Out of the (whiny) Mouths of Babes

To say Julia has been a little emotional the past few months would be an understatement.  Now it is completely understandable (and the reason she regularly sees a counselor specializing in children of life threatening illness) and she has very good reasons to have "big feelings", but at the same time we are trying really hard to break her of the whining habit.  She spent her entire 3 year old year receiving chemo and fighting cancer.  If you have ever spent much time with, change that, if you have ever spent 5 minutes with a 3 year old you know they defer to this painful form of communication with the greatest of ease.  As she has suffered through chemo, pain, side effects, and surgeries it has pushed my patience and compassion to its limits more times than I want to admit.  I have asked her and God for lots of forgiveness over the past few years... and yesterday.

We have been working hard to give her better tools to cope with her big feelings and to get rid of the whining for good.  Recently it seems to have come back full force and she is using it for every reason and feeling she is having.  It is about to make us all crazy.

As we left the grocery store the other day, it started to pour.  The kids had both brought in their umbrellas when they heard the thunder as we arrived.  As we approached the van Julia says, "Let's not use our umbrellas and just run."  Sounds good to me.  She then proceeds to trip and fall.  I helped her up, assessed her skinned knees, offered my sympathy, put her in the car, and fixed up her scrapes.  After the initial crying was over, she would not stop whining and complaining.  As I stood in the rain waiting for her to finally buckle in her car seat, she began screaming at Carter that it was his fault.  I told her Carter had nothing to do with it and it was an accident.  Her tirade continued. I talked about accidents and how they happen to all of us.  Then I calmly asked her if it actually made the pain of her knees feel better to blame Carter.

She got quiet and thought for a moment.  "Why yes, Mom it actually does."

Back to the drawing board.  

Prayer Warriors in Training

When we pick up Julia from her class on Sundays at church, she always has something she's excited to share with us. For several weeks now it has been that she was able to lay on her belly again and it didn't hurt her c-tube. I never really thought to ask why, I was just happy her belly was healing.  One Sunday I just had to know why she was always laying on her belly.

"For when we're praying, Mom."

Immediately I knew.

This class of kids has been praying prostrate on the floor together for over three years now.

It all began in the Toddler Room when they were all barely 2 years old.  When their teachers would ask them to fold their hands and pray over their ritz crackers and sippy cups, dozens of little chairs would fly backwards and sweet little ones who had just learned to walk and talk were on their faces praying before God.

I am happy to say they never stopped.  They have surprised many a teacher since, but they have never been told they couldn't and so these humble little hearts continue to pray on the floor. Last week was their last Sunday in the four year old class.  Next week half of them will move on to the kindergarten wing, while the other half wait a year before they start.  It was bittersweet to see their five years of Sundays come to an end.  But I pray their bold style of praying never stops.  I would love to see them still praying together on the floor this way ten years from now. I pray the bonds they have made will last and they will continue to encourage each other. 

Out of the Mouths of Babes

Carter was doing his GodTime cards during school today.  One of the tasks was to flip the paper over and write down all the things you can think of that you know about Jesus. Here is what he came up with...

Jesus...

• rose from the dead.
• died on the cross.
• is God.
• gathered the disciples and trained them.
• told some of the Bible.
• was born in Bethlehem.
• grew up in Nazareth.
• did not invent the light bulb.
• did not invent the UPS truck.
• is perfect.
• had teeth and yawned.
• was put in a tomb blocked by a big rock.
• healed people.
• resurrected the dead.

...saith the 7 year old.

Out of the Mouths of Babes

Our travel adventures continued on the way home.

This time with Julia who apparently inherited her brother's fascination in crash landings. As they sat across the aisle discussing the different scenarios, I was secretly hoping their conversation wasn't going to get us kicked off the plane.  There's a very fine and fuzzy line these days and kids are not exempt. As they discussed fires, oxygen, emergency lighting, and life jackets- Julia yelled joyfully...

"Hey Carter, look at this! We don't have to worry about opening the door ourselves because this nice man in picture 4 and 5 is going to take it off and throw it out of the plane for us before we jump out!"

Ah, such fun thoughts before takeoff.

We were just happy to be on our plane.  When we returned the rental car I asked where the SmarteCarts were.  The attendant said they removed them because people weren't putting them away.  So how is one supposed to get a suitcase, 2 car seats, 3 bags, and 2 kids to the other side of the property where the terminal is located? No one knows the answer to that. I was overjoyed when one of the workers volunteered to drive us over and drop us off. Problem solved. Thank you sweet woman!

Well, until we got out of the car and the lovely tether hooks that went on so easily onto the hooks in the Toyota Camry will not come off.  The tether bars are flat and too wide.  The Hertz lady and I tried for 20 min and then grabbed some friendly businessmen to help.  Another 20 min, a Skycap worker, and a toolbox later we finally had our car seats back.  Next time I will look closely before I clip, not all tethers are created equal.

We dragged our wares into the airport to check in.  Unfortunately in this economy, the gate agents have been replaced by self-check in kiosks, which is great- when they are working.  None of them were.  And the line of 35 passengers all needed to be on planes in the next 30 min.  Thanks to some very helpful baggage handlers we did make it. And all the airlines are still allowing checked car seats as free luggage, but the catch here was you had to take them to the other side of the terminal yourself.

We finally made it to security.  Taking young kids through security yourself is truly an aerobic activity.  It takes us 9 gray bins to get all our stuff taken apart.  And with the kids getting older, we're traveling light! Then the harassment begins- ensuring the water cups are completely empty, grilling us over every prescription medicine, body searching the kids, critiquing the miralax powder, disassembling the leapsters, and the list goes on.

But the good news? TSA must have heard they are getting a bad rap by the preschool set and they have a solution. What do nurses do after they subject your child to pain? Why given them a sticker of course. The love language of the little people...  

There, all better now.  Have a great flight! Come back and see us soon!

Backseat Theology

...overheard while riding in the van this afternoon...

Carter: Why don't the people at Fisher-Price make an Easter set like the nativity they make? They would only have to make a couple people.  We already have Mary and the angels.  We would just need Jesus, some soldiers, the cross, and the tomb.  But we would need some way to stick him up there...

Julia: I know... Honey.

Carter: Your dog, "Honey"? There aren't any animals in this story!

Julia: No, honey is sticky.  Or we could use syrup to stick him up there.  Then you could lick it.

Carter: Julia! This is Jesus! You can't lick Jesus!

Julia: Mo-om! Carter, said we can't lick Jesus? Is it okay to lick Jesus?

Carter: So we would need a cross and a tomb with a stone to roll away.  I think I'll make one out of play doh so it fits together better. The soldiers might be hard, too.  They have their uniforms and armor and swords...

All humor aside, it has really amazed me how much he thinks about the gift of Jesus at Christmas as a complete picture.  This baby in a manger was not just a gift to the world to spread God's love.  He also came to suffer and die for each of our sins and shortcomings.  The story does not end with the picturesque scene we see in our nativities.  It ends on a cross. We need to remember the whole story.

Out of the Mouths of Babes...

While we were making sugar cookies, the kids were choosing cookie cutters from the basket.  Carter held one up...

"How about the dollar sign?"

"Why did you pick that one?" (very curious where he was going with this!)

"Because Jesus paid the price for us all."

I couldn't have been more proud.

Out of the Mouths of Babes

As we left Julia's urology appointment yesterday at the satellite offices, we drove down the interstate.

When we passed Brenner's Hospital, Julia started yelling from the backseat...

 

 "HI, GUYS!! Hi Nurse Karen, Hi Dr."Waffle", 
Hi Dr. McLean, Hi Nurse Diane, Hi Nurse Nancy, 
Hi Ms. Betsey!!"

Such a priceless gift.  With as much as she has been through and the countless trips to the hospital, with many more to come.  The simple things of childhood she has had to miss out on because of her health.  It warms my heart so much that she loves her medical team and feels so loved by all of them.  We could not ask for more.  Thank you God for Brenners and for each and every person in there who are Your hands and feet in the healing lives of our precious children.  We are blessed beyond belief.

Out of the Mouths of Babes

Carter's question at lunch today...

"How come Julia has all of the domesticated stuffed animals and I have all the wild ones?"

That is a true statement, but something that has NEVER crossed my mind! Seriously, the way this kid mind works scares me some times.  A journey inside his head would be so interesting.

In the Hot Seat

Carter is definitely my thinker and analyzer.  This kid never shuts his brain off and has a memory like a steel trap.  Lately he has been on a question-asking kick.  It really kicks in when we're driving.  I feel like I'm on trial some days! He shoots them out in rapid-fire succession.  This was his side of the script from one 3-mile stretch of road the other day...
 

What are they building over there? 

Why are all the trucks here, but not working?

What are they trying to do to it?

Why?

Why?

So then what are they doing now?

How many miles from the sun is Mars?

If you are a teacher, why don't you know?

Why?

Then what do you know?

Tell me.

What would happen if a car went off the exit ramp?

How much does a truck weigh?

Why don't fire trucks and ambulances just stay together?

Where are all the EMS dispatch stations?

Why do they call it Happy Harbor?

How do they now it's a harbor and not a bay?

What's the difference?

Who says?
Is Britain still one of our allies?
Who are all our other allies?
Then who are our enemies?
What are all their names?
Why does the SR-71 have special plates on the outside?
What are all the types of ordnance it uses?

What is the temperature on Venus?

Why don't you know that either?

I feel bad, but there are times I have to close up shop and put up the "gone to lunch" sign.  He's giving my mommy brain cells quite a workout! I'm going to have to start studying more!

Out of the Mouths of Babes

Carter:  "Julia, let's be sojourners."

Me:  "What is a sojourner, Carter?" (curious to what he thought he was saying)

Carter:  "A traveler. We're a family of sojourners.  Can we travel to Walla Walla, Washington?"


Where does he learn this stuff?!

Note to self...

Never underestimate the creativity and initiative of a group of preschoolers.   The innovation grows exponentially!


Exhibit A:  A 6, 5, and 3 year old playing outside in freezing weather in January will not find it at all unusual or inappropriate to soak themselves with the hose.  The crazy part is they were not at all cold or upset about being wet.  They just didn't like that they were dripping when they walked.  They were so completely soaked in water. Their pants, socks, dresses, coats, etc. were all saturated and dripping like a faucet.

The kids were playing in the garage and driveway riding their bikes.  It has been bitterly cold so we were happy for the slightly warmer sunny day for a break in cabin fever.  As we cleaned up in the kitchen, they came in the open door dripping all over the floor.  We couldn't help but laugh in astonishment.

I so wish I had a picture, just for the memories and to show them when they're older :) 

I asked Carter later what happened...
 
"I sprayed Lily with the hose because it was her turn."
"For what?"
"A free shower. She was offering us free showers with the hose."
"Why did you turn the hose on in the middle of winter?"
"Because we were using it to water the flowers and plants that were dead in the yard."

"Of course."

I love their cooperation and creativity.  Oh, to be a child again- so carefree!

Out of the Mouths of Babes (Costco edition)

My apologies to everyone in the meat section of Costco yesterday.  Our shopping trip went something like this...

Carter: (loudly) "Mom, what did they kill to make this?"
Me: Crabs.
Carter: "What did they kill to make this?
Me: Chicken
Carter: "What did they kill to make this?"
Me: Salmon.
Carter: "What did they kill to make this?"
Me: Pigs.
Carter: Pigs? How?

Don't worry, we didn't go there.  The interesting part is he is not opposed to eating animals for meat.  He just wants to know all the details.  Oh my.  Just not at the grocery store, restaurants, or dinner table please. I am liking the cold produce refrigerator more and more these days. No hard questions :) I can stand the cold.

Out of the Mouths of Babes

I take off Julia's tights when we're at home so she doesn't slip on the hardwood floors.  I noticed her diaper was really wet, so I took that off too and told her she could use the potty if she needed to go.  (We've been trying to give her occasional chances to practice.)

She ran in to use the potty and Carter said he would help her.  From the kitchen we heard hysterical laughter.

When they came out Julia said, "Something really funny happened in there! Carter was holding my dress so I could pee and I when I went it sprayed him all over his face!"

Carter (smiling): "Don't worry, I washed it off."

Out of the Mouths of Babes

You know you're a parent when...

I was playing legos with the kids on the floor.  
I looked down at my pants leg...

Me: "Julia, is that boogies on my leg?"
Julia: "Yes.  I didn't have a tissue."

...you become a human tissue.

Out of the Mouths of Babes

When Julia says the blessing, she always ends with...

 "...thank you for our maybe blessings and our maybe friends..."
             (many blessings and many friends)

While eating breakfast...
      Julia:  "How do you make french toast?"
      Carter:  "You take some toast and dip it in.... some french?"

Out of the Mouths of Babes

Today during school we were using an atlas of Africa...

Carter: "Mommy I see Victoria Falls, but where is Viagra Falls?"

Me: "Niagra Falls?"

Carter: "No, Viii-aaag-raaa Falls."

Thank you, Major League Baseball.

 Last night when we were watching the World Series before bed, the Flomax commercial was on yet again.

Carter nicely explained to his sister, "That's Flomax.  People take it when they have to go to the bathroom too much."

Ah yes, TV sports.  Thank goodness for DVR so we can fast forward.  In a perfect world there would be a separate ESPN for Kids.  Though I'm sure they'd be marketing toys and junk food.  But sometimes I think that would be better.  At least during baseball it's usually only men's prescriptions most of the time.  If you happen to be watching live football, you are subjected to violent video games, rated R movies, gore, killing, pornography, and crass humor.  It's really sad that you can't watch sports as a family without taking adequate precautions.  The saddest part is most people don't and these commercials are seen by millions of all ages without much of a thought.

Out of the Mouths of Babes...

The kids play has been in full swing this week.  One look around our house and you will see.  They have so many scenarios in the mix and want to leave up their creations to play the next day.  I have loved being a fly on the wall for their conversations.

Here are some of the tidbits that made me smile....

Julia: "Let's pretend to be people.  And we can go camping!"

While playing hospital/ambulance......

Julia:  "Carter don't carry baby Mia that way.  You'll hurt her really bad and she'll have to spend like 10 whole extra minutes in the hospital!"

Carter:  "I have 6 doctors and 7 nurses.  Three of my patients have the flu and 4 of them have the swine flu."

Carter:  "The Penn State lion is hurt really bad.  He had a weightlifting accident and the pole broke the bone in his throat (he listens intently when watching ESPN).  So hurry up!"

Out of the Mouths of Babes...

I love to jot down the funny things the kids say that I want to remember when they're older because I know I can't rely on the brain cells anymore :)

Julia likes to say, "When I get bigger, I'm going to be a..."

This week has been full of them.  Some of my favorites...

• a chef.
• a builder.
• a football player.
• a bird.

And my personal favorite...

• a butter girl.

And what exactly is "a butter girl" you wonder? According to her it is "someone who spreads butter really well".  Can you tell our kids love butter? (We let them spread the Smart Balance on thick because they both eat essentially fat-free diets.)

Today at breakfast she told Daddy he could be a butter girl, too... when he grows up to be a girl like her :)

Out of the Mouths of Babes...

Carter while putting on his sneakers,

"You know Mom, if you have two left feet; you have to have two left shoes."

He Heals (re-post)

(This is being re-posted from March 15th. I just thought it was fitting in her current situation.)


When I picked up Julia from Sunday School, I was asking her what they had talked about.

Her reply,

"God. No, Jesus... and the little man.

(ever since they talked about Zaccheus, everyone Jesus helps is 'the little man'.)

His legs didn't work. Jesus fixed them. That's what Him's job is."