Jack & Theo go to Bonkers

So we had a friend who was visiting from Chicago and then they went back to Chicago and left their six-year-old with his Grandma in Columbia for a few days. The Grandma called and asked if Jack and Theo would like to go to Bonkers (an indoor playhouse) with her grandson. They were thrilled with the idea.

She made it very clear that it was going to be her treat so I prompted the boys before they left to make sure they used excellent manners and to thank her for being so generous in asking and taking them. Both boys took this advice to heart, here's how (you see their personality in full view here):

Theo walked straight out to the car and very quickly and boldly said, 'Hello Mrs. Miedema. My name is Theo. Thanks for taking me to Bonkers."

Jack instead wanted to be prepared. Preparation is key to Jack. So he took it upon himself while he was at his rest time to write out this note to keep in his pocket. He just wanted to make sure he remembered her name in case he needed to address her while they were there. He is too funny. Here is the notecard he carried in his pocket the whole time they were at Bonkers:

Baseball - Opening Day

Our family was overly excited today for the Royal's first baseball game of the season. We watched the game (which was a smashing success of a start), played some of our own, and even had a friend who left these donuts on our doorstep (Carly is the best!).

Here's to hoping our luck didn't get used all up last year - Go Royals!  We have some little boys who have high hopes - don't let us down!

Saddest Days by Theo Anderson

Today as Charles, Jack, and Theo were walking out of church, one of Charles's colleagues tried to start something by asking Jack, "How does it feel to have already had your highest moment as a Royals fan? To know that everything is downhill after the World Series?"

This prompted Theo to reflect on his 2014 World Series experience. Shortly afterwards, he asked Charles, "Dad, do you know that my saddest day as a Royals fan was when they lost the World Series? I cried."

"Yes, Theo. I do remember that," Charles replied.

But then Theo threw a bit of a curve ball.

"Do you know that was my second saddest day ever?" he asked.

"No," Charles said. "I didn't know that. What was your saddest day?"

"It's everyone's saddest day," Theo said, in an almost reproachful tone, as if the answer was obvious.

Charles was still pretty clueless. "So what day is that, Theo?"

"When Jesus had to die for our sins," came the matter-of-fact answer.

A precious memory. So true Theo. So true.

Theo - Officially On The Bike

I think Theo has been learning to ride his bike for about a year. He shows a bit of interest and then none so it has taken a long time, but over spring break we cracked the nut. Here is a video of him succeeding:

Right after this, he started to be braver and attempted to go down the hill of our cul de sac and try to make the turn. The first time he tried he went straight into the curb and over the handle bars. He landed in the grass and to his credit he got up and wanted to try straight away again.

On his second attempt it became clear to him that the same outcome was coming true again - instead of trying to correct it and turn, he just started yelling 'Oh no! Not Again!' as he soared over the handle bars and into the grass again. It was priceless. A neighbor boy was standing around and was polite enough to not start laughing until he knew Theo was okay. I am afraid I cannot say the same for the rest of us. I so wish I had it on video!

Night Away At Grandmother's and Grandad's

This past week Charles and I celebrated our 15th wedding anniversary with a night away in a bed and breakfast. My parents very graciously had all four kids. Here is a picture of them with back packs packed ready to go.

They had a great time. Spending the night at Grandmother's and Grandad's always means elaborate breakfast which to four small kids just means lots of bacon!

The funniest story was one that my mom texted us that night. Here is what it said:

'All is well. The children are in bed. Dad and I are sitting in a room watching TV. The monitor all of a sudden says grandmother grandmother we can't get our light off. I went downstairs to solve the problem but Jack had already unplugged the light. I said glad you solved the problem I thought God was speaking to me when I heard the monitor go off. Theo said God would have called you Julie. God doesn't have a grandmother.'

Too funny.