The Whole Thing

One of the things that I've had to revisit over and over in this crazy, messy, beautiful life of ours is figuring out our priorities.  The thing is, you think you know what your priorities are, until something happens to make life even crazier, busier, and more beautiful than you anticipated.  Then one day you wake up and realize that you really don't have the time or energy to live up to all your ideals.  You have to figure out what is really important.  I mean uber important.  Like so important that you will lose sleep for it.  Or give up alone time for it.  Or your last five dollars for.

And I don't have it all figured out, by any means.  I'm just learning what works for us, and what's worth fighting for.  And so we are in this season of change....learning how to live out what is important to us.  Because there is nothing that points out your inconsistencies like parenting a pre-teen!

And this brings me to ....the menu....because whole food is one of those things that got put aside for a wee bit while we were getting used to having five.  And when I say "put aside" I just mean that we perhaps ate out more than we should and started taking some shortcuts that allowed me less time in the kitchen, but meant more processed food.  But no more!  Baby may be crawling and teething and needy, but we need to be healthy!  So I have dove right back into the kitchen with menu in hand.  And I'm pleased to be able to tell you that it's been a few weeks and I'm sticking with it.

So...here's the menu for the week....made with almost all organic ingredients with the music turned up and a baby on the hip....

S - Hardboiled eggs and homemade almond scones
      Roasted garlic chicken (crockpot) with roasted brussel sprouts and spuds
      Spinach Lasagna with Italian salad

M - Whole wheat pumpkin waffles
      Pesto grilled cheese and sliced apples
      African Pineapple Peanut Stew

T - Oatmeal with raisins and nuts
      Pesto pita pizzas and raw red peppers
      Black bean and Sausage soup with whole wheat corn bread muffins

W -Eggs and toast
     Leftover soup and corn muffins
     Beef and Broccoli stirfry with brown rice

Th - Oatmeal with raisins and nuts
       Peanut Butter and Fruit Sandwiches with carrot sticks
       Brats and Kraut and Roasted spuds

 F - Whole wheat blueberry pancakes
      Leftovers and yogurt fruit smoothies
      BLTs with sweet potato fries

S - Eggs and homemade biscuits
      And the rest of Saturday will have to be whatever random thing I can make with what is left in the fridge and pantry....

So there you have it!  What's cookin' at your house?

About Having Five

The little lady is at my feet, trying to figure out the latch to open my giant bin of yarn.  She is so determined and funny in her smallish way that she sometimes reminds me of a kitten.  She is so busy!  Her little fingers are always finding the tiniest piece of this or that on the floor and putting it in her mouth.  Her little legs are getting so strong.  She is pulling up on furniture and crawling over things and up things.  She has found the steps!  I have rescued her from certain death at least twenty times today and it's only 1:00.  I had no idea that becoming a mother would require me to develop so many skills!

In this few years I have also learned how to be a triage nurse (is it broken?  does it need stitches?  is it strep?).  I have learned how to feed an army for breakfast, lunch, and dinner every single day....and to do it with whole, organic food on a budget.  I have learned how to be a diplomat between nations (think brothers).  I have learned how to teach someone to read, do fractions, carve wood, start a fire,  to NOT start a fire, and to ride a bike.  And so many more things that I can't even list.

But more than that....what has shaped me more than that are all the things that having five has taught me about love.  Because for us, J and I, having five kids has made us take a good, hard look at us.  I think it has come to this, simply because there is so much work involved with raising a crew, that you have to be purposeful to survive.  Purposeful in how you spend your time.  Purposeful with your words, your actions.  Purposeful with who you are! 

And we are a team.  If I am purposeful about something, but he is not, then it is kind of pointless....maybe even harmful?  And if something is important to him, but not to me, what good is that?  So we've spent a lot of time these past two years figuring it out.  It's been crazy hard.  But he is so patient....and  I, so tenacious....and somehow it's just been so good despite how much work it is.

And are days are full.  These children blessings.  And we keep on laughing at how good it all is.

The Boys

Hen likes to have toast and tea.  In real life too.

 Why does a two year old like such a thing?  Because his favorite book is currently The Two Towers by Tolkien.  I can not distinguish the why of his love for this book.  It could be that he loves when his papa reads to him for way too long before bedtime.  All of them really revel in that attention and time when papa tucks them all in and then lies down on the floor (at their level at last?) and reads to them.

It could also be that Hen, small as he is, just knows what he likes.  He doesn't seem to know he's only two.  Yesterday at baseball, as we were packing up to go, we looked around and couldn't find Hen.  He was just with me the second before...it only takes a second!  We quickly found him in the crowd weaving his way over to someone.  He looked determined.  I quickly followed and got to him just as he approached the snack lady and said, "May I please have some pretzels?"  She looked a little shocked.  I was a tad embarassed.  But hey!  He saw something he wanted and decided to go ask for it.  I say that's pretty mature.  And such nice manners. 

The two older boys have been busy in their world of play.  Our days are spent reading good things, working alongside one another, and playing.  Sometimes the playing is outside exploring, sometimes it's inside with toys or make believe.  They have been working on their friendship, and although they have always been close, it's getting better still.  They are more aware now of how their actions affect each other and I see them at times thinking of the other person instead of only themselves.  Good stuff.

After yesterday's baseball practice.   Two happy boys.

And little Owl?  (Not pictured)  Well...he's often found curled up in my lap these days.  Yeah.  It's that five year old thing that happens....remember that?  Where he wants to embrace the independence and often does, but at the same time wants his mama more than ever.  I'm glad to receive such love just now. Mothering is just my cup of tea.  What a gift.

A Long Weekend

A thunderstorm is just about to roll through here....so I only have a few minutes to write....my thoughts too are still a bit jumbled from the long weekend.  J had to work late, like past bedtime, on Thursday and Friday and all day Saturday and part of the day today.  And he's back to work for a full week again tomorrow.  He's gotta be exhausted, poor guy, but of course he's upstairs doing bedtime now, because he knows that a mama on double duty for four days needs a break, and also because I'm sure he misses those little rascals that are our four boys.

I have learned so much about myself this past week.  It is not fun stuff actually so I'll spare you.  But let me say that one good thing that I did learn was that I *can* be with my kids all day and night by myself and still love being in their company. (I always knew this, but yet I didn't you know?) It takes a little bit of mental preparation for me....and a good deal of self control to step fully into the hard moments that come instead of stepping away, which just makes it so much worse for everyone.  If I see things clearly, and really look at this whole motherhood business as an opportunity to serve, then surprise, surprise!  It works!  And I find a sense of peace and contentment like I've never known before.   Anyway, I'm tired so perhaps this isn't making any sense....

We did have a great night last night.  The boys and I worked out in the garden all day yesterday.  Raking dead leaves and hauling loads to the compost.  Turning over rocks to investigate bugs.  Taking care of the hens.  And cutting wood in preparation for our campfire last night.  We roasted hot dogs and made smores. We played baseball and rode bikes.  We told stories and shared hopes for a summertime filled with more wonderful times together.  And this morning there were egg sandwiches and watching building shows in our jammies and a good time of talking and praying together.

So many blessings.  So much to be thankful for.  And here the thunder comes.  So, goodnight!

The Year of "I Will"

It's named.  2011.  The year of "I will".

I will do what I know needs to be done, in a timely fashion with a cheerful heart.

I will stop and listen.

I will be present in the now and learn to experience what is happening instead of living in the past or future.

I will be more patient.  More kind.  More quiet spirited.

*I* will be the one to clean up the mess, even though I didn't make it.  *I* will help out.  *I* will.

I will love that person that is hard to love, even when I'm tired or busy.

I will be diligent in choosing a healthy lifestyle even when I don't feel like it.

I will.

Because I'm loved.  Because I want to model this to my children.  Because I want to be this for my spouse, and parents, and friends.

It's not a resolution.  It's a changing of the heart.  And a choice.  And it's only by Grace.

much love to you for this new year, friends....
reba

Thoughts

You can always count on me to try an experiment. Yep. Unless it involves eating something weird. Or hugging someone. And yes, I'm sorry I don't like hugging, but for goodness sake I can't help it. I do try.....and am getting better about it a little perhaps? Anyway.....

Experiments. I like experiments. I like trying new ideas out to see if they work. I like making do with what I have (for the most part) because it awakens this feeling of adventure within me. I like systems. I like trying to figure out how to make plans be more effective. Yep. I do.

Unfortunately for those around me (ahem...my poor husband) I like to think through experiments and what is effective and what isn't and how can I make it better? far too much. And often times, my ideas make more work for those around me. It's true. Sorry J. You are a trooper and I'm so glad you like most of my ideas. (unless it involves moving the furniture yet again...)

Anyway....I've been thinking about how I spend the day and how I can fit more in and do more things that I want to do and spend more time with my kids...yadda yadda yadda. Isn't that what most homeschooling moms think about from time to time? Ok...perhaps we think about it often. Well, I do. But you know me... I have a thinking problem.

Lately though, I've been realizing more and more two important things.....

Are you ready?

1. I don't have to finish everything and have a clean house and a cooked meal and bathed, well-mannered children by 6:00pm in order to consider my day a success.

I know. Most people already know this. And I thought I did too, but then I realized that I knew it, but I didn't really believe it. I didn't feel successful unless everything was done and everything all smooth and pretty. And it was slowly driving me mad. Ugh.

So yesterday I tried an experiment.....

I let myself work most of the day, while spending time with the boys. We picked apples, we read books, we played outside, we baked, we cooked, we snuggled, we cleaned the house, we walked the dog....and other things too. But then at 4pm, even though there was a mountain of laundry to be folded and floors to be vaccuumed still...I stopped. Yep. Just stopped. I put in a show (Doc Martin. Do you know it? It's so funny!) I sat down and did some knitting. It was great! I did this for about an hour and when J came home I was refreshed! Whoa!

I did this again today and I do believe it's my new thing. I'm going to work until a certain time and then I'm going to take a break. I'm going to allow myself some time for work and some time for play and some time for rest each day. It feels great....and I'm sure it's sound advice because it's just what Marmee would do.

and .....

2. The success of my day should be measured by what I have cultivated in the hearts of my children.

Do I need to say more about this? I dunno. I guess, for me, I need to be more aware of my interactions with the boys and make sure that my thoughts and actions toward them are well seasoned with Grace. I want them to see God's grace in me.

I fall pretty short of this sometimes. But I know that God is faithful in helping me. I know that He is kind and patient and always willing to help me try again.

And today Badger prayed at the dinner table thanking God for the new Lego magazine. And I'm so glad about that. It might sound silly, but I'm glad that my boy is learning that God cares about our little things too!

Wednesday Night Live

Our town has music at the park in the summer and we were pretty excited when we found out that tonight's artist was going to be Willy Porter!!! J has been listening to Willy for years, and I like him too. Which is saying alot because...well....I'm rather anti-popculture as some of you may know. I definitely don't like musicians just because other people do. But Willy is awesome, and his music is especially nostalgic for me because J and I listened to him often that first year we were dating. So, we packed everyone up and headed to the park. Willy here we come!

Isn't it strange how we both have the same expression on our face?

Our neighbor's sunflowers. Classic posed smiles...or not smile. Cricket has told me he doesn't think his smile looks real in pictures so he isn't going to use it and he hopes I don't mind. :)

A boy and his dog. Yes, even Millie got to come along.

At the park. It was so crowded but we were able to be right off to the side. There were kids everywhere and I was glad that the boys seemed perfectly content to just sit and chill. They seemed to really enjoy the music. Badger asked about the sound of the electric guitar and wonders how that all works. :) Cricket and Owl danced a bit, but I was too busy soaking it in to get a decent picture. Willy sounded great!

Brothers.

We headed home right as the last song was starting. It was a slower one, from the new album, and I really wanted to hear it. As we walked I was hoping for some quiet reverie, but alas, the chattering started as soon as we were far enough away for a small one's voice to be heard. Mama, I need your hand. Mama, do you see the fireflies? Why do the fireflies only come out at night? Oh, mama maybe we'll see some wildlife on our walk home! Would we be in bed by now? Mama, will there be time for stories at home? Maybe we'll see a skunk...those are nocturnal aren't they mama? Or a grass snake.....and on and on it goes.

And I was starting to feel grumpy about the chatting. I just wanted a second longer. Just enough to linger over that lovely feeling of remembering J and I when we were first together. Just a little longer to look at him carrying our baby on the walk home. Just a little quieter so I could hear the music playing in the background. And just when all those feelings were about to become some serious grumpiness that still, small voice spoke to me. (phew!)

You'd like to hear the music dear one? Pay attention to this. This. Right here. This IS your music.

Oh. *sheepish grin* Yeah. Thanks.

So I quickened my step to keep up with the boys and chatted about snakes, and bugs and nocturnal creatures while I walked hand in hand with one of my small ones, all the way home.

Conversations

This past weekend we released Lavendar Brown. It was time. Before Cricket let her go he was able to hold her. (we hadn't handled her much, because it seemed stressful for her) He picked her up and held her in both hands so very gently. Just like a pro. I was so impressed with how able he is. How full of concentration and confidence. It makes my heart swell just thinking of it now. When he set her down in the grass he watched her a bit and then turned to me and said, "Mom, that was exhilirating!" Awesome! Awesome to see him shine like that. :)

Then Little Owl started crying and crying. Weeping, in fact. It surprised me because he seemed okay with letting her go until of course it was too late. He said, "Mama, it is so sad to let a friend go." I know, honey. I held him close for awhile and although he was still upset Papa was able to get him interested in something else to divert his attention. He has talked about it a little bit since then, but also seems to understand that she needed to be free.

Then today, after Hen's nap. Hen was walking around playing and talking. He came over to me, pulled on my skirt as if to say, come down here! and then.....when I sat down, he snuggled in my lap and said, "Hi! How are you?!" I haven't giggled like that in a long time. Thank you Hen for caring about how I am. :)

There have been some other really great conversations lately. I can't recall them just now. I'm really glad though that the boys tell us things. They talk to us. It's just so good. I feel like it's a special reward for keeping our family's time and home open, free, and quiet. (all somehow wrapped up together) Knowing when to say no, when to say yes! and when to just take time to figure it out has helped us so much. And God is blessing us for it. Seek and you will find.

Keep on Keepin' On....

Yesterday, when J came home he asked me (as he usually does), "How was your day?"  My answer....."Non-stop."  My day was non-stop.  I imagine that most moms of four littles have non-stop days regularly.  In fact, it probably is quite ordinary to those of you who have more energy than I.  See, I am by nature the kind of person who LOVES to be around people, but I need lots of time to recharge afterward.  I just do.  I also really really need to be social.  It's kinda strange actually.  Anyway....the point is that needing lots of time to reboot is not really an option when you homeschool four boys.  And I struggle with this on a daily basis.  

Normally it goes one of two ways.  One way to do it is to take little breaks throughout the day between activities to have a little breathing space.  For example,  I spend 40 minutes playing a Repair Man imagining with Owl and then when he tires of it, I tell him to find an activity or I direct him to one while I go fetch a cup of coffee or take a quick read through of something I'm studying.  The break is usually five minutes or so, and I never have to watch the clock because I am ALWAYS found by someone somehow after five minutes.  It's true.  :)  Hen has radar you see.  :) This way of spending the day is great because I am usually still semi-sane by the time J arrives home and the kids are super happy because I spent lots of time with them.  However,  NOTHING gets done as far as laundry, dishes, cooking, or picking up the obstacle course that becomes my house after a morning at home with the boys and the dog.

The other option is to spend lots of time with the boys, but when the breaks come just fit the chores into those five minute breaks.  Or better yet, every time we finish with a fun activity we all chip in a few minutes of chores and more gets done that way!  The boys are doing really well with this and I believe they might actually be learning how good it is when everybody helps out.  But....oh wait! ....that doesn't leave anytime for me to catch my breath.  No it doesn't.   So you see the struggle.

Today however....and yesterday too....I spent the day wholeheartedly doing "option 2" and it was indeed non-stop.  And believe it or not.....by the end of the day....I was just fine!  More than fine in fact!  And since this has not always been the case, I just feel amazed!  The difference...well....I think it might be that I have just realized more deeply what a super duper investment mothering is.  It matters when I spend time listening to the hearts of these little boys.  It matters that the towels are clean, folded, and put away.  It matters that there are clean spoons and fresh library books, and memories of us having imaginings together.   And yes it does matter that I make time to recharge and regroup, but I guess the point is that the less time I spend thinking about how I need time for myself the more time I actually have to invest in everything (including keeping myself healthy).    Does that make sense?

And here are two recent pics of the boys.  

Who IS that little boy?  Yep.  That's Hen.  Can you believe it?  Look at how big he is!

New pjs.  Thanks, mom!

Updates on the Crew

Can you believe that our Little Hen will very soon turn 1?!!  He is such a delightful little mancub.  Except for when he's being very trying. ha!  He is talking up a storm these days.  His new words include...car, more, toes, dog, and other random "parroting".  He is determined to walk.  He screeches to get someone to come to him and hold his little hands and walk him around.  (i don't want him to learn to screech when he wants something and i heard myself saying to him , "use your words Hen! use your words!" and i thought....um...he's not even one....what is wrong with this picture?!)  He is getting braver about walking around furniture and transferring from one place to the next with brief seconds of not holding on while he takes a small step.  It won't be long now until he's totally mobile.....and I will never have time to cook dinner or post on the blog again!  Here are some pics of him in the tub.  One of his favorite places to be.  

Little Owl.  As you can see, he was a tad grumpy about being in this picture, but he still looked so cute I couldn't help but use it for this post.  What's new for him?  Well....he is learning all kinds of things, but the thing I am really excited to see is that he is learning to find his voice.  He is asking me "why?" more.  He is telling his brothers what he thinks.  He is questioning the rules.  I admit this can be challenging at times, but I love it!  I love the chance to explain how we do things and why and I love seeing him think about it.  He is changing from little boy to boy.  It's great.

Cricket.  One of my favorite parts of the day, is Cricket's reading lesson time.  We snuggle up on the couch, grab a blanket and a book and go to it!  It is so interesting to be a part of the process.  He is a master at sounding out words and enjoys the sounding out part so much that he sometimes forgets he knows the word already and can easily get lost in the sounds.  It's kinda fun.  Also....he lost his other front tooth!  :D

And then there's Badger.  My sweet boy, growing so quickly into a real little man.  This picture of him is so....unlike him... that I thought I'd use it!  (Unlike him...in that he is rarely "caught" doing anything crazy as he tends to take himself rather seriously.)  He is learning all kinds of things.  Some of the "school" things he's learning are astounding really, but I'll leave you in suspense as you probably wouldn't believe me anyway.  

More importantly he is learning to say what he feels.  What he feels!   The boys recently had a friend over to play and it didn't go as smoothly as it usually does.  Badger's feelings were hurt.  And after awhile of playing, we sat down to lunch and Badger said to his friend...."What happened hurt my feelings.  I thought we were best friends."  Um...wow.  Now...let me reassure you that nothing really happened other than some disagreeing about what they should play and all the boys handled it really well.  No one said or did anything mean...they all just kind of struggled through it not agreeing.  But there were sore feelings on both sides and I wasn't really sure what to do or say to make it better.  Then Badger spoke up.  And his friend spoke up about his feelings too.  And after a little more time they were playing together pretty well and their time together ended much better than it started.   

As far as I can remember that was the first time Badger has ever not gotten along with one of his friends.  (besides when he was 2 and didn't know how to share.)  It was so interesting to me and I was actually sort of glad that it happened because it showed me a part of him I didn't know before and gave him a chance to grow.  As he and the other boys grow up I want to help them navigate those kinds of situations.  I want to help them understand their feelings.   I want to help them find the words to work things out.  I feel like, for whatever reason, I am only learning these things now as an adult and it has hindered many friendships that "could've been" had I only known how to be a better friend.  *sigh*  

However...I am glad to be able to say that I know my heart is softened now....i mean....I want to be a good friend now...I genuinely care about other people's feelings now and I am sooo glad to be able to learn this alongside my boys.  It is healing to be loved.  And God has put so many people that love me in my life for which I'm very thankful.

Cricket's News!

Notice anything different about our boy?!?

Yep! He lost a top tooth!!!  Here's another view......
I am so fond of the "getting bigger".  Do you know what I mean?  I wasn't sure at first, that I'd like the "getting bigger" because it comes with all kinds of things that seem hard to me.  For both the child and parent.  You see....I am pretty sure that I didn't do growing up very gracefully.  And when I think about my kids growing up.....I don't know...it just seems clouded with some of the uncomfortable things I had to go through.  But as I see them "getting bigger" first hand.....I am realizing how beautiful the process is.  How amazing it is to experience the growing up with them....to see them learn and think and wonder and become confident little people!~  What a blessing to be a part of that.  So, yeah...I'm fond of the "getting bigger."  And I say....bring it on!!

ps. to those of you who heard that Cricket perhaps broke his toe.....never fear....it was all of the sudden "healed" by going to a friend's to play lightsabers.  (within seconds of arriving he was running around!!)

Us Lately

Badger loves to read.  His latest "list" includes Jason and the Golden Fleece, the Wind in the Willows, and Mossflower (from Redwall).  I don't know how he does it, but he is reading all of these right now.   Well not at the exact same time, ha ha, but within the week ya know?  

Hen and I.  Hen and I. Oh how I love my little Hen.  So happy. Or so Mad.  But whatever it is you can be sure he will let you know about it.  Good for him, I say. :)
Hen has started "reading".  He sits for a long while with a stack of books, turning the pages and looking at the words and pictures intently.
Cricket's latest drawing.  This is really large.  It's hard to tell in the picture, but I think it is at least 2 feet by 3 feet.  Pirates and Islands and a Giant Squid.  As I'm typing this he is working on a picture of a blue ringed octopus. :)
Hen playing piano.  He loves loves loves the piano!  To him it is a full contact sport. (see he's playing with his toes)
We've been doing lots of math lately, which Badger seems to enjoy.  The table is by the window in our main room now and the sunlight just comes right in.  It's soooo nice.  
Owl discovered that he likes dot to dots.  In fact he likes playing "school" and sitting one on one with me and "learning" something in a book.  It is funny to me how much he likes it and how much it is not learning at all. LOL.  He hardly ever remembers the "learning" part, but LOVES the talking one on one, the quiet voices, the sitting with pen and paper.  Perhaps it's even a bit about doing what the bigger boys are doing.  Whatever the reason for him asking to do it, I am game.  I love spending time with him.  Although, I do have a feeling that "learning" for him is going to be much more hands on.  (where Badger is definitely a natural book learner. i mean that is what he chooses to do) It's strange to even talk about learning as something seperate from life, but perhaps that is another post...
The sunshine is just glorious these past few days and this pub table is the place to be if you have to be indoors.  We are still healing after our bout with the flu.  I have had practically no voice at all since Sunday.  It's been a struggle, but I've learned that I perhaps rely on my voice too much in my parenting.  Talking is overrated sometimes ya know?  It's been good to relearn how to "go to" the person you are talking to and look them in the eye.  Sometimes, because there is so much going on here all the time, I can get into the habit of just kinda hollering across the way at whoever needs a word.  That sounds awful, and I don't think it is as bad as it sounds, but in any case it's nice to be reminded of other ways to communicate to the ones you love.  I hope to remember this as my voice heals, (it's going to get better soon right? ) and keep in practice of this more mindful way to communicate. 

*leave me a comment? I'd love to hear from you. 

Little Men and being part of the pack

Before we decided to get a dog we (okay I) did all kinds of reading about it.  That's what I do.  And, I read all the many ways to train a dog.  It is kind of a vast subject. (who knew?)  The really "hip" way of training a dog has to do with pack behavior and maintaining an Alpha role with your dog.  Have you heard of this?

Okay...now two things about this.  First of all, I have serious doubts.  Not because I think it is ineffective, but it is not very practical.  For example, one of the things they say is important to always do to teach your dog that you are the Alpha is to never allow them to walk through a door before you.  You are always to lead.  Ok.  Seems easy enough, right?  Well, now imagine that you have four littles under the age of 7 and they are all bundled up and one of them is so small that you are carrying him in your arms and you have mittens on and the dog is on the leash that you are holding but one of the boys has run ahead and opened the door.  You know what is going to happen don't you?  Let's just say, it doesn't involve you calmly going through the door first to exert your leadership position. 

And secondly, this philosophy says nothing about being kind to your dog.  Does this count for nothing?  Are they saying she doesn't remember that I am the one who pets her and loves her and walks her and feeds her?  Or rather that she just remembers who goes through the door first more?  I don't know.  I just don't buy it 100%.  (feel free to disagree with me.)  And don't worry...I am making sure to do all the things that an Alpha would do whenever I possibly can.  But I'm not sure the dog believes me.

Having 4 boys has taught me a lot about pack behavior.  People who do not have three or more boys do not fully understand this.  Who am I kidding, I don't even understand this!  But I see it everyday and it amazes me and confuses me, entertains me and saddens me all at the same time.  Why must they continually be vying for who is "top dog"?  Why can't they just be kind to one another?

Since we homeschool these little men I feel like it is my responsibility to understand this more.  After all, how can I teach them when I do not understand their struggles?  Or how to effectively communicate to them about any of this? So I decided to do some research about boys and men and find out some answers to some of the things I just don't know about.  I found out some interesting things.  Did you know......?

-that boys have fewer cones in their eyes, which means they are not able to see as many colors as girls (and the colors may not be as vibrant to them)

-boys use only one side of their brain for verbalizing, girls use both sides (which is why boys have trouble talking about their feelings)

-boys learn gross motor skills before verbalizing skills (generally speaking) and you can't do both at the same time because the same part of the brain is used for both in boys 

-boys hear less well than girls (i can't remember why, but it had to do with processing and words and the brain..)

-boys smell less well than girls in general, but they are now determining that the sense of smell can be developed with practice...just like dogs!

-boys are comfortable at a lower temperature than girls (how do they know this?) 68degrees v. 72 degrees

-boys tend to think in verbs instead of in nouns. you can see this in their artwork often.  boys tend to draw actions. (YES they do! at least in my experience here w/ these little men)

There were more, but I can't remember them all.  I want to keep these in mind as I teach them.  The one that I thought was so interesting was about verbalizing feelings.  There is actually a physical reason for this!  The books I read suggested instead of saying..."how does that make you feel?" ... try "what does that make you want to do?"  Hmmmm....interesting...i would've never thought of that.  Oh, right...I'm a girl. 

ps. the camera is officially dead. :(  Sorry no pics today.