RANDOMNESS #1 - McWane Center with RT - Last week, Melia, RT and I went to McWane Center to purchase my Grandparent Annual Pass...
And to play in the Itty Bitty Magic City.
I am going to LOVE this Pass!
RT enjoyed the "two and under" play area. It is in a large enclosed area of the IBMC and a McWane Center "person" makes sure the age limit is enforced.
The little ones do not get pushed around or run over by an older child, and RT would probably have stayed here for the entire time if Melia and I hadn't urged him to explore the other areas.
The "water play" area has something for the little guys/gals AND the five year-old crowd, too.
They have thought of everything...
Everything, I tell you!
Drums...
And buttons!
What else does a one year-old need, I ask you?
And the answer...
Legos to hold and a box of Legos to sit in beside the Lego table.
The Lego table appeared to be a waste of space to RT.
It was a one year-old's dream day, and although RT enjoyed only about a third of what IBMC had to offer, he'll be going again and again and again in the days and weeks ahead.
And he will NOT be bored.
And neither will his Nana!
RANDOMNESS #2 - Easter Sunday in Oxford
This year, we missed Brandi, Jared, Matthew and Lauren...
Austin, Melia and RT...
And Josh, Courtney and Judith.
But Jared, Amber, Mackenzie and Micah were all there, so we hid eggs and had a good time enjoying these two kiddos.
A quick tie removal and clothing change, and the kids were more than ready for the egg hunt.
Mackenzie decided to go for speed and put her basket in a central location in the middle of the yard.
She would visit it when her hands filled with eggs.
See, at four years of age, she is older and wiser now and has found the way that works best for basic Easter egg hunting success.
Micah, on the other hand, felt more confident keeping his basket with him the entire time.
He's two now, you know.
For a short while, Micah followed Mackenzie and tried to gather eggs, but it soon became frustrating.
By the time the second egg hunt began, he had it all figured out.
If Mackenzie went east, he went west.
If she turned right, he turned left.
You get the gist.
All in all, a very nice way to spend an Easter afternoon with two sweet kiddos.
RANDOMNESS #3 - McWane Center with Judith - This past Tuesday, I introduced Judith to the Itty Bitty Magic City, and while she had just as much fun as RT, she played in totally different areas.
This has been at McWane since the beginning, I think, and it is still as mesmerizing now as it was then.
I'm pretty sure Judith thought this giant "ball maze" was the entire reason we traveled to McWane Center this past week...
But she would be wrong.
After Pop met us for lunch, we explored some more.
Playing in the water was just as much fun for Judith as it was for RT.
And she had a good time putting yarn balls in the blowy-tube-thingy and waiting for the yarn balls to blow out of a different hole into her face.
For the record, I liked it, too.
But her favorite area was the "climbing, sliding and climbing some more" part of IBMC.
She played hard, and she played long.
While she didn't play in all of the areas of IBMC either, I did manage to get a picture of her milking the cow.
Y'all...
Real pretend milk comes out when you squeeze the udders.
I kid you not.
It is a magical place!
Pinterest Stuff
April Fun Family Traditions
These traditions were on Pinterest, but many more can be found at www.flandersfamily.info. I visited the website, and I am pretty sure I will be going back. There are some great ideas for families on this site.
Make homemade pretzels
Take a walk in the rain (umbrellas optional)
Plant a tree
Plant new annuals
Draw family chalk portraits on the sidewalk or driveway
How to Leave a Legacy of Hospitality
"The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers. Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies — in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.” 1 Peter 4:7-11
It’s been nearly fifteen years ago, but I can remember it well; the big pot of soup simmering on the stove, smiling faces, warm welcomes, dining table clear and wide open for any that would come and share.
This was usual fare at their home, this family from our church, who graciously offered hospitality to young adults – and we eagerly accepted. My husband and I, only dating at the time, eagerly anticipated our time together at their home. We knew we are always welcome, even unannounced (which was often), and that there would always be room for us. It was a good place for us to be, a stable family for us to be with and a fantastic opportunity for accountability in our own budding relationship.
Their home wasn’t lavish, there wasn’t any museum quality furniture in sight, but it was drenched in love and fellowship. And the young people of the church, as well as their unchurched friends, could always be found there.
I’m not sure they knew that they were mentoring us, but they were.
“Have you listened to this?” he would ask, handing over a copy of a Michael Medved tape about the follies of Hollywood and television.
“Have you been behaving yourselves?” he would ask, after seeing us alone together for a moment.
“Did you watch this?” he would ask, with a Focus on the Family video in his hand.
When they talked of paying off their mortgage and owning their home, we began to dream. Maybe one day we could do it. They planted a seed, and years later, the Lord helped us fulfill that dream and we paid for our home, too.
Why am I sharing this today? Because I wonder what lives you might change, what young person you might mentor, if you endeavored to leave a legacy of hospitality.
You don’t need much. A small home will do if there’s love in it. Meals needn’t be elaborate or expensive. A big pot of soup? Well, you know that I have fond memories of that. Coffee or tea? Perfect.
Pray for your guests before they arrive and after they leave, as they come and go:
May your home be a place of rest, encouragement, growth and inspiration.
May they see glimpses of Him through your family, your home and your home life.
May their families find healing if they have been hurting and a balm for their hearts if they are grieving.
May they leave somehow better for having been there at all.
Will you be one who leaves a legacy of hospitality?
“The ideal Christian home is a far-reaching benediction... It's doors stand ever open with a welcome to every one who comes seeking shelter from the storm or sympathy in sorrow or help in trial. It is a hospice where the weary or the chilled or the fainting are sure always of refreshment, warmth, kindly friendship, gentle ministry, mercy. It is a place where one who is in trouble may go confident ever of sympathy and comfort. It is a place where the young people love to go because they know they are welcome and because they find inspiration and help there.” J. R. Miller.
NOTE FROM THE ENCHANTING BELINDA - Honestly, I don't feel that I am naturally hospitable. I know several people who are Biblically hospitable, and I admire them greatly. They seem to have no hesitation or qualm about opening doors and welcoming others into their homes at ANY given time. They are simply amazing.
I truly, truly would love to leave a "legacy of hospitality," but I know for me it will not come easily, will require much work on my part (attitude, attitude, attitude) and stepping/jumping out of my comfort zone.
That being said, the above has motivated me try much harder, and hopefully in the near future, I will be able to report that my "hospitality goals" are actually improving.
Wish me luck...
But be sure to call first!
I hope y'all have a thrilling April weekend. I'll be back before you know it!
Sincerely,
The Enchanting Belinda
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