For Papa John

Speed Puzzling

Amah (Nathan's mom) is here for Thanksgiving and we're all having a great time with her. She brought a couple of puzzles for Z who was intent on figuring them out. So he spent about 15 minutes working on one of them (putting it together, taking it apart, putting it together, taking it apart, etc). At the beginning of the 15 minutes he couldn't do it at all, and then at the end we got this video. Look at him go!

Halloween

Last night was Z's first experience at trick-or-treating. He dressed up as a Scottish warrior, with a genuine Scottish kilt, although we decided at the last minute to forgo the blue war paint. Here he is in our living room brandishing his sword!

We went over to some friends for a light dinner, and then took Z and their son (who's the same age) trick-or-treating in their neighborhood. At first the boys weren't quite sure what was going on, but by the third or fourth house you could see a dawning understanding that if they knocked on the door, people would appear and give them candy. Wow! By the fifth house they were totally into it -- running up to every door, saying "Trick-or-Treat" and then getting to pick out a piece of candy. They were also very polite about saying "Thank-you" which was a big hit with everyone. We were pulling them around the neighborhood in a little wagon, and each time they got in the wagon they would yell at the top of their lungs, "Bye-bye!" and then "More candy!!!" And they did indeed get more candy. In the pictures above, Z's bag is pretty full!

Afterwards we came home and Z got ready for bed and then got to see the jack-o-lantern that Nathan had carved that afternoon. He was quite enthralled by it. Overall, I'd say Z had a great Halloween, and we did too!

Big A, little a . . .

A few weeks ago we got Dr. Seuss' alphabet book, which Z really liked right away. So, we're starting to actively learn the letters, just beginning two nights ago with the letter A. He has a sign with "A a" on it, and then he learns a short Bible verse to go with it. (I got this great idea from my sister-in-law Christie). The verse for A is "Abraham believed God" (Gen. 15:6). The second day after the letter was put on the wall, he greeted me in the morning by pointing to it and saying, "A, Mama!" And tonight he said his Bible verse all by himself. Wow!

Potty Training

We've started potty training. It's pretty laid back right now, but in the last few days he's started to get the hang of it. Here's a video from the second day. At least he's learning something!! :-)

Men's Studies and Calvin Stuff

Hi. Nathan here.

Some of you have been asking if I'm still doing work on men's studies. Yep. You can click here to read an article featured in an online magazine last month. If you've been to a Promise Keepers rally or read John Eldredge's Wild at Heart, or if you're guy and ever felt emasculated by going to church, the essay should shed some light.

Moreover, I'm still active in the Presbyterian/Reformed/Calvinist camp, and helping to pull together an exciting conference this October called Calvin and Current Calvinisms. Check it out here - and do attend if you can!

Birthday Boy

A few new videos of the boy. Enjoy!