Insights into the Male Psyche

Sam has had a couple interesting things to say about "boys" lately. I thought I would share his insights:

Brian and he were reading about Jesus being circumcised after he was born and Sam, of course, wondered what that meant. After a very frank explanation of the what and why's of circumcision, Sam asked if Lydia and other girls had a similar operation. Brian answered in the negative and Sam replied, "That's probably because boys sin more than girls."

I was telling him a bit of a story from Little Men, which I am reading. The characters I was describing happened to be twins. I reminded them what twins were and he asked if they dressed the same. I answered, "No, this set of twins had one girl and one boy, so they didn't dress the same." Sam immediately replied, "Yeah, because boys have to look cool and girls have to look pretty."

Lydia

These are a couple of my favorite pictures of Lydia who told me this morning that she is almost three years old, and then she "will be as big as the sky." The first picture captures her ability to bring joy and smiles to those around her, in this case her great-grandfather just a month before he died. In spite of his physical problems at that time, he delighted in her. She is fun to be with, and to talk with.
The second picture shows her love of books. She loves to be read to--and to read to others, Elinore, Peter the doll, etc. On Thursday mornings, we go to Story Hour at the library, and selecting just a few books to check out is a real challenge. She would love to take many more home. I am so grateful for her love of reading as I work with adults who cannot read and have never discovered the "worlds" at their fingertips.

We love you, Lydia!

Life Could Be So Simple

Of all the toys we have in the house, Elinore has spent her day attached to two plastic cups and a square of bubble wrap (that doesn't have any unpopped bubbles because she methodically popped them all this morning, but she continues to carry around the used up square). Sometimes I get these little glimpses that my life could be so much simpler...

A Gift From Sam

Even though I hardly ever wear earrings at all...
Even if I did, they would never be "dangly"...
Even though they kinda hurt my ears to wear them...
Because he bought them just for me...
Because he thinks they are pretty...
Because I know how important gifts are to him...
Because his face was so sweet with excitement when he gave them to me...
Because he is my son...

I will wear these.

FYI They are almost 3 inches long :)

Sam

While going through our many pictures, I decided to share a few of my favorite "Grandkids Photos." Today nearly-five-year-old Sam is the subject. The first picture shows how much Sam is loved--by both of us. The second picture shows Sam with his new Lego Street Sweeper, bought in the Netherlands. Since Grandpa knows how much Sam loves Legos, every time we saw a toy store, he would disappear inside to check out their Lego inventory, looking for Lego kits not available in the US. (Gabe will probably also benefit from these trips. :)

Sam, we love you !! Grandpa and Grandma