Li'l Debaters

The kids were arguing about something dumb at dinner tonight and Joe commented that they can argue about anything.  He meant they can find a way to argue about unimportant things but it reminded me of a friend who said she makes her kids debate issues when they start arguing.  So we made them debate why one might support either of the two Democratic Presidential candidates.  It was quite funny because they have heard of the candidates, and Adin at least has a preference but not for any reason. So he said, "I support Hilary Clinton".  I asked why.  He said he thought she was a good candidate.  I asked why.  He didn't know.  I asked if he liked her foreign policy positions, her domestic policy positions, or if he was impressed by her experience.  He asked what foreign policy was.  Joe explained.  Erik then said he supported Bernie Sanders because his grandparents live in St. Louis Park.  I said, they must be well into their 100s.  He said, maybe because Bernie Sanders was from St. Louis Park.  I told him, just because Bernie Sanders is Jewish, doesn't mean he's from St. Louis Park.  So.  Nothing accomplished except we effectively distracted them from fighting over sausage or whatever it was. 

Almost 10

Erik will be ten next month.  He is participating in a study at the U of M Child Development Institute.  They are measuring his brainwaves as he plays games.  This was the first day.  He will go a total of 10 days for an hour each time, and he gets paid $5 each time. 

Tuesday after work I was quite tired and just wanted to lie on the couch.  Erik asked if he could make waffles for dinner.  So he got out the cookbook, the bowl, all the ingredients.  He even cracked the eggs himself and then washed his hands thoroughly, he told me.  I did the waffle iron part, but I am quite proud of him.  When I told my coworkers, at first they thought I meant waffles in a toaster oven.  They were impressed he made them from scratch. 

Today, I was getting ready to go run errands and knew we had laundry to run.  The kids helped me collect the laundry in baskets.  Erik was quite eager to get the laundry going, but I didn't really have time.  So I told him step by step what to do and he ended up running two loads for me!  I love having a helpful, almost ten year old!

Erik the acolyte

Yesterday was Erik's first time acolyting.  He's been very excited about this.  We even bought him a sport coat to wear under the alb.  Each acolyte gets a hand painted cross from our partner congregation in El Salvador.  Pastor Conchi is coming from El Salvador next week, so the cross he's wearing is actually another child's, but he'll get his own soon.  Erik did a great job as an acolyte!