Reading Rewards

Jacob and Hannah are participating in the Summer Reading Program at the library. After they completed five hours of reading, they were able to choose their first prize from a list of several things. They both chose playtime at Pump-It-Up - an indoor play area with huge blow-up things to slide and bounce on - a fun afternoon for the kids!

They were so excited to try this place out for the first time! And the afternoon got even better when we pulled up next to Jacob's best friend from preschool in the parking lot. He too was using his reading reward! It made Jacob's day to see Tyler and have a chance to play together.

Hannah was nervous about trying out the huge slide but she eventually built up courage to try it and then she slid over and over and over again! It was her favorite thing to play on. Jacob loved the big bouncy room -- not a surprise as he loves to JUMP! Luke enjoyed watching all the kids play and I took him in a small bouncy room for a little while. He thought that was pretty neat. It wasn't long before he found the cords to the big air compressors that keep the blow-up things inflated and then had to spend the remaining time in my arms or in the stroller. He has a knack for finding the electronic things wherever we are.

Luke heading for the cords -- look at the look of determination on his face!

Swimming Lessons

Jacob and Hannah finished two weeks of swimming lessons yesterday. Jacob was in the Preschool II class. Here he is splashing -- his favorite thing to do in the water! Hannah and I participated in a parent-tot swim class together. I was with her in the water every day but the last day of class. Hannah swam with Marcia (one of her teachers) yesterday and did a great job without me! I had Luke on deck with me as Pat is away at a conference. It was actually nice to be able to watch from the deck and see how they're doing in their classes and I got to take a few pictures ;-). Hannah is ready for Preschool I this fall and Jacob needs to learn a few more skills before he moves to Preschool III. He made a lot of progress -- he no longer is afraid to get his face wet and do bobs. Hannah progressed a lot too -- she isn't afraid to relax on her back and loves to kick her feet!The last ten minutes of swim class they turned the slide and water features on and the kids were able to play! Hannah and Jacob both enjoyed the slide.

Bedtime Questions and Car Revelations

Bedtime Questions....
Tonight as Jacob was lying in bed he started asking questions about other religions and what other people believe. What an eye opener for him to hear that not everyone knows or believes in Jesus. He asked me if some of the children he plays with on the quad go to church. Several of them are Hindu and there are probably several other religions represented in our quad. I tried to explain that Hindus pray to different gods and have different beliefs. I also suggested getting a book about world religions so he can learn the differences between Christians and other faiths. Jacob started thinking more about being a Christian and how that makes him different from the other children with different beliefs. He wondered if he could tell these other children about Jesus and what he might say to them. I was impressed that he was having these thoughts. I pray that he will be able to be strong and stand firm in God's love and grace as he shares with his friends.

His last question of the night was "Mommy, how did the Bible get written?" We have a deep thinker on our hands! I gave him a brief answer and then told him we'd talk more about it in the morning.


An endearing car revelation.....
Earlier this week as we were driving to swim class, Jacob began talking about a man he saw in a wheelchair at church on Sunday. He said "did you see that man in the wheelchair at church?" I told him I did. And then he asked "why is he in a wheelchair?" I told him that some people can't walk so they need to ride around in a chair. He then asked me "will he ever be able to walk again?" I told him I wasn't sure but sometimes people are healed and can walk again. He then said "Jesus will help him walk when he gets to heaven. No one needs wheelchairs in heaven." And Hannah chimed in..."and He'll wipe away all of our tears in heaven." How neat to be a part of these conversations with my children. It is moments like these that I would not want to miss!