Jade's 1st Haircut

Someone got their 1st haircut last week! It was hard to "part" with the hair, but scragily, mullet hair just isn't my style (must be the hairdresser in me). Daddy was delightful about all of this, but I reassured him that it would actually be better for long term growth. So bye bye 2 inches of Jade's hair :( But I do plan to grow it out, as soon as we get out of this aukward stage!


Mommy and Jade


Sorry for the blurriness.....Johnny was taking these on his phone

One more tooth (less)!

It's official, Jack has lost his second tooth! One night a couple of weeks ago after Jack had brushed his teeth.....my neat freek self went into the bathroom to rinse down the spit and excess toothpaste only to find some small white object near the drain. I grabbed it and realized what it was. I went to get Jack and showed him and he was shocked....he didn't even know it came out! He was extatic to say the least! Mostly because he knew the tooth fairy was going to make an apperance!





And the cutest thing of all.....the tooth fairy (Johnny) went in late to get the tooth (in a ziplock bag) under Jack's pillow and exchange for a $1 bill found Jack holding on tightly to the baggy. He had told us he wanted to see the tooth fairy. We told him if he saw her she wouldn't leave any money and she would never come back!

The next morning him and Max crawled into bed with me. they thought I was still sleeping. I heard Jack whisper to Max, "Look what I got from the tooth fairy, and I didn't even see her, b/c mommy and daddy told me she would never come back!" And Max replies, "Uhh, Cool!"

It was the cutest little conversation I have ever heard!

This day!

This day was the day that every mom thinks of as their child grows and completes milestones. But this milestone....is HUGE! It's kind of one of those things that I'm not sure how I feel about it all. One moment I'm thrilled for jack, the next moment I find myself sad we are aleady at this point. And the thoughts go one......but there are just these thoughts that day to day I stuggle with. But I do realize that's this is the best thing for him, he loves having something to do every second and he loves to learn and ask questions!


1st day of Kindergarten


Precious


Brotherly love




This is Jack as we sit in his classroom for the very first time!



This looks a little better!

Been gone!

Well, it's been awhile, so here's a brief update.....



Jade has certainly tuned on the "twos", although we are not quite 2. Jade this summer has by far proven to me that she is our bravest, most adventurist child we have. She can climb anything, almost ride a tri-cycle, and has certainly found out how to girl scream at the top of her lungs out of pure anger. She is now 19 months and can talk better than some 2 year olds. Just last week she climbed out of her crib and busted her lip open bleeding. I had put her in there for time out to keep her contained (so I thought), and she escaped....painfully. If anyone has any ideas on how to teach a 19 month old how to stay in time out I would love to know. She is very determined and strong willed....crazy since she still only tips the scales at 19 lbs. I still have her carseat backwards for heaven sakes! But not to worry, we still love her like crazy! Amazing as a mom how having your very own little girl can change you so much (not that the boys didn't), but God truly has laid it on my heart to watch my every step and every decision from here on out on how it might affect Jade and her self worth someday.



God bless these 2 boys, he has taught me so much about boys (thanks to reading "Bringing up Boys" by James Dobson). I am learning to appreciate them and all their CRAZY boy like ways...such as beating sticks on the trees or on each other for that matter. Or wanting to constantly be a super hero without ever seeing a super hero show in their life. Some things I just don't get, but I am grasping the truth that this is the way our Lord made them!

And as far as Jack goes, he has mastered this summer at riding his bike with no training wheels, swims by himself with no swimmies, and even dives down for his torpedos. And he lost his first tooth this past spring. Lots of firsts here, can't believe it. And, Jack's starting Kindergarten in just 3 days. My thoughts.....sad that we are at this stage in life. Yet joyous because he is sooooo ready. Jack loves his days to be very structured and productive. HIs amount of "play time" has reduced a ton, he needs constant activity. And that can be a little challenging for momma. Now he is only going for 2 1/2 hours a day, and not even riding a school bus, and I can see the school playground from my backyard......so he wont be far. Maybe thats even more reason why this doesn't seem so hard. Then again, ask me after next week, I may have changed my mind.

And Max, over this summer he has graduated to a big boy bed (twin bed)...finally, my husband thought the toddler bed would be fine for at least another year or 2. Poor guy! Max also mastered wearing big boy undies all through the night (yay!) And he gave up his blankies because he is in a "big boy" bed now and he said he just doesn't need them. However he still has snoopy in his arms every night. No school for Max this year, he will still be home with his momma and Jade! Still happy as ever, content doing whatever.....just being the life of the party!

So there's a small wrap up from the summer since I've been so behind!

Fishing!

Last weekend we headed up to our neighborhood lake to fish with the boys! Just your typical 1st Mickey Mouse pool with a bobber. The boys had some luck however catching a couple fish apiece. One of Max's died from swallowing the hook, that was traumatic. One Johnny casted back in still on the hook only to have it eaten right in front of us by a 4-5 pound bass! It was great, just some good family fun! I couldn't keep Jade from trying to walk right in, she has NO fear. No fear of the live worms we used as bait, she would just grab them right out of the container! Here are some pics., enjoy!

Heaven on Earth

"Heaven on Earth."......this phrase to me is summed up by the few pictures below! My one and only precious Jade enjoying her "Heaven on Earth! You may have been under the weather these last few days, but nothing a little ice cream couldn't fix!











Little lady, tootsie.....we love you so much....all 18 lbs. of you at 17 mo. Just remember, "Tiny but mighty!"

3 Years!

LOOK



WHO




TURNED




3 YEARS OLD!



Maxwell James, we love you more every minute. You are high on life, so enjoyable, so cudly, so loveable, so cute, so onery, so sweet, so funny, and oh so precious! You light up our world and we don't know what we would do without you! If I could just peel you away from your cars from the movie "Cars", and may you never lose your lisp when you say your "s". I think it's the cutest thing ever! I pray you all the happiness and you never lose your awesome personality, but most important, I pray you know Jesus! (At least now when I ask you if you love Jesus you say "yes", where as just a few months ago you told me "no"! We are headed in the right direction). We love you Max!

Fear Factor Material

See this lovely lady here.......this was one hot early summer day last week as she climbed herself up to the top of the slide!




Well, today she successfuly ate a grub....that's right, a real grub! And to top that off, she had another one in her hand waiting to be eaten. And the hateful scream that came out of her mouth when I took it away and then did the finger sweep for what was left in her mouth (which was not much). Oh, I tell ya, Jade....you are into far more than the boys ever were. You eat absolutely everything you are not supposed to. But we love you just the way you are.

One Tooth (less)!

Yep, Jack has officially lost his 1st tooth. Just one month after turning 5, it seems a bit early. But I read somewhere that the earlier the child gets their first teeth, the sooner they will lose them. And Jack was just a tiny 4 mo. old when he got his 1st bottom tooth, he got 2 at once in fact!



He had been hanging onto this tooth for a couple of weeks in fear of what may happen. Scared perhaps because I have told him since we started brushing teeth that he must brush so his teeth don't fall out. Alright, I know that wasn't exactly the best thing to say, especially because I wasn't putting much thought into his future. So I keep quiet now.

So yesterday as we were finishing lunch, I was putting things away and Jack was just finishing up lunch with some pretzels. In a calm voice Jack says, "mommy, my tooth fell out". I'm pretty sure I did not believe him right away due to the fact that when Jack has something of significance to say he yells/screams it at me. But, he was right, and he was so excited. He said, "it didn't even hurt mom". and I hugged him and told him I was so proud of him.



(Wow, what a nice tooth fairy you have Jack :)

He couldn't wait to call daddy (so we did) and also tell Mrs. Turney and his friends at school! And today he told me he wants to lose all his teeth!

Oh in time Jack......you will have big teeth, baby teeth, big holes in your mouth.....all at once. Love you, and this just makes you one stage older.

Jack turns 5!

Jack turned 5 on April 1st. Seriously can't believe he's 5! So many exciting things about this age. This year we didn't do a big party, we just had a low key day at home after Jack had school. Daddy took the day off work, so we had lunch and cookies followed by Jack receiving his birthday present. Now this was totally Johnny's idea and Jack had seen it and was sold, although did not know he was getting it. We blind folded him after lunch and led him to the garage (I will post that video another time)! There we had him find his present.....a 4-wheeler. Yep, it's a real one. Well, it's electric and rubber tires and a helmet type. A little dangerous for mommy's liking, but really he has had a blast with it. He has developed a little bit of an attitude with it, so there are some serious rules to follow.

After that exciting afternoon, we went to dinner at 5 Guys Burgers and Fries (Yummo), then over to Chucky Cheese for some game time! And after an hour there, we are good for awhile! We had cupcakes there and watched the show. Just a day of the family, a great one!

The next night we just went to Monicals with the grandparents and back to the house for cake and ice cream! What a great weekend!


His new ride


He's feeling it!


Dinner at 5 guys


Precious


Watching the show at Chucky Cheese


Tootsie got to ride a few rides


We got to say Hi to Chucky Cheese himself


Jack's Toy story cake, my attempt. Not the best, but it thrilled him!


Just enjoying some cake

We are so proud of you Jack. Love you bigger than the sky!

Tootsie

A.K.A.: Jade Marie! We have called her tootsie or tootsie pop for awhile, I really don't know why, but it just stuck, and we love it! I even catch Jack and Max calling her by her nickname! Well, where to start. Jade, you are almost 15 months and certainly wouldn't know it, you are so petite and tiny. But I always say, "she's tiny but mighty"! In facet you can climb tons of things, way more than your brothers could at this age! You are one of a kind. Always playing with the boys toys, and rarely your own.....But I do catch you sneaking into your bows and trying to put them on, then you say "pwee" which I interpret as pretty! You have lots to say, and quite a few words by now! Hi, Bye, charlie (in your own way), Jack and Max (in your own way), mommy and daddy of course, side (for outside), and the latest and greatist...poop! And just this week after dinner you looked right at me and said "poop", just as you were beginning the process. You have made us smile more than ever, and love in a different way than we ever thought. You have a mind of your own and seldom throw yourself down trying to get your way. And my have you been blessed with some lungs, but we are okay with it.




Having fun at the St. Patrick's Day parade



You love to laugh and smile



And Jade you just can't help but want to be a part of your brothers



Jade is just really loving it outside

We love you tootsie! You really are something special!

Max-Man

What can we say? Max, you were by far the easiest pregnancy I had, a very easy delivery (and fast might I add). A very easy baby, too easy in fact! And you have been a very easy little guy since. Well, you do test the waters sometimes. Your "care free, humorous attitude" can get you in trouble. You really do love just about everything about life. Not much ruffles your feathers, you are happy to play alone or with Jack and Jade. The other day while mommy was getting ready you put the same puzzle together about 10 times in a row! And were so proud every time. Oh do I wish I still had that kind of excitement! And you basically follow Jack around doing whatever he is doing, all the while just looking up to him as your big brother. You typically aim to please mommy and daddy but occasionally throw a few punches and truly hate to be disciplined. But that's okay, mommy and daddy only do it because we love you! Your favorite lines are: "You want a piece of me?", and you often ask people, "Why are you here?" Either when they come over or we go somewhere. You crack us up!



This is how you can usually find Max!


You love it outside, or really anywhere for that matter. You are just happy to be alive!



You do like to play with your tool bench, and sorry buddy, but that bump on your head was a result from walking around with a blanket on your head trying to be a ghost...and the kitchen table got the best of you!


We love you Max and pray for you to be a respectful young man who knows Jesus!

Jack-O

Jack-O is what we have called our first born Jack since well, shortly after he was born. I'm not sure why, maybe we had heard it somewhere else before, but it just went. He will be 5 next month (hard to believe). Jack is certainly loving pre-school this year, learning a ton I would say. Seriously paying attention to every word he sees written and spells it out, and is obsessed with what school is all about and where he is going next, and then next, and then next. In fact, he just told my dad tonight that maybe when my dad goes to college, he will get more hair. He may have said too much, but man does this little guy use his brain.

Jack has certainly moved on from playing matchbox cars for hours. He would rather sit and do mazes or play games with his mommy, or bug the daylights out of his brother. Mr. Potato head is pretty high up on the list and super heros of course, even dressing up like them. Jack, we think you are so smart and you ask so many questions that somedays you make my head spin, but we realize that you are just trying to figure everything out, and we are proud of you and love you so much.

I almost forgot to mention that Jack never goes to bed without asking what he will be doing the next day, the whole day. And you love to dilly dally in the bathroom when I tell you to wash your hands....or ask you to do anything for that matter. You are one of no time frame, but why should you I guess!

This here is your new stance because you said that Buzz Lightyear stands with his hands on his hips....Duh mom!



And you amaze me that you still fit in this cozy coupe car....and love it!



So here's to Jack, we love you so much and you will always keep our wheels turning!!!!

Fresh

Air that is, is seems to have been rather fresh on and off for the past few weeks, and we have been soaking it up! Here are a few snapshots I got of the 3 rascals the other day....I was just hoping for one that might be decent, but not so much!








My next 3 post will be totally dedicated to my 3 children in birth order from oldest to youngest. Just thought it was time for some updates on their latest and greatest!