Jack

Today Jack says at the lunch table, "Mrs. Stephanie is sick. She is old and alone. Who is going to take care of her? Cook for her?" Amelia piped in with, "We could give her food!" So we made Mrs. Stephanie some chicken soup and gave her some tea.
When we took it to her, Mrs. Stephanie came to the door and promptly said, "I'm a big germ."
I told her that's all right. Jack handed her the bag of soup and tea then ran off. It wasn't a big ceremony just here.

Happy Birthday Jacob

Jacob turned 7! Lucky  number 7! For his birthday he got several presents. His favorite present was the bb gun rifle that we bought him. After he opened it he kept hugging me saying thank you.  Uppa and Umma got him a gun safe which he also loved.
For his birthday dinner he wanted to go to a Mexican restaurant so he could wear a sombrero and be sung too.
The best part of Jacob is his loving nature. He is such a good boy. I love being his mom and can't wait to see him grow into a man.

Jack

Here are some samples of Jack's writing from kindergarten. You can see he has included the major topics of his life so far tornadoes, his family and Robin, his cat.

These two pictures go together. A story about a fire breathing dragon complete with illustration.

This is our family on Halloween. Jack's red ninja costume, Jacob's Christmas tree, me in my coat and Amelia in her bat girl costume.

Jacob

                             Jacob drew a picture of our family, an elf and Santa in a turbo jet today.

Jacob and Amelia

Jacob and Amelia are good buds. Today Jacob read Amelia two books. As he read she started bouncing around a bit. He told her she needed to sit still so she could see the pictures; she of course obliged.

Jack

On Sunday I took the boys to the African Children's choir concert. For the most part both boys liked the concert; what took place after is note worthy.
Jack for some reason decided to stick his hand up a Coke vending machine. He of course then got it stuck. I didn't see him do it but I did look over to see Jacob trying to pull his arm out and Jack screaming in pain. I go over to see if I can help him but by then he is crying from having his arm pulled on. Next Tom and Vicki come over and then Justin Mitchell. Jack is so upset I couldn't do anything but give him space but here he is crying with his hand stuck in a Coke machine!
I was wondering how we were going to get his hand out, call the vending machine place, the police?
Justin however stuck with Jack, talked with him, shown a flashlight around and then poof Jack's arm comes out. Jack says something clicked and his arm came out. Who know's what happened but I am glad it did.
His arm only had some deep creases and redness from the pressure of the vending machine; no cuts luckily.

America's Funniest Videos

It is so funny to watch America's Funniest Videos with the boys. They think it is so funny! Jack just howls with laughter over the dumbest videos. Of course Dada thinks it funny so they all just have a ball watching it.

Halloween 2014

Halloween 2014 was a success! Amelia was bat girl, Jack was a red power ranger and Jacob was a Christmas tree. All the kids were very excited about going trick or treating this year. Amelia asked when we were going in the morning. I told her we would go after dinner. Her response, "That's so long away!"
Before we went trick or treating around our neighborhood we took the kids to the trunk or treat at the church. I think they got just as much candy there as they did going around to the houses; needless to say they got a lot!
As we walked around the neighborhood everyone commented on Jacob's Christmas tree costume. With all the glitter plus the blinking Christmas lights it was pretty awesome.
The only damper on the evening was Jacob was starting to not feel well so he was pretty low key.

Working

I have been working now for about a month. Technically it is a full time position but I can work from home 10 hours week with 22 hours in office. I don't think it has effected the kids too much. On Mondays Amelia goes to work with me. One Wednesday all the kids go to work with me. If anything they like it. I bring the ipad to play movies or games on. When they are all there on Wednesdays they play with all the nursery toys or run around the gym. Of course this is only a month in. It will be interesting what happens on days the kids don't have school or summer break.

Jack

Jack has gotten over the hump for kindergarten, meaning he isn't super cranky and tired. He is regular, fun loving Jack. Not to say he doesn't have his moments but for the most part he is showing the self control I know he has. He doesn't tell me much about kindergarten. He seems to enjoy it. Every once in awhile he will spurt out information or antidote for the day but for the most part he doesn't say much. If I ask too much he sighs and says he doesn't want to tell me. I can't imagine how his teen years are going to go if this is what I get in kindergarten. So I wait, ask minimal questions and am support of what he tells. Again he's five right?

Jack

Jack was surprised to get a new kindergarten teacher a week or so ago. Apparently the kindergarten classes at his school had 30 plus kids in them, way more then the school expected to enroll. To get the class sizes down to around 20 a 1st grade teacher was shifted down to kindergarten; Jack was one of the kids moved. His new teacher is Mrs. Perry. I got to meet her once. She seemed ok, she has lots of experience with kindergarten I have been told. Jack was a bit nervous changing classes, as expected, but he now seems fine with it. I think just having less kids in his class made it easier plus his new teacher sometimes hands out gummy bears.

Amelia

Amelia is so cute and smart. Every time she sees the letter A she thinks its her name. She'll pick capital A's out of paragraphs or in the middle of words. Each time she gets a big smile on her face and says, "That's my name!"
She can also write the letter A very well. She writes it anywhere and everywhere now. She can trace the rest of the letters in her name very well but the A she can write by herself. She is already practicing her autograph.

Jack

Well Jack got stitches for the first time yesterday. We got a new apple corer and he decided to use it on his own. We didn't even notice because he didn't say anything. He just asked me to help him with a band aide. I turned around to see blood everywhere! He couldn't open the band aide because it was covered in blood along with the first aide kit from the car, the garage floor and all over the car. It was a lot of blood! It took me quite awhile to clean it all up.
I couldn't tell how deep his cut was but it was right across his right pointer finger's knuckle so I knew it wouldn't heal good with all the bending. We went to the same ER that we took him for his smashed finger. He was pretty upset on the way because he thought he may get stitches.
Same doctor we had from last time took a look at it. I had to look away when he pulled the skin back because it was pretty deep. The doctor wasn't sure if it went down to the knuckle but he wanted to wash it out really good. Jack's finger would have to be numbed. He cried as they stuck the needle in twice but he held still. His finger ballooned up from all the fluid. After he couldn't feel his finger he thought it was so neat; he kept pinching it or biting it.
Well He did pretty good until he saw the hook and was told he had to get stitches. He started crying pretty loud. Jack told the doctor it wasn't numb all the way. The doctor did some test pokes without Jack looking and told me Jack could feel about 2 out 5 pokes. He asked if he should give him another numbing injection. At that point though all the sterile stuff was out, Jack was being held down and for the most part he was numb so I told the doctor to do it anyway. Jack held still be he definitely didn't like it. It was the first time I had ever seen panic on his face, sheer panic from the experience.
After the stitches were in the nurse gave him a Popsicle. It took Jack only minutes to recover from it.
Now its just about healing without infection.

School Update

Well we are two weeks into the school year. Really the kids have had 2 4-day weeks. Jack got a cold the third day of school, which has been passed around including Dada. Jack also today didn't want to go to school. Oh the battle starts already! I know he was just tired and not feeling well but it is in times like these you must do a gut check and power through! I hope to brainwash him as a child not to give up on your daily activities and jobs just because you don't feel like. He may be fighting that fight his whole life.


PS- Jack came home from school happy. He had made pyramid today out of spaghetti noodles and mini marshmallows. It was pretty impressive, he was pretty proud of himself for constructing it.

Amelia

Amelia has started preschool. The morning of the first day she had her backpack on at 7:30 am (preschool starts at 9:00 am) telling us all she is a big girl ready for school. When we got to the school she let me take a picture of her. I asked if I could take a picture of her inside too. She told me, "Actually Teacher Brendan and Teacher Jan is not that exciting so no." Once inside she hung up her backpack, grabbed a toy and started playing. I barely got a hug from her as I said good-bye: no tears, no look backs as mom left. I am now wondering if anything new she does will be scary for her since she has two older brothers doing it all first!

Jacob

As of now in our family Jacob is the great neutralizer. I don't think he realizes how much his brother and sister count on him. The energy of his being is significantly absent even with only being gone one day at school.
 As I dropped Jack off at school today he asked if I was going to wait with him. I told him no parents aren't allowed in the gate anymore. He then said "What am I going to do then?" I reassured him to look for Jacob and there were lots of kids to play with. He looked so small as he walked ever so slowly to the gate, lingered on the outside looking in before walking threw it.
Just the presences of Jacob makes Jack braver. Even Amelia will stay somewhere without Dada or I if she knows Jacob is with her. We are so lucky to have such a terrific boy in our family. One that brings reassurance, comfort and confidence with just his presence.

Jacob's first day of 1st grade

Jacob went to first grade today. I think first grade is way more important then kindergarten, mostly because a first grader is at school ALL day. My little Jacob was the first to get on his bus at 8:07 and last to be dropped off (today at 4:40, an hour after school ended!).
The highlights of his day were he got to go to the library, was excused from lunch as soon as he was done eating (I guess at Livingston he had to wait) and the class talked about scientists. He said his teacher had the

class close their eyes and picture a scientist. The scientist he imagined wore a lab coat and created robots that shot lasers. I told him there were actual scientist that use robots with lasers. His eyes about popped out of his head, saying "Really?!"
I think Jacob's first day of school went real well. I pray he accedes at his classwork, makes good friends and enjoys his teacher and school.

Jack's first day of Kindergarten

Jack went to kindergarten today. He said he was not scared, nervous or anxious. Later he told me the reason he wasn't scared was because Jacob was at school with him. As I watched him march into school there were no tears in my eyes since he had so much courage and confidence.
Picking him up, a subdued Jack came marching out of the school yard. He looked tired and overwhelmed from the day. I asked him how it went. He said good and then tossed me his backpack to carry. From my experience with Jacob requesting I stop asking questions, I didn't bombard Jack with a lot. He said he liked it and I left it at that as we walked to the car.
A couple blocks in the car later when I asked if he made a friend he said he did but then the two boys said he couldn't be his friend, he could not on their team and he was a trouble-maker. Of course my "mom red flags" went up; my baby was being unfriended! I tried to remain calm. Trying to remain up beat I asked about his teacher. Jack told me with a soft voice in an offhanded sort of way, "She didn't seem to notice me." Geez if that didn't bring stinging tears to my eyes.
So I am not sure if it was a success. Jack recounted a lot of the day: sitting at the carpet, sitting on a rug, eating snack, and playing outside. He said he didn't do much work. I am praying he makes a good friend/friends, that his teacher will notice him and he has a fabulous time at school. First impressions are not always right.

Potlatch

Jacob loved looking for crabs. He had over 20 before he was finished.

Amelia loved the beach.

Potlatch tree still there, still being used by kids as one of the best play toys ever.

Jacob

This summer Jacob is big enough to drive Uppa's lawn mower. He thought he was quite the hot shot driving it around. He would putt down to the pond, around the trails and down the drive way. He even hooked up the trailer to take the kids for a ride. He gave Dada and I a ride, scary. Looking at the back of his head as we bumped along the trail gave me a flash forward to when he will be driving around with maybe me in the backseat.

Home Alone

The other night I had plans to go to a painting class. The class started at 6 so Dan and I made a plan for me to leave at 5:45. Dan said he would drive out to work so he would be home in time. Well the at about 5:50 that night I decided to leave, knowing Dan would be home any moment. I turned on a cartoon, laid out dinner and said good-bye. I looked for his car on the way to the freeway but didn't see it, I thought I must have missed it.
Well when I got home that night Dan informed me he didn't actually get home until 6:30 pm! There was a wildfire along the highway so he had to take a detour through Richland. On top of that the power was out so all the traffic lights were flashing. He said at 5:45 he thought to himself, "And now she left!" He was freaking out pretty bad, knowing the kids were all alone.
The kids on the other hand were fine. After the cartoon got over they went back to playing the game they were playing earlier that day: making a fort in the hall closet. Jacob got them all trail mix and water as a snack. When Dan did get home they all acted like it was no big deal. Of course they were hungry for dinner but it was business as usual to them.

Amelia

We are watching the first Harry Potter movie. Of course the kids are loving it and have lots of questions. Amelia keeps asking about Harry Potamus.

Jack

Today at swim lessons Jack was cracking me up. This lesson he is in a class of 4 kids. He is the best swimmer in the group so he doesn't get much attention from the instructor. While he is waiting his turn he is splashing, diving, jumping, floating, just constantly moving around. It was so funny to see him floating with an arm up, diving for his toy, floating spread eagle, jumping off the step into a jellyfish float, putting his head underwater while waving his hands above water. Geez he was so entertaining; makes me chuckle now just thinking of him.

Summer Time

Summer has been the right balance of relaxation and busy so far. We have done some camping, vbs, swim lessons but we have also had a lot of down time. The kids have filled this down time by building forts! There is a constant structure in the playroom and now it is coming down in the dinning room. Once a week I have the kids clean them up so that I can vacuum but within about 10 minutes they are back to building a new one. They get up around 7:00 to start playing in the forts with intermittent cartoon watching. Summer is great!

Vacation Bible School

Last week was vacation Bible school at church. All three of the kids went, each participating in their own way. Jacob and Jack had lots of fun singing, going down the water slide, visiting with Moses in his tent and doing crafts. Amelia did a modified version because she was technically in the nursery and to young. She did come to the opening and closing group worship times. She was so adorable up on stage with the other kids singing along, doing all the motions; really melted me heart.
So vbs ended Friday, today Monday the kids are now playing vacation Bible school. Each boy has there own vbs, Moses tents included. We also have the cd of the music that they have been blaring all day. I am so glad they enjoyed their time. I am even more glad about the things they are talking about now while playing vbs: what makes a good disciple, how God provides.

Jack

Jack has the cutest new face. Whenever he thinks something is silly he puts his little hand over his mouth, squints his eyes and does a little "hehe" laugh. It is so super cute! He usually repeats what is silly to him to me.
His squinty eyes look so much like Dan's when he laughs.

Jacob

Jacob's front tooth is shifting back and forth it is so loose. Because of the large gaps between his teeth to begin with the tooth seems to shift quite a bit, looking almost sideways sometimes. It should fall out soon.

Jack

Jack's Happy Birthday song.

Jack

Jack turns 5 today. He told me he is even faster now that he is five. He even demonstrated it with sound effects and everything. For his birthday we got him a happy meal for a picnic at the park of his choice. After playing for an hour or so we then went for ice cream at Dairy Queen. He ate a lot of ice cream. I mean a lot!
For his birthday he got everything he wanted. He got a SWAT outfit, guns, gum, a Chase from paw patrol, a Snackie and some other stuff. He really got two guns but he gave one to Jacob. When he picked out the guns he saw that a  pack of two would be better so that both of them could have one. He also shared his gum with the other two and some of the sugar cereal he got for his birthday. He is a very generous boy.
Jack is a very funny smiley kid. He likes to make people laugh. He can crack himself up too. He loves playing with Jacob. He loves to ride his bike. Of course he loves to get his own way. He loves to be in control of the situation; that is good and bad.

Amelia

I have to put in a video of Amelia dancing. She is having so much fun.

Amelia

Amelia has turned 3! I can't believe she is already 3; seems like we just moved here and she was a baby. She is turning into quite the feisty character. She loves to sing and dance. She loves to read books. She just started loving having her nails painted. She will ask if I would paint her nails why she watches a cartoon. Right now her favorite things to eat are cheese, yogurt with sprinkles and oatmeal with brown sugar.
For her birthday she got a new Barbie, Sky from Paw Patrol, the frozen soundtrack, gum, a cd player and an Elsa dress. She absolutely loves the Frozen stuff. After she put her Elsa dress on she told me, "I wear this forever." She has been dancing and twirling around ever since.

Oregon Vacation

We were invited down to Sunriver Oregon by Josh and Beth. They had rented a house there for the week. Along with them, Beth's brother's family came to. It ended up being a very fun week. The kids had so much fun. We went on lots of bike rides.  We played at the awesome pool everyday. We hiked in a lava tube and around the top of the Newberry volcano.
Jacob made a new friend in Silas, Beth's nephew. Silas is 6 also so the boys enjoyed doing the same things. Together they built up a fort that was in the backyard of the house. When riding bikes they spend ahead together. Silas even gave Jacob some Pokemon cards.
Jack's new friends he made was Parker and Cooper. They are Beth's other niece and nephew. Parker is 13. Cooper is 16. Jack loved basking in their attention. One morning Jack said he didn't get up until Cooper did; which was about 3 hours after he usually gets up.
Amelia bonded with Beth and Baby Dane. She rode in Josh and Beth's car any chance she got. She played games with Beth, and of course she helped with anything she could with Baby Dane.
The week went by fast because of all the fun we were having.

Jacob

Jacob is done with kindergarten. He is such a good student, well kid of course. His teacher Mrs. Gilmore had this to say about him:

                    "Jacob was an absolute joy to have in class all year long. I am so impressed with his motivation to learn; always wanting to produce the best work. He is very independent and very helpful in class. Have a wonderful summer Jacob!"

I had tears in my eyes walking home from the bus, knowing it was my little guys last day.

T-ball Season

 We had another successful t-ball season. This spring Jack was able to move up to the 5/6 team Jacob was on. We were the Red Ninjas! Both boys became better hitters and more accurate throwers.
Jacob said his favorite thing about t-ball was hitting. Jack's was throwing water balloons.
Our end of the year party we had water balloons, a baseball pinata, cupcakes and pizza.

Jack

Jack-man is done with preschool! I can't believe its been two years, feels like just yesterday. I remember the first day of preschool I prayed that Jack would have courage. The day I dropped him off I swear I could see him glowing with it. Now he is off to kindergarten!
I told him I was sad he was done with preschool. He responded, "Why Mom? I won't be a grown up for a long time." I said he was right and that the correct word for my feeling would be nostalgic. From all of preschool memories I wonder if I will remember any of it later on.
Jack is becoming quite the kid. The most recent personality trait to surface is the need to fit in, which has taken me by surprise. This came about after contemplating about whether or not to wear a new shirt to school. Jack said he was worried the other kids would make fun of him. I told him most kids wouldn't even notice his shirt but he still hasn't worn it. He also has stated that he doesn't like to sing in public. Which explains his lack of participation at his preschool graduation program. I just pray that as he grows his need to fit in will change into self confidence that allows him the freedom to be himself.

Jack

Jack smashed his left pinkie finger in the car door yesterday. I was on the other side of the car when he started screaming. I grabbed him in hug as he told me what happened. Only after Dada came out to see what was going on did I ask to look at it. Then Jack brought his hand with  blood dripping everywhere! I took him in the house, wash off the wound best I could, gave him ibuprofen, and applied ice. All throughout this Jack is crying/screaming in pain and bouncing around.
With the amount of pain he was in I thought maybe he had broken his finger so we decided to take him to urgent care for a splint. On the way I explained to Jack what was going to happen. He said he didn't mind as long as he kept his wound covered because it freaked him out. On the way I prayed that the Holy Spirit would keep him calm so the doctors and nurses could do their work.
Once we got there everything went as I said it would. We got checked in, the nurse cleaned the wound, had x-rays, and the doctor examine it. Jack did great through the whole thing. Actually it looked like he was almost asleep through most of it. All of the staff kept commenting on how tough he was and well behaved.
As it turned out Jack broke the very tip of his finger, cut his nail in half and gave himself a pretty good darn cut. Instead of putting Jack through the experience of stitches the doctor left the cut to heal on his own.
Jack got a metal split for his finger that I am making him wear for at least a week to keep his finger clean. I told him it was a robot finger. Of course he perked right up to that. He added that he could shoot lasers out of it; which he has proceeded to do to everyone that comments on his finger.


**Just as a side note I did not come to fully appreciate my prayer for a calm Jack until today when I tried to clean his wound and change the bandage. I literally had to hold his hand under the water as he thrashed around screaming in pain. I am glad he was calmed yesterday.

Amelia

Amelia has fell in love with a pair of cowboy boots. She found them one day while digging around the shoe pile in the garage. They were Jack's old ones. Since that day the boots have been her primary shoe of choice. First because she can put them on herself. Second the cool noise they make. Third grown-ups are constantly telling her how cool her boots are. I don't mind them at all expect that she steps on my feet and boy does that hurt! Especially because I am wearing flip flops.

Singing

I just realized the other day that I don't sing much anymore. I started singing to Jacob once he was born and it seemed like I didn't stop singing to each of the kids up until about 6 months ago. I use to sing to the kids while they went to sleep at nap time or when I rocked them. Now we read books but no songs. Geez first thing I use to do all the time with my kids but don't now.

Amelia

Amelia is now able to dress herself. She insists on picking out her own clothes every morning. That is a very good thing and I look forward to her turning 3 when she is officially in charge of dressing herself. The downside of this is that she is now changing her clothes. Today she put on 3 different pairs of pants and 2 shirts. She does however usually put the piece of clothing back in the dresser but still this is something I do not want to encourage. We are going to have a good long talk about one pair of pants and shirt a day.

Amelia

As of now Jacob is Amelia' favorite brother. She tells me, "I like Jacob. He nice. Jack not nice." Of course I correct her and tell her Jack is nice too. I can see Jacob and her have a special bond. She seeks him out now to show and tell him things. She recently got some new clothes. Whenever she put on a new shirt or dress she finds Jacob to show him. It is a good learning experience for Jacob too because he has to learn to respond to her. Now he tells her she is beautiful when she shows him what she is wearing. It is really sweet watching her interact with her very caring older brother.

Jack

Jack can now sleep in past 6:00 am. I believe that officially makes him a little kid. Before it didn't matter what time he went to bed he was up early. The last week he has been sleeping in until 7:30-7:45! He needs to the sleep so I am glad he is listening to his body.

Spring Break 2014

For spring break this year we, meaning Jacob, Jack, Amelia and I, went to Umma and Uppa's for the week. Of course the week was jammed pack with visiting people, playing and lots of fun. The highlight of the trip was the secret adventure that Umma planned for us.
She came up with the idea to go to Ocean Shores! The kids didn't know where we were going and had never been to the ocean before. They were very surprised and happy to see the sand and water. As soon as Amelia got out of the car she started digging in the sand. She was so happy just to crouch with a bucket and pail.

 Jacob and Jack were intrigued with the way the waves disorientated them as the waves went in and out. They both kept saying, "Which way are we going?" or "We're going backwards." Within about fifteen minutes all the kids were completely soaked. Jacob and Jack even tried riding the waves in. After getting warm dry clothes on we played more in the sand and had a picnic. It was wonderful weather; the sun was out, with just a little wind.
Next we went souvenir shopping. Which Umma bought each of the kids a little something. I bought Dada some salt water taffy. About that time it was time to check into the hotel. Now this was another surprise for the kids because they had never stayed in a hotel before. Jacob was excited to hear that plan but of course he played is usual "cool act" asking if we were really going to stay.
The hotel room was very nice, of course the kids thought it was the greatest! Jacob called it a "movie star room." There was a TV in the bathroom, which all the kids thought was so funny. Of course the hotel had a pool. All the kids were super excited to go swimming. Before we went swimming though we went to dinner then rode go-karts. Both the boys loved the go-carts. Amelia said she didn't.
Swimming was fun for the most part. Jacob hadn't been feeling well all evening and he ended up throwing up at the pool. Not fun but at least it wasn't in the pool. On the way back to the room he asked me if the secret adventure was over now. He was really worried he had ruined it. Of course I told him it hadn't.
There wasn't too many things left to do so the next day we got ready to leave. It was a good thing too since it had started raining pretty good. Before we left Amelia, Jack and Umma went swimming one more time. We also went on the bumper cars. The boys were excited to go on them but I don't think they liked it too much once they went., too much being thrown about.

Anyway it was a great time. We are really lucky to have Umma. She is so much fun to be around. She is very generous. She is happy and loves us so much.

Jacob

Jacob is one of the most phenomenal workers around. He has got in his head that he wants to grow a pumpkin patch. We asked Dada if that would be alright and he said yes. At first it was Jacob and Jack that wanted the pumpkin patch but once Jack saw the amount of work involved he stop wanting it.
The first thing Jacob did was clear out all the river rock on the section of the flower bed we were going to use. That sounds like an easy thing but it wasn't. Jacob spent a good 2 hours or more  moving rocks; piling them up in three huge piles along the flower bed. We then proceeded to spend another hour or so raking the rocks up out of the ground. After the plants were taken out we had a nice level bed for growing. Jacob has already got a plan for raking more rocks tomorrow.
While Jacob is working he has his gloves on and his safety glass. He has an amazing focus to see a task finished until the end. I hope he gets some really big pumpkins!

Amelia

Amelia likes to dance and sing. As with all kids, she thinks we cannot see or hear her when she is performing. This is the end of about a 5 minute dance.

Jacob

Jacob is a cook's dream. He eats pretty much anything, he eats a lot, and even if he doesn't like it too much he still eats it. Tonight I served the kids ribs, beans and coleslaw. In the past none of them have eaten it, mostly I think because of the way it looks. Tonight however Jacob tried it and loved it! Every bite, and I really mean every bite, he would say something like, "ummm, this is good" or "oh I like all of this!" As the other two picked at their food Jacob ate the whole thing plus seconds. Like I said a cook's dream.

Sleeping Beauty

 We watched Disney's Sleeping Beauty last night. Amelia loved it! She had her little hands propped up under her chin. She was memorized by Aurora pricking her finger on the spinning needle. She asks, "Who her name?" "Aurora" I say. "I like Aurora." she says back.
Jack was absolutely terrified of the witch. He wouldn't even look at the screen while she was on, mind you she is pretty scary, but he is a bit of a scarey-cat. Jacob liked it just fine. I think his favorite part was tricking Jack to look at the witch. ;)

Jacob

Now that Jacob goes to school he is experiencing new things. I can tell the things what things he finds interesting or enjoys because he reenacts them at home. So far he has really liked PE. He has set up different running courses and "classes" for him, Jack and Amelia to do. He also really liked the talent show at his school. The night following the show he put on his own talent show. Of course Jack and Amelia got in on the act. All of them just kinda jumped around but it was something they all enjoyed. The newest experience Jacob has liked is getting his picture taken. Today was class pictures with individual spring pictures. This afternoon he set up a "background" in his room so he could take a group picture and then individuals of Jack, Amelia and me. After he took our pictures he told me he wants to take one of Dad too. He can be a very interesting kid, what can I say.

Amelia

Amelia has named all of her animals and baby that she sleeps with Chico. I believe it is after the neighbors dog that we walked one weekend while they were away. She has a baby Chico, kitty Chico, and doggie Chico. It is  pretty silly name for a baby but she likes it and can remember it.

Building

The boys love to build things, forts mostly. In the playroom they build elaborate forts with multiply rooms and secret doors. Every Wednesday it gets cleaned up because I vacuum in there but almost immediately something else is put up.  Amelia is not big enough to build something herself but loves to play in the forts with the boys or I build her one of her own. I think they may be more interested in Legos if they weren't allowed to build with blankets, pillows and couch cushions.

Surgery

I had surgery almost 2 weeks ago; just a hysterectomy no big deal. The unfortunate part about the surgery is the recovering time. A whole six weeks of doing pretty much nothing. Lucky for me I have had a lot of help. Umma was here one week, Kim the next and Dan one week. The kids have responded well to the surgery.
After I got home from the hospital (I stayed 2 nights) Amelia and Jack ran out to see me. They were pretty surprised to see me moving so slow. Jack wanted to see me incision, I showed him and Amelia. Jack immediately blurted out, "That looks like it hurts!"
Over the next day or so the boys kept coming in the room to check on me. I was sleeping quite a bit but would stir when they came in. The first day I was there Jack thought I was dead. He insisted that Dada come check to see if I was breathing. I was laying half sitting up with my mouth wide open, I know pretty picture, but I am sure I reminded him of what Grampa looked like the last time the kids saw him.
Jacob was real nervous when I came home. He didn't come and see me.. He didn't want to see my incision. He was pretty caution around me and unsure of the situation. Of course that translated into him being a bit of a pill. After a couple days of that I told him I was going to be fine so he could stop acting that way because he will always get in trouble because it is the same as usual. He just smiled and said ok. Since then he as been better.
I think the kids are ready for me to be well already (me too). Jack asked me yesterday to take a walk with him down the road. I told him I'm sorry but my owie wasn't healed yet. I could see in his face he was trying to figure out how to get around that. Now the kids just kinda float in and out of my bedroom updating me on things going on in the house. Jacob came up to inform me that Jack counted to 100 and at first Jack wouldn't do his work but now he has a good attitude, poor Dada. A little while later Jack came up for a high five, hug, kiss and "I'm proud of you" for his accomplishment.
Amelia seems content with the whole situation. She has her mom very stationary to give her attention and to play ponies with her. She hasn't even minded not being carried. She gets in and out of the car pretty good. As of now she has her personal Sherpa Dada so things may change next week.

Jacob

Before Christmas as a family we were driving in the car when Jacob asked us a series of questions. He wanted to know if you had to believe in Santa, Jesus, God, the Holy Spirit and angles to get a present from Santa. I told him no you didn't have to believe in Jesus, God, the Holy Spirit and angels to get a present. I pointed out that Maysen and Mackenzie didn't believe in that but they still get presents. I could  visually see that this perplexed Jacob.
He then asked us if Santa was real. I countered with my usual question back, "Do you think he is real?" He said he didn't believe in Santa. He said he believed in Jesus. I told him that was ok because Santa was for fun, that he doesn't really matter. Jacob seemed more at ease with this answer.
I did ask Jacob if someone told him Santa was not real. Jacob told me no, so I am not sure where he came up with these questions. I find it interesting that he thinks so deeply about his beliefs this young.

Jacob

Jacob had his first run in with school yard bullies today. His friend from the bus was being "bullied" so Jacob said he helped him out. I am not sure how he helped but he did. Jacob said the other boys couldn't catch him because he was so fast. He did mention that he got caught once and then "slammed down." He said the other boys needed to learn respect and that he showed his friend he cared for him by helping.
I have to say he is one of the sweetest little boys I know. He is always trying to do the right thing; it makes me very proud of him.
As Jacob was recounting this encounter to me I was trying to play the real cool mom but geez I was a little worried about it. I don't want older boys slamming me little guy in the ground! I hope I communicated to him enough that if he needs help I can help him or his teacher. As of now he said him, Ryan (the kid being picked on) and Shea (some other boy) could handle it.

Amelia

Amelia has now realized she can get out of bed in the night! Almost every night for the last week I hear little footsteps in the night and then, "in bed?" She comes up right next to my face and asked to get in. Of course it is the cutest thing opening my eyes seeing her in her little jammies, her hair all messed up and her little sleepy face looking at me. We tried letting her get into bed with us but that didn't work. One because she thinks its party time in the bed. She would roll, sing, talk, "snuggle" and not go to sleep for hours. Second she kicks! The covers are too hot for her so she tries to kick her way out of the covers, along with us. So now she goes right back to her bed, which she doesn't like. Our compromise so far is that she can get into bed once Dada leaves for work. That seems to placate her for now.

"Play ponies?"

Amelia is obsessed with My Little Ponies right now. For Christmas Umma and Uppa got her a My Little Ponies princess castle and a handful of My Pretty Ponies. Amelia keeps all the ponies in a old purse of Umma's. She drags her pony castle around with one hand (it is not a small castle!) and her bag of ponies around asking everyone, "Play ponies?" She goes in order from me, to Dada, to Jacob and finally Jack. She is very excited when someone actually plays with her and of course brought to tears if someone says no. I am hoping she will eventually play by herself. Until then I am allotted a couple ponies to fly around.