new experiences

max started in the gifted program this week. we're really happy about that for him! just will give him some added enrichment activities/learning that there isn't time for in his regular classroom. he goes once a week to another school and spends most of that day with 9 other kids doing some fun stuff that also teaches him things. he was not so sure about it when we told him he'd be doing this. lots of unknowns there, so he was pretty apprehensive. i made sure he was able to meet his new teacher beforehand, which at least took away a little of that. she's young and energetic and seems really to love what she's doing. (which is totally TOTALLY different than the experience blake and luke had when they did this in elementary!) anyway, the day came and he was excited but a little nervous. we talked through the whole thing and the day and some little things he'd probably need to know and had been thinking about. all that and a very specific prayer about the day and off he went. could NOT get him off my mind all day, even though i was busy with those little people in the earlier blog. when he came home, he looked like this:
he had a GREAT day!!! he ended up knowing some of the kids in his class from scouts. and they made a thermometer with a bottle, rubbing alcohol, food coloring and a straw, which he thought was just awesome. such a relief to my heart. i knew God would iron it all out for him...



our youth group has been preparing for debates. they're dividing into groups and debating topics like abortion and religion in schools. wow. they didn't necessarily end up on the side they truly believe in, either. for example, luke was on the pro-choice debate team and he's informed us he's pro-life. his debate was wednesday night, and his team won! he was very proud of himself and his teammates. and they got trophies - who doesn't like to get trophies??

so the downside of all this was that on the way home from church as we were celebrating luke's victory with him and hearing from him and from blake about the debate, max started asking questions about abortion. on one hand, i'm glad he's asking us so we can make sure he gets correct information on a level he can handle at this point. on the other hand, i think it is so very sad to have to tell your 10 year old son what abortion is in the first place. i am glad for luke to have had this experience though, and to hear from both sides of the issue. and i think it firmed up for him what he already believed in.

blake's debate is sunday evening. they're debating religion in the schools...can't wait to hear about that one!