MIZ-ZOU

We are cheering on the Tigers from London today:

Quotables from Theo

Theo is at a very lovely age. The age where you just want to write everything down. Here are two 'quotables' from today:

1. After cutting an apple for the kids to split today, Theo asked if 'he could please have the piece that looked like Bunker Hill.'  Of course, he meant the piece that had the rounded arch on it. Ah, the influence of Liberty's Kids. The boys absolutely love it.
2. Today Theo came in from playing outside and told me that he acidentally stepped on a worm. He told me 'it was moving and then I stepped on it and then it stopped moving.' I told him to try not to do that. He then followed that up by saying, 'Yeah cause worms are lovely.' Not exactly, but I agreed anyway!

Library Days

I spent ten minutes upstairs by myself today checking email and was struck by the beautiful silence. I heard nothing downstairs. I did not have a two year old climbing on my lap, or a three year old yelling he needed help in the bathroom, or a six year old trying to show me a magic trick. I soaked up every one of those ten minutes...and then I ventured downstairs to see what the three rascals were up to expecting that the silence was probably a sign of 'up to no-good'.

This, instead is what I saw:

The three kids were happily sitting on the couch reading one of the books that we had just returned with from the library. This is really what I needed today. The three of them sitting happily on the couch together really was what I needed. It seems that far too often lately we have sat on that same couch with one of them arguing with the other for sitting too close, or fighting over who gets to sit next to Mom, or complaining because their books wasn't read first. So I am posting this picture to remind me that these moments do come. I am sure we will be back to the clamouring on the couch before I know it and when we are I will pull up this blog post and smile. I sure do love library days.

Theo's Show and Tell

Theo was assigned today at pre-school to bring something for show and tell. We went through a long list of things he thought he might want to bring, ranging from Jack to the refrigerator. He finally decided on his meme (blankie). According to his teachers, he told them that he brought his meme because he 'loved to hold him, he was really soft, and he kept him safe at night.' He then proceeded to pass the meme around the circle so all the kids could feel how soft he was. After many washings, Theo's meme is not as soft as it was originally, but it is truly loved.

Enjoy these pictures while I go wash him again - I cannot stand the thought of how many germs were gathered on it by passing it around a circle of three-year-olds! Thanks to Grandma and Aunt Karen for these much much loved blankies.

Grandmother's Gun

In an effort to teach our kids to share and think of everything as gifts from God, we have often rejected the idea that their toys are 'theirs' but instead we have described them as 'God's or Jesus' toys that are entrusted to us. He gives them to us so that we can enjoy them and share them'. It breaks down a bit theologically, but to a young child helps a bit (I think).

Well today Charles was telling Theo to pick up his cars and take them to his room for his rest time. The following conversation took place:

Theo: They aren't my cars. They are Jesus'.

Theo then bends down to pick up a plastic water gun too and now his hands are quite full.

Charles: Do you want me to carry the water gun for you. Is the gun Jesus' too?

Theo (very matter of fact): No, it is Grandmother's gun.

(Ed note: They water gun was given to Theo last summer by my mom).