Mom and Me

This weekend Will and I got to go on a Cub Scout Mom and Me weekend. It was just one night at the Boy Scout camp, but we had quite the adventure. We were out the door by 6:30AM Saturday morning and made McDonald's our first stop. Just after I ordered our breakfast at the drive-thru, I smelled something odd. Assuming it was the van in front of me, I rolled up our windows and the smell grew worse. Will questioned, "Mom, why are the vents smoking?" I turned on the light to see what he was talking about and, sure enough, smoke was pouring into the van through the air-conditioning vents. I pulled out of the line and parked. We both hopped out of the car as I dialed my phone to call Allen. Just as I was doing that, several men jumped out of the van that had been in front of me. In normal conditions, it might have worried me that men were coming out of a van and toward me in the dark, but somehow I knew they had good intentions. Their suits may have been the give-away, but, then again, men in suits can be bad guys, too .... I just knew. One young guy said he used to work in an auto shop and said the smell and where it was coming from indicated that the A/C belt may have problems. He assured me that, if that was the case, it would be safe to drive it home. I walked to the window for our breakfast, then we headed home. We made a quick switch of the cars since I wasn't willing to drive an hour and a half in, what seemed to me, a bit of a hazard -- NOTE: last week, we had a flat tire, purchased two new tires, and replaced the failing alternator and battery. I was NOT about to test it again... yet.

Will and I arrived at the camp safe and sound with only one slight detour on the way. The sun was in my eyes and I didn't see a sign that indicated a turn-off. After driving south about five miles, I was wondering why the sun wasn't in my eyes as I expected it to be all the way. A quick check on my phone GPS indicated the missed turn and we headed in the right direction. Oddly enough, we camped with about five others who all missed the same turn-off because of the sunshine. We got there just fine, packed all our gear onto our backs, and managed the short hike to the camp site. He and I set up our little green two-person tent (minus the missing stakes.) We were among the first ones ready for the day and we sat and chatted while he anxiously waited for his friends.

When I was packing for this trip, I was nervous -- not scared, just a bit anxious that I didn't know what to expect. My last overnight with just Will and me was to Natchitoches a year and a half ago, and we stayed in a warm, cozy, clean bed and breakfast. I was not too sure I could handle the camping gracefully. Looking back, I don't really know what I was thinking. Allen assured me that this would be a cake walk for me --I had been a Girl Scout camper and counselor; I had survived a couple Central American trips staying in places without water heaters, trudging through the jungle in the dark searching for snakes, crocodiles, and bats, taking half as many clothes as I actually needed, and I even got through a night and day with no luggage (thanks to mom who let me wear her clothes.) He pointed out that the Mom and Me camp was geared toward moms who were afraid of spiders and chipped nail polish. He was right, it was fine, but many people were not excited about having latrines with no electricity or hot water. While Will and I waited for the rest of the pack, we watched moms and sons arrive with lots of air mattresses, coffee pots, and Christmas lights (no joke!) I did later wish I had an air mattress, but then we would have had to make two trips to and from the car. I could make do with the yoga mat under my sleeping bag.

The day was a blast and the weather could not have been better -- not cold, not hot, just right for this Goldilocks. Will had a lot of fun with his friends, the moms all got along, and the day was packed with activities that kept us busy and bonding. We roamed the campgrounds as a small group (the ones from his pack) and the boys earned some belt loops and pins. We did some sack races, watched a man explain and throw tomahawks, earned the maps & compass loop and pin, did archery, painted each others' faces, earned the art belt loop, tied knots, and waiting in a long line for BB guns before giving up and heading for dinner. We all had a really good time. Will was definitely more interested in playing with his friends, but that was okay since all the activities really were geared to do with mom.

This morning, Will and I got up, packed our gear, and took it to the car -- all before breakfast. He was really frustrated that I made him help me pack since all his friends were playing football while he worked. I pointed out to him that it was "Mom & Me" camp, not "Me watch Mom do all the work" camp. He pouted, but helped, and I wondered why the other moms didn't expect their boys to pitch in. We got home, unpacked, and started the laundry before Allen and the little kids got back from church. I was definitely ready for a nap, but Will and I DID have a great time.

Family Portraits: Through the Eyes of the Four-Year Olds

Ben, Maddie, and Jon all had a preschool assignment to draw a picture of their families. I really am fascinated by how different the same family can look through different eyes.

Ben described his drawing: "This is my monster family." From left to right, he explains, is Mama, Daddy (with glasses,) Ben (with lots of teeth and big hair,) Will (with spikey hair,) Maddie (top right,) and Jon.

Maddie explains hers, "That is Ben, Jon, Me, Daddy, and Mommy. We have six people and I drew five accidently. Will is just hiding and I need my crayons." Check out our feet! She is very much into painted toenails right now, so I expect when she adds Will to the picture, she may paint her toes.

Jon was nice enough to label the boys. He was too busy to sit and tell me about the picture. Maddie is at the top center with the long hair. Daddy is the tall one next to Mama (far right). As I was writing this, Jon edited his picture, too. He picked a different person to be Mama, and said, "I am making you a beautiful pirate, Mom. But you are prettier than my picture. Can I have special privileges since you are so pretty and I am so sweet?"

Impressionism: Mini Monets

When I decided to teach the kids a bit of art history and introduce them to different techniques, I found a trove of awesome ideas on different websites. On several of the projects we've done, I can wing it when I introduce the ideas. Other times, I want to try the project out ahead of time to make sure it works. Back in the 80s I remember having Shrinky Dinks -- I think that was the brand-name of the project kits that had shrink film that we would color then bake. This project was similar to those. The purpose was to make a picture with several colors of small strokes so that, upon shrinking, the colors would blend nicely like an impressionist painting.
A few weeks ago, we read some kids' art history books and flipped through some of the museum art books that had art by Monet, Renoir, Degas, and Cassett, to name a few. Next, each of the kids chose a photograph or an illustration in a magazine to "copy". We taped a piece of (mostly) clear shrink film to each of their photos and they used colored pencils to color their own version. Maddie changed up some of the colors in her photo because, as she started, "I am a real artist, not a copier." Will caught on to the plan and his art ended up looking like himself. Jon and Ben decided to randomly decorate their film, and that worked fine, too. We baked the film for about 3 minutes and it shrunk, condensing the print, but concentrating the color. Our plan is to attach magnets and make pretty art-holder-uppers for the fridge. I had a lot of fun making these, too. Since there was hardly any mess, and the kids enjoyed the magic of the shrinking art, we will probably do these again soon.

Here are the results and all artists were thrilled! The first (mostly orange) is Ben's, the next two are Jon's (green background and white with hearts), Maddie's has a red background and purple faces for her and her cousin, Will's looks like Will, and I did one of my dad and another of Silas.

Dick Blick, an art supply company, has some outstanding lesson plans if you ever need ideas and supply lists. Some of the plans even have video lessons and I can spend hours learning how to do new techniques. Here is a link to the project we did: http://www.dickblick.com/lesson-plans/mini-monets/.

Some of our favorite kid art books for this project include:

Vincent van Gogh: Sunflowers and Swirly Stars (Bucks & Hubb, 2001) - Smart About Art series

Claude Monet: Sunshine and Waterlilies (Packard & Kelley, 2001) - Smart About Art series
Babar's Museum of Art (Brunhoff, 2003)
 

Will's notes

Today, when I got up to make breakfast, I found Will already in the kitchen making the little kids' lunches. He even put sweet notes in each of their lunchboxes!

A Month of Facebook Updates

This month has been too busy for me to keep up with the blog. School has been going well for the kids, and we have all stayed busy with other activities, too -- scouts, MOPS, Bible study, playdates, art projects, and all our everyday activities. Since the kids still say and do such funny things, I wanted to repost all my Facebook posts from this month so they could be remembered.

Sept 1 - Last night we had a MOPS prayer meeting and I was reminded that I am friends with some really awesome women. I appreciate the blessing they are in my life! Thank for for your encouragement and support even when things are going well.

Sept 1 - I booked an appointment with a trainer/friend and promptly celebrated by eating an Oreo-rice Krispie treat.... I figure I'd better eat Them all before we meet and she tells me I shouldn't :)

Sept 2 - Jon is separating out the laundry so everyone can fold his/her own. He is checking the tags and all the ones that say "MADE" are going into Maddie's pile -- hahahaha!

Sept 2 - Jon, as he is folding the clean laundry: "Mama, I really only like smooth undies on my butt. I don't like the feeling of the rough ones." I didn't know there were differences, so I asked for examples. It turns out all of the ones that Will has outgrown and been wearing for the last three years are "smooth" and all the new ones I bought for Jon are "rough" because they haven't been worn as much.

Sept 3 - Shadow needed some attention. He insisted I take a picture of him. 

Sept 4 - The last 12 years have been awesome, and I'm looking forward to many, many more! Happy anniversary, Allen Kaiser!

Sept 4 - Today's lesson: Impressionism (colored pencils on shrink film) I'm holding my bluebird --
Sweet little Silas. Maybe I can make a pendant or Christmas ornament with it...

Sept 5 - "I know that cows have those pink things that you pull on to squirt milk... they're called butters." -- Jon (4)

Sept 6 - Love that the temps are cool enough to open windows, but I'm not loving the layer of ash covering the inside of my house. Guess they'll stay closed till all the fires are out. There are three that are all 25-35 miles from here (one SE, one E, one NE) but the smoke is all around us. There seem to be fires everywhere. Thankfully, none in our neighborhood today, but Sunday someone tried burning the playground a block away. Later... They are getting closer (not the same fires, though.) There is one about 5 miles from here (as the crow flies). Pray for rain!!
 
Sept 7 - I have an awesome husband!!

Sept 8 - A kid is never too old to be entertained at the pet shop. Will had a dentist appointment, and we had a fun afternoon together afterward.

Sept 9 - Bummed! I was looking forward to date night till Ben got sick all over the porch. Will went to a slumber party. The other five of us need to find something to do.

Sept 10 - Maddie was so proud that she did her own hair that I didn't have to heart to let her know it looked a bit lopsided. Here is her hairstyle!

Sept 12 - Sometimes my kids have so much patience for each other. At this rate, Will might teach the little ones how to add double digits by the end of the week.... starting with corn chex, moving up to writing dots and numbers. It's a bit ironic that my kid who hates school ends up a teacher...

Sept 13 - "When I grow up I'm gonna be a rock star so I can have my OWN style and I can dance with Caroline and I can make the music and pick my own beat and everyone can watch me swing from the lamps." ... Ben (age 4) ... so very, VERY Ben.

Sept 14 - Going cross-eyed trying to cut turquiose tulle on a teal rotary mat!! This may be the last tutu I make.

Sept 15 - Going to brave the crowds at the CCC sale today.... Later: Well, I WAS going to shop the sale today... but Will is throwing up. Anyone want to shop for me?
 
Sept 15 - Putting the 7 year old down for a nap... My ears need a rest :) for someone who was so sick this morning (NOT faking it,) he sure does talk a lot. Good day though... We've read half of The Little Prince, I got a lesson on Star Wars acronyms, he got a lesson about acids and bases and thought the "explosion" was awesome!

Sept 15 - Thank you, Awesome Husband! I now know that the CCC sale at 4pm has very few people shopping and no lines, but also few clothes that Maddie would like

Sept 16 - The drought is awful... I'm now realizing it. My closet was invaded by thirsty fire ants searching for my shower. I think God is teaching me not to throw my clothes on the floor; the ants were scurrying through the clothes that I was putting on. All clothes are now in the laundry. I was hurt, but I'll get over it. I swell up a lot, but they haven't been lethal to me yet. I got a bunch of bites on my feet, and a few on my arms and back that were in my tshirt.

Sept 16 - I tried to lay down for five minutes but it's hard to rest when I'm joined by a cat, a little girl, and three boys... All but the cat brought a pillow so it's crowded and I'm still tired, but I'm feeling loved :)

Sept 20 - "Mama, when I'm an adult your age, I can marry you, right?"
No. You can't marry your mom.
"That's okay; you have a lot of really nice friends. I'll just marry one of them."
That may not be a good idea, either.
"Why not?"
Because when you are MY age, I'll be old.
"WaaaaaAAAAAaaaaaaaaaa!!!"
Why are you crying?
"I don't WANT you to DIE! Old ladies die!"
... our two little boys sobbed for quite awhile because they thought I was gonna die last night. Why can't the "simple" questions come with warnings about where the conversations will go?

Sept 21 - I just THOUGHT nothing was harder to iron than a man's dress shirt, but in the last five minutes I discovered two things that are worse: 1. little boys' dress shirts, 2. my hand.

Sept 22 - Came home to write all day. Nearly 3 hours in and all I've written is this status update :) ....BUT, I've been doing MOPS stuff instead and, in case you didn't know, I LOVE MOPS!!

Sept 22 - Heard from little ones in the backseat: "God is good. Good is great. Thank you for the rain. Please, God, send lots of thunder filled with lots more rain. And make it not too loud 'cuz its pretty scary. Amen!"

Sept 23 - "Mama, you MUST call Daddy and ask him where my Polly Pocket hooker is. I can't find it and he had it last! I really want the hooker back!" .... I had to quit laughing & wipe away tears before I could call and ask about the s-hooked plastic piece that holds pieces together.

Sept 23 - Just found out the the first block of Railroad St. In Whitehouse has a speed limit of 20. Love days when I learn something new-- I've been driving on it almost daily for more than 2 years and NOW I know. :)  I CAN still say I've never gotten a ticket,... But I was late getting Will from school because I had a chat with a couple of cops. My husband is jealous of my charm.

Sept 24 - Note to self: don't watch "Ghost Adventures" before going to bed if I left Allen's nomex on the porch. This is NOT a welcome sight before the sun comes up.

Sept 25 - Today, my dad sent a link to a news article for Will. Will read it and when I asked what it was about, he replied, "well, you know? Granddad and I were talking about BFFs not too long ago." I was confused that the acronym (usually meaning 'best friends forever') was part of my dad's or my son's vocabulary. Later I clicked on the article.... It was about the not-quite extinct Black Footed Ferret (BFF).

Sept 25 - Two new tires! Three entertained kiddos!

Sept 26 - Today, my car quit... right in front of the school. All the battery power was used to open the door for Will. Tomorrow will be an adventure in logic... Five-seat car to deliver six people throughout the day. School, preschool, dentist, work, auto part comes in before lunch, pick up five kids after school.  I just keep thinking about those brain teasers with the farmer with the fox and chickens on the raft.

Sept 27 - A HUGE thank you to all our friends who offered to taxi my family or offered their cars. We made it work, and my awesome husband fixed my car, but I REALLY appreciate all the help we could have had if we needed it! After two new tires, a new alternator, and a new battery, and lots of (his) sweat, we are back on the road again :)

Sept 27 - New plan in the works for weight control: oral surgery the day before Thanksgiving! It's scheduled now, so I can't chicken out.... right?

Sept 28 - Today started off with a bang! ... and Ben sobbing, not because he fell four feet onto the bathroom floor, but because he didn't want a spank for putting a big hole in the wall when he tried swinging from the towel bar.

I wanted to get something posted for September, so this is it. There are a few art activities I'll eventually post, too, but I couldn't let myself get too far behind because October will be just as busy (if not, more so).

My Own Mechanic

My car quit yesterday right in front of the school. When I pushed the button to open the van door for Will, all the energy was used and the car just quit. It was a bit embarrassing that I was in everyone's way, but I'm thankful that it gave up where I could have plenty of help offered. Allen came home early and started taking things apart. He eventually got the alternator out and had it and the battery tested and replaced. While we waited for a new alternator, we had to be creative in how we got kids delivered because our Camry only has room for three kids.

Here is what today was like:
Allen took Will to school, then came back home and installed the carseats.
Allen, Ben, Maddie, Jon and I got in the car and took Allen to work.
The little kids and I went to Walmart for some groceries.
I took the three little ones to school
I stopped by the hospital to visit a friend.
I went to the other hospital to consult with a dental surgeon.
I went to Allen's office, and we had lunch together.
Allen and I went to get the new alternator.
We went home to install alternator (or rather, HE did, while I offered to bring him water).
Since he was still working on the van, I went to get the little kids from school.
I brought Ben, Maddie, and Jon home and took out the car seats.
I went to get Will and his friend from school.
When I got back home, Allen went back to work.
On his way home, he got the new van battery.
When he returned, he fixed the car and drove it to make sure it worked.
After dinner, I dropped Will off at Scouts and went to get the rest of the groceries.

So... we survived, but I am even more thankful that we don't normally have car trouble. And I really appreciate that Allen was willing to try something new so that the van wasn't out of commission and in the shop for several days.

Glory, Glory! Halle-you-ya!

Sometimes my kids say funny things. (Ok, it IS often.) Today, I was listening to Jon and Maddie belting out praise songs they learned in preschool. Ben joined them occassionally, but all of them sang whatever Jon told them to. There is a particular song that is often on the radio and I may even have it on my iPod, so I was familiar with the song they were trying to sing. The three voices in the backseat attempted the chorus:

It's all God's children singing
Glory, glory, hallelujah
He reigns, He reigns

It's all God's children singing
Glory, glory, hallelujah
He reigns, He reigns

But, when they sang it, a few words got mixed up and they still haven't mastered the actual pronounciation of "hellelujah." This is what I heard:

It's all God's children singing
Glory, glory, hal-lay-you-yah
Eeeeerased! Eeeeeerased!
Glory, glory, hal-lay-you-yah
Eeeeerased! Eeeeeerased!

I let them finish that verse and explained to them that the word is not "erased," but it is "He reigns." Since my back was to them, they couldn't see my mouth and they corrected the song.... sort of. Again, they sang at the top of their lungs:

It's all God's children singing
Glory, glory, hal-lay-you-yah
He raised! He raised!
Glory, glory, hal-lay-you-yah
He raised! He raised!

Again, as soon as they got a bit quieter (about 10 minutes later) I explained that the word is "reign." Ben corrected me, "No, Mama. That doesn't even make sense. 'He raised' makes sense because Jesus got up after he died. We should sing 'He raised.'" I explained that even though "reign" sounds like "rain" that it means Jesus ruled like a king. In the end, I think they sang it with "raised" and "reigns," but the entire situation gave me a lot to think about. In reality, all three versions are correct and it gave us even more to talk about on that drive across town.

Jesus RAISED from the grave (excuse the poor grammar)
Jesus ERASED our sins
Jesus REIGNS!

I love to hear my children singing these songs, but now we need to work on "HALLELUJAH!"