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!"