Jaykob the English Teacher

We received a compliment the other day from Jaykob's kindergarten teacher.  Appearantly there is a little boy in his class that came in the beginning of the year not able to speak ANY English (he is a cute little asian boy).  Mrs. Clayton told us in a day and age when so many kids (and adults) shun those who are different, Jaykob has embraced Dah Wah and has made it his mission to teach him English.  Jaykob gets so excited when Dah learns a new word!  He even comes home from school with a report of the new words Dah has recently learned.  His teacher's heart and compassion flows over at home with his littlest sister when he tries really hard to teach her new words too!  What a sweet boy!  Can you tell we are proud?!?!?!

Election Time!!!

             

The kids were able to participate in this year's pivotal and historical election.  Although I think it was the promise of a cookie and a sticker that was more appealing than the promise of a brighter tomorrow, but we were proud of them none the less!  
    

Jaykob did tell me the morning after the election when he had learned that the guy he had voted for did not win that "We voted for the wrong guy, Mom.  We should have voted for Oracka Obama."  I did my best to assure him that although "our guy" lost, it is going to be okay because God is in control!  
                       

Too bad I couldn't write a 5 year old in as a write-in candidate for President!  Maybe one day!

Halloween

What a fun Halloween we had!!! We were able to make good use of the Halloween costumes this year, hitting three different opportunities to wear them.

The kids attended the church party Wednesday night; Jayk dressed as a ninja, Addi as "white Cinderella" (The Cinderella bride that marries Prince Charming at the end of the story), and Ella as a ladybug.

Friday night, we met up with friends in a nearby neighborhood for an evening of trick or treating.  Jayk dressed as a ninja (again), but this time wearing the EXACT same costume, Addi became "white Belle" (again, the bride that marries her prince at the end of the story), and Ella dressed as Tinker Bell.  Our precious Tinker Bell pooped out a little early because it got a little colder than Mommy had expected and Tinker could no longer say "Trick or Treat" through the shivering.

Saturday night brought about our annual Youth Fall Harvest Party Extravaganza.  Mom & Dad even got in on the fun of dressing up!  Daddy followed in his son's footsteps and the two were ninjas together for the evening.  Mommy graced everyone with her presence as a pirate (don't ninjas hate pirates in "real" life?) and Ella resumed her ladybug costume (less itchy than Tinker Bell).  But is was Addi's stunning transformation (again wearing the EXACT same costume) to become "white Jasmine" (yes, the bride at the end of the story that marries her prince) that took our breath away!  We love her imagination!!!

Needless to say, we had a great time of it all!  I truly think the Halloween celebrating has been enjoyed mostly by Tony & I (along with our friends The Littles visiting from KS) by nightly "saving" our children from the tooth & tummy aches by consuming the bulk majority of the Halloween candy.  Mmmmmmmmmm!

The First of the Last

I had a moment the other day.  I actually had to swallow around the giant lump swelling up in throat.  No doubt as a mom of three, I have had many unrecognized firsts.  However, this particular evening I was hit smack in the face with my first of the lasts.  Again, this notion should not have been far from my mind after I birthed the last child.  

Never again will I go to the hospital to deliver a baby. 

 As I sold my infant carrier, I missed realizing that I would never again have an infant to put in a carrier.  

As I gave away all the bottles & infant supplies, I should have stopped to savor the moment that that season in my life was over.  

None of the majors hit me until an insignificant moment getting Ella Clair ready for bed one evening.  After a bath (oh the yummy smell of a freshly bathed child-a memory etched into my brain) and a squirmy diaper change (can't say those days will EVER be missed), I dressed Ella in her jammies.  After I had pulled her pants up and stood her up, it hit me: it was the first time I would put the blue Bob & Larry VeggieTale jammies on the last of my three kids.  Jayk & Addi wore those jammies proudly and the moment arrived for it to be my sweet baby's turn.  Truly wondering where the time has gone?  

I am sure that my Mommy-brain will cause many more "firsts of lasts" oversights, but I will try hard to recognize them when the do occur and pause to savor the moment.

Dandelion Days

Jaykob loves his Mommy and one of the ways he shows his love & appreciation for me is the way any man should...through flowers. In fact every flower. His tender compassionate heart sees a beautiful dandelion and off he runs to make sure his Mommy has one for the little vase in her windowsill. I know these days will end, I am just not sure when. Until that time, I will cherish each & every beautiful flower that reaches out from his little hand to mine.

Aye, Matey!

Daddy & Jaykob had the opportunity to attend the Lowe’s free “How-To” clinic one Saturday.  Jaykob was so excited to spend the morning with his Daddy and their mission was to build a Pirate Ship.  It was a bonding day for the two of them as Jaykob took several whacks with the hammer into the starboard side of the ship.  It did not take very long for Jayk’s little arm to run out of juice & Daddy had to take over with the hammer. The two returned home about an hour later with a new pint-sized carpenter’s apron, protective eye wear, a certificate of achievement (for the wanna-be carpenter) but above all else a wee little pirate ship, complete with a Jolly Roger flag.  Like father, like son--my little carpenter duo!

Giddy-Up, Cowgirl!!!

Quickly after we moved here to North Carolina, some of our teen girls rode their horses to our house to show the kids.  All of the kids were quite hesitant to be so close-up to the beautiful beasts.  Fast forward several months and all three kids had the opportunity to have their picture taken on one of these gentle giants at our church’s “Round-Up Sunday” (Sunday School promotion).  I was very uncertain of how each would do remembering their hesitation they showed last time they were so close to the horses.  Appearantly they have selective memory. 

 Ella showed slight hesitation, but Jaykob was  willing to jump right up there to pose for a picture.  Addi was braver still, asking one of the teens to take her for a short ride.  Nearly everyday since she has been asking to ride again! Giddy-up cowgirl!!!