Artwork by Jack and Will

Will "I am Special Because"
Will "When I Grow Up I want to Be"

Jack A musher with Husky dogs in Alaska

Last week Will was "Star Student" at school. This involved drawing a picture of why you are special and a picture of what you would like to be when you grow up.

Will said that he is special because; he is a good soccer player, good at wrestling, a good brother to Max, and good at building blocks.

When Will grows up he wants to be a "worker man" just like dad. He drew a picture of dad's work truck, siding boxes, windows and of course the all important vending machine!

Jack came home with a picture of Alaska. He is the musher and he drew himself on the sleigh with all of his husky dogs ready to go. He so badly wants to go to Alaska but doesn't really realize what a large undertaking that trip would be. We tell him that we will get there, just not sure how soon!

I just love the pictures that the kids bring home and what it tells us about them. So much of what they are thinking and the dreams that they have for themselves come out in those pictures.

Hannah & Max

Hannah and her Hello Kitty concoction she involved Max in!

He is wondering what she has in store for him next!

Max is the sister that Hannah always wanted so it is only natural that Max would experience a lot of Hello Kitty, a lot of seranation, many wardrobe changes and hours of constant conversation.

Hannah spends 95% of her day making sure that Max is well taken care and does not want for anything. He does not move a finger without her giving me the play-by-play and the first peep he makes after a nap does not go unnoticed. She comforts him while he cries waiting for a bottle and holds his hand while he gets his diaper changed.

She has already planned his 1st birthday party and she knows what he is going to be when he grows up. She thinks that he is going swimming with her this summer and told him that if he was scared that she would take care of him.

Max looks around when he hears her voice and smiles every time she hovers over him. Hannah told me that she is going to have 7 babies when she gets big and has already planned out where they will sleep and how many she can hold at once. The other day she told me that is was ok that Max was not her sister because he was just the baby she always wanted. She is so special!

Happy 6 Months ( a little early!) Max!

Max will be 6 months in a couple of weeks. I am posting this a little early!

Max,

People always comment on how good you are

how big your eyes are

and

how much you are loved.

You put everything in your mouth but are not cutting teeth

You use to love baths but now cry when I put you in..Hannah holds your hand

You sleep from 8 until 5:30, take a bottle and sleep until 7am

You love your feet and hate it when you have socks on

You can pull your socks off

You have tried rice and are getting better at not spitting it out

You do not like to nap for longer than 45 minutes but are rarely fussy

You light up when you see mom in the morning

You do not get more than 10 seconds a day without Jack, Will and Hannah fighting over you

For some reason, carrying you is fun and I am afraid you will be dropped

You love your mobile in your crib but now can grab the animals so it needs to come down

You are not rolling over but moving around in your crib more

You probably spend too much time in your carseat

You weigh 16 pounds

You have very little hair

You are so content and happy

Hannah told me the other day that you are "just the baby that she had wanted!"

We are so lucky to have been given you and you are very loved.

Happy 6 months Max!

A Few Recent comments by the kids..

1. Will "Sometimes I wish I were invisible, then if the doctor wanted to give me a shot, he couldn't find me"

2. Will, almost crying "Jack said that I am growing a mustache. I thought that only 82 years old grow mustaches"

3. Hannah had just gotten out of the tub.
Will said "Hannah, I will get you dressed"

Will "do you need lotion?"

Hannah "yes"

Will "Where?"

Hannah "Everywhere"

Will "I will put lotion everywhere except your butt"

Hannah "OK"

Will "You need to stand still so I can get it everywhere"

Hannah then walks around the corner to show me what a nice job Will did and she is so covered in lotion that she is WHITE! I told her that he did do a nice job and that it was nice of him to help her get ready for bed. I am pretty sure that she was covered in a weeks worth of lotion.

4. Will "When I grow up I want to be a work-man like dad"
Mom "what about a worker like mom"
Will "No"

More Snow and Less School

192nd Street
192nd St
192nd St

the simulated race car at Scheels

Jack driving, Will passenger

Jack and Will on the Ferris wheel

Jack went back to school last Monday and Will was suppose to go back on Wednesday. Jack got 2 days in and then they all had snow days on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. We have all been cooped up for quite some time and everyone is ready to get back to the routine. Not only was school cancelled, but basketball, dance and wrestling were all cancelled too. We had a lot of time on our hands!

Yesterday I needed a mental health day to myself so Max and I (not quite by myself) went shopping for the day. It was really nice and I felt revived to go home to the kids again.

While I was away, Darren took Jack, Will and Hannah to Scheels. They picked up Darren's Christmas present that came in (blanket boots), rode a simulated race car and rode the Ferris wheel. Jack and Will rode the Ferris wheel together and Darren and Hannah rode it together. They had fun and then rented a movie on the way home to top it off.

The snow pictures were taken down the street from our house. It is amazing how tall the snow is getting with each storm.

Christmas 2009!

Christmas Card 2009

Leaving cookies, milk and carrots for Santa
Christmas eve with Olivia and Claire
Hannah ready for church

Me with the kids before church

D with the kids before church

Hannah and Max

Christmas came fast and it is hard to believe that it is already over. The kids were so excited and of course could barely sleep. It was VERY windy on Christmas eve so after Hannah waking up 3 times before 11pm, I put her in my bed so Santa could finally come and get some sleep too!

We went to church on Christmas eve and it was very nice. Both of our families came with us and it was nice to have Olivia and Clare over to share in the excitement. We track Santa on the computer and made some reindeer dust.

New Years eve was spent at home. We let the kids eat junk food (as much as they wanted) and we danced around and introduced them to the Time Square ball in New York. Jack asked if we could go there. Alaska is still first on his list, though. They hit the hay around 10pm and Darren was in bed before midnight too. Next year I think we will let them stay up if they can.

Christmas break is about over. Jack goes back to school on Monday and Will and Hannah go back on Wed/Thurs. They have kept busy over the last 2 weeks with the ton of snow outside. Darren created a ramp for them in the backyard and of course I thought it looked dangerous. They lay on their sleds and go head first over the large drop off. Darren took video of it and I will try to post it here. It is a good thing that Darren and I are opposite when it comes to many things because he introduces them to many things that I would never think of doing. He brings out the adventurous sides of them. I love that they try new things even though sometimes I want to just close my eyes!

Next week Will starts wrestling, Jack starts a new session of basketball and Hannah is back at dance.