My Little Missionary

My little guy is such a good little missionary. He's always had this sort of natural conviction of God I noticed since he could talk.

When we were in CA this last time in May, we were out to dinner with my Aunt and her husband (catholic). He started to ask some questions about the church and tells us that my aunt doesn't really tell him anything. Joey was sitting next to him and picked up on our conversation. He steps right in without hesitation and says, "Well, this is the deal. Joseph Smith asked God which Church was true and God told him they were all wrong and that He would raise His true church on the through him. Then God had him translate the Book of Mormon so we would know it is true when you read it." I was just sitting across the table in shock! For one thing, we never told him that story so he picked it all up in primary. And another thing, I don't think 50% of members could articulate that story so quick and accurately. Well then!

The other day, we were sitting at the beach eating a snow-cone. Joey tells me how sad he was that his friend, Ethan, doesn't believe in God. I was like, "Really? That's sad." I wasn't really focused cause I was feeding the baby but then I heard, "..and then I went and prayed." I was like, come again? "what?" he said, "I prayed." "what did you pray for?" He said, "I prayed that Ethan and his family would believe in God."............. I wanted to die. This is my only desire for my children, that they will walk in faith, seek righteous desires, being mindful of God and find favor with Him. Of course I wouldn't want my kid to be a bum on the street or a crazy person, but there really isn't anything more I desire of my children. To me, it's the only thing that matters. If nothing else, I want for my boys to be servants of God. Of course, their life is theirs and there are no certainties. When we got to the car, I asked him why he prayed for them. He goes, "well, for one thing I wouldn't want to be his friend if he doesn't." LOL... I about died. I said, "Of course you should be friends with him, but do you want them to feel the love you have felt from God?" he goes, "yes, and I want them to one day be able to go to the temple." OH MY GOODNESS....

I know it seems we talk a lot about these things in the home but the truth is we don't. He comes up with these ideas on his own. Which is why it's so impressive to me. We say prayers and read our scriptures (not as consistently I'm afraid as we should) and other than church and his occasional question, that's about it.

One day when he was just about to turn 4 years old in CA, I picked him up from preschool and I noticed he was seemed very depressed holding up his face in his hand and looking out the window. I said, "what is the matter honey?" He said, "Jason doesn't believe in GOD." Very upset about it... "I was talking about God and he said that he doesn't believe in God. How can someone not believe in God?? How?" He gave me this unbelieving look on his face and was very distraught over it. I explained to him that he will meet many people throughout his life that won't share his beliefs and that's apart of this life. We all have the right to choose right from wrong, truth from lies. He understood but was still pretty upset about this new and crazy notion of 'not believing in God.' How sweet and innocent.

One day he wanted to talk about what you do in life.. what the plans are. This was at the same age. Very interesting I thought for a nearly 4 year old to contemplate these things. So I went over school, mission if he chooses, college, marriage, etc. So he went over it with me so he could understand it... he mentioned his Mission with a little excitement in his voice. I said, "Joey, if you faithfully go on your mission, Mom, Dad and God will be very proud of you." He thought about it for a moment and goes, "I'll Make you all proud." and looks out the window. I wanted to melt. Luckily he has a military-minded Dad who teaches him that sense of duty to God and Country which is necessary.

When we were sealed in the San Diego Temple... I'll never forget the reverence in which Joey came into the sealing room with the Baby. Dressed in white and so beautiful and quiet. He kneeled at the altar with a beyond his years countenance about him. It was as if he just 'knew'. I was absolutely in awe. I don't think I will ever see that again! haha... Later when Joe asked him what his favorite time in California was (including tons of fun things, Disneyland and seeing his cousins and friends) he said, "Well, the Temple." like.. .of course. Joe asked him what it was about the temple and he said, "The prayer that was said." I wanted to die when Joe told me this.. because I wasn't even paying attention to the prayer(not to say I wasn't paying attention or that the prayer was boring, but I was emotionally pretty overwhelmed) .. and here's this little 6 year old listening so attently.

Just so proud...

Kissee kissee

Dang he's cute.. I just needed an excuse to post more pics of him.. hehe!

Today a little girl tried to kiss him and apparently Joey told her to 'back off', which I believe cause that is so his personality!  Girls are always after him so he just has this 'too cool for school' attitude with them - which makes them want him more.  Of course I asked him a bunch of questions just to make sure that he wasn't the one trying anything funny.  You can never be too sure.   I pulled all the stops but it was just a "NO".  He said he didn't want to cause he already likes a girl.. ah, how cute of him to be faithful!  lol

Once I knew he was mellow, I told him that the next time a girl tries to kiss him he shouldn't hurt her feeling by saying things like, "back off!"  He should just say politely, "I don't want to because I think we are too young to be kissing."  

Joey just rolled his eyes and goes, "chh, you are so akward, Mom."

haha.... I couldn't help but laugh!  He just cracks me up.

Karate

We just signed up Joey for Karate yesterday. I could not believe how on top of it he was! Wow.. I was sitting there so giddy and proud of him. This was his first day ever. He was completely focused and serious and yelled out all the commands... just like a little soldier.

The Sensei came up to us afterward and praised him for being the best first lesson he has ever taught! He and the other instructor were so impressed. They said that most kids have a hard time answering questions on demand or are unsure of themselves and they'll just stare back... When he asked him if he was smart, Joey goes, "Yes, Sir!" and when he asked him if he could do something, Joey said, "I'll try!"

The Sensei said that he is going to go slow with him because he thinks he can be good. My little guy.

This reminds me... the other day, Joey was asking me about making money, then asked me what happens if you are an adult and you don't have money? I immediately told him, "Joey, you never have to worry about that. You will always be successful."

Whatnot's by Joey

~At a restaurant with my Mother he was tired, out of nowhere! "Can we please just get the check and get out of this joint??!!"

~I wanted to see Narnia. Joey, "Mom, you know that movie is rated 'L' right?" "Joey, there is no rating 'L'." "It is rated 'L' Mom... because it's LAME and I don't want to see it." Where does he come up with this stuff.

~At another restaurant.. and I guess him just being done. He goes, "Okay, I'm tired, I've just eaten my entree' and so now we will need the check." and looks up at the waitress filling our water right then, as if to say, hint hint. She looks down startled, "Okay." And I said, No, that's fine.. don't listen to him. Man is he demanding.

~Genuinely, "Mom, I'm really very sorry you have to clean up this mess I just made." haha... yeah.. right.

~"You know how the gum ends up in my hair or clothes?? Magically! It's just there." With a sweeping motion he makes with his hands and a look that says, 'that's just the way it is.'

Aspirations

Saturday Night we had the missionaries over for dinner. I asked one of them how much longer he had on his mission, since I knew he had been out for quite some time.
Missionary, "4 weeks."
Joey, "What are you going to be after this?"
Which by the way, I thought was some pretty advanced insight for a 5 year old. It might be difficult to understand this if you don't have kids.
Missionary, "Oh, I'm not sure... I have to figure it out. I have no idea."
Joey, puzzled by this, "You don't know what you want to do?? Well, I know what I want to do! I'm going to make movies." very matter of fact might I add.

Joe and I had our ideas for him.. we finally came to the idea of an astronaut, which I know sounds funny, but I love science and he is definitely smart enough. Joe wanted this cause he wants him to be a pilot... But Joey had other ideas.

Here's the ticker. Some of you who know Joe might think he got this idea from him... oh, you are wrong. He has come up with this on his own... kind of evolved. From 3, he saw books as scripts. At 2, he preferred to carry around pictures of his super heroes over the actual super hero figures themselves. I saw his admiration grow for images and photography to movies at a very young age. He appreciates them, memorizes lines, familiarizes the actors and can always identify them from other movies he has seen. And for some reason, he never wants to see a movie twice... ever.

I know I am bragging here.. but hey, this is the beauty of being a mother. It's the best... But seriously, he is pretty impressive to me. When something will happen, he will want to draw it all with a short script below the pics... He wants to put it all down as a story.

The other day, I walked through his dim room and he had these little people figures standing next to his wall with different color lights shining straight on them that projected their shadows on the baseboard... He said, "Mom, look. This is how you film people moving without moving them yourself." and moved the lights to make it look like them were walking along (by their shadows). I was like, "huh, I don't think I could've thought about that."
I feel like we are holding him back by not giving him all his tools... I swear this kid needs like a studio! Especially with his art work... wait till I post about that!

May Day School Speech

May 23rd, 2008. I had no idea Joey was a little speaker. Nor was I told he was going to speak at an event in front of the entire school, staff and parents!! I was told his May Day celebration was going to start at 9:30 and I had to leave work, had a hard time finding parking and was maybe 3 minutes late! I don't know when they started but when I showed up, the Kindergardeners were all done, song and all. As I was trying to figure everything out, a teacher came up to me praising Joey for the great job he did reading for the Kindergarden class in front of the entire school! I was floored!!! WHAT??!! I can't believe I missed that :( .. soo bummed. Well, at least she took pictures of him and said he did such a good job and went up there like a big boy... also that he was chosen to read because he is the only one who can read the way he can. So proud of my little boy. This is why I read to him every day!!



Here's the funny thing. When I dropped him off at school.. he freaked out when he saw the school being set up. I said, "What on earth is the matter?" "It's May Day and we have to HULA! Oh, I don't want to." and started whining and complaining. I said, "it's not a big deal, just go along with it." All the grades put on their own performance.

Then when I found out that he was speaking I naturally thought he was freaking cause he was nervous to give the talk. But when we asked him about that, he goes, "NO, not at all! I didn't care about that. I just didn't want to sing! It's so stupid!!" haha... he always makes me laugh.
You know how little kids and toddlers in groups will clap their hands and sing along in activities (like with Barney or in Library readings)?? Joey has never been one to do that. Ever!.. I always wondered if he just didnt' get it.. but then I realized in his own little head, he just figured it was silly and was always looking around at everyone like they were crazy. He just refused to go along with it no matter how hard I prodded..

Here are some pics of the celebration. Don't ask me what May Day is... Have no idea... something about aloha?

Ew. But hey it's us.

Picky Eater? I don't think so!

Raising a picky eater is just not an option for me. I NEVER complained about my food and always ate everything on my plate. Especially, to me, a man must eat like a man... and therefore raising a picky boy does nothing for them.
At dinner time at home, he actually starts WITH his veggies (asparagus, broccoli, etc.) and moves from there. I have been quite pleased as he doesn't even know "ew, this looks gross.. I can't eat that". However I didn't quite expect this from my kid.
Joey's food choices crack me up. Let's just say he prefers the more sophisticated choice. No joke, he even seems offended when he is handed a kid's menu. He just gives you and the choices this snobby disappointed look. I still try though because I don't like that...
He has been eating crab, sushi, calamari and more since he was 3. Escargot, sashimi and caviar since he was 4- perhaps even younger.

The other day at an Italian restaurant he wanted to leave once he heard the kid's choices, but when he heard the specials from the waiter, he insisted on going with the steamers. The waiter didn't think we were seriously ordering that at first. haha... little does he know the first thing Joey asks for in a French restaurant is escargot.. and eats them like candy! When he brought them out, he said that the chef was like, "this is for a KID?" It was a huge bowl... Joe didn't take one and in no time at all, they were all eaten properly with the fork-- he even dipped bread in the sauce afterwards... The staff were all watching.

Here's a pic of him at Genkei Sushi 2 days ago eating fish eggs, plain... and plain octopus legs on rice... NO flavor, nothing. I had to take a picture with my phone... he makes me laugh.

Where do babies come from?

How do you tell a 5 year old where babies come from? I was always told by professionals and books to be honest and age appropriate about it. So up till now, I have told Joey the basics... He has watched a video (that did not show nudity or the birth of course) about the developing baby in utero to birth. He was educated that the sperm from the Dad fertilizes the egg from the Mom and on from there.

One thing you have to understand about Joey is he can tell when you aren't giving him the facts and he is scary inquisitive! As you can tell, I don't have any other options but to be honest. Besides, I don't believe in the alternative.

LUCKILY, he has not made the connection as to HOW it all happens in the first place.. haha!! Last night was the first time he asked. I think my heart stopped and I just laid there frozen, not knowing what to say. "Mom, how does the baby get inside the mom in the beginning?"
Ummmm.... finally I thought, "From the Dad." Scared out of my mind what would come next he goes...

"OH Yeah, the sperm!"
"Right." I said...
I can breathe!... he still didn't make the connection and to avoid the chance of him asking, I quickly changed the subject.
So far it has been diverted, but for the time being I will get educated as to what a child should know and how they should be told.

Whew! but his reply cracks me up.... too much!

Sing a long

This is what I have sung to Joey since he was born... Not bored, just want to share this with you.

It goes a little something like this:

"Heeee's myyyy little schnookum woo, little schnookum poo, little schnookum woo woo woo woo bear.

Heeee's myyyy little pookum poo, little pookum woo, little schnookie woo, poo poo poo bear.

Heeee's just a schnookuuuuuum, he's a poookuuuuuuuum, he's just a little little little little wookuuuuum. He's my little guy... the littlest guy in the wide world.

The wiiide woooooooorld...." and then I change it up a bit.. mm,k?

it's late.

Joey's Bike Story

January, 2005

When ambition meets independence in a 5 year old, it's not always good news for the parents. For anyone who knows Joey well, this will not surprise you:

When we got Joey's first big-boy (racing/dirt) bike last year, we were really excited when he was riding on his own the second day (after his training bike a few times). Since then, he's gotten a little too comfortable with his riding.

Last night, I was on my way out the door to go jogging on the beach, when I saw Joey with his helmet on and tying his shoes. He said excitedly, "I'm going to the store to get some candy!" "oh, good for you" I said, happy for him to go with his Dad, then headed out. By the way, he knows he's not allowed to go past the end of the driveway on his bike.

When I returned, Joe told me after I left, he didn't see Joey in the house and decided to look outside to see if he was with me. He kind of knew I didn't take him anywhere, so he decided to look down the street. He walked to the end and saw his little bike with his helmet on top outside of the corner grocery store- He then knew he wasn't with me. He rushed inside, and there he was chatting with some customers, waiting in line to pay for the 2 candy bars in his hands! Joe was relieved and scared at the same time at his level of comfort away from home.

Needless to say, we reminded Joey that he is not 12! He is 5! so start acting like it!.... he shrugged his shoulders and said, "okay" without concern. What do you do??

When a child hands a cashier $30 to pay for 2 candy bars, it's kind of an indication he is entirely too young to be there on his own! ha ha

Update: A few months ago, I was saying how I would like some bananas for a shake. Joey says, "Mom, don't worry, I will get you some bananas!" I thought, how cute. I'm not sure why these things don't register with me yet. I went about my business and just a few minutes later noticed Joey was not in the house. I walk to the end of the driveway hoping he learned his lesson from last time... and what do I see? Joey's singing and riding back to the driveway with a bunch of bananas in a bag hanging from his handle bars! EEK! I can't keep up with this kid.

DUDE!

I was talking to Joe about Beverly last night.. and Joey heard the word Grandma and die... he goes:

" I wish my great great great great great great Grandma was still here :(................................

to give me MONEY! Dude I'm running out of MONEY!"just like that..... where does he come up with this???

crazy.

When my mom was here, after spending the first full day with him.. when we got home, she goes "okay, he's gone from calling me Grandma to Jenny to Dude in one day." I kid you not.

he is a funny kid. he calls me dude every day.

My Little Litigator

I received a letter from Joey's teacher telling me of an incident in the cafeteria with another student. Apparently Joey asked for a friend to share his juice at which he refused. Joey seemed to be pretty upset by this and so decided to smash the kid's juice box and pour it in his lap. Hmm... I was pretty taken back. I went to talk to the teacher about this and called his dad. Joe told me that when he got home we would sit him down and have a talk. Joe and I had it down... this would be our first time to formally reprimand him. We discussed how we would approach it, what we would say and what his punishment would be.

Boy we're we in for a treat!

Joe got home and we started off as planned. However, as soon as we uttered what happened without question the tables were quickly turned as we found ourselves struggling to stay in control of this disciplinary action that turned into a conversation into a debate. It kinda went like this: (mind you this is a 5 year old!)

Parents: Joey, we were told by your teacher that you smashed a kid's drink and poured it in his lap.

Joey: Who saw it?

P: It doesn't matter who saw it, the point is it happened and that can't be tolerated.

J: But how do you know it happened? WHO? Who saw it???

P: (I didn't know) The lunchlady.

J: That's impossible. The lunchlady is at the end of the cafeteria and could not have possibly seen us from over there. (he goes into explain how many rows of lunch tables there are and where she stands.) So who saw it?

P: It doesn't matter, it could've been anyone walking by.. One of the school guards. We aren't discussing IF you did it. We know it happened and that can't happen again.

J: But HOW do you know? There are no guards walking around in the cafeteria....

He goes on talking and talking emphatically and busts out with this entire presentation of exactly what happened with who said what, how they were seated at the table and how the tables are arranged, complete with exhibits and how the juice "tipped" over onto his lap- you name it! My head was spinning... By this time Joe started to believe him.. (We had a debate about that later) and by the time it was finally over, we were so mentally exhausted, we just wanted to get out of the conversation. I don't even think he was punished!

I don't think I know a kid like this... I don't think we understand what we are in for. All I know is that he is smarter and faster than me, I can't keep up with him and if anyone thought I was argumentative, please try getting into a debate with my son!

Eyes in the Back of My Head

I have always told Joey that I always know what is going on... this must be instilled in him at a young age so he doesn't think he can get away with things. I told him I have eyes in the back of my head and am all knowing when it pertains to him... haha. This has never sat comfortably with him and often asks how this is possible.. "it's just what moms do" I say. I'm going to be a crazy Mom when my kids are teens.

The other day I restricted him to his room to clean it before he can play outside. After some time of silence, I finally went in his room and saw he was missing. He must have sneeked out of the side door... When I finally found him he told me that he sneeked out and played with his guys in the yard and needed to get them from outside...
Then turned around and emphatically said with his little attitude,
"AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, I LEARNED THAT - YOU - DO - NOT- HAVE - EYES - IN - THE - BACK - OF- YOUR - HEAD!"

haha... he cracks me up!

No More Spelling out loud

Joe and I have gotten away with spelling out words to eachother in front of Joey we don't want him to hear for quite some time.... No more.

Lately as he becomes a stronger and stronger reader, we've had to spell out half the word and hope he doesn't get it, or spell it out fast and low... We were in the car the other day discussing parties and raising teens. I randomly asked Joe what his mom thought about him (and I spelled this out real fast and low) d-r-i-n-k-i-n-g... Immedeiately, Joey in the back shreiked "Drinking!!? Dad you were drinking!!??"

UGH! we can't get anything past him! and I mean anything... then when we lie and tell him that's not what we meant, it doesn't matter what it is about, he will not believe us. He hates to be patronized and is NEVER naive.

Cutest Joey Stories

3.5 yrs.
Joey- "I hate girls.. they're stupid."
Mom- "Yeah, well girls rule and boys drool, don't you know."
Joey- "what?" Mom- "Girls rule and boys drool... it's common knowledge."
Joey, after some thought- "yeah, well boys Rock n Roll and girls are stinky" haha!
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3.5 yrs.
I took Joey to visit his Dad in Park City.. the day I left, Joe told him that they would be taking me to the airport.
Joey- "why?" Joe- "cause she's gonna go home to CA."
Joey, with a serious look on his face- "well, I'll get her!" Joe- "How are you gonna get to CA?"
Joey, with absolute conviciton- "well, I'll put on my spiderman suit and fly there with my spiderman webs" This is how a 3 year old gets things done in his head...
Then, when they drop me off, I tell him that I'm there to go home for a while... he gets quiet and withdrawn and folds his arms, looks down then says, "well I'll get you with my webs."... I didn't know whether to laugh or cry. I think I did a bit of both.
Then I guess later the next week he randomly mentioned me and said, "Im gonna put on my superman suit and fly to CA and get my mom!!!"
My hero!... what a little man.
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3.5 yrs
I was visiting him up in Park City during his stay and I took him to Apline Park (the slopes in the winter) and we went on the Apline Slides... It's long and fast and fun.. and can be dangerous if you're not careful. Joey of course wasn't afraid at all. So there are like 2 pairs of 2 slides and you start at the same time as another person in your pair.. so you can compete if you want... anyway, I never said anything to Joey and we go hauling down this thing... I can tell the girl going down was going fast as well and the feeling of competition sort of came over us... Of course we won but still I acted like nothing and didn't say anything.
When we stopped, Joey got out and put his hands on his hips and said, "SEE, I told you we would win!!" haha.. the girl just laughed. He is a natural competitor.
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3.5 yrs
I went to pick him up from my Aunts.. they were walking back from the park. Joey had 2 flowers in his hand and gave one to me. I asked him if he was going to give the other to my Aunt, he went to then stopped himself... turned to me and took the one from my hand and gave it to her and gave the other to me. She looked down and noticed hers was withered and said, "oh, you give her the nice one and me the brown one, huh?" and Joey said with a very proud smile on his face, "yeah, cause she's my mom."
can you stand it? cause I can't.
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4 yrs.
He loves this song called 'baseball cap' by Faithless.. it goes, "oh, smack, there goes my baseball cap. its gone gone gone gone gone, I can't get it back." anyway, Joey gets thinking about things more than the average Joe I would say. He is concerned about the baseball cap and how seems gone forever. He asks me where it went and I told him it flew away. where? he asks. just gone, I say. "well, howabout someone in a airballoon sees it as it flies by in the wind and catches it?! then its not gone, see."
I say, Yes, that sounds very logical- that's what happens to it. Joey is satisfied and sits back in his car seat with a smile.
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3.5 yrs
His memory scares me.
We were eating at the Daily Grill the other day and I asked him if he wanted some of my soup. He asked me if it had a lot of vegetables in it. I told him there were a lot of tomatoes. He says, "well, actually a tomato isn't a vegetable it is a fruit" very matter of factly. I asked him who told him that, he said his Dad.. so I asked Joe how long ago he mentioned this.. he said he told him once over 4 months prior. like, that is crazy cause our minds forget information that isn't reinforced after 3.
We were in Riteaid the other day down the lotion isle and he randomly points to the Goldbond creams and says, well, that's for itches. I picked this up cause no one has ever used it on him in his life and they don't carry it at his school. I asked him where he learned it and he said TV. I couldn't believe it... Insane, think of all the information we are bombarded with all day with everything around us (ads and the internet, etc.) and to on que recall a specific piece of info from a random commercial.
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3 yrs.
He wants to be a director.. he is pretty creative and he loves to take pics and set things up.. he even has his own camcorder. He was describing to my mom about one of his favorite books and saying how great it is... he was like, "yeah, it needs to be made into a movie." okay! I just think that is way advanced cause nobody gave him that idea.. he actually saw a book/story as a screenplay. He has big ideas.
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3.5 yrs.
Joey is concerned with others... I told him that he should pray for others and be thankful for what he has as he is tremendously blessed, most others dont have the things he has. He wanted to know like what. I told him that a lot of children don't have food to eat, etc. He wanted to know where they sleep... he was very upset about this and will often randomly ask why. I try and answer as best I can but the answers aren't good enough for him. He really thinks about things a lot- never thinks of things lightly and brings it up on his own. I told him we will start to send money to some or one of these children ... he seemed happy about that.
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4 yrs.
We were at my aunts the other night doing homework and Joey comes upstairs and shows me money she just gave him... 3 5s. Oh brother! Later before we left I asked her if she gave them to him and asked her not to do that. She said it was fine and she told me about it. She told him he could have 3 bills out of a BUNCH of 1s and a few 5s. So what does Joey do- he immediately separates the 1s from the 5s without hesitation and takes 3 5s!
LOL.. I told her never to underestimate him.. he is on top of EVERYTHING

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5yrs.

Joey and I have been argueing over the lyrics to that 'baseball cap' song for about 1.5 years! It says, "oh, smack...." and repeats similar lines throughout the song. I thought they said "oh, smack" throughout the song and Joey thinks the guy in the beginning says "oh, smack" and the girl in the rest of the song says, "oh, smash." I'm like oh, brother, Joey just listen to Mommy I think I know... they wouldn't change that word. Finally the other day I said, "enough. I'm gonna go into work today and check the lyrics online and be done with it"

So after I picked him up from school, I had to admit to him he was right this whole time. See Mom, I told you!

The funny thing about Joey is he has this crazy memory.. he has like memorized my entire ipod and sings all the words... even to complicated songs I have been listening to for years and haven't gotten them down! He even remembers all these lines and songs to movies and always knows what's going on... he freaks me out sometimes.

5/13/08