Early pioneers, religious wars, submarines, and Doritoes

I'm not sure what it is about January, but this time each year, I rarely find time to write and don't have as much to say, so my blog and editorial columns usually see little activity. However, our kids always have plenty to say, so in this post, I'll mostly share words from the youngins.  

Soup or Soap?
Our 7-year old is quick to express her honest opinion, like it or not.  When I served organic portabella mushroom and beef soup, she exclaimed, "Mom, your soup looks like the slimy brown soap early pioneers used."  My how she does flatter me.

One friend asked me how she knew what pioneer soap looked like, and I explained that she had not ever seen it with her eyes, but she did see it with her ears through the descriptive narration found in Laura Ingalls Wilder's books.  We have noted that Laura Ingalls Wilder probably learned to paint such vivid pictures with words while describing the world around her to her blind sister, Mary.

Yesterday at breakfast, both kids told me the kitchen smelled wonderful, "like Grandma's kitchen when she's baking", so at least I'm making progress.

Q&A
I am amused by the questions preschoolers ask.  Here are a few questions my 5-year old has asked me recently:

While studying John 2: 13-25 together one morning (this passage describes Jesus cleansing the temple), he asked, "Mom, why does God need a temple anyway?"  That boy knows that God is "SO BIG" that He cannot be contained.

While riding in the car late one evening, he noticed the reflectors in the road and asked, "Mom, why are there lights in the road?  Don't those break if cars run over them?"  Just then, a car in front of us drove right over a reflector, and my boy just shook his head in confusion when the reflector did not shatter.

"Mom, if the gas from burning coals moves the piston that causes the wheels on a steam engine to turn, how does the driver steer the train and keep the wheels moving in the right direction?"

I also enjoy asking our children questions and watching their reactions.  While studying the Thirty Years (more like 41) War together, I asked them questions that were far too deep for their ages because I clearly do not get enough adult conversation, yet their responses via word or facial expression amazed me. Some of my questions included:

1. Was religion the reason for all this fighting or was there something more?  (The 7-year old answered, "They wanted more power and control" and then she rolled her eyes knowing that lust for power is often the root cause of war.)
2. How does God feel about all this fighting, brutality, and bloodshed done in the name of religion?
3. Is God more interested in making us religious or in drawing us into a personal relationship with Jesus in which we eagerly desire to know Him more each day?
4. Does Jesus prefer that we follow a list of religious rules out of fear of punishment or out of sincere love for Jesus which compels us to want to please Him?
5. When you surprised your dad by cleaning his office for him, did you do that out of love for him or out of fear?  
6. How did it make you feel when you saw the look of surprise and delight in his face?
7. Do you obey me out of love or fear?

Perhaps their next school assignment should be to watch this video entitled "Why I Hate Religion But Love Jesus" and then discuss.

I guess this rabbit trail example illustrates why homeschooling takes SO much longer at our house than it should.

The Art of Persuasion
While it is a well established rule that parents should never try to reason with a toddler, I find it quite amusing when my preschooler tries to reason with me, fully expecting that his justification will convince me to let him have his way in the matter.  He usually begins his 3-point sermons persuasive presentations with "In the first place..." which makes him sound so much older.

"Mom, since we've been studying the Louisiana purchase, and the Cars 2 movie has characters in it named Lewis & Jeff, who make me think of Lewis & Clark, I think I should be allowed to watch the movie every day as part of school." (Joey, age 5)

He also provides his rationale or the "why" whenever he expresses an opinion.   He recently announced that he wants to receive his college education from the United States Naval Academy as did his father.  That would be his father's dream come true but my worst nightmare.  

"I want to go to the Naval Academy because I love guns and want to live on a submarine". ~ Joey

It's a good thing he pronounced this goal when he did because the very next day, the good friends (more like family) we had hired to paint Joey's room blue also decided to add some additional artwork to make his room look like the inside of a cabin on a ship.  He was thrilled with his room makeover.

The framed puzzle like pieces were designed by his dad.

Basketball
Joey began playing team basketball for the first time this season.  His dad is his team's assistant coach.  I find it amusing that the name of his team is the same name that became my nickname (dubbed by guys who like to tease) when I ran track in high school.  Go Lil' Flash!

Right before his first game

After his first game, I asked him if he enjoyed playing basketball.  He responded, "Yes. They gave us Doritoes after the game!"  Sometimes his rationale reflects misplaced priorities.  


Here are a few other quotes I have come across over the past month that I want to remember and hope my children will learn well:

"Most men prefer pretty over hot." ~ Pat Archbold (Read his full article, "The Death of Pretty", here)

"With Christ beside us, we cannot be conquered or cowed -

never forget that the power of God working

through a faithful servant

is a mighty thing."

-Turning Points Devotional, June 2011, Day 13