Preschool Stories

A couple of preschool stories for you:

Friday was a beautiful day, so before I got my students settled in for their nap, I grabbed a couple of books and their corresponding stuffed animal characters and told the children we were going to have a special story time.  The little ones excitedly followed me outside.  The children were laughing behind me and the gentle wind was blowing pleasantly as we climbed up a small hill near our classroom door, and suddenly, I had an overwhelming desire to break into "Do Re Mi" from The Sound of Music.  I was Maria, in the hills of Austria, with my precious children skipping behind me.  Hard as it was, I suppressed the urge to burst into song as I settled the children in for story time.  But a few minutes later, as we were wrapping up, another teacher walked by, and in moments we were regaling the children with "The Hills Are Alive".  I'm pretty sure the students were all very impressed. 

My 20 year old daughter is home this semester and taking her classes online. She happened to have no classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays, so she is an aide in our preschool those two days.  We share many of the same children, so it's fun to share cute stories about the littles.  She shared this one with our whole family:

Child, walking up to my daughter in the gym:  Miss A, do you have a broom?

My daughter:  Yes, I have one at home.

Child to friend:  SEE!  I told you she was a witch!

Then the girls skipped off, continuing to discuss their Halloween costumes. 😂

Word Up!

 My kids got me this letter board for Mother's Day, complete with this spot-on quote. :)  We've had fun changing it out over the last several months.  Here are a few of my favorites.  Any quote suggestions for us to try?

Maybe not exactly spot-on. I live with some pretty awesome people.

 But it did make me smile when I opened it. :)

I put this one up in honor of my son's high school graduation.  I have always been inspired by this quote by St. Catherine of Sienna.  We are already created just as God wants us to be!

This has long been one of my favorites, especially in the early years of parenting, when the days were so long and hard.  It's not always easy to be in the moment, but as the years pass, the more I try to be.

And this one, which I just put up last night.  My dear Anne Shirley,

 always appreciating the beauty around her, which October so gloriously provides. 

The Light Saber Devotion

Last weekend, my husband told a story in his homily about one of our boys.  As we talked about it, I realized, though it is an oft-told memory in our family, I had never blogged about it.  I did, however, write about it in a short collection of pre-Lenten devotions I wrote several years ago.  So, since this blog is the place for family memories to be immortalized, below is the original devotion about the light saber story. :)

The Lord be with You. . .Because the Force Isn't!

Reading:  For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith.  Romans 3:23-25

Many years ago, one of our sons received a light saber as a gift.  Actually, if memory serves, all three of our sons received a light saber, and I have no one to blame by myself, since I was the purchaser of these weapons.  But they're boys!  Boys need light sabers, right?  So said my husband!  That is what I told myself while standing in the toy section at Kohl's, three light sabers in hand.  I recall even calling my husband -- is it really a good idea to give three wild and crazy little boys weapons? On purpose?  He reassured me that it would be fine, so I used my Kohl's coupon and bought all three for Christmas.

Fast forward a month or two.  The boys love the light sabers.  "Thank you mom and dad, you're the best!"  They understood the rules:  no light sabers open and wielding on the main floor -- they were only allowed to be used in the basement. Things were going along pretty well and the boys were following the rules and using them responsibly.  I'm sure I was patting myself on the back about our decision.

But one winter evening, when Daddy was out of town (of course!), one of our sons was holding his (unopened, therefore legally allowed) light saber in the family room.  And for reasons still not fully known to us, the Force was in reverse and the light saber flew right out of his hand.  Through the sidelight of our picture window.  Our just-replaced-two-years-ago picture window.

Immediate tears and hysteria ensued, followed by a phone call to Daddy (which began with me saying, "Are you sitting down?" and ended with a tearful apology and forgiveness granted).

We soon got an estimate to repair the window, and it came in at $400.  Our young son wanted to make things right.  He insisted that he pay for that new window.  $400?  Even if he saved every penny for the next five years, he wouldn't be bale to pay that debt.  So he handed over what he had, which totaled about $15.

$15?  Way short of a new window!  The window had to be fixed but he couldn't pay it.  So we covered the rest.  We paid a debt our son couldn't pay.

Sounds familiar, doesn't it? We Christians call it "grace".  We receive what we don't deserve.  Mercy.  "All have sinned and fall short". Way short.  But we are "justified" (made right with God) "by his grace as a gift through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith".

My son was grateful for our forgiveness to him, even at his young age.  As we prepare to enter Lent in just two days, may we grow increasingly grateful for this great grace that has been gifted to us:  the blood of Jesus that covers our sins.

Discussion/Reflection:  When did you receive a gift (maybe forgiveness) that you didn't deserve?  How did you react?

Prayer:  We do not deserve it, Jesus, but you give it anyway. Thank you for your grace and make our gratitude grow.  Amen.

On Time Travel

My high school English teacher asked for essays on Facebook and gave all her friends this prompt:

If you could go backwards or forwards in time, would you? Which way? What year or time period? Where geographically? Why did you choose that time and place?

My aunt wrote a lovely piece about going to church with her family when she was small, and I adored reading her memories about her mom and dad (my grandparents), especially since her dad died when she was young.  After I read her memories, I pondered the prompt myself.  What time period would I enjoy going to?

Backward to my own childhood, full of beautiful memories and happiness?  Forward to see my children and grandchildren many years from now?  Backward to a specific historic event? But while these would all be meaningful, I kept coming back to another time:  when my own children were little.  

Having big kids (and almost-big kids) is fabulous!  I've blogged time and again about how wonderful parenting teens and young adults is proving to be.  But I cannot tell a lie.  My heart still pines for some things that are behind us now, and oh how much I'd love to catch some glimpses of those days again.  In no particular order, moments I'd love to revisit:

• baby snuggles: Even in the middle of the night, while sleep deprived!  Oh how I'd love to cuddle my babes, smell their baby scent and kiss those velvety cheeks.
• toddler laughter: I'm so thankful I teach preschoolers, because I still am able to hear and soak in the euphoria of a toddler or preschooler.  How I'd love to hear my little ones cracking up over their own jokes, the hilarity of a zoo animal or while having their tummy tickled.
• wrestling:  This still happens here, and I'm super glad it does.  It was a little different back then, though, and I'd love to hear my husband announce "Switch ON!" and hear the squeals of delight as all the kids tackled daddy.
• firsts:  First steps, first baths, first words, first day of school.  So many exciting moments when you're small!  
• holding hands: While I am still grateful to have one child young enough to hold hands with her mamma, I miss the days when my two hands weren't enough.  I recall walking ahead of my children and putting my hands out behind me, palms to the rear, and knowing that within seconds, both my hands would be filled with a chubby little hand.
• Speaking of, chub:  Oh, the chubby little legs, hands, cheeks, and arms.  How I would love to stroke a chubby little cheek again or change a diaper with chubby thighs wiggling everywhere.
• Bible stories and prayers:  We still do both now, but I'd love to go back to the crazy bedtimes, full of wiggles and prayers only little ones can dream up, but sincere nonetheless.
• I love yous:  Again, I am so thankful that my kids still tell me they love me, but how I'd love to hear a little voice proclaiming it, with such euphoria.  Or to hear one of my sons say, as he so often did: "I love you, little mommy!"

I know those days were hard.  They were often really, really hard.  But they were also wonderful, and I enjoyed them so much, even amidst the exhaustion and angst I sometimes felt.  And as I said earlier, each subsequent stage has been full of its own beauty and wonder.  Perhaps, if I pondered this question again in 10-15 years,  I'd be anxious to come back to the this very time I'm in now -- of tweens, teens and young adults and everyone (mostly) at home.

But for today, I'm content in reminiscing about those early years, when things felt a bit simpler and oh-so-precious.  

On Leaving One's Second Child at College

 A week ago yesterday, we took our second child to college.  A few thoughts on that endeavor:

• People said, "Oh, I know you had a hard time taking your daughter to school, but it's much easier the second time!".  Lemme tell you something:  Those people are either lying to your face or fooling themselves, because it was Not Easier.  The days and hours leading up to his departure were full of leaky eyes on my part and nostalgic conversations between my husband and me. (Side note, I do not recommend leaving midday to take a child to college -- there are too many hours before you leave of wandering around the house, making sure you have "everything", trying not to cry, and trying to keep busy.  This is only recommended if your husband has a commitment midday and an early morning departure is unavailable.  Carry on.)  
• Watching your child walk away from you, knowing they are walking into a great big unknown, and you won't see them for weeks and weeks, is really hard.  Like, that's an understatement.  To really terrify younger parents, I will say it this way:  It feels like your heart is being ripped out of your chest.  I got in the car promptly to let my husband say goodbye and to save my son from seeing his mother lose it and proceeded to sob for much of the 1:45 drive home.
• Texting is a gift to college parents.  My college daughter and I text every day, sometimes multiple times a day.  I knew this would not be the case with my son, so I have a few tricks up my sleeve, in case they are needed, to receive "proof of life" return texts.  But I'm happy to say that I have not needed to resort to them just yet, as he has been pretty good about texting us this past week.  And when he doesn't respond, I don't mind, because it means he is busy and out making friends. But as I thought when my daughter went to school, I thought now again, "my poor parents!".  My sister and I left home, and my parents had to go days and days without knowing how we were doing, and then when we did talk, it was once or twice a week, in timed phone calls so the bill wouldn't be exorbitant.  Parents today get to text whenever they want, and Facetime their college kids.  I am so very thankful for technology as a college parent! (I blogged about this when my daughter left for college as well - you can read about that here.) 
• Younger parents, I hope you're still reading this part:  While it is incredibly hard to let your child go away, I have learned now, doing it twice, that I can do it.  I know it will sting each time (I have three more drop offs to manage!), but I also know that this is what I want for my son/daughter, and that they are ready to soar!  Hearing from the newly minted college student that he/she is doing well soothes the ache tremendously, and reminds my mamma's heart that this is what should be.  That while the time for their leaving comes way too quickly for my heart, I know it is what is best for them.  And knowing that takes away a bit of the sting.
• My final thought:  My children are not alone when they are away.  With both of our kids so far, as they've chosen a college and prepared to leave home, we've actively talked with them about finding a church to attend and ways to find a faith community at their schools.  What comfort it brings me to know that they are meeting people who share their faith, and attending worship and communing with other Christians. And most importantly, God is ever present at their side.  As my husband and I pray for our children who've left the nest, we can take great comfort in knowing that God is with them even when we cannot be.  What a joy to know that they are never alone.

The Graduate, Part Two

 It seems to have taken me forever to blog about this, but better late than never!  My son, our second child, has graduated from high school and will be leaving for college two weeks from today.  

This child has had all the crazy thrown at him his senior year. . .no prom, no awards night, no spring show, no saying goodbye to friends on the last day of school.  He walked out of school on Mar. 13, not knowing he wouldn’t be back. He decided on a college to attend while quarantined.  He took AP exams online with the rest of the country (amid all sorts of technological challenges), and he watched his graduation date get bumped out to July.  He wrote his salutatorian speech at home and practiced with his buddy the valedictorian over FaceTime. He attended his baccalaureate and graduation wearing a mask, but still was able to share his heart with his classmates.  We took pictures with his friends, in masks, because hey - this is the memory! His grad party had to be amended time and time again due to a number of obstacles, but we were able to carry on and celebrate him and his achievements.  And now, in two weeks, he will be leaving the nest.  Sniff, sniff.

If covid has taught us all anything, it’s to appreciate the important things in life (and also to be very, very flexible).  And man, I appreciate this boy.  From his crazy humor to his philosophical discourses, from his deep theological pondering to his constant banter with his siblings and us, I enjoy this child young man. Our house is a better place with him in it.  

And now he will be leaving. BUT - if you can believe it, I have so wanted him to get to go.  As everything has been so tenuous, my biggest hope has been that my college kids get to GO to school. And it looks like he will be able to and I’m so thankful.  I am going to miss him with a fierce ache, but he’s so ready for this.  He’s been ready for a year, and now we get to watch him spread his wings and fly.  

Saying I’m so proud of him doesn’t sound quite right — it connotes some sort of achievement on my part. But I am so proud of who he has become and is becoming.  A man of strong moral character, a deep faith, a quick wit and a man who works hard to achieve his goals.  It’s hard to believe the time has (almost) come for him to fly from the nest, but I know he’s ready.  And that means I’ll be ready too.

Mosquitoes, Burritos, and Shivs, oh my!

We got home from camping in the UP last night, and I have been doing laundry nonstop since then (aside for a scant 7-hour too-short sleep).  I have two loads to go to be caught up (and then I'll start in on what we've been accruing since we got home!).  BUT -- the laundry and post-vacay long list is worth it!  A few of my thoughts about our trip:

• Beauty:  We stayed near/on Lake Superior our entire stay, and it was beautiful!  Cold, but gorgeous.  I love the water (to look at, not so much be out on), and the backdrop of rocky formations/towering grassy hills and radiant sunsets filled my heart up.  We hiked high and far and took in as many views as possible.  I also soaked up the beauty of the people around me:  my 10-year-old daughter dancing on the shoreline, silhouetted by the brilliant sun, hair flying, and the laughter and frivolity of my husband, boys and youngest daughter playing in freezing Superior (whoever didn't catch the ball had to go under - brrr!). 
• Wildlife:  While this trip didn't offer as many wildlife sightings as other trips have, we saw a few species that were noteworthy:  Eagles (at least two swooping overhead, low), raccoons (two of which were fighting one night just next to/under our pop-up bed over trail mix we had forgotten was in a hiking backpack), biting flies (causing bumps and bites galore until the wind/rain drove them away after several days), and mosquitoes (see biting fly explanation).
• Entrepreneurship: In a throwback to a trip we took several years ago, the three younger kids recreated their "Grilled Cheese Business".  One lunch near the end of our trip, we were served by hilarious waitstaff and short order cooks.  Once again, we kaboshed the attempted sandwich named "Grilled Cheesus".  Bonus:  they even took Apple Pay!
• Music:  Every year for our trips, we come home solidly having chosen a theme song for the trip, usually one that we have played multiple times on all our long drives.  This year we didn't drive nearly as much (only about 18-20 hours total) and a theme song was unclear.  One child was trying to declare it "Copa Cabana", but there's no sense in forcing important things like theme songs.  After a bit of floundering, someone declared it Tchaikovsky in general, due to my eldest son playing it often in his headphones and for us.  (Sidenote - I attempted to type Tchaikovsky's name above, waiting for spell check to help me, and I got it right on the first try.  This is a valuable life skill, surely?)
• Extended Family:  The first part of our trip was spent with my whole family, and it was so lovely to spend time with all of them.  My mom and dad and my sister and I have a text thread we've dubbed the "Fab Four", and for one of the afternoons there, the Fab Four (plus one fabulous niece**) spent the day shopping in Houghton's cute downtown.
• A true getaway:  While we did mask up every time we went indoors anywhere, being in the UP really felt like we were away.  Fewer people, fewer crowded areas, and fewer thoughts of Covid.  Hours would go by and I would forget about the virus and all it entails.  It was great to leave it all behind for a bit before we gear up for the fall and everything that will be happening as we return to school.
• Doppelgangers: One of our boys has really light blonde hair, and the kids were amazed at how many little boys we saw who looked like their brother when he was young.  Every where we turned, there was our almost-fourteen-year-old as a toddler again.  It made my heart hurt a bit, remembering the adorable little guy he was.
• Catchphrases:  While we didn't seem to settle in on a theme song, we had no shortage of ridiculous phrases being thrown around constantly. I realize these will make no sense to anyone else, but I document them here for family posterity:  Chungus, filthy hekker, it's a Chewsday, innit?, 3,2,1 burrito!, and also the random rude armpit noise. 
• Weaponry: Over the course of about a week, one of my boys took to whittling.  It was a little nerve-wracking, watching him handle a knife wildly as he worked on his masterpiece.  But it turns out the finished product was more terrifying than the process in which it was created.  His shiv was wielded at anyone who offended him, and he was often seen stroking his face with the point of the blade in a most creepy manner.  Lest he stab himself with it while we were driving, I had to take possession of it on the way home.
• Near misses:  One of our boys really wanted to visit a nearby mine, but it was too expensive for us to all tour, so we had to skip it. Several days later, we took a hike through an old mining area.  One of my children kindly suggested that they throw their brother into the mine since he missed the experience earlier.  Soon comparisons to Joseph and covering his clothes in goat's blood were being thrown around.  You'll be glad to know that no children were hurt during our mine hike.
• Games:  Though we played several games, one stands head and shoulders above the rest: Throw Throw Burrito.  Given to us to try by our youth director just before we left, we had hours of fun screaming "Burrito Brawl" and "3,2,1 Burrito", then rapidly flinging squishy burritos at each other.  Of course, on a campsite, where many other people were nearby, no matter how "quietly" we played, our game drew attention.  Our neighbors at one of our sites had two small boys, who covertly laid under their camper to watch us, and who we later heard yelling, "3,2,1 Burrito".  The squishy burritos are looking a little bedraggled now.
• Shoes: One of my boys brought an extra pair of shoes that he was trying to keep nice.  He laid them in between his seat and his sister's in the way back of the car.  When my husband would brake quickly, he would stick out his arm (mom-arm style) to keep the shoes from falling to the floor.  My eldest daughter, sitting back there with him,  recounted this to us during one ride.  She finished the story, laughingly with this: "And you know the worst part?  I've started sticking my arm out to save the shoes now too!"

Ah, family vacations.  Equal parts beauty, family time, laughter and joy.  And also some random complaining and fighting, but hey, nothing's perfect!   I'm thankful we have been able to take these family camping trips, even as the kids get older (and with coronavirus messing up so many plans!).  Till next summer, vacation!  Thanks for all the memories!

**Lest I get a big head after my euphoria over spelling Tchaikovsky's name correctly, my first attempt at spelling niece did not go as smoothly as typing Russian composer's names).