Monday, August 20, 2012

I Have a Confession...

Our family has gotten into a really bad habit. I'm almost ashamed to admit it. Mainly because when I was growing up, my dad would have never allowed this to happen. Are you ready to hear my confession? We have been eating dinner on the couch. Every. Night. It started out just a few times a week. Sienna would be watching a movie while we made dinner and we (including Eastan) would just join her when it was time to eat. But like all bad habits, it was a slippery slope. Before I knew it, each night we were on the couch instead of eating together as a family. I guess, technically, we were eating as a family. But I don't think that really counts because not much conversation was happening unless it was Sienna asking about "Sweeping Bootee" (Sleeping Beauty for those who don't speak Sienna).
I said earlier, that my dad would  never allow this to happen when I was growing up. Mornings were rushed with my brother and I getting ready for school. My dad worked long hours, especially during the summer. So, dinner time was about the only time we all sat down together. Occasionally, we would "accidentally" leave the kitchen television on, but my dad was quick to turn it off.
During the Olympics, I told Nick that we really needed to start eating dinner at the table. As a family.  He agreed and said that as soon as the Olympics were over, we would quit eating in the living room. Well, a week passed by and nothing changed. Until yesterday!
We made the announcement to the kids that we would no longer be eating on the couch. Sienna asked to sit next to Eastan instead of sitting in her high chair. She loved it. I loved the conversation that we all had. Nick and Sienna did a cheers for new beginnings. I know, we are cheesy like that!

p.s. Please don't judge that Sienna is eating a pancake and Eastan is eating pizza. Today, is the day we are incorporating a well-balanced meal to our list of new beginnings.

Thursday, August 16, 2012

Boy In the Box

It all began when Eduardo, one of our staff in Nicaragua, asked for a new puppet for his Children's Ministry. Eduardo is working on his ventriloquist skills and found a ventriloquist puppet online that he wanted to purchase. I ordered the puppet for him in late May and the gestation process of this particular puppet was five weeks.

The puppet arrived in his birthday suit and Sienna quickly named him Boy in the Box. We limited her play time with Boy in the Box because we didn't want her to get him dirty. So, Boy in the Box sat in his box in the supply room.

Today, Sienna and I went shopping for Boy in the Box. We needed to get him clothes because heaven for bid, he travel all the way to Nicaragua in his birthday suit. While we were shopping at K-Mart for his clothes, Sienna kept saying, "Get clothes for Boy in the Box." Each time she said it, I looked around waiting to be questioned why I had a boy in a box. I'm still waiting for the police to show up.

When we got to the office, Sienna and I dressed Boy in the Box. They were reunited again. They spent their last hours together watching a Barbie movie (Sienna's choice, not his). Then it was time for Boy in the Box to go back to his box so that he can travel to Nicaragua on Sunday. There were a few tears shed but after Sienna gave him kisses, she knew it was time to say goodbye. 

"So happy together!"

Holding Hands

Watching Barbie

"Daddy, is it okay if Boy in the Box takes me to the movies?"