What’s new

Just wanted to share a few things that are on my mind before I forget them. Tonight Lucy said to Tom, “Daddy, do you know about people that make trees, like Heavenly Father and Harold?” I don’t know if you are aware of the children’s book Harold and the Purple Crayon. If you aren’t familiar with it, I recommend it. In the book, Harold draws a tree with apples on it. Apparently to Lucy, that means making a tree, much the same as creating a tree.

She is learning relationships, such as Grandpa Pieper is Mom’s dad and stuff like that. She says stuff like, “Mom, I love your husband,” and “Ella’s mom’s husband’s truck” instead of saying, “Mom, I love Dad,” or “Ella’s dad’s truck.” I get a kick out of it. It is fun to see the little wheels turning in these little ones’ heads and seeing how everything fits together for them.

She has also recently taken to cutting with scissors and paper. She is good about asking permission. Then when she is done, she is good about asking for help with sweeping and picking up the many little paper snippings. I am amazed at how quickly she has learned to cut like a pro! It is her new hobby I think. Not something she can do in the doctors office or at church like looking at books, but handy when I need something entertaining to suggest to her at home.

Some new findings at school have made us recently look at doing more schooling with our two oldest, not because they are behind, but just the opposite. We feel like right now they are so interested in learning new things and are so receptive that we need to keep helping them progress. I guess that is what our free Fridays and after school will consist of now. We are also starting Matthew and Jenny in piano lessons this week. Fun days ahead! I love watching them start to understand and learn something new. It gives me a lot of happiness.

Speaking of learning new things, Tommy has learned the art of climbing. And he doesn’t just do it casually. He is constantly into and onto everything that is even possible for one so small and not even walking (really) yet. I have to know where that little boy is at all times now because he could be into anything in less than a moment.

I guess you can see what the benefits of climbing are for him. And these are only the couple I caught on camera. And I guess the benefits for me are that he is happier. You can plainly discern the downsides.