Happy Helpers

Now that summer is here, it's important to me that the boys spend some time each day doing chores. They both have a great attitude about it.

One of the chores is unloading the dishwasher: Caleb puts the silverware away and Anderson does the plates and bowls. Mom gets anything left over.

This evening, as Caleb was putting the silverware away, I noticed him put a spoon in his mouth, take it out, and then put it in the silverware tray. "Uh Oh! Don't do that," I said. "Now it has germs all over it."

"But, Mom." said Caleb. "That's how I know where to put them: if the spoon fits it my mouth, it goes here. If it doesn't fit in my mouth, it goes over there."

Yuck! As the mother of boys, I am prepared for a lot of grossness, but that one caught me off guard! I apoplogize to anyone who has used our spoons lately.

Buried Treasure

Five years ago, Chad, a much younger Anderson, and I built the raised flower beds around the front of our house. During that process, Chad's wedding ring slipped off and was lost. We searched everywhere, and even borrowed a friend's metal detector, with no luck. Several years ago, we bought him a new ring (I finally got fed up with all the ladies hitting on Chad!). Yesterday, the boys and I were preparing the ground out in front to plant peas and carrots. When, what to my wondering eyes should appear? Chad thinks we should sell it and put the money towards a new wedding ring for me. Mine is lost in the house somewhere. It's been missing a year, so I think we should just wait another four years and it will turn up.

Success

Anyone with natural curls has a love-hate relationship with their hair; usually, it is heavy on the hate. Early on, Caleb began to express distaste for his curls. I have tried to help him have a positive attitude about his hair. I started to wear my hair curly (finally) in hopes that he would not feel like an outcast. I list people he knows who have curly hair. I also point out to him when someone compliments his curls (which is every time we walk into a store). He usually just scowls.

Today, we had a small moment of success. In church, a little girl sitting in front of us kept turning around and smiling at Caleb. I leaned down and whispered to him, "She must think you're pretty cool." He whispered back, "Maybe she likes curls." =)

Anderson assisting Caleb in a curl-straightening attempt.

Independence

I like to foster independence in my children. When Caleb asked if he could paint himself a pirate beard with watercolor paints, I said, "Sure. Go in the bathroom and do it yourself." He hauled the craft bucket into the bathroom and set to work. He emerged 5 minutes later with a very dark beard, a sharpie in his hand, and said, "I decided to use this marker instead." Great. Serves me right.

Mmmm... Chocolate.

It is my duty, as a mother, to torture my children with tickling and kisses. As I was tickling and kissing Caleb, I said, "Mmmm... you taste like chocolate!" And, I pretended to eat his neck. When I stopped, Caleb lifted his foot to his mouth and started licking it. With a grin I asked, "Does it taste like chocolate?" "No," he said with a disappointed pout.

Sunday

Yesterday during church, I leaned down to Anderson and encouraged him to think about Jesus during the passing of the sacrement. Perhaps you could draw a picture of Jesus, I suggested. "That's a good idea," he replied. Satisfied with our conversation, I closed my eyes and enjoyed the peace and quiet. After a few minutes, I looked down to check on his progress. I was shocked to find a picture of Darth Vader fighting Obi-Wan Kenobi on top of a building. In Anderson's defense: the building was a manger.

We try to make Sunday our family day, and so we've decided not to let the boys play games on the computer during this day. Caleb struggles with Sunday and the limitations it puts on his activities. He asks multiple times during the day, "Is it still Sunday?"

Last Sunday, Caleb came in to me with his eyes open wide and his eyebrows raised high. "I have a great idea," he said. "We can type in 'Lego.com' on the computer and I can play.... and then tonight when we pray, we just won't tell God. He'll never know!"

The Funny Things They Say

Caleb: "When we go trick-or-treating, where will God be?"

Anderson (when he should be in bed): "My stomach is empty and my brain is full.... and that's not good for falling asleep."