Six Years Old!

Ezekiel, you are six years old today! What a fun year we've had with you! Here's what you're up to:

- You are such a great helper, especially with your younger siblings. You help me by getting diapers and wipes for Naomi and are learning how to change a diaper! You help Zoë go potty. You clean off the table after meals and set the table, you sometimes wash dishes, clean the kitchen floor, hold Naomi and feed her bottles.

Christmas morning 2017 

Christmas eve we made rice krispie treats and dipped them in white almond bark and sprinkled with green sprinkles! It was a fun project I think we'll do again next year!

- You have begun some Kindergarten studies :) Everyday we look at the calendar and weather. You are learning addition, sight words, the sound of letters, and practice reading Level 1 reading books. In science we have studied about the first 2 days of creation and done several experiments based on dark/light/sunshine and water and wind. We've read about 3 missionaries during read-aloud time: Gladys Aylward, Hudson Taylor, and Nate Saint. We have studied the world map and made a map of "Zeke's World", talked about the United States Flag and listened to some traditional patriotic songs, studied traffic signs and symbols and are now working on character traits such as Courteous Communication and Self-Control. This spring we're going to work more on unit studies that focus on a theme for each month and study all of the subjects within the theme. I think it's going to be really fun!

Getting pretty comfortable holding babies :) 

Your first handicraft -- weaving potholders! 

- As much as ever, you love lights, strings, electricity, discovering how things work together. You received a marble maze for Christmas and you love configuring it in different ways to see how the marbles fall through. You want to get the stunt package to add on to it next. You also love to watch "Scott's marble runs" on youtube.

- When the weather is nice, we try to spend as much time outside as possible! You have begun climbing more and are getting more comfortable with Marshall. You like to dig with your construction vehicles and helped me plant tulip bulbs in the fall. I hope they come up for us!

Breakfast at the Big Biscuit with Mommy 

- You have begun learning to cook a few things -- pasta and sauce and cookies and have made sandwiches for us a few times. We bought you your first Raddish Kids kit and I'm very excited! It's a box full of recipes and equipment to make a meal based around a theme. The one we chose for you is called Hometown Diner. If you like it, we hope to sign you up for a monthly subscription because we want to teach you some of these practical skills that you'll use for the rest of your life. Feeding yourself and others is a pretty important one!

You loved your ice cream! 

-Before we moved back to KC, you had one of your wishes granted -- you took a month of golf lessons! You had been asking since you were 4, and then once the weather turned nice the Chilson Center offered lessons. On the last day your family was invited to come and play with you. It was a little crazy, but we all got ice cream afterwards :) While we were there, Daddy was loading up the moving van with a couple friends.

Amelia's 1st birthday at Grandma's house 

- You only nap once or twice a week and have become such a great sleeper (oh, how I prayed for this during your first year of life when I didn't think you'd ever sleep!). You like to go to bed around 9 pm and get up around 7-8 am. Occasionally sleeping until 9 am!

- You are still taking piano lessons, but have slowed a bit with Naomi's birth and the holidays. Hopefully we can get things started back up and you'll finish up your first set of books very soon! Your favorite song to play over Christmas break was Jingle Bells.

- You seem to enjoy science and engineering and experiments; we are trying to foster that in you and provide you with lots of opportunities to do just that! This is one of our favorite things about homeschooling because we can discover and focus on your passions and hopefully you'll learn about and excel at your natural giftings and grow up being confident in what you want to do as a grown-up!

- You like to tell jokes. Your grandparents are great at giving you new material in the cards they send to you. We have looked up a few at home too when we get tired of the interrupting cow :) You like to make some up on your own too.

Last year's birthday movie date 

Birthday Interview: 1/24/18

What is your favorite food? Raspberry Smoothies

What is your favorite movie? Octonauts

Favorite Drink: Orange juice

Favorite Color: Pink

Favorite Song: "Listening to "Trolls" while jumping on the trampoline."

Things to do: "Play with my marble run set and playing with Levi's airplane together."

Favorite Outfit: "My thinking outfit." {interpretation: his shirt with the light bulb on it}

Favorite Outing: "Play outside."

What do you like about Daddy? "That he makes fish tanks."

Mommy? "Playing with each other and being with each other."

Levi? "I really like him sharing his airplane {helicopter}."

Zoë? "That I help her with stuff and I help her go to the bathroom and being with Zoë."

Naomi? "That I'm going to almost change her diaper! And that I feed her milk."

Summer or Winter? "I like playing in the snow." 

Anything Else? "I {would} really like my birthday cake to be pretty." 

Our dear, sweet Ezekiel, what a wonderful boy you are! Quick to forgive and let us know you still love us, even when we make mistakes on you -- our experimental child ;) Thanks for letting us learn how to be parents with you. You are thoughtful, kind, and introspective and you seem to enjoy running! You say "Yes, Mommy" or "Of course!" when I ask you to do things for me which I really appreciate. You chose strawberry cupcakes with a Paw Patrol theme for your birthday this year and I think it's going to be a lot of fun! We are hoping you to take you to "Paddington 2" for your birthday movie and Pizza Ranch for lunch, but we will have to see how you're feeling because you've been pretty sick all week :( We love you very much and look forward to the year ahead! Love, Mommy

Two Months Old

Naomi. you are 2 months old today! Here's what you're up to:

- You are smiling and talking/cooing quite regularly, especially when your brothers and sister are asleep and you're spending time with just Mommy and Daddy and it's quiet ;) 
- You really enjoy bath time! You like to sit in the warm water and Zoë is often close by in the bigger tub entertaining you. The boys like to help with bath time too.

  

- You celebrated your first Christmas this month! You got some new clothes, bows, slippers, a book and a picture frame.

- You don't seem to enjoy the cold. You prefer to be wrapped up in a blanket and snuggling. Otherwise your hands and feet turn cold and purple before long.

Christmas Day 

- You are wearing size 1 diapers and mostly 0-3 and 3 month clothes. The newborn clothes are too short and the feet in the sleepers are too small. You are definitely growing!

- You don't do it often, but on Christmas Eve I had to lay you down to help Zoë and you were on your back and crying when I left. When I came back to check on you, you had rolled on your side and fallen asleep! You also rolled from your back to your tummy for the first time on Monday (1/8)!

New Year's Eve with Daddy at Aunt Teresa's house 

- You love to be held when you're sleeping! And most days sleep in the solly wrap from about 10 am - 1 pm. You are sleeping pretty well at night.

- Zoë is always checking on you. She wants to make sure you are in the room with her every night for bedtime. On Tuesday we went to small group and some of the grown-ups were holding you. As we were getting ready to leave and putting on our shoes, I hadn't taken you back yet; Zoë, concerned, asked several times "No-mee coming? No-mee coming?"

Naomi, you are a beautiful, easy-going baby. Aside from "asking" to have your diaper changed (which is probably actually a needed reminder for me since I'm pretty busy and distracted all day), you sleep and eat well, you often sit in the bouncy seat and watch the busyness of your family around you, and even spend a good amount of time on the floor playing while your siblings play around you and I get a few things done. You are such a perfect addition to our family and I so look forward to seeing your personality develop and watch you grow in the coming weeks. Love, Mommy

Four Years Old!

Levi Olin, you are 4 years old today!

- You love to be outside! And even though it's gotten colder, I still get you out there most days. You like to use your imagination, using your rake as a sword and doing tricks. You run and run in our great backyard. You are getting better at playing with Marshall although he is still a puppy and likes to run and jump and nip and knock everyone over! You have so much energy, so I'm always thankful on the days you can get outside and run some of it off!

- You love "Meomi" so much! You like to give her bottles, hold her, and play with her, right in her face.

- We've recently begun to eliminate gluten from your diet. The chiropractor thinks you might have leaky gut syndrome, so in addition to dairy (which we were mostly doing anyway) we have gotten rid of most gluten and you do seem to be doing better - behaviorally, less tantrums and out of control behavior, and physically - you don't seem as bloated and uncomfortable. We are happy with the progress we've made!

Halloween 2017 

I love your sweet smile in this picture. You loved these bat ears we picked up for your Halloween outfit!

I hope you will be best friends!

- You love animals. Here, you were playing with a cat at Aunt Heather's house and trying to convince us to take him home with us. But we are pretty much at capacity here ;)

- You were so proud you used some of your piggy bank money to help us get supplies for Marshall before we brought him home with us in August.

Mother's Day 2017

- You had some cavities filled and covered in the spring. You did an awesome job! You followed the dentist's and nurse's directions so well they were impressed as well! They were actually able to get all the work done in 2 visits instead of 3 because you were so cooperative. This picture is from the second visit when you got so relaxed you actually fell asleep by the end :D

Easter 2017

- You have really begun to thrive when we take you on special time with either Daddy or I. You enjoy going out and about and meeting and talking to new people. Noodles and Co. became a favorite earlier in the year (before going gluten-free) because your love spaghetti! Whenever I ask you want you want to eat your response is *almost* always "Pasta!" I am excited to take you out with Daddy for special time to see your birthday movie "Ferdinand" and then we are going to Red Robin to eat afterward. I think we look forward to this yearly tradition almost as much as you do! You have a countdown in your room to keep track of the day until special time as well as your birthday. You've been talking about your birthday for months now! It is one of the things you say you are thankful for when we go around and ask everyone at supper each night.

February 13, 2017 

- You sing a lot! If we aren't listening to music, you are often singing a song, sometimes with made up words.

December 19, 2016

Birthday Interview: 12-16-17
What is your favorite food? Cupcakes!
What is your favorite movie? "How to train Your Dragon" and " ferdinand"
Favorite Drink: smoothies (pronounced smoovies)
Favorite Color: Purple
Favorite Song: Jingle Bells
Things to do: Help Daddy go window washing. and, i know, lights! that's everything I want. 
Favorite Outfit: Long sleeves. 
Favorite Outing: Go to church and sing and go to my class. 
What do you like about Zeke? I like sleeping with Zeke, and resting with Zekey, and making gingerbread houses and blankets. 
Zoë? I like Zoë not pinching me and... toys with Zoë, music with Zoë and playing guns and shooting with her. 
Naomi? Looking at me. Meomi, Mommy feeding Meomi.
Mommy? Feeding Meomi. 
Daddy? Daddy... sleeping with us and scratching {my back} and telling us stories. 
Summer or Winter? Winter and snow. 
Anything else? No, that's all my things. 

Happy Birthday Levi! You are a wonderful boy! You are outgoing and kind. You care deeply about your family and have a great sense of protectiveness. You like to enjoy life and laugh big. You have begun dressing yourself {so awesome!!} and help us set and clear the tables at meals. We often come up with "jobs" around the house to keep you out of trouble; you like to stay busy and keep moving! When we leave a place, or when Daddy leaves to work, and at night you have to give "a kiss and a hug!" sometimes more than once. You wake up in the morning ready to talk and do. Sometimes Daddy or I have to ask you to be quiet or go to a different room because you're ready to help and ask questions and we're suffering from sleep deprivation ;) I hope you keep your zest for life! I pray you will use your strength for good and together we will learn how to harness and embrace those big emotions. Have fun! Live big! Love well! I pray these things for your life now and in the future. Love, Mommy     

One Month Old!

Naomi Irene, our sweet new addition, you have survived the first month with your family!

- The first thing everyone notices is your gorgeous head of hair. I would love for it to stay dark!

- We've begun to have some chilly days so you've worn the bear outfit I bought six years ago for Zeke. I think all four of you have worn it at least once.

- You have become more alert! You stay awake for longer stretches of the day. I've also noticed that when I leave a room, you look for me until I come back and then follow me with your eyes around the room. Your eyes are a beautiful blue!

- Your brothers and sister love you so much! You have fallen asleep a few times while Zeke rocks you. Levi likes to give you bottles and Zoë brings you blankets, clothes, and bows. She also lets me know when you're crying, "Baby needs you!"

- You sleep and eat well! You are very close to 8 lbs. I plan to put away the newborn clothes today because your feet are long and don't fit in the sleepers anymore.

- You've been out and about for several activities in your first month -- Friday night dinners at Aunt Teresa's house, Thanksgiving Day at Aunt Heather's, to chop down our Christmas tree, two doctor appointments, and you've been to church once.

- We brought you home from the hospital on Monday, November 13. We were happy to all be home together as a family of six! Your siblings came to visit us several times in the hospital during our stay.

- You seem to enjoy bath time. Not so much when I hold you in the tub with your siblings, but when I fill up the baby tub and you can sit in the warm water on your own. You calm down and relax- it must feel pretty good!

Naomi, you are dearly loved! We prayed for you to be both pleasant (Naomi) and peaceful (Irene) and you seem to be displaying these characteristics already! This first month has simply flown by, but we are finding our new rhythm and adjusting to life as a bigger family. You are finding your place among us and we can't imagine not having you with us. I look forward to this Christmas season with you with all the baby snuggles and sighs and breaths on my neck.