Heaven Help Us!

I thought that after barely keeping my sanity and Jack actually surviving past his toddler years that I'd passed the test, right?  WRONG also spelled - MAX!  This boy is Jack's clone in toddler form.  Not only does his have Jack's insanely curious ability to find away into everything, but he has no fear whatsoever and is encouraged even more than Jack because he has 3 much older siblings who he's trying to keep up with, and a very distracted mom who's barely staying above water most days!  Add this all together and you get a boy who will be lucky to live past age 3 without a trip or two to the ER. 

 After getting home from Christmas he really found his walking groove and has taken off….as the blurry picture above shows, he is sprinting to most places around the house.  Because of Mr. Hurrypants, many new bruises have made their appearance on his sweet little head, but it doesn't seem to slow him down.  He isn't saying many words yet.  The short list consists of Uh-oh (no brainer there); dadda; night, night; and he only says mama when its associated with me getting him food.  (Sad to say that he only used me for food, I'm wondering if this perception will every change?)  He thinks he's a lot older than he is, and gets himself into quite a few pickles - the chairs and tables are his favorite death defying spots.

 A new love balls and drawers.  He really seems interested in balls and loves playing "catch".  I don't mind this it's the drawer obsession that gets me.  He loves to empty out the contents and then crawl inside.  Most of these drawers can't support his weight so it's only a matter of time before we'll be replacing a broken drawer and stitching up a broken head (he stand inside the drawer in the bathroom second from the top AHHH!)

 He also loves a random game of peek-a-boo so he can show of his mad skills and say "Here he is!" Still loving this sweet boy, though my trip with my roommates last week really helped him break his need for me.  He's become quite the daddy's boy.  I've got to admit it breaks my heart a little bit.

Lyvie LOVES preschool!  She cracks me up because she reminds me so much of myself as a student.  She soaks it ALL in.  She loves to do things just right, and isn't happy unless she is completely and totally involved.  We had a great time today hosting preschool today and Lyv got to do her favorite thing - paint! (Notice her OCD need to stay in the lines…she's a girl after my own heart.)

A week of Firsts

Sam had his first piano lesson and basketball game this week!  We were given a name for a piano teacher and we already love her.  Miss Connie had all three kids clambering for a turn to play.  Sometimes it takes an experience like this to confirm the choices we make - our choice to get a piano, though an expense one, has been so worth it.  Last night Shawn and I broke out in chopsticks and I was able to be the accompanist to Jack and Lyvie singing I Am a Child of God.  

On Saturday Sam inaugurated his basketball playing days.  He played a good game and was aggressive in getting after the ball.  He made a basket, and managed dribbling down the court without too much difficulty.  He rocked his jersey and his Nike Elite socks and I think he felt pretty awesome afterwards.

I believe that as a parent your true colors shine at your children's extracurricular activities.  What kind of parent am I?  Well…..not the one I wish I was.  I have the hardest time just watching.  Life for me has never been a spectator's sport - I am a cheering, yelling, coaching, PLEASE stop talking kind of mom.  I am constantly coaching Sam from the sidelines.  In some ways I'm happy that I want him to do well, but I don't want to be THAT mom!  So about 1/2 through the first half I called it a game for myself, and went and played ball with Jack and Lyvie on the other half of the court.  I hope that I can learn to sit back and watch, and just be happy to see my kids enjoying being involved, but until then, you'll find me walking around far enough away from the sideline that Sam can't hear my mutterings and suggestions.

                                      

Christmas 2013

It's hard to believe that Christmas has come and gone.  I feel like I'm barely starting to recover from all the fun, the sickness, and the spirit of giving!  We had a wonderful Christmas this year.  It wasn't just that Santa delivered perfect gifts for everyone, but we were able to really rejoice in the spirit of Christ.  Christmas Eve, we were able to deliver presents to Sundown M Ranch - an addiction recovery center here in Yakima.  My wonderfully generous family pitched in to purchase gifts for their adolescent program.  There were 20 kids there for Christmas.  We were able to talk to them and the kids hand delivered gifts for each teen.  It was an amazing experience, and I'm grateful for the opportunity to tell them things that I have learned from my brother Ryan.  

We then headed over to our friends the Bolles for Christmas Eve dinner and had a nativity program there.  Lyv took her role as angel very seriously and never moved her arms!  Jack and Sam weren't quite as committed to their roles as wise man and shepherd.  Max did his best as disruptor, trying to snag the baby out of the manager whenever he could.

 I loved the program because it took me back to my youth, celebrating with the Hill family.  Each part of the nativity had a song that was sung by all - I could see my mom coordinating the troops and Aunt Suzanne at the piano….oh, the good old days!

We headed home and opened up our PJ's, and surprisingly the kids volunteered to head to bed (knowing Santa doesn't come until they're asleep may have helped).  They were lights out by 8:30…crazy!  Sam kept waking up throughout the night checking the Santa status - first at 9:30 pm, then midnight, and at 1:30….finally at 6:30 he was able to convince the others to wake up!  It was such a great morning seeing how excited they were with each and every gift.

 I love to record what the "hot" items were for each Christmas so they can look back and see what they just couldn't live without!  Sam: i-pod shuffle, Mario Kart, & Nerf Xploder gun (he was also super excited for Nike Elite socks - seriously socks!  The cousins convinced how much faster and cooler he would be with them, well….that was it!  Jack: i-pod shuffle, Micro Charger track, Nerf Xploder gun (he also got a sweet pair of light up shoes that he's been dying for!) Lyv: Ariel mermaid doll, microphone, and coloring/painting supplies.  She was by far the easiest to please.  Poor Max got the short end of the stick - blocks and gold fish!

 After Christmas we headed up to the Summers' cabin for New Years.  We surprised the family by arriving a 1/2 day early, and from that point on it was party central.  The kids had a ball playing with each other, and we didn't see our kids until we headed down to visit Gma and Gpa Hill.

My in-laws are pretty darn fun, and we had a couple of intense games that left me side aches from laughing so hard.  The kids loved being in the snow - a rarity in Yakima.

 Shawn was a good sport and let us bury him in the snow.  He looks pretty comfy in a morbid sort of way!

As always it seems our trip home goes by too fast, and we are always sad to say goodbye.  The goodbyes aren't as bitter knowing that we'll be back more often now that we can drive home.  The car ride home seemed to drag on forever and I was about ready to pull out my hair trying to meet the constant requests of the kids for food, entertainment, potty breaks, etc. all while doing some incredible bending-stretching trying to reach the kids in the back!  I think I could join the ranks of Hoodini for being able to get out of and into small tight spaces.  Meanwhile Shawn sits comfy in the driver's seat and smiles as I moon the drivers passing us trying to get back into my seat.