Thoughts from an 8 year old

While playing outside with her brother today I heard Anna Grace say:

"In heaven you can step in dog poop and it won't mess up your shoes."

Unchartered Waters

Today Dean entered very unfamiliar territory.  It took 59 math lessons but he finally got one of his facts wrong on his fact sheet.  When he realized he had it wrong (during the checking process) he looked at me very peculiarly and said, "Uh, Mama, what do I do?"  I laughed.

Hudson Had Enough

I found Hudson around 4:00 like this...

And yes his feet are dangling down from the chair.  Apparently he was too exhausted to actually climb all the way in.

Halloween...We did it

Things kicked off a week or so ago when we painted pumpkins.  Outstanding!   We love our pumpkin "sampler."  And think it might become a new tradition.  I am pretty sure that pumpkin painting is considered more fun than carving by our crew...less mess and more of an independent task.

 

Thanks, Honey, for coming to lend a hand and offer some sanity.

Anna Grace's Witch

Dean's Black Batman Face

Caleb's Robin Face

Hudson's Bad Guy Face

Our Pumpkin Family

 

Back in September (when costumes first hit the shelves), Neal took them costume shopping.  Here is what they decided...

Ariel

Iron Patriot

Navy Seal 

Iron Man

Finally tonight our Clark Trick or Treat Tradition (CToTT) continued.  As always it was packed with more excitement than one can possibly contain (depicted here in faces as well as the loss of a few costumes).

Until next year... 

War Eagle?!?

Hudson wore himself out yesterday cheering Auburn to their victory.  

I let him eat a banana after his dinner so I could get his bath ready.  I knew he was tired but did not realize he was this tired. 

Snow Queen

This past weekend Anna Grace had an amazing opportunity to dance with Ballet Magnificat! in their production of the Snow Queen.  She loved every second of her time on stage, practice and being around the professional dancers.  She was a "woodland girl."  And after seeing the show three times and watching the three boys enjoy it once I have to say if you ever have an opportunity to see Ballet Magnificant's Snow Queen it will be well worth your time.

And a very special thanks to all of the family and friends who came to watch it with us and support her.  We loved being with you and it certainly made for an extra-special weekend for all.  I wish we had thought through it but they took the costume before she was able to leave back stage on Sunday so we missed half of the picture opportunities because we did not think to gather everyone beforehand on Sunday.

And the real shock of the weekend...Anna Grace announced on Sunday after the final performance that she no longer wants to be a chef and own a restaurant when she grows up (her only dream since she was 4).  She now wants to grow up and be a professional dancer for Ballet Magnificat!  She says it will be easier "than making the sign, building the building, planning the menu and cooking all of the food for a restaurant."  That is if she doesn't change her mind again - her words not mine.

More Snow Queen memories from the weekend

I don't believe I mentioned above that she enjoyed the hair and make-up portions of the weekend.  If I did I lied because she was not a fan.  However by Sunday I realized that if she did not look at the mirror she did not make such faces and squeal as much.  She also promised me that when the "colorful angels" (I don't know their real names; that is what she called them) finished her make-up she was well behaved, pleasant and gracious.  Huh, I wonder what that was like?

After Saturday Evening's Show

Before Sunday's Matinee

Don't let the boys fool you.  You can see Caleb and Hudson enjoying it.  Dean was in Big Daddy's lap at the other end so you can't see him but they were captivated from the beginning.  Hudson did take a brief nap in the 2nd half but he was up for the end.  They did not want to miss the "bad guys."

 

One final picture to complete the experience for Anna Grace

Anna Grace and the Snow Queen (Kathy Thibodeaux) herself

It must be hard carrying such a load and being such a star!
(I love how Dean is patiently waiting for her in the background.)

Bowling with Juju

We went bowling on Thursday for Mom's birthday.  Fun times.

The boy's took it to a new level today

Anna Grace was playing with barbies on our bed after lunch.  Caleb wanted her to play with him.  She said no.

So....Caleb said,  "Jesus wants you to play with people."  Anna Grace said nothing.  So... Dean chimed in (from the other end of the house), "Yeah, and Jesus is the Lord Jesus Christ so you need to listen to him."

My response (knowing there was no way I could top the boys): "Wow!  Anna Grace, what are you going to say to that?!?"

Getting Caleb Fired Up

Anna Grace and Dean are in full swing with school.  Caleb however has been wondering why he wasn't going to school.

While at lunch yesterday I decided to begin pumping up MDO with Caleb and Hudson.  My tactic was to discuss with Caleb his friends that would be there (mainly Sissy) and all the fun stuff they would be doing in the weeks ahead.  One specific thing I brought up was Community Helper Day (which happens to fall at Halloween).  I asked him if he would like to dress up as a construction worker like Dean had or possibly a doctor like Anna Grace.  He thought for a minute then said,

"Yoda.  He's a community helper."

Neal was so proud.

I on the other hand have begun preparing my thoughts for the upcoming conversation with his teacher.    

I've got my work cut out for me

We have jumped back into another school year and thus far things are running smoothly.  However God has graciously reminded me the past week through two instances that I have my work cut out for me as a mom and teacher with this crew.

Instance #1:
the setting:  walking down the hall last week at church going to pick up Anna Grace

me: Dean, what was children's church about this morning?

Dean: Heaven.

me: Oh, wow!  Was that why everything looked so special?

Dean: Yes ma'am and at the end Mrs. Jill gave everyone a key chain with Reservations on it.

(long, searching pause on my part)

me: Do you mean Revelation?

Dean: Uh, maybe so.  That sounds like it.

Instance #2:
the setting:  math lesson at kitchen table reviewing the clock and telling time

me: (holding up the demonstration clock) Anna Grace, what time is this?

Anna Grace: 4:00

me: Good.  Now what are these called (pointing toward the hands)?

Anna Grace: Fake.

me: Huh?  Fake? No, what are these called?

Anna Grace: They're fake.

me: On a real clock what are these things called?

Anna Grace: Oh, I don't know; hands or something like that.

me: Yes! Hands!  And which one is this (pointing to the hour hand)?

Anna Grace: Uh...the little hand?

me: Yes or the hour hand. And what is this hand called?

Anna Grace: The big hand or the minute hand.

me: Correct.  So what time is it on the clock?

Anna Grace: 4:00.

me: And what is it (pointing to the minute hand) pointing to?

Anna Grace: The 12.

me: Well yes but I was hoping you would say to the minute.  But what about this hand what is it pointing to?

Anna Grace: (long pause with her eyes darting back and forth) The pencil?

Wow.  I never knew that a clock could produce such a headache in such a short amount of time.  But I looked down and sure enough if you followed the point of the fake hour hand on the clock to the table it could be argued that it was pointing to the pencil.  

Art's Summer Finale (Day 4)

I'm a day late getting this post out, sorry.  It was a busy day yesterday getting out of town and our artist was ornery and did not want to discuss her work because it was cutting into her play time.  She has finally agreed to give us a few minutes of her time.

Day 4

Anna Grace's pastel...

Cute Dye

Thoughts from the artist..."The name is Cute Dye because it is a cute dog and his name is Dye.  First I traced the head without the ears with a pastel.  The whole thing was made with pastels.  Then I took my finger and put it on the pastel and rubbed it to soften the line.  Next I drew the ears, then the eyes, body and nose.  Next I took a white pastel to color the white part.  Then I took a brown pastel to color all of the brown parts of Dye.  Next I did the background and last but not least I colored in the eyes.  There were two colors to choose from for the background - light blue or purple.  I chose purple because it is my favorite color."

Finally, Anna Grace's canvas...

Queen of the Jungle

Thoughts from the artist..."This is a painting.  First I painted the background.  Second I did the purple part of the dress.  Next I did the red neckline of the dress.  Then I used a pink to paint the nose, mouth, paws and ears.  I then used black to paint the fur.  Before that I used white to paint the white part of the fur.  Then I went back to her dress and did all of the orange polka dots then the hot pink.  Next I did the black middle part of the eyes, then the dark blue part.  Then I took black paint and did the dots on her nose.  It was then time to draw the crown.  I did the polka dots first then added the crown below it.  Then I did the details on the crown - I put a bit of sparkle on it.  Next I did the light blue part of the eyes and added sparkle to her eyes.  Then finally I painted the  purple shadow at the bottom.  This canvas was fun and easy and I liked it because the panda had a crown and a cute dress.  Art camp this year was a blast." 

Proud Artist #3 of the summer

Something to talk about (Day 3)

Day 3

Thankfully Anna Grace brought a picture home today so we don't have another "silent day" not discussing the canvas.

Anna Grace's painting...

Yummy Apples

Thoughts from the artist..."I used regular paint and charcoal for the black lines.  Mrs. Belinda drew the plates for us but we had to draw our own apples.  We painted the background one of three choices - I think they were yellow, purple or green.  Then we were supposed to paint the blue plate.  I had three colors to choose from for my apples - yellow, red and green.  And only I took some yellow and mixed it in with the red to add some more color to the red apple.  My favorite part at art today was drawing my red flamingo*.  Mrs. Belinda told me how to do it but I did it all by myself."

Final day tomorrow.  The big secret canvas will be unveiled soon.

*Anna Grace was not interested in actually putting the red flamingo on the blog.  Not sure why, it looks pretty good to me.  I guess it will be for her immediate family's eyes only.

The Silent Artist (Day 2)

Day 2

Anna Grace worked on her canvas the whole time today.  However she wants it to be a surprise therefore she will not tell me (or you) anything.

Thoughts from the artist..."Well lets just say I got a lot done."

She assures me that she will talk tomorrow.  She is not a very silent person so I know it will come eventually.

Art Camp...Girl's Perspective (Day 1)

This week is Anna Grace's week to go to art camp.  Her camp lasts two hours instead of one so we should be in for some really special, creative treats this week.

Day 1

Anna Grace's painting...

Lighthouse of God

Thoughts from the artist..."My favorite part about this picture is the door because it is a purple-ish, pink-ish color.  Mrs. Belinda drew the lighthouse herself.  Then we took a Sharpie and traced everything - the lighthouse, the islands and the water - except the light.  After that I used a red marker to outline the stripes I was going to paint on the lighthouse.  Then colored the cross with a yellow marker; then took a wet paintbrush and drug the ink out to make it look like it was shining.  Next I colored the little island first with a green Sharpie.  Then I took a wet paint brush and drug the red ink onto the stripes of the lighthouse on the painting.  Before the red stripes I did the red part around the cross.  And also before all of that I outlined the roof with a brown marker and used a wet paintbrush to get the brown all over the roof.  Next I used a purple marker and colored in the door.  Then I took a paint brush with green paint on it and painted over the little island that was already green and painted the island where the lighthouse sits.  Then I moved on to the water.  I used a paintbrush with blue paint on it.  Then I used the same color to paint the light part of the sky where the lighthouse is lighting it up.  Finally I took light blue paint and the dark blue paint and mixed them together for the rest of the sky.  Everyone in my class painted the same picture with the same colors today.   It was kind of easy for me to paint but it took me a long time.  I love being with Mrs. Belinda because she is not too bossy and she has great pictures to paint.  Tomorrow I am going to draw and paint on a canvas but it's a secret so I can't tell you more."

Art's End (Day 4)

Day 4

Caleb's Canvas...

Kitty Cat Spot

Thoughts from the artist..."I did the yellow first and then I did the white. Then I did his nose and then the straight line down and the things beside it. Then I did the whiskers. Then I did the eyes and ears. After that I did the two spots. That is all. Art camp was the best its ever been this year. Of all the things I did this week the two owls was my favorite because I got to paint two things. Other boys and girls should go to art camp with Mrs. Belinda even big kids because it is super fun."

Proud Artist #1

Dean's canvas...

Ruff Spot Dog

Thoughts from the artist..."First thing today I did the ears I think.  And then I did the tip of the tail brown. Then I did the spots.  And then I did the nose, mouth and center of the butterfly.  Then I did the eye.  Finally I went back and did the wings of the butterfly.  Then Mrs. Belinda came to every kid and I drew the antennas.  Art camp this week was fun and it was the best art camp I ever did.  My favorite painting of the week was the doggy.  The dog was a little harder than all of the others but I still did it easy (even though I accidentally did it wrong but I don't want to talk about that)."

 Proud Artist #2

Non-stop Art (Day 3)

Day 3

Caleb's artwork...

Ladybug Crawling

Thoughts from the artist..."Miss Mary made my name*.  I did not help her; it was too hard.  I did a big circle then the little black circles inside the big circle.  Then I did the lines.  Then I drew his eyes by making two small circles and put dots inside them.  Then I did those parts by going up and a circle and then up and a circle again.  I don't want to talk about my big picture at all.  I will bring it home tomorrow; its as big as me."


Dean's painting (the much anticipated rooster)...

Cock-a-doodle-doo Rooster

Thoughts from the artist..."I painted the grass.  Then I did the eye and outline with a Sharpie.  And that was it for Cock-a-doodle-doo Rooster.  After that I worked on my canvas.  I painted the dog white but the canvas was white though so it is hard to see.  Then I painted the grass.  I also painted the sky light blue.  Art was fun; it was only a little better than making the rooster.  I am excited that the white goes good with the blue on the canvas."



*The lady bug is on a paper that has been tented.  Caleb's name is written inside the "tent" in fancy block letters.  That is why he felt the need to discuss how it was Miss Mary who wrote his name and not him.

Way Back in November...Anna Grace Turned 7

 

Things have been crazy the past - I don't know - 8 months, but I am trying hard to get back on track.  I wrote Anna Grace's birthday blog (I wrote the boys' as well but I certainly can't put them up without putting her's up first) but never published it because I never grabbed the pictures.  So finally here it is; but first pictures from her birthday - which by the way was upstairs at Homewood Gourmet.  I highly suggest it for a party if you have a little one like Anna Grace who can't wait to grow up and own her own restaurant.  Chris and Laura did an excellent job.  Laura and Anna Grace worked together prior to plan a menu (Anna Grace only planned part as she answered questions about what she wanted to learn to do and what she likes to eat)  The girls make pizzas from scratch, fruit skewers and dip, and homemade frosting.  Then while their pizzas were cooking downstairs they took their frosting and decorated the chocolate cupcakes that Laura had already made.  The girls got to take home their cupcakes and however much pizza they had left.  I think all of the girls had fun but wow! Anna Grace loved it.  Her passion for being a chef has grown - Has anyone noticed that chef and chief are closely related?  In cases such as Anna Grace it is no accident!

  

Anna Grace,
It is an interesting journey we are on.  I watch you and I see so much of me in you; I see your daddy too but wow there is a great deal of me.  God has blessed you with a tender heart and I pray that it will always remain.  I see you learning each day and I am so thankful that you are teachable and willing.  You ask questions and desire to learn.  You love those around you with open arms.  You may try and boss us all to death but you love us, protect us in your way and encourage us.  I have loved watching you sit down with Dean and teach him to read saying all of the things you have heard said (whether or not you practice them).  I have also enjoyed listening to you play with your brothers over the summer and these the past few months while homeschooling.  I know it is not always easy being away from your friends and living your life differently but I do think you enjoy your time.  It has been a thrill to see God's word take hold of you and watch you grow spiritually over the past year.  He has much work to do in you (and me) but I am so thankful to know he is working in you and through you.  When you discuss things we need to pray for I count it all joy.  You are spunky and oh so imaginative; you are quick and not always tempered.  You are passionate and determined, silly and beautiful.  You are an artist.  You test the limits yet share the Gospel.  You inspire; you love. You are drama - good and bad.  And you still call us "Mama and Daddy" even though most of your friends have gone to "mom and dad."  You love to sing and dance and are good at both in my opinion.  I think your love for singing (both made up songs and real songs) is part of the reason that when I pray for you a song often comes to my mind.  And when I sing this song, A Mother's Heart, I find my thoughts wondering to you.  It is one of the Getty's and I know you know it by heart as you do most of theirs but this is the section that reminds me of you:

...Hold my hand; I'll teach you the Way to go.  Through the joys, through the tears, 

the journey of these years, He is with us 'til the end.  

He is faithful 'til the end.

You'll travel where my arms won't reach as the road will rise to lead your feet

on a journey of your own.  May my mistakes not hinder you but His grace remain

and guide you through; this is my prayer for you.

Take His hand and go where He calls you to.  And whatever comes, seek Him with all your heart;

this is my prayer for you.  

Father, hear my ceaseless prayer, Oh keep her in your care."

God has a journey for you.  We know not what it is but we are excited to see the adventure unfold in His timing.  We will remain prayerful and Lord willing steady and do our best to continue to point you to your heavenly Father and His word that you may walk with Him all the days of your life.

I love you, Sweet Girl!

Mama