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.