Shirtless little boys and other after school stuff

If I were choosing an after school hobby for my boys, I'd never pick skate boarding. Isn't it a little dangerous??? I can't believe we've survived this summer without any broken bones, to be honest.

But they love it. And thanks to Shawna, we now own a ramp for cool tricks and stuff. ;)





Simon isn't quite as daring as Ethan yet, but he is getting it. And he wins points for best tan.





More tricks. Just now realized he's wearing flip flops. What the heck?!











My cutie patootie.





Meanwhile Jonas and Mom enjoy some quality time on the porch.








Ethan and Simon keep asking when they can teach him to skateboard. ;)

Simon turns 5!

A few weeks ago we celebrated Simon's birthday at the gymnastics place in town. A few friends and family {Grandma and Grandpa Renes were in town}, cupcakes with sprinkles, and a medal for the birthday boy - the perfect 5 year old party!




What a difference a year makes in a young boy's life...I love looking back on my kids' birthdays and thinking about how much they have changed and grown up. In many ways Simon is still my cuddly little boy {and I am going to miss him so much next year when he goes to school!}, but he is undeniably maturing, moving past the toddler stage.

I never thought I'd see the day something replaced his love of the Cars movie, but Star Wars and Legos have taken over...in one short year. The box of Cars sits in the storage room in the basement, only pulled out for younger cousins now. Kinda makes me sad!




How can I describe the sweetness that is Simon? Even at 5, he still asks to snuggle with me. He is quick to offer hugs...to offer to help me make dinner. He is naturally affectionate with others. Already I think he will make a sweet husband someday.

And his smile...it just lights up his face and his eyes crinkle and disappear. I love Simon's smile!

But he is nothing if not fiercely competitive, but even in that, we've watched him grow up a little this year. Not so quick to throw a punch if the game doesn't go his way. Learning to work it out with words {if I had a dollar for every time I have reminded him to do this...}.




We attended Kindergarten Round Up a couple weeks ago, and it was such an exciting day for him. He is so ready to go and learn, and I am starting to get really excited for him. A year ago I was a little skeptical, I just couldn't imagine him being ready to leave my watch for that long. He has just been a squirrelly kid! Couldn't keep his hands to himself AT ALL! But watching him with other pre-kindergartners the other day I realized, he is ready...so ready. Praise the Lord for a little maturity!




Usually he is our healthy kid, but today Simon is home from church with a sore throat. And I am enjoying his cuddles. :) We're looking through his Star Wars Lego sticker book that he got for his birthday and remembering his gymnastics party fun. I just love my sweet little boy!

Time

I'm in the basement, *watching* Simon play Star Wars on the wii. This is his love language, I think...or at least, time...or closeness...something like that.

He doesn't want to be alone. But he is perfectly content to play alone, provided that someone - even Clare - is in the same room. He's a funny kid. :)

I've said no to a lot of commitments this year in order to just be with the kids, and it has been a very good thing. Sitting and talking, reading books together, playing on the floor with them...they crave this. And it isn't always possible when I am running around, always late to something and cranky because of it.

Nearly every week an opportunity presents itself to add something to our schedule. Leadership opportunities, Bible studies, business ventures, play dates, sports, moms night out....I have had to weigh things very carefully this year. It is hard to say no to a good thing! But sometimes saying no to a good thing frees us up for what is best. It is a difficult balance for me.

I'm realizing more and more that my attitude sets the tone for our home, and when I am stressed because of things I'm doing, I'm not the mom I want to be. Not the mom the Lord wants me to be.

pics from Reagan's baby shower a few weeks ago

This year has been a gift, in that way. So much less stress, so much more time to just grow closer to my children.



Next year Simon goes to kindergarten. I can hardly believe he is old enough for that! School means less time here, so the time we do have together is a precious commodity. A friend of mine gave me some good advice, and I've been attempting to practice it. She said to have everything done - cleaning, dinner prep, bills, etc.. - by the time school was out. That way you can really focus on your child when they get home from school. Find out what what is going inside, and what struggles they are facing. Seems really common sense, but it was so helpful for me to have that as my goal. To be done for the day...so that Ethan knows that when he gets home, I have time to talk! I am available...

and next year it will be Simon going to school too... sob!

He just beat Darth Maul!!!! Oh the excitement!!!!!

I love this kid! :)

Not going to miss those early Saturday morning games...

...but there is something so amazing about watching your 4 year old break away with the ball, take it all the way down the field, and score!








Clare was impressed!

Fall Fun

Fall soccer

Another season down. The boys played fall soccer, and they had their last game on Saturday. I have to admit, I'm going to miss it, even the early Saturday morning games (maybe). I have loved watching them play together on a team, learn to be leaders and listen to their dad as a coach. Lots of lessons to be learned in sports!

Ethan is getting so much better - we can see a definite improvement from last season! He has a lot more focus this year, and he can control the ball a lot better, keep it in bounds, etc... I think he scored at least once every game, so he was pretty excited about that!

At the beginning of the season Dave had lots of talks with him about being a leader among his teammates. They were a sweet but silly (and easily distracted) bunch of kiddos - and we noticed right away that Ethan usually just followed the crowd and joined in on the goofing off. It was neat to see him take his dad's advice and try to lead by example, to put his best effort into everything, and to encourage the other players to get into the game.

That is something we've been praying for the Lord to produce in Ethan's life. Every morning when I drop him off at school, we pray together and I ask the Lord to help him stand up for what is right and to make right choices even if other kids aren't. And sometimes, when it's his turn to pray, he prays for this too. :)



Simon was able to play this season too - a year early (usually they start them at 4 in this league), and only because Dave was the coach. He was so excited. And honestly, for a 3 year old, he is pretty good - he made a few break aways with the ball, and did a good job as goalie. Mostly he just followed Ethan around.

Which I thought was just super sweet. :)

Lil' Update

It's the fourth week of school, and we are settling into a routine, I think. As nervous as I was about getting everyone ready and out the door by 8 am every morning, it has gone surprisingly smoothly. Even with a nursing baby. She usually eats around 6:30 am, and then goes back to sleep until we leave. After I drop Ethan off, we squeeze in a quick feeding in the parking lot. And it works - she is very flexible, most of the time. I am so, so thankful for this!

Ethan's teacher is a gem - just one of the most patient, positive people I've ever met. She adores every student in her class, and is quick to point out the positive aspects of their personalities. And very, very forgiving of their wiggles and tendancy to chat. :) Every time I hear her talk, I am reminded of 1 Corinthians 13, where it says that love "believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things..." A kindergarten teacher is love by definition!

Each week they are focusing on one letter of the alphabet. Last week was the letter G, and Mrs. Jorgensen took the whole class on a walk to G's Custard for a treat! And today Ethan informed me that he had a hamburger for "H" week. Kindergarten snacks have really improved since I went to school!

I have been enjoying my mornings with Simon. Clare usually sleeps the whole time Ethan is at school, so he "helps" with laundry and cleaning, or we read or play together. And sometimes we get out the watercolors, but that is not always a good idea. :)




I feel like I've been able to get to know his heart a little better these last few weeks. It has been a special time, our mornings together.




And Clare is growing like a weed - she is the chubbiest baby we've ever had. Double chin, thunder thighs, and all that. Poor girl! :)

Tee ball star

Okay, not really - Ethan is by far the youngest kid on his team, and he hasn't ever played before. But he can hold his own, and with his height, it's impossible to tell. Dave got a little lucky getting him enrolled though, since the team is for K-2nd graders.

We have been enjoying going to his games as a family, and cheering Ethan on. That picture was of a strike, but it was the only shot I got of him batting! :)

Oh, he reminds me of his dad! Or maybe my brother Michael...



Of course, Simon would rather be playing too, but now that he has his sister to keep him company, he's ok with just watching.



Poor girl, she gets so many kisses from that kid!

Little evangelist

At bedtime tonight....

Ethan: "Dad, maybe this is the night that we make Simon go to heaven."

Dave: "oh yeah?"

Ethan: (goes over to Simon's bed) "Simon, do you trust in the Lord Jesus as your Savior?"

Simon: (thinks for a minute) "Nope."

Ethan: "Okay then, well, you'll have to go to h*ll."

Simon: "Turkey Hill?"

Friday night fun run

Dave and the boys participated in a fun run last night that our favorite, local running store hosted. It was held on the grounds of the Kansas History Museum, so the kids got to run through the woods on trails. And it was gorgeous spring weather - made for a wonderful night!

Ethan was signed up for the 1/4 mile race, and Simon was determined to run too...so Dave ran with them.

I was so proud of my boys!

Medals for all finishers!

Ethan had so much fun that he decided to run in the half mile race too. From what I heard, he and Cam were pretty competitive - she really wanted to beat him, but his legs are like twice as long as hers. So you know how hard she had to work to stay this close to him!

Simon insisted on running the half mile race too! (This event was supposed to be for kindergartners through 6th grade...not 3 year olds!)

He finished though!

And of course Ethan had to run the mile race too - no hesitation! Here he comes!

Finishing strong!

It looked like a blast, and I was wishing I could have been out there with them. A month ago, I would have been, but my feet are starting to swell and even walking is pretty painful right now. So pathetic.

Come, baby, come!

I spy

....way too many Lightning McQueen cars. And is that 2 Ramones and 2 Snot Rods? How do we get multiples of these things?????


I caught Simon in his room today, lining up rows of cars....and counting them. He counted to 15 before he noticed me.



I love this cutie!

The sun comes out in February?

I have a feeling that I will never forget this winter. Of course, every February, when you're in the middle of it, seems pretty endless - yucky weather, lots of illness - but still, this month has been a doozy. Remind me next year to just expect to be holed up at home all month. I should write it in my planner so that I'm not so disappointed when all we do is vegetate for a month.

But after antibiotics, Sambucol, and lots of rest, Ethan and I are much better - and Simon seems to have taken after his dad, at least in the immune system department. The Marshalls are currently trying to get over the stomach flu (oh my goodness, pray for them!), and we are currently hiding out, praying we don't get it too. I feel terrible for them - they have been sick a lot this month too. Anyone else ready for spring????

Yesterday was sunny and almost warm, so we ventured out for an hour at the zoo. I am so glad we did! The walk was just what we needed - a chance to catch some vitamin D, a much needed diversion from our room, and an opportunity to wear these two little boys out!

































In other news, I am a couple days away from my 3rd trimester! Wowzers - it has gone quickly! And my sister could be delivering her sweet girl any day!