James likes to say, "Look how tall I am!", and then lay on the floor and say, "Look how long I am!" His current favorite song to sing to us is, I Like to Look for Rainbows.
I've started reading lessons with James and he thrives on the attention. I tell him he is doing a great job and he says, "Yeah, because I'm a big kid!" It's fun to have that little time together each day. He has just learned to write his name, yay!
Gracie stands in front of the potty and holds her shirt up. I think she sees too many boys standing up to go potty around here.
Jonathan went to Sea World for a school trip today. James really wanted to go too and got all dressed with a hat on saying he likes to "copy Jonathan". He was so sad. An otterpop seemed to help.
Jonathan was on his way to school and wearing a hat. I asked him for a kiss good-bye and he said, "Sorry Mom, the hats in the way". I'll have to remember to warn his wife before they get married that he won't kiss her while wearing a hat.
2.21.2012
Jonathan's 6!
At his six year checkup, he was 60 lb. 9.6 oz. (96.24%) and 4’1.5"(98.18%), obviously a big boy. His hair is quite blond and has lost most of the red, especially when its cut short. He’s a bright kid and gives great cuddles when he wants to. Now that he is six, he can tie his shoe (mostly), make his bed (mostly), pump independently on a swing, ride a bike and does a pretty good job at soccer, baseball, football and wrestling with Mike.
On his birthday morning, I made pancakes topped with strawberries and whipped cream and we all said something we like about him. I mentioned that I like it when he helps out his siblings and James followed up on that saying that, “Sometimes, Jofin does my job of making Gracie happy.” It’s cute that James sees that as his job.
I invited Grandma and Grandpa Neyens down for dinner and ice cream. Jonathan requested pizza which made that part pretty easy. Mike was late coming home from work but made it in time to help the boys complete the “quest” I had planned. Jonathan got a paper with specific instructions that he had to read out loud and off they went on their mission. They started out by painting blob monsters by blowing finger paint through straws and adding crafty eyes that stick on. They each had to pop six bubbles. Next, they had to rescue some Lego guys that had been frozen in ice. Since it was already dark, they did this in the bathtub by spraying them with water guns and breaking the ice with a wooden hammer. Next, they had to get their capes by getting across the livingroom covered with lasers (string). They decorated some R2D2 robots and saved Princess Gracie from the monsters (we had previously painted) by hopping on pillows over the carpet which was hot lava. Finally, they had to shoot helium balloons with nurfball sling shots and decode the secret message saying that the cake and presents were on the table in the kitchen. Grandpa and Grandma D. gave him a very fun rocket ship alarm clock, kid’s camera and science kit that are much loved and perfect for him. Grandpa and Grandma Neyens gave him a little camouflage bag sewn just for him with Grandpa’s old plastic soldiers from when he was a kid. Mike and I gave him a telescope and some building toys called zoobs. During his little “quest” he said, “This is the best birthday ever” so I guess that means he had a great day.
On his birthday morning, I made pancakes topped with strawberries and whipped cream and we all said something we like about him. I mentioned that I like it when he helps out his siblings and James followed up on that saying that, “Sometimes, Jofin does my job of making Gracie happy.” It’s cute that James sees that as his job.
I invited Grandma and Grandpa Neyens down for dinner and ice cream. Jonathan requested pizza which made that part pretty easy. Mike was late coming home from work but made it in time to help the boys complete the “quest” I had planned. Jonathan got a paper with specific instructions that he had to read out loud and off they went on their mission. They started out by painting blob monsters by blowing finger paint through straws and adding crafty eyes that stick on. They each had to pop six bubbles. Next, they had to rescue some Lego guys that had been frozen in ice. Since it was already dark, they did this in the bathtub by spraying them with water guns and breaking the ice with a wooden hammer. Next, they had to get their capes by getting across the livingroom covered with lasers (string). They decorated some R2D2 robots and saved Princess Gracie from the monsters (we had previously painted) by hopping on pillows over the carpet which was hot lava. Finally, they had to shoot helium balloons with nurfball sling shots and decode the secret message saying that the cake and presents were on the table in the kitchen. Grandpa and Grandma D. gave him a very fun rocket ship alarm clock, kid’s camera and science kit that are much loved and perfect for him. Grandpa and Grandma Neyens gave him a little camouflage bag sewn just for him with Grandpa’s old plastic soldiers from when he was a kid. Mike and I gave him a telescope and some building toys called zoobs. During his little “quest” he said, “This is the best birthday ever” so I guess that means he had a great day.
2.14.2012
Valentine's Day
I love Valentine's Day. It has always been one of my favorite holidays. We had pancakes, strawberries and whipped cream for breakfast which made Jonathan’s morning. Mike and I wrote "love letters" to the kids and they each got a little educational book type present and a Kit Kat bar. Gracie got a My Little Pony book which James has really enjoyed. Grandpa and Grandma D. also sent little Snoopy themed Valentines. There are few things as fun as getting something in the mail when you are a kid.
Before I forget to record it, I'll write about Gracie on Sunday. I was making all the last-minute preparations for my talk and couldn't have Gracie "helping" me on the computer so I locked myself in our room on Sunday morning and didn't let her in, despite her knocking. She eventually sat down with her back against the door, and sucked her thumb, waiting for me to come out. Mike mentioned she was just like a little puppy dog waiting there for me.
Her lucky Daddy got quite a few kisses from her this morning and of course can never leave without a hug and a kiss from James.
Before I forget to record it, I'll write about Gracie on Sunday. I was making all the last-minute preparations for my talk and couldn't have Gracie "helping" me on the computer so I locked myself in our room on Sunday morning and didn't let her in, despite her knocking. She eventually sat down with her back against the door, and sucked her thumb, waiting for me to come out. Mike mentioned she was just like a little puppy dog waiting there for me.
Her lucky Daddy got quite a few kisses from her this morning and of course can never leave without a hug and a kiss from James.
2.11.2012
After getting Gracie in bed for nap, I took advantage of the chance to finally run an errand or two without the munchkins. I received two phone calls during my outing. One was from Jonathan followed by ones from James both asking that I come home as quickly as possible since their bouncy balls were in the car.
Mike has been busy all day with schoolwork so when he was finally available after dinner tonight, the boys requested that we play Heads up 7-Up, and wrestle. Heads Up 7-Up was enjoyable although we need more people and Gracie decided she would help by touching thumbs as well. When it was time to wrestle, I sat on the couch and folded laundry. Jonathan and James both took their shirts off (somehow they got the idea that this makes them look “tough”) and wrestled each other, Michael and Gracie. They are pretty good at being soft with Gracie when they tackle and she likes running toward them and Mike and getting big hugs. It was quite the intense wrestling match. The boys had to take breaks to get wet washcloths to keep them cool since they were working up such a sweat.
I was quite proud of myself on Friday because I made a cute robot Valentine box for Jonathan and a teacher Valentine with play dough, sharpies, smarties and bubbles in a Mason jar with a note for his teacher:
Even “doh” I usually like to “play”, thank you for helping me become a “sharpie” and a “smartie”. I hope you have a “bubbly” nice Valentine’s Day!
Jonathan
His teacher said he had written an amazing story about going to the dentist describing pressing the button on the elevator and going to the third floor and lots of other details from visiting the dentist. She mentioned that he had also read a chapter book to the entire class! I thought Jonathan would be happy to talk to me about all of this but it was all I could get out of him to find out that the book he read to the class was, Gilbert the Surfer Dude. He explained that Gilbert in the book, had a sister named "Wily". "Wily?" "Wily, with an L." We need to work on the L sound some more.
As we were getting into the car Jonathan said, “Mom, you’re talking to me like I’m three!” OK, Mr. grown up 5 year-old, almost 6. Tonight I was telling James about what he was like as a baby and he replied, “Mom, your being so mean. I’m not a baby!” Of course, he was sucking his thumb at the time and Mike pointed out that babies suck their thumbs. He replied that “sometimes big kids suck their thumbs too.”
Mike has been busy all day with schoolwork so when he was finally available after dinner tonight, the boys requested that we play Heads up 7-Up, and wrestle. Heads Up 7-Up was enjoyable although we need more people and Gracie decided she would help by touching thumbs as well. When it was time to wrestle, I sat on the couch and folded laundry. Jonathan and James both took their shirts off (somehow they got the idea that this makes them look “tough”) and wrestled each other, Michael and Gracie. They are pretty good at being soft with Gracie when they tackle and she likes running toward them and Mike and getting big hugs. It was quite the intense wrestling match. The boys had to take breaks to get wet washcloths to keep them cool since they were working up such a sweat.
I was quite proud of myself on Friday because I made a cute robot Valentine box for Jonathan and a teacher Valentine with play dough, sharpies, smarties and bubbles in a Mason jar with a note for his teacher:
Even “doh” I usually like to “play”, thank you for helping me become a “sharpie” and a “smartie”. I hope you have a “bubbly” nice Valentine’s Day!
Jonathan
His teacher said he had written an amazing story about going to the dentist describing pressing the button on the elevator and going to the third floor and lots of other details from visiting the dentist. She mentioned that he had also read a chapter book to the entire class! I thought Jonathan would be happy to talk to me about all of this but it was all I could get out of him to find out that the book he read to the class was, Gilbert the Surfer Dude. He explained that Gilbert in the book, had a sister named "Wily". "Wily?" "Wily, with an L." We need to work on the L sound some more.
As we were getting into the car Jonathan said, “Mom, you’re talking to me like I’m three!” OK, Mr. grown up 5 year-old, almost 6. Tonight I was telling James about what he was like as a baby and he replied, “Mom, your being so mean. I’m not a baby!” Of course, he was sucking his thumb at the time and Mike pointed out that babies suck their thumbs. He replied that “sometimes big kids suck their thumbs too.”
2.08.2012
The boys had dental check-ups. No cavities, yay. The dentist asked James if he sucks his thumb and he said, “Not anymore because I’m a big boy”. I’ll have to remind him of that at bedtime.
He helped me make pancakes and my bed this morning as well as clean the house. He’s my little helper and says he likes “serving me”. I guess I can’t beat that.
He helped me make pancakes and my bed this morning as well as clean the house. He’s my little helper and says he likes “serving me”. I guess I can’t beat that.
2.07.2012
Another trip to Costco being serenaded with Jesus Wants me For a Sunbeam. All these couples that choose puppies over kids just don’t know what they're missing.
A girl from Jonathan’s class at school showed up at his karate class on Friday night. Mike says Jonathan just stood a few feet from her smiling and waving until she finally noticed him. They were good buds during karate. Mike mentioned that there was a lady there with a new baby. Her dad and sister were there to help her out and see if she needed anything. I'm jealous.
FHE last night. Gracie fell off her chair which was scary since she hasn’t quite grasped the idea of “bum on the chair”, and the boys sure seem to be able to move quite a bit and somehow still keep their bums on the chair. Mike was talking about The Family: A Proclamation to the Wold and they continually jumped up and gave us hugs throughout the lesson. Jonathan told us he was “plants and pets” at school yesterday as if we should know what that means. I hope he did a good job.
After swim class yesterday, James growled because he was cold. I said, “Hey, are you a little tiger, or a little boy?” He decided he was a little tiger.
A girl from Jonathan’s class at school showed up at his karate class on Friday night. Mike says Jonathan just stood a few feet from her smiling and waving until she finally noticed him. They were good buds during karate. Mike mentioned that there was a lady there with a new baby. Her dad and sister were there to help her out and see if she needed anything. I'm jealous.
FHE last night. Gracie fell off her chair which was scary since she hasn’t quite grasped the idea of “bum on the chair”, and the boys sure seem to be able to move quite a bit and somehow still keep their bums on the chair. Mike was talking about The Family: A Proclamation to the Wold and they continually jumped up and gave us hugs throughout the lesson. Jonathan told us he was “plants and pets” at school yesterday as if we should know what that means. I hope he did a good job.
After swim class yesterday, James growled because he was cold. I said, “Hey, are you a little tiger, or a little boy?” He decided he was a little tiger.
2.01.2012
If people at the park or Costco ever wonder if we are LDS, they are sure to know once they hear James singing, Give Said the Little Stream and Nephi's Courage.
We had FHE last night rather than Monday since Mike had been working late on Monday. Anyway, I was excited because I had planned a fun lesson and game so it was actually planned out ahead of time, yay. One of the ideas is that the kids can choose sticks with pictures that say "Sing like a Mouse" or "Sing like a Lion", a robot and so forth. Part way through the songs Gracie started to attack Jonathan with hugs and kisses. He obviously enjoyed it although he tried pushing her off to no avail yelling, "ahh, Get her away from me!"
We had FHE last night rather than Monday since Mike had been working late on Monday. Anyway, I was excited because I had planned a fun lesson and game so it was actually planned out ahead of time, yay. One of the ideas is that the kids can choose sticks with pictures that say "Sing like a Mouse" or "Sing like a Lion", a robot and so forth. Part way through the songs Gracie started to attack Jonathan with hugs and kisses. He obviously enjoyed it although he tried pushing her off to no avail yelling, "ahh, Get her away from me!"
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