Soap

My mom went to my Grandma's for a week to help her clean out and organize her sewing room, among other things. At 81 my Grandma is slowing down on the sewing and knows it is time to cull through some of her accumulated material and stuff. When my mom came back she had a bag of things for me and my sister from my Grandma's purge. One of the things for us was a new bar of Irish Spring soap. Not what we generally use, but as Flylady says "soap is soap" so it made it up to the shower in the soap holder. I didn't think anything more about it.

A few days later Eli and I had the following conversation:
Eli: That bar of new soap in the shower? We should take it out.
Me: Why?
Well it's hand soap.
Why do you say that?
It's in a bar. It's not gooey.
Well it's soap, not shower gel.

Blank stare.

Do you realize that shower gel had to be invented? Like when I was a kid we only had soap in a bar, and someone thought it'd be a good idea to make it gooey like shampoo, but before that, always a bar of soap to get clean.
Ohhhh. As he slowly raises his chin in understanding.

Mercy. Am I that old? My child doesn't know about bar soap. Have I failed him?!?

Sneeze

"Mom? Why do we shut our eyes when we sneeze?" Eli asked.

"To keep your eyes from flying out," I replied, without missing a beat.

"Really?!?" he almost yelled as his eyes flew open wide.

I just smirked and shrugged with raised eyebrows.

Mother's Day

I love to take pictures of me and each of the boys on Mother's Day. For much of the year and the pictures we have, I am behind the camera so we end up with not a lot of just me and a boy. Eli was my photographer for the three little boys; Noah took the one of Eli and I but he is just starting to learn how to work the camera so Eli and I had quite a session since I insisted my head needed to be in the picture, ha!

Then we recruited Tim to take one of all of us-we had to hunt him down since he's always working on my mom's apartment. So that picture is in the storage room of the apartment.

Clothes

Eli and Noah share a room and in both of them packing for an overnight stay with friends it looked like their dressers and closet exploded. I didn't realize what they had done until they were both gone. So when they both were home again the next day, I said to them, "Before I get home tomorrow you need to have your room picked up."

Eli nodded in agreement. He knew they had left it a mess.
Noah looked at me and said, "Or what?"
I looked at Noah and said, "There is no 'or'."
He raised his eyebrows and looked towards the floor and said quietly, "That's the worst kind!"

Soccer Boys

My soccer boys, 2013.

They are all playing this year. Eli & Noah are traveling teams, and Eli also plays on a select team.

To date, Simon's team is undefeated.
To date, Jesse is undefeated.
To date, Eli's team is 6-1.
To date, Noah's team is defeated.

Happy Birthday Eli!

Eli's birthday was a quick affair this year compared to his big party last year for his 10th. It was a soccer tournament weekend so we were busy. In fact, we couldn't even wait for the cake to cool before icing it. It still tasted great :)

This boy is ELEVEN!!!

Spelling Words

Eli and I were working on his spelling words. First I have him read through them so he can pronounce them. Then we discuss their meanings, trying to broaden his vocabulary.

This week we have a lot of "ive" words. We got to "attractive." I said, "Do you know what attractive means?"

"Not really."

"I'll use it in a sentence: Dad thinks I'm attractive." Then I wiggle my eyebrows at him.

"Oh, okay," as he half rolls his eyes at me, smirking.

"So Eli, do you think I'm attractive?" Why do I do set myself up like this?

He laughs, "No, you're only attractive to Dad!"

I cracked up and then teased him and smothered him with hugs. That kid!

Homeschool

I guess I better announce it on the blog--we are homeschooling Eli.

We got the official letter from the Superintendent this week excusing Eli from school for this year. So now it's officially official that we are homeschooling. Even though we have been doing it for 4 1/2 weeks already.

Speaking of which, Eli would like to have more time "off" school, so he's currently working to do more work every day so he can have Fridays "off". We'll see how that pans out as he has a tendency to put off doing work until I can sit beside him and encourage him. Which of course, is partly why we are homeschooling. He does so much better one on one.

But now the other boys are starting to ask more frequently if they can homeschool. Not sure about all that. I mean, I'd love it, but I need to get used to doing the one boy first and prove to Tim Eli is really learning and this can work. Time will tell.

Tim's heart is softening toward homeschooling so I want to make this really successful. And this is a wonderful opportunity for Eli to get a better base of the core fundamentals; currently his base is just not solid.

Growing Up

Eli and I were squished into a chair, him past his bedtime and loving the extra moments to stay up. Me, relishing that he still loves us and isn't ashamed of it in the slightest. It's these moments of parenting that make my heart sing. He's really growing up and you can almost watch it happen. I'm gonna miss that kid when he's grown and not with me everyday!

Me: You just keep trying to grow up and we just keep shooting you down!

Eli: One of these days you'll miss!

Then all three of us crack up.

DestiNation ImagiNation

Eli and Noah are both in a program called DestiNation ImagiNation. They are in different groups since they are different ages. It is a "sciency" kind of thing and it is really interesting. You have to be invited by the teachers heading it up in our schools to be on a team.

They start in second grade at our school and Noah was invited right off; Eli had not been. I went the parent meeting and thought it seemed up Eli's alley. I talked to the teachers in charge and they agreed it would be good for Eli too-but had to see if they had enough for an additional fourth grade team. And of course, I would have to be the parent leader.

They found enough children (teams are 3-7 students), all boys no less, and I became the Team Manager. It was not the most administratively organized group I have been a part of, which is very frustrating as a Team Manager, but other than that, it was a pretty good experience. The boys all loved it and I got to really see Eli come out of his shell.

There were instant challenges to practice as well as a central challenge to pick and plan and develop over the course of four months. Then to take the central challenge to the tournament to present before the appraisers (judges) to be scored.

Noah's group, as second graders, were in the non-competitive category since the parents were allowed to help on a limited basis. Eli's group had to sign a declaration of independence to say that they had no interference from outsiders, including parents, since they were in the competitive category. It is very difficult to not interfere at all when a group of children is working towards a goal and the path they are taking won't get them there. But it allows them to learn. And you to be creative in how to ask questions that get them thinking of different angles.

Second graders all perform a play, and unfortunately, I did not get to see Noah perform his as I was with Eli's group checking in their structure at the exact same time. I am tracking down the video though. I practiced Noah's script with him and am so excited to see how it all came together. I was told they did very well.

Eli's group built a structure that had to hold weight and had restrictions on materials, height, and weight. They did a great job and learned so much. It turned out that they placed third in their age group for that challenge. At the awards ceremony they collected bronze metals for themselves and a third place trophy for the school's trophy case. Eli's team had a member drop out so they ended up with only three boys, but did wonderfully.

Only the team manager can go in with the team for the tournament instant challenge, so I did not get to see Noah's group complete theirs. Their manager said they did well and the children were happy with how they did.

I did get to go in with Eli's group, and they didn't talk it out as much as I would have liked, but somehow, their finished product was funny, lighthearted, and worked wonderfully. They definitely have learned to play off of each others strengths.

It was an adventure for this Mama. I had prep work for Eli's group before each meeting, and since I couldn't lead Noah's group I helped to gather materials for them to ease the burden on their manager and stayed at practice as much as I could. I took Jesse with me to Eli's weekly practices and I think he learned a lot too. Simon went with me to a couple of Noah's practices and got to participate as a member, which was great for him. I made friends with some more moms and Eli made friends with some more boys, which is not easy for either of us, but weekly meetings for four months will do that! I have learned that Eli loves to act and is a good support team member, but hangs back from leading. I have learned that Noah needs lots of affirmation (don't we all?).

It was great for me and all of my boys, however with DI on different days after school, Noah's basketball, church on Wednesdays, working on taxes, and Tim's surgery, I'm glad it's done and we can just play outside more!

School Christmas Projects

Eli made this in Art class at school. So very cool, and time consuming to make. Each branch is cut and glued individually. When they get Eli's age, it's fun because they have some skills to do harder projects and they still think making stuff is fun. Love this age!

The Twelve Days of Christmas

Apparently the boys' bus driver is doing a little Christmas trivia with them to pass the time. She tells them what it will be about and then asks for the answer the next day. They came home wanting to know about the Twelve Days of Christmas.

While I think that song is a wonderful Christmas tradition, I'm not about to sing it, it's horrible! The repetition drives me up a wall. However, I was more than happy to sing the final verse, starting at twelve. I was singing it and trying to get the boys to join in and act out what was happening so they'd be able to remember it better. Eli was excited to be a Leaping Lord, Noah and Eli would both be Ladies Dancing, they would all do "swimming" motions for Swimming Swans. They pointed to my rings for the Golden Rings, Jesse would fly like a bird for any of the birds, Simon would act like a turtle crawling for the Turtle Doves (which cracked me up by the way).

The VERY best one though was when we came to Geese. I wasn't sure how to do a goose laying an egg, so I figured I'd see what they came up with, I mean, why should I be the one with all of the ideas? I will document below:

"Noah, be a goose laying an egg!" I encouraged. Noah thought for a second and before he could act, Simon came over and sort of sat down, as one would to lay an egg. It worked for me. I was ready to head to the Golden Rings.

"Wait! Wait!" Eli yelled. He ran over to the center of us, sat kind of on his knees and ripped a BIG fart. Then he laughed and laughed. All the boys laughed and laughed. I laughed and laughed while shaking my head.

Bet you'll never think of "Geese-a-laying" the same will you?

Pumpkin

In Eli's science they were doing a unit on plants so they started pumpkin plants in cups at school so they could follow along with the germination and sprouting.  When the unit was complete Eli got to bring his pumpkins home.  He had three sprouts in one cup.  As soon as he got home he got more cups and transplanted them each into their own cups, added more dirt, watered them, and put them on the windowsill in the sun.

A few days later we were in the car when Eli said to me, "Mom, how will my pumpkins get pollinated?"

I thought it was an excellent question, so I said, "Well what do you think?"

He suggested taking them outside, but I reminded him by that time we'd be in winter.  He "hummphed" because he knew we didn't have any bees in the house to pollinate, so he said, "Well, it will have to just pollinate itself.  It can do that you know, and then he proceeded to explain how that would work, using all of the proper terms for the plant parts.

That boy loves science, and I'm so pleased he does enjoy learning it, even if his test scores don't reflect that he has retained the knowledge.  Such is the life of a dyslexic, I guess!  But it works for me because it's better than learning stuff for a test like his Mama, it'll be in his head forever, that boy has the memory of an elephant (or "remembery" as it is referred to in our house).

Growing Up

My boys are really growing up, you know how sometimes it just hits you?  This weekend has been like that.

Eli made scrambled eggs for breakfast on Saturday, then made himself and Jesse fried eggs on Sunday morning.  I know he's old enough to do it, it just hit me that we really are preparing him to fend for himself and leave us someday.  I kinda don't like to think about that part.

Also on Saturday Eli ran up to me and said, "Can we watch that movie we got in the mail? "Knowing we don't subscribe to netflix, I said, "What movie?"
"Well Lee said there was a movie in his Lego magazine so I just checked ours and there is one, see? Can we watch it?" just like a big kid would do.  I said sure and off he ran.  7Long gone are the days when they need help putting in a DVD or putting the TV on the right input.

Eli had his championship soccer game over the weekend, which they won by the way, and on the way home I see Noah leaning over and whispering to Eli, so I ask what is going on. Noah nudged Eli and then Eli said, "Well, we were thinking that since I won, we could go out to dinner to celebrate. And I know just where I want to go.  Friendly's!" Noah with all of his careful scheming to get his way, he later asked if they could watch a movie and eat popcorn as part of Eli's championship celebration. Where does he get this stuff?

"I'll talk to Dad, we'll see." We, of course, did take everyone out to eat, I mean we celebrate good grades, we better celebrate a champion!

Since Simon had watched the LEGO DVD he was creating like a fiend for the rest of the weekend. He had been given some new ideas and he was running with it. That boy and his creations, they are something to behold. I think I'll start taking pictures of them. He's growing up fast.

Then comes my Jesse, not one to be left out, he had to grow up on me this weekend too. As I was passing out vitamins he said, "See Mom, I can say it! Vitamin!" I was happy and praised him, but then I said, "Yeah, but I'm going to miss "bite-a-vin."

Eli, ever his father's son, didn't understand, Noah, his mama's boy said, "I know, it's so cute." Simon had no opinion since he was off playing LEGOs already. Tim didn't understand me either. Such is the life of a mama of growing boys.

First Days

Well they're all in some kind of school now.  Here's a picture of the "big" boys on Simon's very first day of kindergarten. 

And Simon getting on the bus for the very first time.

 Then Jesse started preschool, complete with a backpack and lunchbox.

So they're all in some kind of school this year.  Man it's going fast!

Who's next?

We were coming up the driveway one day, just the boys and me, when Eli said, "Who's next?"

That boy can exasperate me to no end with giving no details as to what he is talking about.  "What are you talking about Eli, you gotta give me something!"

"I mean, who's next to live with us?"

I'm still not quite following so I say, "What do you mean?"

"I mean, we had Mary, and then Bob, and then Matt.  Who's next?"

Then I kind of laughed to myself, and said out loud, "I have no idea Eli.  We didn't know Bob would live with us, or Matt, it just happened to work out, so once Matt is gone, there may be someone, or there may be no one.  I have no idea."

"Oh, okay."

My sister lived with us for five years, then we had about two years of just us, then our friend Bob needed a short term place until the house he was buying was vacated, so he lived with us about six months, and then as soon as he moved out our nephew Matt moved in and has been with us for a year, and will be for the foreseeable future.  After that, who knows!  I did get to thinking about it and wondering if it's odd that our boys will think it's normal to have someone other than our core family living in our house with us.  I don't know.  When I was in high school my step-dad's sister and her two year old lived with us for a year or so (I shared my room with her and my sister shared with the daughter).  Tim's parents took in my brother for a year when we were all in college, so I guess maybe that's the kind of people we are.  Interesting to ponder, I'd never thought of it before.

Public Place

We were in the kitchen when Eli says to me, "Is this a public place?"

Never sure where a question like that is going I hesitantly say, "No.  Not just anyone can come here, you have to be invited."

"Oh good!"  He walks to the basement door and rips a big fart.  Then he laughed and said, "You can't fart in public, it's not nice."

I just shook my head.  I have four boys.

Dinner Discussions

We were sitting a the table eating dinner when the subject turned to maturing, physical maturing.  I said something about Eli growing his "man hair,"  which in our house currently refers to long arm and leg hair, armpit hair, and facial hair.  Eli put his forearm in front of him and while scrutinizing it said, "Well right now I'm working on my arm hair."
Tim smirked and said, "How are you working on it?"
Eli sort of ignored the question.
I said, "Why arm hair, why not armpit hair?  Do you have that already?"
Eli then proceeds to lift up his arm and look in his armpit.  "Nope, not yet."
Tim said, "Well, do you want me to show you how to work on growing your armpit hair?  This is what I did when I was your age."
Eli's eyes light up and he said, "Yeah!"
Tim raises his left arm and turned his face towards his armpit.  At this point I'm wondering where this could go.  He proceeds to tell the boys, "You have to hum, kind of like you sing to a baby to get them to grow, you hum to your armpit."  Now his has his face turned completely toward his armpit and he is humming and then he says, "And you rub it like this."  He takes his right hand and rubs his armpit in a circular motion while he's humming.  I'm just shaking my head at this point.
Eli's not sure about it and says, "Really does that work?"
"Yeah look at all this hair I have!" Tim said.
Eli looked at me for confirmation, and I just raised my eyebrows.
I look around the table and there are five, count them, five males all with one arm up, rubbing their armpits and humming.

Haircuts

The boys had been growing out their hair.  Eli was ready to get rid of his, Noah not so much but Tim and I couldn't take it anymore!  Haircuts for them both!

Eli Before:

Eli After:

I don't recognize him!  He's been asking me to shave it for a month, but I wanted to be sure he wasn't going to regret it.  We love to "pet" his head.

Noah Before:

Noah After:

We got our Noah back!

Eli's Nine!

Happy Birthday to my sweet Eli.  I'm so glad he's my firstborn.  A willing and kind spirit that goes with the flow as we learn how to parent new stages.

He's turning into such a fine young man.  Which I love, but also makes me cherish these times of his childhood before we hit the teenage years.  Not that I expect them to be bad, but they will be very different than the tree climbing, bike riding, monkey-bar climbing boy he is these days.  We are cherishing this year of nine.

Happy Birthday Eli!