Finally, A Birdhouse

Jojo is pretty bored when his brothers and friends are in school, but he gets to play with the toads without Christian's overshadowing presence. 

All week long Christian reminded us that we need to get a birdhouse and to hang the net filled with wild birdseed outside so the finches will start coming around.  And now he has almost convinced Mike to purchase a cage for his toads since one of them escaped this morning. 

They painted the birdhouse red and green.

And now it hangs from the branch of the pine in the front yard where birds and squirrels are sure to come all winter long.  I'm still waiting to catch a photo of a bird, but a weasel tot (he's no longer a tot!) is just as cute.

And my brown thumb hasn't killed off the beautiful mums yet (or whatever they are).

The Very Hungry Boy





The main library in downtown Columbus has been rated as one of the best public libraries in the country, and I saw the reasons for such accolades.  I've never seen such an amazing place.  There must be at least three floors, but the children's section is a wonderland.  There is a castle with little seating areas where kids can read.  There is a puppet stage, all sorts of computers, and toys.  Fantabulous!  There is even a little cafe on the first floor, where I grabbed a bite to eat while the boys left me there to do some studying. 

I found a computer to work on, and when my eyes started to glaze over I explored the second floor media/fiction book section to find a different place to study.  I noticed that there were several copies of books available, not just one!  The boys picked me up and we went to the park by the garden of roses. 

At the park we went to a creek so Christian could look for creatures while the rest of us tossed rocks into the water.  Christian was very upset that we did not stay at the creek longer because he wanted to explore some more. Oh how he whined and pouted!  He even lagged way behind while the rest of us made it to the playground.  I sat down in the grass and started reading a book I had picked up at the library that I cannot put down, when out of the corner of my eye I saw a very light green color.  I reluctantly put down my book and looked closer at the grass.  And then I saw it:  a plump, lime green caterpillar.  I called Christian to come over quick!  I wasn't about to touch it and save it for him, but I didn't want anyone to trample on it either.

Christian made it over and I had him sit down on the grass, and then he saw it too.  It reminded me of a book his Uncle Sergio and Aunt Kyla bought for him long ago called The Very Hungry Caterpillar.  Like the caterpillar, Christian is hungry, but he hungers for all things found in nature... holding them, reading about them, and nurturing them.

Someone came by and noticed the caterpillar and asked Christian to show it to the other kids in his group.  Finding the beautiful creature helped him to forget about the creek.  We brought it home and he showed his friends.  He was so proud of the caterpillar with the lime green skin and iridescent red dots!  He now had a "friend" for the other reddish hairy caterpillar he'd found earlier in the week.

At the end of the night his friend traded two toads for both caterpillars, and now Christian is bursting with joy at the good deal he made.  We now have three toads outside in a box.  I caught Jojo earlier holding a toad and poking it with a small twig.  I asked him what he was doing and he said, "The toad needs a shot." 

Christian is going to start Cub Scouts soon, and his den will be marching in the town parade for the big Arts in the Alley event next weekend.  They are going to go camping next month and do all sorts of fun boy things.  He also has a subscription to Boys Life magazine and the first issue should be arriving soon. 

Postcards from The North Pole

Nana and Papa recently went on another adventure and travelled to/through Alaska by ship, train, and bus.  While there, they visited Santa's house at the North Pole, and Santa sent each of the boys a special message:

Tim the turtle was found at the creek at Nana and Papa's house this summer.  Nana convinced Christian to let him go back home to nature since Christian was already bringing home two new firebelly frog pets. 

We hope this will encourage Jojo to continue doing his potty business -- in the potty.

This reminded me that recently one of the older neighborhood girls who plays outside with the kids told Christian the TRUTH about the Tooth Fairy.  Christian was very matter-of-fact when he told me and my response was, "Of course there's a Tooth Fairy!  She does come at night because she used to come visit me when I lost a tooth!" He probably saw right through it, though, and that's ok.  He'll believe because he wants to continue believing in the magic, just as I remember doing so as a young girl.  Our little philosopher may continue to believe because he won't want to ruin the fun for his little brothers.

I pulled the little Grinch aside and told her, "C____, we still believe in the Tooth Fairy, Santa Claus, and the Easter Bunny, got it?" 

"The things I believed most then, the things I believe most now,

are the things called fairy tales."

G.K. Chesterton

Orthodoxy

Grandpa and Karen's Visit

Over the weekend Mike's dad, Kenny, and his girlfriend, Karen, came to visit us.  We celebrated both Grandpa's birthday and our 12th wedding anniversary, which are on the same day.  Although the visit was quick, we had time to go to Petland, Karen and I found a great used book store, and we probably ate too much.  Karen brought lots of clothes that her son Ryan (who is leaving for the Navy next month) had once worn -- some with tags still on them.  She also brought so many great Disney movies and well-loved toys that Ryan used to play with.  Hot Wheels in cases!  Legos! Jojo hasn't tired of playing with all the cars.

Grandpa Kenny donned a birthday hat while we serenaded him, and  Jojo helped him to blow out the candles.

 

 

Karen also brought a nature book for Christian that he can't put down.  We are supposed to build a birdhouse using plans from the book, but I think we'll go to Michael's craft store and buy some that they can paint themselves. 

Poor Bored Kindergartener

Jumping is not boring

Posing is not boring

Christian and Gabriel were working in their workbooks this evening when Gabriel informed me that his teacher acts "mad" at him.  Apparently she does not say "hello" when Gaby greets her.



Me:  "Were you disrupting the class?"  (This would not be a surprise.)

Gaby: "No! There is a different boy who told a funny boy, 'I like hot dog BUTTS!'" ('Butts' happens to be Gaby's favorite word of late.)

Me: "Is the boy's name Gabriel?"

Gaby: "His name is Isaiah."  (Hmmmm....'Isaiah' is a hard name to make up.)

Me:  "Well, obviously the teacher is annoyed with Isaiah if he says words like that.  You know I don't like those words either."

Gaby: "Well, I don't say anything in class because I'm bored! I sit like this [chin on hand] and I'm quiet."

Me: "Kindergarten is not supposed to be boring!  Don't you have work to do and don't you have toys to play with?"

Gaby: "The Legos are boring there.  They are missing the little mans.  And the other toys are boring, too!"

Me: "Are you sure you're not goofing off like you do here?"

Gaby Mister Logical: "No! If it was fun I would talk and be more louder!"

I'm really not sure if I prefer him being bored (and good) or interested (and in trouble).

Tucker the turtle is not boring, even when he pees

Playing at Petland is not boring

Requiem for a Raccoon

One day last week the kids and their friends asked for a shovel.  "What for?" I asked. 

"We found a dead raccoon and we want to bury him," Christian informed me. 

Let the dead bury the dead, I thought.  I suggested we call Animal Control, but the kids were adamant about giving it a proper burial.  They were careful to not touch the animal with bare hands.  The little gravesite was decorated with rocks and flowers.  Upon the headstone they tried to write in chalk, "We love you, Pokey."

Christian told his friends that the raccoon was now up in Heaven with God.  A day later their friend decided to unearth the creature to look at its bones when it fully decomposes.  Gross.

Clean Up on Aisle E13

I woke up one morning to find Gaby in the kitchen "reading" the newspaper while drinking apple juice from a favorite snowman mug. I realized there was much that has happened over the past few months that I hadn't reported on. I've had time over these past few months to reflect on many things and feel blessed that I am now on a more even -- if that's the right description -- path. I don't feel so out of whack anymore and that is a good thing.

The last year has been quite surprising and upsetting, but ended up being so good.  We live in a suburb of Columbus, OH and the kids -- all of us -- are very happy.  Mike has a job he enjoys working for a company that values family, and he travels quite a bit.  After the last two awful experiences in his career, he feels lucky to have this job. He marvels at the number of employees who have been with this company 20, 30, or even 40 years in a part of the country where there are other jobs available.  However, going through the awfulness and despair of having to leave my parents yet again, 15 years later and with my own children who they miss terribly, was sad.

In June, right after my mom finished her radiation treatments, she and my dad drove with me and the kids to OH.  I was not looking forward to dropping off the boys at Nana and Papa's house in TN because I knew it would be sad, but no visible tears were shed.  My parents and I sorted through boxes while Mike travelled that week.  One night at dinner Mom reflected, "I didn't feel sad when we left the children because they were happy and I knew they were in good hands." That was the first time she shed tears through all her bravery and turmoil of the past months.  Some of you may read this and think I am a melodramatic soul, but I love my parents deeply.  Being so close to them these past few years was good.  Mothers want their children to know who they are, especially their experiences and lives before we knew them simply as 'Mom'.  We learn about our fathers through their actions, and if we're lucky, through the stories they share.

We live in a neighborhood that is filled with children who play OUTSIDE and who run from house to house (usually ours) to play. The boys have fun hunting for bugs, playing with their toys, and riding bikes.  We have all taken up bicycle riding as we live in a cycle friendly neighborhood.  We've also attached a bicycle seat for Jojo for longer rides. The boys have an idyllic life filled with much less T.V. and Wii, and much more healthy outdoor activities.  Maybe it's the summer climate here with more moderate temperatures that keeps kids outdoors.  Whatever it is, it's wonderful. 

The downside is dealing with some of the more "rough around the edges" kids -- the ones who demand food and drink and/or who don't clean up and/or who invite themselves to dinner and/or who wander in our house when the kids are all outside.  Mike has had talks with the kids and made it clear what our rules are when they are in our house, and the "Miss Manners" in me has been slavishly reminding kids of "please" and "thank you" or "ask first before taking". 

My wonderful mother-in-law got the ball rolling with Jojo's long overdue potty training this summer.  I think she is the Potty Whisperer because she also successfully trained Christian.  After eight years of diapers and boy messes and being in my 40s, I'm just about out of patience when it comes to dealing with the potty.  I think Gaby really wore me out!  We've not known of too many boys who marked their territory as Gaby did in the most unexpected places (toy boxes, for one).  While Jojo has some accidents, as he did on aisle E13 at the local Target, I know we are on our way to getting where he needs to be soon.

Christian and Gabriel started school last week!  Christian is in 2nd grade and Gaby is in kindergarten.  Gaby is on an alternating two-day per week and three-day per week schedule.  After his first day of kindergarten last week Gaby told me, "I made a fwend at school and his name is Weagan. I asked him if he would be my fwend fow-evah and evah and he said, 'yes.'"

Christian walks Gaby to his class now. This morning we walked to school and Gabriel told me that I did not need to walk him inside because his big brother could take him to his class.  Christian is a good big brother who watches out for Gaby. 

Here are a few things we've been up to this summer:

Celebrating Dad's 70th birthday in June! He was surprised, and all his kids and grandkids made it to Albuquerque.

Christian did not like being seen in the "baby seat" of the bicycle we rented in Indianapolis.

Christian tries on an Amish hat

Having lunch with Nana, Uncle Jimmy, and David in Tennessee

At the TN fair riding ponies with Papa

Celebrating Christian's 8th birthday with a special cake that Nana ordered

Simone is a "Grampa's Girl"

Christian with his new pet firebelly frogs called Jumpy and Climby

Every few days Christian finds crickets outside to feed his pets