Too big for his britches...

Our church is getting ready to build a new children's building. We have a desperate need for classroom space, and so the church is having a special offering in a couple weeks to raise money for the building. I asked Aidan is he wanted to do some jobs and earn some money to contribute to the new building. He said (after a pause), "Well, no, I guess I'd rather help with doing the construction on the building."

Sure, I bet they'll let him!

New layout!!

I decided my blog needed a new look - and I found this great lighthouse layout! I love lighthouses!

In honor of Gresham's fever...

This week we have several important events, including two school concerts, two church concerts, and Aidan singing in the choir on Sunday. So, naturally, Gresham came down with a fever yesterday.

I wrote this lovely song in honor of the season...

It’s the most wonderful time of the year!
When the kids are all germy
And everyone’s warning you don’t get too near!
It’s the most wonderful time of the year!

It’s the hap –happiest season of all.
We can use our flex-spending before it expires
And get lots of pills!
It’s the hap – happiest season of all!

There’ll be parties for hosting
With viruses spreading
And children coming home with a cold.
There’ll be scary flu stories
And tales of the glories
Of Christmases long, long ago! (before we had small children!)

It’s the most wonderful time of the year!
With red noses glowing
From all of the blowing
With Kleenexes near!
It’s the most wonderful time of the year!

Here comes Santa Clause...

After 4 Christmases without Santa, we are having a hard time escaping him this year! Not that Santa is all bad, but Aidan is definitely interested, and wrestling with real vs. imaginary.

Overall, we are not "doing" Santa. I think Santa is fun, but just can't bring myself to make it real for a little boy whose greatest need is to know Jesus, not Santa! So we have presented Santa as a fun story, but nothing more than that. We have emphasized that Christmas is a time to remember Jesus coming to earth as a baby so that He could become our Savior. I have also warned Aidan not to go "preaching" the truth about Santa to all the unsuspecting children he meets at the store, the park, etc. (Remember - Aidan has never met a stranger!!!)

All this had led to lots of interesting conversations! He told me tonight, "Mom! Santa Clause has elders that help him out."
"He has what that help him out?"
"elders."
"Do you mean elves?"
"Yeah, elves!"
"Who told you that?"
"The neighbors."

And another day...
"Mom, the lady at the store asked me if Santa was coming to my house, and I said no. She said she thinks he'll still come and bring me a present."

We were listening to Christmas music on KLTY, and this lady was calling in about keeping the "Christ in Christmas" - Aidan said, "Mom, I didn't know Christmas was all about God!"
I asked him, "What did you think it was about?"
"I thought it was all about presents!"

We still have some work to do, but we've got time!

Why Aidan needs to get me cleaning products for Christmas...

So when Aidan said that he would get me stuff to clean with for Christmas because that's what I mostly like to do, I was thinking that maybe I need to re-order my priorities, and spend more time enjoying my children, but this is why I have to spend so much time cleaning up!!!!!!

Gresham wouldn't eat his peanut butter toast (he hates PB & J), but when I let him eat it all by himself, he was suddenly interested!

And here is Aidan eating an oreo during the same meal...

Ack, something is boiling over on the stove! Better go!

And what shall I cook tonight?

Let's see... last night I made chicken... maybe tonight I'll try a roast...

Aidan the Hunter

Aidan has been spending a lot of time "hunting" lately. He sets off with his safety googles (thank you next door neighbors!), hat, "telescope," portable tape player, and his backpack for carrying home the turkeys, bears, and dolphins (???) that he shoots with his nerf gun.