Happy Birthday Jed

I know I am almost 2 weeks late with this post, but at least it is getting done.
Jed's birthday was on the 12th, and he was so excited for it. He had talked about things that he wanted and the cake he would like to have for almost a month before it happened. I guess at 4 they are aware of what happens on a birthday. Here he is with his cupcakes and new pajamas! Opening presents. The girls wanted to help, but he got to do it on his own.

This is a picture of him seeing one of his presents for the first time. Chris and I set it up while we were eating dinner, so we kept him out of the room until we were ready. It was the GeoTracks airplane, that we connected to his train set. He was SO excited.

Here he is "flying" the plane. I love this picture because he is leaning to help it get around the loop. Classic little kid move.

Olivia's Help

Now that Grace and Jed are in school, Olivia has decided to become the best help around the house. Her favorite "chore" is putting the silverware away. She as learned what the camera does, so she will look at me and say cheese whenever she sees it in my hands. Here is the shot of her amazing work. It is good that she is willing to help, I think I will nurture this desire for a long time.

First Day of School

Well, I still don't have my camera, but at least now it is in the mail to me. Thankfully I was able to use Chris' camera from work in order to get some shot of important events during the last few weeks.
Here is Grace on her first day of Kindergarten. She was so excited and ready. Since then she has become a little bored and has even told me she doesn't want to go back. Hopefully things will pick up soon so she will stay excited about it. They have uniforms, and it is pretty strict. Lucky she is cute in everything she wears!

Jed the same morning on his first day of preschool. He was so excited and was such a big boy. He just walked in and didn't say another word to me until I forced him to give me a kiss.

When he got home at 1, he didn't take his backpack off until I made him, and then wore it again after we had dinner. He also took it to bed and wore it out of his room at 6 in the morning. Needless to say, he loves school.

Update

Since I still don't have my camera, I thought I would just do an update on us all.

Chris: Working lots of hours. He is enjoying his job, but it is a lot of work. He is also training for Ironman Florida in November, so he is swimming, biking and running a lot. Late to bed and early to rise. Hopefully the heat will not be as bad soon, but I think it will last until the race is over.

Kate: Doing the same as always. I am still trying to organize this house and garage to my liking. I now have an official permanent place for my sewing machine, so I am looking forward to sewing something!

Grace: 5 1/2 years, 42 inches, 35? pounds. She is funny and is always trying to make someone laugh. Has learned how to swim under water and have the waves push her toward the front. She also loves the water slide and will go down it alone until I make her stop. Will start kindergarten in 2 weeks, and is so excited. Loves to draw and make people cards. I get at least one a day.

Jed: Almost 4(in 2 weeks), 38 inches, 30 pounds. He is a funny boy and knows it. Tells Grace stories every night while lying in bed. Loves Transformers, Star Wars, and pirates. He is excited to start preschool in 2 weeks, and take cupcakes to his class on his birthday. He loves to talk and play make believe.

Olivia: nearly 22 months, 22 pounds, and won't sit still long enough to be measured. She is a firecracker and sassy. Loves babies and rocking and cuddling them. She also loves to bother Grace and Jed. Her favorite word is no, and she requests apples and cheese on a daily basis. Loves the water and slides. She may possibly be the death of me.

I am the youngest of 9 children

The other day, Chris took the kids to the store. On the way they took a detour past a house that has kittens. Here is the conversation as they drove past.

Chris: Look, there they are
Grace: Are there just two?
C: No, I think there are 4 or5.
G: Wow, that mom just kept having babies and babies and babies. Just like Grandma Moss!

I guess she has that figured out.

ps-My camera is broken, I am working on getting it replaced!

Twice in One Week!

I am trying to make an effort to update this blog again on a regular basis. We will see how it goes. Last week, a good family from church offered us a piano they had, since they were getting a new one. We have been looking for one, as we want the kids to play, so we snatched it right up. It is older, but to my very musically challenged ear it sounds good. As you can tell by the decorations, the kids love it as well. Now we have to get someone to teach them. As something to do to keep the kids busy and cool, I gave them baggies of marsh mellows and some cups, and told them to throw the marsh mellows in the cups. Little did I know the fun that would be had. Olivia went around eating all the marsh mellows that missed, so we moved on to Rotini noodles, which broke in half if they hit the floor. Even if sweeping had to be done, it was a good time.

Jed decided he could make it in the cup if he were a little closer.

Happy 11th!!!!

Oh- I guess I mean the 4th, but what is one little week?
We had a good 4th of July, we decided not to do fireworks, instead we treated the kids to miniature golf(they beg to go weekly!), and a Chucky Cheese type place here called Kids Castle. Here is Olivia riding the horse. She pretty much wanted to get off the minute it started. This was her first ride, we had just come from mini-golf. Call you tell by her steaming cheeks?Grace and Jed playing air hockey. They love this game, and thankfully it is a little more gentle than some, so fingers don't get smashed as easily.

Grace taking her turn. We got to about hole 13 and called it quits.

Jed having a go. Hole 13 is the farthest we have gotten.

Olivia insisting on her turn. It was 102 degrees. Hole 13 was far enough.