Jacob the little kid

Jacob is becoming a little kid, which also means our relationship is changing. He doesn't seek out the cuddle time or need the say things as the other two anymore. I see though he still needs the cuddle time and extra little love but is too busy during the day doing his own thing. I need to find the way to get him the attention he needs in a new way. The stages of life are moving too quickly for me.

Ginkgo Petrified Forest

Our hiking trip at the Ginkgo Petrified Forest. I have to say our guys are troopers. Not only will they go on an hour hike when their 3 and 4 but have a great attitude about it. During this hike the wind was unbelievable. It was blowing so hard we were being blown all around, ok maybe just Jack. But because of the 30 mph winds our camping trip was cut short, since no one wanted to be outside.

Jack Man

My Jack Man is so sweet. He is the sweetest little guy ever. I was holding his hand today and noticed his little wrists. They were so small and delicate. Just a baby's wrist really. I was wondering how long before their not like that. He just such a cutie.

Kids and babies

Well today I am 33, no big deal about that. What amazes me is that Jacob is 4, Jack is about to be 3 and Amelia 1. Jacob and Jack are so far away from being babies now. Jacob is a full fledged kid now and with Jack being almost 3 Amelia is my only baby left. She is walking so good now, even almost running everywhere. When I look at her I am amazed that our family is still in the baby phase of life but also a little sad and relieved that we are growing out of it into a new phase of childhood. Amelia is so precious, such a good happy baby. She gives so much expression through her facial expressions, there is no questioning what kind of mood she is in, or what she wants. As with all my kids I want to enjoy every moment of her growing up.

Jack fishing

Jack's first fishing trip. He didn't catch anything but I think he lasted a good 20 minutes, which is pretty long for him.

pics

Jacob- 4, Jack 2 1/2, Amelia 10 mths

Heat-seeking Amelia

Amelia is a heat-seeking missile when it comes to her Uppa! Any time he is in the room she crawls over to him and wants him to pick her up. When she is in the back of his truck she walks around the back holding onto the sides to get to him. If he moves, she follows right along with him. She only wants him to hold her. The other night while we were Skypeing Umma and Uppa Amelia was in the background kinda watching. As soon as she saw Uppa on the screen she couldn't get around Jack fast enough! She wanted to see him, to get to him. How funny she is.

Jacob's patience

Jacob is probably the second most patient person I know, next to Uppa. We went to fundraiser yesterday called Kids Dig Rigs. It is at a park where tons of heavy equipment is. The kids are welcome to climb up in the cabs, honk horns and inspect all of it. Well needless to say it is very popular. Each rig had a small to big line of kids to get into the cabs. Jacob wanted to get into each tractor cab, even though they are all pretty much the same. Dan wanted to go look at other things after the two but Jacob was insistent we stand in line. He was willing to stand patiently for up to 10 minutes to wait his turn to look in each cab. For a 4 year old that is really impressive and apparently even his 33 year old Dad didn't have that much patience.

Jacob's compassion

Jacob is one of the kindest most compassionate people I know and he's only 4. Today while I was giving Amelia and Jack a bath he asked if he could have a snack. In the middle of the bath, I told him he can go and get one himself. Several minutes later I stand at the top of the stairs to yell down to Jacob about his snack. He yells back he hadn't gotten one yet because the dog was sad and he was sitting by it. Well after the bath I come down stairs to find  that Jacob had pushed the dog kennel over to the chair he was going to sit in so it wouldn't be lonely before he got himself something to eat. It is so impressive to see that he would be so empathetic toward another living thing. He put off his own snack to make sure the dog was comforted first. What a great kid!

Balloon Festival

Today we went to the Walla Walla hot air balloon festival. It was a beautiful day to start. The kids went on lots of bounce houses, part of the kid zone. Jacob went on a mini-hot air balloon ride. He rode in a little seat up in the air and then it dropped it down. He thought it was fun. Jack tried but the guy running the ride freaked him out so he wouldn't go on it.
The best part of the day was the actual hot air balloons. We watched one get rolled out and blown up. The boys and I went closer to investigate and ended up getting a number to get a free ride, well a tethered up and down ride. The coolest part was when the balloon was being blown up the pilot invited all the kids to take their shoes off and go inside the balloon! That was so neat. The balloon was a rainbow color, it was so bright in there. Just like being inside a gaint bounce house. The boys were smiling and running around inside the balloon!
When it came to the ride Jacob was the only one that went up. The burner was too loud for Jack. Jacob stood in the basket with his hands over his ears the whole time. He didn't smile once. I am not sure if it was all that fun for him, oh well.
On the way out Uppa and Umma bought each of the boys a toy. Jack picked out a blinking sword and Jacob picked out a tiny hamster that moves. I think the little toys were the best part of the day for them.
Amelia of course just went with the flow, being passed around as we went. Her favorite packer was of course Uppa.

Spring Fun

Some spring fun. Jack's way of saying cheese is that goofy look on his face. Jacob of course has the smile down. He is such a cheese-head about getting his picture taken.
Jack loves to spray the hose or anyone that will let him but he HATES to be wet. I believe the water is too cold for him. The instant Jacob gets him wet he starts bawling, and anytime his clothes get the tiniest bit wet he wants to change them.
Jacob on the other hand loves getting wet. He'll spray himself with the hose and he doesn't mind being wet or dirty or cold.

Amelia is turning out to be a water girl. Any time she spots a puddle of water she is crawling towards

it. Here she is screaming and splashing herself.

Sitting down

When Jacob was a baby we got in the habit of just sitting down in some random place on the floor and enjoying each other's company and watching him just be a baby. When Jack came along we did the same thing. Now that Amelia is in the picture we don't do it nearly as often but we should. Last night after bath instead of pushing on through the bedtime routine of pajamas, brushing teeth and such I sat down in the hallway. Dad sat down next to me and all the kids ran around naked having fun. It was so fun just taking the moment of being a family.

Fun

Tonight we were outside running around in the spring evening. I was chasing the boys around the yard. They would stop, hands in their ears saying, "nanana you can't get me!" So fun. They were running as fast as they could, I was running as fast as my skirt would let me. I thought to myself as I was running after Jacob, how long would it be before he could out run me? I guess only time will tell.

Sleeping

Jack at this point still needs a nap to make it through the day but then stays up till about 8:30 since he is not tired. I remember Jacob when he was going through this stage. Lucky for Jacob when he was staying up late Dan was commuting from Pasco so he could stay up to see Dad on Thursday nights. Jack on the other hand, just has to stay in his bed. I swear though, he just fights sleep. Like Jacob did, he would just move around to stay awake. Funny when your a kid you fight sleep. When you grow up you fight to get enough.

Weekend at Umma and Uppa's

Our occasional weekend at Umma and Uppa's house is a wonderland time for the kids. They get constant attention from Umma and Uppa, who did their bidding.
Jacob likes to be outside. I mean as soon as he is awake he is dressed and out the door. He loves all the dirt to dig in, water to play in and woods to explore. Uppa bought new shovels and a pic ax for the kids to use, well maybe not the pic, but Jacob loved it. He was digging all over the place.
Jack loves to swing! He will swing for hours and hours. He also likes to take rides on the 4-wheeler. He usually suggest a ride and then Jacob takes a turn after him.
Amelia is new to the whole wonder of Umma and Uppa but she is getting the hang of it. She absolutely adores Uppa! Usually when someone new comes in her line of view she high tails it over to me, not with Uppa though. I mean the girl doesn't like people she sees weekly as much as she likes him. She crawls after him; demands him to pick her up by her grunts and jibber-jabbering. Friday night he rocked her to sleep but every times he tried to put her down she woke up. :)
This time spring woke up the frogs so everyone went frog hunting. Buckets become mini-cages for the frogs, there was frog races down the road, and of course tons of wet muddly clothes. They put the frogs in the big pond this time and watched the swim.
And of course at the end of the weekend we have to go home. The boys are absolutely heartbroken the have to leave. They always ask to stay longer and always ask when the next time we are coming back. Usually at least one of the boys cry and say they are so sad to leave.
They are so bluessed to have their Uppa and Umma. Thank you God for Umma and Uppa.

I sing Amelia "I see the Moon" everytime I put her to sleep, naps and bedtime.

Jack's special night-night song.

Jacob's song we sing every night before bed.

Amelia

I picked up Amelia from her car seat today. She has the little, baby body, it so precious. She isn't wearing a onesie because it is hot out so I can really feel the softness of her baby skin and her pudgy little belly. The innocents of her little body is amazing.

Amelia

Amelia just loves outside! Anytime the door is open she crawls threw it. She loves to pick at the grass, leaves, rocks and plants. After a bit she always puts them in her mouth, ug, but oh well. I hope she walks soon so she won't be crawling over the grass and concrete all summer, may be easier on her knees.

Jack

Jack is such an old man! It is 82 degrees out and he still won't put on shorts. I believe he was a farmer in a former life, or maybe its his Dad in him. Dan will wear jeans in 80 degree weather. Quote, "I worked outside for too long to let the heat bother me."

Jacob

Jacob is such a good helper. He loves to clean up. This morning he took a baby wipe and wiped down all the tables. He then got our new dust-buster out and dust-busted the whole kitchen and upstairs bathrooms. I am sure this is a phase but I love.

Bike ride

We went for a bike ride today to the boat launch. What a great adventure for little kids. We walked on the dock, looked for treasures by the water and of course had a picnic. Everyone had a great time. Jacob and Jack wore their backpacks with our food in them, their such big boys. I am so glad we can ride bikes together as a family. I hope we can do that in the future too.

Jack

Jack thing if he wants to tell me something is: "Mommy I got something to tell you." He then waits until I say, "What do you got to tell me Jack."
If Jacob tries to interrupt he puts his pudgy, little boy hand out and says "Stop Jacob, I tell'in mommy something."

Driving away

When I leave by myself, which is not very often, Jack and Jacob stand in the garage to wave good bye. They usually run after me a bit. So silly but nice. Today when I left for a sub job Jack tells me, "mommy I watch you go." OK I say, its nice to be wanted. I honk the horn and wave as I drive off.

In the monster truck

To My Kids

Well kids, you are still young. Jacob is 4, Jack is 2 (almost 3) and Amelia is 10 months (almost 1). Jack's little body tonight climbing into bed, for the 3rd time, inspired me to write you. All of you are so small still and it is such a magical time for me. I am so happy that I can stay home with you and be around you all the time as you are growing up. Right now we live in Pasco, Wa and Dad found out we could potentially be here for another 7 years. I looked at Jack and thought, wow you're going to be 9 then! That just blew my mind. So I thought I would write somethings down as we went along in our life so that maybe you could read them later if you want or I can read them later.
Jacob- You're going to Preschool now and liking it. You are a very responsible little boy. You can stay on task so well. You love to build and create things, to "work." You are very easy to parent because you like doing the right thing and you do what I ask.
Jack- My little buddy, you are a good little boy. You try to say you are naughty but you are not. You are spunky and athletic. You like to cuddle. You have such an easy going nature about you.
Amelia- Well you are still developing into a person. Today you cracked yourself up about clapping to a song on a toy. It was so cute to see your sense of humor. You already are very good at communicating what you want and don't want. The whole family likes to hug you, carry you and keep you safe.
I pray to God everyday to keep all of you safe, to let you grow up healthy and strong and to know Him. I thank him everyday for letting me be your mom and guiding me to be the best parent I can be.