Here and There

Here we are in the middle of November already! Thanksgiving will be here before we know it.

Due to some grounding, our boys spent a few days earlier this month without their screens: tv, video games, computers, etc. They couldn't play with friends either. Or eat any of their Halloween candy. Why does this kind of punishment end up punishing the parents too? However, after the first day, I kind of enjoyed the no screens rule. Braylen found his kids cookbook and picked out a recipe. We went to the store and he bought his own tube of biscuits to make monkey bread! (he insisted he pay for it himself.) I'm sure the cashier thought I was a nutcase when my 10 year old pulled out his wallet to buy the biscuits and a pack of gum. A Friday off from school, grounded, and yet--we had a great day.

the finished product :)

Braylen and Kaleb put on an amazing show for us last week at their school programs! Kaleb sang his way through the holidays from January through December. He even had a speaking part for a patriotic holiday--Veteran's Day. Kaleb LOVES anything related to Washington DC, presidents, and American History. His teacher unknowingly picked a perfect part for him. He did such a good job at the microphone. :)

waiting for his cue, and tucking his lower lip under his teeth while he waits--cutie pie

Braylen sang his way through the decades, beginning with music from the 1900's. My favorites were "Blue Suede Shoes" from the 50's, "I Wanna Hold your Hand" from the 60's, "Lean on Me" from the 70's, and "We Built This City" from the 80's! For weeks I've been listening to Braylen sing these oldies around the house and it's been lots of fun to hear! It surprised me to hear my son singing Elvis and Beatles songs at first. Especially since he knew more words to them than I did! It humbled me to see the kids on stage dressed 80's style. Did we really look like that? It also took me back...music has a way of doing that. The girls were so cute in their leg warmers and big hair. The boys looked like little studs in their rolled-up jeans and spiked hair. Braylen did a great job with his speaking part too. He spoke of music videos and MTV transforming the music industry. In the car on the way to the program, Braylen put the accent on the word industry like this--inDUStry, rather than INdustry. Cute. :) During his program though, he said it correctly.

jeans with a tight-roll, polo shirt with collar sticking up, and spiked hair! 80's boy!

Aaron earned a reward last week--a new set of Lego's. He's my only son who really enjoys Lego's, and I have fun helping him put them together. I'm not surprised he's such a Lego's fan. He's always enjoyed puzzles, stringing beads--anything that involves fine motor skills. I like to think that means he might be blessed with a patient spirit. :)



Our good friends Shawn & Rebekah showed up Nov. 12th to kick off deer season around here. Our house immediately goes from normal, everyday life to anything but normal! People coming and going, a 2 year old to keep track of and a 4 month old to snuggle with, garage transforming into meat processing central, dog going wild at the new smells... It's enough to keep my head spinning. Derek hunted with his dad, his friend Shawn, and Shawn's dad and brother. That's a lot of deer! My boys love watching them come home with their bounty. I'm glad they like it. I like to stay inside with Rebekah and watch a good chick flick. :) This adventure will last until the end of this week, so we have much more fun ahead of us. I'm thankful for a husband who keeps the mess outside. My kitchen is NOT used for any of his processing or clean up. Thank goodness! I did find a red leaf on the floor inside tonight--then I realized it wasn't a leaf... Oh well. Our freezer will be full and when I mix the meat with beef nobody will know the difference.

Derek on a recent turkey hunt with Braylen and Aaron.

Kaleb stayed home and had a breakfast date with me!

Derek and Shawn in the field

Aaron learned all about tendons and ligaments, and how they affect movement...backstraps and tenderloins...Derek loved every minute of it with Aaron, and Aaron had lots of questions for Daddy!

As I wrap this up, I have one thought from Aaron. Tonight he said, "Is a person a boy or a girl?" What a reminder to me that my kids are just that--kids. I'd like to enjoy them more and fuss over them less. As the song says, "Just let them be little..."

Kaleb working on his math homework with a smile :)