Catch all...

It's gonna be a catch all post today... Mom and Dad came for the weekend, babysat for us on Saturday night, and left this morning. During the weekend they:

- trimmed the dead vines around the mailbox and the gate
- sewed buttons back on my sweater
- gave me birthday presents, including a Chick-Fil-A gift card, a globe for a lamp, and some pretty windowsill baubles
- brought me a homemade chocolate birthday cake complete with re-lighting candles (proof that David is influencing Mom in many subtle ways)
- ate popcorn and watched the last episode of Pride and Prejudice with us. Gotta love that Mr. Darcy.
- spoiled their grandson absolutely rotten

Grandparents: the only people in the world who would pay you to babysit your child, do your dishes and clean your house while you're gone, and give you money for the date so they can get you out of their hair and move on to the grandkid spoiling... (Ok, they didn't do all that, but it wouldn't surprise me if they'd be willing to...)

This morning, I had a playdate with a new group. A girl from our Sunday School class invited me to her house. The other girls are an assortment of her friends, all with babies around a year old. Some go to the church as well, and some do not. They were a really sweet and laid back group of gals. I got there early because I didn't know what time playgroup started, but it was no problem. This is a group that starts late and eats lunch together so that the babes can get their morning naps. Now that's what I'm talkin' about! They also plan a little topic of the day on mothering. The girl who did it this week read an article about things you can let go of as a mom. I thought it was a cool idea. I hope they invite me again! It looks like I'm on the email list, and at least one other mom lives near me. Spring is coming, and I think it'd be fun to have them all spilling out onto my porch and in my back yard.

Today I got myself in gear... and I emailed the elder ministry coordinator at church. See, my MOPs magazine came in the mail, and in it was an article about serving the elderly with your babies and toddlers. It suggested taking your playgroup to a nursing home, and making a circle with residents and putting the kids and toys in the middle. It also suggested taking Meals on Wheels to elderly residents. I got to thinking... "Older people love babies. They often stop me on the street and in the store to talk to Seth. Maybe he would be a treat for them." So we'll see what comes of my email. Maybe there are some shut-ins who live near me who would like a visit between naps. I'm sure Seth would love to squeal and throw blocks at them. =) There aren't a lot of kid friendly ministry opportunties out there, but this seems like one we could do. Anybody got any ideas for other places and ways you can serve with babies and toddler? I'm definitely open to suggestions.

I also emailed the nursery coordinator at church. You don't have to be a member to help out with nursery, and I think it's time we started sharing the load. Looks like we could be joining this church, and though I still feel torn about that, I don't want to hang back. The best way to find out more about a church is to get more involved. Involvement... here we come! There was an announcement in the bulletin that they are starting a new babies class, and they need regular helpers. That was my kick in the pants. And I love cuddling new babies. =)

In other news, it's a bee-yoo-ti-ful day here! Seth and I are going for a nice walk after he gets up from his nap. It's supposed to get cold and rainy again soon, so we're taking advantage of this.

Oh yeah, and is it just me, or does putting together baby stuff make everyone feel like a moron? I got irrefutable evidence today that Seth loves the jumper that hangs from the doorway more than he does the stationary one. Something about the swinging motion, I think. So I decided to put together the one that we got as a baby gift. Either the instructions were way too vague, or I'm an idiot. It took me nearly half an hour to figure it out. And it wasn't that complicated. I choose to believe that the people at Graco write horrible instruction manuals. But at least I succeeded. David is usually the Designated Putter Together of All Things around here. Score one for Mommy!