Loves Dinos

The first dino dig was such a success I decided to try it again. However, the first one was a birthday present that cost $21. Little pricey, so I found this fun dinosaur puzzle at Michael's for $2.

I had Moon Sand, which usually drives me batty, but was prefect for diggin for Dinos. I just put everything in a 9x13 cake tin. And we used the pointy end of the paint brush to dig and then the other end to dust.

The kids had a great time.  I do recommend this being an outdoor event, Moon Sand is very messy and hard to clean up.

They both got very excited about their discoveries.

And with much bribing I was able to get them to pose for a few pictures.

The finished Tyrannosaurus. Not the most sturdy but pretty cool for 2 bucks.

Dino Dig

Sunday night I came down with horrible stomach pains. It wasn't a typical stomach ache or even stomach cramps it was like there was a needle going done my digestive track poking and scraping on it's journey. Who knows exactly what it was. Possibilities were, I was not able to handle the new Chai Latte that I recently purchased from the grocery in my attempts to get my Starbucks addiction under control. Second, maybe food poisoning from salad dressing in the fridge that wasn't past it's expiration, but had been there awhile. Finally, a mild outbreak of E Coli. I would explain, but it would take too much time and might gross out the weak stomach. So sufficed to say, I was down and out for Memorial Day. Cory was a great help and besides my kids just needing occasional mommy time I was able to rest most of the day. I was so weak by Tuesday with no food or fluids Cory stayed home in the AM to help get me back on my feet. By lunch time I was doing much better. I wasn't ready to run, but a Dino Adventure was perfect for getting my little ones to sit and dig in hard packed clay for a good hour.

It was fun, but I definitely could never be a paleontologist. I would destroy every dig site with my lack of patience. Hence, we lost the neck to our Tyrannosaurus and had to find a replacement, so Mr. Rex's head could be attached. We also broke a couple toes off and split the arm in two, but nothing a little Gorilla Glue couldn't repair.

Boys will be boys and girl will be sweet

We've all heard the stereo types on boys and girls and honestly I don't think I really believed it until I had one of each. I remember thinking in my pride I might add, that parents who can't get there preschool boys to sit still are just not asking that of them. I sit here now and think of the older boy stereo types convinced Caleb will not be one of those, but probably in years to come I will be blogging, admitting my pride, telling you once again boys will be boys. Why am I so convinced of this now? It started out with feeling like we were doing everything possible to teach Caleb self control and manners. I'm sure there are things we could do better, but I know we are pretty hardcore with him. I would say confirmation came with Makaylee. If anything we have been easier on her and yet she doesn't want to break everything with a sword or tackle and smash it to pieces. Caleb could do these activities all day every day and think he was in heaven. Makaylee will play rough for a little while and roar like a dinosaur, but she loves to nurture and take care of everyone.

ex A.

If you're a mom with boys remember that they need to be rough and tumble, so create environments where this is allowed.

Any given night at the Ruiz house

"Wild Things, the Art of Nurturing Boys" is a book I've talked about in the past and the more exposure I have to boys the more convinced I am this book offers truth and help in understanding their unique wiring. I also would encourage you to listen to this podcast. It has some great information and tips to help you understand your boys or even help other peoples boys by creating a world that enables them to thrive as they were created.
Wonder of Boys