I had to laugh...

while we were reviewing the definition of a noun (the name of a person, place, thing or idea)...Micaiah looked at me and inquired, "Is there really a person named noun?"

We're learning...

to put on our socks...

but we're not quite there yet!

Poor Spiderman!

He was the perfect size...

to be made into a mummy!

So Micaiah cut the strips of linen as we discussed things like...why the Egyptians believed in so many gods...why we can't make just anything a God...how the one true God is different because He conquered death...and then we took a break for the day.

So today, we finished mummifying Spiderman and took a quick picture...

because Micaiah decided he didn't want Spiderman to be a mummy!

A snowstorm in September?

The snow plows and diggers were ready...

so was the dump truck...I spoke with the foreman and this is what he had to say..."The dump trucks take the snow to the cleaner factory. The cleaner factory takes all of the leaves and dirt out of the snow; then, the snow is sent back to the ice cream factory to make ice cream."

...an ariel view of the machines working in the snow...

...the foreman...

...he looks like he loves his job!

Spiderman and his cohort...

off to fight crime!

Don't worry you're safe with these two around!

Joshua...

coming in for "rest time."

Wow, he must have had so much fun...

I only wish that I would have waited to change his sheets!

Ugly-Beautiful

A recent post by Ann Voskamp at Holy Experience (the one blog I faithfully follow) has challenged me to look deeply into the "ugly" in my life and begin to see the beauty. Check out this link if you get a chance...http://aholyexperience.com/2008/09/get-closer-to-ugly.html. So here I go...

ugly: baking soda paste to soothe fresh bee stings...

beautiful: a sketch by Micaiah 15 minutes prior to his "ugly" interacation with the bees...

I must say that I was very impressed...in the midst of the pain and crying Micaiah says through long sobs, "Is that bee dead?...as he remembers that they sting and then die he says..."I must of been stung by two bees!"

Agenda for Friday...

...finish up school work and enjoy the great outdoors with friends...

...this tree provided a lot of entertainment...not only did they poke it and watch it return to dust

they also found a snake skin wrapped around the tree.

Joshua says..."Hey you, get outside and enjoy God's creation!!!

Nature Center

On Wednesday, we visited the (newly opened) nature center close by...the boys had a blast exploring the hands on exhibits!

Here they are "peeking" to see what animals live in wetlands.

Joshua's loved visiting the woods at night and listening to the sounds to determine the animals close by...

but the highlight of the trip...FINDING the queen bee!

Watch out world...

click on the play button below to see the video

One happy...

smiling face (PB+J and all)! This is one of my favorites of Joshua...

Picture taken by Mr. Steve 3/08

Real life...

How do you keep three boys occupied for 2 hours while you wait for the orthopedic doctor?

~read lots of books,
~complete a science project
~make a fall picture with foam sticker cut outs
~draw a car track on the exam paper and race cars (at least until you have one too many crashes with your brother and you need to be separated)
~make friends with the boy in the next exam room with a portable DVD player that is watching "The Power Rangers" (he flew in from Alabama to see the same doctor and will fly back home tonight)
~keep the little guy in the backpack until he can't take it anymore and then let him walk holding your hand while he carries a diaper in the other (to which the orthopedic resident says..."Wow, now that's a way to get the Dr. in there quickly...say 'hey, look what I did!'")

...but the good news is...
the little guy's arm is healing nicely it's down from a 30 degree angle to a 10 degree angle so we'll take another x-ray next year to make sure that the bone continues to heal...

and guess what...that only took 10 minutes!

Soccer, soccer and more soccer...

Micaiah started the day with his first soccer practice/game and then he had his birthday party. When we started planning his party he said "Daddy, you mow the grass and let's spray paint a soccer field onto the grass...and we can play soccer!" We invited some friends, borrowed some soccer goals and believe me they had a blast!!!

enjoying some pizza and some laughs with his friends...

but the best part was the cake!

Happy 6th Birthday Micaiah!

Micaiah in a recent picture...

and here is our little guy 5 years ago...enjoying the Charleston Aquarium at 1!

Micaiah, we love your passion and intensity for the things you love. And we're grateful to experience them everyday!

Our first...

backyard campfire. After school, Micaiah and Joey cleaned up the "digging area," placed leftover bricks in a circle and gathered sticks for a fire (creative play at its best)! When their Daddy's came home and saw their creation, they said "Why not?"

So we enjoyed some hot dogs, marshmallows, music and a good time with friends!

"Look at me...

I finally know how to use the brakes on my big boy bike!"

Sometimes...

...being a brother is even better than being a superhero. ~Marc Brown

Sunday Worship...

An early morning game...

of soccer (the pictures are a little blurry because I was playing around trying to capture the action yet keep the boys focused...as you can see I still have some learning to do)!

"Keeper" Micaiah...

Josh taking a much deserved rest!

Micaiah showing off his kicking skills...

...nice one Joshua!

...wow, now he's getting fancy!

Where was Eli in the midst of all this action?

he was catching a glimpse of an airplane while playing on the slide.

What better way...

to learn about God's creation...than a trip to the Aquarium.

I pray that I will remember...

that real learning occurs...

through "hands on" experiences...

and not in lessons...

and workbooks!