Gloria’s five-year-old loves giving gifts

My five-year-old is just in the sweetest stage right now. I enjoy all stages — infant, toddler, preschool, and teens — but sometimes I get that feeling that I just need to freeze the moment, like it's almost too good to let go. Well, you know how it is: hang onto it and it'll lose its luster; thank God for it and the gift will come back to bless you many times over. That is really what I want to do — honor the One who created the child in the first place!

So Joshua loves giving gifts. Today he had gone out to the shop while I spent time with God. After a bit, he came back to the house with the biggest smile on his face. His eyes were shining. "Mom, don't look. I need some of that wide tape." In the entrance, he labored for a good while.

"Mom, I have four packages ready for you," he announced.

Happily he handed me a knife to cut the tape. I opened each one to find treasures of various sorts which he had found on the burn pile that had not yet been lit. "Here's fire starter, here's some more …" he said, picking out several pieces of cardboard. "And this empty Body Armor can is for you …"

After going through each package, I thanked him warmly and he was on his way to fix another package for me.

"Is it okay if I write about this in the column?" I asked.

"Oh yeah!" he nodded, his golden curls tumbling over his head.

Last week Joshua and one of his brothers had come to me with a small box, all taped up. They wanted me to open it.

"You might not really like it, or want to keep it," said the older of the two.

"I'm sure I'll like it if it's from you," I assured him.

Upon opening it, I found the inside parts of an old stapler from the shop.

My heart melted at their boyish ambitions and them including Mom right in with it. I praised them and told them they'll be sure to grow up to be good fix-it men. I explained how they could take it apart some more to recycle the copper inside. They thought it was a good idea.

I'm fascinated by how little girls differ from boys in what they take interest in. How they spend their free time tells a lot about what they think about. Hosanna is like I used to be — she's drawn to the sewing machine and can spend lots of time sewing. The boys, on the other hand, are into anything that includes mud or is noisy or gets them dirty. I wouldn't trade any of their personalities if I could. I'm amazed by how each one thrives when they can pursue what comes naturally to them. I have learned to actually like doing some things I would never have done before Daniel passed. On the other hand, there are many things I can't do that they'd like me to help them with, such as mounting a motor onto a bike to make it go faster, or engineering a way to motorize their wagon.

One thing my children all do have in common, though, is their love of eating. Yes, that's right. How do you teach children temperance in eating — that they do get all they need, but shouldn't indulge?

You know, right now it dawns on me that my two oldest are beyond that point. I never worry about them gorging when I'm not around. Maybe the rest of the tribe is also heading in that direction?

It would make sense to ask one of the children to share a favorite recipe with you, so one of them will be back with a recipe and instructions to go with it.

I'm back. When I asked the children what recipe they wanted to share, I got all kinds of ideas. Joshua wanted to do an ice cream dessert; Jesse suggested those "Alligator Bars" (he meant to say Davy Crockett Bars). We'll go with Jesse's Alligator Bar idea since it's an easy recipe for children to make. These are not only easy to make but very yummy — just don't bake them too long. They can be removed from the oven when they still appear a bit under-baked, as they set while cooling.

Jesse's "Alligator Bars" (Davy Crockett Bars)

1 cup sugar

¾ cup brown sugar

1 cup (scant) oil

2 eggs, beaten

½ tsp. vanilla

1¾ cups flour

1 tsp. salt

1 tsp. baking soda

2 cups quick oats

1½ cups chocolate chips

Combine sugars with oil, then add eggs. Sift in dry ingredients. Add quick oats and chocolate chips. Press into ungreased 15" x 10" x 1" pan. Bake at 350°F for around 20 minutes. Do not overbake!