Achilles heel

Last week my sister April came to visit from Kansas.  We had lots of fun and decided to cross a few things off the kids summer "to do" list.  We went bowling.  Alexis had never been before so we thought it was the perfect activity on a crazy hot day.  Rebekah, my youngest sister was also visiting.  She claims to be the best at everything and is very proud of her skills.  I think we found her Achilles heel.  Or maybe it was like she lost all her strength and skills from getting her hair cut... Not sure... But to put it kindly... Timothy had a higher score than her.  April won the game.  Alexis did great for her first time. Rebekah did her best when the kids literally helped her roll the ball down the lane.  It was a great time followed by some arcade fun where Rebekah redeemed herself by winning a load of tickets for the kids.  Wishing family lived closer so we could hang out more often.

Dark side of "going green"

Homework assignment for the night:  Write each spelling word three times.

Today this conversation happened...
Me:  Why are you writing multiple spelling words on one line
Alexis:  To save space
Me:  Isn't that going to look messy and confusing?
Alexis:  Fine I'll erase it and start over
Me:  Don't erase it... just fix it moving forward.
Alexis freaks out and starts crying and acting erratic.
Me:  What is your problem!?
Alexis:  I can't waste space... It wastes paper.
Me:  I think we can afford to use a few extra lines of paper
Alexis:  We can't waste paper because it kills trees and then we won't have oxygen to breathe!

All I could do to refrain from screaming was roll my eyes.  I am so frustrated with the constant barrage of being "green"!  We recycle, we have a compost pile, we garden, we walk to school... I am sick of it!
Last night we had a family home evening about the creation of the earth and that we have a stewardship over it.  We also discussed how God said that the earth would always have plenty to provide for us.  We are his children and he will provide... just like we strive to provide for our own families.
I feel like our children, and us as well are being pushed into worshiping "Mother Earth" instead of God.  Everything we have to do is to protect Mother Earth and we are treated as consumers, sucking the earth dry.  I am struggling to keep ahead of this indoctrination   We worship God and are wise stewards of the Earth he has provided us.... THE END!  It is such a simple yet beautiful concept.  I will continue to be vigilant in teaching my children.  Days like today really make me reconsider home schooling.  Am I the only person who sees this?  Does anyone else have kids that are the household recycle patrol?  ARGH!

12 Month Review

I'm One!

Brooklyn is officially a year old.  I'm a few days late on this post, but I thought I better at least document.  Here are the 12 Month stats:
Weight - 21 lbs. 8 oz (55th percentile)
Height - 29.8 inches (75th percentile)
Head - 18.3 inches (80th percentile)

She is a healthy, chunky, cutie.  With crazy schedules we had to delay her birthday party, but we did do something small on her actual birthday.  I also just went and took some pictures of her at a year old.  I decided it would be fun to take the other kids and do some pictures of all of them together.  I made sure Timothy went to the bathroom before we went this time... after the epic failed attempt at Christmas pictures. I love how these turned out.
A few things about Brooklyn at a year old:
She hates to wear shoes.
She loves to be outside.  She has mastered the screen door and is working on the sliding glass door... anything to get outside to play.
She watches the baby gate on the stairs like a hawk.  If she is sprint crawling it is usually because the gate was left open.
She is a very picky eater.
She still has yet to sleep through the night.
She can say:   mama, dadda, night night, and hi
She likes to drop things on the floor for the joy of dropping something
She dances with her entire body... well except for her head which stays completely still
She loves the toy isle at the store and makes the funniest face with excitement for all the new sights and sounds things make
She is officially weaned!
She has taken a few steps but has yet to start walking
Her hair and face are always a mess.
She loves to smile
She conducts the music at church
She chews on rocks for fun
She can climb the slide and most other things
She grabs necklaces, glasses, and earrings.  Beware.
She loves to give hugs and kisses.
She is our little joy!
Enjoy.

She hates shoes...

A little sass after her haircut

Cutest little tongue!

Boys will be boys!

Yesterday I registered Timothy for kindergarten.  How did that happen?!  Today he turned 5 years old.  He was born in Tucson, in the same room I delivered Alexis.  He was born at 6:06 am and weighed 7 lbs  11 oz. He stepped on the scale today and is now a growing boy weighing in at 41 lbs.  He has been such a blessing in our home and life.  

When I found out we were having a boy I have to admit I was a bit scared.  I only had younger sisters, so I never took care of little boys.  I didn't know what to do with them and had heard horror stories of little boys becoming monsters.  Luckily we love this little monster.  He teaches me patience every day and some days more than others.  

Boys are definitely different than girls in so many ways.  It's not that you need to teach them to crash cars and smash bugs... it seems to happen "naturally".   Timothy was physically active at a much younger age and continues to run faster and jump higher ever day.  He was the first of the kids to brake a bone and by jumping off the couch of all things.  Timothy loves all things "boy" but also has a softer side.  That must come from having a bigger sister.  He will often be found playing dolls with his sister, but he always finds a way to make it manly.  

Our home wouldn't be the same without Timothy.  He always makes us laugh and we love him so much.  I may complain to much about the lessons he is "teaching" me but I wouldn't have it any other way.  Happy 5th Birthday Timothy!  I love you!

Timothy 1 day old

Timothy 1 month old

Timothy 6 months old

9 months old

Timothy Age 1

Timothy 1 1/2 yrs

Second Birthday

Timothy 2 1/2 years old

Timothy age 3

Timothy April 2012 Age 4

Timothy Dec. 2012 Age 4

Timothy at beach a few weeks ago

GOAL!!!!

Timothy recently started playing soccer.  He has been so excited.  When I first signed up a few months ago he would ask every day when his first game was.  He would practice on his own in the backyard.  When he practices it is hilarious to watch because he gets a whole new little personality.  His voice becomes his "cool" voice and he gets this funny little attitude in his step.

At his first practice he received his uniform.  He wanted to wear it every day and I had to persuade him that it had to be clean for his game and his "other" soccer shirts would work just as well.  This little boy loves soccer and thinks he is ready for the pros.  His uniform is lucky number 5 and their team name is the Red Dragons.  Timothy suggested the name and the team voted on his idea.  He was quite the proud little man.

A few weeks ago was his first game.  It was entertaining to watch.  They don't follow all the rules yet, and don't have a goalie either.  Basically they all just hover around the ball and run back and forth on the field.  I thought Timothy would be more aggressive, but I was surprised with how much he just ran a bit, saw the ball and got excited and jumped in place.  The "boundary lines" are also arbitrary.  There were a few times the  coaches would have to run after the flock and bring them back to their own field.  He is getting better and is always excited for the next game or practice. Enjoy a few pictures and a video of Timothy kicking his first goal and then his play by play of the big score.

Jumping up after a major collision

Power kick!

Running, running, and more running.

Defense!

Little Cheerleader

First game cheer... GO RED DRAGONS!

THE Four Letter Word

There is a four letter word that sends a chill down every moms spine! It still gives me nightmares...
When I was in junior high a younger sister (I won't mention which one...) had long beautiful hair.  It was the kind of beautiful hair that you just wanted to touch... and unfortunately a friend with that four letter word did touch her hair.  In a house full of girls the disaster was inevitable... and that sister shared her new friends... LICE.... with all us.  There is nothing worse than being in junior high and getting lice.   I remember very vividly getting my hair chopped.  All of us sisters sat in a line as the scissors made the rounds.  It was horrible.  Everything was wrapped in plastic and we had to sit for hours as our hair was combed through with those awful combs.  I don't know how my mom survived that, but just the thought of it makes me cringe!
Now I am a mom of a daughter with long beautiful hair.  Every day as I brush through her hair I remind her to NOT let ANYONE play with her hair.  I think I may have scarred her to the point of thinking that lice is as bad as the plague... which as far as I am concerned it is.  She doesn't listen to much of what I say, but this is one of the few things that she has internalized.  Whew!
On Wednesday Alexis went on a field trip.  They were in smaller groups with a chaperone.  During the course of the day her ponytail had fallen out.  Her chaperone offered to put her hair in a braid so it wouldn't be in her way.  Alexis then proceeded to ask the chaperone if she had lice and explained to her that if she had lice, then she couldn't touch her hair.  I can only imagine the dismay of this poor mom.  When Alexis returned home with a braid instead of ponytail she was so worried she would get in trouble for letting someone touch her hair.  She made sure I knew that she asked about lice before letting the mother touch her hair.  Talk about being mortified.
So to the mother who was interrogated about lice this week... sorry... But at least maybe that four letter word will never find its way into our home.

Life doesn't have a DVR option...

Life waits for no one.  It is already 2013!  How did that happen?  Things have been super busy over here as of late, but if someone were to ask what I did today, I wouldn't know what to respond.  Most days consist of regular house chores, but I've been trying to make an extra effort to spend quality time with Timothy.  He's  been banned from TV, computer, and video games for almost two weeks now.  Sometimes I think that is more punishment for me than him. It is nice to be able to turn on a show for 30 minutes so I can get things done... but I have to follow through on discipline.  We've been making puzzles, coloring, playing soccer and riding bikes.  I have found him to be more helpful since turning off media, so this may become more permanent.
Both Alexis and Timothy have mastered the art of riding bikes without training wheels.  Timothy more so.  He is a little dare devil.  He crashes lots more too.  Most crashes are "tricks" according to him.  He is trying to jump curbs, ride while standing, and jump his front tire.  Thank goodness for helmets!  He has also learned the reality of slick sidewalks and slippery gravel.  Alexis, however, is a very cautious rider.  She learned 5 safety checks at school and every time she goes to get on her bike she inspects it first.  She has always been the rule follower and enforcer.  We have two ends of the spectrum when it come to kids.
Brooklyn has been "sleep training".  Things have improved dramatically, but we still have a ways to go.  She is finally out of our room and sleeping in her crib.  We spent several nights listening to crying, but I needed sleep so I had to be strong.  She still wakes up once at night but that is magical when compared to the 5 times a night she had been waking up.
Brooklyn is almost 10 months old now.  She is crawling like a pro and has started cruising around.  She has all the bumps to prove it too.  She would rather be moving around than playing with toys anymore.  It is fun to see her discover new things... like rooms in the house she didn't know existed.  It is so magical to her.  She love to be outside too.  If she is ever fussy I can take her in the fresh air and she will become content.
Eating has been a challenge with Brooklyn.  I mean... if you saw her you'd think her problem was overeating... she is a little chunk!  She loves to nurse... so getting her transitioned to real food has been a challenge.  She finally decided she would eat a few things, but I don't think "baby cheetos" are truly considered food.  And just so no one thinks we actually feed her cheetos... we call the little cheddar baby puffs "baby cheetos".  She finally is eating much better and prefers to feed herself.  I have been tempted to feed her off the floor.  She will pick anything off the floor and eat it, but if it is on her highchair tray she turns her nose up at it.  The other day she crawled around for over an hour with a rock in her mouth before I realized it... but she won't eat peaches...  Silly kids!
Alexis is now 7 years old and Timothy turns 5 in a month.  I can't believe I am old enough to have a 7 year old.  I have missed documenting so many fun things from the past year!  I'm going to try harder to write the things of the day as they happen.  There are to many precious and wonderful things that I don't want to forget.  So here is to 2013 being better!  Now if only time would slow down just a tiny bit!