New friends

We decided to get Dennis a guinea pig. We were planning to visit the pet store on Sunday after attending the tea for our new pastors. I happened to check Facebook and saw a post from a friend asking if anyone wanted 2 guinea pigs. So we got 2 guinea pigs, cage, food, bedding, hay, book on their care, water bottle, food dish, and hideaway log, and it was FREE. What a blessing! Dennis has named them Flash and Spike. They are about a year old. They seem to like it here, and we enjoy their cute little personalities.

Bedtime negotiations

The proportion of how irritating Dennis can be exponentially increases as we pass the bedtime hour. Just now I told him it was almost 10:00 and he needed to go to bed. He informed me that he goes to bed at thirteen o' clock and not a minute before.

Just beachy

Dennis and I enjoyed a spectacular short getaway this week. We spent a night with Granny and explored Landmark Park, and then we were off to Panama City Beach to visit Gigi. It was breezy and perfect for most of our trip, and Dennis enjoyed a long morning beach frolic. He rolled in, built with, dug through, and immersed himself in sand. He made a friend, a fellow sand creature a year or so bigger than himself, and they happily alternated between wave jumping and beach excavation (all with ninja flair). I sat blissfully in my beach chair under an umbrella, enjoying the delicious breeze and gorgeous sea. And then a seagull pooped on my leg, so I enjoyed some ocean wading myself.

We swam in the pools. We played putt-putt and discovered that Dennis is not so bad at it. We shopped some, giving Dennis the opportunity to acquire for himself a very reasonably priced Thundercats sword, of which he is immensely proud. It makes sounds and extends, you see, and he used it to fight off invisible bad guys while we watched the dancing fountain show from a gazebo on the lake. I'm certain we left that gazebo a safer place.

I hope to raise Dennis to enjoy the journey as much as the destination. Daunted by the 4 hour drive home, I employed delay tactics. First, just as we made the turn away from the ocean, I changed my mind. A u-turn (safely and legally executed, of course) brought us to Pier Park for amusement park rides and lunch. I rode The Scrambler with Dennis and delighted in his giggles as he squished me against the outside of our seat during the fast turns. We eventually left Panama City and took a less traveled road home. We happened upon Ponce de Leon Springs State Park and stopped for a frigid swim. There might have been more detours if my traveling companion hadn't sacked out before 7pm. He was not thrilled with the backwoods route. He said "Mom, there is no signal on my phone to watch movies. All I see is trees and a house every once in a while. Reading makes me carsick. WHY did we come this way?". True, there was little to spark imagination on the route. I stopped and downloaded an audiobook to keep me company.

We are home now and have spent another water filled day, this time at the lake. We enjoyed time with good friends and a fun kayak jaunt down river. We've had summer fun in abundance!

Aqua freedom

Memorial Day weekend nearly always marks the beginning of summer lake swimming. Today was no exception, though the water was extremely refreshing (chilly). We enjoyed ourselves despite the cool of the water. Dennis tried out his kayak for the first time today. He seemed to intuitively grasp the mechanics of paddling and steering. He didn't flip the kayak but did jump off so he could learn how to climb back on. He loves his kayak and is thrilled with his skills in piloting it. We are pleased at its sturdiness and maneuverability and its resistance to flipping. All those phrases about it being a kid friendly model in the online description were quite accurate. He can really zip around in the thing!

Hours in the water always make us hungry, and we shared yet another fine meal with family & friend. How relaxing it was to spend a recreation day on the water, to share good company and conversation. Dennis put down the iPad (at our insistence) and was soon begging for more funny family stories. Though several family members were missed, the time was still well spent and highly enjoyable. And we are ready for a repeat tomorrow!

The graduate (g-rated)

Today Dennis' class had a little graduation party. His teacher asked them to raise their hands if they wanted to tell something they had learned this year in Kindergarten.  Dennis raised his hand but kept squirming out of his chair in his eagerness to share.  When he finally remained seated, she called on him and he had forgotten what he so desperately wanted to say. She asked what he'd learned in science, and he said they'd learned all the shapes.  She asked him to name a shape that he'd learned.  I don't know what I was expecting him to say, but it wasn't "rectangular prism", which was his answer.  He received his diploma and celebrated with his friends, and now he has finished his first year of elementary school.  Summer, here we come!

Show-off

Dennis attended a church event for 5th & 6th graders tonight. It was big fun for him, especially since they were having shaving cream battles and wrestling in jello. After an hour, they all went in to clean up and change, and while they were eating, they all got out their iPods and phones. Dennis went to the car and got his phone, too. It caused a stir, as it always does. "YOU have an iPhone? And you're in what, KINDERGARTEN?" followed by, "Mrs. Christi, is that really his phone?". Yes, I tell them. I give the reasons, as usual. It was cheaper than an iPod touch or any of the Leap Frog learning devices. He can Face Time or text his grandparents, who are in another country. He always hogged our iPhones before he got one. Sure, there are infinite numbers of learning apps. Sure, I can call him if he's in the men's room too long. It has its benefits.

He told me in the car on the way home that he loves it when kids react that way to him having a phone, especially an iPhone. It reminds him of how fortunate he is. And it makes him feel cool enough to hang with the bigger kids. He's always kind enough to let others play with it, so I fear a little less that we are teaching him rampant materialism. He's very excited that he has a Bible app that he can read on his phone.

There, I think I've convinced myself that I'm not a terrible parent. iPhones are just terribly useful devices, and I'm glad that he enjoys it.

Grieving

I haven't written in quite a while! Dennis is still his wonderful, witty, fun self. He can read now, and I wonder how much longer I can feasibly blog about him without causing him embarrassment.

Lots of changes going on around here. Both our pastors have been appointed to other churches and will be leaving at the end of June. While I intend to stay put, I wonder what will happen to my ministry with a major change of leadership. And I love both our pastors and am so sad to see them go. How many more loved ones will move away from us? Dennis is handling it well, I think, but I know he will be terribly sad when it's time for them to go. One of them is not going far, just a half hour away, but our senior pastor is moving to Pensacola.

I suppose it is part of the growing up process (my own) to stay behind while people you love go on to other callings, but it's so difficult to remain behind!

So Kindergarten will end in just over 3 weeks, and Dennis and I are hoping for a fun summer together. We are both ready for a break from the intensity of our current routines! David has just started a new job that he loves, but it is a half hour away, and I'm missing our lunches together!

I probably should write more when I'm less sad. I hope to report soon that Dennis and David will be advancing to new belt levels after their upcoming Taekwondo testing on Friday.

Why, indeed

We are early for Taekwondo tonight. This works out well, since Dennis' girlfriend is in the child care room in the gym and he gets to hang out with her for a few minutes.

Last night we asked him to go and get his backpack so that he could do his homework. He wanted us to go and fetch it for him, and David told him it was his backpack and he needed to get it himself. He sighed (loudly) and asked (dramatically), "Why do I have to be responsible for all the stuff that's mine???". Life is hard when you have to pick up your own Legos.

serving

I'm so proud of Dennis for participating in the community's Great Day of Service. We had been scheduled to help clean the city cemetery, but we were moved to the elementary school instead. I'm so glad we worked there. What a wonderful outdoor space the children have now! In addition to the outdoor classroom area, we finished the greenhouse, put in a butterfly garden, hung birdhouses, repaired the bicycles that the children get to ride, put in a fish pond, and built a labyrinth with a birdbath at the center. We planted fruit trees, hung giant colorful metal butterflies on the trees, and put out bird feeders all over. By "we" I mean the 20+ volunteers that worked there today. Dennis and I worked on the labyrinth, moving bricks around and securing them in the pattern that was sprayed on the ground and then dug. I feel good that we improved their play space, but I'm even more thrilled that my son gets to spend time learning in this wonderful space!

Alternatives

Dennis could not wait to tell me about the most exciting part of his day. He had to go to the bathroom while he was with his Daddy, and there wasn't one available. So I got this: "Guess what! I peed in a Gatorade bottle for the first time today!!!". Does this imply there will be more times? I think I'll not drink any yellow Gatorade I find around here for a while.

Whoopee

It's good to be the fun parent. David and I were at the Dollar Tree and I slid a whoopee cushion into our basket. At the register he gave me that look he gets. I explained my plan and got his surprised approval. We inflated and installed said cushion in Dennis' carseat when we went to pick him up just now. He was shocked to see it, of course, and we learned that he didn't know what a whoopee cushion is. Suffice it to say that he quickly caught on to its purpose, and we've had a very fun ride home. I love those giggles!

end of the adventure? NOT!

It's 5 AM. We are almost back home, another 20 minutes or so and we will be there. We were scheduled to land in Birmingham at 7:40. That didn't happen by a long shot!

We were just a few minutes late for takeoff in Belize, indeed were headed down the runway at a pretty good clip when we felt and heard a large bang. Instead of lifting off, the plane slowed and then stopped. It felt like we'd hit a very large pothole. The captain announced that he had to abort takeoff and we would return to the gate to check out a maintenance issue. We returned to the gate and I heard a tiny boy from farther back in the plane yell, "Look, Daddy, it's a fire truck!". We looked out the window to see two yellow trucks with the words "Airport Crash and Fire Service" emblazoned on their sides. The captain came on the speaker again and announced that one of the engines had failed and the fire trucks were going to look us over. Everything seemed fine, and we deplaned to wait for another plane to arrive from the U.S. to retrieve us. What followed were 7 (more) hours in the tiny Belize airport. Many of the shops were closed for Good Friday. The snack bar bakery ran out of food. We bought 2 $9 bags of Doritos (yes, $9 U.S.), the big bags, and water before all the shops closed at 4:30. The airline provided sandwiches and Cokes for our supper, and the new plane arrived to a thundering round of applause at 7:30. We quickly boarded to head back to the USA.

But, Delta couldn't get us from Atlanta to Birmingham until 9:40 AM. I have to preside over a big egg hung at church at 10:00 AM. So we called on Superdave to pick us up in Atlanta, offering money for gas and some for his trouble, and he drove us the 3 hours back to Birmingham to collect our van from the airport. We are actually driving through our hometown, and I'm hoping for a 2 hour power nap before heading to church.

Imagine 9 hours in a tiny airport with an active 6 year old boy. He was as good as he could be, and we know what a trial it was for him. He fell asleep before the plane took off and gamely woke up for the trip through immigration. He's a seasoned traveler now! He introduced himself to lots of kids this week. Tonight in the airport he started his conversations with "can you believe our plane broke?". He used his phone to film himself making a documentary news report at the airport. What a great kid!

true tropical explorers

Our biggest accomplishment today: climbing the 130+ foot tall El Castillo monument at Xunantunich ruins. We had a stunning view of Belize and Guatemala from the top. Because we were just 2 miles from the Guatemalan border, the Belize army presence was noticeable and all were toting M-16s. We appreciate them keeping the tourists safe! Yes, we were safe from Guatemalans, but I'm amazed that we were allowed to climb to the top of El Castillo. It is not an easy feat to climb 1000+ year old steps and traverse stone ledges. Dennis had great fun going up but was not as thrilled with the way down. I enjoyed the views and am in awe that these Mayan structures are still standing all over Belize!

We also toured a Mennonite area and shopped at their market. We visited our first air conditioned store and restaurant. We stopped at a butterfly preserve and insect museum. This is most certainly a diverse place! I think we've had a wonderful sample of the area in our short time here. I'm not sure how long it would take me to get used to hearing toucans, parrots, or chirping geckos outside the window. And if you've never before heard a howler monkey, google it and listen. Wow!

Dennis has fully experienced a taste of another culture. He made friends with local children and seemed at ease ordering his meals and asking prices in the market. Today he learned how to operate a hand crank ferry. The ferry operator let him give it a try. He's interested in all he's seen and has had tons of questions. I hope he will remember what he's seen and experienced!

Another day in tropical paradise

You could call it paradise. It was overcast and breezy while we were hanging out at Placencia Beach, not the least bit hot, which is just how we like our beach time. Dennis made his sand angels and frolicked in the Caribbean and did not want to leave. We drove a long time to get to Placencia, but we were rewarded with breathtaking vistas of the Maya Mountains as we drove through them. We made a stop at Blue Hole National Park and observed one of the famous sinkholes. We stopped in Hopkins on our way back, just to see it, and if ever there was the complete opposite of a seaside resort town, Hopkins is it. We bought gas at some guy's house (shack)--they sold us 5 gallons and filled the car from a plastic gas can. Only a few people tried to sell us stuff at the beach (despite the signs prohibiting it), so it was much more enjoyable than our Mexico beach experiences. It's amazing to me how abject poverty exists right beside wealth (really, side by side shacks and nice homes) and no one looks down on others.

We are getting into the routine, cranking open the window slats to catch the evening breezes, brushing our teeth with bottled water, showering in cool water, wearing shoes everywhere indoors (scorpions, pinworms...). Last night it was pleasant enough that we enjoyed a couple of games of dominos before turning in. We actually needed our covers, too. The weather since Monday has been just wonderful. For the record, we could shower in hot water if we used Mom & Dad's bathroom, but it hasn't really been an issue.

There is so much jungle here! I haven't before seen mountains covered in palm trees. And we had never seen a banana farm before today. On our way to Hopkins we had to stop to let a dozen coatimundis cross the road. Everything is so exotic! The lifestyle is easier, slower, but there are so many adventures to be had: caving, exploring ruins, waterfall hikes, wildlife preserves, diving, snorkeling... And everything is so cheap! I can see many future vacations to Belize. I'm also surprised by the availability of Wi-Fi all over the place. It has been nice to check in!

Tomorrow is our last day. We considered boating out to the islands (and a real beach resort), but I think we are going to tour more Mayan ruins and a Mennonite settlement. Dennis is very excited about it!

Foreign!

We are adjusting to life without air conditioning. At night we open our window slats and have the fans blowing across us. Sunday the temperature reached 104 and Dennis got a bit overheated, but a cool shower fixed him right up. The bird song we hear outside our windows is a constant reminder that we are not in the USA. We hear toucans often but have not seen one as of yet.

Dennis likes Belize but wouldn't want to live in a country with no toy stores, he says. He enjoyed touring the ruins at Cahal Pech yesterday. This is the area's oldest Mayan settlement. It was amazing to explore rooms that were built 3000 years ago! We climbed and explored as much as we cared to before sharing a delicious lunch at San Ignacio Resort Hotel. We have eaten rice and beans several times--it comes with chicken, pork, or beef, and is accompanied by potato salad and fried plantains. It seems to be the staple meal around here. We are also enjoying lime juice and lots of fresh fruit, and chocolate croissants from the French Bakery.

Yesterday afternoon we played around at Rio on Pools, walking/wading/swimming around and having a lovely frolic. The road there was very exciting, to say the least, and we did enjoy views of the Mayan Mountains and Big Pine Ridge, where they are (sadly) suffering from the southern pine beetle that is the same critter busily eating up Alabama forests.

Today we will visit the Belize Zoo (the only thing I remember from my last vacation here, which was a short hop off the cruise ship). Dennis is very excited to see it. And tomorrow we will visit the beach! Things are slow and relaxed here. I have seen no traffic lights, and road lanes seem to be merely suggestions. Our shower is cold water only, but that was preferable the first day! Now that temps have settled in the low 80s with a breeze, we haven't been getting in the pool as often. It's overcast, and that's actually quite a bit nicer than a hot tropical sun beating down on us.

From 28,600 feet

After driving through some truly terrible weather, I'm happy to report that we are in route to Belize. I am posting this from the skies over Georgia. Dennis has loved the whole experience thus far, most especially riding the "plane train" though the Atlanta airport. He is happily playing his Nintendo right now while David naps and I continue to wish that I was one of those people who could sleep on planes.

big break

Tonight we have started to pack for our trip to Belize. We are all so ready for Spring Break! Dennis has been busy asking to do this, watch that, go here, play there... Tonight we sent him to put his pajamas on and he never returned. He'd put himself to bed. Every night this week he has fallen asleep as soon as his head hit the pillow. It'll be nice to maybe sleep in some in Belize!

birthday eve

Tomorrow a six year old will be living here. He's been celebrating for days, with an awesome party on Saturday with many of his friends. Cards and gifts have been arriving by mail. He is a loved little boy!

I'm proud of the prankster he's turned out to be. He loves a good joke. If we are snuggling in my bed (before he goes to his bed) and I lean up to get something, he will quickly and stealthily stick his hand in the spot I vacated so that I will lean back on it. He knows I hate this, and he laughs every time. I can't believe I still fall for it.

Tomorrow is Math & Science Day at his school, and parents are invited. We are very excited to be able to go. What a fun way to celebrate being born on Pi Day! Friday we get to do the cupcakes-at-school thing, and more partying will follow at the lake that evening. It must be fun to be Dennis!

enter the red ninja

Dennis was thrilled to receive his red belt at Taekwondo tonight. This is his 8th belt, and we are very proud of him! David received his green belt tonight. It looks like Christmas around here!

Preparations for the birthday party are cranking into high gear. We let him invite his entire class, and he told us "well, I started not to invite Blaze, but then I told him he could come. I told him he couldn't act all crazy, though, because my party will be at the CHURCH." I'm glad he's thinking ahead.

Dennis lost his second tooth yesterday at school and brought it home in a bag. The tooth fairy dutifully showed up to purchase it while he slept. This growing up process seems to be accelerating!

author Dennis

To celebrate Dr. Seuss' birthday, Dennis' school has planned a week of events. The first was Young Authors Day where the Kindergartners read the books they have written to high school students. Dennis wrote and illustrated a lovely story entitled The Alien about a resident from Mars named Zeb who is brought to Earth by scientists and eventually becomes a scientist. I'm so proud of his work! We will treasure his work forever, preserved as it is in a lovely hardcover composition book. He dedicated his book to "my family".

In other news, he reportedly did well at Taekwondo testing. I was at a children's ministry class and missed it, but I'm hopeful that he will be bringing home a red belt at the ceremony on Thursday. I also hope that David will be advancing to his green belt.

for no reason

Dennis has very recently taken to adding the phrase "for no reason" to what he tells us. I get things like "Dad took my phone away for no reason" and "Dad yelled at me for no reason" when he's angry at David now. Yes, David usually has a reason, and it's usually deserved. And tonight we got "I played with Elijah today for no reason." I asked if he'd played with him because they are friends, and he replied "no, it was for no reason." So we have been adding the same phrase to the end of what we tell him and we've had some hysterical laughter. I told him I'm going to go to sleep for no reason. I'm looking forward to it.

Prankster

Last week, a children's book author (Diana Shore) came to visit Dennis' school. I sent him with money to purchase one of her books which she autographed for him. He chose a book called "How to Drive Your Sister Crazy." He told me "since I don't have a sister, I'm going to use this book to drive you crazy, Mom, and you are not allowed to read it." I didn't think any more about it until he begged me to take a shower tonight, describing my stinkiness in great detail including test sniffs of my arm and serious facial contortions at my supposed aroma. I noticed he was holding the book behind his back, thumb marking the page where it describes how to flush the toilet while your sister is showering to sudden,y change the water temperature. I laughed at his foiled plan, genius though it was, and agreed when he asked me if he could try the trick on his dad in the morning.

New chore

Dennis has had a big week. He got saved when he responded to an altar call at the Power Team crusade at our church. I was trying to determine the depth of his understanding of it by asking him why he went to the front of the church, and he replied (as if I were stupid) "because I want a personal relationship with Jesus!". Okay, so he did get it.

We saw the Power Team perform on Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights. Thursday night and Sunday afternoon, we attended birthday parties in Birmingham (one at Chuck E Cheese and one at McWane Center). And yesterday we got the call to pick him up from school after he threw up, causing him to cry over missing a field trip to the high school to watch a music revue. He went downhill fast, crying and screaming and moaning with leg pain so bad he wouldn't stand. He only threw up once at school and once at home, and the pediatrician was sure it was a virus, but we had a scary few hours. He recovered enough to eat crackers and drink Gatorade last night. This morning he had fever and we spent a day together at home. He was fully recovered by lunch time and ready for mischief. I came up the driveway from walking the dog and saw him standing at the front door completely naked. He was at least screening his private parts behind the door, but he was clearly naked. He was holding the lint screen from the dryer and asking me how to clean it. He loves doing laundry now since we got the new washer and dryer.

Upward Basketball (oh yeah, in all those things I mentioned earlier, add 2 basketball games Friday night, 3 games Saturday morning, and a closing ceremony on Saturday afternoon) has ended, and I'm anticipating a slightly better weekly schedule, but after this week--Taekwondo testing is Friday and I have ministry classes to attend Friday night and all day Saturday. Dennis has opted not to play spring soccer so he can spend more quality time at home with us and his toys. He is one smart kiddo!

In memory

Grandaddy passed away on Valentines Day. His time to go was finally at hand. His passing was not unexpected, but it saddened us all the same. We did rejoice that he made it to Heaven to spend Valentines both with his savior and with his sweetheart of many years. His funeral was not a sad affair. We shared many fun memories of him. I might have made it through the service without crying if it weren't for what Dennis did. I handed him a pen and paper from the back of the church pew when he became extra wiggly, and he used the paper to write a heartfelt and beautiful farewell note to Grandaddy. He wrote "Grandaddy I love you. You wood play with me." The spelling wasn't perfect but the sentiment was. He drew a picture of the two of them together. He very much wanted to share his note and somehow get it to Grandaddy. They opened the casket just the tiniest bit at the cemetery and let him slide the note in. It was so sweet and so perfect a gesture for a small boy, and he was very serious and solemn about it.

Dennis did delight in the fact that Gran & Pop returned from Belize for the weekend. He spent two nights with them and so enjoyed their company. I even let him miss school on Monday so that he'd have time with them. When trying to arrange a time to meet up with them, Dennis texted me and invited me to join them at "wofel house" and I agreed to do so. I asked when I should meet them there and he replied "when we get ther", and when I asked when that would be he replied "in a minit." Phonetic texting. It makes me smile. I sure do love that kid.

Valentine

Dennis grabbed my phone and must have had a sudden nose itch. I saw him rub the bottom of my phone under his nose. I complained, loudly, and told him mine was a booger free phone and asked why he couldn't use his own phone to wipe his nose. He told me, "Mom, when you fuss at me, it gives me a migration." Yes, I laughed, but I apologized and explained that the word is 'migraine'.

I'm sad tonight over the loss of my Granddaddy, but I know that he celebrated today in Heaven with Jesus and with Grandmother, the love of his life.

according to the package directions

I was doing some work on the craft supply room this afternoon and returned to my office to see Dennis sitting at my desk, busily working on my calendar. He had opened a package of Fun Tak, that putty that we use to stick things to the walls at church. I noticed two strips of tack were missing. I saw one strip holding a polka dot nail file to my printer. The other was rolled into a ball and looked much like a hunk of blue play-doh sitting by my phone. I said his name in an accusatory tone, and he replied "what...it says 'Fun Tak' on the package. I was just having fun with it." There was no way to reply to that really, so I just agreed with him. My calendar for next Saturday says "Mommy and Dennis Day". I wish it could be so, but he'll have to share me with the 3rd & 4th graders that I'm taking to play Laser Tag.

a Methodist plague

At last count, over 70 members of our congregation brought home more than lessons from a good sermon last Sunday. Monday we began falling ill with what we think was norovirus, a horrible intestinal virus that struck Dennis and me and to a lesser degree David and so very many others, young and old, that were in attendance Sunday. Most of us are better now, thank the Lord. It was so widespread that we canceled all of last night's planned activities in an effort to prevent any further outbreaks.

In more humorous news, Dennis announced that he had "a new rule to add to the family rule chest", that "what the kid wants, the kid gets." David had warned me that he had discussed this rule with him the evening before, so I was prepared with the knowledge that an addendum had been proposed that stated "with parental approval." I reminded Dennis of the addendum and he quickly informed me "no, I vetoed that addendum." So I inquired if the kid would be paying for what the kid wants, and he said he would. We left things at that point. I thought it might be safer to revisit the point at some future date. Though I did order him a child's lab coat yesterday and some rainboots, one being a need and the other something the kid wanted. It occurs to me that he does indeed get nearly everything he wants.

away from home

Tonight I attended the first part of a children's ministry conference that will continue through tomorrow. I'm staying at a hotel by myself. Dennis and I shared a FaceTime call earlier. He chatted with me, stuck his tongue out at me, and mooned me with his Transformer-underwear-clad bottom. I felt like I was right at home, especially when he waved his foot at me.

Overheard: Dennis was telling someone how Riley (7th grader) asked "Dennis, are you a menace?". Then Cody (8th grader, youth minister's son) said "Dennis isn't a menace." Dennis said "so Cody's like my lawyer now." Love it!!!

winter getaway

We love the Smokies! We spent a lovely day in the park yesterday alternately playing in the snow or frolicking in the sunshine as we drove to and through Cades Cove. Dennis loved it all, tossing snowballs, touring old homesteads, observing deer grazing in front of gorgeous mountain vistas.. What a perfect day! Today we discovered that snow tubing sells out very early, so we will attempt that again tomorrow morning. We shopped today and then met up with David's aunt and uncle that moved here a couple years back. It was nice to share a meal with them.

So we've brought our child, our now-can-read-EVERYTHING-child to a tourist trap. He has read every sign, building, and billboard aloud to us and has expressed interest in doing every activity he reads. He wanted very much to explore the castle, the weird illusion place, the dinosaur ride, and the haunted house. He doesn't like scary things, so we were surprised at his interest in the last thing. He said "I don't want to go in the haunted house, but I really want to know what's inside. I can be brave for long enough to do that." But we didn't. We went to our favorite shops in Gatlinburg and then the book warehouse and the Old Navy outlet (hooray! New jeans with the knees still intact!) and called it an early evening. Dinner at 4 with the relatives and then back to the cabin for board games and hot tub time, and now we are ready for bed! It is exhausting to shop with a kid in tow, especially one that likes to randomly strike martial arts poses or shake his booty to whatever song he hears. If it wasn't so crowded, I probably would have enjoyed his antics a little more. It's hard to quickly navigate him through a crowded area when he's so busy marching to his own drummer.

Mrs. God

Dennis was telling me about an argument he got into with his new girlfriend at school (Kirsten). In a side note, Addison broke up with him because her parents said she couldn't be his girlfriend, but they are still friends. Anyway, he was explaining to Kirsten that they are brother and sister in Christ because God is our father. She disagreed. So later he was telling me that he and I are brother and sister, and I said yes, because God is everyone's father. And then he asked "and why don't we all have the same mother? What about a Mrs. God?". Thought provoking, for sure.

your what hurts?

After a good Taekwondo workout: "Mom, I have a big cramp in my leg pit." He indicated his groin. And he added that his butt cheek also had a cramp. Fortunately the cramps resolved themselves soon enough.

Paint wars

Dennis used every bit of play and energy in him today. After church he accompanied the big kids on their paintball trip. He was too young to play a game but happily watched and cheered on the guys as they defeated the girls time after time. And he was beyond delighted when the paintball referee let him empty the last gun by shooting it at a target dozes of times. The ref held up Dennis' mask so he could see to shoot. As far as he's concerned, he has officially played paintball.

Tonight he had dinner and imaginative wild play with his cousins. There was much running and giggling and excited screaming going on as they invented game after game. They ended up "surrendering" each other. Not surrendering TO each other but surrendering each other as in "I surrender you...put your hands up!". I'm thinking they didn't completely get the meaning of the word. It was fun to watch, and Dennis fell asleep in the car before we were halfway home from the lake. What a big day!

Life of crime?

I picked Dennis up from school yesterday and I noticed a rather solemn expression on his face when he arrived at the car. I asked him about his day and he told me he'd gotten in a lot of trouble. I ask him to elaborate as I was checking his reading folder to see if he had homework to do. He forgot to bring the folder home on Wednesday and was pretty concerned about going to class on Thursday without doing his assignment. I saw with some surprise that my initials were actually there beside Wednesday's assignment, just as if he'd remembered the folder and done the work. I also noticed two things right away. First, my initials were not in my handwriting. Second, the teacher had also noticed that my initials were not in my handwriting, as evidenced by the frowny face she drew beside his forgery. I had a talk with him, of course, but inside my mind was reeling with the fact that my FIVE YEAR OLD had the presence of mind to try to fake my signature to avoid getting in trouble. If he'd gotten the M right, he might have even gotten away with it. He says he learned from his teacher that it's okay to forget to take your folder home sometimes but that it is absolutely not okay to sign my initials as if he'd done the work. Wow. What will he be like as a teen?

his own interpretation

Dennis learned an important lesson tonight at AWANA about building people up and tearing them down. On the way home, he informed me that he'd thought about it and every time we tell him that he can't do something, we are tearing him down. I tried to explain the difference between discipline and tearing down, even citing some examples, but he still insisted that when Daddy uses a mean voice, it's tearing him down. I told him that sometimes we talk mean when we are frustrated, that parents aren't perfect, and he said he would help us work on that. It's like living with a talk show host some days.

passport appointment

Dennis was thrilled to be checked out of school early to go to his appointment to renew his passport today. We had planned to return him to school afterward, but one of the teachers told us that he just had snack left and then lining up to go home. He missed story time, but we took care of that by reading to him. He is again exhausted. While I was busy at work, he ate the centers out of a dozen generic Oreos and was vibrating with sugar overload. He held it together well for Taekwondo and then went to bed early. He told me that he thinks it's probably more exciting to be a kid than to be a dad. He looks forward to being a dad one day, he says, but it won't be as exciting as being a kid.

learning man things

Last night I was at the height of irritability and Dennis insisted on being plastered to me. I love his cuddliness, I really do, but after he'd wallowed on me for hours and inadvertently kicked me a dozen times, I was not in the nicest of moods. He was undeterred, but I still felt bad for being grouchy so, in my sleepiness, I apologized and mumbled something about PMS. First thing this morning, he came in to jump on me in bed and asked "Mom, is your PMC all better now?". I laughed and made the correction and now I'm wondering if he will teach the kids at school a new concept today.

Mini David

Yesterday Dennis made the observation that David likes to say "we will go from there" when Dennis asks step by step what will happen next for the upcoming evening. Tonight we were on our way home from a dinner when David asked him if he planned to play in his room for a while or put on his pajamas and go straight to bed. He answered "I will put on my pajamas and we'll go from there".

Today was his first ever Upward Basketball game at the church. His team is called the Cougars and they did pretty well. They don't keep score for the younger players, so I couldn't tell you if they beat the Dragons or not, but I was proud of Dennis for staying with the game and running the ball down the court and passing. He's quite good at defense as well. I'm proud of him and he certainly played hard for the entire game! It's no wonder he needed a nap before we went to our dinner party tonight.

Negotiating

This morning Dennis was excited to take his very own wallet (a recent gift) to school today. He had his tooth fairy money in it and his money to buy a snack from the snack cart. As he packed it in his back pack, he looked at me oh-so-angelic and said "I wonder when I'll get my very own debit card. I know how to use one--you just swipe it at the store!". Scary. I attempted to explain how you must have money in your account to be able to use it, but he wasn't so interested in that part. So it will be several more years for sure!

Impishness

Dennis had a wonderful day at school. He had some big news that he couldn't wait to share. "Addison is OFFICIALLY my girlfriend now," he told me. Apparently she decreed it was so. I was more excited about the perfect report card and his high reading level and perfect test scores. I'd have taken him out for ice cream but I went to the doctor instead. I have double ear infections and a shriveled up eardrum that's taking its time to heal. I got painful shots in my hips that Dennis tried to protect me from, but I assured him that I wanted them so I can get better sooner. Taking Dennis with me to the doctor was like taking a busy octopus--he was everywhere and grabbing everything! He's been in constant wiggle motion since he left school. I can tell how tired he is from his return to school. I have enjoyed his weird little jokes all afternoon.

heavy on the spoiling

Dennis embraced his last day of Christmas break. We visited his favorite stores, bought stuff at each one (wow at the sales right now!), cruised the mall and played on the escalators... It was a very Dennis-centered day. He loved it all, of course. Tonight when I put him to bed, he pulled out a colored die and said "okay, if I roll the dice and it lands on red, that means it is NOT bedtime." Despite his careful maneuvering and the desired red result, he still went to bed.

He was scheduled for a bath, but the house was very cold tonight and I told him it was too cold to sit in the tub for a long time. He looked at me like I was completely stupid and said "well of course I would want warm water." So sassy, my kid.

game prowess

Tonight we enjoyed a traditional New Year's Day meal with Grandma and GrandBob.  Dennis tried the collard greens and didn't hate them, but he did whisper to me "Mom, these look like leaves" before tasting one.  He ate peas and cornbread, ham, and hog jowl, and he finished off his meal with some sweet potato pie.  I appreciate that he's open to tasting more foods these days. Tomorrow is his last day of Christmas break, and he wants to go to the Lego store bright and early in the morning, stop by Target, and eat at a Chinese buffet somewhere.  He needs new jeans, so we are most assuredly going to do some kind of shopping.

We drew New Year's resolutions again this year.  Dennis drew "I will build a Lego masterpiece" and "I will read my Bible more" and "I will dance with joy" and "I will wear something red" and "I will watch less TV".  We just bought him a new Bible, and the other things certainly apply, so he drew well.

Tonight we had a wonderful time playing board games, just the 3 of us.  We bought some after Christmas clearance games, and we tried a couple of them out tonight.  We bought Cranium "Brain Breaks" because we love the real Cranium game, and we were thrilled to discover that it's a game of 200 1-minute challenges for the family to complete together.  It was nice to not be competitive.  We had to each draw a train car and connect our drawings, announce a number of activities we'd like to do on a free day, draw a picture for the others to guess, memorize a pattern in 10 seconds and work to recreate it with blocks (provided).  After this game, we played Apples to Apples, a game David and I have always loved.  It's for much older folks than Dennis.  We had looked for Apples to Apples Jr but couldn't find it, so we got the regular version.  He was AMAZINGLY good at it.  He won the game, in fact.  We couldn't believe how well he understood it and how funny and accurate his choices were.  I can't wait to play it with him again.

I'm sad to see the end of Christmas break.  I had planned for so much for us to do during this time, but I was sick for most of it.  I did enjoy all the time at home with Dennis, though.  He's pretty good company.  And he's certainly enjoyed his time with his new toys.