Vacation Bible School

This week Sophia and Ethan have been attending Vacation Bible School. The theme this year is "Outrigger Island". An outrigger stabilizes a canoe so it doesn't tip, just like God's word stabilizes us while in rough waters. It's based on Psalm 86:11- "Teach me Your way Lord and I will live by Your truth."
All of the students are "Wave Riders" and they learn about the Bible through Island related activities. While they are learning and having fun they are also competing with other classes. They earn points through attendance, memorization of Bible verses, and attire. Each day the children are asked to wear a specific article of clothing that pertains to the island theme.
DAY 1
Here are Sophia and Ethan dressed in Hawaiian clothes. Today, Sophia learned that "God is Real" I'm not sure what the contents of the lesson were since Sophia doesn't want to talk about anything except for what snacks she ate. The teacher was impressed with her behavior. She said, "Sophia is so sweet and sooo easy!"
Ethan learned that his worst nightmare has come true: there are people in the world, other than family, that just might take care of him. My poor sweet baby boy. I went in to check on him and he was screaming. When I went to pick him up all the caretakers started laughing. They said he cried a lot and,just when he settled down, someone would make eye contact with him and he'd start all over. So they learned to turn their heads when dealing with him.
Day 2
Ethan did much better today. He didn't cry as much. Upon retrieving him, I experienced one of the most touching moments I've had with Ethan. When he realized I was standing next to him (in his caretakers arms), he leaned toward me, his bottom lip popped out as far as it could go and he just started sobbing. I picked my heart up off the floor and took him from his caretaker.
Sophia learned that "Jesus was born". Again, glowing reports from the teacher. Sophia came home with a fish she made from a paper plate and a cut out of Mary. It looks like it's supposed to be a Christmas ornament. That would make since. Today she started singing "Jesus loves me". Then she told Allan that Jesus "cooks". When Allan questioned her she said, "Look, I'll show you." And she pointed in the oven. I wonder if she got "Jesus cooks" from "Jesus Christ". I'll find out tomorrow if there's a story of Jesus "whipping up a little something" in the Bible that I
overlooked.
Day 3
Papa worked from home today so Ethan stayed with him. Sophia learned that "No one else is like Jesus". Every morning during the Worship Rally (when all the children gather in the morning to sing)Sophia brought in a pink dog she befriended in her classroom. She would sing to it and make it dance. It was awfully cute. She loved singing and dancing during the worship rally. She came home singing "wiki wiki wiki", so we bought the CD. Now that is all we listen to in the car. It was "sunglasses" day so Sophia sported her pink "Pooh" sunglasses. Speaking of "Pooh", Sophia had an accident without her diaper on. I didn't think that would happen because she's good about asking for a diaper when nature calls. But it turns out she had a little bug and we kept her home for the next two days. Mama, Papa, and Sophia were sad she couldn't go. And so was her teacher.
I'm not sure how much of VBS she will remember but I'm happy we are setting a foundation for her to build on. It was an exciting week, and I was proud to be a part of it.

A Word About Snapshots

You don't have to double click the links in my posts. You just move your cursor over the highlighted words to see the image that appears. Now, let's enjoy cute photos of my family

FEEEEED MEEEEEEE!

Well, there's no two ways about it, my boy now loves to eat. He has shot up from the usual 15th percentile in weight to the 40th. And I have a feeling that number is going to continue to climb. The funny thing that he does now is he screams when he sees the spoon or bottle coming near his mouth. There are two different types of screams. One scream sounds like John Mcenroe when he's playing tennis. It's a long, loud, deep grunt. Maybe an angry cavemen would be a better analogy. The other sounds like someone might scream when going down a steep hill on a roller coaster. A loud scream of fear, anticipation, and excitement. Eyes are wide open and arms are flailing.
The other morning I had him in bed with me which sits up against the wall. He wanted to eat and I guess he was too famished to cry. So I woke up to the sound of him ferociously licking the wall. And I mean my little monster was going to town on this wall. I hadn't seen this much excitement over a wall licking since Willy Wonka. Too bad there are no snozberries that taste like snozberries. I do think the paint is some sort of Coffee color. Maybe that's what he was enjoying (he is,after all, Allan's son). Anyway, I'm just grateful they quit making paint with lead.
So now mealtime is much more pleasant (and entertaining). Gone are the long hours trying to simply get four ounces of nutrition in him. He loves his food and I know that if I run out of baby food or formula I can simply place him in front of the wall for a delectable feast.