My Little Pilgrim

I love elementary school. I think virtually every elementary school teacher will be canonized for their patience, creativity, and ability to help my kids learn things that I can never seem to get them to understand. However, I do not particularly enjoy being the mother of elementary-aged school children. It requires an ability and desire to be far more creative and crafty than I have ever been or ever will be. Take this week for example. Second grade is putting on a Thanksgiving play followed by a Thanksgiving feast. Now, Thanksgiving I can do. I host a huge Thanksgiving dinner party every year. I go all out. It is my favorite holiday. But Pilgrims, now that I do not do. My poor little Pilgrim, Jimena, is stuck with a mother who refuses to be good at things like making Pilgrim costumes on demand, especially when I know that I have to make, not one, but TWO angels costumes next week. So we scrimped and we scrounged, and the poor little dear will be a Pilgrim tomorrow. Perhaps the saddest looking Pilgrim in second grade, but a Pilgrim nonetheless. All I can say is thanks be to God for scraps of construction paper, a headband, leftover cloth from Franklin's embroidery project last year, Charlie's cloth belt, a nice little maternity dress that is floor length on a 7 year old, Enma's black hoodie, and a stapler. Put it all together and what do you get? Jimena the Pilgrim!!

Compare their driving

Jonathan vs. Benjamin. Personally, I think they are both pretty bad at this driving thing. But it is fun to compare them at this age, as for all those who think they look so much alike, I think they are TOTALLY different. Judge for yourself.

A New Phase in Toddlerhood

Jonathan entered a new phase of Toddlerhood today. The Playdoh Phase. Up until today, Playdoh had not been an approved part of Jonathan's life. He was introduced to it at a birthday party in September, when he and two other preschool aged boys effectively stamped Playdoh permanently into the clay tile floor of our dear friend Sophia's house. In his defense, Jonathan only stumbled upon the already-in-progress trampling of the city by Godzilla and King Kong, but once introduced to the joys of Playdoh destruction, he was an equal accomplice. I decided on the spot that we were not yet ready for Playdoh. But today, when Jonathan asked if we could make cookies (referring to his fond memories of making Halloween sugar cookie cutouts), I opted instead to get out all the cookie making tools and Playdoh. Turns out, he is ready to make pretend cookies, and pretend to eat them. No stamping or eating of Playdoh...YET! Oh, the doors of inventive hours of entertainment that are waiting to be opened...

Happy Veterans Day

While today is not a holiday in Honduras, my two little soldiers, Charlie and Jonathan, were very into their marching and singing of patriotic Honduran songs. Yes, this IS a typical after-dinner activity!

Happy Birthday McMerty-Brummer Family!

Today is the two-year anniversary of our family. That is, it has been two years since Franklin, Charlie and Jimena came to live with us in La Ceiba. While each of us have our own birthday, Matthew and I have our wedding anniversary, and other special days, November 10, 2007 will always be our Family Birthday. We have made it a tradition to celebrate our Family Birthday with our very own family birthday cake, sharing our favorite family memories. We are so blessed to have such a wonderful family of such amazing kids! I will make sure to get some Family Birthday photos tonight with all the kids and the cake. Please keep our family in your prayers today and ask for some extra special blessings that the legal process of becoming a family by law keeps moving forward. While we know we are a family and nothing will ever change that, it would be nice to have the papers, too.

Counting and Colors

So, Mom didn't realize that you can't make videos vertically, so turn your computer sideways everyone if you want to watch Jonathan practice his numbers and colors and NOT get a crick in your neck. Don't get spoiled, Mama, I won't be making multiple video posts every day, but figured I would give you a fix for today to hold you over for a while.

Ben and Jonathan hanging out

Here you have a little rolling and scootching from Baby Ben with commentary from Monster Jonathan.

Ben on the move

We get a little rolling around and scootching in this clip.

Showing off for Mama

Mama wanted some "action shots" of Benjamin, but he is just getting active, so these are some "more than 1 minute" (Mama was specific about length) "active" videos starring Baby Ben. I will get some updated shots of the "big" kids soon, but unfortunately for them, they are in school all day while Jonathan, Ben and I are hard at work at home.

Pre-Season Starts NOW!

After watching yesterday's pitiful Irish loss to Navy, Jonathan decided that he better start training now if the Fighting Irish have any hope of another National Championship in their future. Look out America, HERE COME THE IRISH 2027!!

Welcome to Catrachingos!

I am starting this blog so that family and friends can keep up on the happenings in our life here in Honduras. While Facebook is swell, I wanted something a little more personalized. We'll see how effective I am at keeping this updated, but especially with the holidays coming, I thought this would be a good way to keep stories, photos and videos circulating, starring everyone's favorite Catrachingos: Franklin, Charlie, Jimena, Jonathanasaurus and Baby Ben! Check back soon...