma Adams's house (we took our potty chair there) all at different times, and we haven't had an acceident yet! We have had a few accidents at home, though, of course. What a big boy!

The above picture is when he first got his potty chair back in March (it was given to us by one of Travis's co-workers).

Harvest Fest, Las Vegas

We went to Vegas this weekend for Granny's birthday and a midwife appointment. On Sunday evening, we went to their church's Harvest Festival - Malachi had a BLAST! I wish we would've thought to bring his monkey costume!Helping Granny paint a pumpkin
Muncle Dylan, Granny and the Boy

Travis attempting the ring toss - it was hard!

Malachi getting some help from Jen Koch

Daddy and Boy in the jump house! I'll try to download a video - but no promises.

Malachi has been in a throwing phase - he loves to toss balls. He had so much fun playing all the games at the fest a bunch of times.

Doctor's Visit and Other Fun Things

Doesn't he look thrilled to be having his picture taken?
He climbed in this box and played there for quite a while - that is, until he realized he couldn't get out by himself!

Trying to make time pass as we waited for the doctor.

He ran all over that little office!

He did pretty well with the check up until they had to pull his pants down - he was NOT impressed with that. He also didn't like her sticking the little light up his nose.

Mommy was very brave during his shots. She held him there like a trooper and didn't even cry Can't say the same for her boy, though. He was very sad.

Our Little Singer

Malachi has been singing a lot lately! Here he is singing along to one of his favorite books. He is saying "ball game".

Malachi and the Coasters

We saw the Coasters (a group that performs in Vegas) at our county fair. Malachi really liked the music and was fascinated with the singers - they even let him be a part of the show!

Mohave County Fair

We went to the county fair on Thursday. It was a lot of fun! We learned a lot about the community, and Malachi really enjoyed looking at all the animals. He also really enjoyed his sucker, and he got it all in his Daddy's hair (he was getting a ride on his shoulders). He looked like Pig Pen from the Peanuts by the time we got home!

Daddy's little man!
Dennis and Cora, some friends from church.

This turkey was much larger than Malachi!

Travis really liked this rabbit.

...and this chicken (at least, I think it's a chicken!)

The hay was getting in Malachi's shorts - that's why he looks so uncomfortable!

A baby miniature horse.

The biggest steer I have ever seen - it's back must have been about 6 feet tall, and it weighed almost 3,000 lbs!

This little old lady could really dance. She was so cute! The performers really got a kick out of her!

Trip to Cottonwood

Betsy's dad and his family just moved to Cottonwood, AZ, about 3 hrs from where we live. So this weekend, Betsy, Malachi and Darrell drove down for a visit. Malachi and Shelley
Malachi playing with Jack, one of their Boston Terriers - they have 4, Buster, JoJo, Jack, and Zeke. Plus Feather, a Pomeranian

Giving Jack kisses! He LOVED those dogs

He likes his new shoes

Papaw and Gramma Shelley

Muncle Darrell and M going on a hike to the very muddy Verde River. We've been getting some torrential storms and it made the river look like the Charlie and the Chocolate Factory river!

He climbed right up to this slide and went down all by himself - only to find out it was HOT

We played a lot of Mastermind

Malachi and his new Indiana Jones hat!

Potty Training and Sewing Projects

Well, I am expecting to receive my camera's battery charger in the mail any day, but until then, I wanted to post a little update.

We've begun to potty train Malachi! I can't wait to go buy those cute little boy underwear! He's peepeed in the potty chair several times the last few days, and today I decided to keep his diaper off (except when we take a quick jaunt to the store!).


We had 2 accidents already this a.m. One was really my fault. He had this very concerned look on his face and he was whimpering and acting really funny. I didn't know what the problem was, until I saw the little pile he'd just dropped on the floor...


So, from this I at least know that he's not comfortable just pooping without a diaper on! As soon as I see that concerned face again, we'll make a run for the bathroom! Live and learn.



Grandma Vickie is coming over to day and will stay all night. I have a few sewing projects that I need help with (I got a sewing machine for my bridal shower, and the only one who has ever used it is Travis!!!). I have to hem some curtains and some maternity pants.

Also, I saw these adorable little boy overalls in a Pottery Barn catalogue - $65 for an outfit a child will wear for 3 months? Yeah, right.


So, we found a similar pattern that will just need a little bit of tweeking, and some cute fabric that was on sale. And I will post the results when they're done (I'm hoping to make 2 pair - one for him now, and one the next size up).

A Day at the Park

So I'll start with the bad news... we lost our camera's battery charger. Big bummer. So, until we find it, there won't be many pictures to put up for the grandparents. Sorry! I will keep up the diligent search and I'm sure we'll break down and buy a new one before too long.

The good news is Grandma Vickie came over and spent the night, and she got some great shots of Malachi at the park! So enjoy!Trav, Muncle Trent and Malachi - he's not all too impressed with swings.
But Mommy likes them!

Brave boy, going down head first!

Trent

I love these two pictures!

Look at that hair!

He went down the big slide all by himself!Trent and Darrell came over for the week while our parents were on a cruise. Darrell only stayed thru Thursday, but Trent stayed till Sunday, and he was SUCH a big help! He changed 4 poopy diapers! I was shocked - Travis said it's because he's a boy and he likes gross things like poop and boogers. Eeewww. Whatever his motives, I really appreciated it! It was like having an extra set of hands and eyes having him around. Come and visit me again soon, Trent!