"Just don't think about it dad.."

I walked into the kitchen a few moments ago to find my youngest drawing and coloring. It's one of his favorite things to do.

I asked him what he was doing and, after a long pause, got "the look" and he said, "it's a surprise."

My response was a question. "Oh, is it a surprise for me on Fathers' Day?"

Longer pause...

[sigh] "Dad, just don't think about it." [long pause and sigh] "Don't think about if it might be for you or not and then it won't bother you."

After I recovered from my laughter I left him alone.

Eventually he came in and offered me this as a gift.

Sandals

Ian has rediscovered sandals lately.

He's a true California boy in that he HATES to wear socks...or shoes, for that matter.

Kiley pulled new sandals out for him yesterday and his eyes got big. "You mean I don't have to wear socks with these?! sweet!"

So he wore his sandals to church on Sunday.

This morning (Monday), he donned the sandals again and announced, "Mom, someone told me at church that my sandals are just like God's sandals!"

Who knew?! 

Sandals can make me more like God...

Out!!

Ian played 1st base today.

The ball was hit and headed his way.

We held our breath.

He ran to the ball.

Looked at the guy running to 1st...

...and took off running himself.

His foot hit the base.

OUT!

His first unassisted out.

The only one of the game.

Plus, he smacked that ball when he was up to bat today. 

Those practice swings with the wiffle ball pounding the back of the house, must have paid off...

2 Things Dad

Ian was waiting in bed for me this morning, much later than he should have been. When I went to tell him to hurry up he said, "Dad, I've been waiting to tell you something."

"What was it you wanted to tell me?"

"Two things you need to know dad."

"Really?"

"Yes, the first things is 'everyday you need to treat me like a king, and the second is everyday you need to have my clothes laid out and ready when I wake up."

I think there's some reality coming his way soon...

Ian's 6th

Ian celebrated his 6th Birthday party today. His real birthday isn't until the 10th, but we were able to get an opening at Planet Gymnastics for his party (we bid on a birthday party at the Birth Connection Auction/Fundraiser and won it).

Ian's theme was dragons - Kiley did her usual spectacular magic and made a dragon cake complete with wings. Plus, Ian insisted that every dragon needs a rock so he had a rock cake.

Ian had several friends come and join him: Kacie, Kylie, Josie, and Baylie Andrews, Ryland Davis, Zachary & Jacob Dosick, Holly & Kobe VanNort, Adam Owyang, and Ryan & Hunter Aguilar (hope we got everyone).

A few Ian quotes:

• "Mom, your cake art is so creative."
• "My birthday party was just WONDERFUL!"

10 Things I Love About My boys

There was no event or snafu in the Skor house that brought this post on other than I've just been watching these two grow up lately and have been filled with a growing love for these two boney boys. So here's 10 Things I Love About My Boys (in no particular order):

1. Their sense humor - they make me laugh - every day!
2. Their hair - seriously, they both have crazy hair.
3. Their creativity - you should hear the ideas that spurt from their brains.
4. Their obsessions - I wonder where they get obsessiveness from?! hmm
5. Their kindness - they are known by their friends, parents, coaches and teachers for their kindness.
6. Their honesty - Although, when they're talking about my waistline, they COULD do with less honesty.
7. Their artistry - both have a love for art, which I love.
8. Their love for wrestling - There is nothing like pounding on your kids at the end of a long day. :-)
9. Their love for reading - what can we say, it runs in the family.
10. Their pursuit of God - there is nothing like hearing your children talk about learning about the very real God.

Another Good Quote

One of our prayers for our boys is that they would be men of character. We don't often pray that they would be leaders, that might not be their gifting... instead we pray for character and humility and influence for the Kingdom. I would rather see them live life unnoticed and unannounced if they live life in love with Jesus, His Kingdom and are willing to do whatever it takes... even if it means the death of personal dreams, pride and perceived position. That's why this quote from John the Baptist is one of the greatest "leadership" quotes, in my opinion, that there is:

"He must become greater; I must become less." ~ John 3:30

There are and will be times when men of real character are called upon to step back and to push others forward. That's a sign of real character.

Mommy moments

Had a true "mommy moment" today. I was making supper...grilled cheese sandwiches, yum...when all of the sudden I realized Ian's sandwich was on the blue plate. My sandwich was on the green plate. Ian loves green. It's a passion with him these days, as in "Oh, you got me a toy. Thanks! Is it green?" What did I do? I ate my sandwich off a blue plate of course.

MLK Weekend Trip

We surprised the boys with a last minute trip this last weekend. Kiley and I packed the van and had it ready to go when we got home from Sunday celebrations. They knew something was up, but didn't know what, when or where.

We drove to Reno, where a friend had found a deal on a hotel room at Circus Circus. Once there, we headed to the Circus Midway and played the evening away. There were circus acts to watch and loads of carnival games. The deal included some 2 for 1 tickets for the games, so we set about to see what we could win.

One of our favorite games was "the fishing game." Basically, they have a bunch of metal discs that float on a current in a circle. We were given a "fishing pole" which had a magnet on the end. If you snagged a yellow disk, you received a small prize (which anyone could do), but if you snagged a red disk all by itself (which is much more difficult) you received a bigger prize. This was one of my dad's favorite games at the county fair growing up and he had it dialed in. He had taught me well...we walked away with two armloads full of stuffed animals.

Once Ian went to bed, Brendon and I headed down for another round and won another several prizes. He had his heart set on a guitar that was won by knocking down 3 blocks with a bean bag...problem is, neither of us could hit the blocks! So much for that...

The next morning, we played a few more games and ate brunch at the buffet. It was fun to watch the contrast in the boys at the buffet. Brendon comes back with breads and goodies, but Ian comes back with fruit and oatmeal. :-)

We stopped in at Cabela's to look at the stuffed animals on the way back and then met some friends near Boreal where we found some very hard packed, but deep snow. We played there for several hours. Ian headed right for the top and sledded down over and over and over until finally he hit his head on my kneecap so hard that he cried for quite a while. After that he was done, but we were a few minutes from leaving anyway. Brendon and his friend played with snow ball makers and did their best to start a war with the parents. I don't think they expected their mom's to be quite as good as they were at taking them out with snow balls. :-)

When we got back in the van after stopping for a quick dinner at KFC, the boys pronounced, "This was the best day ever!" That always makes you feel good as a parent.

Little Enigmas

If you have kids, you've probably experienced this. Our boys are so different and we revel in those differences. It's always interesting to hear how other people perceive them.

Most people see Ian as the "outgoing one" because of his lively sense of humor and sparkle. The truth is, he's an introvert to the core. He could go days at home in his little bubble and not be bothered. He can play alone for hours on end. If we spend too much time with people, he gets cranky and we'll find him off alone in his room when we get home, quietly recharging as he plays.

Brendon is viewed as our introvert, and he's anything but an introvert. This young man is a social animal. He would have friends over every day for hours on end. He'll engage in conversations with about anyone if they're talking about something that interests him. It kills him to play by himself. His conversations after school are full of what he did with his friends that day.

They are our enigmas. They both come across as the opposite of what they are. It adds some serious spice to our family.

We wouldn't have it any other way.

Christmas Morning

There's been much happening around the Skor household since our last blog post. I'll take some time over the Christmas break to update you all on events and memories.

We'll be posting some Christmas pics on Facebook later today or tomorrow as well.

Here's a couple of memories from Christmas Morning:

• Ian opened up an electric toothbrush and yelled, "I've always wanted a 'try me!'" We tried to figure out what he meant and asked. He pointed out the words on the front of the toothbrush...you guessed it, they were "try me!"
• Brendon came dramatically down the stair gasping and fainting repeatedly, which made us wonder what was going on. He came into the family room and declared, dramatically, "I've been shot" -- he had a velcro vest from his Nerf Shooter on and had carefully place 2 dozen Nerf bullet/darts all over the vest as if he'd been shot. Then he repeatedly collapsed on the floor declaring, "I'm dying!"

Crumpled Paper and Carving Pumpkins

This last Friday Kiley and I were picking up kids from school. We had picked up Ian and were hanging around visiting with parents while we waited for Brendon's class to let out.

Ian was playing with one of his classmates and I noticed him pull a crumpled up piece of paper out of his pocket and hand it to his friend. They talked about it excitedly for a moment and then his friend ran the paper over to his mom, with whom Kiley was visiting.

The mom opened the crumpled paper and I noticed it was an invitation to our Pumpkin Carving Sunday in a couple weeks. I cringed at the crumpled paper and was about ready to try and apologize for my son keeping it wadded up in his pocket all day, when the mom ready it and looked up at Kiley and said, "Can we come to this?" (What were going to say to that?!)

She went on to unpack her story for us. She shared with us some of her background, upbringing and religion and then said, "My husband and I have been thinking about helping our kids find some direction and we'd like to try your church. We see your church everywhere in our community and want to try it." She had some other questions about what to expect, and then committed to coming to try it out for her family.

I was convicted. We have known this family for several years and slowly built a relationship with them.

But my five-year-old son, with the bold innocence that only a child has, made a simple ask of a friend and it may very well make an eternal difference.

I'm proud of him.

It was later that his teacher (who happens to be a friend) told us how Ian was running around to everyone on the playground and inviting them. When they would turn him down, there was no discouragement, he simply went on to ask the next person.

Oh to have the faith of a child....

Jesus Moments

So, I've been attempting to use car rides to school for some teaching moments.

My latest endeavor has been to challenge the boys on the way to school to think about one thing they can do that day that Jesus would want them to do. I promise to ask them after school.

So, on the first day we were sitting around the supper table together and I asked the question, "What did you do today that you think Jesus wanted you to do?"

Brendon -- "I invited a friend to go to AWANA because I thought it might be good for him and he might enjoy it..." and then, a little quieter, "...and I get points when he comes."

Ok, he's close, but the motivation needs some help. :-)

Ian -- (said without any hesitation or thought) "I went to the library!"

"You think going to the library was what Jesus wanted you to do today?"

"Yep."

"Why?"

"Because I got a book called 'Backyard Detective' that teaches me about the stuff in my backyard that God made."

Hmmm...his associative skills astound me, but I probably have some more work to do as we drive in the mornings.

Slash?

It seems like all my current family stories are about Ian and a bathroom. I guess that's just the season of life for the Skor Family these days.

Last night, Ian was taking a bath and stepped out to go to the bathroom.

I was in talking to Brendon when I heard the Ian "bathroom yell" but this time it was different. When I heard it, I looked into the hall and locked eyes with Kiley as if to ask, "Did I just hear what I thought I heard?" She nodded her head...we both promptly about fell over laughing at our child.

So what did he yell? I'll tell you in a minute...but let me ask you, after I tell you, answer this question for me...where did he learn THIS?

Here's what he yelled (I'm typing it word for word as he said it):

"I'm done going potty slash taking a bath!"

Slash?

What's he learning in Kindergarten these days?

Laughing at my children

Tonight both boys made me laugh:

• Brendon learned that he can't winner in a towel-snapping duel with his dad. No welts, bruises or broken skin...but when dad has a wet towel in his hand...Brendon has a newly-found respect!
• Ian was showing me his "aquarium display" in his room. Many of his animals set up in various displays which he talked me through. As I saw what looked like a T-rex with a lizard in his mouth he said, "This dinosaur likes to try and eat this lizard but he's too squishy to be eaten."

Growing up

As I was praying with the boys on our way to school this morning, I was a little overwhelmed by how they are becoming young men already.

Brendon and I are interacting at a different level than ever before. We're having more "grown up" conversations about life. His sense of humor jumps back and forth between elementary boy "body" humor and more sophisticated teasing and thoughts. Often, we'll sit in my big chair on lay on his bed at night and just talk. If I close my eyes, it's sometimes easy to forget that he's only nine. Of course, then he tackles me in the hall and makes some sci-fi sound effect and his age comes rushing back. :-)

Ian is feeling the pain of his pre-school childhood slipping away. He absolutely LOVES school, but daily reminds us how he misses just playing with his toys. He's moved from toddler to elementary boy. His art teacher caught me this morning to tell me how impressed she is with his maturity. She said, the normal kindergartners take several months to learn to pay attention and manage themselves, but he has been instantly attentive and produces great art already. Guess he is brighter than the average boy...ha!

I love these two dearly. And I pray daily that they would thoroughly enjoy their childhood...that it would be filled with life-long warm memories. I also look forward to watching them grow-up, however quickly that may be, and pray that they mature into passionate followers of the God who died for them.

Warning - Gross boy content

I apologize for the rather gross content of this post, but it made us laugh so hard, we just HAD to record it.

Ian and Brendon spent the night with my mom (Esther) recently. While there, Ian had the urge to go to the bathroom. After a little while, the expected yell came from the bathroom, "Done going pooooottttyyy!" (A little background...Ian has not yet learned how to wipe himself. When he yells, "Done going potty!" he means, "come and clean me up please!").

My mom went in and proceeded to wipe Ian's little bottom. She did it just once and declared he was ready.

Ian looked at her questioningly, "Are you sure I'm clean?"
Mom responded, "Yes, you are."
"But it was only once."
"I know, but you're clean, you can pull your pants up."

She began to help him pull his pants up when she heard, "Yep, you're right, I'm clean!"

She looked up to see Ian holding his finger in front of his face...examining it for any signn of "uncleanness."

We'll leave the rest to your imagination.

That's our boy...

Field Trip

Ian went on his first field trip this week with his kindergarten class. He was pretty excited about it for a few days before and has been since.

They went to the "B" Street Theater downtown Sacramento. My description of the place is that it's "live PBS." Not sure how they make any money. They're probably government supported with an arts grant or something. It's off in a little corner of downtown in kind of a warehouse.

They did a production for the kids called "Go Dog Go!" based on the popular kids' book by that title. It was cute and they did a very good job.

I took the morning off of work and Kiley and I met the bus at the theater (they only allow three parents to ride the bus at a time and there is such a clamor for parents to ride that they do a kind of lottery). 

As we sat in the theater during the intermission with Ian, I asked him what his favorite part of the field trip was. I expected to have him talk about the play. Instead, as usual, he surprised me.

"Dad, we rode on a big bus! There were three of us in a seat and we bounced and we had our own window, but only the top of it goes up and down...and it was SO much fun."

Guess we know what the fun parts of a field trip are now...