Three Sisters

Look at that baby swinging! The last time we visited the playground in our neighborhood, Eliana was still too small and squishy to sit up properly in the swing. What a difference a few months makes! It was a glorious, warm, smells-like-spring day on Sunday and we enjoyed it to the fullest.

Magic Man

Josiah has a Carolina Gamecocks hat that his great-grandfather, Burr, gave him. It is a treasured possession.

"I like your hat, buddy."

"Hey Mama, I'm pulling rabbits out of my hat!"

"That's a neat trick."

"Yeah, cause I'm a magic man, Mama."

So I've got that song stuck in my head and I keep trying to sing it to him.

"No, Mama, I'm not a magic man anymore. I'm a beat box man."

"No, Mama, I'm a football player man."

"Mama, no. I'm not a magic man. I'm just Josiah!"

Yes, he is incredibly patient with me. And he is still my magic man.

Try to understand.

I'm Pulling for You

Every morning, Josiah comes downstairs in an outfit that he has chosen for the day. He loves to aks me, "Mama, are you pulling for the orange guys to win or for Purdue to win?" At this point, it is imperative that I LOOK at him to see what he is wearing, because then I know to say, "I'm pulling for Purdue!" Every time, without fail, a proud and surprised smile flashes across his little face. "Hey Mama! I'm Purdue!!" And then I say, "I know! I'm pulling for you, Bubby!"

Children need to know that we are pulling for them. Unconditional love, when demonstrated and affirmed with words, gives them great confidence. I am your biggest fan, Josiah. No matter what team colors you're sporting today.

If God is for us, who can be against us? Romans 8:31

God Church Babtist

When the girls learned that we might not be able to attend church this morning because of the snowy roads, they came up with a plan to have a church service at home. When we arrived at the church (in their bedroom), we were given hand-made bulletins and invited to sit on the floor. After the anoncements, we sang Amasing Grace and Bles Ashore. Chris was able to listen to both adult Sunday Skool and a sermon by Celeste, who took her responsibility very seriously. I had a small but very engaging class of two that met in the closet for Sunday Skool and Children's Church. Best of all, one was added to our number as baby Elizabeth was presented for babtisement.

(Yes, I did have to point out to them that if their church were really Baptist they would not have been able to baptize baby Elizabeth.)

More Snowy Fun

Even Eliana got in on the fun today! With warm sun instead of blowing snow, conditions were just right for playing outside.

Little Boy in Pink Mittens

I did try to Scotchguard Josiah's knit gloves, but it proved to be no match for the power digging he did in the 5 inches of snow that fell last night. Hence the pink (waterproof) mittens that belonged to his sisters. I felt embarassed for him until our neighbor, Cole, who is 8 years old, came out wearing empty bread bags rubber-banded on his hands. When asked if he would rather be wearing Wonder-Bread mittens or pink mittens, he said, "PINK ones!"

There's nothing like coming in from the cold and snuggling in front of the fire with a nice periodic table.

Never Too Early

Fridays are relaxed in terms of school...but I find that even when I'm not structuring the morning, my students are still eager to learn.

Eliana is working on the months of the year. So far, I think she's got "May."