Our Sweet Justin Turns SEVEN!

Happy 7th Birthday to Justin!  I must say that I'm happy that you're 7! I was recently reliving memories of ear infections and pneumonia and breathing treatments and years of no sleep and I'm glad that we've moved on past those. (um..this birthday week was full of 4 sick days off of school...but no trips to the hospital!) Though we are learning that being a "big kid" comes with different challenges.

Justin is still such a sweet sweet kid. All of the teachers and administrators at his school know him and get such a kick out of the things he says. His teacher calls him an "old soul" and every time I stop in the office the lady at the desk in there just cracks up about something he said or did recently. I love that they enjoy him!

One thing is for sure- he is NOT shy. This kid will talk to anyone which can be good and bad. But mostly I think it's great.

This last year Justin has learned how to swim, MADE SOME BASKETS! in a basketball game, finally learned how to tie his shoes, become involved in Boy Scouts, lost some teeth, and has continued to learn lots of new things in school. He really seems to enjoy performing in the music program at school and we're excited for the next one in March. We're thinking about piano lessons once basketball is over. I really think he's got an ear for music.

If you ask him what he's going to be when he grows up he says "army" and then after that he thinks he'll become a fireman. Or a police man. Or an ambulance driver.

We're looking forward to what year 7 has in store.

Kyle is FOUR!

Happy Birthday to this very ornery four year old! Kyle is at full speed almost always.

This last year he's learned out to ride his bike without training wheels- though he still prefers the balance bike and scares me with out fast he flies around on it! He started soccer this year and seemed to enjoy it for the most part- and told us he scored several goals each week but I think he actually only scored two. Maybe we'll try it again- or something else again in the spring!

Kyle and Justin play awesome together most of the time. They both LOVE all things with wheels- and love being outside.

Kyle will be starting at the Pre-K where Justin is going to school next week. It will be nice to have them in the same place again though I'm nervous about switching things up on him. His new teacher seems great and he's a smart kiddo so I think it will be a good thing!

Kyle enjoyed a fun birthday celebration at the farm again this year - and Aunt Tara made an awesome cake at his request. He wanted the Hulk riding the motorcycle from last year's cake- she made a slight tweak and the Hulk was throwing the motorcycle. We'll celebrate at home with ICE CREAM at his request - and presents of course.

SIX!

Justin - still our very sweet boy - is six!  In the last year he's started kindergarten - and seems to have made lots of friends in his class. He's adapted well to the before and after school program - and has started playing some sports.

He has continued to get more physical - learning to ride his bike without training wheels - and sometimes being more physical than he should with his brother who weighs half of what he does. He's still got some learning to do with organized sports though :)

When he does something that's funny- and you laugh and laugh at him - he will then proceed to try to do it 10 more times. Until it's REALLY not funny anymore. But I still get a kick out of the fact that he really enjoys making us laugh.

Justin still loves trucks, tractors, cars etc. I was looking around at the trucks littered all over the house the other day and stopped to appreciate that someday I won't get to see them everywhere. And his boots...he got a new pair for his birthday. He wears boots EVERY DAY that he doesn't have P.E. Each morning he'll ask if there is P.E. that day because if the answer is no - he gets to wear those boots.

Wearing his new boots!

Justin talks to all of the neighbors. We don't get to see as many people in the winter- but when we're out playing he hollers down the street to anyone who is out. "Molly's Mom" - "Hey- Molly's Mom" - it's nice until the 10th time :)  He enjoys making things for the neighbors- we have some ladies who live alone on either side of us and he was so excited to take them Christmas cookies and we just made them valentines as well.  

He is doing pretty well in school. Satisfactory pretty much across the board. The one thing that we continue working on - is what is the best motivation for him. When it comes to school or sports - it's not always easy to find that thing that is going to kick him in to gear. 

We didn't have a party this year - just us keeping it low key. Maybe next year we'll have a big party for Number 7!  He is dying to go to Chuck-e-Cheese - so maybe we'll save that for when the Stone's are here in a couple weeks! :) 

Excited to take cupcakes to school today!

We love you to pieces buddy!

Happy 3rd Birthday Kyle!

Kyle - oh Kyle. This little boy is a handful. He is still onery - he's very agile - very talkative. He has some great facial expressions and hand gestures. He loves rough-housing - and will pretty much fly through the air at you. You have to be prepared at all times!

He reminds me of his Uncle David at times...which is amusing and scary. It's hard to find the appropriate carrot or stick for this kid. You can tell him he's going to get in trouble and he pretty much tells you to "bring it" if you dare.

He's in to tractors, trucks, cars, bikes, and everything with wheels - or a steering wheel maybe I should say! The kid loves to drive. And he's not half bad for a little guy!

We celebrated at the farm last weekend (thanks Aunt Tara for the photos and cake!) and we will celebrate at home again tonight- with Pigs in a Blanket, Mac and Cheese and Cake! What a perfect party menu!

No Training Wheels!

Justin has finally learned to ride his bike sans training wheels! We had tried a few times before- but it didn't quite work. He's been using that balance bike around home a lot though and it was time to try again as he'd been doing great on it!

We went over to the school parking lot to give it shot. It was a rough start - I really didn't think it was going to happen - but then off he went!

Kindergarten!

Summer has flown by- and now it's time for...KINDERGARTEN!  They start early in Nebraska!  Justin's teacher is Mrs. Wolff. It sounds like the kids are all adjusting well!

Out like a light after his day!

Pain & Suffering

Dear Justin,

Two weeks ago you had major surgery. It's called a tonsillectomy and more than 500,000 kids undergo the procedure each year. Your surgery went smoothly and you were home within 6 hours of leaving for the hospital. Other than a reluctance to take your medicine, you were a model patient. You behaved well for Grandma and Mom Mom & Pop Pop and enjoyed your daily diet of ice cream, popsicles and pudding. We thought you were on the road to recovery.

But on the 10th day...there was a setback. You had some bleeding from your mouth and nose so we called the doctor and he said to take you to the emergency room. Despite it being the middle of the night, you were cooperative and calm. And then it happened...

It has now been five days but I can't get the image out of my head. You kicked and screamed while they held you down and tried to get a needle in your arm. I've never felt so helpless in my life. I wanted to scoop you up and take you out of that room and away from the pain forever. I couldn't wait for that moment to end. It finally did and you were quickly back to your old self.

While I realize many kids endure much worse, I can't help but be proud of how brave you were. It can't be easy to not understand what's going on and wonder why we let them hurt you. Just know, it wasn't intentional and we did it with the best intentions in mind. Most likely, you won't have any recollection of these past two weeks. But for me...it's not a time I'll soon forget.

Love,
Your Favorite Daddy

Lori and Kenny and Ethan!

Our guest room has been busy! The day Dick and Sue were flying out - Lori and Kenny and Ethan flew in for a visit.  They overlapped a few hours and we got to have lunch with everyone.

Sunday the Stones came over and stayed the night too. We hit up the Childrens museum and then had one big slumber party! It was fun having everyone here! 

Bye bye tonsils

Someday, Justin, you will be reminded of the fits you threw about taking ibuprofen.

Justin was a trooper about getting his tonsils out. Things went smoothly. Grandma came to town to hang out. And then Mom mom and Pop pop. He was great other than the fact that he had a complete meltdown almost every time he had to take Tylenol or Ibuprofen. COMPLETE MELTDOWN. It was ridiculous.

We managed through all of that. And the sleepless nights. Only to end up in the ER on day 10 because he had some bleeding.  Thankfully it stopped and we were just in the hospital for observation and got sent home the next day. Aunt Tara came to the rescue to hang out for a few days so we can go to work and Justin can stay home a few more days! THANK YOU AUNT TARA!

Thanks everyone for your help!  

His favorite thing about this whole experience- the hospital play room.

Ice Cream!

Resting with Tractor the Whale and Tonsils the Bear

Falling asleep on Mommy while she works

Lily!

Lily spent the night with us a couple weeks ago. It's fun to watch her with the boys. She is such a mother hen! She caught us at the tail end of Kyle being sick - so we didn't get to go do a whole lot but it was fun having her there.

We went to the nursery to pick out some flowers and she was set on finding an indoor plant to take home. She has no problem walking right up to sales associates and asking them questions. It was fun to watch her talk to them and get directed around the store and pick out her plant. There was a really nice gal who talked to hear all about how to take care of it etc. She had done the same thing when we were looking at purses in a store the day before- she found a sales lady and asked if they had shorter straps cause that one was too long for her- and the lady just tied it in a knot and solved her problem for her (and of course Aunt Tanya bought her the purse - how could I not after that). Love seeing her independence in those situations!