I just put the boys to bed.
They had a fun day.
I did too.
But we're pooped.
First the Science Center (which is so well done here) which gives them a taste of science in their lives, and they always learn something new. We never stay too long, so we can go back again and again.
Then to Jurong Water park which the children loved, but was a guardian's nightmare. Due to the school holiday, the place was PACKED with rowdy kids of all ages and also full of those large innertubes konking into everyone. I'm surprised we found a locker! Kim had Luke and Addie (still not a swimmer), and I'd invited the Australian neighbor Jackie with her fearless toddler plus a 3 year old and 7 year old. All of our husbands are in Australia this week. We stuck together, and made clear to the children that we were not wandering off. We pow-wow'd and scared-them-silly about the dangers of the crowded pool, and made strict guidlelines for where they could go (ie, not past the light blue tiles (shallow section) in the wave pool).
We convinced the kids that one harrowing group-trip around the "lazy river" was enough. They didn't complain too much... because today it was "log jam river" with all the big clueless kids horsing around. For me, I was "ever dililgent lifeguard in the river" chasing/watching over the 4 boys while Kim and Jackie kept hold of the 3 little non-swimmers in a pretty swift current. We did the wave pool and spent time in the kiddie wading pool (even that was nerve wracking trying to keep tabs on where they were all the time). We took turns letting the big boys go with one of the moms down the tube slide in another pool. Phew! I was glad I'd only put 2 hours worth of parking coupons on the car!
Now the car is nearly out of gas and we're out of parking coupons. Tomorrow is the magic lantern show (a group from America who tours these authentic historical shows...part of a children's art festival), and Ty's TWO Disney shoots (Cam will stick with the Burchells after lunch while I take Tyler).
At bedtime we reviewed some Bible verses and listened to an Adventures in Odyssey CD set Tyler just got from FEFC (we've never had any of these and they are great!).
Then Cameron didn't want to pray. For the FIRST time. He usually eagerly goes first; and it always goes something like:
"Thear God, thank for this daaaay. Thank you for meeee. Thank you for I love my mom, and my daaaaad and my bruthurrrr. I love them. Thank you for I have a nice dog. And my maid Lili--I mean Loonie. Thank you that [something that happened or impressed him]. You are so biiiiiig [or mighty, or strong].
I love you God. Amen.
But tonight he was tight lipped.
I prayed then Tyler, and Cameron still said, "I don't want to talk to God."
I was lying on his bed with him tonight so I leaned over and whispered, "Is there something you did today that makes you embarassed to talk to God?"
"Yes."
"You know, you can tell God and me what you did, and ask him to forgive you, if you are sad you did something. He wants to forgive you, but you have to ask him to help you."
He took a deep breath, folded his hands across his chest and looked up in the dark and confessed his sins for the first time:
"Thear God. I know you don't like it today I go in the dark tile of the pool. Where it was deeper. My mommy said “no” and I did it. And I know it was scary with the water. And the kids. And when she said to stick together I didn't want to listen or have seff-control. I know the Devil is a roaring lion and he want to get me and devour. So please God, nex time, help me be seff-control. And I'm sorry God I want to make you happy.....Amen."
We lay there for a few minutes and had a little talk about what it was that scared him in the water, and why mommies and daddies, and God make rules that seem dumb, or not so fun, until we find out they were to keep us safe...and why we must learn self-discipline when we are 3...or 5...so that we learn to use our strength and God's strength together when we get big and the Devil's roaring gets louder, and his bites get more painful.
He's getting it; the little peanut. Hope it sticks.
More later.
K!
