Ninja Soccer

This afternoon Keagan's soccer team had its first indoor game. They are playing in a league with older and much bigger kids in order to level out the playing field. Assuming that we would still be the much stronger team, Coach Bob kept the best players in the back field. 

We lost 5 - 3.

But who's keeping score? Keagan had a great time and told us that he might have lost but he definitely kicked some bootie.

My Little Evangelist

My friend Bridget calls Evan "the little evangelist" because last year Evan was always bringing invitations to school inviting her son Caleb to church. If it wasn't the outdoor movie series, then it was the Christmas bonfire.

This year Evan has had several encounters with kids at school regarding his belief in God. And while I have a very difficult time believing that my quite, introverted son would be outspoken about anything when he still refuses to speak to our friends at church that we have known since our arrival in Virginia five years ago, his teacher assures me that he is Mr Popularity and the center of attention at school. His "lively and outgoing personality" makes him one of the most well-liked kids in the class. If you are reading this wondering if perhaps my Evan has been confused with another child, then you are thinking much like I did when I received this news several months ago. However, after hearing all of that, it makes the following all a bit more plausible.

At Ramadan, Evan told a small group that Mohammad could not be God because he was a man, a man that couldn't be powerful because he wasn't the Son of God like Jesus. At Christmas time, he approached his Jewish classmate about her belief in the coming Messiah and boldly claimed she had it wrong because Jesus is the Messiah and he has made his arrival on Earth. His teacher threatened to move him to "yellow."  Last week, he asked another friend if she believed in God. When she said that she didn't, Evan asked why. She told Evan she wanted to believe in God but because her parents didn't, she couldn't. Evan told the little girl that you can believe in God even if your parents don't. And then he told her to ask Jesus to live in her heart.

In the past year, he has grappled with some very difficult theological questions. And because he is only seven year old, his level of understanding often surprises me.

This morning at church we had our sermon and I leaned in to ask Evan if he understood the lesson. He made a comment that seemed to me like he was really processing some big issues, he was looking intently at the pastor, and then he whispered, "Mom?"

That's when I knew it was all coming together for him. I was on pins and needles ready to hear the new observation he had made while processing this new information. I leaned in closer ready to hear the big revelation he had in store for me.

And he asked, "Mom, when do the NFL games come back on tv?"

So clearly we aren't there yet, but I can't wait to hear the story he tells this week at school about the Book of Life and this week's sermon.

Breaking the Law

Evan had no take home folder in his backpack today. That meant no behavior report, no homework, no test results, no new word list. Nothing.

There was just one way to fix this problem. I decided that we would drive to the school and find the take home folder.

Evan did not like this solution. He did not like it at all.

He began to cry. Huge tears rolled down his face. He began to scream until his face turned bright red. He begged me to stay away from the school.

With all of this commotion, I felt he must be hiding something from me. What could he have done to cause all of this angst?

When we got to the parking lot, the truth came out. And, no, he didn't break another spoon.

He was certain that our entrance through the front doors minus an escort from a faculty member would cause a lock down, the police would arrive, and we would be arrested.

We went inside anyway, we found the folder sitting on top of his desk, and we returned to the car without incident. We were not arrested.

While driving back home, Evan said, "I can't believe we just broke the law."

I replied, "Well, if you leave that folder at school again, we will have to come back after hours, and we might just get caught by the police."

I don't think he will lose the folder again.

Welcome to the Jungle

Keagan and Wes at Dad's Night at Little Hands Kindergarten Program

We are continually impressed with Little Hands and all that it offers Keagan and the rest of the family. Tonight's event had the guys searching for five lost animals on an animal safari. 

Half Birthday

Who actually celebrates a half birthday?
- A little boy that wants "Happy Birthday" to be sung to him by his classmates during circle time
- A little boy that wants the joy of wearing a birthday crown during the school day
- A little boy who wants to bring a special snack to share with his friends
- A little boy who wants to see his name written on the birthday cake sticker on the classroom calendar

And because of Keagan's August birthday, he has never been in school to do any of these...until today. Many thanks to Mrs. Stovall for suggesting we celebrate his half birthday today! Keagan truly believed he was king for the day!

Years of Friends

Phone calls, emails, texts (one very special text!!!), and facebook messages were all sent my way today to wish me a happy birthday. When my good friend at work asked my age today, I had to do the math.
Again. Really.
Why can't I remember my age? My seven year old can recite all of the family members' ages, but I have to go through the steps of calculating my age like I am reading an elementary school word problem.

My thinking goes something like this: "Now what year is it? 2009? No, no. 2010. Let's see...I was born in what year? Subtract the two and you get...?"

And every year I conclude that I must be wrong because I can't possibly be that old.

Today I was struck with the variety of people who sent me well wishes. The friends I met in Germany, my college roommate, my cousins who I haven't seen in years, previous students now living it up in college, our tagesmutter from Germany, sorority sisters from college, the friends I have met while here in Virginia, co-workers from Ansbach and Beville, my best friends that I have known since pre-school...

I am amazed at where life has taken me and all of the wonderful people I have had the pleasure of knowing. Thanks for the well wishes!

Now I am off to check my math because I am certain that I can't be that close to 40 already!

And the picture doesn't match the blog post. I know this. But with Evan smiling and Keagan looking at the camera, this was a birthday gift in and of itself.

Savannah

Our afternoon in Savannah today was perfect. We wanted to find for ourselves what everyone else says is so beautiful. 

Live oak trees hundreds of years old and the moss hanging from the branches.

Shaded city blocks that will have rose bushes and azaleas in full bloom in just a few weeks.

Beautiful architecture where every building has a story. 

Perfect back drop for an afternoon with the family until...

Some punk three year old walked up to Keagan at an intersection, called him a jerk for seemingly no reason, and then spit on him! Keagan calmly looked at him and quietly walked away. I was so proud of him because anyone who knows Keagan knows that his temper would not normally allow such a reaction. From that moment until the distraction of a meal, Keagan talked of nothing but what he should have done instead of walking away.

We explored numerous reactions including name calling, a boxing dual, and a knuckle sandwich. All harmless threats, but the charm of Savannah will be slightly tainted for all of us.