Monday, August 29, 2011
Soccer
Saturday John had his first soccer practice. I was a little worried. We signed him up without his permission thinking it was time for him to start something that involved team and activity. He doesn't usually participate in activity type things because he doesn't like to be told what to do. He'd rather "free play", a.k.a do his own thing. We've talked it up big, and...he had a blast! He ran right out on the field, did just what the coach asked, and smiled a lot! The first thing they did was play red light-green light. The coach said to keep the ball close, so John moved at snail pace, dribbling the ball only a couple inches with each kick, but by golly he kept that ball close. With a little sideline instruction, he started running and did pretty well. He got to take his turn to kick a goal, which he enjoyed, and then got stuck in the boring goal for the scrimmage at which time he decided he was tired and hot. BUT, overall he had a great time! I was so proud of him for trying.
TMI!
Saturday night I went to pick Eve up from her class at church. I said, "Can you tell your teachers 'Thank you'?" She replied, "I tell my teachers I went pee pee in the woods!" She was so proud. The teacher nodded, confirming she had, in fact, told them that. She was right. Earlier in the day we had gone with some friends to launch rockets in a school parking lot. She needed to go, and all we had were some trees to use, so Eve had her first "natural" experience. I made a big deal about it being cool so she wouldn't be scared an not able to go. I guess that backfired on me :)
Friday, August 26, 2011
NASCAR Baby
I so wish I had a camera at the time, but such is life. At any rate, over and over I'm seeing that Ellie is destined to be a NASCAR driver, or at least some sort of driver. One day through miscommunication, we left the door out to the garage open (before you call DSS, Buck was just getting something from the car so he wasn't far off). Ellie snuck outside and we found her in her little Cozy Coupe car. She has loved that thing for quite some time and screams if anyone else gets near it. Every time we let her walk outside rather than being carried, she walks directly to that car rather than the van. At G.G.'s camp, she immediately found the old ride-on truck in her back yard. One day when we were cleaning out the van, she managed to climb into the van and into the driver's seat, where we found her turning the wheel and adjusting everything. Not so out of the ordinary, except that it's ALL the time. But for our most recent and most fun story, a few days ago we found her driving Mom's sewing table. Mom has an old sewing table for a manual machine. Although the sewing machine is no longer, the rocking pedal and wheel used to operate the machine are permanantly affixed to the table. I remember enjoying playing with it when I was little. At any rate, Ellie was sitting sideways on the pedal using the wheel as a steering wheel, rocking herself left and right. It was so cute!
Moments of Fear
There are certain things kids say that give you a momentary panic. Like when John used to ask, "Where's baby Eve?" when we were in the car and she was, as far as I knew, in the back seat with him. Or sometimes, and unfortunately I can't think of any right now, it's something you just have to dig deeper or clarify a definition.
So, today in the car Eve said, "Mom, I wish God could make me a boy." What?! So I paused a minute and said, "Don't you like being a girl?" "no". So I paused a minute and said, "Why do you want to be a boy?" "So I can sit in a booster seat like John and buckle and unbuckle myself." WHEW! That we can handle with another year and a few more pounds. I explained that to her. She's happy to be a girl again, but not happy to be 3 and still in a car seat. Silly girl.
So, today in the car Eve said, "Mom, I wish God could make me a boy." What?! So I paused a minute and said, "Don't you like being a girl?" "no". So I paused a minute and said, "Why do you want to be a boy?" "So I can sit in a booster seat like John and buckle and unbuckle myself." WHEW! That we can handle with another year and a few more pounds. I explained that to her. She's happy to be a girl again, but not happy to be 3 and still in a car seat. Silly girl.
Milestones
If I had it to do all over again, I wouldn't have chosen John's birthday right at the start of school. Emotionally it's a double whammy!
John had a great time on his birthday. We woke him up to open presents before Daddy left for work. At first he wanted to sleep some more, but a few minutes passed and the word "presents" finally made it through his sleepy head. He was so excited about his Finn McMisslie car, chinook helicopter, and Star Wars action figures (Buck was pretty excited about them all too). We went to Krispy Kreme for breakfast, were able to talk to lots of family on Skype, which was lots of fun, and ended the day with a pool party with lots of friends. John had a really great time. I can't believe he's 5!!! He's still really excited about all his new toys and I'm having trouble getting him to do much of anything else. He hasn't even been asking to watch TV!
Yesterday we went to the doctor for his well visit. He's 46 inches tall (85th percentile) and 48 pounds (92nd percentile). He did vision and hearing tests for the first time and did a great job. He was so brave, even knowing he'd probably get a finger stick, until I decided to go ahead and get flu shots for all 3. John went first and was cool until I hugged him to lay down. Then he lost it and was very tense when he got the shot, so he limped all day yesterday. I think he's recovered now. Eve whimpered a little, but then was fine and was even asking why John was crying. After all that drama, while John was still screaming, it was time to prick his finger. Needless to say, it took him a while to recover, but still I'd say he did a good job.
Seems like with each age it's harder to give a description. John is very inquisitive, likes to figure things out on his own, loves working puzzles (and is quite good at it), is very good at following lego diagrams to put legos together, likes all the colors of the rainbow, would rather play or watch fun TV than go to school or wherever we're headed (but always ends up having a good time). He's very sensitive in a good way. The other night it was near the anniversary of Daddy's death, so I was crying when I said their prayers and I talked with them about Papa a bit. The next morning while John was eating or playing with something he asked me, "Mom, are you still missing Papa?" He's just really a sweet kid. He loves his sisters. He's rough with them, but really really loves them and plays well with them...sort of. He's still very strong willed, and gives up on most things easily if he's frustrated, but if it's something he's decided to finish, that strong will really works to his advantage. He likes to talk to everyone and tell them everything. He enjoys practicing being friendly mostly by complimenting their clothing. He's also been very consistent with thanking people for things, in such a manner that it's almost like he's practicing. He makes sure to thank me for making supper and thank Daddy for working hard to make the money to pay for supper. He can be rough and selfish, and sometimes have a bad attitude (like the rest of us), but for the most part people talk about what a sweet kid he is. Smart and thoughtful. He also really enjoys imagining and is really creative. So many things I love about this little boy!
And one last milestone, today was Meet the Teacher. John met his Kindergarten (gulp) teachers, Mrs. Storch and Mrs. Howell, and Eve met her pre-school teachers, Mrs. Douglass and Mrs. Gray. Eve was so excited that as soon as we walked in the door she gave me a quick hug and kiss and ran in. I had to explain to her that school doesn't actually start until Monday and we were just coming in to meet her teachers. I'd say she's ready. I think they're both going to have a great year.
John had a great time on his birthday. We woke him up to open presents before Daddy left for work. At first he wanted to sleep some more, but a few minutes passed and the word "presents" finally made it through his sleepy head. He was so excited about his Finn McMisslie car, chinook helicopter, and Star Wars action figures (Buck was pretty excited about them all too). We went to Krispy Kreme for breakfast, were able to talk to lots of family on Skype, which was lots of fun, and ended the day with a pool party with lots of friends. John had a really great time. I can't believe he's 5!!! He's still really excited about all his new toys and I'm having trouble getting him to do much of anything else. He hasn't even been asking to watch TV!
Yesterday we went to the doctor for his well visit. He's 46 inches tall (85th percentile) and 48 pounds (92nd percentile). He did vision and hearing tests for the first time and did a great job. He was so brave, even knowing he'd probably get a finger stick, until I decided to go ahead and get flu shots for all 3. John went first and was cool until I hugged him to lay down. Then he lost it and was very tense when he got the shot, so he limped all day yesterday. I think he's recovered now. Eve whimpered a little, but then was fine and was even asking why John was crying. After all that drama, while John was still screaming, it was time to prick his finger. Needless to say, it took him a while to recover, but still I'd say he did a good job.
Seems like with each age it's harder to give a description. John is very inquisitive, likes to figure things out on his own, loves working puzzles (and is quite good at it), is very good at following lego diagrams to put legos together, likes all the colors of the rainbow, would rather play or watch fun TV than go to school or wherever we're headed (but always ends up having a good time). He's very sensitive in a good way. The other night it was near the anniversary of Daddy's death, so I was crying when I said their prayers and I talked with them about Papa a bit. The next morning while John was eating or playing with something he asked me, "Mom, are you still missing Papa?" He's just really a sweet kid. He loves his sisters. He's rough with them, but really really loves them and plays well with them...sort of. He's still very strong willed, and gives up on most things easily if he's frustrated, but if it's something he's decided to finish, that strong will really works to his advantage. He likes to talk to everyone and tell them everything. He enjoys practicing being friendly mostly by complimenting their clothing. He's also been very consistent with thanking people for things, in such a manner that it's almost like he's practicing. He makes sure to thank me for making supper and thank Daddy for working hard to make the money to pay for supper. He can be rough and selfish, and sometimes have a bad attitude (like the rest of us), but for the most part people talk about what a sweet kid he is. Smart and thoughtful. He also really enjoys imagining and is really creative. So many things I love about this little boy!
And one last milestone, today was Meet the Teacher. John met his Kindergarten (gulp) teachers, Mrs. Storch and Mrs. Howell, and Eve met her pre-school teachers, Mrs. Douglass and Mrs. Gray. Eve was so excited that as soon as we walked in the door she gave me a quick hug and kiss and ran in. I had to explain to her that school doesn't actually start until Monday and we were just coming in to meet her teachers. I'd say she's ready. I think they're both going to have a great year.
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Time Flies!
I realize it's been a few weeks since I've posted (minus the head start from last night). Time flies when you're having fun. I feel like I've left a lot of little funny things out and just should've sat down while they were fresh on the brain. New computer and software means I need time to sit down and figure out how to get pictures properly placed on the blog. So, without the fun of pictures...at least for now, here are some things I've missed (in mixed up "Katie's brain" order).
Ellie reached the 15 month mark! She's a trip! She's all over the place now and is so proud to now be able to climb into the kitchen chairs. Unfortunately she hasn't learned to pull them out from the table first, so sometimes she gets stuck on her belly with nowhere to go until someone comes and pulls the chair out for her. She loves to sit there and just swing her feet...for a really long time. Now, I'm no spring chicken. I know good and well the table is the next place I'll find her. One day last week she randomly started walking around flapping her arms and saying "bock bock" like a chicken. I'm pretty sure it's from TV, but it's the closest she's gotten to a word, or properly identifying something (she's certainly on the back side of the verbal curve), so it was fun to see! With football looming on the horizon, though, we set hard at work to teach her what a tiger says. By the end of the day she had learned to put her hands up near her face and say "ROAR!!!"...well, maybe more like a quiet "ahh", but it's really cute. "Shh" was her technical first, also super cute. In fact, John has started a new game of pretending we're spies. To date, it's my very favorite game. Everyone sneaks around super quiet. We were at Mom's yesterday and Mom and John started sneaking like spies down the hall. The didn't realize it, but Ellie followed close behind saying "Shhhh" with her finger to her lips. Looks like we might be on the cusp of the verbal explosion, which is so fun! For 15 month stats, head 18.25 in (69 percentile), weight 23 lb. 13 oz (82 percentile), and length 30 in (30 percentile). Ouch. She doesn't look that disproportionate to me. I think all the other kids are just too tall and skinny!
Last week we spent a few days down in Albany, GA visiting G.G. (my grandmother, their Great Grandma). We also got to see Aunt Patty and Uncle Don, which is also always a treat. Growing up I used to spend a week in the summer with Grandma and all the cousins at Grandma's camp. Even at 93, she's an amazing person and managed to put together a little G.G.'s camp for them! They had so much fun. They colored t-shirts, went fishing in the tiny (maybe 2-ft. diameter) "pond" on G.G.'s front porch, pledged the flag, worked lots of puzzles, had a campfire at the end of the day, and most importantly obeyed the one rule at G.G.'s camp...EAT DESSERT FIRST! We told John about that rule and he was very suspicious at first. He paused a minute, gave me a wierd look, and said, "You're joking, right?" It was hilarious. It was so good to see her and we had a fantastic visit. After we got back, Eve was pretending she was camping. When I called her to dinner she told me about her pretending and said, "I roasted marshmallows. I ate dessert first."
Eve has started learning some things at church (despite the fact they've been teaching her stories and such for a year now). She is now able to quote her memory verse. Also, we were talking about the fruits of the Spirit (John's lesson). In review I asked, what's the first fruit? "Love. An the second one is The Big Bad Wolf." Through a little clerical mix-up, she's listed on the door as one of the teachers. They're in for quite a year! Who knows what they'll learn.
Eve is super excited about school! (or gsool as she pronounces it). She can hardly contain herself. Meet the teacher is Friday. I think it's about time I start praying for her teachers :) She's going to have a ball, and she's really ripe for learning. She's really sharp and has learned a lot over the summer that I have no idea where it came from. She's pretty good with most of her shapes and has even learned some letters and numbers, and can sort of write her name.
John says he's excited about school, but I think that's more because he thinks he's supposed to say that. I sure am going to miss him when he's gone every day until TWO! What he really is excited about, though, is soccer. He has his first practice this Saturday. He didn't ask to play, but we felt like it was a good time to get him involved in something that teaches teamwork and physical activity. So, we'll give it a shot. He put on his shin guards and tall socks yesterday and said, "these are like boy tights." That will embarass him one day. For the rest of the day he ran around with the shin guards around his biceps, socks pulled up on his legs, and his sunglasses on. That's what a spy looks like, you know. Today is his last day of being 4. Yikes!
Ellie reached the 15 month mark! She's a trip! She's all over the place now and is so proud to now be able to climb into the kitchen chairs. Unfortunately she hasn't learned to pull them out from the table first, so sometimes she gets stuck on her belly with nowhere to go until someone comes and pulls the chair out for her. She loves to sit there and just swing her feet...for a really long time. Now, I'm no spring chicken. I know good and well the table is the next place I'll find her. One day last week she randomly started walking around flapping her arms and saying "bock bock" like a chicken. I'm pretty sure it's from TV, but it's the closest she's gotten to a word, or properly identifying something (she's certainly on the back side of the verbal curve), so it was fun to see! With football looming on the horizon, though, we set hard at work to teach her what a tiger says. By the end of the day she had learned to put her hands up near her face and say "ROAR!!!"...well, maybe more like a quiet "ahh", but it's really cute. "Shh" was her technical first, also super cute. In fact, John has started a new game of pretending we're spies. To date, it's my very favorite game. Everyone sneaks around super quiet. We were at Mom's yesterday and Mom and John started sneaking like spies down the hall. The didn't realize it, but Ellie followed close behind saying "Shhhh" with her finger to her lips. Looks like we might be on the cusp of the verbal explosion, which is so fun! For 15 month stats, head 18.25 in (69 percentile), weight 23 lb. 13 oz (82 percentile), and length 30 in (30 percentile). Ouch. She doesn't look that disproportionate to me. I think all the other kids are just too tall and skinny!
Last week we spent a few days down in Albany, GA visiting G.G. (my grandmother, their Great Grandma). We also got to see Aunt Patty and Uncle Don, which is also always a treat. Growing up I used to spend a week in the summer with Grandma and all the cousins at Grandma's camp. Even at 93, she's an amazing person and managed to put together a little G.G.'s camp for them! They had so much fun. They colored t-shirts, went fishing in the tiny (maybe 2-ft. diameter) "pond" on G.G.'s front porch, pledged the flag, worked lots of puzzles, had a campfire at the end of the day, and most importantly obeyed the one rule at G.G.'s camp...EAT DESSERT FIRST! We told John about that rule and he was very suspicious at first. He paused a minute, gave me a wierd look, and said, "You're joking, right?" It was hilarious. It was so good to see her and we had a fantastic visit. After we got back, Eve was pretending she was camping. When I called her to dinner she told me about her pretending and said, "I roasted marshmallows. I ate dessert first."
Eve has started learning some things at church (despite the fact they've been teaching her stories and such for a year now). She is now able to quote her memory verse. Also, we were talking about the fruits of the Spirit (John's lesson). In review I asked, what's the first fruit? "Love. An the second one is The Big Bad Wolf." Through a little clerical mix-up, she's listed on the door as one of the teachers. They're in for quite a year! Who knows what they'll learn.
Eve is super excited about school! (or gsool as she pronounces it). She can hardly contain herself. Meet the teacher is Friday. I think it's about time I start praying for her teachers :) She's going to have a ball, and she's really ripe for learning. She's really sharp and has learned a lot over the summer that I have no idea where it came from. She's pretty good with most of her shapes and has even learned some letters and numbers, and can sort of write her name.
John says he's excited about school, but I think that's more because he thinks he's supposed to say that. I sure am going to miss him when he's gone every day until TWO! What he really is excited about, though, is soccer. He has his first practice this Saturday. He didn't ask to play, but we felt like it was a good time to get him involved in something that teaches teamwork and physical activity. So, we'll give it a shot. He put on his shin guards and tall socks yesterday and said, "these are like boy tights." That will embarass him one day. For the rest of the day he ran around with the shin guards around his biceps, socks pulled up on his legs, and his sunglasses on. That's what a spy looks like, you know. Today is his last day of being 4. Yikes!
Monday, August 22, 2011
Creek Hike
I think I already mentioned our fun creek hike. There was lots of splashing and fun to be had!
Callie has certainly missed running through the creek.
The kids really enjoyed throwing sticks (and rocks) for Bo to fetch.
What a loving sister.
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Make No Mistake
John is 100% Buck's child. He's so excited that Grandma is coming over for a play date tonight. While he was in the playroom for naptime (sounds crazy, but it's what works these days) he came out and asked if I could find his Optimus Prime costume. "I want to dress nicely for Grandma when she comes over." I have always made fun of Buck. He may have limited fashion sense (not that I've got any myself), but he'll put a lot of thought into which t-shirt he should wear to a football game or the Greenville Pickens Speedway. Not necessarily what will look best, but what will be the most awesome. Looks like John is following closely in his footsteps.
In other news...still enjoying our fun summer. Last Thursday we drove (minus Buck, sad) to Folly Beach in Charleston with Mom. Mom's brother Barney and family (Aunt Jackie, Cousins Matt (Emily), Kerry, Suzanne, and Kristen (Eric), and Grandkids Sam, Caroline, Cameron, Allison, Sarah, Haylin, Addison, Ryan and Amelia...WHEW!) were there for the week. Most I hadn't seen since Kristin's wedding just 2 weeks after ours, and most of the kids I'd never met! It was such a treat to see them and play with them for the day. It just so happened the house they rented is just 100 yards or so from where Mom and Barney's beach house growing up was. They spend summers there riding their horses. Very neat. Anyway, we had a great time, but unfortunately I didn't come away with any great pictures. John was very sad to leave. He had a particularly great time with Sam, the oldest of the kids. Ellie was in a great mood while we were on the beach and couldn't get enough of the waves!
This weekend we took the dogs down to the creek at the bottom of the neighborhood. Poor dogs have been so neglected. They don't behave beautifully on a leash, and with kids in tow, it's been probably a few years since they've gotten to run free in the creek. The kids all creek hiked with their suits on, and we all had a blast!
Yesterday evening we shyed away from the pool because we thought a storm was coming in. Since I had been promising it all day and they already had their suits on, we went outside to play in the sprinklers and the rain (which never came). When Buck came home from running, he did some calisthenics with the kids (they can earn extra TV time by exercising), which was hilarious, and a fantastic game of red light/green light with a twist. Hopefully I can post some of those pictures and videos. Did you know "blue light" means dance?
In other news...still enjoying our fun summer. Last Thursday we drove (minus Buck, sad) to Folly Beach in Charleston with Mom. Mom's brother Barney and family (Aunt Jackie, Cousins Matt (Emily), Kerry, Suzanne, and Kristen (Eric), and Grandkids Sam, Caroline, Cameron, Allison, Sarah, Haylin, Addison, Ryan and Amelia...WHEW!) were there for the week. Most I hadn't seen since Kristin's wedding just 2 weeks after ours, and most of the kids I'd never met! It was such a treat to see them and play with them for the day. It just so happened the house they rented is just 100 yards or so from where Mom and Barney's beach house growing up was. They spend summers there riding their horses. Very neat. Anyway, we had a great time, but unfortunately I didn't come away with any great pictures. John was very sad to leave. He had a particularly great time with Sam, the oldest of the kids. Ellie was in a great mood while we were on the beach and couldn't get enough of the waves!
This weekend we took the dogs down to the creek at the bottom of the neighborhood. Poor dogs have been so neglected. They don't behave beautifully on a leash, and with kids in tow, it's been probably a few years since they've gotten to run free in the creek. The kids all creek hiked with their suits on, and we all had a blast!
Yesterday evening we shyed away from the pool because we thought a storm was coming in. Since I had been promising it all day and they already had their suits on, we went outside to play in the sprinklers and the rain (which never came). When Buck came home from running, he did some calisthenics with the kids (they can earn extra TV time by exercising), which was hilarious, and a fantastic game of red light/green light with a twist. Hopefully I can post some of those pictures and videos. Did you know "blue light" means dance?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)