Food and Fresh Air

My realization about boys lately:  They really thrive on food and fresh air.  As long as we don't run out of those, I think we can get through this whole raising boys thing.

I had a funny moment with Tommy the other night.  He was reading Lehi's last words to his sons in 2 Nephi 1 out loud to me and it was fascinating to hear his voice take on the perfect tone and quality for the words, "Hear the words of a trembling parent, whose limbs ye must soon lay down in the cold and silent grave, from whence no  traveler can return..." he ended in a dramatic whisper and gave a classic wiggle of his eyebrows.  I enjoyed the moment immensely.

Tommy had a Cub Camp from 9 am to 9 pm on Friday.  The leaders are somehow still alive!  He loved every minute of it...that is after he got used to the large dogs that were accompanying them on the camp.  They made emergency bracelets, shelters, fires, first aid kits, went on a snowshoe hike at night, made their own meals, and even went sledding!  I loved Tommy's enthusiasm as he shared the events of the day.  I stood by his bed for probably 45 minutes while he talked steadily.  I think he fell asleep as soon as his eyes closed!  He was trying to share the details with his brothers the next day but their patience didn't extend for "All the stories of my day" that he wanted to share with them.  ;-)

Tommy had a friend at school in Lethbridge named Jordan.  They never got together outside of school, and he didn't talk about him much, but he mentions him constantly now that we live here.  He has to call him on the phone and even wrote him a letter one day.  I think he has subconsciously transferred all his sadness over leaving into this one semi-friendship he had and feels that things used to be so much better in Lethbridge...although he really likes it here too.

He has enjoyed playing basketball and having James as one of his coaches.  He is sad that the season is coming to an end.  Tommy is a busy boy.  He seems to thrive on food and fresh air.  As long as his tummy is full and he is busy outside (or in) he is happy.  His room is a constant tornado of dirty clothes, books, pokemon cards, and lego.  He insists on putting his clean pajamas (only worn at night) in the dirty clothes pile but forgets to change his wet and stinky socks.  He loves to cuddle at night with his big oversized stuffed animals and he still says the sweetest prayers.  He has decided he's ready to "be rid of George" in his room and wants to switch with Owen and try having his own room. Tommy has started reading the Harry Potter books and likes them a lot.  I like to hear him chuckling over things he reads.  One of his favourites was the description of Uncle Vernon (or was it Dudley?) and his "big beefy arms."  Tommy is enjoying the choir that he sings in, and today Owen convinced him to join the church choir.  He came home excited about it!  Actually William joined too and made James' and my day when he mentioned that he "felt the Spirit there."  :-)

Tommy still leads the family in being the class clown, but he's also learning to make great insights when we manage to have a moment of serious conversation.  I like how he listens to our questions and doesn't give just rote answers but really tries to come up with his own words to express himself.  Back to the silliness though, I think it was he who inspired James' new punishment for burping rudely at the table: 10 pushups per burp.  It makes for a slightly interrupted meal for Tommy on most nights, and the others as well.  I guess they will all get strong arms from it though!

Georgie and Tommy's relationship continues to be slightly tumultuous.  We are working on things, but often we hear things like this:
George:  "Tommy accidentally clocked me in the head with two pillows." :-(   Hopefully someday they will be the best of buds!

More on George:
G: "I'll be back in a zippy!"
G: "What kind was your whipped cream at the dentist?" (fluoride fluff)
G: "I like your mohstache! (mustache)"
G: "Oooozhually (usually)"
George had a bad canker sore for a few days. He learned from James that one solution is to swish with salt water.  It was so cute to see him in various rooms of the house, swishing away.  One of the cutest moments was sitting at the dinner table, with his head turned to the side, swishing cold water on the canker in the middle of dinner.

Today in church I saw George give someone behind me a wave and a little smile.  Turning around I saw that it was his primary teacher.  :-)

Owen has started becoming a great babysitter for the little boys.  He is somewhat bossy at times, but he also has great moments of patience and perseverance.  He just took a babysitting course this weekend and came home full of excitement about babysitting some other kids.  He also really wanted to let the boys know that there is another reason to chew with their mouths closed (he is the police on this)--so they can avoid sucking in extra air and choking.  He made sure he told all his brothers this, so they could know that he had scientific back-up/proof for his neurosis.

He and I have had some enjoyable field trips together to the skating rink and the ski hill.  He took to skiing right away and loved it, much to my joy!  He is a joy to be with when he's in a good mood, which is most days now.  He has really loved this year of school, and seems to be thriving in every way.