Nathan tells me why he obeys

Mom, you know why I listen to you?

Why?

One of my Bible verses say to obey your mom and dad.  So I do.

You are a smart boy, Nathan.

Yup, I sure am!

Letters my kids have written

David is in 5th grade and his school is getting harder for him now. Gone are the days where he can do some half effort to get a good grade. Oh no, now it is actually work and thought and planing. Much to his dismay, this teacher is strict, present and aware and he is not allowed to slack off.

Recently, his English class required him to write a few essays and letters. I was pleased to see him use some recently taught persuasive writing to good use. He wrote a letter to my former employer,First Choice Dental Group, requesting them to donate toothbrushes and toothpaste to Operation Christmas Child. He was careful to mention how this would not only benefit David, the children who receive the gifts, but also how it would benefit First Choice Dental Group.

He needed to plan the letter, write and revise the letter, then send it off by himself. Much to his delight he received a response of 4 dozen toothbrushes and toothpaste tubes.

Caleb's writing is a bit different. He is a child who doesn't need people. When he is bored he goes off and "entertains" himself. He makes alot of "experiments". I will have to watch this child very closely - he is the kind who will set the house on fire to "see what happens".
(Mom B did you give John the mother's curse? - 'cuz it isn't fair to me, if you did.)

I was looking for a recipe in my recipe book and low and behold I find Caleb's writing.
It was titled:

Bored Killer
What you will need:
A cup of ice cubes
ketchup
water

Mix

I had to laugh not only had he made this concoction but had put it in the recipe book for later.

Later that day we wrote Santa letters. I noticed after his letter on the very bottom he added:
I have been good.

Costume Party, Carving Pumpkins, and Trick or Treat

Here are the boys doing falls festivities.

Pumpkin carving:
David carved an angry bird, Caleb carved a cyclops, and Nahtan carved a bat.

Dressing up for Halloween:
David is the spy from Star Wars. (Uncle Matt made this mask and Aunt Amy made the cloak)
Caleb is a night ninja - although all night he was asked if he was a pirate.
Nathan is Scorpio (Uncle Matt made this costume for Zach)

Nathan had so many dress up costumes to choose from.
Here is a picture of a costume party that Nathan went to as Batman.
I didn't take the other older boys.
It was nice to spend some one on one time with my last preschooler.
Nathan was so excited to go with no brothers and really enjoyed some littler kid games at Asher's house. Asher is a good friend for Nathan, very sweet little man.

This year while out trick or treating with the boys, I was really struck by the fact that time is going by rapidly.

David is almost too old to trick or treat.
Nathan is learning to read.
Caleb is loosing his baby teeth on a rapid schedule. The tooth fairy is broke and the dentist says Caleb will need braces by the look of things :(

At the preschool party I was sitting back realizing that I was the oldest mom there.
I was the mom who had the oldest kids. I really miss the train table play time from days gone by. When did that happen?

I am on to the soccer mom stage of life. (though none of my boys play soccer)
Driving them to swimming, guitar lessons,playdates and Awana. It is a struggle to stop and smell the flowers in this stage of life.

Maybe I need to put the flowers I want to smell, in the van!?!

Nathan's Heart Update Nov 2011

Yet another Echo cardiogram and Pediatric Cardiology appointment.
Nathan's level has shown no change. No ventricle damage either.
We take him again in 6 more months.

The UW Children's Hospital has hired their own Pediatric Cardiology Surgeon.
This is good news.

We continue to appeal to the Great Physician for complete healing. (we hope you do too!)
But I will take this news with a happy heart.

Now we can move on to the holidays.