From the Mouth of My Babe

Tonight we told Caleb about Gramps passing away.  I had an idea of what to say, but wasn't exactly sure how to start.  I asked him if he remembered that Gramps' heart wasn't working right, and that we'd been praying to God to help him feel better.  I told him that God decided it was time for Gramps to go to heaven.  He stared at me and then at Erik, and said, "His heart couldn't be fixed?"  I replied no.  He immediately said, "Now Grandma Joy doesn't have a Dad."

The next thing he said was, "But we still have Gram.  And now he's her angel."  I smiled and said, "You're absolutely right!  He can be an angel to all of us."  He then said, "I think he probably looks a little weird in heaven."  I asked him what he meant by that, and he pointed out his nose cannula and oxygen tank.  I told him that no one is sick anymore when they go to heaven, and that Gramps didn't need the oxygen tank anymore.  I told him that God fixed him.  Caleb then said, "Yup, God put his hand on him and said you're cured.  Jesus can do that too!"

I explained that the sad part is that we won't ever get to see Gramps again.  I also pointed out that we were lucky to have spent some time with him a few weeks ago.  Caleb said, "So that was the last time we got to see Gramps." 

He then said, "I hope he can come back to Earth."  I made the mistake of trying to explain resurrection, and said he might come back to Earth, but probably not while we're alive.  Caleb said, "maybe he'll come back again in baby Nikko."  Then he also said, "when we go to heaven we'll get to see Gramps again!  I can't wait!"  I tried to explain that we will be happy to see Gramps again, but that hopefully that wouldn't be for a long time. 

Caleb saw that Erik was crying, and said "Daddy I'm going to draw you a picture of you and Gramps so you can always remember him." 

When we went to bed, his only prayer was, "God please bring Gramps back."  I again tried to explain that he won't come back, but that he's watching over us, and even though we can't see him or hear him, we can talk to him.  Caleb said, "and feel him."  He then told me that Gramps is with Cocoa and Chopper in heaven.  I told him I bet that Gramps is already playing with them!  Then Caleb added, "and probably teasing a lot!" 

Even though it was really difficult to tell him, and I'm still not sure if I said the right things, I'm glad he knows.  It's been difficult knowing that we needed to tell him, but not really being sure when or how.  I pray that my faith can help guide me, so I can guide him.

Caleb's Special Day at Preschool

Since Caleb's Birthday is this month, I got to go into his preschool class for a day.  We had the choice of either reading a book to his class, making a craft together, or cooking something together.  Much to my dismay, he chose cooking together!  Cooking and baking are not my forte!  I also had the choice of going in for 15 minutes or the whole 3 hours.  I chose the full day!

It was so awesome to watch Caleb interact with his classmates and teachers!  He was so cute and proud to have me there for the day!  He waved at me and smiled whenever he looked over at me!  When we walked in from outside he told me to come and hold his hand while we walked in together!  Now I KNOW it will not always be like this with my little boy, so I am completely cherishing every moment of this now!!

Each person in his class has a job for the week.  They sang a welcome song, reviewed the calendar, days of the week, shapes, alphabet, bible verse, and the pledge of allegiance!  I was shocked Caleb knew almost all of the pledge!  Then half the class came with me to start making banana bread muffins.  The other half had their choice of what to do during free time.  Their options were sensory table, playdoh, painting, a match game, playing with jungle animals, or make believe with dress up!  Half way through the recipe, the other half of the class came to help me!

I was a little nervous at first, but I ended up having a great time cooking with the kids!  They did a great job taking turns helping me add and mix the ingredients!  Our muffins came out a little browner than I had hoped (of course, because I made them!!) but they were still delicious!!  When the kids sat down for snack, they had to find their placemat with their address on it.  Caleb's job this week was prayer leader, so he started off the snack time song!  Then before they're dismissed from their tables, they have to clean their spot and recite their address to the teacher!  It was so nice to see all of the details that are a part of their school day!

After that it was time for a bible story, and then Caleb got to put together his birthday cake.  The whole class sang happy birthday to him!  At the end, he turned to me with the biggest smile, ran to me and gave me a big hug!  It was such a special and memorable day we got to share together!!

From the Mouths of my Babes

This morning, Mila came into our room at 6:30am.  She was sitting in bed looking at a book when I heard Caleb call out for me.  I climbed into his bed and he told me, "I wanted to watch the sunrise with you!"  Then he asked, "Is Daddy with Mila?"  I replied yes.  He said, "Oh ok, good, I didn't want her to be all alone."

Mila made me some soup in her kitchen.  When I asked her what kind of soup she made me, she told me, "warm!"

We were snacking on some Pirate Booty popcorn, but ran out.  I made some regular popcorn and Mila unhappily said, "More Booty popcorn!"