March 2011

Yay, it has been awhile since I have posted. Life gets crazy.

Here is a quick update:

Jake just finished his Mites hockey season. He is fast, so look out! He has been doing some "work", print and commercial. He thinks its pretty cool. And he is banking some cash!

Sydney is loving Kindergarten, and is very proud of how well she is reading. She is making some great friends. Sydney has enjoyed being a "Daisy" this year, and sold girl scout cookies for her troop. She just started up swim lessons again.

Regan is LOVING farm school this year. And really loves her alone time with "just me", and she refers to it. She has told me several times she doesn't want to get big and grow up. Regan continues to be the silly one in the family, and is always caring for her dollies.

Did I post we got a puppy? Last fall. He is cute, but I wish the potty training and chewing would end soon. I kind of forgot how much work puppies are, but boy are they cute!

Loving Summer

Gosh, I've been loving summer with the kids. Nice to have all the kids home. We got a new playset, that the kids have absolutely been loving! Regan likes the swings and slide best. Jake has taught Sydney how to "skip" on the monkey bars, and Sydney wants to show anyone that will watch. She is so proud of herself. We had a party for Jake's 7th birthday, and got an updated family picture courtesy of my sister Amy. Jake is playing TBall. He can really crack the ball, and loves to run the bases. He is not real sure if he likes the outfield, or waiting around on the sidelines...but he has fun with it :) The TBall team and families are great. Fun way to spend Friday nights.Sydney had her gymnastics show, and was very excited to show us all her new skills. Ms. Donna brought Sydney her very own flowers, which made Sydney feel so special! Thanks Donna!
Oh, and Regan is offically potty-trained! She loves being a "big girl" and thinks all of the underwear choices are great! Dora is obviously her favorite. But anything that sparkles comes in a close second.
I have lots more updates from this spring, which has been a very busy one....explaining my blogging absence. More on those things later.

My Little Man is 7!

More Stitches....

Somehow Jacob split open the back of his had on the wood trim here at home.....No idea how he managed to do that. 6 stitches. But apparently the urgent care doc said he can play hockey tomorrow night...

He is looking super pleased....poor little guy!

Best Buddies!!!

In Jacob's kindergarten class his teacher asked these questions, and this is what he replied...

1.) At school I like to play with...Sam, West, TJ, and every boy in class.

2.) My favorite free choice activity is.... I like them all.

3.) My favorite part of the day is....being by my friend Nick (Pictured above)

4.) I want to learn...how to read.

These two have been around each other since they both could walk. They are best buddies!

Minus 1

Jacob lost his first tooth. He came walking up to the house with a funny look on his face. And he announced that he lost a tooth at school. (it was news to me that there was even a loose one).

He said he was eating an apple, it got loose, and he twisted it, and pulled it out. He said this all so matter of fact-ly. It was funny. He was very pleased that the Tooth Fairy was going to visit our house for the first time.

First Days of School for Jacob and Sydney

The bus arriving after the 1st day of school. The bus stop has LOTS of kids at it each day!

Regan was so excited that Jacob was home from school!

Sydney feeding the baby calf, Tie-Dye. She was very glad to be back on the Farm at Preschool.
Sydney's first full morning of preschool. Regan wanted to stay with her. Next year she'll be old enough :)

Ouch!

This kind of sums up my night tonight....
I overhear Jake muttering to himself, "Having parents sucks!" (while sitting in a time-out)
Nice! He is 6. Awesome!
No idea where he learned the word "sucks". Not from me...I really don't like that word, it is gross.
Jake and I had a nice long talk about respect, and who is the parent, who is in charge, etc....
Tomorrow is a new day!

One a different note, school is going great for Jake. He really likes his new school and class. He has a wonderful teacher. Personally, I think anyone who can teach 20 kindergartners at a time is a saint! Sydney has her first day of preschool tomorrow. She is SO excited!

Jacob's First Day!

Jacob is off to his first day of full day, five day a week kindergarten! He is excited and I think a little nervous. He'll make lots of new friends! We missed the bus though. It came early, about 5 minutes. I've never heard of a bus being early, especially on the first day. Normally they run a little behind on the first day. Oh well, the school is close to our house. So we all jumped in the car. It was cute, when he opened the car door and jumped out about 3 kids said "Hey Jacob"! They were all excited to see him, and off he went! My little buddy. Kind of a bittersweet day...

Jacob goes to Camp Warren

Jake was so excited to go to Camp Warren for the first time! He told me, "Mom, I really want to go on my own vacation with other kids for a week. Really, I've always wanted to go on vacation." I am guessing he overheard me in my conversations while I was trying to decide if I should send him this summer or wait until next summer. I wasn't concerned whether or not he'd be homesick; because I knew he wouldn't be. I didn't plan on seeing anything I sent with him again. When we arrived at the bus, we was ready to get on. Had I not stopped to him and asked for a hug, I don't think I would have gotten one. He was so excited!!!! I knew he'd have an absolute blast; I spent 9 summers when I was a kid at this very same camp. And now one of the girls I used to go to camp with is the director. She assured me he was ready....so I let him go for a week, in good hands!

He came home with a big hug for me; and had all kinds of stories to tell. I later learned from some staff that he was the YOUNGEST camper all summer. He was a staff favorite, and many of the older campers took him under their wings. He has such a fun and easy going personality! Yah Jake! You did it!!!

Happy 6th Jacob!

Really, Jacob you are 6! Wow! Over the past year, Jake has grown and matured a lot. He is amazing with Regan, douting on her really. He is always checking on her to make sure she is happy, and has what she needs. Jake is always wondering what Papa is doing next door. Jacob is really excited to put his new fishing pole to work this summer! Grandpa Doug, we'll be up to visit soon, and you can teach him the ropes again.

Swimmers....

Year 2 of Level 1 swim classes has come to a close. I shouldn't say "year" maybe more like session. Sydney doesn't like going because she doesn't want to get her face wet....She is the front of the line in the picture below, Jake is happily smiling in the middle...

Jacob loves it, and has improved a lot and will even put his face under water (as long as he has goggles on) The teachers did a "train" to end the session, it was cute. The kids loved it!!

Jake is ready for more swimming classes, Sydney needs a break.

The Biggest Shooter...

Jacob: I think I'm going to be a police officer or a soldier when I grow up. Whichever you get a bigger shooter..

Me: just listening.

Jacob: Actually, probably a police officer because I don't want to die. A lot of soldiers get killed.

I wasn't too sure how to respond to that one. We have never talked about soldiers. I led the conversation to what police officers do to protect people and why they have guns, etc.

Jake has been full of all kinds of get ideas lately. He is thinking things threw on a higher level and suddenly seems so much more mature. He is a joy to be around!!!

WhirlWind 24

The last 24 hours have been crazy...

• Worked out at the gym; Core Conditioning.
• Jake gets his eye poked, off to urgent care he goes. He came home looking like a pirate and miserable.
• Couples Group Christmas get together w/ all the kids...Fun!
• Drop Jake at school, and explain to his teacher what happened, and that he didn't want to miss the classroom Christmas party, but that he was pretty miserable.
• Dropped Sydney at School
• Dave Dr. Appt
• Return at Kohls
• Dropped Dave at the gym so he can get a quick workout in before he is down for the count for a few days.
• Embarassing attempt to purchase my MIL a Christmas gift, and realized I'd been driving around all day with no wallet in my purse...ggrrrr. (After my purchase was boxed, bagged and ready to go)
• Picked up Sydney from School.
• Picked Dave back up and dropped him at the hospital for his repeat surgery...this time it should work, right!
• Came home, and got the girls down for their nap. I cleaned.
• Picked up Jake early from school to take him to the Dr. to have his eye looked by his primary Dr. (Sydney & Regan are along of course)
• Jake's right eye now has TWO visible scratches (after dye and black-light) During this process Sydney has to go potty, really really bad. Dr. waits w/ Jake and Regan while I bring her...
• Jake'e eye should be all better w/in 72 hours!!!! Seriously. But atleast it is not infected, and will heal.
• Visit Dave (all went well), the discharge nurse explains the important details to me while I try to keep all the kids rained in, and from peeking into other peoples rooms. (I should have taken Jan up on her offer).
• Get the hungry kids to the car and pick up Dave at the front door.
• Pick-up dinner. Dave's Dad meets us in Woodbury and brings Dave home so he can have some peace and quiet. The kids were a little bit on the roudy side. Dave needs quiet so he can rest.
• Go to LTF to get my hair done, and let the kids play for awhile.
• Came home, and got all the munchkins to bed and helped my poor Davey!!

I am beat. Going to bed!

Christmas Service

Jake had his first Christmas program at school on Wednesday night. He was so excited!
He did fairly well, except for two things. First...He was pulling at his sweater vest, pulling it up, down and twisting it around. Nice...and he told me he really didn't want to wear it. Maybe I should have listened. Second, during the last song he placed both hands covering his ears, with his elbows straight out. And then the kid standing behind him started pulling on Jacob's arms, to get them down. Imagine a little tug a war with Jake's arms, luckily it was only for the last song :)
The program was so cute! I couldn't believe all the songs all the kindergarteners knew :)

Trick-or-Treat

The kids had a fun time trick or treating, and received way too much candy of course!

Jake was Mr. Incredible, Regan was a tulip fairy, and Sydney was cinderella of course :)

Political Opinions at age 5

Jake got off the bus after school yesterday and we had an interesting conversation.
He told me voted at school. (They've been learning about the candidates and election process)
We've haven't told him anything about the election or candidates, and the news is never on when the kids are up....their shows are :)



I asked him who he voted for. This was his response, "McCain, he is the only one who tells the truth..." I thought that was pretty interesting for a 5 year old. Then he proceeded to ask me if he could come along when I voted, because he knows a lot about voting. He also told me how many kids Obama and McCain both have, and other basic facts. I was pretty impressed, and think his school is doing a great job to teach kids so young about these things.

I just went and voted, and of course brought Jake and the girls along. I did tell him who I voted for, I hope it makes a difference.

The skates have hit the ice!

And some other things!! Jake has officially started hockey! Saturday was his first practice. He was so excited, as were we. It was so cute seeing him get all his gear on.

Jake along with a bunch of other 3-6 years got on the ice. Some clearly beginners. This was Jake's 3rd time ever on skates!!! It was SOO funny for us to watch at first. On Saturday, they kinda looked like a bunch of bowling pins, barely able to stand up. By Sundays practice all the kids were doing much better, and skating. Jake was SOO excited to be playing hockey. He had an absolute blast. Dave was able to skate as a "coach" on Sunday, which Jake really liked! It was a great weekend! Sydney, Regan and I had fun watching.

For any Stillwater people that might be wondering why the Woodbury jersey...it is only Termites. We fully expect that long term Jake will be skating in his hometown :)

The Bus has arrived

Monday was officially Jake's first day taking the bus. He was SOO thrilled, I was a little nervous. My little guy getting on a BIG bus!
He couldn't wait until the bus arrived! He was so excited. We all escorted him to the bus stop.
Off he went! He arrived safely, of course. I think some of my heart went with him on the bus yesterday morning. A sad moment for me, but so thrilling for him.

Jacob's 1st Day of School

Jacob was so excited for his first day at Salem. I was excited and nervous for him!
I wasn't sure how getting all three kids feed, dressed and out of the house by 8:15am would go. Once we get added to the bus route, he'll ride the bus.

All the kids were ready, so it was time to take the "picture". In the busyiness of getting everything ready the night/day before, I failed to recognize that the battery was dead in not just one, but in both cameras we own. I figured this out after I had all the kids in place on the front step. My phone! Duh, so I got one of Jake, and then tried to take one of all 3 kids together. It would have turned out so cute, too bad it is only in "video"...I wish I had spent more time learning how to use the camera/video feature on my phone!

We arrived in this classroom, and he quickly remembered where is coat hook was for his backpack. Then he went right over to his desk and sat down. I think he was a little nervous, because he was the only kid actually sitting at their desk during the arrival of all the kids :) Sydney and I have him a hug, and then he said, "Mom, you can go now." I couldn't believe it! But good for him. To me that meant he felt so comfortable, and ready, he didn't need my support.

After we dropped Jacob off, Sydney asked where Jake was going to eat lunch. I reminded her he'd be eating lunch with his class at school. She got really sad, and said, "But Mom, I'll miss him today." I thought that was so sweet and real!

When we picked up Jacob from school, he didn't even say hi to me. I think he was SOOO tired from the day he was just out of it. His teacher said he had a good day. Apparently the only thing worth mentioning to me was that he just got a little impatient when he wasn't called on right away. The teacher said that is pretty tyipcal when kids learn how a classroom runs. I think it is good that he was raising his hand, and wanting to contribute answers! He really likes his teacher and said he made a new friend. He loves school!