Friday, August 19, 2011

New adventures for all...

The day started out on a happy note. Everyone was up early, beaming with excitement, more than ready for the first day of school. Chase was especially pumped to ride the bus for the first time, and reminded me over and over that he definitely wouldn't be tired enough for a nap after putting in his half-day. Tess hadn't grasped the fact that all three boys would soon be off on their own separate adventures, leaving her to invent a very new adventure of her own. It didn't take long for her to realize that the morning somehow wasn't about her. Major depression over a request for her to step out of the picture so I could get some shots of the brand new Kindergartner all by himself. The limp body act on the ground no longer sways me either, I'm happy to report. If it's comfortable down there, you go for it. I'm pretty sure you won't stay there for long. Ah, there's that shot I was looking for. He's big and not nervous one bit, although he despises the pig name tag he's required to wear for the first week. "Pig name tags are for babies," he announces. "Kindergartners follow instructions," I announce right back. A sure sign he's the third child: he soaks up photo shoots and thinks of a thousand poses all on his own with his new dino backpack as his only prop. He's so excited he can hardly stand it. He's not thinking about whether he'll find his way to his classroom all on his own in a brand new place, but I sure am. I'm thinking of that, while trying to keep my emotions in check as I take in every sweet expression he makes while he tells me what he thinks his day will hold.
Third, Fourth and Kindergarten boys. How in the world can three boys have such different looks and personalities and come from the same two parents? Never mind, I don't want to explain the intricacies of that phenomenon to any boy anytime soon. Carry on...
Before heading to the bus stop, Daddy pulls the big boys aside to make sure they know to look after their little brother at school. They get it. At least we hope they get it, instead of choosing to tackle each other in the hallways whenever they cross paths, which might be the more natural inclination. And then we know, when Chase later told us that Trey had his arm around Chase's backpack the minute they stepped off the bus until they reached the right Kindergarten classroom. Thanks, God. I needed that.
Ok, the girl is allowed in one more shot. No smile, but she's slowly on her way to recovery. Girl drama or just duke it out like the boys? It's a toss-up, but I'm leaning towards just getting it over with.
It's been a whole four days, and we're still walking over to the bus stop to hang out and wait with the school kids. Not because the boys need us, of course. They'll kick us out eventually, and then we'll have to just hang out in our own driveway and wave until we can no longer see the bus over the top of the hill. Every day for 180 days. Even in the snow. Yes, Tyler, I know you think that's crazy, and I'm ok with that. I waited and waited for him to look back for reassurance, but he never did. I really should be thankful for his independence and confidence, shouldn't I? Great qualities to have. Yes they are... Tess waves to the boys and confirms her feelings by telling her neighbor buddy that she can't ever ride the bus, and he's not ever going to either. Thank goodness he puts up with her nonsense.

Then she gets it. She's the only one left, and that just might not be a bad thing. I ask her what she wants to do (her pick the first day, my pick the rest...). Her first request is to paint her fingernails and toenails. I am pleased, and pleasantly surprised that it is a somewhat girly activity. So we head to the bathroom and find the pinkest pink polish we can find.

I feel like we might be onto something. An entire morning full of mom and daughter fun. Girl stuff. Tender moments. Memory making, just the two of us. Her second request? Ahem. To the kitchen for a snack of pickles. At nine o'clock in the morning. Not exactly scrapbook worthy, but I can think of worse things I suppose. Pickles for my girlie it is. Ten of them, to be exact. Her third request? She let out a little giggle and whispered....

"Let's wrestle."

Monday, August 15, 2011

School love...

Here's to the start of the new school year tomorrow. To prepare, we cleaned out old backpacks last week. Aahhhh. That little exercise alone was a good reminder of how very different our boys are. Jack's backpack was tidy and straightforward. Papers were tucked away neatly in folders, and only the necessities were allowed. Trey's pack, on the other hand, contained leftover school supplies crammed in every which way, random wrinkled up papers, a dozen Matchbox cars, old gum wrappers, rocks, sticks, and trash galore. What's even more bizarre is that they're both straight "A" students. And best friends.

Who would've thought.

Anyway, I ran across this folder in Trey's garbage pile of second grade stuff.

If any excuse will fly, buddy, it's this one...

I'm gonna miss that kid, and his brothers too. Praying for God to surround, protect and guide them into a great year!!

Monday, August 1, 2011

Intentionally looking ahead...

I just went online and registered three boys for school. Ugh. The end of summer can wait just a little bit longer if you ask me. I know lots of moms are itching for their schedules back, but this one is pretty comfortable right where she is, thank you very much.

We have enjoyed a great summer routine, thanks to a little bit of intentionality. But since it's August 1st and those crazy registrations are submitted, I've been forced to look ahead to what our schedule will look like once school starts.

Some leisurely things will sadly have to go. The kids will have to actually take baths instead of relying on the sprinkler to clean their dirty summer feet. Meals must consist of more than a PB & J on the way to a ballgame. The nighttime routine is in serious need of being bumped back by at least an hour. And pancakes in the shape of Star Wars battle ships? Well, those molds might have to be reserved for lazy Saturday mornings.

Oh, and one more thing. Sweet, sweaty boys, you might as well get it through your thick skulls... shirts must eventually be worn, whether you like it or not.

But I'm praying for the resolve to continue to make some things a priority when we say goodbye to this beloved season. Yes, we've enjoyed the simplicity that summer can bring. But, in an unexpected way, summer has also caused us to be more disciplined in certain areas.

Like Bible reading.

We take the time because there's more of it. Or maybe it's because we've intentionally scheduled it into our days. Could it be that we've come to the realization that our older boys need to be honing some of these spiritual disciplines for themselves instead of always relying on us to make it happen?

As we gear up for another year of public school, we want our kids to be armed with the Gospel of Truth. Guided, encouraged, and filled with the wisdom that God has revealed to us through His Word. It might mean getting everyone up a half-hour earlier. It definitely won't always be the easy or natural thing to do. But if I could only commit to one thing as the school year starts, it would be this.

Our practical plan over the summer has included Jack and Trey learning to study the Bible on their own. Trey completes his daily reading and worksheet for his Sunday school class, then has a head's up for the story they'll be covering during their next class time. Jack is reading through the New Testament (a challenge from his dad), but has recently decided that he wants to take a detour in Proverbs, covering a chapter a day. He then picks one verse out of his reading to write out and apply to his life personally. Chase and I just completed The Jesus Storybook Bible (the most beautiful tying together of scripture for children), and are now attempting to read it through again with Tess.

Yes, attempting.

Only the Lord knows if she is hearing the words through all of her squirming and hanging off of the bed upside down.

No matter. We're not perfect. But we're giving it our best shot, and we're begging God to do the rest.

To work in our kids' hearts. To change them to be more like Him. Then to empower them to make an impact for Christ in their own little worlds.

So far the one who has been changed and challenged the most?

Me.