A Favorite Naptime Companion

We're not sure if the enjoyment is mutual (check out that grip).

... hangin' with Dad

Well, Saturday was a wonderful day for most of us... Dad and the four youngest boys spent most of the afternoon in the shop working on our broken mini van. It's been quite a project, but they've finally made it to the climatic stages and will soon be descending to completion.

Today, they put the engine back in.

However, as you can see by the pictures at left, Nathan and Noah got a little distracted. Here is the result of two imaginations, a little sense of adventure and a lot of crazy-boy wacky-ness.

For His Own Glory

One of the things we have loved about home schooling is the ability to teach all day long. The flexibility of the homeschooling schedule leaves room for impromptu classes and field trips, as well as many other things.

One of the best little impromptu classes that Mom taught the two youngest boys was the 50 states and their locations on the map. Nevin was almost 7, and Nolan was 5. They relished the time with Mom and picked up on the names and shapes of the states very quickly. We were pleased to see them put their knowledge to good use the following summer when they were quizzed by a family friend.

The boys were together observing a large American flag flying over head and our friend asked, "How many stars are on that flag?"
"50," Was the simple answer.
"And what do those 50 stars represent?"
"50 states," Well, of course. :-)
He continued with questions about the states, talking about the 13 colonies, and the smallest and largest in the Union. When asking what the largest state was, the boys pondered for a moment. Nolan, ignoring suggestions for "Texas" from other nearby friends, shouted excitedly, "Alaska!"
We all smiled.

Another favorite learning experience has been going through the Westminster Shorter catechism and the children's First catechism. 3 year old Aliza has been learning the first several of the children's catechism, and to hear her sweet voice recite each answer is so precious.

Today during lunch Ashlee was reading off different questions, quizzing Dad, Mom and the other children for the right answers. It was great family time, and the older children, as well as Mom and Dad, were amazed with the simple truths contained in each answer.
"Who made you?" "God." "What else did God make?" "God made all things." "Why did God make you and all things?" "For his own glory."

We were struck with the importance and reality of that when Aliza and Mom sat, later that evening, on Angela's bed talking about the simple topics that entertain 3-year-olds. Our kitten Fitzwilliam naturally came up.
Mom asked, in a silly tone, "Why did God make Fitzy with a tail?"
Not stopping a moment to think Aliza answered as if trained, "For His own glory."

Those in the room were speechless. And then we tried to stifle our giggles.

"Pass the ketchup in the name of the king!"

For 12 wonderful years the only babies we ever had were boys. The house was full of Tonka trucks, Lincoln Logs, guns, swords, knives, bows and arrows, footballs, baseballs and lots of dirt. At Christmastime army men guard the tree , and in the summer frogs, toads and snakes abound.

The two girls did their best to keep at least some parts of the house feminized, but with a 2-5 ratio they were well out numbered. Mysteriously, their baby dolls lost arms and legs; and their jewelry was found in the bottom of the pirate's chest.

Let it not be thought, however, that the girls never won a battle. There are still pictures to be found of at least half of the boys dressed in frilly pink dresses and dubbed, "Little Nora," Or "Baby Nellie."

In 2005 that all changed though, with the arrival of Aliza Rose. Our lives have never been the same.

Please, never underestimate the power of one little girl.

Now, there cannot seem to be enough dolls, stuffed animals, dresses, ribbons and princess's attire. Already, at 3, Aliza knows each of the Disney princess's by name, and the "prince song" that goes with them. (She's not quite in tune or on key, but we give her kudos for trying).

She is a Drama Queen with style, and capable of making every incident into a huge ordeal.

In the frosty morning, just as the sun was starting to wake up, Aliza sat at the kitchen table, eating her breakfast. She heard a cry from behind her and turned to see one of our kittens, eager for attention, crying at the back door. The October morning was a typical for Ohio, with light frost on the grass and windows and the sun just starting to gleam through the fog. Perhaps it looked worse than it was for a little 3-year-old. Aliza jumped off her chair and cried, in a big, swelling voice, "O, Fitzwilliam!" She then opened the back door (which is twice her size) and gathered the kitten (who is now almost full grown) in her arms. "O, Fitzwilliam. O, Fitzy. You poor thing!" She turned to Mom, who was watching with a smile, and said so seriously, "O, Mom. Poor Fitzy was left out all night long!" She would have none of the sense that Mom offered, of how strong a kitty Fitzwilliam was, or how safe he would have been under the porch. "O, Poor Fitzwilliam!" She continued on.

Her accomplishments do not stop with her excellent dramatic skills. As bright as can be, she repeats everything better than a parrot. Including memorable lines from her favorite movies. "Killjoy," has become her expression of frustration (from Cinderella). The Sound of Music rings through the rooms on occasion. Her best yet though was last night at dinner. We were enjoying homemade french fries (Dad's favorite) and in the bustle of everything that happens when 11 hungry people get together, no one was listening to the little darling at the bottom of the table. Soon we would.

She stood up on her chair, and in a deep, booming voice (or as best as she could imitate) said, "Pass the ketchup in the name of the king!"

Well, uh, "Yes, your highness."

Angela looked at Mom and sighed, "Too many princess movies."

... maybe. But, maybe not. :-)