tonight's pray-ers

George:

"Dear Jesus. Thanks for our food. I really like you and I miss you a lot. Helen was naughty today, she wouldn't share the cards with me and she screamed. I thought you should know. Anyway, that's what we did today. Thanks for Mommy and Daddy and Thomas. In Your name, Amen."

Helen:

"Dear Jesus. Thanks. a-MEN!"

a truly lovely easter

We had a great day yesterday! Even thought it was busy (we had infant nursery duty at church, AND I was singing in the choir), the kids behaved beautifully, we made it from place to place on time, and we had a fun lunch and egg hunt with our bible study friends.

We took about 30 shots aiming for a good one of the 3 kids together- this was as good as it got-

The definition of a successful Easter is your 4 year old falling asleep in the car on the way home! I love how he is still clutching an egg.

This year's Easter fun made me think of last year which was not so fun because George had been up all night with terrible asthma, we were all exhausted, and the kids were beyond crabby. One thing we're so thankful for this year is that George's asthma is MUCH MUCH improved. Seasonal allergies are a major trigger, and March and April in 2009 and 2010 were dreadful in terms of scary asthma attacks and being up all night and constantly being too sick to go places. This year we have actually not yet had to get out the nebulizer and there have been ZERO asthma attacks... wow. We're not sure if it's because we've been working with a specialist for a year now and have tightened up the med regime, or because we've made lots of environmental changes to our home (green cleaning products and an air purifier seem to have helped considerably), or if he is starting to grow out of it a bit. Regardless, George being well was the best thing in my Easter basket this year.

my little ascetic

When George turned 4, we started giving him an allowance. Just $1 a week to help him learn about math, saving, buying, budgeting, etc. I assumed he would spend it on little things like toys and sweets like most kids do. But then I was forgetting that he is not most kids. This is the child who, when given a choice of cereals at the grocery store, selected (and ate with enthusiasm) shredded wheat. I mean the plain kind in the big yellow box, not the mini frosted ones.

George's wallet now contains $13 which is the entirety of his allowance from the last three months minus 10c for his tithe every week (he's quite happy to do this although Tim and I kind of remind him/make him).

Periodically we ask George what he would like to spend his money on, and here are the responses we get: "Diapers, new shoes for Helen, vegetables, maybe some celery." Once or twice I have walked him up and down the toy and book aisles at Target to try to show him the possibilities. His response was "I have lots of toys; I think we should save these ones for the other kids." George has also mentioned that he feels he should save his money up in case he would ever lose a library book; then he would be all ready to pay for it.

So what the heck should we do here? Just let him buy the celery (which he doesn't even particularly like)? We don't want him to feel responsible for buying essentials but there is something sweet about how he wants to put his little income out there for the family. I certainly don't want to turn him into a materialist but it is so strange that he doesn't want anything for himself!

Any other ideas?

fashionistas

George:

Getting dressed is such a waste of valuable playing time. I generally dispense with underwear if I think Mom won't notice. Even though I am brilliant in many ways, I somehow wind up with my shirt and/or pants on backwards and/or socks inside out greater than 50% of the time.

(I can't be bothered to stand still for a photo, either)

Helen:

Clothing is *very* *very* important my dahlinks. Try to change outfits several times per day if you can. It's important to add a great shoe, like pink rainboots, or to accessorize with fairy wings and a tutu. Layering is also key. It isn't too much to do pants over a dress and tights and socks, with a cardigan to top it off. Do have a signature color- mine starts with "p" and rhymes with "ink."

(the infamous boots)

Thomas:

My favorite color is naked.