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.

Christmas 2013

So it was Christmas again! Lots of food, family and fun. The kids this Christmas brought me a lot of joy. We got a huge 11 foot Christmas tree! It was huge and looked great in our big living room. From Santa Jacob got a new bike, Amelia got a kitten and so did Jack.
Christmas morning the boys were up normal time, both were excited to see what Santa brought them. Jacob really liked his bike but everything kinda got over shadowed by the kittens. Jack was very excited about his kitten, which he named Robin. As he clutched the kitten to his chest he declared, "This is the best Christmas ever. This is just what I wanted!" Jack named his kitten Robin saying it was his sidekick. We had to wake Amelia up to open presents. Once she saw the kitten she was wide awake. She also was very excited about getting one. Hers is named Princess. Luckily all the kids have been very gentle with the kitties so far.
Other notable Christmas presents this year are beanbag chairs from Umma and Uppa. Umma and Uppa also got Jack a new Leap Pad Ultra, which he kissed when he figured out what it was. They also got him a green light up sword. That present he little face lite up; he forgot to open any other present until we reminded him.

 

Umma had a photo booth for everyone to take pictures with this year.

 

 

 

 

Good vs Evil

The boys have hit the phase of "good guys beating bad guys." They like super heroes, fighting crime and are always on the look out for injustice. Jack especially is very aware of bad guys. I find that along with this phase comes weapons. Apparently you need lots of guns, knives, swords and throwing stars to defeat evil. Luckily they are sorta old enough now not to destroy stuff with the weapons or each other.

Jack

Its Christmas time here and that can bring out generosity in anyone, Jack included. Since we have put Christmas presents under our tree Jack has been "shopping" around the house wrapping up presents for people. He gave Jacob his new Robin car for Christmas. After we wrapped it he said, "He's going to be so excited!" in the cutest excited voice. Anything he can think of he wants to wrap up for someone. I think he has the giving spirit down.

Jack's wisdom

This last week Grampa Coleman died, passed away, expired... I think the kids witnessed their first vision of death, or at least closest  to it, walking into Grampa's house seeing him in his chair unconscious. I will be interested to see if they remember that when they get older.
Anyway though, although we didn't know if he was going to live or not that day Jack imparted wisdom that summed up the whole situation.
Jack: Mom I have good news and bad news.
Me: What's the bad news Jack?
Jack: That if Grampa dies we will all be sad and miss him.
Me: What's the good news?
Jack: That he will be in heaven with Jesus.

Amen to that!