Infomercial

I'm not sure if my kids have ever watched an informercial, but I know they were exposed to their first one today when we were watching "Swiss Family Robinson" - such a great movie. When the commercial came on, A's first response was, "press the button to get back to the movie." I told her I couldn't on this one, and she informed me that "Daddy knows how to do that." Does that seem like a prime example of the evolution of technology on the next generation or what? I told her that you can't fast-forward on this show, so A and JD were a captive audience for some sort of amazing vacuum that bends to go under furniture. They were amazed. "You should get that, Mama." And "Wow! Do you think that makes noise?" It's a vacuum. The power of marketing, when a 5 and 3 year old want me to buy a cleaning device. I'm sure they're too young to imply that I need to clean.

God of the Water

This week, on two seperate occasions, while we have been in the car, my kids have been talking about the trinity. Of course, they didn't use that word. But, they said that some kids call Jesus "God the Son." Why? It seemed an opportune time to talk about the trinity. The first time it came up, I did my best to explain it, and made a triangle with my fingers (all while driving). The second time, I began to show the triangle again, when A said, "Oh I know. God the Father. God the Son. And God of the Water."

Worship

A informed me as this week that the song on the radio was one of her "top two favorite worship songs." Just hearing those honest, earnest words makes me so happy. In case you're curious, she said she loves:

Chris Tomlin's "I will follow" and Brandon Heath's "Give me your eyes." If you want to hear the songs, click below.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zx_04LdPV_Q

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P5AkNqLuVgY

The apple doesn't fall far from the tree. I love those songs too.

Like an adult

A informed me today that she was like an adult for three reasons:

1) I know when to turn around (in the car)

2) I know how to drive

3) I know how to tell time

"The most important thing is telling time," she said in all seriousness.

Delights

Tonight, I took such delight in the genuine laughter of my little man. He still loves hearing Charlie Brown say, "Good grief!" on a Christmas book we read again and again. We've also been reading a book about a legendary fireman from New York. When he turns to a mother in the book and says, "Just doin' my duty, ma'am" he can hardly contain himself in laughter. I'm not sure if it's the phrase, or my delivery of the line. But it's moments like these that make life so sweet for me. Simple delights in life!

MLK

A: Why don't we go to school on Monday?

Me: Because it's a holiday.

A: Is it celebrating Jesus?

Me: No. Martin Luther King Jr.

A: Oh, I know that guy.

Me: Really? What do you know about him?

A: Well, he said REALLY LOUDLY "I have a dream." Let me tell you the whole story, JD. A long time ago white people and black people didn't get to do the same thing. And that's not fair. So he said "I have a dream."

Me: How do you know all this?

A: Mrs. Hutchin read a book to us and told us all about it.

Nice job, Mrs. Hutchin!

Kisses

Yesterday when I picked the kids up at day care, I promptly gave JD a kiss, like usual. Except then he wiped my kiss away and informed me that he doesn't want me to kiss him at school any more, only at home. I thought I had a few more years before that would happen. Sigh.

While watching a video

While we were watching a video called "The Story of Christmas," and Mary and Joseph were traveling on the donkey towards Bethlehem, A turned to me and asked, "Is Santa in this one?"

Faces

Tonight A asked me if she could draw faces on our nativity set.

Me: Um, no.

A: Why? Didn't they have faces back then?

Happy Thanksgiving

We ventured north this year, to spend Thanksgiving at John's sister's house. We were greated with a few inches of snow, which was a wonderful treat, and great hospitality. Thanks for hosting, Rebecca!

John and his sisters

Before the meal, the kids were getting a little crazy. Nana told the kids to close their eyes and fold their hands, but we didn't actually pray for a few minutes. So they just sat there. I had to take a picture of my guy in his praying pose.
What would Thanksgiving be without looking at the ads? It's a little alarming to me that five year-olds are into it too, but I do remember pouring over the Sears catalog when I was a kid. I guess not much changes.

Our host, carving the delicious turkey!

Rebecca made a delicious cranberry stuffing.

We really enjoyed sledding with the kids for the first time. Their neighborhood had a street and an alley-like driveway that were perfect "hills" for the kids to catch some speed. They really had a great time, and so did we.

A's Kindergarten Thanksgiving Program

A practiced her songs and lines for over a week in preparation for the big Thanksgiving program.
She seemed a bit nervous on stage, but, after looking at her peers, I think most of them were.

Song: God is so Good

I Just Have to Say

I don't think I've ever expressed a social commentary on this blog, but this morning I feel compelled to do so. And, based on your feedback, maybe I will again.

Last night, we took the kids out to eat. The restaurant was loud and there was a lot to look at, which we thought would distract the kids while we waited. We were right. What I was surprised to see, and disappointed, too, was how the three tables around us all had teenagers/college students with their parents and ALL of the kids held their cell phones prominently in front of their faces and texted, what appeared to be, the ENTIRE time they sat with their famillies.

I'm not opposed to texting. But, at least for our family, who rarely goes out to eat, going to a restaurant is special. If you are texting throughout the entire meal, are you REALLY with your family? I just had this horrible vision of the future that had our family EXISTING next to one another, but not actually communicating. And it made me very sad.

I know that it is inevitable that my children will be owners of cell phones, and they, like the students I teach, will love to text - or whatever texting will look like in about five to ten years. But, I want to lay the ground rules now, because I want to KNOW my children, and my children know me. I want us to have memories about our shared experiences, not just being in the same room together. At a minimum, I want to eat a meal without a phone on the table, in the pocket, etc. Is the call or text really that important? It can usually wait. But time with my kids can't.

The Hardest Job

This morning:

A to me: Do you know what the hardest job of being a Mommy is?

Me: What?

A: Puttting hair clips in.

If only that were true!

The Pharmacy

When we were driving out to my friend Tracy's house today, A was enamored with all of the horses, cows, llamas, etc. that we were passing along the way.

A: It's like a pharmacy!

The Angel

Me: I'm going to the dentist today, so he can take out my tooth.

A: Ooohhhh, that means the angel is coming tonight.

Me: You mean the tooth fairy?

A: Yeah. I wonder how much money you're going to get.

Me: The tooth fairy doesn't give money to Mommies and Daddies.

A: Well, that's not very fair.

Me: I agree!

Happy Birthday!

My guy turned three today, and I feel like I have a new boy overnight. He's into pirates, Spiderman, Ironman, cars. He makes all those boy noises to show me how the characters fly. He's been shooting the cannons from his pirate ship at me, with the biggest grin on his face. I guess it's official. He's three. That's not to say that he isn't my sweet little boy any more. Tonight he asked me to lay on his bed and talk to him after prayers. He put both of his hands on my cheeks and told me how much he loved me - "to outer space and back." I hope he doesn't forget those moments when he told me how much he loves me. I know I sure won't.

Happy birthday, my little pirate!

Happy Halloween!

Update

When J left for work this morning, he saw the note I left him about the frog in the fish tank. But, the frog wasn't in there. So he went to the front door to put his jacket on, and he felt something on his HEAD. Yep, our frog. Thankfully, he hopped right on out the door. I prefer my amphibians outside anyway.

Conversation in the car

I told the kids that when we got home from church today, Daddy wants them to wear their Seahawks gear for the game today. Allison said, "I know who you like, Mommy." "Who?" I asked. "The purple team," she answered. "That's right!" "Mommy, the purple team is gooder than the blue team." No comment from me, but a smile, in response. "But I'm going to cheer for both teams, so Daddy doesn't feel bad." Large grin.

A Curious Thing

The house is quiet, and I'm the only one up. I relish these times - the early mornings and the evenings after the kids in bed. I prefer reading, but tonight I've had an important job to do - install our new printer. To some this may not seem daunting, but I really don't enjoy the process of plugging cords into strange places, clicking "install" and "next" and "trial print." But, much to my amazement, I was not the only one up in my house. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw something jump, I looked toward the floor and saw a small frog, about 3 inches, hop under my couch. I was dumb-struck. How did it get in here? How LONG has it been in here? Where is it NOW? I'm not afraid of frogs, but I was too shocked at having a visitor to know how to react in a timely manner. So I layed down on the floor to look under the couch, couldn't find him, and then wondered what to do next. In theory, he's been in the house for at least 6 hours - when I last closed the back patio door. So apparently, he's survived this long and could very well continue living here just fine. But, I'M not fine with that. It creeps me out to think that I could be sitting on the couch, while the frog just hops below me on the carpet, or, god-forbid, on the couch beside me. I was thankful, therefore, when I saw it hop again on the other side of the family room. I quickly grabbed a bowl, since I had enough time to think through my game plan, and trapped the little guy. Of course, I hadn't thought through what to do next. Like I said, I like frogs. But this one didn't look like an ordinary little tree frog. The coloring was different. And I couldn't help but think that if I touch it, I might be poisoned somehow. Apparently I'm not fearless. So, I threw him into the fish tank. Frogs like the water, right? Except that as soon as I threw him in there, I had second thoughts. I mean, he's survived 6+ hours in a dry, waterless environment. Maybe this frog doesn't like water. I didn't mean to kill the little sucker. He's sprawled out on the surface of the water and he's not moving. His "jaw" area is moving up and down. So I think he's still breathing. I'm seriously concerned. The lid of the tank is on securely, so I feel safe to go to bed and not wake up to something hopping in my bed. But I will feel awful if I wake up to a dead frog in the fish tank. I think I'll google "how to care for a frog."