The Gospel at Bedtime

Tonight, I am extremely proud of my oldest son. And it's not because he played his best at his soccer game tonight (which we still lost 0-2), nor to the fact that he scored so well on his last science test (whereas most of his classmates did not do so well). No, I'm proud because he reflected his creator in a powerful way.

As with every soccer night, we get home and are trying to rush to get the kids in bed before 9 o'clock, (which never happens). After the kids got a bath and had their teeth brushed, we sat down to read the Bible. The kids were getting in their positions when Jay hopped back up and ran over to the books again. I told him repeatedly, “Come here first, J. Come here first.” But he would not listen. He forced my hand, and I had to tell him, “No stories tonight.” He immediately broke down in tears. I expected his mama to be anguished over her sons crocodile tears, but it was Elijah who spoke up after Bible time.

"I would rather go ahead and lose my story time and let J have his stories," he told me.

"You'll take his punishment?" I asked.

He nodded and said, "Yeah."

I confess I teared up a little as I nodded and told him, "Go ahead, Buddy."

Then I sat J down and presented him once again with the Gospel message. But this time, it was in a real-life situation where his brother, in love and out of the desire to please the father, took his place.

"That's what Jesus did for us J. Even though we did bad things and deserve to be punished, he took our punishment so that we could have Grace."

I'm pretty sure neither kid really understand what took place and what part they played in the retelling of the most beautiful story in the entire universe, but I was blessed to have he eyes to see it.

"You did what in your cup?"

 So a while back I took both the boys to their doctor's appointment. Today, it was Aubrey's turn. So my little girl prepared for her visit by packing all the necessities for a doctor's appointment. Blankets, a stuffed valentine bear, a few family photos, her Stellaluna book, and a candy cane ornament. The doctor and nurse found it amusing. It was rather cute to see the arrangement.

So, while Elijah watched over his brother, I took Aubrey into the bathroom to pee in a cup. Afterward, the doctor asked her, "Did you pee in a cup?" I answered, "She did." Aubrey then added, "And I peed on Daddy's hand too." Everyone laughed at that.

Later on, Aubrey asked for a cup of water. The nurse brought her some in a paper cup. As she was drinking, Elijah noticed something. "Hey," he announced, "your drinking out of your pee cup." Aubrey stopped and looked at her empty cup in disgust as she noticed the similarities. Then we all bust out laughing.

Second Grade, Here Elijah Comes

So Elijah is now in second grade. Our first impressions of his teacher were a little disappointing, seeing a lot of his friends (Lyle, David, Cassie, Brianna) wound up in Mrs. Thompson's class, and when we met Mrs. Craig she neither introduced herself nor smiled. Turns out she's a great teacher and Elijah though loves her; the fact that she gives them candy tops the lists. I told him the White Witch also gives candy... just saying.

Well within the first week or so, the students had a project to create a poster about themselves. We enjoyed his answers.

I want to be: "a mrenbiolojist" (A Marine Biologist)
I always: "will Love God"
I Love to: "play Socer"
I am good at: "Socer and writeing"
Someday, I will: "be like my Dad" (I teared up reading this one)
I love to doodle: "Navy Ships"
I like to: "swim alot"
I wish: "I could be in Mrs. Toomsin's class with my frend" (I'm sure his teacher enjoyed reading this one)

 

A week later he came home with some of his school work. He was suppose to write three declarative sentences. These were his three (The last is my favorite. It cracked us up. Apparently we make too many jokes about our lack of income):

Sweet Moments, Part 1

Password Needed
Stephanie informed me of a short but humorous exchange between her and her daughter last Friday:
Aubrey announced to her mother, "God doesn't know everything that I'm thinking."

Stephanie quickly corrected her. "Oh, Yes He does."
Without hesitation she replied, "But I didn't give him my password."


Funny Wordin
Aubrey has recently started choosing things by the "eeny, miny, moe," method, but hers seems to be a little different. "Eeny, meeny, miny, moe. Ketchup on a toe."

In July, I was reading Joshua a book. "Whats this?" I asked, pointing to a snowflake. "Elsa!" He exclaimed.

Kids are impressionable, and Joshua picks up bad things from both his parents and his siblings. "Shup!" he yells at the dogs to tell them to be quiet.
"Mean Daddy." He'll say randomly. I doubt he really knows what it means, but he hears his brother and sister get in trouble enough to know it, and Aubrey likes to throw it in her rotation of things to get Joshua to say in the car. ("Jay, say 'Banana!'" "Bah-na-na." "Good!")

"Top it, Daddy." He tells me whenever I start to annoy him or sing the Frozen songs in an annoying voice.

"Pah-kuh!" he shouts, as he raises his Popsicle in the air with victory, and the rest of the family joins in.

Often, Jay wakes up, and comes in the Living Room in the morning with droopy eyes, as if he is still waiting for his cup of coffee. The first thing out of his mouth is usually, "Whe-uh my pah-cee go?"

Early this summer, Elijah askied, "Have I had a sleep over with Kingston and Kali?" Then after a pause he answered his own question, "I think so."
Aubrey piped up, "Whose Kingston and Kali? I don't remember."
Finding this rather strange, I said, "Uh... Mrs Jessica's kids. Little brother named Korbin."
Remembering his blonde curly hair, she asked, "The one with the noodle hair?"

We waiting until after Aubrey was four before she made her start using big kid toothpaste. We were with some friends when Aubrey randomly announced that she "could spit." We understood she was referring to the fact she now used big girl toothpaste, but no one had any context.

Not that long ago I went in to tuck Aubrey in and got a hygiene reminder after I brushed her leg with a fingernail. "Hey Daddy, you huwt me. You need to cut yous finguh nails."


Our Public Schools Are Failing Us
At the end of last year, we were riding in the van when Elijah announced: "I think I can name all the constinents: Asia, Africa, Alabama, North America, South America... Is that right, Mama?"


Appeal to Educational Value
After not getting to listen to what she wanted to listen to in the card and Elijah did, she expressed her frustration by belittling the educational quality of his choice. "Adventuhs in Odyssey teaches you bout nothin!" she said with a pouty face.


A Pixar Perspective
Aubrey, after seeing the movie "Inside Out" saw some red buttons and said, "Those buttons are anger."


Reptile Salutations
Last month, Joshua bid me farewell by saying, "Bye, bye, aygatuh tahtodiyo (aligator, crocodile)." He put together "See you later, Alligator. After awhile, Crocodile."


Letters
After our friend Ellie and her three kids left after a Friday hangout in August, Elijah decided he wanted to make a card for his friend Memphis (I'll give you three guesses what Elijah's love language is). Naturally Aubrey began making one for her equivalent: Myah. Then Jay followed with wanting to make a card for the youngest Bradshaw, "Bae-Bae Max!"

Elijah, Aubrey and Joshua and their counterpart buddies in the Bradshaw family: Memphis, Myah, and Max; all enjoying a watermelon treat. We were hoping for a better Kodak moment, but we were all a sweaty mess as soon as we walked out into the muggy August evening.

Update on Jackie
Aubrey has had an imaginary friend that occasionally visits. Creeps her Aunt Riya out. So we make sure to text Miriya anytime Aubrey informs us that Jackie has gone to Florida without us. Sometime in July, Stephanie sent me this text: "Jackie was apparently hurt in an army battle while protecting the queen."


Joke Time:
Every kid loves the knock, knock joke: "Knock, knock. Who's there? Interrupting Cow. Interrup... MOOO!" And each child has tried to master it. One evening Aubrey was rehearsing it over and over again in the bathtub. Joshua would try the abbreviated version by balling up his little fists and drumming either side of his head while saying, "Knock, knock." And then after a short pause he would exclaim, "Mooo!"

Talk Like a Pirate 2015

Today was Talk Like a Pirate Day! And to celebrate such a widely celebrated holiday, Krispy Kreme once again gave away a dozen donuts to whoever came in dressed like a pirate. We got two dozen, gave one to the ladies at the library and shared one with some neighbors. Elijah, who had a little attitude problem missed out and had to watch the rest of us eat donuts. Stephanie and I split a pumpkin spice cake donut (so we did actually buy SOMETHING while we were there). That junk was good. Afterwards, Joshua slipped into a sugar comma with icing all over his face while we made our way to Danielsville in the van. So cute!

First Grade Finally

So I found out the night before, but I was able to go to Elijah's First Grade Awards Event. Like the Star Student Assembly, it was in the morning, just yesterday. They gave out two awards per class (so six in all) for each subject (Language Arts, Social Studies, Science, Math) as well as additional awards like Reading, Writing, etc. There were also awards for Music, Art, Technology, and PE. I saw a few of Elijah's friends get awards. David for Technology, and Lyle for Math. Even little Jacob down the street got the Citizen Award. I was proud to see our oldest boy bring home both an Art Award and one for Writing.

And thank you, Mr. Cooper, for a great First Grade Year. I'm pretty sure you have to be the coolest teacher in the school, especially for all those young boys when you're a volunteer fire fighter on the side.

Awana Sparky Award

Last night was Awards and Family Night at Comer Baptist for Awana. This year Aubrey was in Cubbies with Mrs. Brittney and her husband and Ms. Shannon. I have to confess I failed to work very hard on her verses with her, but she got a few of them down through the year. Funny part on her was that half-way through the year she had told her mother after refussing to eat her dinner, "I'm just going to get snacks at Awana." Well, Daddy put an end to that. I relayed the event to her teachers, and they graciously complied to a "no snack" policy for our little girl. There were a few times she ate her dinner and was allowed some snacks during the evening. It became routine for Brittney to ask me every Wednesday, "Did Aubrey eat her dinner?" And I would say, "Nope." And she would turn to Aubrey and say, "Your killin me Smalls!"

Elijah was blessed to have Mrs. Nedra as a teacher again, along with Mrs. Margaret and Mr. John. I had watched this couple the year before lead those kids with such enthusiasm that I was really looking forward to Elijah being in that class. Last year a boy down the street go the "Sparky Award" by finishing all three of his books in one year. I remember turning to Elijah and encouraging him to go for the same. And go he did. He would listen to his CD, foregoing story time at home sometimes or even game time at Awana to work on his verses. Not only did he end up devouring all three of his Sparks books, but he also finished the first review book and was going through the third (they didn't have the second... Mr. John didn't know when they had had some one use one). So, he without question earned his plague. Awesome Job, Prophet! And thank you to all His Awana teachers and Comer Baptist for serving this community in the name of Christ.

Soccer Season 2 End

So these past few months Elijah entered his second season in soccer. We were blessed for him to once again be on coach Kevin's team, but that also meant he played up a level on the U8 (7 and 8 year olds) league. So, even though he wasn't the smallest kid, he was the youngest. And for some odd reason, Kevin asked me to be an assistant coach. He must have been hard up, but I was glad to help and it ended up being pretty fun. Not sure how effective I was one those two occasions I handled the kids without him for a practice, but it was good to learn the game a little better (thank you YouTube for the instruction and ideas). But the best part for me was getting to know each of those kids and how special God made them.

(From Left to Right, Top to Bottom) Coach Kevin with "Squeeze"; The Goallies Lydia and DeLaney; Give it his all Michael "Samples" and Haden; "Gwen" Riley "The Boot"; Carter, the defence man; Braxten (whose dad was a much more qualified assistant coach), Matthew "Highfield", and Landon; and Carter. (Missing were Bela and Kennedy)

All in all, it was a great year, and a lot of fun. We look forward to next year when "The Squeeze" puts a good boot on it and gets a goal with the same style that he nails them in during practice. Proud of you, "E"!

Some latest funnies...

Next
Earlier last month, Aubrey asked me, "Daddy, can we sell Peno and get a cute little puppy."

Famous Author
Around that same time, Stephanie showed Elijah her some of her latest craft creations, one of her Tree Hugger bookmarks, "I'm going to do one of Jesus," she told him. "Why?" Elijah asked, "He didn't write anything famous?" Ummmm.... I believe he quickly realized his mistake.

Walking with God
About a week later, talking with Elijah about what it means to be a disciple of Jesus, I explained that we follow Christ, we walk with God wherever he leads. "I don't want to walk with God part of the time, because I would get really tired." Or maybe God would.

Overstaying Our Welcome
Aubrey wanted to snuggle with her mother a few nights later, but quickly grew weary of her presence in her bed. "I weally tieuhd. Get outta my bed, Mama."

Which kid?
A day or two later, while we were getting the kids ready for bed, I called Aubrey into the bathroom to brush her teeth. "Yes, Mama." she said as she climbed up on the step stool. After a short pause she corrected herself, "I mean Daddy."

"That's okay, I mess up you guys' name all the time," thinking specifically about this evening when I kept calling Elijah, 'Jay.' "But I don't usually mess your name up, do I," I asked.

Pushing my hand away with the toothbrush so she could speak, she said, "When you see long chockey-milk haiuh, you say, 'Aubee.'"

Make Up What You Don't Know
The other night, when it seemed like no one was paying attention to the Bible story, I started quizzing the kids. Elijah started rattling off what he knew, and since this was regarding the Shepherd's hearing about the birth of Christ, Elijah recounted their proclamation, "Savannah and the highest"

Strange Gratitude
The next evening we were playing outside before bedtime. Earlier, Aubrey had turned up her nose at a new soup meal at dinner time, but thought to thank her mom sometime later in this manner. "Thank you for making the yukky dinner tonight, Mama." What a delight.

My Sweet Dreams

I'd worked very late yesterday night, so tonight I was planning on going to be early. But before I climbed into bed, and yet after the kids were suppose to be trying to go to sleep, Elijah comes out and tells us he wants to sleep on the bottom bunk, so that he can listen to The Sweetest Story Bible CD, Aubrey's new pink Bible and CD set. "I know it's for girls," he told us, "but it's still about God."

 So we conceeded, and I soon got into bed, drifting off to sleep listening to The Sweetest Story Bible CD playing from Elijah's room, and Aubrey singing Jesus loves me. That provided some sweet dreams. Thank You, Lord.

Sibling Interaction

It's great to see this kids interacting with one another. Well, not always. Much of the time Elijah likes to pester Aubrey, like scarring her from around a corner, or turning out the lights when he's done washing his hands in the bathroom and she's just stepping up to the sink, or chasing her around the house with her releasing those ear piercing screams. And then Aubrey likes to pester both her brothers, especially Joshua who she won't hesitate to push over when he enters her personal space. Of course, she doesn't mind smothering him with a big hug even when he grunts and screams in protest. But Joshua is now returning the favor, taking her toys and walking off with a grin on his face. And he can be pretty mean too, like when he launches toys at people's heads.


But there are those sweet moments when they play well with one another. Apparently Elijah and Aubrey played very well the other day in their "fort" when Elijah stayed home on his "snow day." And I came home a few weeks ago to see all three kids huddled together on the couch watching Thomas the Train. And now that Elijah is starting to read, it's cute to see him reading to his siblings. Joshua LOVES Thomas.

Star Student

Every month, Comer Elementary has a Star Assembly where they award students who have demonstrated exemplary behavior. Elijah received one award last year and another at the beginning of this school year, both for good behavior on the bus. Which, I'll be honest, isn't overly thrilling because he's on the bus for literally five minutes at a time since we live so close to the school and  are the second to last in the morning and second stop in the afternoon. I hope the kid can behave himself. However, last month he received an outstanding achievement award for art (which is quite appropriate for this family). And then this month he received the Star Student Award from his teacher, Mr. Cooper (the only male teacher in the school, a volunteer fire fighter, and thus the coolest teacher in the school).

What was really fun about this star assembly, is seeing not just Elijah, but friends Memphis (3rd from left), Maddie (6th from left), and Brianna (7th from left), all in that same line getting Star Student Awards from their teachers. There is also a short statement written by the teacher that is read out by the Principal after each name is called. Most are fairly standard, praising the student for their helpfulness, their cooperation, or some other great trait. Elijah's said that he is "a great leader in class. He consistently listens and follows directions. He also sets a good example of STAR behavior."

As a side note, Memphis' had the funniest one I've heard, praising him for his "intrigue mind" and the fact that "he asks to play outside, even when it's 32 degrees because, 'we can survive at that temperature.'"

10,000 Step Beast

Elijah enjoys G-Mommy's elliptical machine. So much so this trip, that he spent the first half of this day on it, stripping down to his "workout clothes," and watching as he stepped for part. He completed over 10,000 steps and burning over 1000 Calories. WOW! We're all impressed with his determination. I honestly didn't think he'd stay with it when he got the challenge this morning.

Getting It

Friday morning, as Elijah and I were eating our breakfast cereal, Elijah proudly showed me his Christmas bag that he made at school the day before. He told me that all the other kids decorated their bags “with presents or gingerbread men,” and he was the only one that “did baby Jesus.” I love it, and I especially like the skyscraper city behind the stable, the the three wise men hiding behind the levitating Christ child. But it does make me proud and think that some of it all is getting through.

Later that day, I took off a little early to hurry home so I could take Elijah to a friend’s birthday party. We were to go to Athens to ice skate (the apparently setup a temporary ice rink in the bottom floor of the Classic Center), and then over to Haden’s house for pizza and a sleepover party. Elijah had not been ice skating before, or any skating before for that matter. But I know he’s a fearless kid, and I had confidence he would do well. He did not disappoint. Since Haden’s dad Kevin had already purchased the kids tickets, I had to go back upstairs to get mine while the kids got their skates on and got out on the ice. So once I stepped out on the ice, Elijah was already in the middle of the rink skating around. Of course, he was constantly falling down, but he was also constantly getting up. He had some pretty hard falls, and at one point I asked him if he wanted “to go in?” His response was typical Iron Squeeze, “No,” he said in anguish, “I’m okay.”

I think when I was a kid, I was the one clinging to the edge all the way around the rink, terrified to fall down. I remember when I was a teen, I was about to fall while skating, and I clung to some poor little kid to keep from falling. I remember plainly that in my head I was telling myself, “let the kid go,” but I couldn’t make myself release him until I was stable. Pretty pathetic. Yet I look at Elijah and realize how determined he is to master something, whether it be bike riding, swimming, soccer, math, His Awana Bible verses, or ice skating. In fact, he was more upset that he wasn’t able to “ice skate” (and master the skill), than he was about his bumps and bruises. He just would’t be deterred. Proud of that boy. And with a little more practice, he’ll get it.

(Funny caveat, the next day as he was sleeping in the van, he would awaken every now and then, with a whimper about his hurting leg, then fall right back to sleep).

Soccer Squeeze, Season 1

Well, even though we lost that last game, we ended the season with a makeup game victory 6-0. The team was pulling for Elijah to score, but he ended the season without a goal. However, for his first season, he has drastically improved. He’s getting over his timidity to get in the fray, and his improved ability to kick the ball with power and accuracy has been impressive. And most importantly, he has developed a love for the game, a better understanding of teamwork, and several lessons learned (or at least opportunities for those teachable moments).

A few funny moments this season:

Since Elijah’s coach was Kevin Cheek, a friend we knew from church and familiar with Elijah’s nickname, the whole team knew Elijah as “Squeeze.” In fact, one official was under the impression that that was the team’s name after they heard the coaches and parents cheering, “Go Squeeze!”

After the last game and during our cookout celebration, Elijah’s trophy was missing from the lineup. He still got his photo with the coach, and later he got a cool T-shirt as an apology. In addition, no one else got their nickname on their trophy… a good teachable moment.

Elijah and I worked a lot together to develop his skill, and so I was often locked into the game to watch his performance. Sometimes I would just go, but there were several occasions that the whole family went to watch. On one occasion, I heard a stern, “Aubrey,” from Stephanie and turned my head to see Stephanie grabbing our daughter who had her pants around her ankle. She told us she needed to “pee.” She also told us she was “only kiddin.” I never know with her, but I could just hear Jeff Foxworthy saying, “If your daughter pulls her pants down at the soccer field to pee, you might be a redneck.”

Can’t wait for next season and what it might bring.

Random Elijah, Part 1

Who knows how to categorize some of this stuff...

Ninjas and Clowns
Last week, my dad was making funny faces at the table while were eating dinner with them. Elijah's observation: "You look like a ninja... or a clown."


Dad Qualifies?
Today, before getting Elijah on the bus, I pulled Elijah's bookbag down and felt a little extra weight. I opened it up and saw Friday's lunch bag, and thus concluded that his mother had not checked over his homework and signed the necessary papers. So I went into the bedroom and quietly asked her what I needed to sign. I then went back into the living room and opened his notebook to check and sign where I was suppose to.

Elijah observed and then asked. "Are you going to sign Mama's name?"

"No, Squeeze. I'm a parent too, you know."


Results of Movie Night
Last month, Elijah and I watched Star Wars together. As would be expected, everything was a lightsaber or a blaster for the next few days.

Comer Fair, 2014

This year’s Comer Fair was a little different this… you know, out of the three years total we’ve gone. We thought we might just go as a family and had picked the best day for us to go (Tuesday-the cheapest). But when I got home, I got a bad report in regards to my children’s behavior. Elijah was kicking the large purple ball around and knocked off a ceramic plate off the mantel. It of course broke in several pieces, to which his mother informed him he would have to pay for it. He got angry, and it escalated as it often did, even to the point of him kicking at his mother and calling her names like “stupid.” Aubrey had a little back talking of her own that day, but nothing quite so severe. I got home, and then had to make a tough decision. I even phoned my parents for some additional opinions. Do we still go to the fair? Do we just let Aubrey go? Do we just call off the whole thing?

Well, in the end I realized that Aubrey deserved a spank, but her privilege to go would never even be at risk if it had not been for Elijah’s behavior. So I was just going to take her, and let Elijah stay at home and learn a tough lesson. But when I informed him that Aubrey was going to go, and he was going to miss the Fair completely this year, he became irate, and so I just decided to send the girls out, and the boys would turn in early, despite all the screaming and yelling.

Aubrey had a wonderful evening with her mom. They stayed out pretty late, until around 9:30 (it closed at 10) when Aubrey informed her mother, “I’m ti-uhd, Mama.” When they got home, Aubrey came in with a giant smile and a half-eaten bag of cotton candy. Stephanie then told me a few cute things about the evening. She really enjoyed the Ferris Wheel and the long slide. She also seemed to really enjoy the bigger rides (the ones where she was just tall enough to go on). Last year when Elijah rode those rides, he stuck his tongue out and distorted his face like he was going to throw up. This year, the younger Aubrey held a big smile the whole night. On one particular one of these rides (where they also play all the inappropriate music), Aubrey noticed a teenage girl in front of her pointing her finger and pumping her arm in the air to the music. Perhaps believing this was an expected activity while riding, she did the same. Too cute.

And back on the home front, I spent the next hour enduring some angry words and disrespectful behavior… for a while, hoping to let Elijah vent some of his anger. In the end, I made sure he had a very unpleasant evening. We received confirmation the next week that the tough decision indeed made an impression. Elijah’s class at school read Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No-Good, Very Bad Day, and then answered the question, “What was your terrible, horrible, no-good, very bad day?” I’ll give you one guess what his answer was.

But one more important aspect of the evening. Elijah and I had a good talk about the importance of respect and obedience, and the reason these consequences are a loving thing. Because the real problem isn’t the “stupid” comment, the kick, or even the broken plate, the real problem is the condition of his heart. He was willing to calm down a little and be respectful until he found out he wasn’t going to get what he wanted, and then he had a decision to make. Do I trust that my father is good (with all the many good things around me to assure me of this truth), and that he knows what’s best for me, or am I going to decide he’s a bad father who is withholding good things from me that will bring me joy? The same decision we constantly face in regards to our Heavenly Father. Because as much as I’m now an adult and father, I’m still His child.

The Older Girl

During Vacation Bible School this year, Elijah fell in love with one of the teenage workers, Melody. He was all about her. In fact, the last day I had to pry him from her so we could leave. From then on, he gets all goofy at church when he sees her, pulling on my sleeve and pointing to ask permission to run over to her and giver her a hug.

Thanks for being so sweet to him, Melody.

Squeezisms, Part 10

Double Decker Sandwich
Today, Elijah made his own sandwich: Peanut butter, jelly, pimento cheese, a folded tortilla, potato chips, and peanut butter ritz bits, all between three slices of bread. And he ate the whole thing.

Musings
Sometime last month, Elijah asked his mother, "How does Batman pick his nose?"

While reading through his Awana book, I asked Elijah the question, "What things are difficult for you?"
"Understanding," he said, then pondered other answers, "ummmmm..."
I offered one. "Sometimes its difficult for you to obey."
Elijah laughed. "Good one."

While playing his Batman learning laptop, Batman gave his congratulations for a correct answer, "Good Job!" Elijah inquired to the graphic he was watching, "Is Batman holding his thumb up or holding a toothbrush?"

Lego Adventures

Today both Elijah and I received a wonderful birthday gift from my dear parents. Well, it was Elijah's birthday gift, but I got to go along. Grandda, myself, and Elijah (three generations of Neals) took a trip to Lenox Square to the Legoland Discovery Center. We enjoyed a small tour of how Legos are made, then hopped aboard a small interactive ride where we got to shoot at various themed bad guys with Lego modeled pistols. Afterwards, we got to build a race car and race other cars down a track. Elijah wasn't too interested, so he ended up running around the play area while I finished making mine. Several kids complimented my creation (it did look pretty cool), but it proved too top heavy and kept getting stuck on the release. Oh, well.

Elijah's really enjoyed the 4D movies (all four of them), where they integrate wind, water (for rain, waterfall spray, and giant sneezes), and snow, along with 3D glasses, to make it a multi-sensory experience. His other favorite activity was building with the giant foam Legos (which we kept coming back to), constructing houses, large pedestals and towers (as shown above). I'd love to have those at home.

Inspired by his trip, Elijah took to making his own creations the next day, like his Lego ship (top right). It was a great trip, one we all really enjoyed. Thank you Grandmommy and Grandda.