It's a Veggie Life

I had NO idea which one was saying which line, but the boys were in the bathroom washing up after dinner, and this is what I heard from my seat in the living room...

‎"I'm taller than you."

"No - I'm bigger."

"No - I am. See - I'm taller. Look in the mirror."

"Well - you're not as big as God."

"Am too."

"Are not - God's bigger than the boogie man - so He's the biggest anything there IS!"

I am now very thankful I'm in the other room as I try to muffle my laughter. (and how does every single thing keep coming back to this Veggie Tales line lately?!?!?!)

The discussion continues in the bathroom...

"Well He may be the biggest - but I'm the smartest."

"Oh yeah - God made you - so He's smarter."

"How about we're both smart - but not as smart as God."

"Good."

Where do these two come up with these discussions?!?!

Then, they brought the argument into the living room.

Patrick - "Well I just have to be as big as I am."

Daniel - "But I'm taller."

Patrick - "So?"

Daniel - "But you know everything. I'm still learning. You have to teach me all you know."

I can't stop laughing/crying at this point. Thankfully they are too wrapped up in their discussion to even notice.

I ended up distracting them with my old keyboard. All three kids were happily singing, dancing and playing the keyboard together. Problem solved.

But was it ever really a problem? Or just a really great discussion that can be used as a learning tool?

Just a few moments after this, the kids' grandfather called up from downstairs and asked if anyone wanted ice cream. Daniel and Patrick took off down the stairs, shutting the door behind them. Emma was having none of that. She wanted to go. She had no idea where they were going, or what for, but she was not happy about being left behind. So I grabbed her little bowl and took her downstairs too. She got a big scoop of chocolate ice cream from her Poppy and all 3 headed back upstairs to enjoy their treat.

Emma insisted on feeding herself the ice cream. Daniel tried to take her spoon saying, "Mommy, she's going to make a mess!" I said to let her have the spoon and leave her be. Patrick then asked me with wide eyes, "You're going to let her feed herself?!" like he couldn't believe I was that crazy. I asked the boys, "Do you know how you learned to feed yourself?" They both said no, shaking their heads. I said, "I gave you some food and a spoon and let you try to do it yourself, and I let you make a mess. That's how you learn to do something new - by trying it - even if you make a mess. We can always clean up the mess later." They got what I was saying and settled into their own treats. We had a LOT of laughs as we watched Emma trying to get the spoon full of chocolate ice cream into her mouth - and we all splashed around with her giving her a bath afterwards.



after the first few attempts to get it in her mouth



after the ice cream was finished



saying thank you to Poppy after we got all nice and clean again



Once Emma was tucked in bed and the boys had finished their bedtime routines and were ready to be tucked in themselves, Daniel asked me another million-dollar question. "Mommy," he said, "Does Jesus sometimes let us make a mess trying to do things ourselves so we'll learn how to do it right?" Wow... WOW! Talk about an amazing door-opener... and what a visual!

"YES!! Yes, Daniel, sometimes He does let us make a mess trying to do things ourselves, because sometimes that's the only way we learn that we can really do nothing without Him! He can help us do things correctly, but on our own, we're not very good at it. We make big messes. The Bible says "I can do nothing on my own" and "I can do all things through Christ Who gives me strength."* That's why it's important that we keep talking to Him and listening to Him, so we don't make such big messes out of things. But isn't it great to know that He's there - ready and willing to help us clean up our messes and get it right the next time?!"

In my house, you never know just when an opportunity will arise to talk about Jesus with the kids. Lately it seems like it's every 30 seconds - but in all seriousness - I couldn't be more thankful for these crazy little nuggets of time. The boys are hungry to know as much as they can about Him, and I am more than willing to give them as much food as they want from His word! I love that even their "private discussions" and everyday banter include God these days. Learning moments. I know in another 10 years or so I will be even more thankful for these little pieces of opportunity to pour God's words into them while the door is still wide open.

* John 5:30; Philippians 4:13

What?! Haven't you ever seen someone eat ice cream before?!