playing hookie

I started a tradition a few years ago that I love, and I know it is one of my kids' favorites. You see, with four kids, trying to find special time alone with each one of them was becoming very difficult, what with football, guitar, violin, wrestling, church, friends, and so on. And it is sooooo important to me to have that time with my kids. When I get time alone with each of the kids, I discover things about them I never knew before. I see their strengths rather than their weaknesses. I understand them in new ways.

So, a few years ago I decided I would kidnap each one at some time during the school year. It usually only happens once per year, and it is definitely a much-anticipated day! The kids don't know it's coming, don't know who's turn is next. They wake up expecting a "same as every day" kind of day, eat breakfast, brush teeth, put on uniform, and drag themselves to the car to make it to school on time.

But, on this most special of days, the unexpected happens! Yesterday, it was Micah's turn! He went into the bathroom to take his shower and put his school uniform clothes on the counter. Sneaky mom stealthily entered the bathroom undetected, and replaced said uniform with PLAY clothes! I then stood outside the bathroom door for what seemed an eternity, waiting for Micah to finish showering and drying off (can I just say, this boy, for WHATEVER reason, takes FOREVER to dry off!) and realize the clothes had been switched! FINALLY! I hear him in the bathroom giggling! Then a quiet, "Yes, yes, YES!!!" Oh, the fun!
Now, part of the fun of the day is that it is completely centered on the particular child. They get to choose what we do that day (within reason, or course!).

So, off to Egg and I we went, for a HUGE plate of chocolate chip pancakes (for Micah, I opted for the Athena scramble. Mmmm.). So fun to sit across from my boy, just talking about what he wanted to talk about. It was also fun to hear the storied from the table next to us, filled with about 7 WWII vets talking about their days in the war. They also had their Bibles on the table, which made me Oh, so happy.


From breakfast, we headed back home where we competed in some serious bowling, baseball, tennis, and boxing on the wii. I tried not to let me competitive juices flow too much, cuz this boys was whipping my behind!
It just so happened that I had made arrangements to watch a friends kids for a couple hours, but I knew Micah would love that. He loves the Clapp's youngest kiddos, and he was excited they were coming over. (For those of you who don't know, Isaiah and Laila have been home for a year, after beginning their little lives in Swaziland. Nate and I had the amazing privilege of being in Swaziland with half of their family last year while they met and brought home the kids. You can read about their adventures here.)

It was a beautiful day, so we got to spend the afternoon at the park.
After lunch, Micah and I ran some errands and had a treat at Starbucks. We didn't have time to see the movie he wanted to, but that's OK. It was a lot more fun to just BE together. Man, I love this kid.