Teaching 2's...

There are those who love to work with the teens in the youth group.

There are those who love to teach elementary Sunday school classes.

And there are those who teach adult classes.

And then there are those who would rather deal with littles who...
...like to eat crayons
...can't drink out of a cup without a lid.
...don't know more than 20 words.
...haven't learned the art of sharing... anything.
...think a tiny toilet is a toy.

That's me.

I was asked to be the team leader of the 2 yr old nursery and after some prayer and 'Team' meetings... we decided to take the challenge.

Yes we. Because it's definitely a family affair.  Team Babetz will be serving these wee ones together.

Our church as 3 identical services, so here's our plan:

1st service:  Kids attend their Sunday School classes.  Gregg and I serve the two year olds.
2nd service: Gregg works in an adult class and the kids and I serve the 2yr olds.
3rd service: We worship together as a family... (that's 'big church' people).

So this is what we are going to be doing for a while on Sundays.  It's a full day and I fully expect to be exhausted.  But we believe it's really important that the kids learn to serve their own body of believers.  I am looking forward to getting started and so are the kids.  I love that it's a team effort.

Now I'm not without my concerns.  We still have a young family, which lends itself to sickness.  In fact, as I type we've got one who's missed 2 days of school with croup... but I believe this is what the Lord wants us to do, so I will leave the health issues to Him.

I'm also excited to bring you some fun stories from the goings on with all the toddlers each week.  Because we all know they provide great fodder.

This last week the story was Zacchaeus and the questions was asked,  "Wouldn't you love to have Jesus come to your house?"  It was actually more of a statement because we all know 2yr olds don't really answer questions and have the attentions span of a flea.  But one little girl piped up and said, rather mellow dramatically, with arms out stretched, "I would kiss Him!".

Awesome!!!!!!!!! 

So we welcome all the challenges and excitement this new schedule brings and pray the Lords blessing on this little class!

K5

Ah, school.  Now that we've been at it for two weeks, we're starting to get into the grove a little better.  I'll admit that this little guy is struggling a little with overtireditis.  But I've learned over the years that it just take the younger ones a little longer to get their bodies into a good rhythm.  I had to laugh when he came home Monday talking about how his little friend threw up... sigh.  And so it begins.  Germs that is.  The discussion quickly digressed into color and texture so I ended it.  Boys.   And I had to laugh yesterday at the "Curriculum Night" when his teacher {who has had all our other kids}  said that he was struggling with focus.  To which I said, "well at least we're consistent... they've all had that problem".  She didn't see the humor in it.  Huh.  I told her we would talk about it and pray about it.  And I know that in time he will improve,  they all did.  And so the as the first two weeks of kindergarten come to a close I think the little guy's doing great.  Thanks to all those who've been praying.  I can't overstate how much we appreciate it. 

A New Family Tradition

My oldest turned 10 over the summer.   He was excited.  I gave him a choice to have either A) a big party with friends... or B) a trip to the closest Lego store.  He of coarse choose B.

But it took us all summer to get there and so finally... the weekend before school started we went.  It was worth the wait. 

Here they are at the station where you build 3 of your own little Lego men.  He's getting some creative help from his sisters. 

It was so fun and we had such a good time just getting out of town for the day.  We needed it!

The Lego store is in the ridiculously big mall in NC.  They have everything there.  But we were also just a few exits from IKEA, so we stopped there too. 

And lastly, Gregg drove us by the Panthers stadium.   The kids thought it was so cool.  I took their picture by the big mean panther... you can hardly see it b/c it was getting dark out... and it took me a long time to convince my 5 year old that the panther wouldn't jump down and get him.  But he was very manly and got in the picture for me.  We had a really good time and now the girls are planning their 10th birthday trips.  And I'm OK with that... this is a better alternative than the big party.  I think we've started a good little family tradition here.   

1st Day of School 2010-11

First day of school...

Ready at the door... is it even light out side?

My 5th grader is a patrol, so he left for school early (7:10)and I didn't see him till the end of the day(3:15).

That was hard, I didn't like it very much, but he had a job so that's the way  it goes.

{BTW, he was chosen to be team captain of his patrol team}

It's this guy's VERY first day of school...

They always look soooo small...

{I didn't cry till we got home. But then I cried off and on all week long.}

This pretty girl got to sit by her BFF...

{for the 3rd year in a row... very exciting}

I'm a horrible mother and didn't get a picture of this one at her new desk... but I can tell you she got a great teacher and is enjoying her new class.
{Even though she didn't get in the same class as her best friend, which lead us to the "But mom, you said God doesn't make mistakes." conversation}

And after the traditional stop at DD for donuts, this little girl was pooped!