VBS Revisited

We lived and breathed VBS this past week.  I was the lead teacher for our kindergarten room, only confirming what was already common knowledge.  I am a great assistant.

The first day started off well.  The kids were excited.  They had a breakfast at church for the workers and their kids, so the boys ate plates filled with every sugary thing they could get their hands on.  Caroline went into her classroom without any problems for which I was very grateful.  Josiah was all gung-ho to go into his.  That left Henry and I to go to his room to meet 33 of his newest friends.  The church had up to 7 activities for us to do in the classroom for the morning, but by the time we got everyone in our room, we only had ten minutes before we had to leave for our first singing/teaching room.  Then by the time we got back to the room, gave the kids their snack, and started the craft for the day, we were being ushered to go to the Big Show.  So we literally got nothing done in the classroom that first day.  I was relaying all of this to Todd at dinner Monday evening (to his delight) and talking out how I was going to try to change it for the following day so we could actually get some of the things done.  Josiah, who was quietly listening, decided he would be a man and give me a solution.  "Mommy.  I think what you need is a schedule.  You need to plan what you're going to do."  Then he proceeded to tell me what I should do with the kids for the day.  Go over the Bible verse, play Duck, Duck, Goose, play Hide & Seek, do the craft, etc.  It would have worked if I had more than 10 minutes at a time with the kids!  That night at prayer time, Josiah prayed I would make a schedule for Tuesday's VBS.

His prayers worked, because the remaining days, we did much better in the classroom.  There were even a few days when we had "extra" time -  not much, but it put a smile on our face to not always be pressed for time.

Overall, VBS went well.  The kids all enjoyed it.  They loved the superhero theme and all the dramas they saw.

The last day, in the evening, they had another Big Show for the whole family to attend.  It was the conclusion of the superhero story.  The boys wanted to sit on the floor closer to the stage.  Todd kindly went and sat with the kids.  I had sat on the floor all week with the kids and knew that an hour sitting in a cramped area, with legs crossed, made for some very sleepy, crampy legs by the end.  Right before it began, Caroline needed to use the bathroom, so Todd left the boys on the floor, I took her to the bathroom, and the three of us watched the show standing up in the back.  It really turned out for the better because Caroline talked the whole time.  "Pick me up. Where's Krash?  There's Ultra!  Put me down.  Hold my hands.  Watch how high I can jump!  [jump, jump, jump]  Where's Spark?  Pick me up.  Can we go back to the boys?  Can I get on Daddy's shoulders?  I want to come down.  Where's Krash?  There's Krash!"

The saddest part of the week, was that I was so nervous that I could not eat much in the mornings.  We got to church early each day to set up the classroom.  Before going to our room, we always stopped at the breakfast room so the boys could load up.  It was filled with table upon table of doughnuts and pastries and giant muffins and scones and every delectable thing.  My eyes were filled with delight to see so much sugar.  But I physically could not eat any of it because my nerves made me unable to eat.  It was so sad.  Not something I experience all that often, either.

Todd got the short end of the stick for the VBS week, because we were all so exhausted by the evening time, that the idea of making dinner seemed a bit too much.  So, our menu for the week consisted of: take-out pizza, leftover pizza, frozen pizza, tacos and "fend for yourself."

VBS was over on Thursday and we spent all of Friday at home.  It was glorious.  We spent the day catching up on laundry and cleaning up all the toys.  I was able to take our class decorations home with us because the church has no storage there.  The idea was to keep them for next year because the VBS story is a trilogy.  Josiah asked to decorate his room with some and ended up using all of the decorations.  I've already had to remind them they are merely borrowing them and they must take care of them!  I'll need them again next year when I'm an assistant.

As if the week wasn't busy enough, we decided to see how much we could fit in to one Saturday.  We made our way over to the Children's Museum.

The boys wore their VBS shirts again.  I've washed them 4 times this week!

All three kids spent a lot of time in the veterinary area.  Caroline opened and closed every kennel many, many times.

Henry and Josiah were fascinated with the x-rays.

They had a science area where the boys "drew" a picture with markers taped to an upside-down blueberry basket with a motor on top.  The motor vibrated the basket, causing the markers to draw all over the paper.  Josiah liked it so much, he wanted to take the whole motor contraption thing home with him.  He put the caps back on his markers and was all set to walk out with it.

We were on the exhausted side when we got home.  Caroline got to do what Todd and I would have liked to have done.

As soon as she woke, we were off again out to eat dinner and then head to the bookstore so the boys could turn in their July reading program.  They each got $5 to spend in the store again and had a tough time choosing what to get.  Josiah ended up picking a rocket launcher that requires vinegar and baking soda, or baking sauce as Henry calls it.  Henry picked up a big coloring book of rescue animals (veterinary theme going again).  Caroline picked up about 15 books in total.  Again, she thought it was a library.

We are ready to begin August.  We are gearing up for the new school year, trying to fit in all of our activities for each week.  We've discovered we are going to be very, very busy this year with swim, karate, CC, Awana, & Boys of Iron (a church program).  And to think we want them to have music lessons as some point, too!

Thor's Thunder...Caroline Nails It

Our activities seemed endless this week.  It was a bit exhausting, and Caroline agreed.  A couple of days this week, she just calmly got her blanket, laid down, and fell asleep.  Unfortunately, she decided to do this in the later afternoon hours.  So, she graced us with her presence well into the night.  One night she didn't go to bed until 11 p.m.  Another night I was adamant that she not get out of her bed because it was 10 p.m.  I like my early-to-bed kids!  This evening we had to keep poking her and tickling her so she wouldn't fall asleep.  We have VBS again tomorrow and it is going to be an early morning.  We cannot afford to have her up so late.  We need our sleep, too!

She was a very happy little lady to participate in her first Build & Grow at Lowe's.  Last time we went, when the boys built The Falcon, she asked me if I could sign her up as well.  So, this weekend, she wielded a hammer and built Thor.

Josiah kept telling me beforehand that Thor spoke.  I told him that Lowe's never had projects that speak.  And then he proved me wrong.  There was a little button/speaker thing that we put in the middle of Thor which, when pushed, sounded like thunder.

Henry sat behind Todd as we drove home from the Build & Grow.  He kept pushing the button on Thor, so Todd kept saying, "Do you hear that?  There's a storm coming?"  Henry kept pushing, Todd kept talking about impending storms.  Henry giggled.  Henry pushed the button more.  Then Caroline said something to Henry about Thor making noise, and Henry said to her, "Shhhhh. Don't tell them."

We were fortunate that Josiah made it to the Build & Grow fully clothed, belly full, and teeth brushed.  He had been looking forward to this particular day all week.  He was quite upset to have to live through Monday and Tuesday, and Wednesday, etc. to get all the way to Saturday.  Friday evening, he left himself a few notes regarding what he should do the moment he woke up in the morning. This was what he left at the bottom of the stairs.  Note:

He still got "ready" even though the note was left for a kid named Josah.

Clothing, two choices for a hat, Lowes apron, sunglasses etc.

Then he reminded himself to eat.

He had a sign in the bathroom telling him to brush his teeth as well, with his toothbrush and toothpaste.  He was quite thorough.

That same afternoon, I took Henry to the library because he had completed their summer reading program.  Thank goodness we took a picture of him with his trophy because no less than 2 minutes after the picture was taken, he was playing with the trophy, it dropped, and broke.  It has since been superglued back together, so now it sports a big glob of glue at the base of the plastic gold top.

Mid-week our church had a summer blast fun night.  They had blow-up slides that had water sprinkling on them, making them water slides,  There was free popcorn, hot dogs, cotton candy, and desserts galore.  The kids got fake tattoos (which I was happy to see disappear from the water slides), ate some free food, and went on some of the smaller bounce house obstacle things.

Then they wanted to ride the biggest slide, so they spent a good 20+ minutes standing in line.

In line.

 After they went down the slide, Henry said he was playing around at the top while he was waiting for his turn, and when it was his time to go, he slipped and didn't go down the way he wanted.  He still smiled and had fun, but man, to wait that long and then not go down the right way is kind of a bummer.

Henry's favorite phrase of late is, "worst day ever!"  When things don't go his way, he quickly resorts to saying that.  Typically, I always chuckle on the inside thinking that this is most definitely not his worst day ever!  Just wait, child.  Caroline has ponied onto this phrase and usually she saves it for dinnertime.  Ever since we got back from Virginia, she has not wanted to eat a single fruit or vegetable.  None.  She used to have favorites, but now all she wants to eat is peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.  So, when I tell her that she is not getting whatever it is she wants until she eats a carrot or apple or something not bread-y, she says, "This is the worst day ever!"

The beginning of the week did start off a little rough.  Henry had refused to help us clean up the playroom.  Caroline, too.  So, Josiah and I spent a long time in there cleaning it completely.  We cleaned out all the toys and junk from under all the furniture.  Josiah was all-in for the first 20 minutes or so, then he started to get oh-so-tired as the cleaning went on.  It's amazing the exhaustion they feel when it's time to pick up their own things.  Anyway, since Henry and Caroline refused to help clean up, they were not allowed to go in the playroom.  They couldn't play with any of the toys in it.  That was what they were told.  And what Henry told Josiah the next day was, "Can you pull the Lego bucket to the edge of the carpet?"  So this is what the upstairs hallway looked like.

Guess who threw a tantrum when he had to clean it up?  Yep.  Henry!

The boys have spent the last couple of days creating their own Lego kits.  They make them, then show us what they'll look like on the box cover.  Then they precede to explain in detail how they work.  I am happy that they are giving presentations on them, so they are still practicing those skills.  However, I have to make sure I have a good 30 minutes to spare once the presentations start.  Henry is very thorough with explaining how every part works.  Sometimes he'll disassemble his creation, only to reassemble it during his presentation, explaining it as he goes.


Next week starts another VBS (at a different church) and while the kids are mostly excited (Caroline's not crazy to go in her room since I won't be her teacher), I am pretty much a ball of nerves.  Just the title "Lead Teacher" is enough to make me feel slightly nauseous.  I am in a kindergarten room, which helps, because the kids likely won't remember this experience in 10-20 years.  I am in the 11th kindergarten room.  Out of 13 rooms!  Just for kindergarten!  Our class has 32 kids in it and it can reach up to 40!  I have been praying that it all goes smoothly and that we do not lose any kids as we walk from place to place in the church.  I should be much more relaxed at this time next week.  Something to look forward to...

Cows, Chicken, & Nemo

The theme of this week should be "late nights" (and I'll add to that, "sleepy mother").  Monday evening a man Todd has known for many years came over to talk about his life as a missionary.  While I was trying to listen to Todd and him speak of the state of the country in which he serves and about past mutual friends, the boys kept asking when it was time for cake.  Company = Dessert.  After cake he showed us lots of pictures of the city he lives in and people there.  The kids all continuously raised their hands while saying, "I have a question."  They ranged from, "Why is the house that color?" and "What type of bird wings [did the architect design] on the ends of that bridge?" to Henry's oh-so-hilarious, "Is that where people go to the bathroom?" type questions.  I think Caroline just liked to say, "I have a question." because most of her questions were statements of observations.  It was a late evening, but well worth it.

There was no down time the next day either.  After finishing their lessons in the morning, the kids got to work on their cow costumes for Chick-fil-a Day.  Cow outfits = Free food.  Todd and I purchased the cow t-shirts, but everything else the kids did on their own.

Henry made a yogi cow.  Oommmmm.

Before we got to Chick-fil-a Caroline said she was a big girl this year and she wasn't going to be scared of the giant cow that walks around.  She was pretty sure of herself.  However, when we were eating in the restaurant, I noticed she had kept her fries in the big bag.  I took them out for her to lay on top of the bag and make them easier to reach.  She cautiously looked around her and asked, "Is the big cow going to take them?"  I said no, but then she had to ask about her juice box as well.  When the big cow finally did make an appearance, she jumped in my lap and repeatedly said she did not want it near her.

The Big Cow!

Maybe next year.

Caroline proudly made her cow face.

It was another late evening that day.  Our church had a showing of Finding Nemo, a pajama party/movie night.  They had a bunch of boxes of popcorn laid out for folks to take.  Then they had a "fixin's bar" for the popcorn.  So the boys spooned in marshmallows, Cheez-Its, Skittles, M&Ms, pretzels, and whatever else was there, on top of their popcorn.  You can rest assured they made multiple trips up to the fixin's bar.  Even Caroline got in the action with the marshmallows.


Henry spent most of the movie quite upset.  We had brought a blanket for the kids to lay upon while the movie was playing.  The kids didn't lay on it, though; they ate their popcorn while sitting on the adjacent chairs.  Well, a little boy did sit on our blanket (his mom asked me) while waiting for the movie to start and Henry was not moved to "treat others as you want to be treated."  He repeatedly told me that he was saving the blanket to sit on once the movie began.  And he could have sat on the blanket with the boy.  It was a big blanket and a small boy.  But that wasn't his plan and Henry has a hard time when his plans get changed without his permission.

This is a pained smile because I'm trying to take his picture and he's desperately trying to cover his face.
He's still mad about the little boy on "his" blanket.

The summer reading program we're doing through the library has "Challenges" each week.  One challenge was to go to a library program.  So, mid-week, Josiah got to enjoy a program about turtles and tortoises.  It was a grade-school kids-only class, so I stayed with the littles in the library reading books to them.  Josiah had a great time, but said he never touched the live turtles they had in there.  It had been so long since we had been to the library, that we were very happy to fill up our bag with new books.  The kids have been reading a lot more this week because of it.

I had another late night that night.  I am volunteering in another church's VBS later in the month and I had to go to some training in the evening.  We had been to this church before and I knew of one way to get there, but thought I'd Google it to see if there was a quicker route.  There was.  So, I wrote it down, but for whatever reason the name of the exit sounded new to me.  I had it in my head that I had to drive far from our house because this church was somewhat far away.  So, I ended up driving on the toll road way far out into the country until the road signs were giving me the mileage for San Antonio.  So, I turned around, racked up more tolls, and finally made it to the church, late of course.  I was still confused as to why my exit, the one I had written down to take, was not an exit on the highway.  I was silently cursing the people at Google who clearly did not give me good directions.  It was not until I got home that night, that Todd told me I should have taken the exit nearest our house and he gave me the landmarks.  The exit we always take.  And then the light bulb went off.  So, I apologized for the tolls and called it a night...

Later in the week, we had to go back to the church to meet with a pastor.  He wanted to make sure I wasn't heretical since I am assigned as a lead teacher in one of the kindergarten classrooms.  We went the old route this time, and made it to the church with no problems.  And, fortunately (?maybe?), they found my beliefs to be in line with theirs, so, I guess I'm on the hook to teach.  Todd and I had formulated lots of funny responses to questions if they asked.  If I were more ballsy, I could have started talking about the "great" Joel Osteen as if I went to his church (which is in Houston).

On Thursday, the kids wanted to play outside, but it was so hot out, that it seemed they could get heat stroke just standing there.  So, we unpacked our kiddie pool and I got to exercise my lung power and blow it up.  They really enjoyed the pool.  They chilled in it.

They jumped in it, but quickly realized that jumping and landing on your bum in a pool on the hard ground was not the most comfortable.

Caroline had to be told to stop sucking on the actual hose.  It was one thing to drink the hose water.  It's another to have her mouth fully encase the metal end.

Todd and I were exhausted from such a busy week, so Saturday ended up being a bust of a day.  Josiah spent his Saturday making his own Avengers.

On the way to church this morning, Henry piped up and said, "When I close my eyes and say a word, I can see the pictures.  They're moving like a movie."  He showed me how he did it and then explained it again to a curious Josiah.  Caroline, not wanting to miss out on the conversation, said, "Mommy.  When I close my eyes, I can't see anything."  That's right darling.

It was a long and busy week.  Next week will be filled with lots of VBS preparations.  That and lots of prayers for leading the class.  I'm kind of freaking out on the inside.
 

Fireworks for the Fourth

Josiah began and finished his week making us all breakfast.  Monday morning, I walked down the stairs to see this:

Josiah made the gluten-dairy-eating folks a lovely slice of toast with a tablespoonful of chocolate M&M ice cream in the middle, and cheese chunks garnishing the four corners.

This was the tastier of the two breakfasts.  This morning, we walked downstairs to him making, "Apples Apples."  Slices of apples with applesauce on top, shredded cheddar on top of that, and a cherry on the side.  I know that cheddar cheese in apple pie is a "thing," but it's not really my thing,  So I enjoyed the cherries and hopefully he believed I ate the rest.

The boys had a 4th of July to remember.  While Caroline got some Daddy-daughter time at the Home Depot, I took the boys to see Finding Dory.  I am proud to say we all stayed awake the whole time.  I was struggling at parts to keep my eyes open, but knowing I was the only parental unit on site, I did my best.  The boys had a lot of rules about the popcorn.  Josiah sat in the middle and was the keeper of the popcorn.  They started eating it, but then Henry realized they were only watching previews and requested they wait until the actual movie started to eat it.  Josiah kept sneaking a few kernels here and there, which Henry would match, but once the movie started they were on it full throttle.

After the movie I took them to the bookstore to turn in their minutes sheet for June.  They had each read 300 minutes (Josiah got 425) for June which entitled them to $5.00 each of merchandise at the bookstore.  After looking at all the options in the children's section, Josiah settled on a jungle animal craft.

Henry, always looking up to Josiah, saw the dinosaur craft after I took Josiah's off the shelf, so that was what he got.

They were pretty cool kits.  The images were color-by-number and when put together they made a 3-D figure.  The boys then set up Exhibits for Todd and I to visit.  They tried to make it look like a museum.  "Exhibit" will now be included in our 2nd Grade spelling lists.

Todd had bought raw brussel sprouts for the 4th.  We were preparing them to be cooked, when I took a bite and they were really good.  They were milder than I expected.  So...I cut off a portion of one to look like cabbage.  I sprinkled a little salt on it and then took it to Henry.  I told him to try it.  He likes cabbage and eats it all the time, so he asked what it was, but put it in his mouth at the same time.  I asked if he liked it, and of course he said yes.  Then he asked what it was again.  I said they were brussel sprouts and he hit his fist against the table and said, "I don't like brussel sprouts!"  Poor kid, he and Todd have that running joke about not liking brussel sprouts.  Henry was much happier to eat the fireworks cake we made.  The firework upon the cake was carefully crafted out of Christmas sprinkles.

Then, when it had just barely gotten dark, the fireworks began.  This was the kids and my first 4th in Texas.  Clearly the rules on fireworks are much more relaxed than they are in Virginia.  When we walked outside, the smell of smoke was strong!  All we did was stand on our street corner and we saw fireworks from each direction.  One direction was clearly a professional show, which was awesome to see steps from our house.  We had neighbors a few houses down shooting off fireworks in the street.  They were literally everywhere.  The kids were happy to see so many, I was happy to see so many so close to home (and not have to travel and fight the crowds), Todd was happy nothing caught on fire from the fireworks that were shot fairly close to our house.

The late-night on Monday, and the up-early on Tuesday created the perfect storm of a day filled with "accidents."  Josiah first knocked over a jar of white paint (washable, kid paint).  Then a few minutes later he knocked over the paint water cup.  Caroline knocked over her milk and later peed on the carpet (her first time ever peeing on carpet).  The worst "accident" was when Josiah somehow hurt Caroline's bum with the computer chair.  Neither she nor he could tell me exactly how she got hurt, but it looked like she had been hit with a switch.  This horrible bruised line across her bum.  It was still there when we dropped her off at church this morning, and I fully expected some concerned parent volunteer to ask me about it.  I envisioned meeting a security person at her room and when they would gather our other kids to check them out, they would find a large bruise on Josiah's upper arm.  He showed that to me the other day.  I asked him, incredulously, how did that happen?  "I sucked it!" he proudly told me.  His first hickey.

Mid-week we had some friends come over.  Josiah was so, so, so excited to have them visit.  He is excited when anyone visits.  He's our hospitality man.  Before they got here, he had created four games for the kids to play.  At first, I tried to discourage him from dominating all the playtime, but really, when I saw what he made it was very cute.  His theme was Angry Birds.  The first thing was Pin The Pig('s Tail).  He had this hanging up on the door with four pig tails taped to the door handle waiting for the boys to play.

He had Slingshot, where they shot themselves (walked, not run, I reminded him) from one end of our house to the other.

There was a pig target as well.  He had the Nerf guns ready to see who hit the target closest.  He even had tabs of paper with everyone's initial on them and boxes for them to check off when they completed each event.

They had a lot of fun together.  It is great to have friends here.

Later in the week, I took Josiah in to the doctor's to get his ear checked out.  He had been complaining about it for four days and it seemed to be getting worse each day.  The doctor was running behind, so we waited a lot longer than usual.  When the doctor finally saw him, Josiah's ears were fine.  And by the time we got back to the car, Josiah said his ear felt great.  He just needed that special $25 doctor's touch.

Back at home, Josiah said he wanted to read me the story of Adam and Eve in his Bible.  So we sat on the bed, he had his Bible in hand, and then he said, "it might be quiet because I read in my head."  Good thing I already knew the story.

We finished the week spending lots of money on new tires so my car would pass inspection.  Apparently, these hot Texas roads just burn the rubber right off the cars.  Sigh.  The boys got to do their Lowes Build & Grow crafts.  Henry had to do his at home due to attitude issues.  Because of that, I got to watch him build the whole thing.  He can drive a nail in like it's nobody's business.  I was impressed with his hammering skills.  That gave me hope that one day we can build things in the future.  It'd be cool to have them build their own small bookcase or something simple as a school project.