A pressing question...

This morning Lena came to me with a pressing question about her school assignment.  (Yes, we are doing school IN THE SUMMER.  But you know those gorgeous FALL days?  That's when we play outside if we want, or travel with Daddy, or go on fun adventures, or...or...or...)  Anyway, I digress.  I could tell the girl was vexed by this troubling conundrum.

With a puzzled expression, she queried, "What exactly is an encyclopedia?"  And I had myself a good laugh.  I proceeded to tell my children a story, which began with the words, "Once upon a time, long long ago, before the days of Google, there was this collection of books called an encyclopedia..."  Of course it muddied the waters when I explained that if you wanted to research "The Amazon," you would look in Volume A.  Because, of course, we all know that Amazon only exists online, right?  :)  After finding a better example, I could tell that her mind was greatly relieved.  I sent her on her merry way with my iPad to research the subject on Google, the modern child's encyclopedia.

Jonas Is A Teenager!!!

Jonas' birthday this year came just afer we had moved to the new house.  In fact, his was the first birthday our family celebrated here.  Can you believe Jonas turned 13?  He's a TEENAGER!

 And, what a fine young man he is becoming!  He is trustworthy and hard-working.  He finds things that need to be done and does them without being asked--and that endears him to me immeasurably!  And...he and I have a "date" coming up.  We're going to see The Hobbit when it comes out!  Lucky me to get to spend the day with such a handsome young man!  Lucky me to get to be the momma to such a precious young man!

My Newly-Turned-Nine-Year-Old...

 Can you see that?  Sure you can--that glimmer in those deep brown eyes, that unmistakable spark of life and mischievousness?  He knows we're watching and he knows he's rotten.  This is my boy who would NOT make eye contact and would NOT let anyone hold him.  Now, he seeks out affection.  He gets up in my face so that I will look him in the eye.  He runs after MaKenzie when she yells, "Matthew, chase me!"  This newly-turned-nine-year-old boy of mine loves his family.  But he especially loves his Grandma & Grandpa!  They are the ones who truly bring out the spark in those beautiful brown eyes!