Guess How Many

How many?

There are 100 interlocking cubes. The same number as days of school, so far. Technically, though, Vanessa has only gone 99 days. It is hard to believe she's more than halfway.

And just so you know, it's hard to balance a tower of 100 interlocking cubes. Vanessa was very careful keeping it together. She's also exceeded my expectation for the number of green faces she would earn. Green faces to date = 100%. We're saving them and grouping them by fives.  We had originally planned to make bar graphs with the expectation to at least compare the number of green faces to yellow faces. To our surprise, though, the green bar has grown too long. And so far there is no yellow bar to compare to it.

You can't guess the number of times I will say that I'm proud of her for giving it her all > infinity X infinity.

Kissy Monsters

He is her friend and competitor, supporter and beggar, companion and snitch, and most frightening of all, her carbon copy.

Believe it or not, although maybe more daring, he might be slightly calmer.

Update: Vanessa just asked me how I made her hair like that. I replied "I didn't do that to you. You did your own hair while sleeping in bed." Vanessa: "You mean I woke up like that?!"

Disciplinary

“Play is the highest form of research.”

~Albert Einstein 

Our studies vary, depending on interests and readiness. Skills are incorporated into everything. If I venture outside of my own perspective and attempt to view things from theirs, I realize the opportunities for their learning are endless. Sometimes I'm good at taking note.

Mathematics and the Arts

Zane loves to count from three to eight, and almost always beginning at three, not one. Counting crayons he put into a tube was no different: "Fee, are, ive, ick, evin. . . . Ta-dah!" And then he figured out how to draw in multiple colors by moving the tube around . . . and of course it works as a sea scope too -- "Argh!"

Anatomy 

Zane's curiosity left both of us puzzled -- this mannequin has no feet! I would not have noticed if it weren't for noticing his interest.

"Education is learning what you didn't even know you didn't know."

 ~ Daniel J Boorstin

More Mathematics and the Arts and a Little Science Too

Zane chose to add blue to the water -- no surprise, really. And he enjoys measuring cups and spoons. I wonder how many cupfuls will fill the tub . . .? We'll leave that one for a future study.

Pedology

It's gritty and moist and it stains. And earthworms seem to love it.

Architecture

Which door opens? How many rooms? How many windows? Is it safe?

Chemistry and Home Economics

Glossy

He's quite captivating even without the gloss. I just wanted to help his sister clean her room. I should have known better with his persistent fascination for applying my toiletries and makeup. If he's not using his sister's (which she willingly gives,) he's on a hunt for Mommy's. If you're with him and he's quiet, check the cabinet in the bathrooms and the catchall bowl by the front door. It will be likely he's in one of those places rather than captivated by appropriate entertainment. Sometimes, though, we allow a reasonable moment or two with the less likely to get something done. But that moment doesn't always go as smoothly as I would prefer. :)

Dedicated to Trying

(Picture was taken soon after the dedication ceremony on 12.2.2012. We are still waiting on our family picture to share.)

On December 2nd,  we finally were able to stand in front of our church to demonstrate our commitment to  raise our most precious gifts to know and honor God according to His Word and will, and until they are able to make personal decisions to follow Him. Following the gift of eternal life, I'm a believer that children ARE the most precious gift God has given us. I don't want to imply that our ability to have children is the gift, but yet children in this world are our most precious gift -- be it through blood or whatever means, their mere presence in this world is the most precious gift.

Before children came along, Adam and I made promises to God. So we've wanted to make this commitment publicly for a long while. Since Vanessa arrived, we found it challenging to find a church home. But God kept bringing us back to Northwest Bible. I'm not even certain He plans for us to stay there for the long haul, but we have finally surrendered and accepted that God has purposely put us there for now.

We hope and pray Vanessa and Zane fully understand one day just how important December 2, 2012 is to us and to them. Pastor Ken presented each of the children with a letter that they can reference later, reminding them of the special day and of our hopes and dreams for them. I've included here the most treasured parts of the letter:

"Dear Vanessa [and Zane]…

… Although you are too young to understand it now, Sunday was a very special day in your life… Your mother and father…came to show that they had given you to the Lord, to be used of Him in whatever way He chooses… 

… Nothing in your life is as important as knowing that you are a child of God…

…I am writing this letter with hopes that your parents will keep it for you to read when you are older. What happened on Sunday has given you a wonderful foundation for a life that brings glory to God. He has a very beautiful plan for your life; and it is my prayer, along with your parents, that as you grow up you will follow Him with all of your heart!"

~Pastor Ken Harrell

(1st Sidebar: Thinking of tragic, crushing and incomprehensible events and situations, especially involving children, leaves us emotionally confused and distraught. God doesn't intend for us to be in such a state. A few short words cannot do justice, but our pastor did an amazing job sharing a message on the perspective to hold and direction for handling such tragedy involving our most precious gifts, like the one at Shady Hook Elementary. Check it out here: A Message from Pastor's Heart. If you decide to listen, set aside 30-45 minutes. You need to hear the whole message, not just bits and pieces. I have to rely some on the disciples of God with understanding beyond me to help me put the pieces together. ) 

(2nd Sidebar: At the point of almost every new year, I think about the things I want to try harder on. I discovered that my success rate is much better when I don't make hard-and-fast resolutions. One of the things always at the forefront of my thinking is praying more for others. I want to make prayer a part of our daily events. Some days I'm better than others. The two types we are almost always certain to get in are before eating and bedtime. We also pray before school. And Vanessa reminded me the day we forgot. Anyway, at my moms' group this month, we were gifted a card with thirty-one biblical virtues to pray for our children. Those can be found here: 31 Biblical Virtues to Pray for Your Children I recently realized that I often get caught up in the organizing of my prayers, and as a result, the task can be put off or I end up leaving out some of all I want to say. :) This card helps to direct at least 31 things I want to pray for my children, so I'm sharing the resource in case it might be helpful in directing others too.)