Mr. Independent

Yep -- Zak is getting to that stage where he wants to do everything by himself -- and he's not afraid to let you know when you're interfering!

Last night at dinner he decided that he preferred to eat all his food by himself -- nothing on a spoon from Mom. Why he chose chicken enchilada night to start this, I don't know. Very messy -- but he was quite pleased with himself.

He insisted on using a spoon -- he loved putting it in his mouth. He also attempted numerous times to put food on it -- unfortunately gravity got in his way every time.

He went straight from the highchair to the bathtub -- he required more than a damp paper towel. It's a good thing he loves bath time!

The man in charge!

Don't be fooled by the spoon in his
mouth -- there was nothing on it!

Food on the spoon attempt #37.

The food with fingers worked every time!

He loved chicken enchiladas!

Zak's Favorite Shelf

This evening Zak spent about 15 minutes amusing himself with the bottom shelf. He cleared it out and proceeded to play with puzzle pieces. He was having a great time -- but every time I went to take his picture, he would stop what he was doing and flash me a grin!

I was so hoping he would fall asleep in the shelf -- but no such luck. That would have been the perfect picture!

Doing a puzzle Zak's way -- free form!

Getting cozy.

Just lounging around!

Sam's Bible Study

A few weeks ago I started the fall Bible Study at our church -- we're doing Beth Moore's Esther study. It's very good. In an attempt to get it done with a little peace and quiet, I've been getting up early and doing it before the boys get up.

This was working well until last week, when Sam started getting up earlier. So, I told him I was doing my Bible study, but he could read books quietly on the couch while I worked on it. Sam decided he was going to have a Bible study too -- so he got out his Adventure Bible and his notebook and pencil and sat down next to me. He wanted to know what I was reading about. I told him we were studying the story of Esther -- and showed him where it was in his Bible -- we had just read it together a couple of weeks ago. Then he wanted me to write "Esther" on his paper. He then proceeded to write out "Esther" and the number reference that was in his Bible -- we didn't even know he could write numbers!

The next morning, he was up early again -- so he got his Bible and his notebook and told me he was going to work on his Bible study too -- he wasn't finished with Esther yet. He's done this almost every morning for the last week -- sometimes he's even done it all by himself! He has wrapped up Esther and has now moved on to David and Goliath.

Although there are quite a few more distractions with Sam joining my Bible study time -- the questions are abundant! -- I'm more than happy to encourage him!

Sam's notebook page on Esther.

Sam's notes on David and Goliath.

Sam's First Field Trip

Today was Sam's first field trip! His preschool class went to a really neat pumpkin patch. It had a hay pyramid with tunnels, a maze, lots of animals to pet and a hay ride. But Sam was most excited about riding on a school bus!

Matthew went along to help out so he was able to get a few pictures of Sam's fun day.

Sam's class on the bus.

Looking at all the animals.

Sam petting the calf.

Those are some big tires!

Climbing the hay pyramid.

Getting ready to go through another tunnel!

Pillow Jumping

Today was a rainy, gray day -- the perfect day for inside fun!

Sam pulled out a bunch of pillows and bean bags and piled them up in the family room. There was a lot of running and flipping and shouting. Zak had fun climbing all over the pile of pillows.

From the looks of our weather -- we're going to need to stock up on pillows!

Sam always dove in head first!

It was hard to get a picture of the action!

This is Sam faking sleep on the pillows. Not very convincing!

A happy boy!

Zak was a little more subdued than Sam --
he's getting molars and is a little miserable!

Playing together!

BooS & Sin

Kids say the funniest things -- Sam's had a couple good ones this week.

Yesterday he was sitting at the table waiting for me to finish making his lunch. Out of the blue, this is what I hear:

Sam: Mom, what does "BS" spell?

Mom: What? (while trying to figure out where he could have heard this).

Sam: What does "BS" spell?

Mom: Where did you hear about that?

Sam: It's right there (pointing in the kitchen).

Mom: Oh, (very relieved) that's the name of the cutting board. It's called BooS BlockS. But you can just call it a cutting board.

______________________________

This is an excerpt from Sam's prayer tonight:

Dear God,

Thank you for all the wonderful things in my life. Thank you for my sin. (This is where Matthew added, "Thank you for forgiving our sins". This is also where I had to hide my face behind a book because I was laughing so hard)!

You never know what's going to come out of his mouth!

Rub-A-Dub-Dub

Lately the boys have started taking baths at the same time. When Matthew's at work, it's a lot easier to scrub them up together.

They both think it's fun -- Zak likes to watch Sam -- and Sam likes to squirt Zak with water. It's a win-win!

Zak with his frog cup -- it's his favorite.

Sam showing Zak how to wash his hair.

Getting excited!

Silly Sam!