Listening skills ...

Latest edition of Creed's artwork doubling as Christmas wrapping paper.

Learning middle and last name. I asked Creed if he knew he had three names. He looked at me questioningly. I understand why we have a first name and a last name, but not the middle. You rarely ever hear anyone's middle name, unless their famous or in trouble! Sarah Michelle Gellar, Sarah Jessica Parker. Some others are known by only their first names like Mama, Daddy . . . Madonna, Oprah or the ultimate … Jesus. When anyone speaks any of those names their known without question. Some people are known by their last name, Hitler, Obama. 

Here's some interesting facts. Do you know who Margaret Mary Emily Anne Hyra is? Here's a hint. She's played opposite of some pretty famous actors in well-known films. Still don't know? Meg Ryan. How about Caryn Johnson? Her stage name was concocted from her ability to fart a lot. Not enough big a hint? Whoopi Goldberg. Here's an obvious name change. Albert Brooks aka Albert Einstein. OK One more - just for fun. Edda Kathleen van Heemstra Hepburn-Ruston. That tongue-twister is Audrey Hepburn. 

From the mid-1600s middle names weren't common. It wasn't until well after the American Revolution. Only three of the first 17 presidents of the United States carried middle names. By 1900 nearly every child born had a middle name. With increased population density and the size of extended families the possibility of multiple persons carry the same first and last names became common as well as problematic. So began the custom. Nowadays we're not only known by our name but we've also been enlisted a number. So if perchance we've got a duplicate or a multitude of duplicates, our social security number distinguishes us from the others.

Jonah and the Whale, illustrated pages from "My First Bible Stories," by Katherine Sully.

Weather or not you've got a middle name makes no difference in your individuality. You are unique and created specifically by the Creator, not just another number. Let's look at another interesting fact about name changes. It isn't a new trend. This started long ago in the biblical era, but it wasn't for vanity purposes. Name changes had a meaning. Name changes by God also meant life changes. Abram (meaning high father) was changed to Abraham (father of many nations). Jesus changed Simon's (meaning God has heard) to Peter (meaning rock). OK here's the coolest fact: Revelation 2:17 says if you are in Christ, he's given you a new name, too, written on a white stone. Very exciting news. 

 

Noah's Ark, illustrated pages from, "My First Bible Stories," by Katherine  Sully.

Conversation from the Itty Bitty Household:

Daddy: "Creed what happened?"

Creed: "I'm in time out. The beeper go off. I get down."

Daddy: "What did you do?"

Creed: "The kitty cat. I pull her tail."

Daddy: "Why did you pull her tail?"

Creed: silent

Daddy: "Do you not know why you pulled her tail?"

Creed: "Look. I got a lizard. Do you love me daddy?"

Daddy: "Yes, I love you. Why do you need to be nice to the kitty?"

Creed: "Look. I've got a thorn see?"

Daddy: "What are you going to do if you hurt your kitty? You'll feel bad?"

Creed: "Yea."

Mama: "We don't hurt her because we love her. What if I pulled your tail?"

Creed: "I don't have a tail!" 

(we all laugh)

Mama: "OK. What if I pulled your toe?"

Creed: "I don't like it."

Daddy: "What's your middle name?"

Creed: "Nokie."

Daddy: What's your name?"

Creed: "Creed."

Daddy: "Creed what? . . . Alexander?"

Creed: "Look. One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten toes. Now let me count your fingers. (counts them) Let me count your knee, one two.

Children's bible by Katherine Sully.

We're obviously working on our listening skills. We started the morning watching Veggie Tales Larry Learns to Listen, followed by both Your Baby Can Read DVDs. Before nap time we worked on our Apple Tree Book and were done for the day. I find that not much happens after nap time, right now anyway. We spend more time together as a family then. Usually Creed gets up with the rooster and we're up and running for the day until we hit the snooze button during nap time. 

Page four, Apple Tree Book.

I wanted to share a toddler friendly, very detailed children's bible "My First Bible Stories," by Katherine Sully. Six stories come to life and both Creed and I are captivated by the beautiful illustrations. Usually a lot of the story is left out in baby and toddler bibles. The attention to detail is incredible. Definitely worth the read. 

Resource links: http://voices.yahoo.com/why-did-god-change-names-some-people-the-6906376.html; 

http://askville.amazon.com/middle-names/AnswerViewer.do?requestId=7545792; http://thoughtcatalog.com/2013/55-celebrities-whose-real-names-will-surprise-you/