My Baby Turns 6

Seriously, if I talk about this too much, I may cry. Here he is, all 10.5 lbs of him, just a few days after his birth.

Elijah, you were such a perfect baby (except for all that nursing trouble you gave me!) You were content and loved to cuddle, slept most naps in my arms and generally made me into a new person who never knew she could love so much.
Now you are 6 years old. You are smart and sweet and tender. You still need to cuddle (even though you wipe off most of my kisses.) You are creative and a problem-solver and I don't think your mind ever shuts off. You wouldn't know what to do with yourself if it wasn't for Legos and I think that's awesome.You are still a little shy about new experiences, but you have big plans for when you are older. Just don't be so eager about getting older. You'll know what I mean someday. Enjoy where you are right now and keep trusting God with your whole heart. He's got great things for planned for you!

We love you, buddy. You have made our lives so joyful, we thank God for you!

The Cozy Corner

I just realized that if I am to blog about every read-aloud book we read for Elijah's Kindergarten experience, I better get going! I've only reviewed 2 books, and there is a shelf-full in my dining room! So here is my 3rd installment of the cozy corner.

The book we will discuss (and by "we" I mean "me" unless there is a rip-roaring discussion in the comment section - but I won't hold my breath) is "The Apple and the Arrow" by Mary and Conrad Buff.

This is another Newbery Honor Book, which Sonlight has a habit of choosing. And although I am impressed by their classic choices, how this book got on a Kindergarten reading list baffles me.

It tells the story of William Tell and the legendary founding of Switzerland. Now don't get me wrong, it is an intriguing story (remember the apple on his son's head that Tell is ordered to shoot?), but the language of this book is suited for much older children. My 5 year old was bored to tears (literally) and when I questioned him after reading, he had no clue what was going on in the story. For some asinine reason, I finished reading the book (blame my obsessive-compulsive nature), but I was still completely understanding when the kids complained about it.

So my verdict is: great book for an 8-10 year old boy, but skip it for smaller kids

Conversation with a 5 year old

Quiet whispering and giggling in the living room - never a good sign when it involves a 5 and 3 year old. So I quieted my own activity to eavesdrop until said 3 year old starts yelling,

"Ija said a potty word!"

"Elijah," I reply calmly, "please come in here."

He enters, sheepishly. I ask him what potty word he said.

Defensive, he replies, "I was just repeating a word I heard on a movie!"

Wait. We don't let him watch movies like that. "What movie?" I queried?

His moralism sets in. "Veggie Tales. And Veggie Tales aren't supposed to teach you about potty words, they are supposed to teach you about God!"

"Really? Veggie Tales? Okay, what potty word did Veggie Tales teach you?"

He's prepared, "An old man was saying to a little girl, 'if you don't go to bed, tomorrow you are going to be pooped!'"

And once again, I am reminded how literal children are.