Prayers and Spiky Hair

After Bible time each night, we have prayer time when we all take turns praying.  Josiah likes to prayer walk/dance/sing and we often have to interrupt him at some point to say, "Are you praying or are you playing?"  After not getting dessert Monday evening, Josiah started out his prayer that night with, "I love you God.  Even when I am mistreated.  Even when I don't get a cookie."

I think he felt the need to make up for his lack of desserts this week.  This morning at 6:30 a.m., Todd and I could hearing him making noise in the kitchen.  Neither one of us really wanted to get out of bed to see what was going on, but the continuous noise sort of forced it.  Well, forced Todd.  :)  Not too long after Todd had gone downstairs, he was back upstairs asking me to come eat the breakfast Josiah had made us.  He told me that I had better come down before it melted.  Josiah had made us each an ice cream sandwich for breakfast.  A piece of toast with a small dab of melted ice cream in the middle.  It wasn't until after I had finished mine, I noticed that Josiah had an empty bowl of ice cream beside his plate.  Little stinker.

The boys are excited for Todd's upcoming birthday and spent the better part of Friday afternoon decorating the house.  They had signs all over, with the most being on our shower door.  I do not understand the reasoning behind that one, but I guess they know he showers daily.  When Josiah asked how old he was turning so that he could write it on one of his signs, I gave his age.  Then he asked how old I was.  "Wow! You're really old.  You're going to die soon!"  I have always felt the guilt of not having a will or the proper documents stating in whose care we would leave the children.  Now he's got me thinking of dying.  Happy Birthday Todd!

Their decorating was abruptly halted when they discovered a package outside from Grandad & Nana.  They each got a lego kit and they put them together by themselves.  Henry puts his together at such a furious rate, it stresses me out.  I like to look at each page of the instructions and compare it to what I have to make sure, double check, that I am doing it correctly.  He is a speed demon, and yet has amazing accuracy with it.

Crazy hair and completed lego kits.  Henry thinks his face is hilarious in this picture.

 At least Caroline asked for my assistance.  She didn't even have any instructions, we just went by what was on the box, but she kept asking with each piece, "This right?"

Friday ended with crazy hair night at Awana.  I own no hair products save shampoo and conditioner.  I had thought about using olive oil to slick up the boys hair, but thought it might be too greasy.  So, we used conditioner and spiked it up as high as we could.  Henry desperately needed a haircut at this point, so we got some good height on his.  He wasn't a huge fan of it, but went along with it once he heard he earned points for it which could be used at the Awana store later.


We spent Saturday participating in an Out of Darkness walk for suicide prevention.  It was very hot and I did not realize they would have as many speakers as they did before the actual walk.  So, we sort of started walking before anyone else (although we met some fellow walkers on the trail) and took a detour at the playground.  We did notice a few other parents and kids break rank to head to the (shaded) playground.  Most of the teams there were wearing shirts to remember the person for whom they were walking.  It was sad to see a few.  One had a picture of a 15-year old boy.  I saw another group, "Damon's Team," and on the backs of three kids were written, "Son. Son. Daughter."

Todd and I have been talking for years now on what to do with the kids regarding money.  We don't really disagree, but we don't really agree, so we haven't done anything about it.  Do we pay them for chores? Do we give them an allowance?  How can they earn money so they learn how to manage it well?  So, finally, this evening we introduced a Daily Schedule of things we all are expected to do because we are members of the family.  We also have a chore chart for which they get paid weekly if they do the job well (there will be inspections), on the day it is assigned, and with a good attitude.  They also have a list of extra chores they may do to earn money.  Well, since it was the first day, of course they wanted to earn money right away.  Josiah decided to sweep our patio out back.  I taught him the correct way to sweep and then supervised.  He had to do it well.  Halfway through, he said it was hard and that Henry could do it next time.  Henry cleaned some windows inside.  Then Henry went outside to hang out with Josiah who was still sweeping.  I popped my head out to see how they were doing and Henry chimed in, while relaxing in a chair, "I'm resting, because on the seventh day, God rested."  He conveniently learned that lesson at church this morning.

The boys decided to camp out under Josiah's bed tonight.  We were all for it since it meant we were let go of our usual snuggling duties with Henry.  I went to take a picture of the sleeping beauties and I guess the floor wasn't exactly the comfortable camping environment they thought it would be.  They sought shelter on the roof.

A highly recommended book that we read this week.  I saw the title and knew we had to get it and read it often.

Awana Vests and Bike Rides

After our CC classes met earlier in the week, we had to eat lunch off-campus due to a funeral at the church.  Most of us met at a playground close by.  Henry played with Ezra for the majority of the time, but also took time to serve at his self-appointed post of "playground monitor."  He told me that he noticed that someone was trying to cross the wobbly stairs with a drink in their hand.  He asked them if he could hold their drink while they crossed the stairs.  He dutifully held the drink eliminating any spillage upon the wobbly playground stairs.  Joking aside, I am glad that he notices people in need and actually offers to help.  He's a good little guy.

When we finally got home from the playground, half of the afternoon was already over and we were all pretty tired.  It seemed like a good idea for the boys to catch up with their peers in pop culture.  So, after nearly two years from it's release date, the boys watched Frozen.  They liked it, but there has been no singing of, "Let it Go" from our house.

Caroline has been quite enthusiastic about learning the CC material with the boys.  I will usually quiz the boys on the previous weeks' material and after I have asked each of them a question she'll say, "my turn!"  Or we'll sing/chant/say the new material and she'll always want a turn with that as well.  I am predicting she will be EASY her first year in CC.  She's already singing the timeline song.  Her version goes, "Timeline, this is my timeline.  Timeline, this is my timeline. (lots of unintelligible babble), Tower Babel!, (lots of unintelligible babble), Hittites, (lots of unintelligible babble)."

She is ready for school!

Egyptian pyramids

Wednesday, I braved Costco with all three children.  We were there to buy food for friends that were coming over for lunch on Thursday.  Clearly, I had not gone over the finer points of "cart etiquette."  When pushing a cart, especially a giant Costco cart, it is inadvisable to walk around said cart upon the metal bottom while the cart is in motion.  This can throw off the center of gravity and cause said cart to list to the left or right.  Leaning away from the cart to stretch out your neck and look at the ceiling is also not good cart etiquette.  It is amazing how many items (and people) your head can hit when not paying attention.  It is also inadvisable to suddenly, and without warning, step off said cart especially when it is in motion.  I have one little boy whose feet got run over three times for such errors.  I have a strong feeling that they still did not learn the cause and effect of their actions.

However, they were all very excited to have friends over on Thursday.  We had bought a cheesecake and cookies for dessert, so Josiah was asking constantly when they were coming.  It was a former co-worker of mine from Virginia who, along with her husband, had retired to the hill country of Texas.  It was a great visit, and it had a lot to do with their kindness to our kids.  The Funks' were so good with the kids and engaging that even though the kids had never met them before, they were talking their ears off.  They have grandchildren of similar age and I could tell they must be amazing grandparents with them.  I was worried about how the visit would go, and I was so happy at how smoothly it went.  Of course, I had lots of unfinished and half conversations with the adults, but even then it was okay.  And the boys got their cheesecake.  Henry didn't like the middle part - the CHEESECAKE.  He liked the crust.  I wasn't all that disappointed, though, because that just meant more for Todd and I (if Todd was quick enough to beat me to it, which really isn't fair since I stay home and he has to go to work).

Henry had an exciting night at Awana.  He recited his "Cubbie's Motto" and for doing that he earned his handbook and vest.  He was all smiles when I went to pick him up.  But Josiah had the best reaction of all.  Henry and I went to pick Josiah up from his classroom and upon seeing Henry in his vest, he leaped (literally) out of his chair and said, "Henry!  You did it, buddy!"  Then he embraced Henry and kept saying how happy he was for him.  It was pretty cute and very genuine.  Then as we were walking to the car, Josiah asked if he could look at Henry's book and wear Henry's vest when they got home.  Classic Josiah.

The week ended very well for Josiah.  A couple weeks ago we tried to teach him to ride a two-wheeler without training wheels.  We had a parent fail that time and noticed that his seat was too high and his feet didn't touch the ground making it very hard to learn to ride.  So, this time, with the seat lowered, he did excellent.  We practiced in a giant square around an elementary school, and by the time we were on the third side of the square he had gotten it.  He still cannot go for very long distances, but he accomplished a lot for that day.  He has already asked to go out tomorrow to practice again.  He even convinced us to buy Gatorade at the store since he would need it after his, "training" as he calls it.  He is very good at persuasive speech.  He is also the most persistent kid I have ever met.

We had another free haircut coupon.  The hair dresser was quite liberal with the gel this time.  Josiah was worried about the gel and thought he couldn't go anywhere with it in his hair.  He was happy to know it washed out.

It was a good week.

A Big Week for Josiah

I think Josiah got a little too comfortable in the kitchen last week when he helped out with Caroline being sick.  We walked downstairs Monday morning to find him and Henry eating chocolate syrup out of cups.  For breakfast.  And while we're on the subject of sweets, Caroline's potty training has gotten a whole lot better now that she gets rewarded with a cookie for having a productive "extended stay" session on the toilet.  For the most part, the tears have stopped and there is more of an effort on her part.  We are glad for bribery in this situation.  And she is happy that Daddy always comes home from the store with a new type of cookie for her to try.

One evening this week, Todd and Josiah went to visit a scouting troop to see how they liked it.  It is part of Trail Life USA, similar to boy scouts, but with a Christian focus.  Josiah came home and with a big grin, told me that they had a secret handshake and then proceeded to show it to me.  So, really it was more of a handshake, and not so much of a secret.  They also had uniforms, so Josiah was all-in once he saw that.  I will be very surprised if he does not end up in a profession that wears a uniform.  Todd and I are slightly leery of all the camping trips in our future.

Before they went to the scouting meeting, we met up with Todd and ate at our (my) favorite restaurant, Sweet Tomatoes.  The boys did great.  They loved it and they have shown just how much easier they are to take to restaurants now.  Caroline went off her rocker while we were there.  She first ran away while Todd was paying for our food (you pay first - salad buffet restaurant).  She had gone to find us a table apparently, because when I rounded a corner looking for her, she had sat down in a booth by herself (looking quite pleased at herself for doing so).  Then while we were eating she took off another three times.  She had never done this before, so we were not prepared for all the dashes to freedom.  Needless to say, it did not make us want to take her to another restaurant any time soon.  Towards the end of our meal, while we (I) were at the end of our rope with Caroline, Josiah chimed in, "She needs better keepers."  Yes, son.  She probably does.

On the way home from the restaurant, Caroline and Henry fought over whether to ride with the windows down or up.  We started with them down until I could take it no longer with Henry screaming to put them up.  Finally, when we were at home he explained his dissatisfaction with the wind.  He was worried that: 1-the wind would physically blow him out of the car (and his five-point harness carseat); and 2-since he had his mouth open, the wind would go down to his stomach, and since there was so much wind, it would fill him up and he would explode.  These were very real concerns of his.  So we addressed them.

Caroline was proud of the tower she built.

Josiah has been learning beginning addition and subtraction in his math lessons.  We have been doing a lot of stories in which we have to add people/pennies/objects or take away the same.  Part of his worksheets have him draw a picture of the story that is written.  The one he did on Friday was so typical of him, I just had to take a picture.
The instructions say, "Two dogs were playing in Tony's yard.  Three more dogs came to play.  Draw a picture to show what happened."
So, Josiah starts drawing a fence, then the siding of the house, then grass.  Then he draws the first dog (front and center in the picture).  He is wearing a helmet, goggles, and has a rocket booster on his back (insert Josiah cracking himself up at this).  There is one dog peeking over the fence at him.  The other two dogs are to the left saying, "Woof!"  The last is parachuting down to play.
I think that if I were six, I probably would have drawn five dogs and not much else.

Awana started back up this week as well.  Josiah was beyond excited to have this start up.  He was constantly talking to Henry about what to expect, what they do there, the book he would go through, he got out his old Cubbies vest for Henry to try on and explained all the patches.  This kid was excited.  Henry was excited, but also nervous.  After picking Henry up after Awana, he told me that he had cried a little when I left.  But the smile I got when I picked him up was priceless.  I always wish I could have a picture of these occasions.  Then he proceeded to talk about it the entire drive home.  He and Josiah kept comparing notes about what they did in their respective classes.  I heard a lot of, "Hey, we did that, too!"

Caroline got a shot of the boys.

Josiah finished the week off well with First Grade Bible presentation at church.  We had to be at church at 8:30 a.m. to go over what they would do.  They mentioned there would be breakfast.  They had fruit, pigs in a blanket, and cupcakes.  So you better believe that every first grader in there had a cupcake on their plate.  We practiced in the sanctuary where they would stand when their name was called.  During the practice session, Josiah had a girl in front of him (while they were standing on stage) that was quite tall in comparison and had a gigantic bow on her head.  Needless to say, she blocked out his head.  Fortunately, during the actual church service she stood a little to his left so we could see him better.

A picture before the second row in front of him were called up.

Josiah also made a very important decision at the end of church.  He has been asking to walk forward at church for some time now.  For us Baptists, this means that we walk to the front of the church to tell the pastor that we want to be a follower of Jesus.  Josiah kept witnessing baptisms at "big church" and really wanted to do that.  We had talked about how we, as Christians, believe that after professing faith in Jesus as Lord and Savior, you follow that up with believer's baptism.  The Bible always has it in that order: profess faith, then baptism.  So, today, he walked forward at the end of the service (with Todd and I behind him).  Since he is still so young, the church gave us a book to go through with him to make sure he truly understands what he's doing - not that he just wants to play in the baptismal waters.  So we will be working on that for the next several weeks.

A Muddy Week

The boys had another good week at CC.  I spent the time in Henry's class this week and he did really well.  He's the only boy in it, with six girls.  For his presentation, he brought his favorite book, a hidden picture book of sorts.  (Not really hidden, you just have to find certain objects in the picture.)  He got up there, said his name, said it was his favorite book, and then proceeded to show them every single page of the book.  "And then there's this (turns the page), and then there's this (turns the page), and then there's this..."  It's a 64 page book.  He has taken to a little boy there, Ezra, who just turned 3.  We know him from last year (they were in nursery together), and during lunch, Henry sat with him and showed him all the pages in the book, too.  Ezra is really receptive to Henry and they call each other friends.  Henry "saved" Ezra last week on the playground.  Ezra had climbed too high on the outside of the playground and couldn't get down.  Henry said there was no one else around, and so he helped Ezra get down.  I guess if someone saves your life, you're friends for life.

I got to talk with Josiah's tutor over our lunch break as well.  He was described as, "very high energy, very smart, and very good at reading."  So we talked about that (the high energy part).  He's doing fine in class it seems.  I sit in his class at our next meeting, so I'll verify that one.  :)

Todd braved standing on our roof to trim some tree branches that were hanging over it.  The kids looked on with a lot of interest.  They were talking to him almost continuously (welcome to my world).   They told him to beware of the bee that they saw to his right.  They told him to be careful not to fall off the roof.  My favorite was when Josiah called out, "Daddy, I love you."  Henry chimed in right after with, "Daddy, I love you."  Followed by Caroline, "Mommy, I love you."

Daddy's tools were interesting, too.

By that time, it had already been a busy day for the kids.  Our history book began with the two questions, "What is history?"  and "What is archaeology?"  We had read a book from the library about archaeology as well.  And then we finally got to have our own archaeology dig.  Our friend from Virginia, Ms. Jennifer, gave us a Smithsonian gem and rock find.  It was perfect because it had the mallet hammer, a spike, a magnifying glass, and a brush.  All the right tools when going to a dig.  The boys did really well with it.



They kept talking about how they wanted to find the jewels that were pictured on the box.  Henry said they were going to be rich.

Smashing the dirt with your shoe is probably not protocol with the National Association of Archaeologists, but when you're 4 and 6, your hands get tired of using the hammer and spike.  They did have to learn that it takes a while to make finds.  Even Caroline woke up from her nap and joined in the fun.  She figured out how to use the tools on her first try.  I was impressed!

After our dig, Josiah asked to dig in the dirt in the yard.  It was fine with me, but it had just rained really hard all morning long.  Dig in it, they did.  They were incredibly dirty, but they had a good time.  This is one of the benefits of homeschooling - we can have bath time in the middle of the afternoon if necessary. :)

Caroline is starting to take to the CC material as well.  She now sings, "Timeline, this is my timeline. Timeline, this is my timeline."  It is very cute, but it frustrates Henry to no end, because she likes to sing it continuously when HE wants to sing it.  Apparently, they cannot sing it together.  Henry needs total silence from all family members to sing it.

Caroline had a rough night on Thursday.  She threw up 7 or 8 times from 10 p.m. to 12:30 a.m., but then woke up the next morning feeling fine.  Todd had warned the boys that I had had a rough night with her and to be helpful throughout the day.  Josiah took this to heart.  He wanted to make us breakfast in bed, so up he brought me a tray (cookie sheet) with a cup of mandarin oranges and a sandwich of apple slices.  He said he couldn't get the peanut butter and jelly jars opened.  What I noticed were apple slices.  How did the apple get peeled and sliced?  So I came down and discovered he had out the egg slicer, the zester, and the cheese slicer and it was the cheese slicer that he used to peel the apple and a knife to cut it.  He only had one knick on his hand, which was pretty good all things considered.  We did have a discussion later about what he is and is not allowed to use in the kitchen.  He and Henry also did the dishes for us.  I could hear at one point that Henry told Josiah he was using the wrong soap, but I sort of forgot about it.  Then when I went to start the dishwasher in the evening, I noticed the soap container was already closed.  So, I opened it to see it full of Dawn dish soap.  That would have made for a kitchen full of bubbles.  It was hard to say anything since they were so enthusiastic (but I did, kindly).  Josiah even made Henry and himself a snack - a chocolate syrup frozen waffle.

Josiah thought that since Caroline was sick, that his job was to take care of us all day.  He was not a happy camper when she went down for a nap and I announced we were going to get some school work done.  That was not on his list of things to do for the day.

Saturday brought more rain and more playing in the mud.  The boys brought their homeschooling lesson full circle.  We had talked about nomads and the first farmers this week.  Then Josiah and Henry tried to build a house with mud bricks and sticks.

Henry working on the mud brick/stick house.

Even right now, on Sunday, they are back outside working on their house.  I checked on them and Josiah was in the tree saying he was a nomad and had made himself a grass and tree branch bed on our patio.  He wants to sleep in it tonight.  Probably not going to happen.  I am inside, in the air conditioning.  :)  It is still quite hot here.  Even though it is the low 90s, the humidity makes it feel like 100 at least.  We cannot wait for cooler weather.
So that was our muddy week.