My Songs of Joy!
Do Re Mi Fa Sol!
Saturday, April 19, 2014
Sunday, April 13, 2014
Ha ha. Funny...joke.
Currently my darling, deliciously adorable 19 month old thinks it is hilarious to throw things. Even Mama's stern looks and rebukes have not tamed his latest talent.
Just a few days ago, not to be outdone by the comedy of his older brothers, he stealthily grabbed my iPad and plop! Threw it right into the bath tub....full of warm bath water, that his mother had just lovingly bathed him in minutes earlier. Ha.....ha.............ha. Funny. Not.
I am currently now, several days later, writing this post from the waterlogged piece of equipment mentioned....holding my breath, even as it seems to be working well again, after a few nights' recovery in a bag of rice, and numerous prayers begged up sheepishly on behalf of my poor tablet. (Each prayer was prefaced with, "I am sorry to ask for such a ridiculous thing as this, but......" And to be sure I was keeping my perspective in order, I would add at the end of each pleading prayer...."But, whatever be Your will.....even though I am hoping You might show a little extra mercy here for this silly request of mine.....")
Especially since it was supposed to be "funny", according to the 19 month old...right?
Ha, ha. Funny....joke.
Just a few days ago, not to be outdone by the comedy of his older brothers, he stealthily grabbed my iPad and plop! Threw it right into the bath tub....full of warm bath water, that his mother had just lovingly bathed him in minutes earlier. Ha.....ha.............ha. Funny. Not.
I am currently now, several days later, writing this post from the waterlogged piece of equipment mentioned....holding my breath, even as it seems to be working well again, after a few nights' recovery in a bag of rice, and numerous prayers begged up sheepishly on behalf of my poor tablet. (Each prayer was prefaced with, "I am sorry to ask for such a ridiculous thing as this, but......" And to be sure I was keeping my perspective in order, I would add at the end of each pleading prayer...."But, whatever be Your will.....even though I am hoping You might show a little extra mercy here for this silly request of mine.....")
Especially since it was supposed to be "funny", according to the 19 month old...right?
Ha, ha. Funny....joke.
Things to not take for granted as a mother of boys....
Things to not take for granted, as a mother of boys.... especially regarding hygiene...
-Wet spots are usually not water.
-Never ever sit down on the toilet without looking first....unless you don't mind...a wet seat.
-Never rush into a bathroom without glancing first at the floor....unless you don't mind wiping out from the puddle on the floor that "Oops! I forgot to tell you about that, Mama!"
-Every time a child goes potty or is told to 'Get ready for bed, go potty, and brush your teeth', in particular the boys, you must never ever assume that they have....a.) flushed the toilet, b.) washed their hands, c.) washed their hands with soap; d.) brushed their teeth; e.) brushed their teeth with a toothbrush; f.) brushed their teeth with toothpaste! g.) done all of the above tonight. Not last night, or last week. Yes. You must ask these things every time.
-Hairbrushing? What's that??
-Underneath that dress shirt he's wearing, there just might be hidden a Superhero shirt!
-Just because they got dressed, it doesn't mean they're wearing clean clothes. In fact, the 'whiff test' is usually a good thing. Take a whiff to see if it actually smells clean....because many a boy in my household has enjoyed wearing his clothes both to bed, then tried to get away with wearing it the next day as well. And believe me- they would if I let them.
-When they get together in a group, or even just as a band of brothers, civilized, proper, respectable manners are checked at the door. In fact, the noisier, smellier, gross-ier they can be, the prouder they are and the more impressed their bros/peers are. (Does this ever really change?)
-A sparkling, freshly cleaned, pleasant smelling bathroom or kitchen floor are never notice or appreciated by the boys.....in fact, they are actually grand advertisements and invitations for dirt, water wars, grime, glue, markers, and pee accidents! Oh joy! (Sometimes I do wonder why we bother. But only the really bad days!!)
-Nothing you own and hold dear to you is any longer exclusively yours, nor is it inevitably safe. In fact, those particular items tend to be boy magnets. Ah yes, detachment, detachment.
-They are never too young to be reared in the art of chivalry. Even the youngest boy loves to feel needed and helpful. (And it will pay dividends for Mom down the road!)
-Never take for granted those random "Mama......I love you"'s, the spontaneous hugs/kisses, or the thoughtfully plucked wildflower bouquets.
-Wet spots are usually not water.
-Never ever sit down on the toilet without looking first....unless you don't mind...a wet seat.
-Never rush into a bathroom without glancing first at the floor....unless you don't mind wiping out from the puddle on the floor that "Oops! I forgot to tell you about that, Mama!"
-Every time a child goes potty or is told to 'Get ready for bed, go potty, and brush your teeth', in particular the boys, you must never ever assume that they have....a.) flushed the toilet, b.) washed their hands, c.) washed their hands with soap; d.) brushed their teeth; e.) brushed their teeth with a toothbrush; f.) brushed their teeth with toothpaste! g.) done all of the above tonight. Not last night, or last week. Yes. You must ask these things every time.
-Hairbrushing? What's that??
-Underneath that dress shirt he's wearing, there just might be hidden a Superhero shirt!
-Just because they got dressed, it doesn't mean they're wearing clean clothes. In fact, the 'whiff test' is usually a good thing. Take a whiff to see if it actually smells clean....because many a boy in my household has enjoyed wearing his clothes both to bed, then tried to get away with wearing it the next day as well. And believe me- they would if I let them.
-When they get together in a group, or even just as a band of brothers, civilized, proper, respectable manners are checked at the door. In fact, the noisier, smellier, gross-ier they can be, the prouder they are and the more impressed their bros/peers are. (Does this ever really change?)
-A sparkling, freshly cleaned, pleasant smelling bathroom or kitchen floor are never notice or appreciated by the boys.....in fact, they are actually grand advertisements and invitations for dirt, water wars, grime, glue, markers, and pee accidents! Oh joy! (Sometimes I do wonder why we bother. But only the really bad days!!)
-Nothing you own and hold dear to you is any longer exclusively yours, nor is it inevitably safe. In fact, those particular items tend to be boy magnets. Ah yes, detachment, detachment.
-They are never too young to be reared in the art of chivalry. Even the youngest boy loves to feel needed and helpful. (And it will pay dividends for Mom down the road!)
-Never take for granted those random "Mama......I love you"'s, the spontaneous hugs/kisses, or the thoughtfully plucked wildflower bouquets.
Family Readaloud: Heroes, Villains, Knights, Wizards, Damsels in Distress.....
The beauty of family readalouds....
This school year we have focused on the Medieval/Middle Ages time period for history, art, and music, as well as many of our literature selections, in particular our family readalouds. So far, we have reveled in the rich, excellently written selections chosen, and I couldn't be more delighted! A couple months ago, we read Roger Lancelyn Green's Robin Hood. I had actually never read this book myself (well, not the unabridged version, anyway!), so I was just as eager to read it with the children as they were. A classic, no doubt! And now I have no question why that is so!
We marveled at the wit and cleverness of Robin of Locksley (aka Robin Hood), laughed aloud at the hysterical antics of his followers- lovingly referred to as the 'Merry Men of Sherwood Forest', not the least of John Little (christened "Little John" upon joining his band of men), admired Lady/Maid Marian for her courageous, yet always feminine and faithful character, and wistfully waited to see justice brought to the dastardly and despicable Prince John, hoping every chapter for the return of King Richard the Lion-Hearted ...yet not wanting the story to end just yet!! How fun it is to root for the good guys and boo-hiss at the villains together! We were also very pleasantly surprised with how very Catholic the book was! The characters themselves attended Mass and received the Sacraments, honored the Blessed Mother, and did honorable things in the name of God; there were wonderful lessons of virtue, contrasted with very clear examples of vice as well. Alas, it did indeed come to an end, and though it was not quite the happily-ever-after ending we eagerly hoped for, we still talk of the characters and their stories, which left indelible memories in our hearts and minds, to forever live amongst the other favorite heroes, villains, sidekicks, and stooges in our imaginations now!
Next, we were on to one more of Roger Lancelyn Green's works, this time King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table. Again, another piece of literature that I had never read in its unabridged version. After so delighting in Robin Hood, the kids were skeptical and doubtful that they could possibly enjoy the next book as much. But we forged onward, and can you believe it? We were all spellbound and caught up in Camelot and the Realm of Logres within pages! Who would't love a story with a wizard, a boy who is divinely chosen to rule as King, knights that fight for the honor and virtue of any lady in need, fire-breathing dragons, damsels in distress, haunted castles, the Holy Grail, jousting, sword fights, and new adventures to behold on almost every page! We immediately loved Arthur, and then we each had our favorite knights as the stories unfolded~ Gawain, Launcelot, Gareth, Percivale, Galahad... each with their own unique qualities and quests to embark upon! So, yes, we were hooked yet again! Last week we were approaching the final chapters... proud of ourselves for getting through another hefty classic, yet apprehensive to actually read the last words, knowing it would mean another farewell to characters that had become 'part of our family' this past month, truly finding special places in our imaginations and hearts. As I was reading the second to last chapter, where we were mourning the darkness that had begun to bring the Reign of Logres to an end, we began reading the story that ultimately unfolded into the end of one of our most favorites, Sir Gawain. When he breathed his left breath, I looked up a moment and there was my sweet L, looking at me with the saddest eyes, brimming with tears. He leapt onto my lap and buried his head into my lap, quietly sobbing over the death of his beloved Gawain! Oh my! You cannot even script these sorts of moments!! I was so moved by the power of this literature- my sweet L was literally devastated to read that one of his heroes had fallen and was now dead! (I will admit, a bit sheepishly, that I have actually tried for this type of reaction with other pieces of literature- one book I chose, upon a friend's recommendation and admittance that her son cried at the end of the book. Ooooh, I thought. Gotta try that book! So I did that very thing. Guess what? My son wasn't impacted the same way at all. In fact, my boy didn't flinch while reading the sad chapter in that book that evidently brought my friend's son to tears! And yet- all of this made for a valuable lesson for Mama: how you cannot manufacture or predict emotions or responses to literature, just as you cannot predict such a thing in life itself. Rather, how much more beautiful and powerful when such a thing happens naturally and unexpectedly because of a well-written piece of literature that transcends words on a page and becomes so much more!) So, thank you Mr. Green, for bringing alive in our home such worthy characters, who have taught us much about virtue and vice, honor and love, falls from grace, redemption, sacrifice for a greater good; rich characters who have tickled our funny bones, stirred great conversation, and most of all, given us memories and dear literary friendships that will forever live and impact our imaginations!
Now... I do fear choosing wisely for our next read aloud! Nothing like two gems of literature in a row that mesmerized me and my three oldest children especially!
This school year we have focused on the Medieval/Middle Ages time period for history, art, and music, as well as many of our literature selections, in particular our family readalouds. So far, we have reveled in the rich, excellently written selections chosen, and I couldn't be more delighted! A couple months ago, we read Roger Lancelyn Green's Robin Hood. I had actually never read this book myself (well, not the unabridged version, anyway!), so I was just as eager to read it with the children as they were. A classic, no doubt! And now I have no question why that is so!
We marveled at the wit and cleverness of Robin of Locksley (aka Robin Hood), laughed aloud at the hysterical antics of his followers- lovingly referred to as the 'Merry Men of Sherwood Forest', not the least of John Little (christened "Little John" upon joining his band of men), admired Lady/Maid Marian for her courageous, yet always feminine and faithful character, and wistfully waited to see justice brought to the dastardly and despicable Prince John, hoping every chapter for the return of King Richard the Lion-Hearted ...yet not wanting the story to end just yet!! How fun it is to root for the good guys and boo-hiss at the villains together! We were also very pleasantly surprised with how very Catholic the book was! The characters themselves attended Mass and received the Sacraments, honored the Blessed Mother, and did honorable things in the name of God; there were wonderful lessons of virtue, contrasted with very clear examples of vice as well. Alas, it did indeed come to an end, and though it was not quite the happily-ever-after ending we eagerly hoped for, we still talk of the characters and their stories, which left indelible memories in our hearts and minds, to forever live amongst the other favorite heroes, villains, sidekicks, and stooges in our imaginations now!
Next, we were on to one more of Roger Lancelyn Green's works, this time King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table. Again, another piece of literature that I had never read in its unabridged version. After so delighting in Robin Hood, the kids were skeptical and doubtful that they could possibly enjoy the next book as much. But we forged onward, and can you believe it? We were all spellbound and caught up in Camelot and the Realm of Logres within pages! Who would't love a story with a wizard, a boy who is divinely chosen to rule as King, knights that fight for the honor and virtue of any lady in need, fire-breathing dragons, damsels in distress, haunted castles, the Holy Grail, jousting, sword fights, and new adventures to behold on almost every page! We immediately loved Arthur, and then we each had our favorite knights as the stories unfolded~ Gawain, Launcelot, Gareth, Percivale, Galahad... each with their own unique qualities and quests to embark upon! So, yes, we were hooked yet again! Last week we were approaching the final chapters... proud of ourselves for getting through another hefty classic, yet apprehensive to actually read the last words, knowing it would mean another farewell to characters that had become 'part of our family' this past month, truly finding special places in our imaginations and hearts. As I was reading the second to last chapter, where we were mourning the darkness that had begun to bring the Reign of Logres to an end, we began reading the story that ultimately unfolded into the end of one of our most favorites, Sir Gawain. When he breathed his left breath, I looked up a moment and there was my sweet L, looking at me with the saddest eyes, brimming with tears. He leapt onto my lap and buried his head into my lap, quietly sobbing over the death of his beloved Gawain! Oh my! You cannot even script these sorts of moments!! I was so moved by the power of this literature- my sweet L was literally devastated to read that one of his heroes had fallen and was now dead! (I will admit, a bit sheepishly, that I have actually tried for this type of reaction with other pieces of literature- one book I chose, upon a friend's recommendation and admittance that her son cried at the end of the book. Ooooh, I thought. Gotta try that book! So I did that very thing. Guess what? My son wasn't impacted the same way at all. In fact, my boy didn't flinch while reading the sad chapter in that book that evidently brought my friend's son to tears! And yet- all of this made for a valuable lesson for Mama: how you cannot manufacture or predict emotions or responses to literature, just as you cannot predict such a thing in life itself. Rather, how much more beautiful and powerful when such a thing happens naturally and unexpectedly because of a well-written piece of literature that transcends words on a page and becomes so much more!) So, thank you Mr. Green, for bringing alive in our home such worthy characters, who have taught us much about virtue and vice, honor and love, falls from grace, redemption, sacrifice for a greater good; rich characters who have tickled our funny bones, stirred great conversation, and most of all, given us memories and dear literary friendships that will forever live and impact our imaginations!
Now... I do fear choosing wisely for our next read aloud! Nothing like two gems of literature in a row that mesmerized me and my three oldest children especially!
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