Ahoy there, Matey!

Check out Dairy Farmer Grant!My MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) group went to the dairy farm this week. As part of the tour one of the farmers showed everyone how to milk a cow. Then he asked if anyone would like to try. Grant is usually a little timid in such situations, especially when there is a large group, but not that day! As soon as the farmer got the question out of his mouth, Grant shouted, "I want to try!" He went right up and milked that cow like he'd done it a hundred times before! After the other kids had a try, Grant went back and did it again. Sophia decided that petting the cow was a better idea than actually milking it.

This weekend is Liberty's Fall Festival. All day today Grant begged to go to the fair, so when Travis got home from work Grant and I went down to ride a couple rides and to buy some Kettle Corn. Grant had a blast on those rickety carnival rides. We walked through one of the craft tents on our way home. Now, there is a certain culture among many of those who work at carnivals. Yes, this is stereotyping . . . I apologize. A worker who fit into the "Carney" stereotype was sitting down along the path that we were walking through the tent. This particularly worker had a bandana tied over his head and had numerous eyebrow piercings. Grant took a good look at the guy and said (loudly), "Mommy, he has his pirate hat on." The "pirate" heard Grant's comment, and, fortunately, he was amused.

I want to tell everyone what a great experience Grant is having in church these days. He is now old enough to be in the preschool choir. The director of his preschool, Ms. Becky, is actually his choir teacher, so he knows her and is very comfortable with her. Ms. Becky is doing a great job at not only teaching the kids cute songs, but also teaching them music skills. The play rhythm games, listening games (identifying high pitches and low pitches), and do some creative movement. Grant looks forward to choir each week. He also has new Sunday School teachers this year, Mr. Charlie and Ms. Loretta. Mr. Charlie and Ms. Loretta are a blessing! The are about grandparent aged and very gentle and friendly. I am thrilled that Grant has both a male and a female Sunday School teacher to look up to--unfortunately it is rare in many churches to find men who are willing to teach in the preschool program. Ms. Loretta has worked in special education for years and does a great job relating to Grant. Grant's class has been studying Moses for the past several weeks. The other day I asked Grant who saw the burning bush. He thought for a moment and replied, "Mr. Charlie and Ms. Loretta"! Church is becoming a place that Grant eagerly anticipates going to. Travis and I couldn't be happier.

Sophia has officially entered the "What is it?" phase. At times her endurance for the "What is it?" game knows no bounds. The other morning we were in Jewell's new coffee shop waiting for my yummy (and free!) white chocolate raspberry latte when Sophia pointed at a tile on the side of the counter and said, "what is it?" I answered, "That's a tile on the counter." Sophia enthusiastically pointed at the tile next to the one that she inquired about and said, "what is it?" I told her that that one was also a tile. She then pointed to the next tile . . .