April Fun 2012

April was filled with so much fun. One of the fun things was Joel having fun doing things out and about the community. Our local Pizza Hut every Thursday has been hosting Story Teller night for families. Each week is a different reader from the community. We went to one. It was one of the former teachers from Winterset and well known guy from the community Jerry Triplett. He read "Good Night Moon." Joel had a blast with it. He got to not only enjoy it with me, but his godparents as well.

  Every Saturday for the month of April we got to enjoy Family Story Learning at the Library. It was a family fun thing together. Joel received a new book every week. While he did crafts, I got to learn new techniques on reading, and different books. After we were done each week learning we went to "Anything Sweet and More" in town for some food fun with the owner Lisa. She let the kids decorate cupcakes, pretzels, and more to go along with the theme of the book. Joel had lots of fun learning, meeting new children, and getting to expand his reading fun.

One Saturday one of my friend's daughters had a birthday party at Chuck E. Cheeses in Des Moines. We went a little early so we could just spend some time just the two of us. Joel wanted to go into the showroom while no one was there and dance to the music. It was so cute. He had so much fun. I was so proud of him. He was really well behaved. He even bought all the things for the birthday girl with a certain amount of money given to him. He sat by the birthday girl (he calls her his girlfriend). He had a blast playing games. After the the party we met up with one of my other friends. We went out to eat, and to the mall. My friend and I got a kick out of Joel with a manaquin at JC Penny's. He wanted his picture taken with this little girl manaquin. I about cried with what he told me. Joel said, "Mommy, take my picture with this girl." I asked him afterwards why. He said, "I always wanted a brother or sister. She is my pretend little sister. Nice thing is she can't talk so I don't have to listen to yucky girl talk." Lol he is so fun.

 Finally the weather started getting nice in April off and on. Joel was so happy the day he could get his bike out and ride around on. He loves to ride his bike. I didn't think he would remember how to ride without training wheels, because it wasn't very long after we took off the training wheels last year that we put up the bike for the summer. So, we are looking forward to good sunny days this spring and summer this year so he can get out and ride his bike.

  We are still enjoying our Mom and Son dates. It has really helped us tremendously. It gets to focus on having fun, and not just going on as usual. We have enjoyed pizza and movie night, going out to eat, PS2 and popcorn fun, and the last Saturday of the month the weather was so awesome we pulled some weeds out of the flower/garden beds, and then grilled outside while enjoying the sun on our patio. The dates with my son has given me a chance to forget about my health issues, and just be a mom having fun with my son. We have learned so much about each other. Joel has learned that his Mommy can do fun things with him that don't bother her heart. I have also learned a lot about my son on our dates. Joel loves exploring nature, to learn what everything is about, and that he knows a lot already (thank you to Bill Nye and awesome teachers).He also does not like littering at all. He is all about reduce, reuse, and recycle to save everything in nature. I have also learned that he is becoming okay with the fact that his biological father does not have a care in the world about him, and that he is blessed to have a wonderful Mom who loves him very much and would give him the world if she could. His love for Jesus is also growing. Our lives are focused on that God comes first. I thank God everyday for my little blessing of joy, and I am so greatful that my son has also found love in Jesus.