Almost-Back-to-School Things (and Katterson Kitchen)

 The days are drawing near.

Trying to own up to exactly how many snacks will be required for the weeks ahead

 

Squeezing in some Momma dates this week

 

Meal mixes = dinner sanity

 

A couple years back, the Holiday Craft Boutique birthed a new mini-venture here, called Katterson Kitchen.  

 

In honor of back-to-school chaos, I'm putting together some Slow Cooker Chicken Tikka Masala meal mixes. (Family favorite!)

If you're interested in hearing more, let me know with this brief form.

Victor's Challenges 6-8

 

Week 6 (July 17): Learn how to change oil in a car. 

Verse to memorize: For you remember, brothers, our labor and toil: we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, while we proclaimed to you the gospel of God. 1 Thessalonians 2:9

Components:

• Buy the oil and filter(s) that you need.

• Schedule a time to change oil with Dad.

• Gather the needed tools.

• Change the oil

Bonus: Employment opportunity (see next challenge)

  Week 7 (July 24): Work a (small) business. Postponed due to sickness...

(Ideas: Oil changes, yard mowing, dog walking, baked goods sales, weeding, etc)

Verse to memorize: Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need. Ephesian 4:28

Components:

• Write an email describing your service; set a business goal.

• Choose people to tell about your business. Persevere until you have reached your business goal.

• Buy the needed supplies.

• Provide your service.

Bonus: Make a plan for your income (save, spend, give).

 

Week 8 (July 31): Host a party. 

Verse to memorize: Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him! Psalm 34:8

Components:

• Choose the time, location (park), and guests to invite.

• Plan activities and food.

• Invite guests and keep track of RSVPs.

• Collect food and other supplies to bring.

• Help clean up.

Bonus: Fun with friends!

My Favorites

A dump of some of my most favorite moments, quotes, and quips from some of my most favorite people...

Josiah: One of the most common ways that I travel is on all fours.

We have 2 paper hole punches. One is new and cuts through the paper smoothly; one is old and tough. Josiah's commentary: …because it’s older and it knows what’s coming and umph (resists)

The boys, eating beef jerky:

I am a tiger eating a cow.

This feeds my loud side.

I feel stronger now, Mom!

Calvin, routinely: Thanks, mom *love*
Chatty: so descriptive, detailed
Water towers: giant marshmallows, rockets
Help making lunch, washing dishes, cleaning bathrooms
Occasional naps
Bible lessons, good insights
Apologies for fussing
Potty success
Dear Father, thank You for this beautiful day and thank You…

Jemima's words: 

ba, ba, ba (drum)
Ha! (Hi)
Mamama
Dadada
Baby!
Bap (= dog)

 
Jemima's hobbies: Rummage in onion and potato bin, chew on potatoes, eat thin onion papers, and puke

Calvin: mom I’m hungry
Mom: Yes I’m making supper
Calvin: Not that kind of hungry.

Elliot: I for surely know…

Calvin: Mom, right here on my lip hurts.
Mom: I’m sorry, why do you think it hurts?
Calvin: Maybe from driving.

Eating ice cream sandwich, Calvin: Mom, my fingers are muddy

Victor: Which season do you like better, summer or winter?
Calvin: Summer, because it’s more not snowy than winter

Shoe sizes:

Calvin: child 10
Elliot: child 13
Josiah: youth 3/4
Victor: men's 8

One day I was having Josiah put sugar snap peas on each plate for lunch. I told him to put 4 on each plate. After doing so, he discovered there were still a few sugar snap peas left in the bag. He (reasonably) presumed I was trying to use up all the peas.
Josiah: Mom, you were wrong. That’s the first time!

New habit: Josiah heading outside before everyone is up to read his Bible outside

Josiah: My outer body is ready for a soak

Calvin: What color do you think the skin will be?
Mom: What skin?
Calvin: The skin under my scab
Mom: Well, it will probably be fresh new skin that’s the same color as your other skin
Calvin: I think it will be black.

Josiah: My favorite flavor of ice cream is strawberry. Smooth, without any fruits or vegetables in it.

Calvin: Another day, when Jemima grows up, she’s going to be a toddler.

7/28/22 Victor finished reading whole Bible

 

 Jemima, after finding a donut Ben had given me (note crumbs on face).
She was a Very Happy Girl.

Victor's Challenge of the Week 4 and 5

 

Week 4 (June 19/26): Take a babysitting course.

Verse to memorize: But we were gentle among you, like a nursing mother taking care of her own children. 1 Thessalonians 2:7

Components:

• Complete the online Red Cross babysitting course.

Bonus: Babysitting money potential

 

Week 5 (July 10): Grow your skills in a sport.

Verse to memorize: For while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. 1 Timothy 4:8

Components:

• Attend soccer camp or watch a video to learn the next level of skills for your sport.

• Choose a skill to practice each afternoon/evening.

• Assess your progress and make a goal for the summer to continue to grow.

Bonus: Sports gear

 

Victor's Challenge of the Week 2 and 3

The weeks keep ticking by, and here is an update on our "Challenge of the Week"!

 
Week 2 (June 5): Hold a ping-pong tournament.

Verse to memorize: Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. Colossians 3:12-13

Components:

• Learn the basic rules for ping-pong.
• Choose time for tournament and invite friends.
• Teach rules, practice, play, and celebrate.
• (Consider making this an on-going activity.)

Bonus: On-going extracurricular activity possibility

Victor has started up weekly ping-pong practice sessions (when we're in town) in anticipation of the upcoming tournie. It's been a fun learning experience so far!

Week 3 (June 12): Bike 10 miles.

Verse to memorize: But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified. 1 Corinthians 9:27

Components:

• Find a venue or path.
• Schedule a time with Dad.
• Pack gear and snack
• Bike!

Bonus: Map of trails

Ben and Victor have already done a couple bike rides (probably 10+ miles), and they are enjoying exploring parks and trails around here!

 

4 years old!

4 years old!

 

3 years old

 

 2 years old

18 months old

1 year old

 11 months old

10 months old

9 months old

8 months old

7 months old

6 months old

 
 5 months old

4 months old

3 months old

 2 months old

1 month old

2 weeks old

Dear Calvin,

You have very patiently awaited your birthday (it's hard when all the siblings have birthdays that fall earlier in the year!). So what a joy to celebrate with you at last! You are 4!

- You are a fellow with a fabulous smile and joyful countenance. You like jokes and being goofy right alongside your funny brothers. You love your little sister and shower her with hugs and toys. I love your infectious laugh!

- You are very interested in trucks and can read about construction vehicles for an undetermined amount of time. You likewise love to dig in our construction site and wear the summer dirt well! 

- You eat well, and you'll normally pick a piece of candy for a treat. (Calvin, would you like a piece of triple layer chocolate cake or a Tootsie Roll? Okay, a Tootsie Roll it is...)

- You are a chatty and detail-oriented boy. You have many thoughts and love to share them--from observations you make about vehicles while driving to visions of wouldn't it be so funny if... Your grasp of language is remarkable. And cracks me up regularly. ("Wait a moment! My mommy said I should sit on the potty now...")

- You have a great imagination (aided by your father). When we drive past a water tower, you're always quick to point out, "There's a huge marshmallow!" or "Look at that rocket!"

- You are a big helper. You now take part in the daily bathroom-cleaning-by-the-boys. You make your bed, empty the plates and bowls from the dishwasher, run the sweeper under the table, and often help me get lunch on the table. I hope you continue to develop a love for serving and hard work that will honor the Lord throughout your life.

- This year you and Elliot and I had special Bible lessons together after lunch. I love to hear your thoughtful and earnest prayers and the way your sharp mind memorized our verses and put together deep theological truths. When you're asked to pray for a snack or meal or our morning at church, you normally start, "Dear Father, thank You for this beautiful day and thank You..." May the Lord continue to deepen and grow your faith in Christ.

- You're growing in coordination and love to zoom on your strider bike. (You're also eager to getting your own big boy bike.) When we go on family hikes, you can keep up very well! But sometimes it's still nice to ride on Dad's shoulders...

- My favorite thing as we've celebrated your birthday is every time you opened a birthday gift you gave your priceless smile and said, "It's just what I wanted!" You have also taken to responding with a "Thanks, Mom" to just about every little thing I give you. It's the sweetest. I hope you celebrate the Lord's kindness and receive His gifts with that enthusiasm all your life.

One of the lessons that we are working on with you (and God is working on with me) is not to fuss, even when we face disappointments, difficulties, and discouragement. 

How is it possible to give thanks in all circumstances and for all things? Here are a couple reasons:

1. God is wiser than we are and divinely orchestrates all things for the good of His children. And we know that God causes all things to work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28
2. God has proven His great love for us by the gift of His own Son. What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us? He who did not spare His own Son but delivered Him up for us all, how will He not also with Him graciously give us all things? Romans 8:31-32
3. God has told us the end of the story. Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be His people, and God Himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away. Revelation 21:3-4
4. God even turns suffering into profit in His children. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison... 2 Corinthians 4:17
   

We live in a broken world where we will encounter trouble. But we belong to a sovereign God who nevertheless has transformed death into life, defeated sin and the devil, and is preparing us for eternal life and joy with Him through the gift of His own Son. He is worthy of our trust. So let's keep laboring to cheerfully trust, obey, and follow Him!

I love you, my Calvin,

Momma 

Calvin (6.25.22) 4 years old

 

1.       What is your favorite color? orange

2.       What is your favorite toy? my excavator

3.       What is your favorite fruit? apple

4.       What is your favorite video to watch? Toy Story

5.       What is your favorite thing to eat for lunch? peppers

6.       What is your favorite thing to wear? polo shirt

7.       What is your favorite game? Candyland

8.       What is your favorite snack? goldfish

9.       What is your favorite animal? tiger

10.   What is your favorite song? the alphabet song

11.   What is your favorite verse? Psalm 91

12.   What is your favorite book? Truck, Truck, Goose

13.   Who is your best friend? Isaiah

14.   What is your favorite thing to do outside? play tag

15.   What is your favorite drink? root beer

16.   What do you like to sleep with at night? my blanket

17.   What is your favorite thing to eat for breakfast? orange

18.   What do you want for dinner on your birthday? spaghetti and pizza

19.   What do you want to be when you grow up? a worker

20.   What was one of your favorite things that you did this year? county fair

21.   What is your favorite place to go? McDonalds