October 18th

Friendly Hero: got his wish on Friday. Ever since his friends have lost teeth at school, Friendly Hero has wanted to do it. He lost his fourth tooth at school, and popped it out himself. He was super excited that he got to go to the nurses office with his tooth. (The bummer deal--it wasn't the normal nurse and so he didn't get the special bag he was coveting.) But he told me he loves it all the same.

Peaceful Hero: Is now six. I don't know how time flies so fast. All this past week, I've been trying to convince him that we will still celebrate his birthday but could he just be 5 again? He laughs and laughs and tells me no. And his laugh is the best. I love his belly laugh. He had a great birthday. He invited a neighbor family to come to have cake and ice cream with us. He loves playing with the kids and adored his vanilla cake with chocolate and vanilla frosting. I love his imagination--this past week he has everyone being vampires with him. Vampires suck blood, but mostly they climb up slides and then climb down the ladders. Doesn't seem very fun to me, but all the kids at the playground adore doing it, mostly because Peaceful Hero made it cool.

Cake and Ice Cream, blowing out candles.

Showing off a present

Opening the last present.

Hopeful Hero: Had a great week. She loves playing and laughing with friends. This past week we were talking about when we move and she had a really hard moment. She mentioned E, E, P and A, and was surprised that they all were not moving with us to live next door to us again. It was a sad moment that she learned that her four best friends were not going to be with us always.

Wise Hero: Cut another tooth on Friday. The same day that Ivan lost a tooth. She is up to nine. She also mastered standing by herself. As you can see, she is thrilled with her new ability. And the birthday balloon.

For Date night we fixed our dryer. It is really nice to have it working again. It was also very empowering to watch youtube movies and learn a new skill together.

All in pieces.

Screwing in the last screw.

Bug Hero graduates from Purdue in December. We are waiting to hear about what postdoc he is going to get. He is one of two still being considered for one postdoc and the other he is being considered for will make decisions next month. Math Hero is hanging in and having a great time being a mother and enjoying time with her kids.

Hello Again

Hi. We're still here. I do really well staying on top of blogs when I don't have an infant. The Wise Hero is nine months old on Sunday. And She is a dream. I love her cheeks that go on for miles and her rolls on her arms and legs that go on for days. She is perfect. And super chill.

The Hopeful Hero is a handful. She does all her exploring when I am occupied. So she can explore further. Case in point: Today I told her to leave her shoes and socks on at the playground and she noticed that my hands were full of the Friendly Hero. So she took them off. I noticed as the Friendly Hero started screaming, so while I was carrying him in, I told her, "I'm coming to get you next. You don't get to be outside without shoes and socks." She then ran to our friends and handed them her shoes and socks and told them, "Help me put these on? I not get in trouble." Super funny--but a handful.

The Peaceful Hero has a silly streak a mile wide. He loves to go to preschool and is excited that he is registered for Kindergarten. I'm in denial that I will have two of my children in school next year. He loves to tell jokes and make everyone laugh. He loves to play with everyone. He is a joy to be with.

The Friendly Hero is (ambiguous positive adjective). He likes school--as long as he tells you that he hates it. He really just hates spelling tests and timed tests. And I don't blame him. But he loves recess and gym and reading and math and science and social studies and dinosaurs. He loves to tell me the cool things he's learning. But He doesn't like school. In September we finally figured out his sleeping and so he is getting enough sleep and is super sweet. As long as you do what he wants--then he throws a fit for two minutes and then is super sweet again. I think about the Friendly Hero and he is wonderful and loving and stubborn. (Gee, I think he gets it from me.) He is earning the Lego Poe's X-Wing for reading 500 books in first grade and he read book 400 today. So he is amazing.

The Math Hero is doing well. I have so many days where I feel great about life and then I have lots of days where we are out of control. It's a fun ride and I've given up the illusion of control most days--who am I kidding? I love being in control. I just hide it better some days.

I look forward to posting at least once more before the Wise Hero turns one.