Long Beach

We spent two nights at Long Beach this week. A, especially, loved the beach. She couldn't seem to get enough of the water, sand, etc. JD enjoyed playing with the beach toys and flying his kite. I am NOT a beach lover, but the weather was beautiful, especially the first day, and I could see why people enjoy the beach. My favorite part of our trip did not involve sand. We took some walks on the Discovery Trail, and I'd love to come back on a bike. J loved it, of course. He loves exploring the beach. On this trip he found an intact section of vertebrae. Whose vertebrae remains the question.

Inaugural Launch

J is the proud owner of a fishing boat, and we took our inaugural launch at Battle Ground Lake last week, about a half-hour from our house. We were only out for a couple of hours, but we had a great time. A is almost officially over her fear of boats and water, and JD seemed to take to it like a fish. I attribute this to their swimming lessons. They put them in a canoe in the pool and practiced balancing, wearing life jackets, etc. No actual fish were caught, but we didn't care. It was just great to be out there.

New Rooms

While my parents were here a few weeks ago, my dad graciously offered to paint my old "craft room" and transform it into JD's new room. I thought we'd tackle that project some time in the next year. No. My parents are movers and shakers. They get things done. And, what a great job they do. My mom helped with the color scheme, etc. and my dad tackled the painting. Thanks Mom and Dad. JD LOVES his new room.A is staying in her former room, but we rearranged a bit and added a desk for her "homework." She loves her own space too, although I loved her reaction when I told her we were moving JD into his own room. She burst into tears. They've shared a room since JD was 5 months old, and they love being together. I quickly told her that now you can invite each other over for sleepovers. She was very relieved in hearing that. I love that they love each other so much.
Since the big move, I have found them asleep in each other's rooms several nights. Sometimes they share a bed, sometimes one is on the floor, sometimes they build forts. They don't ask. And, I don't freak out about it. It's summer for one thing. And have I mentioned I love that they love each other so much?

Saying Good-bye to Old Friends

JD has been a boot-lovin' kind of guy since he could choose his own footwear. He had regular brown boots, a camouflage pair, and then this spring I found Toy Story boots that lit up. And, after only one month of non-stop usage, they wore out. I ordered an identical pair on Ebay, and after two months, those wore out. Now, I can't find another pair, and I feel like it's an end of an era, or friendship, between my guy and his boots. He's transitioned well, after he understood that you can't wear boots with holes. But, I haven't. Will he continue to love cowboy boots, when I finally find another pair? Or will his interests change? They're not just boots. They are innocence and sweet joys. I hope you stay around for a good, long time.

How Did God . . .

Last night A asked a very good question.

A: How did God become God?

Me: I don't know. But that will be a good question to ask him when we get to heaven.

A: Well, I think I know. He was probably in college, and he looked around and said, "Hey I'm really smart, and I'm really good at doing tricks. I think I should be God."

Me: Well, I don't think that's quite how it happened. But you better ask Him.

Kindergarten Graduation

Today A graduated from kindergarten. She and the other kindergarteners wowed us with a repertoire of songs, verses, and overall cuteness. They were clearly proud of their accomplishments, and we enjoyed being a part of the fun.

Pausing for pictures before the songs started

A received an official handshake from the principal.At home, she opened a fun present from her teacher. Now I have a 1st grader!

Kinderdance

A had her Kinderdance recital last night. Last year she was in the ballet class, but her recital was the same date as my brother Jon's wedding, so it was really fun to see what she's been up to this year in Hip-Hop. Good job A!

Overheard

In the car, I overheard A tell JD what it's like to grow up. She said:

A: When I'm in 11th grade i'll be a teenager. Then when I go to college a man will say, "What do want to be when you grow up?" And I will say, "A doctor or a teacher."

A: Momma what do you want to be when you grow up?

Me: I'm a teacher A.

A: Oh, right. JD, what do you want to be when you grow up?

JD: Spiderman. And I will shoot webs and capture bad people.

A: Well, they won't actually let you BE Spiderman, JD. So what do you want to be?

JD: Spiderman.

You can't argue with a three-year-old's love of Spiderman.

And I'd love to figure out when I grow up.

Child-like Faith

This afternoon, on our way home from school, A overheard the tornado report on the radio. She immediately said that we need to pray for the people in Oklahoma. I was so proud of her quick and accurate response to the seriousness of the situation. So, we prayed in the car, and I thought about the all too many times I fail at being the mom I wish that I could be. But somehow, A has survived, despite my failures, and I was reminded, by my five year old to bring our concerns to the Father, and "turn that tornado right around God and send it back to where it belongs." Thank you, A. And thank you Father.

Shining Moments

Each week this spring, one child in A's class is God's Masterpiece for the whole week. This week, A is the God's Masterpiece student. She brought in a poster about herself, explained the photos to her friends, and then her classmates said the things that they liked about her. What a great way for all of the students to be reminded again that they are God's unique and special masterpieces!Last week A had her Awana Sparks' awards ceremony. She was excited to get her award, and we are proud of her! This year, she learned all of the books of the New Testament and 24 verses.

Fun

Last night I let all of my inhibitions fly out the window, and I got down and played with my kids. My version of play is different than theirs, and last night, I let them lead. We rolled/threw/bounced balls through legs and arms. We, the three of us, all fit into the playhouse in our playroom, where JD served us tea, vegetables and fruit from the "kitchen." We also read stories in there. It's good I don't have back problems. It was a fun night. After prayers, A said, "Why do you always pray last, Mommy? Tomorrow, you should go first." Aaahhh. Fun AND being considerate of others. It was a very good night.

Flubber

Last month there was a family event at our church that gave each child a bag of flubber. Very thoughtful, indeed. I forgot about it, until last weekend when my daughter and her friend rediscovered the bag of wonder and decided to put it in their hair. It came out in the bath, and no harm was done. . . . or so I thought. Tonight I was playing with the kids in the playroom, and discovered a two separate puddles of flubber on the carpet - dried on for dear life. As we're all peering down at the mystery, I said, "I have no idea how I'm going to get that off the carpet." My very wise daughter said, "Well, you could go on-line and find out." And so I did.

Happy Easter

Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival

A, JD and I had our 3rd annual trip to the Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival in Woodburn, OR. It was a B-E-A-U-T-I-F-U-L day. The tulips were gorgeous, there wasn't a cloud in the sky, and the sun made a rare, yet all-day appearance. (I am seriously vitamin-D deficient.) The kids were excited to go, too. Here are some of the highlights:

Good Friday Service

Tonight, A sat with me during our church's Good Friday service. During our communion time, she asked if she could draw on the back of my bulletin. I gave her the paper, and then forgot about it until after the service, when A held up her drawing. It brought tears to my eyes.

Random Catch-ups

A and JD have been swimming every Saturday morning since January. They like it, and they're getting comfortable in the water. Both of them are in the beginner class and are working up their confidence to put their faces in the water for a few seconds at a time. I like it too. Their lesson starts at 9:35, which means we don't set the alarm on Saturday, and yet we've been productive by 10:30 in the morning. Swim on, my children.We sit on A's bed every night to read books. When I stepped away to fold laundry, A decided to take over my job.
A has learned to tell time this spring, and she asked for her own watch as a result of her new knowledge. Just a month before this occurance, I saw a watch that I thought she would like but I thought it would be a while before she learned to read a non-digital clock. Nope. One month.

Question Mark

Earlier this week, A discovered that JD's toothbrush had red toothpaste on it (his is usually clear).

She said, "How did it turn red?"

Then she paused and said to me, "If I were writing that sentence right now, I would end that sentence with a question mark!"

Books

Books. I love them. I've been buying some for the kids and saving them for when they get a little older. But, I guess they weren't much of a secret. When I slept in this morning until 8:30 - yes, you read that right - my kids were in my craft room "playing." JD found the books and wanted to read them. When I woke up and realized what was going on, I said, "Okay, but I was saving those for when you get older." In all seriousness, A said to me, "Mommy. They're books. I READ books." Well, okay then. Let the reading begin.

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."