For those who wait

We recently received news that our family will once again grow through the miracle of adoption. Being unsure if this is common knowledge news, I will refrain from naming names...but you know who you are, and our prayers are with you as you wait.

And for all the others waiting...my prayers are with you and your children in this Christmas Season

Judo

I'm not a soccer mom. I'm just not. I think I have known that I won't be a soccer mom for a long time. Not that there is anything wrong with soccer, (or basketball or football or those other sports akin to them) and there is nothing to say that at some time or other my kids will play them if they so desire. In which case I will join the other moms on the sideline and cheer my heart out. I just have never been a fan of young young children in organized sports. TOTALLY a personal opinion formulated for my kids not yours :)

I did have it in my mind that nothing would be participated in until they were at least 6 years old. Well, here the big s.i.x. rolled around and he still seemed so young. But an opportunity came up for something I could get into: martial arts.

I have heard of martial arts being great for kids who a) need discipline and respect or b) need self confidence and drive. Anyone who knows Jake (or has even met him once) will probably know that he falls into the latter category. So a couple of months ago, I took a nervous (read terrified) boy into the dojo to begin his first organized "thing." Now even though the sensei had to literally move Jake whenever he wanted him to do something (not exaggerating and this reminded me of one of those gumby dolls), and even though he would not even so much as look anyone in the eyes or move a muscle to lift his water cup to his mouth after practice, I walked out of the dojo and got into the van with one EXCITED kid. He loved it!

And he continues to love it...looking forward to Tuesdays and Fridays above almost any other day. (He has also learned to move on his own :) )

Practicing front rolls

warm-ups: scissors

More warm-ups: Jake can often be seen smiling and giggling. :)

Sometimes he drags a little. The sensei found a creative way to hurry him along.

Sill more warm-ups...these kids WORK!

Demonstration

trying it out

Practicing their throws on each other

...and falls.

So why do I like martial arts above other sports? Because it is unchanged. ancient. There is a code of honor which holds its purpose together amidst a culture of disrespect, individuality, pride, and entitlement. A soccer coach tells the wrong little boy to run laps for talking back and he may be fired. Talk back to your sensei and you learn that is not acceptable in judo. Respect is held in a higher place than I have seen even in many Christan homes. Indeed, it is teaching ME.

The above picture is of Jake receiving his very first belt. It was explained that the belt holds all the knowledge that you have learned in order to have the honor to wear that color of belt. You may not wash your belt lest the knowledge be washed away. He was given instructions on when to wear his gi and belt (never outside the dojo) and how to fold it and how to treat it. So what throws did he have to perform to attain the white belt? None. What knowledge did he have to demonstrate? Respect. He had to keep his room clean. Do well in school. Honor his parents/authorities and treat his siblings kindly. Yep. This is my kind of sport and this is my kind of teaching.

Sorry for the rotation. I couldn't figure out how to change it.

Coast trip part two

After the Science Center, we headed down to Mo's on the Newport waterfront.

Jake got a little tired of waiting and decided to make his own seafood

Max liked the idea of crumbling crackers into his chowder...

But I think we should have waited until they were done to tell them it had molusks in it.

Jake liked it anyways. This was his "I like it" face. Convinsing?

After lunch, we headed out where the rain had stopped for a moment. The "littles" behaved in typical fashion: This is their split up and dodge move.

We followed the sound of barking to find the sea lions.

Ollie and Noah were find watching on their own...until they pulled these faces.

The rain started once again, so it was time to find cover back in the car. We had planned on staying overnight, until we learned the bitter fact that our family now exceeds the limit for fire code and in order to rent a room, we would have to rent two. Yes, I was a little irritated...especially considering the room we were going to rent was about half the size of our normal living quarters. Sheesh.

Oh well. We had fun anyways and kids were snug in their warm beds by bedtime.

Molluscs, Ecinoderms and Cnidarians Oh My!! (Coast trip part 1)

For the past month or so, our science "curriculum" (still working on finding a good actual curriculum for science) has focused around the classification tree including the phylums Mullusca (from molis meaning soft, including snails, slugs, octopus, squid....) ecinodermata (ecino = spiny and derm = skin, including sea stars, sea cucumbers and sea urchins), and cnidarians (from knide meaning nettle, including jelly fish, coral and anemones).

Before wrapping up and moving on to arthropods, what better place to go than the Hatfield Marine Science Center. And boy did we get an up close look. We found almost all of the things we had studied!

It was a fun fun trip and I am amazed at all I am learning from this teaching thing :) One volunteer remarked "I have never seen someone so small know classifications. Most adults don't even know that." To which I replied "well, before this year, neither did I." (or at least I didn't retain it).

We were there for octopus feeding time (which only happens three times a week). Did you know that only 2 out of 50,000-80,000 eggs will survive to adulthood?

Sea urchins

They were quite hesitant to touch at first. Especially the Cnidarians. By the end, they were loving it.

Look at those tube feet!

Signs are interesting when you can read.

BIG tank

Moon Jellies

Searching for the phylums

Jake was thrilled to spot a bat star (blue one)

Noah liked the hands on approach.

Brothers.

A very "hands on" place

Seriously, if you have not visited here, do so. Such a fun place. Once home, we debriefed about our favorite parts of the trip, things we saw, and new things we learned.

By far the most interesting fact of the day was the reproduction process of the angler fish.

Video searching on that led us to this...which ended our day in laughter. God's creation (and creativity) is truely amazing!

Presentation Day

Public speaking. At some point in our lives, we all have to do it. But how many actually enjoy it? It is important to me that the kids have some experience in these early years of standing in front of people with a specific thing to tell while remaining somewhat composed. This was the first of the character presentations and it was a blast.

Of course, they were much more comfortable and put together practicing in front of me at home, but hey...aren't we all!

Sorry about the sound and video quality on these...but with nine adults and 12 kids under 9 in the room...we were happy it was this quiet.

Jake as Ramses the Great

Maxwell as Moses the Prophet

Sorry...blogger was taking too long to upload photos...you'll have to go to Youtube if you want to see them. :)

That time of year again...

I never was a huge fan of Halloween, and yet I didn't really like the idea of avoiding simple, fun things like collecting loads of candy from local businesses and houses. So...after a couple of years of randomly dressing up, I decided upon a new family tradition. The rule is: you can dress up, but it must be a real historical character. Yet as I am typing, I am remembering more of how the tradition began: Jake was terrified of animal costumes. Wouldn't come near the things at two. Combine that with the Reformation Day party our church was having and "Jake as Martin Luther" was born. Animals were out, but a robe and cross? Sure mom. I'll do that.

Next came Lewis and Clark, Followed by The Wright Brothers followed by Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin who accompanied the then Senators Obama and McCain. It is a favorite time in October to look back over the pictures and remember the endless amounts of fun and pretending that have come with those costumes.

However, this was the first year my whole idea could come together. They had to choose their costume in early October and spend most of the month learning about their chosen person. Since we are studying ancient history, we chose from among the ancients: Moses and Ramses.

It is a lot to do. Costume making takes much of my time and sleep. But I have to admit, the excitement that comes from learning, pretending, planning and actually "becoming" the character of their choice is priceless.

This year, we were able to include "presentations" to the weekend agenda. Chaos abounded but presentations were given to an audience of nine adults, five under 3, three 4 year olds, three six year olds and a nine year old. Each took their turn nicely and there were only a few "filling ins" for little brothers by big brothers.

It was a fun weekend. Crammed full of fun. Of course, the comments are always hilarious. We heard lots of "Pharaoh and Abraham" comments (welcome to the NW) or shepherd and wiseman guesses, and the boys were quick to point out the truth of who they were. One collage guy was about beside himself over Max's costume...declaring it an "Arab" costume and saying he "looks just like a Bedouin." I took that as a compliment. The middle ages comes next year and already ideas are forming in their heads. We'll see if they remain there. Knowing my kids, they probably will.

Oh...the littles? Well, they got a little bit neglected this year, knowing that they really could care less. But I did quickly and hastily make them little fleece tablets to waddle around in. Yep...the 10 commandments. As I was in the fabric store with Jake he warns, "You better tell Max he can't throw and smash them." Fortunately, Max only found this a funny proposition and didn't actually try.

I am always a little amazed and the types of stores who willingly open their doors to let masses of candy-loaded children wander around.

"That lady gave me tootsie roll THIS BIG!"

Jake really did have a good time, he just likes to assume the character.

The 10 commandments (or at least 5) are no match for Pharaoh. He broke right away and ran towards the street.

After this much sewing, I expect to find pins everywhere...I just didn't expect to find one here. Yes, that is Noah's hair.

Noah learned a new word: TANDY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Max's favorite pose: Parting the Red Sea

Jake's favorite pose

Brothers

Pensive moment

Dare I?

My little Laws: who stayed warm in their fleece and loved to be out getting the candy, but had a hard time when they couldn't eat every piece.

My little pharaoh: who loves getting into character

My little Prophet: who likes getting dressed, but also likes taking off the costume. Who could definitely do without his picture being taken, and who chose Moses because "I don't want to make you make a hard costume. I wuv woo mommy!"

Our boys

Jesus, King of Angels

This song came up on my Pandora Michael Card station the other day. It is my new lullaby/prayer at nightime for my kids. (Although I also sing it for myself). Josh lovingly used his birthday Amazon certificate (thank you Kellie) to get the cd for me which, I must say, is wonderful.

Fernando Ortega: Jesus, King of Angels




The timing somehow got off with the pictures, but I only put them on because I couldn't figure out how to link the song alone. So close your eyes if you want. :)