Home Team Date Night!

We are active in our home team which consists of a few precious people that attend our church's campus in Fort Worth. We typically meet twice a month for going over the last couple of messages taught by our Pastor, and the second is for Date Night. Now, we have a choice, we can either take some much needed one on one time with our spouse and do our own thing, or we can go as a group. Greg and I have opportunities to go on date nights more often because Brandy is our babysitter. (As she is for our home team as well). So, we choose to go as a group for the MUCH NEEDED adult interaction time. (Did I mention MUCH NEEDED? LOL)

Here are some of our awesome team members. 

Now, I know, it's suppose to be a "date" night, so you may be wondering how we can do this with a child with us! Well, Gabe is still too young to be left with the group because he requires a bit more attention one on one or with a small group. Brandy can have up to 10 children, so when there are that many children, or close to that number we just take Gabe with us. Of course, we can't seem to get it through to him that those are the nights he is NOT the center of attention. Does he listen?! LOL! 

Jumps Before Bed

Kien and Gabe have started a tradition of "jumps" before bed. They both stand on Kien's toddler bed and count to three. Then, they jump to the floor! For a while Kien would want to hold Gabe's hand, however, that was very short lived as Gabe was not a great "lander" from these said jumps. It was a recipe for disaster, so the -no hand holding- jumps are sufficient enough! Oh, and not to mention that our photo's are not great with the "action" shots, but you get the point! :) 

Gabe jumping! 

 Kien's turn! 

 Oh, and yes, sometimes there IS cushion at the bottom of their jump. Pillows, blankets, stuffed animals, whichever they feel necessary. :) 

 Kien was becoming bored with just the simple mattress to floor jumps, so he tried to spice things up a bit and  jump from the footboard. The first time was a disaster because he was still wearing his socks. So, instead of jumping to the rescue, the natural consequence lesson was learned so fast that the very NEXT jump he performed with NO SOCKS! Smart boy! 

Reading upside down, all around and not at all...

Gabe and Kien enjoy story time right before bed. Sometimes we will read before or after nap time depending on our schedule. Kien is open to read a variety of books. He does have his favorites, but doesn't stick to just one. Gabe on the other hand, his absolute favorite is "Goodnight Moon" -which is cute to listen to him speak some of the words. I have noted that both Kien and Gabe, on separate accounts, both enjoy finding the mouse that is on each of the colored pages. I wonder if that is common with other Goodnight Moon readers?!

For Gabe, it doesn't matter if the book is upside down or not, he still loves it!  

 Here is the miniature version of the big "Goodnight Moon" book. He also likes to skip the black and white pages for some strange reason. *shrug*

 Kien has a short attention span sometimes. Other times he can sit and contently study the details of every page in a book he is interested in. He gave Gabe his "Things That Go" book to hold on to so he could release some physical energy that was bound up, I suppose. He is our little monkey man and very graceful with his jumps.

 I don't like to, but at times it's a must to get on the floor with the boys. I used to love sitting on the floor, but since the hip surgeries it is more difficult for me to just get right up with no aches or popping of the knees even. I do it anyway because my boys like for me to. Old in body, young in spirit? Ha!

 Here we are again with "Goodnight Moon" -this time I was the one animating the "old lady, whispering hush" which Gabriel will do himself from time to time. Kien is reading a mother goose book. Which, I must say, I remember hearing the same stories growing up, but as an adult, some of those nursery rhymes are barbaric and crude! So, we say the cute ones and the book now stays in the closet. *sigh*

 Oh, oh... I ALMOST have Gabe's attention with another book!

 Oh, yes! Finally a glance!

 Then I lost him to his favorite book!

 Gabe even had to sit away from me, I guess I was reading too loudly. (LOL)