Artsy

My kids make up for what I lack in the creative department.  Brooklyn had picked a random assortment of yard waste (pinecones, leaves, berries, flower petals, etc).  She created THIS.  On her own.  It was probably in her favor that I didn’t try to help.  I think this whole creative gene skipped a generation.  My mom (and sisters for that matter) are crafty, artsy, talented types.  Luckily, my daughter is too.

Someone Else's Mushy Oreo

Me? Eat Oreos? At 7 months? Be serious. I have very responsible parents.
***
Just in case your child accidentally ingests something like an OREO at 7 months, don't worry. The parenting books are wrong. It does not ruin his taste buds forever, just for a few weeks.

Race Finish

Oh yeah, that race I ran...like months ago. I finished it. It was weird. My time (how long it took me to do a mile, on average) was the same as it was for my triathlon. Guess as I look into next season, I'll work a bit more on timing...shouldn't I theoretically be improving? It was a fun day. We spent the afternoon at the zoo in Madison with the kids (other than the part where I had to just change and wash my face...but had no where to shower). I'm not sure if that was worse for me, or those around me.

Excuse Me, I Have an Opinion Too!

Last night, we tried on two separate occasions to feed Jack some squash for dinner. He has become quite adept at flailing his arms and screaming in such a manner that he effectively becomes a human windshield wiper; nothing gets into his mouth, if you try to keep feeding him, expect to get sprayed. This morning, I went to feed Jack his breakfast. He was doing his best to avoid me, just like he did last night when we tried to feed him squash. However, I was trying to feed him Peach Cobbler (for heavens sake!). I finally dodged his arms and shoved it in. He got madder until he swallowed it. He paused, mused, then immediately stopped flapping his arms, and somberly opened his mouth for another spoonful. Jack officially has an opinion. I don't like squash. I like peach cobbler.

Happy Birthday Brooklyn!!!

Dear Brooklyn,

I can’t believe my little girl is a not-so-little girl and turning 6 years old today!  Happy birthday!

Today is Wednesday, you were born on a Wednesday.  I remember because it was the day after people had voted, just like today.  We were voting for the President of the United States.  All morning when Mommy was in the hospital, silly Daddy kept watching the TV to see who the winner was.  Then, later that day, our sweet baby girl was born!

A few weeks after your first birthday, we went on a trip to see  your Grandmas and Grandpas in Utah for Thanksgiving.  You loved when we went and saw the Christmas lights at the temple.

 

Grandma and Grandpa J. came to Wisconsin when we celebrated your 2nd birthday.  One of your presents was a baby swing.  Daddy and Grandpa had fun swinging you in our living room.

On your 3rd birthday, we had just moved into our house.  We had a birthday party with your cousins John and Sara; as well as some new friends from church.  We had a Halloween birthday party and you dressed up as a ladybug.

For your big 4-year old birthday, Mom and Dad took you (Ty and Sadie too!)  to a fun Mexican restaurant.  I think it was the first time our family ate at a “real” restaurant.  You got this fun dollhouse as a birthday present!

Number five!  You are in school and had fun with having a birthday at school and being one of the oldest kids in your class.  We made some fun butterfly cupcakes to share at school; you got your doll Katelin from Mom and Dad.

Now, today, you are 6!  Wow!  Brooklyn, we are so proud of you.  My six favorite things about Brooklyn are:

1. You try very hard to make good choices
2. You are a great big sister
3. You are doing great in school and learning to be such a good reader
4. You are always so thoughtful and like to make beautiful cards for all of your family and friends
5. You are awesome at sharing your things and try so hard to make other people happy
6. YOU ARE A FUN, WONDERFUL little girl!  You are happy and fun and make me smile.

WE LOVE YOU!!!!

Another Day in the Life...

This morning was one of "those" mornings. While Jack slept through the night FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER IN HIS 9 MONTHS OF LIFE, Brooklyn had an earache/sore throat and came into my room at least 8 times to ask if she could go watch TV, ask me to look at her ears (I am a nerd, I have an otoscope and know how to use it), complain, ask what time it was, etc...I was exhausted starting the day.

So, here we are. Jack is in his high chair crying, I just finished feeding him and he wants out of solitary confinement. I am fixing breakfast for the kids. I hear Brooklyn throwing up in the bathroom. I go in to help her (she's a dramatic puker...crying and puking and trying to talk to me all at the same time). In the meantime, Ty is literally pulling my pajama bottoms off trying to get my attention.

Ty! Jack is crying. Brooklyn is puking. What could be so urgent?

He wanted to know if he could eat a tootsie roll. And he needed help opening it.

I'm learning to realize that the kid is four. When he wants something, he is completely, totally oblivious to what important or not-so-important task I'm doing. It helps me be MORE patient with him, when he is hanging on me when I'm on the phone, when I'm making dinner, or when I'm feeding Jackson. Maybe it isn't obvious to him. Maybe I need to point it out.

I realized that sometimes I'm guilty of the same thing, in a different way. How many times have I been pushy or insisted that someone do something for me, listen to me, talk to me, etc; when maybe she needs help, is having a bad day, is in more need that I know, etc. None of us, I guess, really know where other people are coming from. Sometimes, we all act like four-year olds.

10K -- Fun Run for Kids

Over Labor Day weekend (way back in September...ugh, I'm behind) I ran my first 10K. My ran was super casual, and they had a "fun run" for the kids before the big race. My kids loved it! (They only ran about 20 yards, but they thought they'd done their first marathon)