my kid-isms for December

From the back of the van on the way to school:
Kalen: "Mom, wanna hear a joke?  Why did the cow cross the road?"
Mom: "Why?"
Kalen: "To see Santa Claus!"
(insert loud laughter from Kal and Zeke)
Mom: "What do you think the cow asked Santa to bring him?"
Kalen: "I don't know."
Zeke: "PANCAKES!"
(insert more laughter!)

Last night Sam played the drums while Penny sang "Little Drummer Boy" at the church music fireside.  I told him it was his drumming debut.  I asked Kal "didn't Sammy do a good job playing the drum?"
Kalen: "Not really!"
Geez, brothers!

While at the fireside last night, a trio sang the song "Baby in a Manger". 
Sam: "What is this song called?"
Kal: "Baby in a Manger."
Sam: "Who is the baby?"
Kal: "I think they mean Jesus"
Sam: "Oh, I thought they meant maybe like when a dad calls a mom his baby."

Also, last night we were out late at a Music Fireside at church. We hurried home and rushed the kids through the bedtime routine. Sam begged me to give him a few minutes b/c he had an idea and wanted to write it down before he forgot. Kurtis and I kinda hollered at him but told him to go ahead. This afternoon I looked over what he wrote as his "budget report" for the money he has asked for Christmas: 20% goes to savings, 10% goes to buying, 20% goes to helping (friends) and 55% goes to Missionary savings" I asked him when he got home what he meant, he said "I want to start saving for my mission so I can go someday." Those moments don't happen when we're looking for them or even when we're trying to teach them. They get it and they will demonstrate how they get it when you least expect it!

Izzy and the purple cast

Izzy got her cast off two weeks ago and I need to post pics.  She's been so brave through this whole process and I'm so proud of her!  My favorite picture is of Daddy holding her ear as the saw came close to where she was laying down.  They argue a lot but he is so protective of her in his own way.

Kal's growing older and wiser too.....

Last week was Thanksgiving and the birthday of two special little boys.  First off, Kal turned 6 years old and we had a "GI Joe party" for him, complete with grenades that would tick down and then "explode".  It was a small party but there was a lot of fun had.  But perhaps, the special moments that happened for me were one-on-one times with my sweet boy.
The night of his birthday party Kal was curled up in bed with me and said "Mom, thanks for making me birthday cupcakes and letting my friends come and play."  This is huge coming from Kalen b/c he never acts like this or thanks us for anything.
A few nights later, he was throwing a fit before bed and after arguing a ton I said "Kalen, I can't take it anymore!  I can't do this!"  After a few minutes, he meekly came to me and said "Momma, what can't you do anymore?  Can you not do 'me' anymore?  B/c I love you."  It melted my heart and I had to stop and speak softly to him.  I had to remind myself that he is listening and taking in everything I say.
We're going through some stuff with Kal and learning how to help him.  The child psychologist did diagnose him the ADD recently and we now have to start the next process of seeing how to have him treated medically.  Also, we're starting counseling for anger management.  All of these things makes the tender, sweet moments with Kalen that much sweeter and more tender.  I'm so thankful for him and the joy he brings us.  No one makes me laugh the way Kal does.  He's just his own special little guy and I'm really glad he's my boy!