Proof that my 3 year old is too smart for my own good...

Jack has been enrolled in swimming lessons for a while -- honestly I don't remember how long it has been... Since he completed his two week daily immersion course and said good-bye to Mr. Alex getting Jack to go to class much less enjoy these lessons has been a trial. We changed teachers again this week with the hope that a man might instill some confidence in him -- and at least relate to him a little better. I was preparing Jack for the change this morning...

Me: Jack, I want you to know that today is a swim lesson day (he immediately begins to whine and fake-cry) but you are going to have a new teacher -- Mr. Corey.
Jack: But I don't wanna go to swim lessons...
Me: I know you don't but we are going to give Mr. Corey a chance. We are going to go three times to see him and we won't have tears when we go. If after three times you still hate swim lessons we won't go back again.
Jack: But I wanna stay here...
Me: I know but Mr. Corey deserves to be given a chance.
Jack: (with an exasperated sigh) but that's not my point. My point is that I want to stay here to take care of my favorite dog Ginger. What do you think about that point momma?
Me: (silence...a few moments pass before I speak) well I think that's a good point and I think it's great that you want to take care of Ginger but remember we made a commitment to swim lessons and we need to honor that commitment.
Jack: hey momma have you seen my dalmatian movie (he lost interest at this point...)

Coming up for air...

Ike is long gone but he has left quite a lasting imprint on our lives! We are currently the only Houston-based family members (for both sides) with power so we are running our very own evacuee shelter. We have 7 adults, a preschooler, an infant and 5 very LARGE dogs crammed into 2100 square feet of house -- a house which is typically more than enough room for us but now finds itself busting at the seams. We have all decided to take Jack's attitude on the situation -- to love the fact that family is here and to ignore all the awkwardness and lack of creature comforts that could cause things to seem unpleasant. Fortunately our house was spared damage -- just some minor tree mess that we had to rake up and one larger branch that Luke had to chop up.

I don't expect anything profound to blog about for a while -- playing hausfrau to this many is occupying what little brain function I have these days.

Best Ike photo so far...

HI-LAR-I-OUS!!!

Tell 'em he's coming...

Hurricane Ike is on his way. We are preparing to "hunker down" in the Pearson house. We emptied the yard this morning of all potential debris and last night made one last grocery store run to buy a little more water and a few more comfort items. Of course after emptying the yard this morning we discovered that the water main on our street had a crack and that work crews had shut off the water to every house on the street. It's almost noon and we have been without water since about 10 am. Doesn't sound that long but believe me when I say it is -- you just don't realize how much you depend on water until you can't turn on the faucet. We've spoken to the crew supervisor and he has assured us that the leak will be fixed and the water turned on long before Ike hits. We're praying that is so. My family is riding out the storm in Pearland, hoping to be on-hand to do damage control from what will surely be rising water. Luke's mom is on the emergency response team for Memorial Hermann and had to report by noon today with enough clothes and water to sustain herself for 7 days. Those of you in Ike's path -- we are praying for your (and our own) safety. Those of you beyond Ike's reach -- please keep us all in your prayers. This is a HUGE storm with the potential to cause damage that hasn't been seen here in our lifetime. One report I read eerily compared Ike's path to the path of the Hurricane of 1900 that destroyed Galveston. Hopefully it won't be as bad as that storm... Anyway, keep us all in your prayers and we'll see you on the other side!

Back to school, back to school...

Today was Jack's first day of preschool. In typical Jack fashion he awoke bright and early around 7am (a good hour before I was planning on waking him) and presented me in a most lion-king way his teddy bear for teddy bear day. He then proceeded to tell me he was "ready for school time please." He gobbled his breakfast and dressed at a breakneck pace leaving us with LOTS of time to sit around and wait.

At 840 I could hold him off no longer so we loaded the car, stopping of course for the requisite picture time outside and headed off for school. On the way in to the school Jack insisted carrying EVERYTHING himself. His nap mat is supposed to be "compact" per school request -- his is...well...not. So he has a loaded backpack, his teddy bear, his nap mat and a box of kleenex all the while attempting to cross the parking lot. Needless to say I made him stop so I could help. The only word to describe his entrance to the classroom is to say that he strutted in like he was big man on campus. While all the other kids clung to mothers, mine sat down at the table and opened a puzzle to begin his "lots of school work" (his words to me). No tears, no fear, barely even a bye mom. That was it...

I tried to attend parent orientation but Sam was having none of it. He screamed the entire time so we left about 15 minutes into the 45 minute presentation. I think he sensed he was alone with mom -- that and he was practicing his new skill of fit-pitching.

My baby is a big boy. I told Luke last night that I was more nervous than Jack was -- and that kindergarten is going to require medication for me.

A prayer for my son as he begins a new phase in his life...
Lord, I pray that Jack will grow as Jesus did, "in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men" (Luke 2:52). Thank you for crafting him with numerous gifts, talents and abilities; help him to develop these gifts and guide him in the use of them for Your Kingdom. Lord, may Jack "grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ" (2 Peter 3:18).

More notes...

Add these to the earlier post...
1. a bouncy ball -- when leisurely tossed in the general area of the ceiling fan (even if that's not the intended target) will no doubt hit said ceiling fan
2. bouncy balls when hit by the blades of a ceiling fan transform from leisurely tossed toys to dangerous projectiles almost instantly
3. the above occurences are HILARIOUS to little boys
4. I used to have a dog as a baby-substitute. Then I had a baby and she became a loyal pet. Then I had another baby -- now I think she is just a fancy vaccum cleaner...
5. laundry has the ability to procreate -- don't ask how just know that I speak the truth. Need proof? I will show you my laundry room -- regardless of how much laundry I do the bins in there never seem to empty.

Notes from life

1. I just about broke my ankle on a tangle of foam swords and small trucks in the maze that has become my living room.
2. Yes I clean said living room -- but my kids are especially adept at messing up faster than I can clean.
3. I am going to stop buying food for Sam and just let him eat from the dog bowl. It's what he prefers and it's less messy and more cost-efficient.
4. Every single song that has been stuck in my head for as long as I can remember back is a kid's song (Hip-hip-hip-hippopotamus, hip-hip-hooray He made all of us).
5. It's amazing how fast food disappears in this house. Didn't I just go to the store last week? Seriously -- where is the grocery fairy when you need her?
6. When I send my kids away for some grown-up time and some much needed rest, I find myself still waking early thinking I hear Sam crying or Jack running around in his room. So much for sleeping in?!??!!
7. I do not in any way shape or form miss the classroom at all. Weird huh?!?
8. Three year olds still teethe (is that how you spell it??). Wonderful news for a mommy that has a teething 9 month old already.
9. "Heart" shaped rocks are more beautiful than I could have ever imagined -- especially when they are wrapped in grimy, dirty, sweaty little hands and presented as love offerings. I have several lining the windowsill above the kitchen sink.