Look Who's Seven!

Ezekiel Dekker, you are 7 years old today! Where has the time gone?

- You are getting tall! Just over 50". You continue to eat well -- you'd make a pretty good vegetarian most days ;) You are starting to make lunch for us, my goal is to have you in charge one day per week, but we're still working on it! You've also learned to cook several recipes from your Raddish kits from last year. You seem to enjoy working in the kitchen with me! 

- You love to build, create, think, invent. You like coming up with contraptions that solve problems. You love books by Arthur Geisert, especially "Hogwash" and "Lights Out". We gave you a droid and train for Christmas and you had them both built within the day. 

- You like to play outdoors and seem to enjoy our Wild+Free expeditions. Sometimes we'll play out in the back yard and everyone will come inside except you. You'll stay out there and have some fun on your own. As usual, you like life to move along your timeline, so you come in when you feel like it. The same way you went outside, when you felt like it ;)

- You are currently a Jr. High Green Belt in Taekwondo. We enjoy taking you to Kick, 2x a week. You get out lots of energy, learn self-defense, and I really enjoy the character traits they are teaching you as well as the service projects you are able to be a part of. 

- Your fascination with lights, strings, water, pipes, yarn, contraptions, etc. continues. You love the strands of lights you've been given this past year that are battery powered. You also received a water pipe card game for Christmas that is quite fun!

- You began 1st grade in the Fall. You are learning to add, read, hand sew; you enjoy our science projects which cover the 7 days of creation; we've read some fun books -- "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz", "Mr. Popper's Penguins", "The Trumpet of the Swan" and the whole Chronicles of Narnia series to name a few. We are reading through Genesis for history and learning about Mali and Egypt. For enrichment, we study poetry, art, music, memorize Bible verses, work on habits (currently self-control), and learn classic hymns.

- You are such a great helper with Naomi! And sometimes with Zoë and Levi too. It depends on what kind of mood they're in :) But you try to be patient with them!

Birthday Interview 1/26/2019

What is your favorite food? Ice cream! 
Favorite movie? I love many movies. "How to Train Your Dragon" 
Favorite color? Blue and red
What is your favorite thing to do each day? Play with the droids and the Q-Ba-Maze set. 
What do you like most about Taekwondo? The obstacle courses and the games at the end. 
What do you like most about 1st grade? That we get to sit down and watch a video about God. (This is at Kid City). 
What do you like about homeschool? (I guess I should have been more specific!) I really like doing the science projects! 
What is your favorite thing about Daddy? Sometimes I get to have special time. 
Mommy? That we get to have special time as well. 
Levi? I like when I get to play with him. 
Zoë? I like when she lets me play with her toys. 
Naomi? I like it when I get to feed her. And have special time with her. 
What's your favorite song? Time to be Awesome (from My Little Pony movie)
What do you want to be when you grow up? An inventor!!! 
What was the best thing that happened while you were 6? Sledding in the snow. 
Anything else you want to say? I like having fun with my family. Done! 

Ezekiel, you are such a joy! I love watching your mind work. You have a tender heart and I see you being full of empathy and compassion for others. You are getting better at playing the piano and have good rhythm! Your eyes are very expressive and I enjoy hearing your vocabulary expand. We've had a fun year with you -- going to Lake of the Ozarks, the first boys' campout on Father's Day {must be 6 and older to attend!}, watching you begin and continue in Taekwondo, learning to read, and more! I'm so thankful for your grace and forgiveness as we learn how to parent on you. I hope you love being 7! I look forward to all that's next with you. Love, Mommy     

Levi is 5!

Happy 5th Birthday, Levi Olin! I can't believe how fast the time has flown.


Sometimes when I look at you I think you're already so grown up and other times I see how small you really are. You have become such a good helper I can count on. When I need help in the kitchen or doing something around the house you rush in, even if I called for "Zeke" ;) One of your favorite chores is vacuuming. I usually ask you to vacuum the rug, but you typically go above and beyond and pull out the hose and get the corners and other places around the living room that you find dirt. You also clean the mirrors in the bathroom and help wipe down the sinks. You are protective of every single person in your family. You always rush to their aid and defend them.

- You tell some pretty good 'accidental' jokes. Oh yes, we've heard plenty of knock-knock jokes and others funny one-liners that you and Zeke have exhausted. But when you continue being silly and making them up on your own, lots of them are actually quite hilarious!

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- You have begun to enjoy painting and art a little more. We got out the Wii earlier this fall and you love to play Mario Kart. You often ask to play, especially on days that are cold/rainy/snowy. I explained to you early on that we got the Wii out because some days it's too hard to go outside and it gives you something to do inside, and you have remembered that well. And ask me a little too often :o) 

- You helped me make the green bean casserole for Thanksgiving this year. It was SO delicious! We used fresh green beans, made our own cream of mushroom soup (which you chopped up all the mushrooms for, in very tiny pieces), and then pulverized two slices of gluten free bread on the top. It was worth all the effort and we'll include it on more holiday tables in the years to come!

- You were so excited to help Naomi celebrate her 1st birthday this year! 

- Last year, the day after your birthday (if I remember right) you had already put in your request for a spiderman birthday cake for when you turn 5. That desire has lasted an entire year! We have never even seen a spiderman movie! ha! But your pumpkin above and the cake I'm getting ready to decorate and some of your gifts and the decorations all over the house are Spiderman-themed and you are loving it! 

So pleased with your Twilight Sparkle costume! 

- You love the bunk bed Daddy made for you earlier this year! You spent many months on the top bunk, and have just recently switched with Zeke. Now, on the bottom, you have created several blanket hammocks for all your stuffed animals to sleep in. It's really quite the spectacle! 

- For preschool, we worked on weather one day, so I had you and Zoë dress up in different types of clothes and we practiced finding the picture of appropriate clothing for each type of weather -- cold, rainy, hot, etc. It was a fun little project!  

- Supporting your brother at his Board Break-a-thon for TaeKwonDo one Saturday morning. You really wanted to be there for him! 

- You seem to enjoy going along on our Wild+Free adventures. It's fun to explore different parks and nature trails in our area. You 3 do a great job keeping up with some of the older kids! I love that it is growing your love for nature as well as giving you extra social opportunities to make friends! 

- You have enjoyed following along with the stories I'm reading aloud. I think your favorite has been "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz". You asked lots of questions and enjoyed many of the different aspects of being brave and defeating the enemy. We followed up a few weeks later and watched the Judy Garland version of the movie. You were disappointed that they didn't include the lion killing the spider and left out the wearing of the spectacles in the Emerald City. You really pay attention to details! Recently you've begun to bring up memories from long ago, things I am very surprised you remember! 

Let's pause for the birthday interview with the birthday boy (Dec. 16, 2018)

- What's your favorite color? Purple

- Favorite TV show? I like My Little Pony and also, the Magic School Bus

- Favorite movie? My favorite movie is Ferdinand because I liked the part when he was a little kid, not when he was so big. It made me freaked out. 

- What is your favorite thing to eat? Pasta and Pizza and also soup, different kinds of soup, like chicken pot pie like we ate last night. 

- Who is your best friend? Zeke-y, my brother is my best friend. But sometimes I leave him alone. 

- What do you want to be when you grow up? A spy! A spy like Chase so I can see tracks and figure out which animal it is. 

- What do you like best about Zeke? I like playing games with him and also playing hide and Zeke and playing tag and my favorite thing to do with him is... make goofy faces. 

- Zoë? I like playing tag with her and also running with her and also my favorite things about Zoë is when she wears beautiful dresses. 

- Naomi? I like walking with her and also climbing with her so she can learn and also my favorite thing to do with Naomi is feed her. 

 - Daddy? Sometimes I like watching movies with him and also reading books and also telling guinea pig stories and my favorite thing to do with Daddy is play hide and zeke. ;) 

- Mommy? I like cooking with you and also I like letting you help me play my songs {on the piano} and also to do homeschooling and work in my book. 

- What are you most looking forward to about being 5? So I can be in Zeke's class and get prizes {he'll move up to the gym at church and he'll earn prizes for learning his memory verses at Kids City} 

At the Railroad Spray park in Loveland when we visited Grandma in August 

Levi, I feel like the best word to describe you is "more"... you have provided more joy, more noise, love, feelings, food, smiles, laughter, hugs, adventure, thoughtfulness, and energy to our family! You are sensitive and always looking out for everyone's needs, if we can just slow down enough to listen and understand. You are a marvelous big brother and your little sisters are lucky to have you looking out for them! I love watching you grow and learn and hearing you laugh and seeing you use your manners. I love hearing from others how polite and helpful you are! I am so thankful to have you as a son and I am eager to walk alongside you as you continue to grow and learn in this journey of life! Happy 5th Birthday! Love, Mommy

Happy First Birthday!

Naomi Irene, you are 1 year old today! We were so impatient for your arrival last year and now you've been a part of our family for an entire year already. How can it be? 

Freshly born 

Naomi girl, our number four, you've made our family even better. 

You are {mostly} peaceful and calm except when I put on your sweater. 

You drink 2 bottles a day, and nurse, and eat and drink water and crawl. 

You have grown up so much in 12 short months, but I'm thankful for it all. 

The crying, the diapers, and the restless nights, your pinching and sharp fingernails. 

Your clinginess, wanting to be held, loud shouts and the ear-piercing wails! 

December 2017

6 Months Old

I'm convinced I understand a few of your words -- "dog", "more" and "up". 

You like to take baths, eat the bubbles head first, and drink out of the little toy cup. 

{Gross!} 

You like to talk, you know your name, you took your first step this week! 

I love the twinkle in your little blue eyes and I love to kiss your cheek! 

Zoë is such a good helper. She enjoys being with you! And will sometimes hop into the pack -n-play with you to keep you happy while I finish working around the house. 

Looking so grown up with your bottle and headband :) 

Big Brother Zeke enjoys spending time with you! 

Today you're going to wear a dress and hopefully keep a bow in your hair! 

We're dedicating you and Zoë at church and we want you to be aware, 

your brothers and sister and Mom and Dad want to make your home a safe place

to point you to God, read about Jesus, experience love and true grace. 

We promise to always do our best even when times are tough

because we want to be a family that sticks together even when things are rough. 

Sleepy snuggles are some of my favorite! 

 

Halloween 2018

Following big sister across the bridge! 

So on your first birthday, enjoy all the attention, your first donut and chocolate cupcake. 

We hope you love your gifts and cards, balloon, and make no mistake... 

that you were hoped for and you are loved and with each passing day, 

we look forward to knowing who you are and helping you along your way! 

Love, Mommy 

11 Months Old!

Naomi, you are 11 months old today! What a darling you are! Here's what the last month has looked like:

Gorgeous Girl! {Oct. 10} 

 - You have begun {very recently} to take a 3 hr. nap each day. Most of the time it's just barely enough to get you through until bedtime, you could probably still sneak in another 30 min. but I don't usually try to since it would put you to bed pretty late then! You typically sleep from 8 pm - 7 am these days! You like to wake up and have some cheerios with Daddy in the kitchen while he makes coffee and starts breakfast.

- You are a fast, loud crawler! You have begun to stand, without holding on to anything, for a few seconds at a time! Will you be walking at your birthday? You love being in on the action of your siblings. You've begun to hold out your hand, most of the time it means "bye-bye" but sometimes you hold it out to someone new and it's almost like you're beckoning them to come closer, with a big smile on your face! Just precious! 

Taking a ride on the North KC Railroad -- you weren't sure what to think of it! 

- You have a "dog" noise whenever you hear Marshall or another dog bark. You like to watch Marshall and the chickens from the kitchen while you sit in your high chair. When I open the door to let Marshall stick his head in, you always reach out your hand and when he moves toward it you spring it back and crinkle up your face like you're nervous about what's going to happen next. You think it's fun when he licks your toes although you still hold on to me pretty tight while he does it! You are loving your swing (from Pop-Pop) in the backyard! You sit in there for a long time watching the dog and the kids swinging beside you and running around. You love it and so do I!

You're wearing 12 month pjs!

- You have become quite the little bulldozer! Climbing into our laps quickly and in earnest. I keep putting toys out and you tire of them quickly leaving trails of toys around the house. You like to stand in your pack-n-play and toss the toys out. You are in there quite often so I can manage to get school done and other things around the house, otherwise you pull things out of the pantry and the drawers and stick your hand in Dora's water bowl and eat cat food off the floor and find the pieces of dirt by the door to the back yard and pick up the strings from the fringe from the pillows from the couch even though Levi vacuums daily! Whew! This is why you spend so much time in the pack-n-play: sanity and safety! And you do great. Playing in there quite contentedly for 20-30 minutes, and if you can see a family member it can sometimes last longer.

- Your hair has really grown and gotten soft and full and thick. There is a hint of curl that might be more noticeable by your first birthday *gulp* next month! I can sometimes get a bow in your hair, but at the moment it has to be a clip-in. The ribbons that wrap around your hair, you snap into your eyes which sends you into a howling fit and it's just. not. worth. it.

Looking quite comfy during nap time

- I've begun to wear you on my back during hikes and walks. You {mostly} like it. You are a bit of a monkey when I try to get you up there by myself, so I often have Zeke stand behind me because you are unpredictable and I don't dare drop you! You've fallen asleep a few times, so I know you must be fairly comfortable back there. I still am able to wear you on my front to church and you'll occasionally fall asleep, but you've begun to go into the nursery. Although you usually end up being held in one of their carriers and falling asleep anyway, so I might as well have you with me :)

Out at Line Creek Trail for a W+F adventure! 

One month ago, 9/11, was your first ride! 

Naomi, my joyful, peaceful, darling girl I just cannot believe that it is time to start planning your birthday party! Just a year ago we were waiting expectantly, impatiently for you. You have added a beautiful dimension to our family dynamic and I love watching you grow and find your place. You love to be touched or hold my hand or put your leg on me or rub my face. You often reach for me with both (slightly dirty) hands while we are eating our meals. You are doing a great job at feeding yourself and seem to have a slight interest in lights and strings as Zeke did/does. This next month is going to be full of pumpkins and apples and Fall Festivals and your first Halloween and I can't wait to be with you as you experience it! Love, Mommy

10 Months Old!

Naomi, you are 10 months old today! Here's what you've been up to:

- You started waving bye-bye, yesterday! It was very obvious! You stuck out your hand, high in the air, and waved your fingers up and down, bending at your wrist. So cute!

You played in the pool almost an hour this very hot afternoon! 

You pick up these strings (the fringe from the pillows) all the time. Unfortunately, they come off very easily, so they're constantly on the floor! You've stopped trying to eat them as often though! 

Moving up to some 12 month onesies!

- You're getting so close to having your first tooth! At your last check-up the doctor said it looked like you're currently working on 3! I'm expecting one to pop up any day now!

You love to have your feet up (even if it's on sister) when you're sleeping! 

- You're transitioning to 2 naps a day, sometimes sleeping for a 3 hour stretch! You usually go to sleep between 8-9 pm and wake up between 6-7 am.

Playing in the jumper at Mimi's house

- You crawl all over the place these days! And you're pretty loud :) Your hands slap against the floor as you move quickly across to catch up to me. You can get everywhere you need to go and we have to keep a close eye on you so you don't fall down the stairs or put your hands in Dora's water bowl or eat her food or whatever mischief you find! You pull up on the couch and at the glass door and on me and the edge of the bed. I try to keep you seated in the tub, but you love your new trick so much it's hard to keep up! You enjoy bath time, especially when your brothers or sister are in there with you.

Parkville Days Parade -- waiting for Zeke and Daddy to march through! 

- You like to sit in your high chair and watch the dog out the window. This will keep you entertained for 30-45 minutes sometimes, especially if we put some cheerios on your tray. You also watch us go out to check on the chickens and make dinner and all kinds of activities.

Kansas City Zoo with cousin Miriam 

Naomi Irene, you are such a sweet girl. You're practically sprinting through your first year of life! Your personality is shining more each day as you participate with your family. The other evening while we were eating dinner and talking you just let out a big scream and everyone stopped and looked at you. I think that's exactly what you wanted :-) Your hair is starting to get ever-so-slightly curly as it's beginning to grow out a bit. It's much thicker than Zoë's and has stayed dark brown. I'd love to have two curly haired girls with different colors! You like making noises with your tongue as you play and think it's funny when I move my fingers across your lips to make silly noises. You're nursing 4-5 times a day which I am thankful for and eating all your foods very well. I still feed you some, but you seem to prefer doing it yourself, at your own pace. Another independent child. You like to reach up and pull my hair and sometimes my earrings too, the reason I've worn small earrings for the past 6 years! Your family is enamored with you and we look forward to this journey of our lives, all together! Love, Mommy