Mommy' Best Kisses and Other Great Reads

Last night like every night Tabitha and Tobias pick stories for me to read to them.  Last night Tabitha picked one of my favorite stories Mommy's Best Kisses. I was given this book while pregnant and when I read it I immediately teared up. Of course there were hormones involved but the sweetness and intimacy the book creates is one that allows a true loving interaction with your children while reading it. The book takes the reader through the affectionate ways animal mums give their babies kisses.While reading the book I act out the kisses and the kids love it. It makes my heart smile that they still get the same feeling as when they were very young. I know it won't last forever and that is what makes the experience so very special.

Another favorite that was pulled out to read this week was If I Could Keep You Little
A delightful story of why we need to let our children grow and learn and become independent. This book too makes my heart smile.  I like reading this book because it too reminds me to cherish these days.

Individual Appreciation

February 21 Quick notesI came upon this quote today and I immediately thought of my beloved children. This is one to keep in mind when not only raising children, teaching children and everyday social reactions with people.

Busan, Love Bug and Stomach Bug

Well we got. Tabitha was hit first and then me and Tobias. Stephen was luckily spared the mayhem. It was a doozie.  About 8 hours of vomit nastiness. After about 3 days of being out I am feeling better and hope to get things back on track.








Before the stomach bug hit we took a nice two day trip to Busan. It was lovely. The weather was great. We stayed a wonderful hotel with an indoor pool and gym. We went to the aquarium and enjoyed a wonderful Thai dinner. We also managed to squeeze in a Costco trip on the way home.

My little lad enjoying a cup of hot chocolate in our high rise hotel.  You can see him sporting his lost tooth too. 

Lovely Tabitha outside the Busan train station

That night Tabitha was hit with the stomach bug. The poor thing was up all night it was no fun all. She was the first victim me and Tobias would soon follow. In the middle of the stomach bug we managed to have a little Valentine's Day fun. Starting with a heartfelt breakfast with pink milk, strawberries and festive waffles and some lovely Valentine's Day cards and gifts.

We were all better by Sunday however the weather was pretty gloomy which allowed us to investigate our rocket balloons again and expand on the idea.This weekend's weather was a bit gloomy and rainy so we were mostly indoors. We bumped up our  rocket balloon experiment into a zip line for animals and action figures which then progressed into a swing. It was hours of excitement.

Groundbreaking Day

Groundbreaking Day at OIS (Okpo International School) I went and I was honored to help with the actual ceremony I was representing. It was a enlightening experience. After many speeches describing the process of the development, a group of about twenty individuals were called to grab a shovel and heave the first shovels of dirt. The new school is scheduled to open January 2014! Very exciting

Getting ready to throw the dirt on the construction site for the new home for OIS 

There goes the dirt! 

Keeping on the topic of groundbreaking, I want to do my own groundbreaking.  I want to have my own groundbreaking and I still searching for what ground it is I want to break. I am trying to stay focused yet explore different options.  As I go through my journey I will journal my thoughts, from this I will gather my ideas. Reflecting on my daily activities and thoughts should give me some insight.

Activities from the week of after school activities included Rocket Balloons and Sight Word Balls for reading and throwing.



Rocket Balloons.
Raining Day yesterday so we made some rocket balloons. Super easy and super fun and entertaining along with being scientific and educational.

Tobias powering up his balloon rocket with his hot air. :)

Tabitha powering up her balloon rocket.

The course, string and two chairs

Sight word balls

Tobias has his favorite word, Daddy!

You and Daddy 

I bought a inexpensive bags of plastic balls and wrote sight words on the balls. The kids read the ball and then try to throw it in the basket. One point for reading one point for getting it in the basket. Working on two great skills!