A Doggie Christmas

Christopher was very disturbed that we did not have any Christmas gifts for our dogs, particularly Lexi. (I was not at all concerned about this issue.) At any rate, he left Sophie's needs to me, but decided to take Lexi's gift needs into his own hands. He made her a peanut butter doggie treat Christmas cake, and she was delighted with his thoughtfulness.

Modern Miracles

Sarabeth and Christopher fight with each other for most of their waking moments, much to my chagrin. Recently, however, I caught them in a moment of sibling peace and unity. As they cuddled together, Sarabeth was reading "Grimm's Fairy Tales" to her younger brother... made my day.

Emergency Preparedness

For some reason, Christopher is very worried about tornadoes. A few weeks ago, our area was under a tornado watch, and Christopher made sure we all knew that he had arranged a safe and well-supplied shelter for our family in the basement under the steps... water, flashlights, blankets, binoculars(?), several Bibles, Sarabeth's hat box containing her favorite hat, and Christopher's shoes and his Jesus doll. We're all set.

Reruns....

Sunday morning.... trying to wake Christopher up to get ready for church... I rubbed his back for a few moments, then I went to his closet to pick out his clothes... all the while talking to him and asking him questions, trying to help him wake up gradually.

Christopher, mumbling: "Will you just hum whatever you need to say? You just ruined one of my really good dreams that was almost over."

Mommy: "What were you dreaming about?"

Christopher: "Gilligan's Island."

Comparisons

I recently explained to Christopher that his allowance was tied to his completion of his chores -- so if he didn't do his chores, he didn't get an allowance.

"That's not fair," he whined.

My angle: "You know how Daddy gets a paycheck every week? (Yeah.) Do you think they would keep giving him a paycheck if he wasn't doing any of his work? (No.) So, it's the same principle. You do your chores at home -- that's your work -- and then you get your allowance -- that's like your paycheck."

Christopher's response: "But it's still not fair! We have a lot more to do than Daddy does!"

I give up....

A Little Protein

When Sarabeth was six, I told her all about a Bible meal my mother had prepared for me and my siblings when I was a little girl. I explained, "We had grapes and Fig Newtons and olives and bread and honey" -- at which point Sarabeth interrupted, "Did you have locusts?"

Milestone Birthday Blessings

I took Sarabeth to Chicago on Saturday, to kick off the celebration of her tenth birthday, which is happening later this month on November 25. We left the house about 8:30am, drove to Michigan City, Indiana (about 1.5 hours away), and caught the commuter train into Downtown Chicago. The train left Michigan City at 9:27am Central Time, and we arrived in Chicago at 11:12am Central Time.

Sarabeth loved the train ride. She had brought a variety of games for us to play together -- Crazy Eights, Old Maid, Go Shopping (similar to Go Fish), as well as a make-up-a-story-as-you-go game. We had fun together! After arriving at Millennium Station in Chicago, we walked several blocks up Michigan Avenue toward the American Girl store. I had a hard time convincing Sarabeth that the walk up Michigan Avenue was an important part of the experience of going to Chicago! She wanted to take a taxi straight to American Girl -- and I wanted to enjoy Chicago. So, I promised her a taxi on the way back to the train station (especially since we'd have our packages then, and it would make more sense).

We finally made it to the American Girl store, and she was immediately in awe! She didn't want to look around -- she wanted to make a beeline directly to the two items she wanted to buy (the Bright Highlights Set and a lovely new doll outfit, complete with dress, hat, necklace, and shoes), and then go to the Lego store to purchase the two items she wanted to buy there (the Lego Friends Dolphin Cruiser and Andrea's Bedroom set). We got a little Lego set for Christopher, too -- a Lone Ranger on a horse, along with three Union soldiers and a Lego cannon that really shoots! Sarabeth also just had to have a Lego Wonder Woman keychain, since she is currently passionate about Wonder Woman. So, all birthday money spent. Now what would we do for the next several hours until it was time for our 4pm tea??

I really wanted to look around the American Girl store slowly -- and the Lego store, too. Sarabeth was more willing to browse once she had her birthday purchases in hand, but she was still a little Energizer Bunny, not slowing down much at all. We ended up sitting at a table outside the Lego store for a while, as she built "Andrea's Bedroom." Then we went to a cupcake place called "Crumbs" and shared a cookies & cream cupcake with Oreos. Then we sat in the American Girl store for a while as she changed her doll's clothes and looked at American Girl books. Waiting. Waiting. Waiting.

Finally, four o'clock arrived! Time for tea in the American Girl Cafe! We had a lovely table for two -- well, three -- as there was a special seat for Sarabeth's American Girl doll, Marie-Grace (who was wearing her new tea outfit). We talked through a box of conversation starters on our table as we waited for our food: miniature cinnamon rolls, scones and fruit kabobs, and then four different types of tea sandwiches, and then three miniature desserts... actually, Sarabeth got four, because they also gave her a little heart-shaped cake with a birthday candle in it -- and our server sang Happy Birthday to her.

After tea, we collected our coats and bags from the glorious free coat check in the American Girl store, stepped outside and across the street to the John Hancock building, and caught our taxi. Our driver was a 70-something Indian man who had been driving a taxi in Chicago for many years. He was hysterical! He kept honking and yelling at other drivers, saying "God bless you very much!," and generally keeping Sarabeth in giggles the whole way back to Millennium Station. He was worth the whopping $8 tab (for just a few blocks, but very slow-moving traffic) for her first taxi experience.

We got our train ticket and sat down to wait for our train. The man sitting near us talked with Sarabeth the whole time we waited. He told her to make sure to play outside a lot and not watch television. He said she should always use her imagination and not let television shows tell her what to think and do. I was personally thrilled with his advice! Our train left Chicago at 6:22pm, and Sarabeth used the train ride to try out her new Bright Highlights set on Marie-Grace, as well as play cards with me and generally bug me with her over-the-top questioning and teasing. We were late getting into Michigan City because we sat on the tracks for a few extra minutes outside Chicago waiting for a freight train to pass. Once we actually got to Michigan City, we then couldn't get to our van for another 15 minutes due to freight train stopped on the tracks across the road. Those freight trains!

We finally got to our vehicle and began our drive home by looking for a Culver's in Michigan City, to no avail. I knew there was one in Stevensville, Michigan (on our way), so we headed toward home. We got to Stevensville at 10:30pm Eastern time, and Culver's had closed at 10pm. Ugh! However, I happened to look up and see a Cracker Barrel sign across the street a ways, so we drove there to see if they were still open. Hooray! Their kitchen was open until 11pm, so we got our table right by the roaring fire and ordered our pancakes, sausage and bacon, and biscuits and gravy. After a fun and delicious dinner, we hopped back in the van for our last leg toward home. We had been listening to the tape series "Captivating," by Staci Eldridge, throughout our drive, and that continued to entertain and bless us the rest of the way home. We pulled into the garage at 12:30am and fell into bed around 1:00am (even though we got to turn the clock back an hour, it was really, really late!).

I was still in a coma on Sunday morning when Sarabeth woke me up saying she was going to start building her Lego Friends Dolphin Cruiser, and then Christopher woke me up again wanting his surprise. I stumbled downstairs to get his Lego present out of the closet, and stayed a moment longer to enjoy his shouts of pleasure and gratitude. Back to bed and a return to my coma. Christopher woke me up again not too much later, to show me how his Lego cannon would really shoot Lego cannon balls at me. I only vaguely remember this....

I will always remember, however, this wonderfully special, amazingly exciting day trip to Chicago with my little girl to celebrate her milestone tenth birthday!

Generosity

My little Christopher has such a generous spirit. He always, always shares his candy.

"Mommy, I left all my Hershey's Kisses on your nightstand, so you can have one every morning when you wake up."

Just a Suggestion

On Sunday morning, Christopher jumped out of bed, put his hand in his mouth, ran into the bathroom, and then walked back into his room and said, "Mom, take my tooth out." One of his bottom teeth was just barely hanging on -- one wiggle, and it was out. Another tooth lost!

I congratulated him and showed him the tooth. He then matter-of-factly informed me, "If I were to get anything under my pillow, army duct tape would be my main priority."

A Blast from the Past

Sarabeth and Christopher recently went with our next-door neighbors to a "50's Night" at their church. They were all so excited to dress up 50's style! Personally, I think they make adorable retro kids....

Joyfully Fighting

Christopher was SO happy to dress like a Union soldier and carry a pretend rifle for Civil War Days last weekend. During the battle re-enactment, he participated as fully as he could from the sidelines!

Civil War Days

This weekend marks the annual Civil War Muster at Holland's Van Raalte Farm. Sarabeth and Christopher passionately look forward to this event every year. Sarabeth loves all the beautiful dresses the ladies wear, and Christopher loves the guns and the battle re-enactment.

Last night, Sarabeth and I even went to the Civil War Ball together. A Union soldier asked Sarabeth to dance, but she declined. After he walked away, she said, "I don't want to dance with a boy. Boys are gross." I hope she feels that way for a long time yet! She had a great time dancing with some wonderful teenage girls she knows. What a lovely evening!

My Union soldier and my Southern Belle

Isn't she lovely?

At the Cavalry Camp

At the Civil War Ball -- even President Lincoln joined in the dancing!

The Union soldier who asked Sarabeth to dance

My beautiful little Southern Belle at the ball!

Another First Day

Today is the first day of Friday Addition for the 2013-2014 academic year. We have all been so excited for this day to finally arrive! Sarabeth is in 4th grade this year, and Christopher is in 2nd grade. They got up easily this morning, got themselves dressed, ate their breakfasts with no complaints, and we even had time to take some pictures and pray together before we left home... and we were early for school! Could this become a new routine?

Child vs. Adult

Six-year-old Christopher helped me tremendously one afternoon when we were watching a friend's two-year-old son. Christopher cared for this little boy so gently and patiently, playing with him, holding his hand on the steps, and unbuckling his seat belt, among other things.

Later, I told Christopher I was really proud of him. "You'll make a wonderful father someday!" I assured him.

"I'd rather just be the son," he replied.

"Why is that?" I inquired.

He explained, "Well, I just want to play, and I want to see you a lot."

"Oh, honey," I promised, "you can always see Mommy whenever you want."

"Not when you die," he concluded.

Shhhhh!

Three-year-old Sarabeth just couldn't master the concept of being quiet while her baby brother was sleeping... although it wasn't from lack of trying. Consider the following frequent scenario:

Sarabeth makes an insignificant noise upstairs in her bedroom, while Christopher is napping in the next room. Sarabeth stands at the top of the stairs and loudly shouts down to me: "Mommy, I'm sorry for making that noise. Will you forgive me?"

Medicinal Suggestion

Four-year-old Sarabeth:
"Mommy, you need to drink some hot tea to fight infection!"

A Wish Granted...

On Saturday, we went to a fundraising BBQ, which included a kids' fishing tournament. Christopher desperately wanted to try his hand at fishing, and thankfully, someone was willing to loan him a fishing pole. It wasn't long until he came running back with a fish dangling from his line! What a happy boy!

Youthful Wisdom

I don't like guns. I don't like war. I don't like my son playing with toy guns or playing war. However... my son has been "playing" with guns since he was two or three years old -- since he started making guns out of his Pop-Tarts and graham crackers. It's a losing battle....

Christopher recently has been saving his allowance in order to buy a "soldier set" he saw at Meijer for $15.99. When he finally had enough money, his daddy took him to the store to buy the toy. He was SO excited; he couldn't wait to show it to me when he got home. He immediately put on his whole costume and played soldier for the rest of the afternoon. I love to see him so happy and excited.

Earlier in the week, as I was telling Christopher for the 1000th time how much I don't like him playing with guns, he said, "Mommy, I enjoy playing soldier. It's fun to me. If you don't like it when I play soldier, then you don't like a part of me, because that's something I like. It's part of ME."

I've thought a lot about Christopher's words in the days since our conversation. I know I want people to accept me for who I am, even if they don't do what I do or love what I love... and I can see Christopher's need to have his mommy love and accept him as he is, guns and all... and I do.

Acting Out

One thing I love about Christopher... his creativity. Once he hears a story or sees a video, he will either build something from the story or create a costume to act out a character from the story. He recently watched the movie "October Sky," about a young man who loves science, so he breaks out of his coal-mining community to go to college. Here is the coal-mining outfit Christopher put together afterward....

Watch the Baby!

Warning! One-year-old Christopher climbs! Caught alone on couch, raised stone fireplace hearth, stools, chairs, art desk (headed over top of desk into adjacent playpen chasm), and more! Accident waiting to happen!

 

 

First Signs of Fashion

By Sarabeth's 2nd birthday, she was already making fashion requests. She would point to the container where the ponytail holders were kept and say, "po-tay, po-tay!"

Sarabeth and her "po-tays" -- with Mommy and cousins Spencer and Hanna,
at the Holland Farmers Market

Into the Abyss

Six-year-old Sarabeth: "I need a snack!"

Mommy: "You're hungry again??"

Sarabeth: "Yes, I'm in a growth spurt! I'm a pit that doesn't have a bottom!"

Sarabeth-isms

Three-year-old Sarabeth:

"mazagine" instead of magazine

"Student Little" for Stuart Little

"energies" for allergies

"snowflakes" for cornflakes

"fusterated" for frustrated

I couldn't correct her because I just loved her little Sarabeth-isms....

A Rose By Any Other Name...

Two-year-old Christopher loved, loved, loved the movie "Cars." At that time, he was still learning to speak, and I really enjoyed his pronunciation of various words. His version of the Cars character "Doc Hudson," for example... he called him "Huh Dock-en."

Photo Credit: Disney PIXAR (Internet)

Good Thinking

I asked eight-year-old Sarabeth if she knew the definition of "ingenuity."
Her answer: "Someone who knows a lot about engines."

Medical Opinion

Sarabeth:  "Mommy, do you think I'm ADHD?"

Mommy, with a laugh:  "No."

Sarabeth:  "I think I just act like a kid. I diagnose myself with being a kid."

Food Math

Christopher, last week:
"Look, Mommy! I made a pentagon with my turkey roll-ups!"

Well, That Explains It

Chet lost two-and-a-half-year-old Christopher at church. Mommy was a little upset.

In the car on the way home, Sarabeth asked, "Why is Mommy upset?"

Chet answered, "Mommy's mad because Daddy can't take care of Christopher."

Sarabeth argued: "Daddy can take care of Christopher. Just not when he's doing something else."