Just Jack

Jack is my sensitive child. He is so loving and says the sweetest things.  He wants so much to be a good boy and has a strong sense of right and wrong.  Which is why the events of yesterday caught me so off guard.

On Sunday, my mother-in-law gave me a $20 to buy something for Ellie. That night, I took it out of my pocket and placed in on the bathroom sink. Monday night, I remembered it and went to go put it in my wallet, only to find it missing.  I asked Tom if he picked it up, but he hadn't, so I assumed Ellie grabbed it since she knew it was for her birthday.

Tuesday morning, I asked Ellie about it and she was like, "Mom, I would never take money without asking. What if it had been Daddy's money?" I then asked Jack and he told me no.  A few moments later I felt like I should question him a little more, so I asked him again and told him that I wouldn't be mad as long as he told the truth. He told me no. I asked again, and again he said no. We then left and as I was dropping the boys off at the babysitter's, Ms. Donika asked Jack if he had left some money at her house yesterday.  I asked her if it was a $20 and she said yes.  I had to get to school, so I just told Jack how disappointed I was and that we would talk that night about his consequences.

I think it weighed on his mind all day because as soon as I picked him up, he apologized and called himself a liar.  I told him that his Dad and I wanted to talk to him about it later, but that he was grounded from all electronics for two weeks and he would have to do extra chores each day.  We talked a little about trust and how hard it is to regain it once lost.  With Jack, he takes things so much to heart that I have to be careful when disciplining him because he will often beat himself up more than I ever could (not literally, obviously. I try not to beat my kids).

Both Ellie and Jack had games yesterday.  Ellie's game was later than Jack's, so I brought the boys home to give them baths and put them to bed. Jack told me he was nervous about his talk with Daddy and I told him to go wait in his bed for Daddy. Well, Ellie's game lasted later than I thought and Jack was asleep before Tom got home.

The whole thing really bothered me because it seemed so out of character for Jack. Also, the fact that he lied straight to my face three times over and I totally couldn't tell he was lying.  Hopefully, he learned his lesson. It seems a little silly to write it all out, but I just love that kid so much and I know what a good heart he has so it kind of breaks mine to see him make a bad choice.  Clearly, I am not going to handle the teen years well.

Easter weekend

This past holiday weekend was so fun, but so busy.  Tom had track meets (of course he did) on Friday and Saturday.  A friend had asked us to go with them to the beach on Friday, but I wasn't sure if I wanted to deal with Sam at a beach.  However, she talked me into it and I am so glad she did! Dianna and Sabrina came along with their kids, as well. Sam hated the sand. He kept wanting me to wipe off his feet and hands with wet wipes because he was "dirty." And the ocean terrified him at first. Every time the waves lapped over his feet, he would scream. So, initially, he just sat on my lap and watched the other kids play.  Ellie was going way out with the boogie board and scaring me to death because the waves were rough.  Jack and Naomi stayed close and had fun trying to jump over the waves.  Sam finally got over his fear, but then he would not leave the water. He wanted to stand there holding my hand for hours while the waves hit his feet. He was the happiest I have seen him in awhile.  All the kids were and it made me wonder why we don't do this more often.  Galveston is only 90 miles away, but the last time I went there, I was pregnant with Jack!

Saturday morning, I watched Sabrina's kids for a bit and the Saturday evening Dianna brought her kids and a movie over.  My kids are always happiest when they have cousins around to play with.

Sunday morning was Easter and General Conference so we didn't have to rush to church.  The kids had to hunt for their chocolate bunnies instead of eggs since we didn't actually get around to dying some the day before.


Our friends had invited my family out to their golf course for dinner and an Easter egg hunt like we did last year.  I asked if I could also make it Ellie and Sam's birthday party and invite Tom's family. They were more than happy to oblige.  I went with a green theme since green is Ellie's favorite color (she is obsessed with it) and also kind of Easter-y. I didn't take any pictures, though, of all the green stuff I bought.  Sabrina brought all green veggies and Rosie cut up limes in the water. I had dropped off 175 Easter eggs they day before for our friends to hide. I also had green party favor bags filled with green candy and a green Easter egg with a dollar bill.  That was about as far as my creativity extended.  Everyone seemed to have a lot of fun and it was the easiest birthday party ever.  I should always hijack other people's invitations with my kids' parties.

Bragging on my girl

Ellie hit a single and double tonight the only two times she was at bat. Also, she was the first person to cross home plate this season for her team!

Home-style partying

 We celebrated Sam's birthday last night with some pizza, breadsticks, and cookie cake.  I really don't thing Sam understands the concept of birthdays, but he enjoyed the singing. And the food.  I love this picture because it shows how protective Ellie and Jack are of Sam. 

They are seriously always watching out for him.  I think part of it is that they don't trust my parenting skills, but whatever.  I also have several pictures in a row of them making faces which I failed to notice as I was taking the picture. What a bunch of weirdos.

 

 

Since today is Sam's actual birthday, I wanted to acknowledge it in some way, but my creativity and time is seriously limited at 6am.  So, they had a healthy breakfast of donut cake.



Ellie and Jack have swim clinic this afternoon so I think I am going to go pick up some cookies to share with our little friends poolside to continue the celebrating.  And, because y'all know how I like to drag out birthdays, we are doing the big family party on Easter Sunday for both Ellie and Sam. Party on.

Dear Sam at 2 years

Dear Sam,

    Happy birthday, Sambo! You are turning two, but everyone assumes you are much older because you are a beast!  Seriously, kid, you are wearing shirts that Jack wore a year ago. Not only do you look older than your age, but you desperately want to be older.  You want to do everything your brother and sister do...especially Jack.  You get angry if we try to make you sit in a stroller or force you to stay indoors when Ellie and Jack are running free.  We drag you along to all of their activities and I know it frustrates you that you can't be on the field or in the pool with them.  Soon enough, Sam. Soon enough.

     You still don't like to snuggle or be held, but you do greet us with hugs and a happy, "Hi!"  You say, "I love you" and press your body into ours for a second before you are off and running.  The one time you really let me hold and love on you is at church, but I think that is just because you are so terrified that someone will take you to nursery.

  Like your brother and sister when they were two, you love Elmo. No, you REALLY love Elmo. I am talking obsessed.  You would watch Elmo for hours if I let you. But you refuse to watch any other part of Sesame Street so we have to forward to Elmo's World or you will start throwing remotes and screaming.  I finally wised up and downloaded a few Elmo's World episodes. 

  The one thing you like more than Elmo is riding tricycles outside or playing at the park.  You love playing outdoors.  You also like riding your ride-on toys indoors and you do fast loops around our downstairs. 

  You still don't talk a whole lot because you are waited on hand and foot by everyone around you.  I had your hearing tested a couple months ago and the ear doctor said you are just the typical third child.  You are remarkably clear when you need to be, though. For example, "I want more" is crystal clear.

  Sam you are so stubborn and strong-willed, but you are funny as heck.  You really do have a great sense of humor. You have all of us wrapped around your little finger because you are so dang adorable.  You are the perfect bookend to our little family.  I love you forever, Sam the Man. Happy birthday.

Love,
Mama