Words

On Friday, Ben, Jem and some fo their friends got invited to do a photo shoot for literacy week, something to do with the release of a new dictionary.

The idea was that they wanted kids to paly with the giant size words, 'climb', 'rest' and 'decrepit'.

Here are some of the mum's shots of the whole event . . .

(Ben's in the 'B' with Jesse)

I think they need to submit the photos for the final ad campagin, if they get chosen, you might be seeing a bit more of my kids . . .

Ben was chatting to us this morning and was experimenting with one of his new words, 'consequences'.

Ben: I'm talking about consequences!

Dad: Do you know what consequences are?

Ben: Um . . .yes . . .

Dad: It's what happens afterwards.

Ben: Yes! Like when I'm naughty, I get a smack.

Dad: That's it.

Ben: But Daddy, remember, God uses bad for good!

(We have recently been looking at the story of Joseph and how men intended things to harm him, but God used the situation for good)

Classic - How do we get from talking about the consequences of our sinfulness to taking the pressure right off because God's in control?!

Epilogue:

My wife, being the insightful women that she is had this debrief.

Hayley: Isn't it interesting that Paul was astute enough to write about this attitude we see in our boy? 'Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means!' (Rom 6:1)

Keep on praying for our family that grace may increase without the sin bit coming first.

Movie Night!

About 4 weeks ago, we started the Friday night family movie night tradtition.

It rocks - after bath, we get the popcorn popp'n and snuggle the four of us on the couch, and let the magic happen.

Below are a few of the titles we have tried so far, but best by a country mile is Curious George (above).

Cute script and great tunes from Jack Johnson make it a winner.

Needless to say the debrief the next day with Benny is usually petty funny, as he tries to untangle the story - in fact, it's one of the favourite parts.

(By the way, give the adventures of Toby a miss, unless you like to see Jesus as a 20 year old 'dude' with a goatee)

1.5km of Glory

A couple of weeks ago, Ben threw his hat in the ring for a 1.5km kiddies bike race, on the eve of the big Cape Town Argus Cycle Tour. Here's how it panned out . . .



The day ended in glory!

The start was a jostle of parents all looking for pole position for their kids (I was no different)

Crusing speed was good

The drinks stop was a very serious affair

And by the time we hit he finish line, he was pretty much spent

But the medal shines bright

Proffesional cyclists make some serious cash, don't they . . . .?!

The 'behind the tree' house

Behind this tree, is a secret place.

Sometimes, you think you hear things

Other times, it's pretty clear who is making the noise


But when you come back out into the sun, it's a normal tree again

A Conversation on Prayer

Ben and I had this chat a few days ago.
We were playing in the backyard and it was really windy.



Ben: (To the wind) Stop it Stop it!



Scott: Um, I'm not sure that it will make much difference mate. God is the one who controls the wind.



Ben: Then we should ask God to make the wind stop!



Scott: OK, why don't you ask God to - go ahead and pray.



Ben: Dear God, please make the windy stop now . . . Amen.



[Both wait and look at the trees - the wind still howls]



Scott: Did God answer your prayer?



Ben: No.



Scott: Actually mate, He did. He said, 'No, I want the wind to keep on blowing.'



Ben: But why?



Scott: I'm not sue, maybe there are people trying to fly kites, or perhaps someone is hot and needs to cool down.



Ben: So God didn't want to stop the wind, but he could have!



Now, I admit, the flying kites bit was pretty lame, but it turned out to be one of the more constructive chats we've had. (We actually have lots of chats about God and Jesus, but not all of them end so well :))

We're back

Well, we are back in CT. It's good. It's inevitable. But it's also taking a while to get back into the swing of things. And if you know what that's like, it can be tough.

But the kids are powering on,despite talking about Australia and Nanny and Poppy a lot. This morning they decided to have a little sleep in together . . .



To break some of the 'we're not on holiday any more' ice, Hayley went and got them a blackboard, which was a big hit . . .

But we're already planning he next holiday. . .