poor little Tristan

Had dinner and playtime at the Snyder's house this evening. Total of 17 kids all running around. By the time we arrived home it was 8pm. Tristan had been working through potty training accidents all day, plus the intense playtime/ making new friends so he was past the point of no return- VERY TIRED.. He was screaming for a cookie so Chris put a few animal crackers in a bowl for him. Because Habi was trolling around for crumbs, Chris set the bowl on a table right by Tristan (since he was laying in the floor crying). I guess this incensed Tristan because he started screaming with the cookie bowl in his hand and running around the house in circle looking for Daddy.  We thought he wanted to "yell" at Daddy for not handing him the bowl, but after a few laps, he just wanted to be held.

Happy 3rd Birthday Precious Tristan!

Birthday party at Vovo's house!!

Tractor ride
Pinata time
Family meal
presents
and.... Tractor cake!!

At 3:::

Loves to play outside still, in the sandbox and helping Daddy do anything
Splash in the baby pool on the deck
Read books in Mommy's lap
Very good at ball kicking- got a red soccer ball from Vo
guzzles milk
Very good at finding toads- almost nightly!
Really enjoys animals, and shows caring.
Strives to do everything brother and sister do

Tristan, age 3- typical dinner

Typical dinner routine for twins age 5, Tristan, age 3.

I carry out the dinner plates to the picnic table outside.  I call all children.  Jude and Petra usually make it to the table easily.  Tristan is stuck in the sandbox.  Me and the twins pray and begin to eat.  Jude eats everything/ Petra needs coaching.  I call Tristan several more times; he remains in the sandbox.  This evening he caught two little toads in the sandbox and played with them for the whole 45 min we were eating/cleaning up.  He really has a way with animals.
After we've all eaten, I walk to sandbox and convince Tristan to let the toads go.  This is progress! He used to squeeze them for an hour or more, unaware they were becoming lifeless.
Yesterday while waiting for Jude's karate class, Tristan found a baby snake. He held it up and squealed " a squirmy worm!" No, it was a snakey-snake- only 2 inches long, but throwing out its tongue at us.  We brought it home.

Too tough?

At dinner I said in front of everyone: "Jude is my best behaved child right now."  A second later Petra got up and went to her room.  When I went to her room, I asked if she was upset about what I said and she said " I want to be the best," and "I want to be like Jude." Well, we talked about needing to rely on God's grace for anything good and how Petra could improve her reactions to situations where she doesn't get what she wants. I assured her how much we love her.  But I think it's a good thing that she wants to be like Jude. He really is setting a good example right now!

Jude: Mommy, I want to marry you when i grow up.
Me: I'm already married.
Petra: no, when you grow up you will like other girls and marry another one
Jude (distrought) But mommy is the only girl I like!


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ObowphKhKn0

I guess I never bought Cheetos for my kids... Jude described his picnic at school today: Me: What did you eat? Jude: Hot dogs, carrots, juice, two cookies, and long, long sticks that come from Cheetahs"
 HA!!!

Where does Jesus live?

Written by Chris (Daddy),

Well today was an extremely happy day -- Jude and Petra eagerly accepted Jesus to come into their hearts just before going to bed.  After reading 3 Bible bedtime stories with Jude, Petra and Tristan, Jude unexpectantly asked "Where does Jesus live?"   I said "He lives in your hearts if you invite him in."   He and Petra asked "What does invite mean?"   I said "it means you accept him to come into your heart."  

Then, I asked them "do you want to accept Jesus into your heart?"   They both eagerly and readily said "Yes!" and raised their hands.  "That means that you will become a Christian too!"   And so, I asked them to pray by repeating after me.   Even though they don't understand much, I did sense the holy spirit, and believe that they did accept Christ into their hearts during the prayer.

So then they prayed repeating after me, "Jesus thank you for coming to this earth and for dying for our sins.  Please come and live in our hearts.  Please forgive us for the naughty things we have done.    Help us to do good things instead, and to live for Jesus.   Thank you Lord for coming to live in our hearts.  We praise you Lord for what you have done.  In Jesus precious, holy, wonderful name.  Amen."

Then, right after prayer Petra asked innocently, "Does that mean its my birthday?"  Surprised, I said "Yes, actually it is.  You are a baby Christian today, and it is your birthday as a Christian!"   I was not expecting such a question.   "And the angels are rejoicing that there are two more children that have accepted Jesus to live in their hearts!"   She then asked "does that mean I act like a baby?"    I said "no, it means that you are growing up and maturing, and now have Jesus in your heart."   She still wanted to be held like a baby to be put to bed, which I did.

However, Jude kept asking question after question.  He said "does this mean that I will go to heaven?"   Petra asked "Is Grandma in heaven?"   I said, "yes, mommy's mommy died but she is in heaven because she was a Christian and accepted Christ into her heart."   Jude then asked "does that mean I'll live forever?"  I said "Yes, your spirit will live forever, but your body will die."  

He and Petra asked "when do people die?"   I said usually its when people get old and sick.   Nobody lives forever.  However, our spirits will live forever in heaven with Jesus.   "When do people get old?" was the next question.  "When they've lived a long time".   "Are you old, Daddy?"  "No, I'm middle aged but I hope to live a long time, maybe until I'm 95.   So, Jude, you might have 90 more years to go."   "Is Vovo old?"   "Yes, she's old, but not really old."   "Does that mean she's going to die?"   "No she's in good health, but one day she will die and go to heaven because Jesus lives in her heart."   

Jude, Tristan and I read another book in Tristan's room, and then Nichole came home.   Nichole was overjoyed to hear from Huckle that he was now a Christian.   Then, she put Tristan to bed, and I tucked Jude in.   We prayed thanking the Lord for touching Jude and Petra, and coming to live inside of them.  

Praise the Lord that our children now have Christ living in their hearts!

Chris

Tristan : age 2 and a half:


"I want mommy nurse-nurse nap -nap.  (pause) "so please give me some."


screams "I want to be bigger!!" when attempting to put pajamas on him :)  wants to only wear jeans


loves to follow daddy EVERYWHERE and do painting /repair projects.


love to read books, play legos, play with Jude and Petra


loves to be outside