Posts Tagged ‘kids’
A couple days ago, Samuel started talking about how he really wanted to build an igloo in the snow. I have no idea where he got this idea from, but he was set on it. Something you need to know about Samuel, is he gets A LOT of ideas. Many of which are totally unrealistic, and I have to end up saying “no” to. This is hard, because I love his creativity and his ability to think outside the box (WAY outside), but at the same time there are restrictions to reality.
So when I get the chance to really take one of his ideas and run with it, I love to do this. I feel like I’m feeding that creative soul inside of him. For instance, one day he and I had to drive to a doctor’s appointment in Philly. On the way he drew a picture of an invention that would help fill his and Elliot’s water bottles really fast. I thought it was a cool idea, so I said I’d help him build it. Things like that.
And then there are ideas like this: Tonight as I was putting him to bed we were talking about the igloo. He said, “Maybe tomorrow we can make it bigger, and there can be a lever we’ll pull, and it will open up and we’ll slide down through it! And . . . .” Oh man.
Anyway, I have never built an igloo, nor did I have any real idea how to do this. After much thought, my plan was: Make a big mound of snow, and then dig the inside out. Here goes:
First we made the mound. This took a really really long time. I was exhausted.
So I needed a break. We paused for pictures. You can see that we’ve started to carve out the front. Well, as we got going, I quickly realized this was going to be a terrifying feat for me to sqeeze in that little opening and try to shovel out the inside of this ginormous ball of snow! So then I came up with Plan B.
A second hole! Fortunately, earlier Samuel said something about how igloos have holes for smoke to come out and we should really do that—so that’s how I pitched the second hole idea. It went over really well.
Now they were able to access the igloo through two places, and as an added benefit the outside became very slippery! They would climb through the hole to the tunnel (or vice versa) an then slip slide down the side!
They were pretty proud of our accomplishment.
OK, so do you want a quick spiritual thought on this? The kids really think that we did this. And yes, technically they had shovels for a short while, and they did dig some snow and throw it on top. In their minds they worked quite hard—often sitting down to rest! But the reality is that Daddy shoveled for almost 45 minutes straight to make this thing. And I wonder how much that is like us and God?
I mean, we clearly think we are doing the majority of the work down here. Right? Most often God’s hand in our lives receives a nod of thanks at best, and goes totally unnoticed at worst! What if my kids were like, “Dad, you should have helped! Where were you!?”
I wonder if there’s a way we can better see God at work in our lives? I bet he is often working tirelessly so our dreams can emerge into reality as well.
Either way, this was an adventure I will not soon forget. Those three smiling faces are everything to me. We truly do make a great team, and I think I fell a little more in love with them today while building our igloo…if that’s even possible.
Tonight we are having a big-snow-storm-sleep-over at our house. Jonathan, his kids, and Jessica have come over to get snowed in as we await the hopefully 30 inches of snow we should be getting!
Sleepovers are fun. I can remember having some great times sleeping over at the Latshaw’s house as a kid. We specifically planned several sleep overs on big snow storms, and then proceeded to enjoy late night talks, crazy runs through the snow (maybe we weren’t wearing lots of clothes, I can’t really remember ;) ) ping pong tournaments, and video games…for hours.
As a young kid however, sleepovers held a very different meaning for me…terror. I hated them.I used to sleep over at my friends house who lived across the street. I can remember on more than one occasion being the last one in the house awake, and looking with longing out the window at my house. There it was, shining in the night. I knew, just a few steps away was everything that made me feel comforted and safe. My parents. My bed. My cat and dog. My hat collection (that’s for you jason).
And I can also remember more than once sneaking downstairs and surreptitiously calling my parents, and asking them to say that I had to come home. Then I would proceed to wake my friend up and tell him that I had to leave – now! And head home—each step filling my heart with such joy and peace.
And then there was the time (in 6th grade I think) when I slept over at another friend’s house. This time they decided to watch a horror movie, which was and still is a big no-no for me. Then, of course, they proceeded to all fall asleep right away. And that feeling, right there, is the feeling I hated. As a young boy i had this feeling more times than I can count. That feeling of utter helplessness and terror. “What am I going to do now? Why can’t I fall asleep? Will I ever? And what is that noise???”
Amazingly enough, I became so thoroughly frightened, that I headed up stairs…worked up my courage…and yes…knocked on the parent’s door. How embarrassing!
(side note, thanks to Jessica for teaching me how to spell that word!)
The dad was so sweet. He woke up, took me downstairs, fed me some warm milk, and reassured me that everything was ok. I wanted to go home. Desperately. It hurt. But i went and laid back down and finally fell asleep.
So, in a way I really feel that having sleepovers for my kids now is a way of redemption. Mandy and I have created a home that is safe, fun-filled, love-saturated, and peaceful. And as these little ones close their eyes for sleep, they are swept off on songs I sing with my guitar, and funny stories I tell to help them feel peace.
And you know what? Even I enjoy the sleepovers now! It is a precious time. And I believe that my kids will grow up thinking differently of sleep overs than I did.
So, I’ve been getting grumpier and grumpier lately. I’ve been wearing my hat almost every day, and I had gotten to the point where no matter how much gel I used, I could not sustain the weightiness of my hair. It just kind of all fell down in my face like I had bangs. So today was the day. Haircut Day! I’m especially excited about this haircut day because the boys got “buzzes.” They haven’t had these in a really long time (couple years for samuel) and I think they look really cute. So in honor of haircut day (and maybe to compete with some other blog I read sometimes…) I am posting pictures tonight!
That’s my haircut. And with the blessings of photobooth – as always – I look slightly demented.
Mathea wanted a buzz. We said no :) Instead she got a slight trim
Elliot just lost a front tooth, got a haircut, and got a new hoodie. He’s very excited!
What a stud! iPhone camera didn’t work to well this time, but he is so cute with his short hair. It’s been maybe a year or two since it’s been this short for him!
OK – and I was looking through photobooth tonight at all the pics the kids have taken while I’ve been at work. They have some awesome stuff! This one made me laugh. How cool does he look?? He’s like a super hero!
Today neared the top of my list of highly stressful days at work (yeah I’ve got that list – don’t you?). In fact, there’s been a few of those lately. And there’s always the transition to be made after being at work all day, coming home feeling pretty depleted, and then walking in the door and needing to be an amazing father, husband, spiderman (or more likely Doc Oc), Darth Vader, International Spy, Pro Wrestler, or Master Swordsman.
In fact, two days ago Mandy caught a glimpse of me doing something very “Dwight” (office reference). As I got out of my car and walked to the door, I made an internal decision—”I will not allow myself to bring my work home! I will be a really fun dad and loving husband! I will myself to do this! I choose life!!!” Of course, while this was happening internally, I involuntarily raised a fist in the air in triumph! And of course…Mandy caught me! L. O. L. (Yes I know you don’t need periods there, they are for dramatic effect. Which of course is now lost since I had to explain it. Darn.)
Anyway, today not only was I particularly stressed, but after dinner I received an email that further exacerbated my condition. We had Jonathan and Rebekah and their wonderful kids over for dinner, so after dinner I made a decision. I inentionally need to be a kid. Just forget it all, leave all the adult stuff behind, and just be a kid.
So I grabbed my guitar and said, “Let’s go downstairs and ROCK!!!” (That’s right. I’m Jack Black. Hair and all.) Samuel on drums, Elliot on electric, Cosi on accoustic, Charis and Selah on vocals, and me…being a kid. It was awesome. I quickly taught myself how to play Crush, Crush, Crush by Paramore. And then worked my School of Rock magic. We developed this amazing, accoustic version of the song that seriously should be released on iTunes. It was great.
When we came up an hour later from the basement, it was as if the whole rest of the day had vanished. I felt free. I felt alive. I felt . . . like a child.
“I tell you the truth, you must change and become like little children. Otherwise, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. The greatest person in the kingdom of heaven is the one who makes himself humble like this child.” — Jesus
I was reading one of my favorite blogs (chasingmist) tonight and Jason’s recounting of his kids’ climbing all over him reminded me of a very special ritual that has begun in the Dunn household.
About 6 months ago Mathea asked me for a ride up the stairs on the way to “nigh-nights-time.” For some reason I was struck with a moment of creativity and told her to hop on the Choo-Choo Train! She got on my back and I swerved all over the downstairs and up the stairs into the bathroom, all the way saying “Chugga-Chugga, Chugga-Chugga, Choo-Choo!” Well, she loved it.
The next night she leans over to me and says, “Daddy can I have Choo-Choo Rain?” It took me a second to figure it out, but then I got it … and loved it. And the name has stuck. Now everyone in the family calls it Choo Choo Rain, and everyone gets to ride the Choo Choo Rain Express up to bed on many nights (not including Mandy – I know you’ll ask, Jason).
We’ve added some stuff too. For instance, sometimes I run out of steam and stop moving and bend over like I’m too exhausted to move anymore (usually this is more of a true circumstance than an act!) and we’ve decided the cure to get me Choo-Chooing again is lots of kisses! Very fun. (that one I AM trying to get Mandy in on!)
I really try to “soak in” these experiences. I know they are temporal and I won’t get to do Choo Choo Rain with them when they are 16. So I am purposefully enjoying these precious moments to the fullest. I think this is one of those memories that will last forever, and I can’t wait to talk about Choo Choo Rain with all of them, when they are 16!
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