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.