Who is it?

Can you guess Ezra's new favorite movie? This is the main character.

Hint: It's not a new movie. When it first came out Matt and I were kids. I hated it and he loved it.

Some Pumpkins

'Tis the season to go to the pumpkin patch! Here are some photos...

For the Love of Airplanes...

A couple weekends ago we went up to the city to see the Blue Angels during Fleet Week. It was the first time I have seen them and I have to admit that it was quite amazing! We viewed them from Treasure Island and they were just flying over our heads, it was the perfect spot to see the show.

Now, normally when Ezra draws or colors, there isn't much that is recognizable on the paper. He does know how to draw a really good cross (or a "t" or an "x") though! So, the other day when I made him draw his own airplane, this is what he came up with:

It was pretty funny. All of a sudden he started shouting, "I did it! I did it!" I was so proud that later on I taped it up on the door. When he saw it up there during dinner, he asked Matt who put that up there. Matt told him I had done it and asked if it was okay. Ezra said, "No, I want to take it down." Matt asked him why and was told, "The wings aren't right." Oh well, it's still up on the door and I think it is great!

(Is it me, or is it hard to write a conversation???)

Belated Pictures from Yosemite

Tending the Heart of Virtue

Our book club last read this book, Tending the Heart of Virtue: How Classic Stories Awaken a Child's Moral Imagination, by Vigen Guroian. I HIGHLY recommend it! One of my first thoughts is that I have been lied to for much of my childhood. Stories such as Pinocchio and The Little Mermaid aren't just movies by Disney, but really amazing and redemptive stories that have been altered by the entertainment mogul. I was a reader growing up, but definitely not so much of the classics as Guroian writes about (think Babysitter's Club and Choose Your Own Adventure). We still have a ways to go with the boys. They were almost able to sit through a reading of The Velveteen Rabbit the other night. Guroian uses this story to discuss its themes of love and immortality (the rabbit becomes "real" in the nursery because of the boy's love and then becomes Real, like a real rabbit, by a Greater Love). He contrasts the idea of "teaching" morals to that of allowing the child to discover or realize how morals are essential for building a life of character and value. There does seem to be a fine line between the two sides, especially as we are living and raising our children for Christ. We have much to learn! I am looking forward to the reading and educating of my children, so my own education will have a chance to be redeemed!

The Chariot of all Chariots

Boy, would I attract A LOT of attention with this contraption!

It's the Valco Trimode Twin. First, it's a double jog stroller. Then, you attach the toddler seat at the front, so you've got a place for 3 children to sit. Theoretically, it looks like you could then attach the Hitch Hiker Ride-on Board, so an older child can stand and be pushed around as well. However, I'm guessing this might be pretty heavy. 4 children, 1 stroller, might be asking a lot. Speaking of A LOT, did I mention how much this chariot costs? With the toddler seat, a whopping $799!! Yikes!

So, way to go stroller inventors! Keep 'em coming!

Fun in the Mud