seven years of wisdom

lessons from my Caleb who turned seven at 6:58 am today.

always wake up cheerful
you will never estimate how much cereal you need in the morning - you'll always have too much
utilize the phrase this is the best day ever everyday
find joy in things like cotton candy, swing rides, playing games, and tomatoes
check the garden every single day and pick things that are ripe immediately
never grow tired of giving your mom hugs
embrace climbing trees

teach your siblings to pick flowers for mom
don't give up
love your family
learn how to open the fridge very quietly
know what your name means - his means "brave" - and learn from that
be proud of your freckles
ponder things of life

walking down the stairs is such a thing of the past - always run - and then do it again
clothes don't need to match
shorts can be worn in the winter
be friendly
help people out just because you care about them
like a clean room, but don't complain too much when it's not
be creative and ask for a picture to document what you make

always tell your mom when you really like dinner
be proud of your nicknames
have an awesome laugh
it's okay to be just a bit silly
ask to go to the store with mom when she leaves
where a baseball cap whenever you can
enjoy spending time with your family

say things like great job and that's cool and more
work hard at what ever you do
answer what loudly and boldly when you're needed
think of others and share
and never ever ever get tired of saying love you mom.

Happy 7th Birthday to my very wise son, Caleb Daniel
You are cool fabulous awesome amazing funny smart creative and oh so loved.

And weren't you just born? It feels like yesterday.

take a moment, relax, and smile.

I thought this picture would help -- I mean, look at that cute face. :)

We're off to The Nutcracker Ballet today -- Chloe and Gracie are dancing in it {due to Hannah's surgery she is unable to} and the rest of my day is spent putting curls in, applying makeup, and clapping proudly. It's a bittersweet day, in a way, as I'm excited to watch my two girls dancing, and in the same breath I'm sad that Hannah is unable to dance. However, in the midst of it, Hannah has demonstrated grace -- she helps her sisters get ready, listens to their stories, and hasn't complained. Her heart is beautiful.

Off to get them ready. And remember to smile. :)

How about you? What is on today's schedule?

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}

and another martin boy is another year older

that boy?

That would be my Caleb Daniel.

aka
Creda Boy
Rooney
Dub-oo
Cay-yub

He's six years old today. He was born at 6:58am, and I'll tell you, he's up at that time every single morning. First one to rise, first to give me a sweet hug.  It's a big birthday when you have to start using your second hand to show others how old you are. My Caleb is an amazing boy. Simply amazing. He's prayed for my shoulder any time it's bothered me. He prays so often -- I'll see him praying and hear his words. He teaches me through his own diligence and reliance on prayer.

I love doing life with him by my side. I love being his mother.

You know what? I'm so completely blessed to be his mother.

And so today, I write in honor of him and his birthday.

Happy Sixth Birthday Caleb. I love you.

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...

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?

see this sweet guy?

He's Caleb.

And he's independent.

And this morning -- I almost forgot to see the good, the strong, the independence.

Instead I saw what I thought was wrong.

We were in those last minutes before church. You know those minutes -- crazy times -- running around looking for that lone lost shoe, and rushing kids up to the bathroom {even though they'll ask to leave during the sermon}, and quick bites to eat.  Caleb was hungry so he decided to get himself a bowl of cereal. With sugar.

All I saw was spilled sugar.

I almost blurted out some annoyed words about the trail of sugar between the cereal bowl and the sugar bowl. But, for some reason I saw that face and had a moment of pause.

I was only seeing what I deemed a mistake, not the independence. The good. The growing up.

Why was that 1/4 teaspoon of sugar all I saw? Why did that become the important?

For that split second when I realized the truth my heart stung. I realized that instead of praising him I was so close to getting after him. He wasn't being careless -- he's five -- he was trying to help. Be independent.

So instead I told him great job, and that he's such a helper, and how proud of him I was.

Next thing I know, without me even asking or mentioning it, he went and got a paper towel and cleaned up the sugar {and yes, most of it's on the floor}. He sat down, looked at me, and smiled. A proud "I did it" type of smile.

Thank goodness that we as mothers get those moments of clarity.

I just need it more often.

****

When have you had that moment of sweet clarity?

little sayings

1} Mother's Day was lovely. I really am so grateful to be a momma -- each of my children brings me so much joy. At church I played a piece on the piano for the offering and at the end I had my sweet Caleb {who is five} come up with Hannah. Right when I finished he spoke into the microphone and said, "thank you moms." It was unbelievably sweet.

{that's my Caleb man}

2} Even sweeter? I could hear him whispering on stage and I heard him saying, "I can't do this, Hannah, I can't." But, he did it. Perfectly.

3} Even sweeter than that? I found out that he was so nervous back stage with Hannah that she spent the entire time praying with him and encouraging him. She WILL make a great mother some day. She's already an awesome big sister.

{Caleb and Hanni}

4} Caleb will make a great husband. Seriously. He is so tender and attentive to the needs of others -- especially me. He was so excited for Mother's Day -- he woke up early -- excited to give me a hug and to present me with my Mother's Day present. A homemade lego set. Now, come on, it doesn't get any better than that -- especially because he told me I'll get it for a whole day.

{that's my Caleb giving me a great hug}

5} Speaking of Caleb, he'll always tell me about how much he likes dinner. I told him that his wife will love that, and he replied, "I'll always tell her how much I like her food. Even if she cooks mushrooms, like you." Ha, ha, ha....I must use mushrooms a bit too much for his five year old palate.

6} Last line of Caleb's.  He was in the bathroom brushing his fabulous copper-colored hair and he stated, "Man, God gave me great hair." Those are priceless words from a five year old.  Especially one truly with great hair -- look at that {unedited} color from a couple summers ago. And the freckles. :0

7} Those moments are why I love being a mother. Even in the hard days, or lack of sleep days, or challenging days, it seems as if there are good and beautiful moments sprinkled in the midst.  Love that. 

Any cute sayings from your little ones?

Write them down. Or facebook them. Or blog. Just write them down -- there are many sayings that I've forgotten that I wish I remembered.

Now, I'm off for my Monday. I'm taking part in a cool webinar today {more details to come} and then we've got ballet, and teaching, and yard work, and laundry. And I'm tired. Because today, at 5:30 in the morning I woke to the sound of hail on our roof. That is not a wonderful noise -- I'll be taking a walk once it stops lightening and raining to check for damage.....

Have a great Monday! And link up with my friend Carissa -- she's got the winning bracelet from my Legacy Bracelet giveaway on her post today. It is gorgeous.