So there’s a game that the boys get into every now and then, which involves building the sturdiest Lego vehicle possible that can withstand a head-on collision with an equally stout competitor’s vehicle.  The rules are simple – once the driver of any of the vehicles is dislodged from his vehicle, the winner is announced.  This typically involves three or four rounds of head-on collisions until a vehicle releases their human, er, Lego-man cargo.

Today, Jake taunted Jim with a car that was reportedly unbeatable.  Jim (who is far behind the learning curve in building such contraptions) took the bait and cobbled together a competitor.  A thought came into the minds of everyone to capture this ritual on camera.  The result:

Let’s just say Jim was humbled.

While Molly can’t claim to be much help practically on laundry day, she does add fun to the mix. The boys like to position her in the target spot where the clothes fall from the second floor.

She enjoys the attention (not to mention the skid-marked undies).

As for Bubbie, well, I’m not sure what to say.

It occurred to me today how much we are all about football in our house.

Aside from games and practices, football has consumed our free time too. Derek and Peter make up their own playbooks. They talk play strategies. Jake is receiving iMovie training by making highlight videos.

But what grabbed my attention today was when Jeremy asked if he could dictate to me the story for his football book that he illustrated. Here it is:

Ever since we drained the water out of the pool a few weeks ago, the empty, 18-foot blue monstrosity in our backyard has been staring at us, waiting to be cleaned out. The task of taking down the pool and storing it away for the winter has seemed too overwhelming to accomplish during our precious weekends.

But today was the day we (I say “we”, but it was really Jim and the boys) claimed victory over the chore. And what we (the boys) discovered was an opportunity for civic construction and water experimentation underneath!

The sand that served as a base for the pool was a perfect template for the boys’ imaginative, massive construction.

They labored for hours, until nightfall, digging waterways and building up castles.

As they dug, they had the hose bring water in to the city.

Chief Supervisor: Molly

Chief Encourager: Ruthie

Some favorite scenes from the past couple weeks…

Peter greatly enjoys playing the role of defensive linebacker. Find the ball, tackle the runner.

He paused during the game on homecoming weekend to give Mom a flower. As I was holding Ruthie on my hip, I tried hiding her behind Peter. Her hair is popping out from behind his collar.

Here he poses with his buddy Luke.

Derek as the Center. I don’t know how he holds that squatting position every play.

Here he’s talking plays with the QB.

Jim has tremendously enjoyed coaching this year. The boys absolutely love him.

In my book, though these two little monkeys get the trouper of the season award. They sit through 2-hour practices twice a week, plus two games every Saturday. Hot weather, cold weather, wet weather–they’re out there cheering on their brothers.

And Molly is the unofficial mascot for the Bengals and the Eagles. Here she is cleaning the oatmeal from Ruthie’s face.

I am not aware of many of the antics which take place in our home. Our children begin life believing that Mom really does have eyes in the back of her head, but then they grow up and realize…I do not.

A few weeks ago I was making lunch in the kitchen while the boys were doing their laundry. There was all sorts of background noise, but because I didn’t hear any crying, it remained to me as just that–background noise. Later in the day, Derek approached me, unable to hold back his hoots of laughter, showing me a video he took.

Here is what was the source of the background noise:

We’ve been learning about muscles in our Anatomy curriculum this week. Muscles are an interesting part of our bodies. The more we use them, the stronger they become. If we don’t use them at all, they shrink, or atrophy.

Just the mere discussion of muscles lit a fire in me to go out for a run. After we finished reading the lesson, I strapped on my running shoes, strapped Ruthie and Jeremy in the stroller, strapped on Molly’s leash, and watched Jake, Derek, and Peter strap on their bike helmets. It’s no small affair when we hit the pavement – we are a spectacle of an entourage. But I digress.

As I was running, I thought more about muscles.

Could the same truth about muscles apply to other things in life, like non-physical things? During our meeting Monday night at OneWay, we talked about prayer. Prayer is one discipline that grows stronger the more you do it, and can actually atrophy if you don’t pray at all. Then I thought about the discipline of eating healthy. The more you eat healthy, the easier it becomes. The healthy eating discipline becomes stronger, and more of a habit.

Another thing we learned is that muscles can only pull, not push. And they come in pairs. So consider the way you talk about other people. You either speak kindly and respectfully, or you gossip. One muscle pulls this way, the other pulls that way. And I suppose whichever muscle you use more often is the one that will grow bigger and stronger.

I don’t know if God had it in mind when He made muscles, but I sure do find it interesting that the way He made them to operate helps us understand bigger things in life.

For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. (Psalm 139)

Yesterday was one of those days that was bound to be challenging from the time my feet hit the ground in the morning. Upon coming downstairs to make the morning coffee, I smelled that odor that makes you cringe and hope beyond hope that it isn’t what you think it is. I looked toward Molly’s cage and found the dog, the carpet, and the walls covered with poop. The next hour was spent cleaning.

Later, I put my bagel in the toaster like usual, only to find that the toaster was filling the kitchen with smoke.

After completing most of our school work, we came upstairs from the basement for a break to find that the dog had had another accident. Out came the Resolve and bleach. Again.

Between crying children and a stubbed toe and other minor-incidents-that-don’t-seem-minor-at-the-time, I was just about ready to break.

But I was reminded of something during Bible class with the boys. We were talking about the fact that God speaks to us through His creation, and we read Psalm 19.

The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.

Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge.

There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard.

Their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world.

After reading these words, it was clear that the perfect remedy for our rotten circumstances was a trip to the Arboretum, where we could appreciate God’s creation. The best way to rise out from feeling the burden of trials is to think about God!

So we threw together some sandwiches in preparation for our impromptu picnic in nature.

Ruthie enjoyed watching her brothers run.

And she also enjoyed having some freedom to roam and climb.

I marveled at the sweet little feet God made. Those pudgy toes are just irresistible.

Da boys.

Then it was time for the obligatory taking off of the shoes and wading in the creek.

Little Miss Swimmer was not content for long just sitting on the rock with only her feet in the water. She tried a few times to dive in.

Before we left, we observed a squirrel preparing for the long winter. This guy had some strong teeth!

Thank You, Lord, for your creation that proclaims the work of Your hands.

This little lady is the belle of the ball around this house.

Peter particularly enjoys carrying her and swinging her around. For this dance, Ruth appeared to be just along for the ride.

But what really cracked me up was how Peter had had enough of that dancing stuff…after the dance was over, he felt the need to pump out some push-ups.

Unique style – it must be a Johanik thing.

Remember this picture from 2 years ago, when Peter was 4?

Jeremy was recently caught on camera in this get-up, and boy did it remind me of his big brother:

I am happy for my sons’ dress code; it always provides timely entertainment and a good chuckle.

Before:

Kid: “Mom, can I paint?”

Mom: “Not right now buddy, it’s too messy, and we’re in the middle of school.”  (enter feelings of guilt)

After:

Kid: “Mom, can I paint?”

Mom: “Yes.” (ooh, did I just say that out loud?)

Results: paint tracked onto basement carpet after socked feet stepped into paint palette; paint smudges still on the floor; spilled water; finished masterpieces scattered throughout the house; Happy Kids :)

Still enjoying birthday pancakes after all these years…

I am so thankful to have this big guy in our family. God has given him a soft, sensitive heart and a love for his siblings. He is a hard worker, teachable, strives to reach goals, and has a fantastic photographic memory. We love you, buddy!

Okay, Ruthie, let’s hear it for Derek.  Hip, hip…

HOORAY!

The youngest child in the house is becoming quite mobile. So mobile in fact that the moment she is placed on the ground, she’s off, and if I take my eyes off of her for 2 minutes, the inevitable question follows, “Where’s Ruthie?” Thankfully there are several pairs of eyes in the house, and someone is bound to have her in their sight.

She pulls up on just about everything.

Including the dog.

She likes to be chased (hmm, wonder how that started), so when she breaks away, she stops every now and then to let out a yell before continuing on.

Football games can be tough for the little motor-er, being strapped into the stroller and all.

But she makes the most of it.

Let the season begin. Derek and Peter had their first games of the year on Saturday, and all in one day we experienced the thrill of victory, the agony of defeat, bone-chilling rain and sweltering sunshine. It was a great day indeed.

Peter’s game kicked off in the morning, just in time for the skies to open up. The boys were so pumped over their game that they seemed undeterred by the rain. Peter had ample opportunity to carry the ball, which made it fun for him…and for his family.

Here he is receiving the handoff.

He ended up running in for two touchdowns, with one being called back because of holding. He did a great job!

Derek is playing center this year- a multitasking position. Snap, block. Snap, block.

Huddle.

Even Ruthie was into the game. Most of the time.

Jim tasked Jake with taking game film. He did such a great job, Jim put the highlights together and posted them on YouTube for the team to see.

Some mark the end of summer with the beginning of school. Others mark it with Labor Day. In our family, we know summer has come to a sad end when it’s time to take the pool down.

But before emptying the 7600 gallons of water, there must be one final swim. One last hoorah, and today was the day. The air temperature was perfect, but the water temperature was, um, a bit chilly. I didn’t grab the video camera in time to catch Jake jump in, but he howled and shrieked for 30 seconds. Here are the other three boys entering the arctic waters:

If you listen closely, you can hear Ruth in the background yelling out to her brothers. I walked inside and saw this:

I’m guessing she may be part of that polar bear swim next year.

Who knew cells could be so…yummy?

Derek and Peter recently finished learning about cells and how they are put together. It really is amazing, first of all, that we can know about these microscopic “cities” that make up all the different parts of our bodies. It’s also amazing to consider how they function–they produce energy, get rid of waste, reproduce, protect themselves, among many other functions–without us even thinking about it! What an awesome Creator God is.

For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. (Psalm 139)

So that they would remember all they learned about cells, they completed a project using jello and candy. A kid’s dream. After the jello (a.k.a. cytoplasm) set, they carefully cut openings into it for the cell parts to fit.

Meanwhile, Molly wondered why she did not receive her own bowl full of jello and candy.

Peter found this quite funny.

After inserting the peanut M&Ms (mitochondria), fruit roll-ups (endoplasmic reticulum), sprinkles (ribosomes) and other tasty candies, they put their finished cells on a plate and ate them up.

Midway through school this morning, I came upstairs and saw this:

Boy and dog enjoying the warm sun and cool breeze by the backdoor.

I’m not sure where summer went, but it seemed to sprint through our midst with barely a notice. Monday marked our first day of school. Here, the kids pose for the annual first-day-of-school picture.

Unfortunately, Jeremy wasn’t much in the mood for a photography session. I warned him that this picture would be going in the recordbook for posterity, but he still couldn’t muster a smile for the camera. Don’t feel bad–he cheered up when he heard that we were having Italian sausage for lunch.

Jake can hardly contain his excitement over cracking open the math book again.

Derek and Peter conduct their first science experiment from their Anatomy book.

While Jeremy has been busy playing and coloring during school hours, Ruthie has been scooting, climbing and chewing. If someone is laying on the ground, she looks at it as obstacle course practice.

First Derek,

then Molly.

Ruthie and Molly. Molly and Ruthie. They have been good buddies lately. During the few days this summer when the AC is not on, they both like to hang out at the front door.

Molly is training her in the fine art of people/bird/squirrel watching.

In addition to sharing common interests, they also have common tastes in food. Remember how Molly sits at Ruthie’s feet during meal time so as to catch any tasty morsels that drop from Ruthie’s pudgy fingers?

Well, now that Ruthie is mobile, the tables have turned. When given freedom, she makes a beeline to Molly’s food bowl, grabs a kibble before anyone can catch her, and stuffs it in her mouth.

I’m going to have to keep an eye on this one. Houseplants, dog food…I hate to think of what might be next!