Snippets From Today

Today was parent-teacher conferences so the kids had off school. I met with Luke's teacher this morning and she gave such a glowing report of his reading progress. He started out reading this year at the first grade level (he's in first grade), and within two months he's now at a second grade level. I'm super impressed. I'm also super proud.
*** *** *** *** ***
I took the kids for family pictures this afternoon. They were all incredibly good and well behaved for the photo session and the pictures are so good. I chose the one of Micah squinting up his face to hang on our wall. It's so incredibly cute, just like him. Here's a photograph of the picture because we don't have a scanner.

*** *** *** *** ***
At Old Navy I strapped Micah into a cart (because I forgot the stroller) and he resigned himself to his fate. If he cannot run through the store, jump out of the cart, or climb on me he does the bored drone. He puts his thumb in his mouth and just hums loudly. It's cute for the first few hours but it got old several years ago. Some kids suck their thumb, some have binkies. Micah drones. Trust me, we've tried stopping it, and have since learned that it beats him screaming or throwing a tantrum. So anyway, I'm pushing the beacon through the store (the kids can always locate me by the noise) and a man stopped to stare at us. I stared back and he didn't turn away. The look on his face was not one of annoyance (thank goodness) but more like how on earth can that kind of noise come out of something that small. I answered his unspoken question with "yeh, it gets old fast." We both laughed. That's our boy, and we're so proud.
*** *** *** *** ***
Josh spent some of his cash on a collar for his dog. He came home and proudly put it on her. We ran in to see daddy at work and show him the pictures taken this afternoon. Upon returning home Josh was horrified to find that Spaniel #2 had eaten the collar off Spaniel #1. UGH! If it's not kids, it's the dogs. Everything gets destroyed.
*** *** *** *** ***
I saw a rat in the horse stable today and let me tell you I'm not happy. They are one of the most hated animals in my little world. I was going to break out the poison but God intervened. My mom was just telling me that as they were eating breakfast this morning someone stopped in their driveway and dropped off a cat. (I can say so much about this, but we'll let that slide for now.) Said cat was trying desperately to get into our house tonight so I told Luke to go feed it in the horse stable. If he can prove himself as a ratter, he'll have a permanent home. Well, if he decides that life with 8 dogs is worth all that. He's a pretty orange tabby, and I feel so bad for him.
*** *** *** *** ***
I have had an overwhelming desire to learn to knit lately. I don't know why. And it isn't like I have the time to learn right now, either. But I picked up a starter kit and some yarn today and am hoping that I can self-teach. I learn much better by watching than reading. If anyone has any suggestions for me I'd appreciate it. You know, like a beginner project to start with or yarn types or anything. Because quite frankly I'm clueless.
*** *** *** *** ***
We ate at Panera Bread when we were out and about. Luke prayed for us and thanked God for letting us eat at Banana Bread. I love Luke-isms. The kid is so incredibly real he cracks me up. He was a bit out of control at one point and I said "who's being loud and annoying?" He so proudly piped up "oooh, oooh, that'd be me!"
*** *** *** *** ***
And then there's Josh. We were playing Simon Says in the van to make the hour trip to the mall seem quicker.
Becky: Simon says touch your nose.
Everyone: EWWWWWWW!!!!
Me: Simon says no more farting in the van.
Josh: But we just passed a blasting zone.
Don't you just love boys?