Monday, June 21, 2010

From the Mouth of Nathan

On the way to the store this morning, Nathan piped up from the backseat, "Mommy, you are very wise. Mommies need to know all sorts of things to be good Mommies, and you know them all." After a brief pause, he went on to add that he thought that Miss Lindsey (the most marvelous housekeeper/friend/munchkin-sitter ever) knew them, too.

Bless him, he made my day. Especially as once we were at the mall, we visited Dillards and happened to walk through the area where all of their prom dresses were on clearance sale. He promptly wandered over, picked out a long, red, sequined one and told me that I would be so beautiful in that dress and would I please buy it. I pointed out that I didn't really need a ball gown as I didn't have any where to wear it. His reply, "Yes you do. You can wear it at home while you take care of us. Mommies should wear beautiful dresses while they take care of their kids".

Satisfying

Noah has been reading for over a year now. The novelty still hasn't worn off for me. I LOVE to listen to him reading. There is just so much satisfaction in it. This summer, he couldn't wait to get enrolled for the Tulsa County Library's summer reading program, and he finished reading the required 20 books in under 3 weeks. Now, he is busy reading to Nathan so that Nathan can finish the program, too. That sure makes it nice for Mommy! And, it's so good for Nathan. Books that he might not normally choose to sit and listen to are fine if Noah reads them to him. Last week, Noah picked out "George Washington: Soldier, Hero, President" and set out to read the biography to Nathan.

On Thursday evening I could hear Noah reading and crept in to find this:
So sweet. It brought a big lump to my throat to see the little buddies curled up reading together and then a big smile as I heard words like Massachusetts, ailing, continental, smallpox, and Hessians rolling off his lips without hesitation.

It may be summer-time, but I really think that lots of Noah's days could still count as school right now. He's interested in so much, and every time he asks me a question, I counter with, "That's a great question. Why don't we see what we can find out about it". Then, we pick our library books around those themes. It's always lots of fun to have him come running in to the room I'm in, and tell me about what he has learned. Usually it's followed with, "Isn't that just so cool!"

This week, Noah wanted to know where lightning comes from. So, today at the library we selected 3 books about weather and storms. Then, in anticipation of next weeks' flight to England, he selected 1 book about Great Britain, 2 books about castles, 1 book about knights, and 2 books about the ocean.

Although you couldn't have convinced me that I would half-way through my first year of home-schooling, I love it. There is just nothing quite like watching your children learn, and seeing them take the initiative to learn is so rewarding!

Fresh From the Cabbage Patch

Wish the peas had done as well as the cabbages have done this year. Still, it looks like there'll be no lack of cole slaw in my future!

Really, I could do without quite so much heat, but I do LOVE summer!

Saturday, June 12, 2010

Raising Future Husbands

I have long(okay, well, for 6 years) maintained (somewhat jokingly)that one of my biggest jobs as a Mommy is to raise my sons be great husbands. After all, the qualities that will make great "husband material" will also make them successful in many other aspects of life.

I've been fairly confident that Noah will make a great husband since he was a little guy. He's sensitive and gentle, quick to compliment, loves to give kisses and cuddle, likes to do things together, has already learned to put his clothes in the laundry basket, and likes to help with the laundry!

And now, I think I can add Nathan to the category of great future husband material. After a long day shopping, I came home and tried on the new shirt I bought. I walked out into the dining room, and Nathan looked at me and said, "Oh Mommy, if you wear that tomorrow, you'll be the prettiest girl at church".

A Hard Days' Night-Take 6

Poor Nate. I think he must have been tired last night. Gareth went to check on them, and Nathan was so tired that he didn't even wake up when he rolled out of bed.