Child behaviors

For a year or so, I have wanted to write about the precious moments when Iris's outbursts, funny observations or discoveries painfully remind me of how I am sometimes like a child with my heavenly Father.  Here are some samples:

"I don't want to...."  is a too common phrase from Iris whenever we (her parents) would like her to get ready to go somewhere.  I have heard from moms that this is most likely  power challenge because she rightly wants control of her life and choices.  So, we try to give meaningful choices, but have to sometimes use force to get her in the car, put on her clothes, etc..  Of course, this doesn't mean any hurtful force.  Nevertheless, I would like her to learn how to choose the way that she needs to go that honors God.

God's reminder:  From Proverbs chapter 3:5, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him,  and he will make your paths straight."

 OR from Proverbs 4:10-11, "Listen, my child, accept what I say, and the years of your life will be many.  I instruct you in the way of wisdom and lead you along straight paths" 

"Go away."  Iris says this when she wants to hide something from me, or that she knows that she needs to do something I'm asking, but that she is choosing not to do right at that moment.  For example, brushing her teeth is sometimes a battle.  She can do it by herself, but I often finish the chore because she misses her back teeth.  Really what she would rather do is play with something in the bathroom, such as her hair and hair clips, instead of doing other personal grooming.  

God's reminder:  Psalm says wherever you go, I [God] will be there.

"I want you to come here." or "I want you to be with me." as cries for companionship and need for help.  I am often absorbed in some chore or work that I'd rather not interrupt.  I find myself answering with phrases like, "Come here" or "I can't right now."  I guess I assume that she really doesn't need my help to do something that she does very well on her own, nor is she in trouble.  The message to her may be that her need isn't important enough.  Zing!  Instead of bothered by the intrusion, I need to be gracious in the realization and joy that I'm needed.  Thank God that He knows how much we need Him, and he promises to be near.

God's reminder:  "Come near to God and he will come near to you." from James 4:8

"I'm hungry" has become a demand for food.  I remember saying that often to my mom as she cooked in the kitchen each evening.  As I think of true hunger in the community and around the world, I cringe when I hear from someone that he or she is starving.  I've tried unsuccessfully to fast more than one day, but the experience points to the stronghold that food plays in my life. So like Iris in complaint of her craving for food, I must remember that I spend way too much energy and thought on what food I will eat, and that I might not get enough.

God's reminder:   From Matthew chapter 6:25, “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?"

and 6:33 "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."

"I want to be a ballerina"

    According to her preschool teachers, Iris would like to be a ballerina when she grows up.  She completed 9 months of ballet and has tried tap (only part of 4 weeks). She did well as a flower in the Spring Ballet performance because she didn't freeze nor cry on stage.  Also, she made an adorable flower. It's so fun to see how Iris is making friends with a few ballet class members.  She even wanted to invite a girl (Sparrow) from the ballet/tap class to our house that she had only danced with a few times.
  Other friends include Alexis, Serena, and Amalie. 

Watch Miss Stephanie!

Miss Marilyn taught tap dancing

Iris enjoys dancing because she often lifts her leg up and dances on her tiptoes at home.  She hasn't quite gotten the skipping practice, and she still bends her knees to touch her toes, but she loves to move and twirl like a ballerina.  So, how much do we buy into the trappings of the ballet world?  This is the hard call as parents to choose programs and activities that open children up to new things, but not exhaust them with performing and being in "class" all the time.  Taking a musical instrument, attending a Bible class, getting into swimming or gymnastics all are programs that I'd like Iris to try.  But how much is too much?

I know we need to take cues from our children and be sure to allow for free play time.  Therefore, I continue to pray about each thing I sign Iris up for.  She's going to a dance camp that features French language next month.  Vacation Bible School (VBS) is a popular summertime activity, too.  Then, we're going on our real camping vacation up to WA state.  There are so many choices, and it's tiring making all these decisions.  However, it's worthwhile to see Iris learning, smiling and generally being a 4 1/2 year-old.  Lately, she's been fascinated and wanting to play-act being pregnant and having a baby because several moms that we know had recently or will have babies soon.  This makes me wonder how much to tell her now about that and what NOT to tell her.  I just pray that she will make choices with her body and life that are God-honoring and God-fearing.  More importantly, she'll have a real heart to follow Jesus.  First step:  have her praying and reading the Bible. 

Memorable Memorial Day weekend

 We spent two nights in the cool shade of redwood trees in Gualala.  Iris did great on her first campout in our new tent.  The weekend was great fun, thanks to joining with three other families with children close to Iris's age-8 adults and 7 children.  Iris walked a long way to the beach, where she had fun playing house. We took turns kayaking because one family brought two kayaks to row along the river.

Daddy, what is Jiffy Pop?

Campfires were fun and necessary for s'mores and Jiffy popcorn.  We were responsible for one dinner, and then didn't have to cook for the rest of the weekend because each family took a turn.  It was a great time of sharing stories, parenting woes, and camping stuff that we needed.  We were thankful that Iris slept all through the night. 

Welcome to my beach house.

It was windy by the coast, but Iris was determined to build her house.

Iris flying a kite (not ours, though)

Kayaking and building forts along the river

Dad explaining how canons fire

On the way home, we stopped by Fort Ross, where there was special Russian orthodox ceremony and BBQ going on.   The weather was beautiful and the food smelled great.  Iris enjoyed going through the different buildings, so that Daddy could explain how people fought 200 years ago.





 We were all truly blessed by God's creation, covering of grace, and fellowship of friends, young and old.  I thought often of Psalm 104:4-5   

How many are your works, Lord!
    In wisdom you made them all;
    the earth is full of your creatures.

There is the sea, vast and spacious,
    teeming with creatures beyond number—
    living things both large and small.

Preschool draws to a close

    Iris is graduating from Preschool!??  18 of her friends sang at a Preschool graduation tonight.  What a special time for these little people!  There was a wonderful movie presentation of the children that teacher (Miss Ketti) put together. Over the past two and a half years, I have loved seeing each class of preschoolers greet one another with hugs and play with each other.  For example, Walter (see photo below) was one of the first friends to greet me (the mom) when Iris started at the preschool, and she was still in diapers.  I'll always remember the way he, and other preschoolers, address me as Iris' mom.  Iris has attended a few birthday parties of preschool friends from this graduating "butterfly" class, including Emily's awesome pool party.  It's hard to believe that most of them are going to enter Kindergarten. Because of her fall birthdate, Iris will be going to a newly reinstated "transitional Kindergarten" that is like the old-style Kindergarten (without the nap) of 10-15 years ago.  She'll have two years of Kindergarten.  The question now is, "In which school?"  The choice is not clear yet, but we'll be deciding soon.  It's great to have school choice, but the decision is tough sometimes.  It's even greater that I believe in a God who has better plans for Iris that I could imagine.


As our friends and relatives with children are attending high school and college graduations, we are just beginning the journey into academia with Iris.  The main thing is that we trust God in all the details.  Please pray for us!