Part of being Lutheran is confirmation. Unfortunately, for many Lutherans,
it is just one of those things you "check off your list", and it holds little meaning or significance. Though we understand that in a church setting, it is easier to do group instruction,
we wish that it could be more individualized. But our kids understand that it is
an opportunity for them to declare publicly that they wish to confirm their faith,
even if in their heart and minds they have already done so.
Zeke was confirmed on Palm Sunday, April 5th. Dan's parents visited for the occasion --
since they have so many grandchildren, they decided a few years ago that it made
more sense for them to commit to attend confirmations, since they are less likely
to conflict with each other than high school graduations
The official photographs (somehow I don't have one with the grandparents on my camera)
We spent the afternoon after church having a lot of fun -- playing up and down the river
(also known by other, less appropriate names). Grandma Hall won, to her surprise --
she claims she never wins at card games.
I guess the game wasn't exciting enough, because Becky colored an entire picture between bids (we bid with our fingers, all at the same time, to keep people from adjusting their bids based on the previous bids) and playing...
Let the dealing begin!
And then it was time for the meal, the cake, and the gifts. Grandma and Grandpa Hall always write a nice letter telling about a member of the extended family, and their gift is always something associated with that person (Andy - Great Grandpa Thompson, class ring; Becky -- Great Grandma Thompson, a picture that was her favorite; Abby -- Aunt Feather, who loves horses like Abby and is a great artist, a clock she painted) Zeke's letter was about his Grandfather, Fred, who was there, and his gifts included a Bible he was given by HIS grandfather, and a picture of Fred as a boy, playing baseball.
We spent the afternoon after church having a lot of fun -- playing up and down the river
Let the dealing begin!
It isn't easy to take decent pictures of soccer action. The one on the left, Zeke had just done a header, and in the one on the right, he is chasing after the ball. His team is doing well this fall, and he is right in the middle of it all.
Notice how tall Zeke has gotten?-- he's on the far right. He is really stretching out. We convinced him to play soccer again, even though he doesn't think he will be any good since he'll be the youngest in the group- time will tell. He wishes that there was a boys volleyball team -- he started playing with his older siblings and has developed a wicked jump serve. In one game he can play regularly, ping-pong, he is the reigning champion, beating everyone, including Dan, on a regular basis. He is also learning how to play the bells and hopefully, other percussion instruments in Kay's Homeschool Band. He is also our most eager gardener, and actually succeeded in growing some carrots and corn this year with minimal effort. He's filling in for Andy's absence ably -- you know, the teasing brother. But he is also a very good brother, too, when he puts his mind to it. He gives Elizabeth piggy back rides and plays restaurant with Isaac on a regular basis.
