Our kids like fruit–they always have, from that first mashed banana. They each have their favorites (as well as a dislike here or there), although because we buy most of our produce in a basket they’ve had to learn to be flexible sometimes.
One of the house favorites is apple dipped in peanut butter, and lately Silly Boy has gotten quite adept at slicing up an apple to share with Baby Boy. Actually, if you look closely you’ll see that he’s advanced from slicing to dicing. . . 
Those of you who know our boys well are probably not surprised to learn that Boy Genius was behind this little project, even though Bouncy and Silly Boys are the ones in front of the camera lens. 
What, you may well ask, are they doing? Well, Boy Genius eyed my collection of corks and decided to use an empty IBC bottle to make a sort of cannon. He spent a few days mulling it over and then seized a sunny morning last week. Vinegar and baking soda were his power of choice, and it took a few trials and errors to work out the quantities and method. He ended up with perhaps 1/4 the bottle filled with vinegar and then a heaping spoonful of baking soda twisted up in a bit of waxed paper. Once the cork was in place, he gave the bottle a good shake and put it in position. The standing bottle in the rear was his first successful shot, and as far as we know that cork is now orbiting the earth. After that he switched the laying the bottle on its side, which sent the cork flying several yards forward. Success! Naturally each little brother had to have a turn, too. . .
I love homeschooling, in case I haven’t mentioned it lately. 
My little boys love to ask “Am I spiffy?” I know I’ve written quite a bit about modesty and feminine dress; I also think it matters what boys and men wear.
They’re hard on clothes, so sometimes their play clothes are a little rattier than they should be. But when we go somewhere, especially to church, we make sure they are dressed appropriately for the occasion.
No, I don’t think coats and ties are mandatory. . .although they look especially spiffy in their Papaw’s old bow ties! However, I do think the way we dress influences our behavior.
Playground clothes tend to lead to playground behavior. Dress clothes remind us (and those who see us) that what we are doing or where we are going is worthy of both our best clothes and our best behavior.
Bouncy Boy, Baby Boy, and Silly Boy
I finished the last two fuzzy shirts over the weekend.
Boy Genius had chosen dark green velour, and when I showed him design #37 from Ottobre 4/2010 he immediately went back in the closet and got the black velour for the contrast panels. Good choice, as I had plenty of black ribbing for the neckband.
Baby Boy’s shirt isn’t quite as fuzzy but I really really wanted to use the rest of the tools french terry before he outgrow it. In fact, my remnant was j-u-s-t long enough for his shirt; I had enough left for sleeves, but he wanted those to be blue. With tools at the bottom. Hmmm. I ended up using the same pattern as for Silly Boy’s fuzzy shirt, # 15 from 4/2006, but I shortened the sleeve and added a contrast band as from Bouncy Boy’s shirt. I used rib trim instead of binding the neck and added a tools patch on the left sleeve, but he wouldn’t stand still long enough for that to show in the pictures.
Simul Justis et Pecatur Under Construction Boots on the Ground I shouldn’t be doin’ this Susan’s Pendulum The Elephant’s Child
