Fort Burns

My Big Boy

06.18.2007 | 6:32 pm | Everyday Life

C is really quickly turning into a big boy. He is no longer a little boy and certainly not a baby. A few moments ago, C came inside to tell me that he had gotten a splinter on the wooden play fort. He was quite upset, but sat on my bathroom counter, closed his eyes and let me get the splinter out of the side of his pinky finger. After I was done, I poured a little alcohol on his finger and got him down from the counter. As we were leaving my bathroom, C even said, “Thank you for getting the splinter out of my finger. Getting the splinter out made me feel better, Mommy!”

C has been of his best behavior today. Jordan, the babysitter, got the boys to take a long nap and they were still asleep when I got home from work. Thanks, Jordan! I needed the few minutes before C woke up to change clothes and relax. J woke up about 15 minutes after C and we cuddled on the couch watching Bob the Builder.

Meat is cooking for tacos tonight. Both the boys love tacos. This will be a treat for them.

C came in the kitchen to show me a special lego part. As he was leaving to go back into the living room, J was running towards the kitchen in the hallway. C said to J, “Oh, sorry” as they gently collided. Wow! Maybe I am looking at the beginning of a polite, handsome (of, course), gentle big boy.

All I know now, is that I hope this evening into bedtime goes as smoothly as this afternoon has gone!

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Vacation Bible School 2007

06.15.2007 | 12:27 pm | Everyday Life

I taught a class of 2nd graders in our church’s Vacation Bible School. Here are some interesting things that happened during the week:

I taught with my mom and we were pleased to have my niece and nephew in the class. Thanks W and A for coming to share this time with us!

There were 17 kids on roll and we averaged 15 kids each day.

I was really proud of myself for learning all the kids’ names in our class. I have a really hard time remembering things - especially names - and it was my prayer this week that I would learn the kids’ names to be able to give them individualized special attention. Thanks be to God for this answered prayer! I remember when I was younger, I always liked being called out for good things and all the people around me knowing my name.

One of the girls in our class forgot and left her jacket in the gym during recreation time, so I went to get it while another teacher had the class occupied. On my way to the gym, J’s class was going into the sanctuary for their worship time (Each one of J’s classmates were holding on to a long rope. It was really a great idea to keep the kids together!) and J spotted me. J immediately let go of the rope and ran to me calling, “Mommy! I need to give Mommy a hug!” (who could resist?!) I stop and scooped him up as he ran to me and hugged him. I asked him if he was going to the worship service and he said, “No, I’m gonna watch the puppets!” (Our church has a puppet ministry that was part of each worship service. They were great! The main puppet character’s name is “Buster.”)

Thursday evening was family night at church. After dinner the preschool kids, which included C’s class, sang a few songs in the worship service followed by a program of the first-fourth grades. I really enjoyed watching C and then our students sing and do their sign language and other movements to the songs that we all learned this week. They are quick learners and I pray they retain what they have learned!

At the end of the week, we had one child ask Jesus into his heart. What a memorable and wonderful time! I later told him, “You are now my brother!” He gave me a look like “girls have cooties!” and then I explained to him that he was now my brother in Christ and we would see each other in heaven one day.

I know how tired I am from this incredible week. C and J are in need of some serious down time which they will get tomorrow. I asked C and J what their favorite parts of Vacation Bible School were. C answered, “playing the games” while J answered, “my favorite part of Vacation Bible School was missing you (me, D, while J pointed at me), um (as he was thinking), playing basketball (there was a separate room just for the preschool kids to play basketball - what a great way to wear them out!), playing outside, and snack time.”

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Blue Burns

06.8.2007 | 9:51 pm | Health

Blue Burns, a female betta fish of unknown age, has died of apparently natural causes following a brief period of lethargy. She was found by the mistress of the house on the evening of June 8, 2006 when D went to feed Blue. Blue is survived by Tara, B, D, C and J.

She was a good fish, always ready to watch her family from her tank that sat on the kitchen bar. Blue was a constant source of entertainment for the family cat, Tara, who liked to watch Blue take her daily swim.

Blue’s earthly body was buried at sea by way of a flush down the commode in a whirlwind of water. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to your local animal shelter.

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Recent Stuff

06.8.2007 | 9:31 pm | Everyday Life

The boys and I were sitting on the floor playing with legos yesterday. C had asked me to make an ambulance. Before I started making his lego ambulance, I wanted to put the tires back on about 30 lego wheels. I nudged J and said, “who keeps taking these tires off?” J answered, “I do (chuckling). It’s my job.”

C has learned how to pump his legs and swing. He still prefers for me or someone else to push him in the swing, but if I give C a starter push, he can sustain it for awhile. Great Job, C!

J loves to feed Tara, the cat. Unfortunately, he gives her enough food to sustain her for the next whole week. He mounds her dry food up in her bowl, until it is overflowing onto the floor. Luckily Tara doesn’t mind eating off the floor.

C is really into Transformers. He loves watching on television the mid 1980’s cartoon versions and sings the introduction song/theme song constantly. C and J frequently trade playing either Autobots or Decepticons. (good guys vs. bad guys). Daddy B is so proud to be passing the torch along to the next generation!

I have mentioned the boys’ fort in our backyard. About a month ago, B put 12 (50 pounds each) bags of play sand in their sandbox. This afternoon, J brought a Tonka dump truck in the house - it is supposed to be an outside toy - and was playing with it in the kitchen. Next thing I knew, there was a pile of sand of the tile floor in front of the oven. J was upset that the sand fell out. I was upset at the grit on the floor. Needless to say, the dump truck is back outside.

I have had to go into work lately, and considering that the boys are finished with their pre-school year, I haven’t had a consistent time to work. On Tuesday my mom kept J for a couple of hours while I went to work to take care of a pressing matter. I brought C with me. He brought to work a large ziplock bag filled with legos to occupy himself. I was amazed at how good he was. I was able to get my work done with minimal interruption. C made, by himself, two different types of vehicles. Smart boy! There was only one incident - C followed me into my boss’s office and saw a coffee cup on his desk. C said, “You need to put that cup in the kitchen!” (Fortunately, my boss and I have a great relationship and he was amused. Also, I am fortunate to have my own office where C can play with the legos on the floor.)

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Obituary Retraction

06.5.2007 | 5:30 pm | Everyday Life

Blue, the betta fish, is still alive. She must have been in a deep sleep last night. She wasn’t moving, sitting on the bottom of the tank, and didn’t even move when I tapped on the tank. Usually she knows that me tapping on the tank means that I’m about to put food flakes in for her to eat.

I changed the water in her tank so she has a fresh environment. Maybe unclean water was leading to her fatigue. I have to admit that Blue has been ignored lately. I’ve been playing more with the boys outside. The joys of summertime. Bicycles and scooters, water hoses and yardwork.

(Should this be categorized under “Everyday Life” or “Health?”)

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