Flat beans

 A long time ago I made lentils. The kids enthusiastically ate them. Since Jon doesn't care for them, I fixed them while he was at work. I told the kids they were flat beans and they ate them up.

Several weeks later someone made a comment about lentils and Dominic said he hated them. I tried to convince him otherwise with no luck.

I made them again and again. I called them flat beans and the kids inhaled them.

Tonight a very sweet friend made us lentil tacos for supper. I was stressed to the max and was so grateful for her thoughtfulness. But the whole time she was pulling the things out of the bag I was praying she wouldn't say the word lentil loud enough for my kids to hear.

I put the food on the table and Dominic had prayer.

"Thank you for this yummy food we are about to devour."

He ate three massive servings. I asked him just now (over an hour later) if he liked lentils.

"No, they're gross."

I'm wondering how long I'm going to have to use code names for food. When will my children realize that new food, or food with strange names tastes really good.

Caitlin wasn't stingy either. She ate two huge tacos.

Race Day

This last Monday was Labor Day and we spent it running around - literally.

Both of the kids joined me this year in running one of the 3 races. I've posted a little bit about it on the other blog, which you can find here.

But the kids also spent some time at the kids stations while I ran the 10k and then Caitlin while Dominic and I ran the 5k. This is one of the best races as far as activities and organization that I've ever been to. 

 I'm pretty sure that is a marshmallow in her mouth.

 Jon says she's really good at hula hoops.

The kids had a ton of fun, despite the heat and humidty.

 Grandpa won an award. The rest of us need to step it up.

Happy Belated Labor Day everyone!

That pesky future wife

I'm beginning to wonder if I should pray silently for my kids future spouses. 

Because more often than not, I get questions or comments about my prayer.

Again last night I prayed for Dominic's future wife. I can't remember what I said since I change it up every night based on what I pray for Dominic. 

But when I finished Dominic was silent for a moment and then -

"What if I'm a butcher?"

Coming from a vegetarian I was a little surprised and started laughing.

"Dominic, do you know what a butcher is? They are basically people who cut up meat."

"Oh, I thought it was a guy who never married."

"No, that's a bachelor."

"Oh, close enough. What if I'm one of those."

I think I said something along the lines of it didn't hurt to pray and God would understand. I was still too tickled about the butcher to be totally sure of my answer.

School!!!

My kids LOVE their school. Well, Dominic does. And Caitlin loved the half day she spent there back in the spring. So they had literally been counting down the days until school started again.

Monday morning they were so excited they could hardly stand still. I made pancakes and we were almost late for school because they were too excited to eat.

 At school. They were so anxious to get inside that I was shocked I even got this picture.

 Caitlin emptying her supplies into her desk. She LOVES her classroom and teacher.

 Jon has come with us for the last three years on the first day of school.

I love this man. He's such an awesome dad!

 Dominic is in the "big kid" classroom. He's quite proud of that fact.

My little guy is growing up.

 

Caitlin was so excited that she was almost crying when I left. But her teacher said she did great. The next morning the giddy had worn off and she was nervous. But after that she's been fine. I know Dominic has enjoyed school all year the last 3 years. So hoping Caitlin loves school just as much as he does. It definitely helps that we have a great school and wonderful teachers who make learning fun.

Braces

Dominic took another step in the growing up process yesterday.

He has braces. They are only on his two front teeth to move them together, but it's still metal in his mouth.

 He's been great about it, even though it's been hurting him. Since Daddy can sympathize much better than I, they've had some long phone conversations (Jon is working some long hours and then going down to work on our townhouses in Chattanooga.).

 

We had to celebrate with ice cream. It isn't every day that one gets braces.

8 Years Old

Here are the "professional" shots I promised. 

I want you to imagine gorgeous 70 degree weather, a really fun cousin to play with, and a mom wanting you to pose for pictures. This was not a good combination for my newly turned 8 year old. But he reluctantly agreed. So I felt lucky to get these couple of pictures before he ran back to play.

I love that smile!

 

Goofy painter

Jon and I have been spending quite a bit of time in Chattanooga trying to get one of our town houses ready to rent. Dominic and Caitlin have been amazing helpers. It's been wonderful having them working right along side us. But Dominic desperately wanted to paint. I was several years older when my dad first handed me a paint brush and I was really reluctant to let him.

He assured me that he would be incredibly careful and paint really, really slowly.

And then he proceeded to demonstrate. This would be his expression while he's painting.

After I finished laughing I agreed to let him try in one of the closets.

I'll be honest - it wasn't half bad. It was definitely done by an almost 8 yr old. But still, not bad. And I didn't see this expression once while he was painting. =)