Me No American Nose & Last Discussion

Yesterday I let Alex and Rylee decorate the house for Halloween and harvest all our pumpkins. (Alex gave me a yahoo mommy cheer for letting them do the decorating!) I have the cutest pictures but alas, my computer is still in the shop and will have to post pics later.

I have a gigantic pumpkin candle that I store with our decorations and I lit it while they were out washing pumpkins and setting them on the front porch. I love how it smells. Alex came in sniffing with disdain.

Alex: What is bad smell?

Me: It's the pumpkin candle. Doesn't it smell good?

Alex: No. Hurts mine nose. Me no American nose, me Ukraine nose.

How funny. Hates the pumpkin candle, yet loves the smell of onions? Go figure.

Then he went into some pantomime about removing his Ukraine nose and getting an American nose. Rylee asked him if that would be a nose job?

He really must hate all my smell good things. I bought some fall plug in scent things and he complains about them too. I also bought him an air freshener for his room shaped like a soccer ball and he hated that. How funny.

I wonder if he'll ever come to have an 'American nose'? He use to hate cold drinks but now he won't drink a drink without ice and he's come to eat just about everything-except peanut butter. So his taste are becoming very Americanized. He proudly proclaims at least once a week. "Me American boy!"

We had our last discussion with the missionary's last night. It went well. He gets so talkative and silly and between him and Rylee I had to get us back on track about ten times.

We were discussing the 10 commandments and he went into detail (clarifying that this is just for pretend) that he stole from my purse and I would come in and asked who stole my money? I would ask everyone and when I got to him he would say he did and say"Here is money Mom. Don't take video games and kick me." Kick me? Like I've ever kicked him?? Good grief!
We talked a little further about trust and how bad I would feel if he stole from me and that we don't do this in our family, we trust each other. Why do we trust each other? His reply, because we family.

His concept of obedience at this point is to avoid punishment not to obey because it's the right thing to do. I have to remember that his moral compass is probably about a three to five year old so at this point the reason to obey and keep the commandments has everything to do with the consequences, not the blessings.

He was the same with honor thy mother and father. He thinks he should obey so he doesn't get his video privileges taken away.

We talked about the law of chastity briefly. About not letting anyone touch you where your swimsuit covers or touching anyone else where their swim suit covers. He explained that if anyone tired to touch him he'd just "swim away." Yes, he's very literal. I told him he'd need to tell me too and then he told the missionary's that I would take away the bad guys video games too! (Yes, I am the video game Nazi apparently!)

Kambree was at work, Austin at a basketball clinic and Devree in the other room doing homework. I've really enjoyed having the missionary's come each Monday. Its a great excuse to make a treat. I made cookies that according to Alex tasted good but looked so-so. And that was true. I had this brilliant idea to make oatmeal raisin cookies with left over chocolate dipped raisins from our trip. The didn't look very appealing but tasted fine. I decided to throw in a peach cobbler at the last minute and save my ugly cookies for the kids.

All in all it was a very sweet night and I'm sad to see our discussions end. I look at those cute missionary's-Elder Hepworth and Elder Hurley-and think that could be Austin in less than four years. I can't help but think how disappointed these missionary's must have been to get a call to Utah. I'm just so glad they are here and for Connor our cute translator. He's really added such a sweet spirit and great insight on the Ukraine culture and people.

I took pictures of Alex with all three last night and will post that later too. Ahhh...I just hope I get my computer soon!!