Reading In Bed

C has been asking us to let him stay up after bedtime to read.  If it isn't already way past his bedtime, we usually let him read for another 20 - 30 minutes. Last night we told him he could read, but I forgot to go back into his room and remind him to stop and go to bed.  He came downstairs about 9:30 saying that we was tired and going to stop reading and go to bed...whoops :)

This morning, J found this written in C's composition notebook.  Apparently, he was reading the "Learning To Pray" section of his Bible and made a few notes. Good stuff!

It was difficult to get a clear picture because there is writing on the other side of the page that bled through.
It says:

Learning to pray

ADoraTion "I Love you" prayers
Confession "I'm sorry" prayers
Thanksgiving "Thank you" prayers
SupplicaTion "Please" prayers
Pray with faith.
Have I ever had thoght [thought] about praying? no

Thoughtfulness & Generosity: C's Present

Friday was a Teacher Workday for C, so he went with me to run a few errands (G was at school).  Our first stop was the $ Store.  As we were entering the store, I realized that C hadn't gotten anything for G's birthday.  Since he now earns an allowance, I felt that he should purchase her gift using his own money.  I explained this to him and he happily agreed to pick out an item for G and pay me back when we got home.

As we walked through the store, he carefully considered multiple items and eventually selected a package of Origami Paper Flowers (he's not just into paper airplanes anymore, folks :)  A thoughtful gift, indeed!

After we checked out and were heading for the door, we passed a row of those $0.25 candy/toy dispensers.  Aside:  My kids are constantly begging to get something from these things and I ALWAYS say no.  I know...I'm a buzz-kill :)  In any case, as we pass the row of dispensers, C says" Hang on, Mom.  I want to get something for G out of one of these things."  Then he pulls a quarter out of his back pocket and puts it into the toy dispenser.  I took a picture I was so proud :)

Before we ever left the house, he'd gotten $.36 from his Fun Money bank with the intention of buying her one of those toys.  He never said one word to me about it...even as I was "reminding" him in the store that he should probably buy her a present.  On top of that...when he realized that he didn't have enough $ to buy himself something...not. one. peep!  He didn't say "I've already bought her Origami Paper so I'll just keep this." 

I am one proud Momma! But mostly I just feel humbled...cause I'm a HOT MESS!  I make so many mistakes every. single. day.  But GOD is powerful and faithful to work in my children DESPITE my sin/mistakes/ignorance to bring about His plan for their lives! So perhaps it is better said - I am one BLESSED Momma! :)

James 1: 17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.

G's 5th Birthday Cookout

So here's the deal.  I STINK at planning kid birthday parties. I'm not a game person, I'm not creative, and I don't do crafts.  I love my kids - but I really, really don't like planning their parties :)  What I AM good at is hosting a cookout.  Well, I guess to be fair - Jason does most of the actual cooking out, and I do the rest.  But still...cookouts are my thing.  Fortunately, cookouts are also G's thing.  She LOVES having people over, reorganizing furniture, and figuring out where to put the food.  Hence, G's 5th Birthday Cookout...

The party was loosely based on an Luau theme...

G was super excited as we waited for our guests to arrive :)

Grandma and Papa spent the night before and joined us for the party.  They were so helpful in the preparation, execution, and clean-up of the party :)

I did manage to pull off one game of something that vaguely resembled a round of Corn Hole.  I know, not exactly in keeping with the Luau theme...but it beat what the kids WERE doing with the bean bags (throwing them at each other's heads as hard as possible :)

Happy Birthday To You! One thing is for sure the child does NOT mind being the center of attention :)

C (and all of the other older boys there) were BIG fans of the Leis.  They also confirmed one of my long-held suspicions...boys can and will (if given the time) turn anything into a weapon.  J assures me this is normal :)

After all of our guests left, J sat down with G and assisted in the bling-i-fication of Decoratable Bracelets G received.  He's such a great Daddy :) 

Happy Birthday G!

Thoughtfulness

About a month ago, G accidentally broke a decorative floor vase that was sitting on the hearth in the Living Room.  In hindsight, it was an accident waiting to happen.  It is too soon to have breakable things sitting on the floor...maybe once the kids go off to college :) In any case, she was really, REALLY upset about the broken vase.  

On Saturday, J told me that several weeks back she asked him to help her buy a new vase for my birthday.  She went on to suggest that the new vase needed to be metal so that it wouldn't break again.  He also said she asked him if he'd acquired said vase everyday when he got home from work - for the last several weeks. 

Nothing warms my heart like seeing thoughtfulness in my children! :)  God has blessed me richly!

The Mark of A Person...According to C

C has two little friends (girls) that I always confuse.

Yesterday, I asked him how he keeps them straight. His response:

"She (actual name removed to maintain anonymity) is paler and is a good bit funnier."

Why am I not surprised that he uses funniness as a primary means of distinguishing one person from another :)

Paper Airplanes

C's fascinated with them! They are everywhere - in the house, in the van, in the yard - there is no restricted airspace!  Stray paper beware! :)

Here's a small sampling...

G was kind enough to go around the house collecting these planes..hence the pink storage box :)

This is his most recent masterpiece.

G Speak

In reference to a Decorate-able Jewelry Box that she received for her birthday and had started working on...

"Mom, I want to finish my jewelry box someday else."

:)

No Low Self-Esteem Here!

J and I were discussing a friend who is a particularly gifted encourager which led into a conversation about how different people are gifted in different ways.

C: (almost to himself): …smart, and fast, and good at baseball….

J: (to me – looking down at our sweet son) There will be a day when he doesn't think I hung the moon, huh?

C: (finishing his thought).  …Yep, I’m all those things. I’m gifted!

J:  (surprised/laughing) He’s not talking about me. He’s talking about himself! 

This is actually very atypical...as C DOES think that J hung the moon and regularly says things to support that idea. Still kinda funny, though :)

An Easter Story :)

Our sweet friend Mrs. Delores moved out of state just before Christmas.  We miss her.  Every time we go to the Dollar Store or Wal-Mart, G and I talk about our fun times.

Thankfully, we do keep in touch by phone and letter.  A few days before Easter we received one such letter.  Mrs. Delores was gracious to include $5.00 and instructions for me to take the kiddos to the Dollar Store and let them pick out a few things for Easter.

We did just that...

C selected a two pack of yo-yos and a blow-dart gun.  G a calculator and a Happy Birthday balloon She was undeterred by the fact that it was in fact NOT her birthday because "It is beautiful, Mommy!"  Not pictured is the big bag of cheese popcorn that we ate for lunch :)

After School Fun...So Glad Spring Is Here!

Here is a glimpse of our typical afternoon.

Two Monkeys In a Tree

And a little bit of homework. I love that he loves to read!

Everything Is More Fun With A Friend...

At least that's C's story as he completed his Spelling homework with his "pet" inch-worm on his left elbow/arm :)

This Just Made My Day...

The other day I went looking for the kids because it was too quiet - normally a sign that they are hatching some kind of evil scheme :) Instead, I found C reading G The Princess and the Peas (a library book she'd just checked out and was excited to read).

I stand corrected. So. Very. Sweet!