"You aren't the mom for me. Dad either. Because when we play games, you make me play by the rules."
"I don't want to hurt your feelings, but my music teacher has a prettier voice than you, and everyone else."
We had the Watchtower and Awake sitting out on the dining table and he was reading them every morning with breakfast. Completely on his own. Then he blurted out, "Who is Babylon the Great? Cuz I don't know who he is and I want to!" So we had quite a discussion about false religion. He asked more questions about the pictures in the magazine, and then asked, "So, do you think religion really is on it's way out?" I told him false religion was, but not our religion. Ours is still growing!
He was also very interested in an article about a blind person and talked a lot about that one.
In Colorado, you have to clear the sidewalk of snow within 24 hours of it stopping. One neighbor across the street has a snowblower they use. Andrew was watching out the window. "Mom, why is someone using their lawnmower in the snow?"
"It's really not nice to sing jingle bells because it makes fun of Batman and Robin, and they are superheroes."
"Honey, that's not the real jingle bells song. That's just a song someone made up to the tune of jingle bells."
"Oh."
December 10th he had another Bible Reading and did awesome as usual. This one was 2 Chronicles 13:13-22. Breezed right through the tough names. I think I've lost count now how many readings he has had.
December 15th we had several inches of snow and it resulted in school being cancelled. Andrew had a BLAST playing in it, as did the dogs. They all rolled in it, tried to dig tunnels, had snowball tosses, made snow angels, and tried to build little forts too. Unfortunately, Andrew has the same problem I do - his arms are too long for everything that fits everywhere else. So snow kept going up his sleeves. I finally put my coat shell over his entire outfit. That helped him last longer out there.
Earlier that morning he asked me if I would teach him how to write his name in cursive. I only had to show him once for him to almost get it perfectly. The "r" was the hard part for him I think. But within just a few minutes, he could do it really well! He was very pleased!
He is quite strong for a little one. Daddy has a pull-up bar hanging in the office doorway. When Andrew pulls a chair under it, he stands on his toes on the arms of the chair and balances in the doorway until he reaches up to grab the bar. Then he can do 2-4 pull ups. After that he jumps and then can hold himself up for a few seconds. He is quite pleased with the development of his biceps.
His favorite sandwich right now is Lettuce, Tomato, Cheese, with ranch dressing.
He took his last three dollars from his 'piggy bank' and put it in the contribution box to help Bethel. Completely his idea.
I think it was one day last month he brought home a library book called "How To Beat Your Dad at Chess". This month his focus has been Origami Paper Airplanes. I finally gave him a bunch of scrapbook paper because it's already square.
December 23rd - daddy took the day off and Dwayne joined them for a day of snowboarding at Winter Park. I guess Andrew had a tougher time this go around. There was some sort of lift that you're supposed to just hold on and it takes you up - and he tumbled down that a couple of times, in addition to the falling down while trying to snowboard. He is certain he will not be sore tomorrow though.
December 25th - I asked him what he'd do if he had $10. He said buy a transformer. I asked about $20 and he said a new soccer ball and bat - or maybe just a bat since he doesn't have one anymore. (dogs ate it). I asked what he'd do with $30 and he said a new bat and transformers. I asked about $40 and I don't remember what he said. I asked about $50 and without hesitation he said 'a new lego set.' I asked if he had one in mind and he didn't. Then I told him he needs to write a thank you note to Meemaw and Beebop. He got a big grin on his face and asked why. I smiled at him as his excitement grew before telling him it's because they sent him some money he could spend however he'd like.
He returned with a note that said, "Dear memaw and beeboop, Thank you for the 50 bucks. Keep on serving Jehovah god. I know you are doing a great Job so keep it up! Love, memaw and beebop" (supposed to be love, Andrew) I was so proud of his encouraging words, but crushed his heart when I informed him that they don't worship Jehovah. I said they do worship a god, but they don't recognize Jehovah as the true God. He asked, "didn't they used to?" I said no and he sounded like he held back tears. "They might die." He crumpled up his letter, threw it away, and he ran off to his room upset. When he resurfaced, I explained to him that Jehovah is the ultimate judge and he can read hearts. He would know who would be willing to serve him wholeheartedly if Satan weren't so distracting and dishonest in the world misleading people. It's up to Jehovah who will be in Paradise. But too, if anyone dies before Armageddon, they will be in Paradise and learn about Jehovah then. That cheered him up and for some reason made him feel better about himself too - that if he were to die before Armageddon, that he'd automatically be resurrected to Paradise. Poor kid. He wrote another note but sealed it in an envelope before I got to see it.
The next day we took him shopping. We took him out to breakfast at Golden Corral so he could stuff his face at a buffet. Then we went to Toys R Us, Target, Walmart, and Costco so he could touch and see all his options. We kept explaining to him how to determine the value - if it's well made, would it keep his interest longer than a week or even a year. We finally convinced him to stick with Legos because he will like those for a long time most likely, as opposed to a cheaply made plastic speedboat or a cheap RC car that will break as every single one has that we've purchased in the past.
The Lego set he chose was a police station. I could get it cheaper online than in store, so he still had to wait for it.
Since Andrew is on Winter Break, I've been trying to make a greater effort of playing games with him. We've been playing a lot of Sequence. He's pretty good at it, but he needs to learn better strategy still. I may only have 2 or 3 pieces on a board that aren't even in a row and he will use a wild card to take one away or to put one next to me and say, "ha! blocked you!". I'd have to then explain to him why it's a bad move to waste a wild card that way. He'd frown and undo his turn. I've been having to hold on to my wild cards just to give him a good chance to win. After several games, he finally won one fair and square.
December 28th - he begged us to play hide and seek. I finally consented. He's pretty easy to find because he giggles when he knows you are close. He told me to stop singing "where is Andrew" when I'm looking because it makes him laugh. I hid in the shower stall and somehow he knew I went into my bedroom to hide. I could hear him look everywhere in my room but he only glanced into the bathroom. He searched the whole house twice - even my bedroom before giving up. I started giggling so he could find me. He had a big smile on his face when he finally found me.
Dec 29th - We went to the aquarium. It was FREEZING cold outside and we had a long walk from the car, then had to stand in line outside to buy tickets, then stand in another line outside trying to get in. The line was moving slowly because their photographer inside was so slow. We didn't have coats on because we knew it'd be warm inside and I didn't want to lug coats. We cuddled a bit and then he said, "Activate Heat Source" and decided he wasn't going to be cold anymore. Wish I had that super power! Anyway, we both thoroughly enjoyed the visit. He liked telling me about some of the creatures he'd learned about in school when he studied the rainforest. We got to see the women dressed as Mermaids do their performance and tricks under water. He got to pet the stingrays. He kept pointing out signs to me that advertise ability to scuba with the sharks, that you have to be at least 6. I told him he and daddy could see how much it cost to get certified (a requirement) and do it together if they wanted to. (He has since decided he doesn't want to risk his life being with sharks and stingrays, though I dont think the rays are in the same tank) It was a very nice day.
Dec 29th, his lego set arrived RIGHT before bed. So we set it on the table downstairs ready for him when he got up in the morning. He spent 8.5 straight hours building his lego city police station. He did it all by himself. I did sit down in the middle and help sort the pieces to make it easier for him and make building faster. He finished just in time to change clothes and leave for dinner. We were going to an all-you-can-eat Sushi dinner with the Waggoners. When he first looked at the menu, he decided he wasn't going to like any of the rolls. I helped him choose one to try anyway, and we ordered. The waggoners ordered a ton of different rolls. We just had roll after roll appear on our table as they were made. And they were devoured just as quickly. I couldn't believe how much Andrew put away! He tried everything that came - cooked and raw. They only charged us $6 for him and he probably ate $20 worth.
