Literary Pumpkin

Ellie's school library is having a pumpkin decorating contest.  They were told to pick a character from their favorite book and, of course, Ellie had to do Harry Potter.  Here is her attempt at Hedwig:

Childcare Woes

Last school year was the first time I tried in-home childcare instead of a daycare.  We lucked out with Ms. Rebekah.  Her son was Jack's age and the two quickly became best friends.  She loved on Sam and spoiled him rotten.  She was great about texting me pictures and status updates throughout the day.  Needless to say, I was really sad to see her move to Louisiana this past summer.  She came back for a visit a week ago and Jack was ecstatic to be reunited with his buddy.

I found the kids a new babysitter, Ms. Laura, at the recommendation from Jack's preschool teacher.  Ms. Laura is a former teacher and she has been keeping kids in her home for years.  Unfortunately, she only has other babies in her home this year, so Jack was terribly lonely until his 3 day a week preschool started in October.  Also, Ms. Laura is very strict so she and Jack had some power struggles initially.  Jack is always sad on the days he doesn't have preschool and has to spend the entire day at Ms. Laura's.  A few weeks ago, Laura informed me that she would no longer be keeping kids after December.  Even though I like her personally, I actually felt a little relieved.  Starting next week, the kids will be trying out a new babysitter, Ms. Donika.  I don't know her as well, either, but I am hoping she will be a better fit.  Sometimes I wonder if I should just go back to the Montessori, but I think I will give in-home care one more try. Fingers crossed.

Sunday Best: Cheesy Faces edition

The Well-Child Exam That Wasn't Well

Jack and Sam were both due for well-child exams and vaccinations so I decided to combine them.  And because I like to make my life difficult, I took Ellie with me so she could get her flu shot.  I know what you are thinking, "Oh I bet Ellie would be a great help with the younger boys!"  Yeah, that would make sense except Ellie is the biggest chicken known to man.  When I took her to the eye doctor, she had to be pinned down to get the drops in her eyes.  So, she was already freaking out before we even got to the doctor.  

When I picked the boys up from the babysitter, she told me that Sam had not napped and that he had been very fussy all day.  He wasn't running a fever and he had slept well the night before so I just kind of shrugged it off as the universe wanting to make this trip to the doctor even more fun.  However, when the doctor checked his ears, she discovered he had a double ear infection.  Nice.  I also talked to her at length (well, as much length as I could with two other children bouncing off the walls) about Sam's lack of speech and his aloofness.  We call Sam the Aloof Baby because he will not let you hug, kiss, or cuddle him.  He definitely shows preference for Tom and me (mostly Tom), but he does not like to be held close and he never has unless really tired or sick.  He also doesn't really say much, but he is the world's most stubborn baby so I think he just wants to do it on his own time.  Anyway, the pediatrician made me feel so much better about his aloof manner by saying that is not uncommon and she has several other patients like that.  As for his speech, we are getting his hearing checked, but we have to wait a month.  Because, you know, double ear infection.

When it was Jack's turn to be checked, he failed his hearing test.  He had also failed it at his 4 year exam, but I felt like he didn't really understand about raising his hand and that the nurse's assistant was too quick to just say he failed and we needed to take him to a specialist.  However, now that he has failed again, I guess I will just take him when I take Sam.  Good times.

Oh, and my chicken Ellie ended up doing the mist instead of the shot so she was freaking out for nothing.

Here are the boys' stats:

Sam

Height - 34 1/2 in. (96%)

Weight - 32 lbs 9 oz (100%)

FOC - 20 in (99%)

Jack

Height - 45 in. (88%)

Weight - 44.6 (76%)

Sunday Best: Catch Up edition

Ever since I started doing "Sunday Best" on Instagram/Facebook, I have been forgetting to put them on the blog.  Since I turn my blog into a book, I wanted to add some of my favorite Sunday Bests that I haven't posted on here:

And I love this one from last Sunday:

Sam went and sat on the stairs and said, "Cheeeeese!" before the other two even joined him.  My kids are so ingrained to get their picture taken on Sunday that they pose without me even telling them!  I want to make a book of just my Sunday Best pictures so I can see how they have changed over the years. Plus, I love the way the look when they are all dressed up!

In which Tom finally dresses up

 Every year for Halloween I try to get Tom to dress up and every year he refuses. I now know I was going about it all wrong...I just needed to get one of the kids to guilt him into it.  Last night was the Daddy/Daughter Halloween party for the 8-11 year old girls at church and Ellie wanted to go dressed up as Hogwarts students.  Tom might have rolled his eyes about it, but he willingly dressed up and happily participated in all the activities.  Well, maybe on the inside it wasn't happily, but he made a show of it for Ellie.  Tom isn't really a fan of games and dancing, but he IS a fan of Ellie.

 

 I was one of the ladies in charge of the party so I had front row seats to all the adorableness.  My favorite part of the night was when the girls surprised their dads by doing the Thriller dance and then having them join in.  We spent a previous activity night teaching the dance to the girls.  It was a huge hit.

  

Taking pirates to the movies

Jack's favorite book is "Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day." I read it to him several nights a week and sometimes he will tell me that Alexander is like him because he often has days like that. So, when I realized that the movie-version was being released on Jack's birthday weekend, I thought it would be really fun to take him and a few of his friends to go see it.  Jack loved the idea, but he also wanted a pirate party.  I decided to combine the two and that is how I ended up taking 6 kids to the movies dressed as pirates.  Luckily, my sister came along to lend a hand because no way could I have done that alone.  The kids loved the movie and ate their weight in popcorn.  After the movie, we had the big family party at the house.  Thanks to Pinterest, I made all the decorations and I was ridiculously proud of myself.  I spent the night before cutting and pasting, but it was worth it.  I think everyone had a great time and I know that Jack did!

Dear Jack

Dear Jack,

Five years ago today, you joined our family and changed our lives for the better.  Jack, you are an awesome kid.  You have so many things you love to do.  You love playing with your sister.  You two still invent the most creative, imaginative games that keep you entertained for hours.  You also love to play with Legos, your Imaginext men, and Ellie's Ken Barbie.  You kept stealing her Ken doll to dress up, so your Aunt Di bought you one for your birthday and you were super excited about it, especially because he came with a suit.

You love your suits.  Every Sunday, you are up early and digging through your closet.  Suits are your favorite and you like to pair them with a tie or bowtie.  You have a great sense of style and even in your every day outfits, I am always surprised at the outfits you pair together and how well they work.

This year you started playing soccer and you are actually really good at it!  You have a natural instinct for it, but sometimes you forget you need to stay on the field and will run over to your dad and I to share your frustrations with another player or just to tell us something that popped into your head.  Either way, you are always fun to watch.

Jack, you have such a tender heart.  If I mention that I am tired or my head hurts, you always respond so sympathetically, saying things like, "Oh, poor Mommy" and giving me a tight hug. When I interviewed you today for your birthday video, I asked you what you like to do and you said, "Cuddle with my mommy and give her hugs and kisses."  Your baby brother hates to be cuddled, so I am so thankful that you still love to spend time snuggling with me.   

You want so much to be a good boy.  Your nighttime prayers are part confessional, part therapy sessions.  In them you share all your frustrations and mistakes of the day, but you always include, "I love this family of mine."  Jack, you feel things so deeply.  You ricochet from being the happiest boy in the world to being in the depths of despair.  Sometimes when you are sad or angry, you say hurtful things because you want to make others feel sad, too.  You always feel bad about it later, though, and tell me, "I am not the best Jack in the world." Jack, to me, you are always the best Jack in the world.  I love you no matter what. Happy birthday, sweet boy.

Love,
Mama

Last First Day

Tuesday was Jack's first day of preschool.  He goes to the preschool program at the high school where Tom works.  It is awesome.  I wish it were every day instead of 3 days a week.  Anyway, Jack has been counting down the days and he was super excited Tuesday morning when it finally arrived.  He carefully picked out his outfit, insisting on jeans even though it is still crazy hot outside.  He also had on his dress shoes, but I talked him into wearing his Nikes that are just like his dad's.

I tried to get a picture of him for his first day, but it was all dark and grainy due to the early hour.  As I was snapping the pics, Sam darted up and said "cheeeeese!" with the goofiest grin on his face. 

Luckily, my babysitter took a much better picture of Jack right before she took him to preschool.

I sure do love this kid.