The Fort

We have been on Christmas break for almost 2 weeks now. Mike had decided before break, that he would really like to build a for with/for the boys. Now, knowing Mike, I knew that he was not talking about the kind with blankets and chairs. Nor was he talking about attaching box es together and cutting windows. They would be too...weak, too...ordinary, too...temporary.

When Mike builds a fort he starts with craft sticks, and builds a model
es together and cutting windows. They would be too...weak, too...ordinary, too...temporary.

When Mike builds a fort he starts with craft sticks, and builds a model.

Once he has his ideas mapped out, he heads to the hardware store.

He got 2 willing boys to help him. Austin was able to tighten screws. Adam was pulling off stickers, and doing other odd jobs.

Austin was asked to get the camera at one point. Of course...

He had to have a little fun while walking to the fort site. :)

This is the beginning of the first level. (Mike does not tend to build 1 level play things. Just remembering our tree house at our old house)

Mike is putting in interesting windows, hinges, etc. I will be sure to post finished pictures.

We were coming home from my sister's today, Mike said, "I can't wait to work on the fort again." Sometimes I wonder who this is really for...Mike or the boys :)

The Funny Things They Say

When my boys are talking, sometimes the things they say are SO close to what they want to say.

The other day, Adam was looking at some recycling. He was telling me about the arrows, and what they mean. He said, "They mean 'Reproduce, Reuse, Recycle.'" Adam, you are so close...it is actually, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. :)

Recently, when Austin was with my two year old niece, he was making some comment about her bottom. The comment ended with "big bottom." He got a funny look on his face and looked at me and pointedly said, "I don't know how to talk to women." Austin, you will learn how to talk to women, just remember to NEVER tell them they have a big bottom. :)

Events This Week

December tends to be a busy month. With Christmas this months and many different events that accompany it, the days can fill before we know it.

Last Sunday, the boys were in the church Christmas play. Austin was a Bethlehem Kid, and Adam was a Shepherd Kid. The "teams" did not get along well, but they realized that Jesus was born so we could have peace on earth. In the end the kids became friends.



In Adam's Sunday School class there are several girls, but only 4 boys. The director of the play decided it would be really cute to have those 4 boys be in something of a "Barber Shop Quartet"


She went as far as to add the hats. They had about 2 lines to sing as a quartet. I thought they did a magnificent job.



It's not the clearest picture, but aren't they cute?



This is the whole group. There were about 50 children in all. Austin is in the group on the right. He is in the middle row, second from the right. Adam is in the group on the left. He is on the right hand side (He is actually looking to the side.) It was a great performance. They practiced a lot, put a lot of work into and the play turn out beautifully.

Friday they had a Christmas school sing-a-long. The whole school got together, sang some Christmas carols. They also had the violin students come up to play some songs.


I couldn't be there, but Mike got video for me and still pictures for my blog :) Austin is second from the right.

Then the Waterman singers got up to sing some songs.

Austin is on the right hand side--just down from the boy in yellow. They sang some of the same songs they did a week earlier at Barnes and Noble. But, they did such a great job. I am really proud of Austin and the groups he is in this year.

Several weeks ago, a neighbor brought over an invitation to a Mexican Festival of Las Posadas (meaning "the Inns") So, Friday night the boys attended this party. They actually dressed as Shepard's and went to several houses and sang:

Who will offer a place to sleep
for the weary pilgrims
they are so tired from their walk
on these long and dusty roads

They were denied at the first 3 houses, but at the 4th house (the house where they started) they were at first denied, then they realized it was Mary and Joseph, they let them in. They had cookies and empanadas (it reminded me of deep fried cheese tacos--they didn't taste bad, but I'm not sure how healthy they were). Then the children went tot he basement and made pine cone bird feeders, then they had 2 pinatas to break. They had so much fun! I do hope they do this again next year.

Saturday, we went to my parents church where they had a walk through Bethlehem. It was interesting to watch the boys. Austin went ahead, then came back with us, then went ahead, then came back. I'm sure he saw everything several times. Adam would stop at each "station" and ask questions: "How will we know which stable the baby will be in?" "How does the potter make the pots?" "Why does the potter need warm water?" "What does the Hebrew scroll say?"
I have to say, some of his questions were pretty impressive. Then we went in for cookies and fellowship. The boys would go in and out. When I asked what they were doing out in the cold the replied they were hanging out by the fire. When I thought later about that response, I thought I wonder if that is what the kids of that time did. Instead of hanging out at a shoppe, they might hang out by the fire by the Inn (or something of the sort) :)

We have had a busy week, but it has been filled with wonderful Christmas activities. I hope the boys are enjoying them as much as I did.

Austin's Concert

Austin has joined the Waterman Singers this year. It is a group of 3rd and 4th graders that get together about once a week, sing, practice, and have an overall good time.

Yesterday, they had their Holiday Concert at the local Barnes and Noble. Our school was having a "Barnes and Noble Night," so this just added to the fun.

Austin is on the far right (with his hands in his pockets).

They did a great job singing! They had really fun songs. All the kids seemed to enjoy singing, and the audience enjoyed hearing their beautiful music.

As they were singing I looked at Austin. I couldn't believe how grown up he looked!

My little boy is not so little anymore.

Adam Graduated

I got this news a few months ago. It officially happened the end of October, and it has taken me this long to post this wonderful news!

ADAM HAS GRADUATED!!--from speech.

Adam had some speech issues as a young child. When Austin entered 1st grade, I was talking to his teacher about this "problem." She said, "Amy, have him evaluated for speech." She told me that her son had to do speech, she would bring her magazines to school once a week. She got to catch up on her reading while he was in speech. I started the process immediately!

I started writing the words that he said incorrectly, and how he pronounced them. About 4 months later, he entered into speech.

This was actually a fun time for him. Adam had not entered into school yet. So, we scheduled the day and time. That morning was busy, but Adam loved it. First we packed his lunch, then went to the library (he didn't want to miss story time), headed to school--Adam went to speech, I went to volunteer in Austin's class. Then we went to eat lunch with Austin.

The next year he was in Kindergarten. By that time there were only a few sounds that needed work--rather than the pages of sounds that he started with.

Adam loved his time with his speech teachers (they changed once he went to Kindergarten), they are both lovely ladies, and fun to work with. In fact, he would talk about the fun things he did with them. One time I heard Austin say, "I wish I could go to speech." Adam told him, "Just mix up some sounds..." I told him that he did not need to do that! We had a discussion afterward about that!

The funny part about him having speech in school: His teacher would have about 2 students to work with at one time. That way they could play games, it just made it more fun. When I would ask Adam how speech went, he would be sure to give me an update on the sounds that the other student was working on, and how they were doing as well.

He no longer needs to go. His speech is great! I am so impressed with these ladies that have worked with him over the years.