Friday Funnies

Michael has done a great job of encouraging the boys to take me on dates, and it's become a special time one on one with each of the boys. The are super sweet and ask to take me out fairly often. And they always pay with their own spending money! I'm choosing to believe it's because they want special time with me, not because they get hot chocolate or donuts or bagels. ANYway...here are couple dating stories.

For one of our first dates, Stuart took me for a "donut date" at the Kaldi's in Schnucks. We got our coffee and bagels/donuts, then went to sit down. The little seating area had a TV (which I didn't know before we went). I had to remind him to look at me while we're talking instead of watching the news program on the TV. He responds, "But, Mom! I really like the TV!"


Stuart: Mom, we have to go on our date tomorrow. No, I'm going to take Dad for donuts. I'm going to trade dating. Every time I get $5, I'll go back and forth between you and Dad.
When I'm rich, we'll all go to Cracker Barrel.


On the way home from our date at Kayak's Coffee, I asked Chase a few questions about how he feels about God and school and life in general.
Chase: Mom, I'm just sensitive.
Me: Really? What makes you think you're sensitive?
Chase: Because I can smell really well. For example, Stuart's hands have a unique smell. It's their own smell. I can smell from far away things that he's touched. Like if Stuart's touched a penny and it's in the the living room, I can smell it from our bedroom. I have a super sense of smell, so I'm sensitive.

Hand to Jesus, people, I don't make this stuff up!

Not Me! Monday

Even though MckMama seems to be on a Not Me! Monday break, I will be sharing with you a few tidbits that DID NOT happen this past week.

SJ DOES NOT call her sister "Florence" and the doll "Fiona" when she plays house. She also DID NOT call her sister "Flower Garden" yesterday because of her Halloween costume. As in "Flower Garden, Flower Garden! Come here Flower Garden!" Nope, didn't happen.

I DID NOT use orange Kool-Aid to dye my oldest child's hair Ron Weasley red. These are not before, during, and after photos. Nope.

I DO NOT love his ginger hair so much! I especially HAVE NOT considered trying to convince him to actually dye his hair red. Nope, that would be silly.

He DID NOT get this idea because he read all of Harry Potter and the Sorcer's Stone and The Chamber of Secrets in 4 days. We DID NOT catch him reading with a flashlight at 11:15PM one night. Nope!

Mompetition is NOT my new favorite place to go if I just need to laugh!

Stu DID NOT spend breakfast this morning telling me what his Halloween costume plans until college graduation. He DOES NOT like dressing up that much.

My favorite new phrase is NOT "You're confusing your opinion with knowledge." I HAVE NOT said this to my oldest child multiple times this week. I HAVE NOT considered making a T-shirt.

I DID NOT have an absolutely crazy day on Tuesday. It was not a day hijacked by all sorts of insanity. By the end of the day I DID NOT feel like Tina Fey in the movie Date Night. Michael DID NOT suggest to me that I might want to sit alone and drink a Diet Sprite. I DID NOT laugh so hard I almost had to pull the car over to be safe! Nope, it was not that crazy of a day.

And of course, Michael and I DID NOT go through the kids Halloween candy and take all the good stuff out. We would never feel that was our right as parents! Not me!

This IS NOT typical of our house. Nope. Always calm and controlled around here!

Happy Monday and Happy November one and all!

Beat the ground in a light fantastic round

My middle kids have been dancing for two years now. They absolutely love their dance classes; I absolutely love The Studio. We had been to another studio, but now we've found a home at The Studio. Kim & Amanda are a mother & daughter duo that love kids and love dance. They are fabulous dancers with great stories—Kim's grandma taught her how to juggle and walk on her hands! As teachers they walk the fine line of excellence without undue pressure.

Sabrina takes tap class right now. We may add ballet after the boys' soccer is over.

Watching patiently and watching her friend.

Her turn!

 

Concentration

Stuart is in the Boys' Tap and Tumble class (I only got pictures of tap this day)

With the "Big Guy" assistant teacher. It's always amazing to me how a group of boys changes when a guy is teaching!

I don't think our children will become professional dancers, but I do know they are learning how to control and move their bodies, how to follow directions, and how to move to music. These are life skills that they're learning in addition to simply loving to dance!

Card, no, Snack-Carrying Soccer Mom

Even though Chase's game got canceled, Stuart's first game of the season was on! (It was my first game as an official Soccer Mom.)



They stretched, ran lines, and huddled up for a prayer and a pep talk.






The whole team played well. I was so impressed with their skills!
 

They "live and die as a team." Stuart and friends celebrated for teammate's goal with the enthusiasm of world cup footballers!




When he was the goalie, Stu had two great saves. He was not afraid to get in all the feet and grab the ball.



"Mom, I can't believe we won!" Winning your first soccer game 2-0 is a wonderful feeling!

Stuart's Map

I really enjoy reading the Bible. Not that I'm perfectly consistent in a daily reading plan, but I do love hearing from God's word. When the kids were infants and toddlers, I just read aloud whatever I was reading at the time.
As they got older, I wanted something we could read together. Of course I could tell them the stories and about what God told me, but I wanted them to read for themselves and learn to love reading the scriptures.
I searched for a long time for a great Children's bible. Most I read leaned toward works and legalism in very subtle ways. Most only retold the stories and put man or the child as the center. They didn't give the overall point of the bible: God. Then our boys' JK teacher at CCS used the Jesus Storybook Bible in class. We checked it out from the library. The kids loved reading it, so we bought one. And now we've bought two. The book gives the best picture of the bible; it's the story of God. He includes us in His story and the way He does that is through the rescuer, Jesus. Every story, from Joseph to Naaham, points to Jesus.

Each of the kids will pick it up to read it or look at the wonderful illustrations; however, Stuart loves it the most. He will often choose that as his story to read and one story is never enough. It's so endearing to see his love of hearing the word of God. He really wants to be baptized, but I'm not sure he's ready. I do see evidence in his life of living with Jesus, but he seems so young.

Anyway, in the car the other day, Stuart was flipping through Chase's bible that happened to be in the back.
"Mom, the bible is like a map."
"What do you mean?"
"Well, the whole bible talks about Jesus. Every story is like part of the map to Jesus."

Wow, he's really getting it!

So, if you are looking for a phenomenal children's bible, I highly recommend it!

http://www.jesusstorybookbible.com/ 

Friday Funnies

I think it's the six-year-oldness of St, but he is a riot currently. Just a few tidbits...

Sitting at dinner, we were talking about what he was doing in school. C was constantly interupting, trying to tell St's story; therefore, C lost the privelege of talking, which was killing him. St finally got to the point: in class they are working on "br" words. We were all coming up with "br" words and C was wildly gesturing and pointing at his head. C is of course thinking "brain"; Stuart shouts out "BRICK!"

Working on creating some Trilogy coursework, I was reading aloud From Jerusalem to Irian Jaya to A & St. Here's our conversation.
St: Mom, I'm tired of learning about these inventors.
M: St, they're missionaries, not inventors. Do you know what a missionary is?
St: No
M: Missionaries are people who tell people about Jesus.
St: I thought those where just Christians!?
M: Well, yes! That's true. We tell people about Jesus, and we are missionaries here in St. Louis. Some missionaries travel far away to different countries where no one has ever heard of Jesus.
St: Ok, but I'm still tired of learning about the inventors.


A is teething and had been fussing in the night; not really awake or crying just kind of sleepy whining. Then she really started to cry, so I got up. At her door I meant with Stuart coming out of her room wearing this lego head lamp on his head. It startled me, but he was totally calm. I took said head lamp, sent him back to bed, and dealt with A. The next morning, I asked S what he was doing, wondering if he'd even remember. His reply, "Mom, I was going in to calm A down. She was bothering me."

Quick Remembers

Been so busy recently, but just a few things I want to remember

Retelling the story of Cinderella with Samantha, Sabrina, and Sophie Grace:

Sabrina: What's the prince's name?
Me: I think it's just Prince Charming
Sabrina: I think his name is...mmmmm....Prince Greenflower. Yes, Prince Greenflower.

Monday:
Stuart: Mom, I want to go on a date with you. Can we go on a date?
Me: Sure that would be great. We'll have to wait until Daddy gets back in town.
Stuart: Let's go Saturday.

Tuesday:
Stuart: Where are we going on our date?
Me: I don't know. Where do you want to go?
Stuart: I want to go on a doughnut date. Can we go on a doughnut date?

Wednesday:
Stuart: Mom, don't forget about our doughnut date on Saturday!

Thursday:
Stuart: Mom, we're still going on our doughnut date on Saturday, right?

Friday:
Stuart: Don't forget! Tomorrow is our date.

Saturday 7:15AM:
Stuart: Mom. Mom. Mom! Can we go on our pajama, doughnut date now?
Me: Stuart, I'm sleeping. We can go after we all get up.

Saturday 10:00 AM:
Stuart: Mom, let's go!

We did have a great time on our date!


Chase had his first chess tournament on Thursday and won both his games. He was very proud of himself that he moved from 125 see to 120!

Ten on Tuesday

1. Michael and I are looking a really busy January. He is working Saturdays just to keep up. He has 3 trade shows in January. He will be gone in Atlanta the entire last week of January. More on that later.

2. I'm contemplating getting family pictures taken this spring. We've not had family photos since I was pregnant with Sabrina. Any suggestions for family photos in St. Louis with kids our kids' ages.

3. We've taken down the Christmas tree, but not finished putting away all the decorations. My goal is MLK weekend!

4. My 4 hours of sleep from Saturday night is really catching up with me. I'm a touch crabby and trying to hide it.

5. I've been studying a small bit on missionaries that go to Islamic nations. It's no surprise that this has been a much debated topic for centuries. I read an two contrasting positions on the topic. Charles Foster writing in 1845 said that we shouldn't hold Mohammad to the standard of Christ, but rather Moses. I found this argument a complete fallacy. Why should we not compare Mohammad to Christ? He is the standard by which we are all compared; therefore, we all fall short because of Christ's standard of perfection. Without his sinless divinity, there would be no gracious salvation. Romans reminds us "there is no distinction [among people]: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus." Moses was judged by the standard of Christ, therefore; so should Mohammad. Just a little something deep for y'all.

6. Samantha has been playing a game she had as a kid with the children. I don't remember the name of it, but it has to with fantasy monsters and ambushes and my kids love it. Sabrina gets bored of it and walks away about half way through.
7. Chase typically is quite grouchy when I pick him up from school. I don't know why this is and bothers me; however, I am not responsible for his attitude, and I can't really change it. But today he hopped in the car and said, "I'm in such a good mood I want to tell you all about my day and all my others days!"

8. We've decided Chase is not going to participate in chess tournaments this year. With what our January is like (it' s only 6 weeks) and having a 4-month-old, it's just a bit much. But I grieve a bit for him. Being an only child until I could drive (yes my sister just graduated from high school), sometimes it's hard for me to make choices where one child has to sacrifice for the good of the family. I know he's only 7, and he has many years left to compete, but it's hard for me to ask him to give up an opportunity.

9. Sabrina is totally into Fancy Nancy books. We have to read Fancy Nancy everyday. Sabrina can tell you that a fancy word for shiny is iridescent and aubergine is a fancy word for purple. Also that RSVP means "Répondez s'il vous plaît" or please reply.



10. Stuart is really learning how to read. Chase was so different. He could read a book by himself without help at 3 1/2. Stuart is 5 1/2 and his journey to literacy has been so different. His education is such a group effort! And in some ways, more satisfying because of the greater effort. But it is just as exciting to listen to him struggle with a word and finally succeed!

Just a bonus picture

Not me! Monday

Yep, Monday, Labor Day, and a week of things I did NOT do!

While feeding the baby, I did NOT discover that size 1 diapers are much bigger than newborn diapers. I did NOT discover this leak by a huge wet spot on my shorts. I did NOT continue to wear the shorts the rest of the day. I certainly did NOT wear those shorts the next day.

Stuart does NOT insist that whenever Annalise cries, that she needs to burp. When she cries really hard, he does NOT say that Annalise wants him.

Chase has NOT discovered that he can play games on our iPods and Michael's work phone. One of those games is not Ms. Pac Man. This was NOT my favorite game as a child!

I do NOT not remember when I showered last. I am NOT using the excuse that I'm doing laundry and don't think that there will be enough hot water.

I am NOT totally eating up these girls together!


My youngest baby is NOT 2 weeks old. It does NOT feel like she's always been a part of the family.



Leave your own "Not me!" antics in the comment section!

Friday Funnies

While changing Annalise's diaper & cleaning her cord:
Sabrina: Mama, can I help?
Me: Sure, baby.
Sabrina: (Handing me the rubbing alcohol) Here, Mama. Here's the dry up juice.


While Stuart is playing and Annalise is hanging out on a blanket:
Stuart: Mom, has her raisin fallen off yet?
Me: Raisin?
Stuart: (Pointing to her cord) You know, her raisin.

Sabrina was dropping food on the floor while she & Ruth were eating at the table:
Me: Sabrina, don't drop things from the table. That makes a mess on the floor. If you drop something on the floor, you will need to pick it up.
Sabrina: Na, mom, Miss Lisa will get it.

Stuart the theologian

Just a couple funny stories that people have told me about Stuart recently.

Michael caught Stuart carrying some water into his room and then bringing it back out.

Micahel: What are you doing?
Stu: Oh, I was just baptizing Obi-Won Kenobi.


London recounted this about Stuart & Aidan's conversation on the way home:

Stuart: Oh, we played Star Wars at recess today. I was Yoga.
Aidan: Yo-DAH
Stuart: Yogda?
Aidan: Yo-DAH!
Stuart: Oh. Yea, and the other day I baptized Obi-Won Kenobi
Aidan: What's bapertized?
Stuart: It's when you go in the water and you get washed off of all your sins 'cause from then on you follow Jesus. (very matter of factly) But if you sin again, ya just pray.

Smiley Stuart

Weddings on the mind...

I think it's a combination of the age and their aunt getting married, but the married talk around here is getting hysterical.

You may remember Stuart's declaration of future marriage to Ruthie a few weeks ago and Sabrina's serious dismay at that idea. Well, the next week he changed his mind and said he was going to marry Ella. He decided since Ella is almost five, she would be better than Ruth who is three.

Today the topic came up again in the car today.

Sabrina: Stuart, are you still going to marry Ruthie?
Stuart: Noooo. I'm marrying Ella.
Sabrina: But I want Ruthie to be my sister (she changes like he does!)
Stuart: I'm sorry, Sabrina, I'm going to marry Ella. We're going going to go to the church and ask the principal if we can get married and then we'll live somewhere and have some little kids.
Me: You know, Stuart, you need to ask Ella's daddy if you can marry her.
Stuart: Why?
Me: Because that's what boys do.
Chase: Does Ella have to ask Stuart's daddy?
Me: No.
Boys: Why?
Me: Well, boys are supposed to protect girls and until a girl gets married, her daddy protects her. So you need to ask him.
Stuart: (distraught) But! What if he says "no"?
Me: Well if you asked him now, he probably would say no. But when your older and out of high school, you could ask.
Stuart: Ok, I guess I'll just have to wait and ask later.
Sabrina: BUT I WANT RUTHIE TO BE MY SISTER!

How in the world are we going to have discussions when then there's a another voice in the conversational space?

Friday Funnies

Stuart: When I grow up, I'm gonna marry a girl.
Me: Yep. Do you think you already know who she is?
Stuart: I don't know. Maybe I could marry one of Sabrina's friends.
Sabrina: My friends at First Friends? [her mom's day out]
Me: Like who?
Stuart: Maybe Ruthie. I could marry Ruthie.
Sabrina: NO, NO, NO! You can't marry Ruthie! She's my friend!
Me: Sabrina, it's OK, then your friend would be your sister. Like Aunt Melissa and me.
Sabrina: [extremely long pause and then disbelievingly] No, Ruthie's my friend not my sister.
Chase: [from the back seat] I'm still not likely to marry.


And just a fun picture of the possible future Mrs. Whitmer & Sabrina

Wordless Wednesday (a day late)

Sweet Stuart

Stu and Chase were playing Wii golf, and Chase was really struggling.
Stu bowed his head and folded his hands, and prays, "Jesus, will you please help Chase play golf on the Wii and get a 'nice on.'"

Stuart's funny-isms

Stuart is really fun right now. Four and half is great age for him. He's helpful, curious, funny, and so sweet.
These are some recent funny things he's said.

The other day, we were in the van, waiting at the top of the driveway for everyone to buckle so we could leave. I hear Stu from the backseat,
"I'm buckled. Let's move. Let's groove. Let's move, let's groove, let's move!"
in very distinct rhythm. [For the musicians out there. ti|ta rest ti |ta rest ti|ta ti ta ti |ta]
I had tears in my eyes it was so funny!

After a few days of being stuck in the house during all the snow a few weeks ago, we went to Sonic for their 99¢ junior sundaes. Stu chose Oreo. Once again, from the back I hear,
"Hey, wait a minute! When you eat the Oreo and you mix the Oreo with the ice cream...it's good!" Yeah, that one got written down on the napkin so I could remember his serendipitous discovery. I really thought he was about to shout, "Eureka! Someone should sell this!"

Some of his common phrases.
"Hey, wait a minute!"
"I need to tell you something." (Thank you, friend Owen.)
"Sure. Sure. Sure."
"You've got to be kidding me!"

Children's Responses

We took our kids out for ice cream to tell them we were adding a new baby to the family. They were a riot! They each had their own responses.

Chase: Really? When?
Stuart: HUH?
Sabrina: Can I play and kiss the baby's toesies?

We talked some about when (August) and how far away it is, but how exciting it will be to have a new brother or sister. We asked what we should call the baby until it comes.

Chase: John. Yes, John.
Sabrina: I'm gonna call it Aleah.
Michael liked peanut. I thought that was too generic. I liked marshmallow, but that got shut down too. We didn't reach any conclusions.

This morning Sabrina was reminding Stuart about the baby.

Sabrina: Yes, my baby will come after my birthday and when I'm in 3K.

I'm glad they are so excited!

Child Labor

Cinderella

Not me! Monday

During Christmas Week, we are all, of course, perfect and would never have been involved in any stories mentioned below. I'm sure no one else at MckMama's site have done anything imperfect either.

I DID NOT forget to link last weeks Not me! Monday to MckMama's. I was NOT so sick that I could hardly press publish post and shocked that I could type anything.

SA's skin was very dry, but I WOULD NEVER put Absolue night cream on his face to help.

I only purchased a new car seat for SJ because it expired this month. The seat has been in constant use for 6 years and had the foam sticking out. I DID NOT purchase the new car seat because I didn't want to clean the vomit off of it. That DID NOT even enter my decision making process. So I was, of course, NOT annoyed in the least when SJ threw up on the new one the first time she traveled in it.

I DID NOT allow my children to watch more TV this week than they've watched in the last month.

I DID NOT pack more than 40 boxes over 2 days. I would never do that when we are putting our house on the market in 2 months. I also DID NOT spend a couple hours looking at possible houses we could move to. I am NOT that excited at the possibility of more than 1100 square feet.

With all the rain, C DID NOT walk walk around saying "Yep, there is definitely going to be a flash flood."

I DID NOT throw away a ton of paper that I've found around the house that were "special" to my boys. I DID NOT do that secretly.

I DID NOT drink the rest of my water from a glass that I knew the cat had drunk from. I was NOT that lazy.


Have a great week and a wonder New Year!