BAM turns eight.

My Brennan is eight today.

He's my firstborn son.

My boy.

And he's growing up.

When he was born there was no facebook

or twitter

or blogging - at least for me.

I didn't know we'd walk through cancer

or Celiac disease

or that he'd be the oldest of four brothers.

I am blessed by him.

By his unquenchable desire to learn more about the Lord.

By his love of maps and drawing.

He is a leader.

He teaches his brothers.

He models behavior.

He makes us laugh.

And makes life fun.

He is my son.

And I am proud to be his mother.

I am so grateful that the Lord saw that I could be his mom.

To hold his hand, to hear his prayers, to tuck him in goodnight.

To encourage him.

He's growing up.

It seems like it was just yesterday that he raced through the yard.

Time moves.

Fast.

Just look, look at my little boy years ago.

You know,  he'll always be my little boy.

Happy Eighth Birthday Brennan Alexander.

I love you.

I love you forever.

Thank you for the joy , for the you, that you bring to our lives.

~mom

lincoln logs, army guys, and a couple of books

This year has been our American History year. I teach American History to my family ever 3-4 years and love it when it rolls around. We talk about the bravery that our Founding Fathers had and their intense faith in God. This year we've already read about Captain John Smith {Brennan's favorite quote -- if you don't work, you don't eat}, the Pilgrims and the Mayflower, Squanto, the French and Indian War, and the start of the Revolution.

Now,  we're starting to talk just a bit about the Revolutionary War. Of course, we go more in depth depending upon age, but even my younger ones enjoy the readers and discussions. We talk about how even the little ones -- like my Brennan's age {just about 8} were called at a minutes notice to help.

And we read. And read. And read.

There are these two great early readers called Sam the Minuteman and George the Drummer Boy that Brennan and I just read while Caleb listened on.

What's great about these stories is that they give the skirmish on the way to Concord {when the British soldiers were going there to see if the Colonists had a stock pile of ammunition} a perspective from two little boys.  One boy, Sam, had a father who was a minuteman, and he went along. The other, George, was a drummer for the British forces. He too went along. And in both books the boys were brave and yet still scared, sad, and proud.

More often than not, we read both books at least twice  -- partially because the kids find them so intriguing, but also I think they're letting the two sides and perspectives sink in.

Which led Brennan and Caleb downstairs, with the Lincoln Logs and Army guys recreating their own version of the battle. They gathered those pieces of wood and set them up carefully -- having the British soldiers walk in straight lines and the militia men crouched behind the logs and buildings. After a bit they both came running upstairs asking for me to take pictures of their work.

Who said history was boring?
Not here.

the expanding balloon experiment - your kids will think you're cool.

About a month ago I shared with you about our amazing {and super easy} science experiment where we made the egg float. Well, today we did another one of those amazing in caliber experiments. And there wasn't much mess -- which is kind of a prerequisite for me.

Today's experiment? The incredible expanding balloon.

Here's how.

Drink an Izze -- choose Sparkling Clementine, that's my favorite. Rinse out bottle and find a balloon. In another glass add one cup hot water, one tablespoon yeast, and one teaspoon sugar. Stir well. Using a funnel add mixture to your now empty Izze bottle {if you don't have an Izze bottle use any glass bottle. It must be glass.} using a funnel. Immediately put balloon on top of jar taping down with duct tape to secure. Use colorful duct tape for fun. :)

Have your little one chart the changes that they see in the bottle every five minutes as the yeast kicks into action.

If they need help drawing the bottle, just draw one and use it as a template for them, and let them just add the balloon drawing at each five minute interval.

Don't forget to set the timer. Five minutes happens fast.

When 15 minutes are up, place all your pictures side by side and chat over the change in the balloon with your kids.. Do you know what gas fills the balloon? Extra credit... 

Note - this experiment will be very intriguing to all other siblings and they will all want to touch that balloon that has now expanded. Be on the lookout for little hands itching to feel that balloon and be prepared at all times with paper towels and to smell yeast.

And that's it? Science made fun. And your kids will think you're so cool.

interested in the floating egg experiment? If so click HERE.

{this experiment was written in the Adventures curriculum produced by My Father's World}

history with brennan

We've been reading about the Mayflower, the Pilgrims, and Native Americans these first weeks of school. Every day, as I'd pull out the readers and books, Brennan would beg to start with History first. As I'd sit at the table reading page after page I'd look to see him enthralled -- lost in his own thoughts about what it might have been way back then.

He was amazed at how much the little ones worked. Would they really let a boy my age use an ax? he'd ask. We talked about how and why the kids worked - hard and diligently. I think it motivated him.

Last Friday we made these teepees and wigwam {which was much more work -- we had to stabilize the bottom with some reed type sticks from my garden} for our history project. Brennan and I looked through our books of teepees and art and decided to paint our teepees this way with colorful designs and stories. The sticks {poles} in the top are shoots from the tops of my massive oregano plant. Perfect, I think.

I love hands on learning and love it even more that Brennan has such an interest in history. For now, those teepees and wigwam art projects {found it in our My Father's World Adventures Book}of ours sit on the top of my piano. I wonder what will be there next....off to pull out the history books and begin again today. Thankful for the love of reading and the love of history.

luv

Yesterday, this sweet guy of mine was up to something.

I could hear him running around the house while I sat at the table teaching Grace.

When I got up to find out what he was doing this is what I found sprinkled around.

He's awesome.

And I luv love him.

Post-it notes are a fave at our home.
The stack doesn't last long -- and that's okay.
I'll take notes scattered throughout the house any day.

soccer on thursday

This ballet mom is venturing into a new world.

Soccer.

And, I'm loving it. Brennan enjoyed summer soccer and is already begging to play again in the fall. I'll see him in the backyard practicing over and over and over.

Does it take our time? Absolutely. But, I'm willing to dedicate time so that Brennan can enjoy what he loves. It's tricky because it's a balance -- family time and sports and ballet -- but in the end I'm always grateful for giving of the time. I see the results. More confidence, increased athleticism, and seriously? joy.

There will come a day when I'm not nearly as busy and I know I'll miss these days of finding cleats and soccer balls and putting the laundry in and pulling hair into buns. Instead of fighting the movement I have to sit and embrace it and not allow to be defined as busy. It's just life. And we're blessed to partake in so many wonderful opportunities.

Having children is a blessing. One that I'm determined to embrace. And for Brennan -- and soon to be Caleb -- it meant sitting on a camping chair with my hand on the bug spray and my eyes on him. Proud.

Okay, moms -- tell me how you managed your time between kids activities. I'm determined to be positive and grateful for these opportunities while, at the same time, maintaining balance. How do you/did you/or plan to do it? I'd love to know.

A disclaimer about soccer: I've actually been around soccer a great deal -- my little sister went to college on a full soccer scholarship so I have memories of going to her games and bringing little Hannah and Chloe to games-- but, it's a new world for this household to have one of my own fully jump into the sport.

to sort or not to sort, that is the question...

Every evening {well almost every evening} my two, wonderful, older boys, Brennan and Caleb, and I tidy their room for bed. And every evening {yes, every evening} their room looks like a bomb went off in there. Brennan's bed is covered in toys -- this amazing story and set -- and there are boxes half empty and overturned and piled.

And honestly? I get so incredibly frustrated.

You see, at night, I'll spend a good 30 minutes with them sorting through their toys and putting the right stuff back in the right boxes. Playmobil here, legos there, army men here, animals there, magnets here, and so on.

And every morning those sorted boxes get mixed up. Within minutes.

They don't really care about keeping the animals separated from the castle guys. All they see is this grand story incorporating all those toys. So they look for the perfect lego man, and the tiger at the bottom of the animal box and the piece of string that happens to be in the corner of the closet. For them, it's a story. Not a mess.

It gets me wondering.

Do I really need to have them painstakingly sort through each object every night? Does my love of organization and order apply to this room? Would it just be easier to purchase several bins and <gasp> let them just put the toys in them? We could still keep large categories {ah the organizing part of me just can't let it go} -- like legos, and animals, and then well, the rest could just get mixed. They can totally clean it -- but the sorting is overwhelming.

They're great boys. Make that awesome boys. I know that when they play in their room they're not pulling toys out to "frustrate mom and make a mess" -- no, they're using their imaginations, and playing with each other, and creating things, and letting their little brothers come in -- those little guys who enjoy emptying boxes -- to play with them.  And every night clean-up becomes this long and tedious and frustrating process.

I think I need to let go. And simplify their room. And their clean-up. And praise them for their play and for their work in cleaning. And just not need it to be "perfect" in my way.

How about you? Toys sorted? Or semi-sorted? Or the giant "just throw it all in there" toybox?

Let this organizing loving momma know so that I can breathe. It's just one room, right?

Next thing you know I'll be putting unfolded clothing in their drawers...

I have this big boy....

...{named Samuel} who doesn't want to sit in his high chair anymore. The fabulous wood highchair that I found at a garage sale last spring for only $25.  The chair that's perfect in our kitchen. Well, was perfect in our kitchen.

Now, it just sits vacant in the corner .

Samuel has decided he's now big. And in being big he wants to sit at the bench and eat with the big boys. He calls them all bwo-thers.

{yes, sometimes we use paper plates...}

I kind of wish he didn't want to grow up so fast. But, he watches them and wants to be just like them. That highchair? According to him it has no place in our kitchen anymore.

So he sits at the table where his oldest brother, Brennan, loves to take care of him. He lets Samuel know just how proud he is of him -- and won't let those stained hands touch his cool Star Wars shirt.

So now we let him sit on the bench.

He's still my baby. :) Even though he's a big boy.

With a very-very-very messy face.

Curious about dinner?  It was barbequed chicken on the grill, quartered baby-red potatoes tossed with olive oil, dill and garlic and then roasted, and grilled roma tomatoes dusted with parmesan cheese.  

the boys

As the summer days increase their hourly stretch of sunlight my older boys can be found spending most of their days outside. Playing. And imagining.

Here are some of my top ten you might have boys around tips.

1} Never approach a bush, or pine tree, or tree without first assuming there might be a little boy hiding inside. And even if you see that flash of blue always be surprised when discovering him. Congratulate him on his stealth ability.

2} Elaborate forts can be made simply by carving away a niche in those pine trees, placing down some wood, and finding an old painters tarp. All together? Equals the idea of a boy's Better Homes and Garden paradise.

3} Little boys {especially ones who play in hideouts most of the afternoon} are rarely clean. Always invest in a good stain remover. My favorite? Zout.  And learn from me -- khaki shorts + dirt = hard to clean. So also invest in numerous pairs of khaki shorts at local garage sales for fifty cents each.  Then call them play clothes and don't worry about the stains. :)

4} Make sure to also check large maple trees for climbing boys. And don't cut all the branches off that are close to the ground. Yes, it may look better, but for the sake of those climbing little ones they need a starting branch. Plus, when they're grown you'll look back and be grateful for those lower branches that you left for them.

5} Just in case those khaki shorts from tip number three looked too good I thought I'd share the front view as well. Note that the bottom of the shorts makes an excellent napkin replacement. So while you invest in Zout your napkin budget {in the summer} will drastically decline.

6} Sometimes you can catch them looking angelic. Have your camera ready and snap away. When you ask them what they were thinking the answer will probably be -- how do I make a better roof for the fort or I wonder what would happen if I hang from that branch or can I have a snack 'cause I'm starved.

7} They prefer to go barefoot. Don't bother buying fancy shoes. And don't buy light-up blinky shoes once they're past three. They will not wear them.

8} Even the littlest of boys will like to play with sticks.

9} The littlest of boys will always want to play with the bigger boys. Great big brothers {like Samuel has} will include their little brother. Even though his idea of fun might not match up with their idea of fun. Remind those older boys that naptime {or bedtime} is around the corner.

10} And last, but not least, little boys {under two} are not ashamed to stop and smell the flowers. Or else pick it. So purchase marigolds -- they're hardy and cheap.

Have a wonderful Monday!  I'm off to wash those above khaki shorts, prepare numerous pbjs, round up the nerf guns, and play with those fabulous boys of mine. Make sure to pop over to my friend Carissa's blog for more lovely monday miscellany.

Any you might have a boy lessons that you've learned?