Sunday: sandals

Joshua can put his own sandals on.  Great!  However, he pretty much always gets them on the wrong foot.  And it isn't 50% right and 50% backwards, it's more like 10% right and 90% backwards.

It doesn't seem to bother him, so I only tell him to fix his shoes if we're going to be outside for a significant amount of time - like a playground or a hike or something.

This week: historical documents

A month or so ago a letter was found written by Ben's Grandfather in the war.  It was very interesting, and reminded me of the letters that my grandmother wrote that had been made into a 'book' for all her kids.

Well, Dad couldn't find the book (but my aunts have their copies) but he did find other 'historical' documents that I found extremely interesting.

He sent me the genealogy of my paternal Grandmother, and it goes back to 1655 when a Derk Cornelis was born.  He was an elder at his church in the Netherlands.

While the family tree was interesting, more interesting were the stories of the first documents that I've scanned.  I relearned about my paternal great grandparents and grandparents.  (I wrote the original report, so I knew it at some point.)  I learned more about how my parents met.  I learned about some of the things my brother found important in eighth grade.

I find it odd to think of my parents...or grand parents, or great grand parents...as people before I was born.  I know, it's an odd thing to say.  They all played with friends, went to school, fell in love and had many of the same emotions and happenings that I have had.   Some things don't change regardless of the era in which you live.  I just didn't see them during those times and so while I know it is true, it is also weird to think about. 

Friday: not lost

Today was a success...I didn't lose Joshua.

Although it felt like a close call.  I was trying to get all the stuff together to go to the library.  Joshua saw the garbage truck and went out to see it.  I was pretty sure that he had come back in, but as I was collecting the books the house was awfully quiet.  I started calling for him...no answer.  I ran part way around the house...no Joshua.  I yelled for him in the house...no Joshua.  I was getting rather nervous, although not completely freaked out.  He's a good kid and knows the rules.  And when I start counting because they're in trouble he usually starts to cry, and that didn't happen.  I had one last place to look.  And there was Joshua, calmly sitting in his car seat, mostly ready to go.  He had gotten one of the bottom buckles done for his car seat, which he hasn't been able to do often.  I told him to try the other side while I finished up the books.  Phew.  My heart rate went back to normal while Joshua managed to successfully get himself all buckled in.

Overall it felt like a really good day with him.  The right amount of work and play, I guess.  We played Super Rhino, with our own rules, and beat the building.

I had also given Isaac a peanut butter and M&M sandwich for his lunch, because that's what I had in high school every Friday for my lunch.  He loved it and it was the highlight of his day.

Wednesday: the day

I worked for the morning...grading went rather quickly for once.  I picked up Joshua and we did some errands.  One errand included going to Carter's to get some pants for Isaac, but Joshua found some bear slippers that he loved.  He does wear slippers a lot, even in the summer so we got them and he was so excited.

We also had Lego League this afternoon and it went pretty well.  The kids thought a little bit about water on the moon and had fun building with Legos and the hour went by quickly.  We also went to dinner at church and signed Isaac up for Cadets.  It'll make for some busy Wednesdays, but hopefully he can handle it.

Tuesday: drop off

Joshua had a hard drop off at school today.  I think that he didn't want to have to make his bed at nap time, but used other excuses in the morning.  "I don't like the toys." is the one I heard a few times.  (This is odd, because they have cool toys.)

But then, let's be honest.  He seemed to have a hard day when I was around.  I got yelled at for...talking to him, I think, and then he chose timeout over giving me a hug.  Time out does seem to calm him down quickly though, so he was tolerable for the rest of the night.

Monday: bruise

Joshua has a very noticeable bruise on his back.

He said it was from a blanket.

Sunday: church

Our church is starting a new Sunday morning schedule.  Services are at 9 and 11 with a Sunday school hour in the middle.

I'll admit, I'm not sure I'm excited about the change.  While it isn't bad to have Isaac in the church service, I don't think he gets a ton out of it.  There is singing during Sunday School, so he has a time of worship.  Again, while more worship isn't bad I'm not sure it'll be good either.  Joshua is scheduled to just have another hour of Sunday school/play time.

Today I was the volunteer for the extra hour.  They're having a hard time getting volunteers, which is why there was only one.  Anyway, Joshua was also the only kid that showed up.  The director let us take a bucket of toys and we played in the back area so that I could -somewhat- listen to the service too.  Maybe no one is planning on coming and that's why they're having a hard time getting volunteers.

But in happy news, I went up early to catch the non-existent kids as they showed up.  The kids were still singing in Sunday School, and I saw Joshua with Grey Bear on his head.  (His old Sunday school teacher showed up at one point earlier and said hi to Joshua and to Grey Bear. :)  )  Isaac was next to Joshua, and they were holding hands.  You never know what happens when you're not around, and this was rather cute.