40 weeks

This upcoming Sunday will mark my 40th week as a Primary teacher in my church (Primary =Sunday School for kids 3-11years old, I teach the 6-year-olds). Some weeks are easier than others. After a trying week, I sometimes go back and count up how many lessons I've taught. It gives me perspective :)

My class has matured a lot over the last 40 weeks. The prescribed activities in the lesson manual no longer reach the kids' level of understanding and interest. The doctrine remains the same, the Spirit is the same, but my 6-year-olds don't do finger plays, and they never want to sing or learn songs, y'know? It makes lesson prep a little more interesting.

Anyway, just wanted to note the milestone.

Bobby snapped this photo during one of our bedtime stories last night. Can you spot all four kids?

Poop

Tonight, we played games on the hotel bed while Matthew fell asleep in the kitchen area. Everyone was in a good mood after swimming and a free meal. Even James' pestiferous tendencies appeared muted. We played "Go Fish." James actually stayed involved in the game the whole way through. First time ever. He had a terrific streak of luck (and some help from good spirited siblings) and found the experience very enjoyable. Then we started a game the kids call "Three Words." I think their Aunt Erin taught it to them. You go around telling a story three words at a time. James watched the first round from my lap, then jumped in the second round with "made of poooop!" It was perfect, actually, and well-timed, so everyone laughed. That was his contribution for the next ten minutes and much laughing ensued. It felt like he was playing with us, not against us like usual, and the older kids were being more flexible and patient than usual. Instead of getting frustrated at James' bathroom-themed interjections, they kindly accepted that he was playing the game "like a 3-year-old."

So, tonight was a good night. We were connecting. When it came to lights out, we all snuggled into bed and listened to an audio book of "Soup." A peaceful and fun end to a good day.

James

This grin can mean so many different things...often mischievous or pestiferous.

This smile can mean only one thing: a delightful treat or privilege has been promised to him.

James, James, James. You're pushing ALL the boundaries this week. Even running away in public to avoid accepting a consequence for a poor decision. Oh, James. That never makes things better for any of us. Let's try to think of one golden choice...one moment...one piece of you heading in the right direction from the last few days so I don't linger too long on all the recent frustrations. Hmmmm.

Hmmmmmm.

SO many frustrations to sort through...

I guess I haven't paid you much mind...I can't think of something positive. Maybe that's part of the problem. I've been a little preoccupied with friends having babies and moving, wave #2 of remodeling work on the kitchen, building a few more housework chores into the kids' routine, and monitoring some of Robert's recent behavior. That doesn't leave much energy for you.

Sorry, little dude.

In a perfect world, we would understand each other so much better. Maybe you wouldn't have to act out for attention. Maybe I'd read to you more and build train tracks with you all over the front room floor. Maybe I'd have more focus to listen to your long, intricate imaginary scenarios involving pirates and bombs and space. I try to do those things, but find my attention pulled in so many directions at once. So much of my life is spent providing the basics of life (food, clothes, clean diapers, rest) to Matthew and expounding on the complexities of life (manners, kind speaking tones, modesty, morality, responsibility) to Alice and Robert. You're not as good at words as the older ones, so you've turned to screaming like the younger one.

*sigh*

Something's gotta change for us, James-y. Soon. I'll figure something out. Maybe I'll start noticing you more...notice your work...ask for your help...tell you how happy I am to have you in our family...show you pictures from your infancy...we need to reconnect somehow.

I think you've forgotten how important you are. Or maybe I have. We can fix that.

Crafty Dude

Robert made this on Sunday. I offered technical support, so he deems it a team effort, but it was all him. It started with the feet and a couple chopsticks for legs. Then he got more ideas as he rummaged through the craft cabinet. The giant zinnia is from my garden. Love that red. You might recognize the same color in the creature's lips :)

From his acorn cap to his new-shoe-shaping shoes, this guy has style!

Now, what to do with him? I do not love him enough to create a permanent home for him at our house, but he represents a day of creative fun with Robert, so I'm not quite ready to part with him. Perhaps a display shelf is in order?

Alice in a creative mood

Alice has been "working" as a mother's helper this last week or so. The first day, she took the 2-year-old to the neighborhood park and got lost, but totally kept her wits about her and managed to work through several logical methods for finding her way home. This girl, who cannot bear the thought of being home alone, did something miraculous that day.

Anyway, she's grown extra attached to this kid recently. She came home from "work" on Friday and decided to bake him a batch of sugar cookies. With only the smallest degree of intervention, Alice did it. She also made him a sock monkey.

I didn't see the boy's reaction when she presented him with these gifts, but I do know that she was a beaming ball of joy every moment she spent planning, preparing, and delivering them to him. 

The next day, she and her neighborhood friend harvested every edible fruit and veggie from our garden (mostly cucumber) and put it in a salad with various and sundry ingredients from the fridge (3 kinds of cheese, raspberry vinaigrette, sugar, additional fruits and veggies). It was a sight to behold:

She and her friend loved it! They divvied the final product and Alice donated her share to our dinner that night. I decided to try it...no one else in the fam would :( The salad was mostly cucumber, kinda sour, and I believe they included at least two half-rotten blackberries by accident, but I applauded their efforts all the same. They want to make something like this every season. I suggested apple pie for fall...