Brothers and Shopping Fun

We have been having a wonderful summer. The kids love the new house, and so do I! Yesterday we finally put some pictures on the walls in the family room and play room. We also cleaned out the closet under the stairs that is a perfect baby play area. I can't believe the kids start school in less than two weeks!

Here is Jonathan, age 11 months, and Daniel, age 3. Jonathan is already wearing size 24months/2T.

Here are my angels in the checkout line at Sam's Club. And this is why I can never get through a shopping trip without hearing the phrase, "Wow, you've got your hands full!" People also usually seem to pity Emily because she is the only girl.

Today we were at Wal-mart and I panicked for a moment when I couldn't find Andrew. Guess where he was? Hiding on the bottom of the cart. Don't worry--I don't let him ride around like that. It sure keeps him out of trouble in the checkout line, though. :-)

Catching Up

Life has been a little crazy, but we are doing great. We closed on our new house on June 1. We first did some painting in the new house and then we finished packing the other house. We moved on June 12. We were blessed to have my dad and Debbie and TJ here for over 3 days to help (Dad did a lot of work helping us fix up the new house), and many wonderful church members were there to help us on moving day. We have been working hard on getting unpacked and settled in.

Daniel's birthday was on May 24. He was so excited about his presents and his Thomas cake.
I tried to buy him a "3" candle at the store, but he cried until I agreed to buy him a "1" because Thomas is engine #1.

I found this ride-on toy at a second-hand shop and I couldn't resist. It looks exactly like the one in the waiting room at our doctor's office, and he cries every time he has to stop playing with it. Needless to say, he was pretty excited about it.

The kids love to cuddle on the couch and watch movies together.

We had a great visit from Uncle Joe, my brother. Jonathan loved sitting on his lap, and Joe didn't seem to mind holding him. :-)

Emily's Song

My sweet Emily wrote me a song for Mother's Day. It was a wonderful gift! Here is a clip of her performing it.

My Awesome Kids

I think that should be the title of every post!

Jonathan is such a big boy. He already has four teeth and more are coming in. I put him in the front part of the shopping cart the other day. He is flying through his baby stages. He wears toddler size clothes and size 4 diapers. He turned 9 months yesterday.

Daniel is growing up fast, too. He is always paying attention, even when we don't think he is. The other day, we were in Sam's Club and I asked a worker where the formula was (they seem to move everything around every time I go in there--it drives me nuts!). Anyway, he didn't know so he called out to a co-worker a few aisles down, "Hey Chris! Where is the formula?" Chris told us where it was and went back to work. I thanked the man and started walking away. All of a sudden, Daniel yells out, "THANKS CHRIS!" Nathaniel and I had a good laugh about it.

Today is Andrew's last day of preschool. He has come a long way this past year. He is talking better and he knows his letters and he is starting to write his name. I can't believe that he will be in kindergarten in the fall! Here he is with his wonderful teacher, Miss Julia.

Emily wrote me a song for Mother's Day! She wrote the music and lyrics all by herself, and she even made her own sheet music. I've been trying all day to upload video of her playing the song, but it won't work. I'll try again next week.

Nathaniel is doing very well in school. I'm so proud of him for all he does, and he does it on his own. He had a huge year-long 4th grade project this year. I helped him by taking him to the library and buying his supplies and proofreading, but he did all the work. He got a 97%! He is a huge help to me at home. He plays with Jonathan and takes Daniel to the bathroom and plays outside with his younger siblings. Andrew is always so excited when Nathaniel comes home and plays outside with him. I love to watch them all playing together.

Little Trooper

Andrew fell on the playground at preschool yesterday and chipped three teeth. The dentist was able to see him right away and fix them. Andrew was so brave. His teacher was so impressed with him. This is the same child that didn't make a peep when he got his IV at the hospital. He is a tough kid!

I went with Andrew on his preschool field trip to the zoo on Monday. He was really well-behaved and stayed with me the whole time. I think he might have been afraid I was going to leave; he still has a hard time when I drop him off at preschool. Anyway, I brought Daniel and Jonathan, too, and we had a great time.

This is a tiny turtle they found.

On Monday night, we went to our local Pretzelmaker because I had read that it was National Pretzel Day and they were giving out free pretzels. Spending 12+ dollars on pretzels isn't something I would normally do, so I thought it would be fun for them. We must have been the first ones to ask for the free pretzels, because the cashier looked really confused. His manager assured him that we were correct, and we all got a free pretzel. I forgot, however, that this particular Pretzelmaker is also a Great American Cookie store! Oops! I think the kids would have preferred the cookies.

Day Out with Thomas

We had such a wonderful time this past Saturday at the Day Out with Thomas Celebration. It was one of those blissful days where we were able to just enjoy being together as a family, and the kids were so good and cooperative. There was no fighting and very little whining. We got to ride the train and there were lots of different tents and stations to visit: mini golf, sandbox, bouncy house, play tables with tracks and trains, petting zoo, and, of course, a gift shop.

Four years before, we had been to the same Thomas Celebration with a very excited 6 year old Nathaniel, 3 year old Emily, and 8 month old Andrew. Jonathan is in the same exact outfit that Andrew had worn. I can't believe how much they look alike. Jonathan doesn't look like he's having much fun in this picture, but he was an angel.

Here is the picture of Andrew from four years ago.
Jonathan kept trying to steal Daniel's hat as we waited for our train ride to start.

The kids were excited to have their picture taken with Sir Topham Hatt, or "Sir Thomas Hatt," to Daniel.

Petting zoo--Emily and Andrew

It was a little sunny--can you tell?

Thanks Thomas!!!

Cute Little Boys

Here is Daniel singing "Who Let the Dogs Out?" It's so funny when he just starts singing it out of nowhere. He learned it from Emily's Just Dance Wii game. I love his little smile at the end.

We signed Andrew up for YMCA soccer. He liked it in the beginning, but lately he doesn't want to play. He looks so cute, though! Maybe he will like it better next year.