Wisdom

Micah today at the Aquarium:
"See that group of fish, that's a school of fish. Oh and see that fish in the front by himself? That's the teacher."

Last Day of Kindergarten

Today was Micah's last day of Kindergarten. They sang a few songs and his teacher handed out certificates. It was very low key: no mortar boards or Pomp and Circumstance. His teacher than handed out a book to each child (en Espanol) that she had picked out for them, along with a class picture that they could have each child sign. It was so sweet. Here is a video of his class singing "Colores":

Here is a clip of Micah's class doing the weather and calendar just so you can see what his Spanish Immersion program is like.

Afterwards my Dad, Micah and I went out to lunch. Micah could pick anywhere .... and he picked Burger King; because of the playground. I swear, if more places put in those playgrounds they would get more business! We then went over to Coldstone. Micah throughly enjoyed his "Mommy and Micah" time!

What is it with our kids?

When Micah was about 3, shortly after Joel was born I awoke to hearing him saying "I have poopy on me, I have poopy" Great, another poop accident to clean up. I reluctantly get out of bed to clean him up in the bathroom only to find him at the sink with BLOOD ALL OVER HIS FACE! Apparently, he didn't know what blood was and called it poopy. He had found one of my razors and was attempting to "do like Daddy does" and shave his face.

Well, fast forward about 3 years to tonight. I hear footsteps back and forth upstairs, but quietness. I'm cleaning up the kitchen, so I ignore him because he's quiet. 1st mistake. He is continuing to make noise, Aaron goes upstairs to put him back to bed. I go up a while later after I still hear him running around. Joel runs into the bathroom and he has blood all over his mouth. He had someone found a razor and tried to shave and cut his lip.

Geez, when am I going to learn to lock up my razors?

Cooking Class

Last Saturday Micah and I went to a cooking class at PCC. Micah loves to cook but I've been hesitant to put him any cooking classes because of his food allergy. Most kid food is heavy on the cheese. But at PCC they emphasize healthy, organic cooking (PCC is like Whole Foods). So, in the class we made zucchini muffins, vegetable soup and applesauce. The only dairy was milk for the muffins, but that was easily substituted with soy milk.

I've also been hesitant about cooking classes because I feel that I could just do the same thing at home. However, the class gave me a lot of good ideas about getting Micah involved in the process. Also, the teacher is a professional chef who wrote the recipes herself. They were very very yummy and gave me some great ideas too! So it wasn't just "kid" food, but adult food too!

If you live in the area, I would highly recommend their classes.

On the school front, Micah has been doing great, but having some "sitting still" issues that I'm sure many boys have in kindergarten. He is diligent about doing his work but when it comes to sitting on the carpet and listening, well, not so much. He had to "change his light to amarillo" twice last week. This week he kept it verde all week, so we are going to Chuck E. Cheese this weekend as a reward. He also started riding the bus to and from school, which has helped me out immensely! In the afternoon it is only kindergarteners since he is in half-day. He loves it because there is only one half-day class so he knows everyone on the bus. In the morning it is K-5 on the bus. A little scary for him, so he is getting used to it. The kids in Micah's class seem like great kids. All the parents seem like they are really involved. The Mom's are planning our own field trips in the afternoons since they won't be having field trips for half-day. I think its going to be super fun to be able to do that with him this year.

How's your school year going?

Looks like I spoke too soon

So, I guess we could have stayed longer in Whistler after all. We arrived home late Saturday night, and went school shopping Monday-- only to discover Monday evening that there would be no school the next day..... Or the next ....or the next ...or the next day. Yep, still no school because the teacher's are on strike. Guess I will homeschool after all. This is getting to be ridiculous! The two parties are still no closer together than they were in June. Thank goodness this is only kindergarten. Imagaine what a pain this is for all the high school juniors and seniors with set dates for SAT and AP exams.

In Absentia

Okay, I haven't fallen off the face of the earth. I'm planning to update on what we've been up to this summer:
1. Mt. Rainier pictures and stories.
2. My Dad and Betty got married!
3. summer activities
4. Ethan's progress

I also celebrated a birthday yesterday. Yay, me. They threw a huge party for me in Beijing!

Now I have to brag for just a minute. Micah, age 5 1/2, currently knows more about geography then most adults. Yesterday he was putting together a world puzzle. It was halfway done and he pointed to Italy and identified it. Then proceeded to tell me where Sicily was located. Today we were playing a geography game where you draw a country card and then identify where it is located. We were working on Africa when I drew "Lesotho", which is located in the middle of South Africa. (I got it wrong!) We were looking at where it was located and Micah points to the country next to South Africa and says, "That's Swaziland". He was correct! How does he know this???? I didn't even know that. I've heard of Swaziland, and I could tell you it was in Africa, but I had no idea where it was located. Now I know.

Apparently its because of this website.

Is this really possible???

STOP THE PRESSES!
Ethan made it through an entire feeding period with NO SPIT UP!!!

YES!

And he was very happy this morning, too, playing, talking and smiling.

Thank you Lord! What a simple pleasure of life, not having spit up all over you, your floor and the baby!

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In other news...
The other day Micah decided he wanted to make his own Baby Einstein video. He decided what music to use (Beethoven's 5th) and what toys he wanted to use. He made a list of all the toys and taped it to the wall. I was the cameraman, but he directed and starred in the show. Joel was the unintentional "co-star". Once I figure out how to upload videos I will post it here.

This is for Jodi

We were going through some old cd's and Micah saw one of my old cd's by The Monkees. You know what he said? "Mom! Its like Word World!"

Definitions by Micah

Parrots: They fly around and make baby parrots

Skill: Something under your skin in your blood (as in skeleton)

Curiosity: Something you shouldn't do

Humble Faith

So the morning began with a bang, so to speak. (see post below about vortex.) But by the middle of the day I was humbled by my 4 almost 5 year old.

We have been praying with Micah that God would heal his eyes (he has strabismus, a form of lazy eye) and that God would heal his milk allergy. Today at the grocery store he looked worried and in thought. I asked him what he was thinking about. He said, "Mama, when God heals my milk allergy, can I eat things with milk in them?" (emphasis mine) Not if, but when. To him it is a reality, not wishful thinking, that God will heal him. My son can teach me a thing or two about faith.

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Yesterday Micah asked me what day the baby was coming. I told him only God knows, so he should pray and ask him. He did, then I asked him what God said. Micah said God told him the baby was coming on Saturday. Now, I didn't ask him to specify WHICH Saturday.