surprise

We took Lucas and Hannah on a "surprise" trip.  We didn't tell them anything about where we were going, just that it was a surprise trip.  Lucas loved the anticipation!  We went to the Antique Carousel in Story City.  I thought we could all ride, but once I went with Lucas the first time I realized it wouldn't be a good idea for Hannah.  Brent and I were both surprised at how fast the carousel went.  We each rode with Lucas several times as he rode the horses, the pig, the dog, the rooster and in the booth seat.  The Carousel is located at a park, so we enjoyed playing there, too.  Then we went to Ames for pizza and ice cream.

Fun for all and a great surprise!

fishin' for real

The first time Brent took Lucas fishing there were no bites.  Lucas was patient and enjoyed it, looking forward to going again.  The second time, we went to Marc's pond and boy, was it a success!

The fish were hungry for worms!  I don't think Lucas went more than two minutes with a cast out before getting a bite.  He loved it!  He asked why we were throwing the fish back in the water and not going to eat them for supper.  :)

Hannah was pretty content to sit and watch. Of course, there was some entertainment from Brother.

I could watch these two play for hours.  She L.O.V.E.S. her brother and he L.O.V.E.S. her!  Do you think it will last?  

the two of them

dressed up from church ... a beautiful sunny day so I thought I'd take a shot... or twenty.

The Very Hairy Caterpillar

We made this very hairy caterpillar at family fun night at daycare a month or so ago.

It was fun and easy!  Lucas loved checking on it and watering it. 

Here are the directions for your own hairy caterpillar: http://familyfun.go.com/crafts/very-hairy-caterpillar-847654/

Materials

4 cups potting soil
4 tablespoons quick-sprouting grass seed (we used ryegrass seed)
Small yogurt container or paper cup
Knee-high nylon stocking
Colorful ponytail holders
Scissors
Plastic bag

Bobby pin
Googly eyes
Pipe cleaner
Small pom-poms

Instructions

1. Combine the potting soil and grass seed in a large bowl.
2. Cut the bottom from a small yogurt container or paper cup for a funnel, then slide a knee-high nylon stocking over it.
3. Pour or spoon 3⁄4 to 1 cup of the soil mixture into the stocking, then slide a colorful ponytail holder over the end of the stocking to section off the pocket of soil. Repeat this process to make 5 soil-filled segments. Tie a knot in the top of the stocking and trim away any excess nylon.

4. Submerge the caterpillar in water for 10 minutes, then place it in a plastic bag and let it sit overnight.

5. Remove the bag and loop a semi-straightened bobby pin through the front of the stocking, then glue a googly eye onto each end of the pin. For antennae, cut a pipe cleaner in half, glue a small pom-pom onto one end of each half, and stick them in place.

6. Set your caterpillar on a plate by a sunny window* and generously water the whole thing every other day. Your critter should sprout hair in about 4 to 5 days.

*We put ours outside and he gots lots of sunlight!

Fair prep

I've been putting in a lot longer and out-of-the-ordinary hours lately.  This has not gone unnoticed by the 3 1/2 year old at our house.  He wants to know where I've been and what I've been doing.  Simply put, I tell him I am working on getting ready for the fair.  He gets that.  He wants to know when it will be time for the fair.  Remember, he doesn't really have a concept of days or weeks; we just say "soon." 

Waking him up the other day, deep from his slumber he grumbles (eyes still shut and body curled up), "Is it fair day today?" 
"No buddy, not today."
"Soon?"
"Yes, soon." 

One of his favorite phrases lately is "I have a great idea" or "Isn't that a great idea?"  I try to say something during the waking up process that grabs his attention and makes him forget about being tired, "Lucas, I have a great idea."
"What?"
"When you and Hannah and Daddy come to the fair, will you show Hannah all of the animals?"
"Yeah!  That's a great idea."

I, of course, love that Lucas is so excited about the fair.  I hope Hannah loves it, too.  It will be here "soon."  And I will be absent from blogging...

Heaven is For Real

(excerpted from http://heavenisforreal.net)

Heaven Is for Real is the true story of the four-year old son of a small town Nebraska pastor who during emergency surgery slips from consciousness and enters heaven. He survives and begins talking about being able to look down and see the doctor operating and his dad praying in the waiting room. The family didn't know what to believe but soon the evidence was clear.

Colton said he met his miscarried sister, whom no one had told him about, and his great grandfather who died 30 years before Colton was born, then shared impossible-to-know details about each. He describes the horse that only Jesus could ride, about how "reaaally big" God and his chair are, and how the Holy Spirit "shoots down power" from heaven to help us.

Told by the father, but often in Colton's own words, the disarmingly simple message is heaven is a real place, Jesus really loves children, and be ready, there is a coming last battle.

* * * * * * * * * * * * *

My friend Kristy let me borrow this book. Oh my goodness, what a fabulous story to tell!  My heart ached as Todd described the fear and anxiety he and Sonja went through when they didn’t know what was wrong with Colton and then, as they rushed him into emergency surgery. As a parent, all we want to do is protect our children. When we can’t, it is terrifying.

Colton's story starts when he is about the same age Lucas currently is.  Maybe that is why it resounded with me.  The conversations Colton had about his experience sounded just like comments Lucas could have made.  He didn't get stuck on the "how," "what if," and "why" of it.  It is the innocent perspective that intrigued me. 

I am glad I read it and would encourage others to put it on their reading list.