We're having an afternoon snack the other day and Wil very sweetly brought some crackers over to the kitchen. I said 'Oh, no thank you. I've already had my crackers, but it was nice of you to offer.'

I warmed up some pot roast vegetables for myself, and asked him if he wanted some, as a joke, because I knew he didn't like them. He said, sweetly and sincerely 'No thank you, but it was nice of you to offer.'

I love that boy.

We went to Irmo Middle School for "Lunch with Santa" on Saturday because Wil has asked repeatedly to meet Santa. He knows it's just someone pretending to be Santa, that Santa doesn't exist, but he's still enamored with the idea. The middle schoolers performed some songs, solos and a dance. Elizabeth really enjoyed it. But, of course, meeting Santa was still the big attraction. Wil told him he wanted Rescue Heroes for Christmas. Elizabeth said she wanted the My Little Pony Castle. (Translation: she saw a commercial for it on television that morning. Then she surprised me by repeating the wish at Daisy Girl Scouts last night.) But the bigger deal was explaining to them about not telling other kids that Santa isn't real. The twins know the story of St. Nicholas, and the only Santa-business we've ever done is buying presents for less fortunate children. So I explained that even though we know the truth about Santa, we have to keep it a secret. They were very impressed by having such an important secret, so hopefully they won't be the bringers of bad tidings to their classmates. However, it made me hope very much that there aren't many more times in their lives when I have to tell my kids not to tell the truth.

I've missed posting some good stuff lately, but here's a funny little conversation Elizabeth had with one of Sean's students at our InterVarsity Christmas party on Saturday night: They were discussing our Christmas decorations and how there will be more decorations at GiJi and GrampAl's house when we go there for Christmas. The student asked if Elizabeth was going to get anything in her stocking, referring to the stocking hanging on our mantle. Elizabeth said seriously, "Now that is a problem. I have two stockings. There is another one at GiJi's house because that is where we are going to do Christmas." We couldn't help laughing.

Wil playing basketball

From Christine's email:

I'm happy to report that Wil is playing better at basketball. He still doesn't like it, but he's improving none the less. On Saturday he twice stopped a kid from moving the ball, (okay, he fouled them.) He caught a pass and he attempted a pass. He's also fastest up and down the court. Partly that's because he's nowhere near the ball usually, but it also means he's paying attention to when possession of the ball changes. I missed the pass, but caught the attempt on camera. Enjoy!

Must be nice to be so handsome. 

Telephone

This may not have been what they said, but it's what I heard:

C: Wil, what are you up to?
W: What?
C: I just asked what you are up to.
W: Yes.


What they really said (I found out later):

C: Wil, are you OK?
W: What?
C: I just asked if you're OK.
W: Yes.

I promised a Bethy ballerina picture, and here it is. 'Bethy' seems a little too frivolous for this serious ballerina, so I'll title this one: Elizabeth, ballerina.
 

More on Wil and girlfriends: On saturday, after basketball, Wil surprised me saying, out of nowhere 'Daddy, I know why you married Christine.'

me: 'Oh, why?'

Wil: 'Because she was your girlfriend.'

me: 'Momma says you're too young to be thinking about girlfriends.'

Wil's map of Middle Earth

Wil's map of Middle Earth
Originally uploaded by Sean Meade.

Wil is a Tolkien prodigy. He made this 'map' himself. Click through to Flickr to see my notes on each part of the map. You will stand amazed. The descriptions are mine. I will probably do a higher quality version later with his own descriptions.

We just got word today from Mrs. Wertz that Wil was chosen as a November Terrific Kid for his citizenship. The focus of citizenship at Leaphart includes being considerate and fair, and showing appreciation and commitment. We are so proud! He asked me last week to come to school when he was on WLES-TV, but I didn't understand he'd already been chosen. Of course I'll be there on Friday!

I've been surprised at Wil's interest in "girlfriends." Elizabeth totally caught me off guard today with this bit of wisdom: "Here's one way you can know Julia is Robert's girlfriend - Julia patted Robert on the shoulder the last time I was at centers."

When we went to have lunch with the twins last Friday (since we'd both been out of town), I said to Elizabeth, 'Do your friends in your class know you're a princess?'

And she said, 'No, and don't tell them, either!'

Mostly funny with just a touch of sadness (that she's getting to the age where she'd want to hide something like that).

I don't think I ever wrote about why Elizabeth said she wanted to be a bride.

We were at Jennifer's wedding in March of 2003. Bethy had mostly been saying that she wanted to be a ballerina when she grew up. I took her to the ballet in Tulsa in January.

During the wedding Elizabeth said 'Oh, daddy, the bride looks very beautiful.'

It was later, at the reception, when she said 'Daddy, when I grow up, I want to be a ballerina and a bride.'

Ballerina Bethy (in street clothes) with Ballerina Bear (downtown Hendersonville). 

Pretty mommy and twins. 

Big and cute! (Christine's fave) 

Bethy this morning (because I'm wired, baby!) 

There are numerous things that make the twins' elementary school a cut above the rest. National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence, Red Carpet Award for being "family friendly," Everyday Math, reading and literacy programs, etc. Most recently I discovered they have a full kitchen in their classroom cluster and why - they baked a cake! Together! At school! Last week they were learning colors and talked about primary and secondary colors. On Friday all four classes baked their own Rainbow cake. That's cool. Also, the principal still leads the school in the Pledge of Allegiance, God Bless America and a moment of silence every day. Elizabeth's teacher sings a thank you song with her class every day before lunch. We are so pleased with our first public school experience.

Last night during family devotions we read about evil King Ahab and Queen Jezebel and the righteous man Naboth and his vineyards. Elizabeth prayed that good people like Naboth get to go to Heaven. So Sean asked her, "What do people have to do to go to Heaven?" She said, "Tell people about God." Not exactly, Sean told her. "Believe in God," she said. Yes! "I've always believed in God," she said. That's probably true.

Time to brag. Elizabeth is a star. Mrs. Hilton sometimes gives out Skittles as rewards for sitting quietly, following instructions, etc. Elizabeth doesn't like Skittles so she has her own special Hershey Kisses and Hugs. On Wednesday Mrs. Hilton said Elizabeth was going to go home with a bag full. Elizabeth didn't, of course, but she understood the compliment and was so pleased. Then yesterday during "Literacy Centers" Mrs. Hilton said that she and Mrs. Huck were going to have big heads when their students go to First Grade. Elizabeth didn't exactly understand that one, but she knew it was because they were the smart kids.