Theo and Problem Solving

The following story is not suitable for those who don't like to talk about poop. You have been warned.

The other day Theo came to Charles right before breakfast and said 'Dad, my poop isn't coming.' Charles showed proper concern and said, 'Oh Theo, are you a little constipated? We should make sure you drink a lot of water. That will help.'

Charles got Theo a drink of water and Theo quickly drank it and then ran off. Charles asked Theo where he was going given that breakfast was just being served. Theo yelled back 'I am going to see if my poop will come now.'

In Theo's four-year-old mind, his four sips of water and two minutes of lapsed time were going to make all the difference. Wish all problems were truly solved in a four-year-old ways!

Happy Birthday Grandad!

Happy Birthday to one of our favorite people. Sadly, we won't see him today, but the kids still wanted to perform! We promise we will celebrate soon. 

Addie wanted to sing her own solo but she was insistent that she only sing two lines. Unfortunately, when the recording came she accidentally sang the same line twice!  Priceless.

Big House in the Little Woods

We just finished reading the book Little House in the Big Woods by Laura Ingalls Wilder. The boys really enjoyed it - largely the parts about Pa going to shoot bears!  Theo informed me today that when he and Jack got a bit older they were going to write Big House in the Little Woods. He then quickly assured me that I would get a free copy!  

When Charles got home from work they told him the same thing and then told him that he would also get a free copy. Charles told them that he and I could share. So there may be a free copy going spare... LOL! 

Theo starts school...

Theo has been asking recently to start school. In America, he wouldn't have started yet. In England, he would be over half way through his first year. Given his perseverance in asking we decided that 'after Easter' would be a good time to start. So Monday 1 April 2013, Theo 'started' school. No joking! :)

He loved it. All he is doing is one little 'phonics/handwriting' book called Explode the Code. It is a series that Jack has really benefited from. I rate it very highly. I anticipated that he would do two pages the first day, but he just kept wanting to go further so I obliged. I finally cut him off at page 6. I wanted to ensure we ended on a high note!

The fun thing about Theo starting the Explode the Code series is that Jack just finished the whole series right before Easter. Jack started a couple years ago in this series and just finished the 10th book. So it was kind of a baton passing kind of day in our family. Both boys were happy to be part of it:

Jack with his last Explode the Code book:

Theo with his first Explode the Code book:

PS  - I just read this post to Charles who informed me that while I was away this afternoon Theo asked if he could do some more school. This kid just cannot get enough - we'll take it while we can get it!

Sunday in the Church with Eliot

As my older brother who is a pastor likes to say 'Sunday is a working day'. That is very true for our kids. They play like crazy at church. Our kids are usually at church for a good four hours on a Sunday - given that our church has three services and Charles and I are often serving in some way during all three services. 

They love it. The older kids come home energized and exhausted. Eliot is no exception. He absolutely loves this little bouncer that the church has and will jump around in it like crazy during most of the morning. Well, this last Sunday - Easter nonetheless - got the best of him. Maybe he was still recovering from his church outing on Good Friday. Here is the picture and video we got from the nursery staff when we collected him: 

Yes - he has actually fallen asleep in the chair. A true fourth child. And yes, just like his daddy, he was snoring away!  Priceless.