My big kindergartner

Well we have one week of kindergarten behind us. Let's just say I'm glad to see the week come to a close. Matt was out of town all week, luckily my father-in-law devoted a LOT of time to helping me get through the week. Leighton was a little sick, AC was getting through her first week of school and Caroline was fighting sleep like crazy. Needless to say I couldn't have made it without him.

I think AC is going to love kindergarten. She's still warming up to it, but I think after another week or so she will be in her element. Here's what I can get out of her when she comes home:
- her favorite part of the day is the nap and she loves when other kids wake her up (funny to me)
- her least favorite is recess
- she always stays on green (the system they use for conduct, etc---green is good)
- she talks to Ms. Thomas a lot
- she loves P.E. and computer (enrichment's)
-she likes taking her lunch
-she tells me everyone who gets on red or checkered flag (not good)


When she comes home in the afternoon, she likes to go in her room and have some alone time to unwind. I went to eat lunch with her Thursday and it was so exciting to see all that she gets to do. Kindergarten is so much fun, I don't know how she could not like it. I really like A.C. Steere and couldn't have asked for a better fit for Anna Claire. Just another reminder that God's plan is perfect and mine is not.

Days with Leighton

Now this is interesting, a bungee cord, pink head band and a pink helmet. I guess he needs a piece of sister with him even when she's not. The bungee cords are a new favorite toy of his. I guess it's a boy thing.


Aunt Ang gave him another trim at home this time! He sits so still and seems to like getting it cut.
With big sister in school all day now Leighton gets some special days all to himself! Caroline is with us of course, but she is a little less demanding than big sister (in some ways).

We went to the duck pond and he LOVED feeding the ducks.

Leighton's 2 year old check up

We took Leighton for his 2 year old check up a few months late, but he checked out great. He is growing right on track. He got one shot and didn't even cry one bit. He said "that hurt" after it was over. What a tough boy?

Tonight

This is my bundle of joy
after a much loved bath, lots of kisses and hugs followed the bath.

This sweet girl has her second ear infection and according to the pediatrician it was a nasty one. With some aggressive antibiotics (injection and oral) she is already feeling better. She has felt pretty crummy lately.

Kindergarten

Anna Claire started kindergarten today, snif snif.

The day started out with a few tears leaving home and ended up with lots of smiles. She was really nervous this morning, but once we left her at school it was ALL GOOD. She had a great day and came home super excited. Their class is called the Pit Crew (race care theme), and her teacher is fabulous. I couldn't love her more! She even called tonight because she knew about the sadness at first this morning, and wanted us to know Anna Claire had a great day. She really goes the extra mile!!!

It was a long day and when 3:00 rolled around I was more than ready to see my girl! I think Mommy (and Daddy) had a harder day than she did. I shed WAY more tears than her.

Going to Grandma and Grandpas house

It's become a tradition in Anna Claire and Leighton's world to spend the night with Grandma and Grandpa. Grandpa comes and gets them after work and they are waiting with their suit cases packed. It is so cute how they watch out the window for him to pull up. How much fun is that?

Anna Claire loves hanging out doing her nails or doing art with Grandma while Leighton and Leighton are bike riding (Grandpa has a seat on the back of his bike), mowing, or probably playing with the train track that was Matt and Uncle Joe's when they were young.

Lucky kids huh???

Happy Girl

All of our babies have loved the Johnny Jump Up, Caroline continues the tradition. Apparently Matt loved it as a baby too, his parents said he would jump like crazy!


Here is the link to an old post of the other two jumping!

Caroline at 5 months

Actually she is closer to 6 months.

Sweet Caroline is the apple of my eye (one of them). Her smile is contagious, and her eyes are just amazing. She is such a content baby.

She loves her brother and sister.
She is just about to crawl, but she can scoot all over the place to get toys, etc.
She always has her paci to sleep.
She still naps a lot during the day.
Still gets up quite a bit during the night.
She smiles A LOT and babbles at us.
She likes the exersaucer really well, and the Johnny Jump Up too.
We have started her on some rice cereal and fruit...she loves it.

I love every second with her, the moments alone with her are few and far between so they are all the more precious.

Older two updates

Leighton

My sweet little two year old. Leighton is such a little mess. He is still into his cars/trucks, trains, and tools. These are the favorites. Oh and lawn equipment, everytime someone is mowing we walk outside and he watches them....sits still and watches until they are out of his view. Same witht the trash truck. He still loves to be outside, especially in the pool (big or little pool). He is fearless in the water and will jump off the diving board with his floaties on and go under and hold his breath.

He is still in his crib, but we will move him soon to a toddler bed. At my moms he sleeps in a regular bed by himself for his nap and thinks he is so big.

He wants mommy to put him to bed now (used to be daddy) but when it comes to being outside he loves following Matt around. Grandpa is his buddy these days too and he loves to go to Grandpa's house. When Leighton (my father-in-law) comes over little Leighton alway wants to look in his trunk for his leaf blower that he keeps in there. Everytime he asks to go look, it is so funny. And of course Grandpa does NOT tell him no.

He is talking like crazy and makes us smile all the time with his charm. He can turn it on too. He will start Mother's Day Out in the fall. I don't know what he will think of not having his big sister home with him when school starts. He LOVES her and follows her from room to room. However, the fighting has begun and he can scream when she aggervates him. Baby Caroline is his little sweetheart, he asks where she is constantly and wants to get in her bed and kiss on her when she first wakes up.

He is a good sleeper and takes one long afternoon nap everyday. At night he sleeps about 10-11 hours. I guess that theory about play hard/sleep hard rings true for him. He can wear his mommy out like no other, but he can melt my heart like crazy too. I love the way he thinks, so guarded yet very excited at the same time.



Anna Claire

I can't believe she is about to start Kindergarten. She is excited about it. We went to orientation and met her teacher. I think she is going to be an excellent teacher and I couldn't be happier with the school.

Anna Claire seems so grown up to me these days. She loves spending time with friends. Her very favorite thing is still play dates. She is blessed to have so many sweet kids in her life. Our neighbor Maggie spent the night the other night after we took them to a Captain's baseball game. She LOVED the sleep over ( i feel a new favorite coming on).

She is reading and writing a little. She has mastered riding her bike without training wheels and her daddy could not be more proud. Now he can run beside her while she rides. We worked on swimming this summer and still don't have it mastered. We are a lot closer than we were. She will at least put her face under and paddle a little.

She continues to be a mommy's girl. The child is so compassionate for others and tender hearted. She is still shy, but is coming out of her shell some. She reminds me of ALL the people I forgot to pray for every time we pray together. A lot of times she will pray for kids who she thinks are mean ....that God will make them nice. I love that sweet spirit and I pray she keeps it forever.

I can't think to hard about her being in "big" school because it truly makes me sad. But I know she will love school and that makes me really happy, when we went school supplies shopping it brought back so many memories. Matt and I were talking about how much fun school always was. After seeing her class and being at the school, it made me feel so much better about sending my baby away.

Blessings

Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to Him and praise His name. Psalm 100:4

She's got it!!! No training wheels

Little brother/big brother

Little brother (so sweet) they really are best buddies
Big brother

...oh my I never anticipated he would adore his baby sister the way he does. Melts my heart.


Poor Caroline, getting fed by someone who can barely feed himself. Ha! I think she may have gotten 10% of what was in the bowl.

Leighton's First Haircut

I am going through all of my videos and wanted to get some of these up sooner than later.

A funny video

love notes

I have been finding love notes from this sweet 5 year old.



Oh I love you too big girl!

Very helpful

My sweet sunday school teacher, Allison sent me this and I find it very helpful to pray for specific things for our children:

40 Ways to Pray for Your Children
Get specific with these simple prayers for your child's character.
by Victor M. Parachin

One of the great privileges of parenthood is that we can ask God to work in the lives of our children. These 40 prayers can be offered as a 40-day cycle of prayer {patterned after Jesus' own 40-day spiritual retreat in Matthew 4} or simply used during the course of each day.

For the knowledge of God
Dear God, the Psalmist declares, "Be still, and know that I am God" {Psalm 46:10}. In their busyness, may my children have quiet moments in which they think and reflect about God in their lives.

For salvation
Loving God, the Apostle Paul reminds us that the Gospel "is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes" {Romans 1:16}. Help my children learn to trust in you early in their lives and remain faithfully committed to your ways throughout their lives.

For myself as a parent
Gracious God, fill me with sensitivity and insight that I may understand the best ways to guide my children so they may grow in your wisdom and love.

For parenting patience
Loving God, although family life is often hectic and busy, help me to listen with patience to the worries, troubles, and problems my children may have.

For kindness of speech
Gracious God, so many children have been deeply wounded because they have been the brunt of criticism, teasing, and taunting. May my children exhibit kindness in their speech. Let the words of Psalm 19:14 be true for my children: "May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight."

To recognize their mistakes
Dear God, may my children recognize when they are wrong and take responsibility where they are at fault. Give them a deep and sincere desire to put things right as quickly as possible.

For love
Gracious God, let my children follow the command of Jesus to "love one another" {John 13:34}. Let them reach out with love to all within their sphere of influence.

For spiritual stability
Oh God, in times of moral uncertainty and temptation, empower my children to exhibit spiritual stability. May the words of Joshua have a firm grip in their hearts: "You are to hold fast to the Lord your God" {Joshua 23:8}.

To help bear burdens
Loving God, let it be that my children are the ones who quickly reach out, helping to lift the burdens of others. Through my example, may my children understand the importance of fulfilling the call of Scripture to "carry each other's burdens" {Gal. 6:2}.

To be instruments of peace
Gracious God, may my children guide their thoughts, words, and actions by the prayer of St. Francis of Assisi: "Make me an instrument of your peace: where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; and where there is sadness, joy."

To celebrate humanity
Dear God, this world is filled with beautiful people, all of whom are your children. May my own children be free of discriminatory and judgmental attitudes toward others. Let them appreciate and celebrate the fact that people are red and yellow, black and white, tall and short, fat and thin, rich and poor, young and old.

For spiritual & emotional growth
Loving God, let my children be like Jesus who "grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men" {Luke 2:52}.

To be salt & light
Gracious God, may my children learn how to cooperate rather than compete, to respect rather than revile, and to console rather than condemn. Even in their limited circles of influence, may they be "the salt of the earth" and the "light of the world" {Matt. 5:13-14}.

For protection
Eternal God, as my children go out this day may your loving protection go ahead of them, be behind them, hover over them, and stand beside them. This day protect them from every danger, disease, and trauma.

For faith in times of difficulty
Dear God, whenever my children face trial, trouble, or fear, let them naturally turn to you for guidance and strength. May my children know this powerful promise of scripture: "The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms" {Deut. 33:27}.

To remember the marginalized
Dear God, create in my children hearts of love and compassion for those whom society overlooks. Let them understand the importance of this biblical command: "Remember those in prison as if you were their fellow prisoners, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering" {Heb. 13:3}.

For growth in grace
Loving God, day by day and in every way, let my children "grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ" {2 Peter 3:18}.

For contentment
Loving God, let my children cultivate the same spiritual contentment as did the Apostle Paul, who said: "I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want" {Phil. 4:11-12}.

To be unselfish
Gracious God, give my children more love, more self-denial, more willingness to sacrifice for others. Let them understand deeply that it is more blessed to give than to receive.

For wisdom
Loving God, may your spirit be so present in the lives of my children that their thoughts are your thoughts and their ideas are your ideas.

To offer confession & seek forgiveness
Gracious God, may there be in my children no propensity for denial of truth and reality. When they err and do wrong, may they offer you confession and seek your forgiveness. Let them take comfort in your word, which says: "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness" {1 John 1:9}.

To be "clothed" in virtues
Dear God, may my children constantly and consistently be clothed "with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience" {Col. 3:12}.

For humility in victory & dignity in defeat
Dear God, life is made up of valleys and peaks, wins and losses. There will be times when my children will make important gains and other times when they will feel the sting of losing. May they have humility in their victory and dignity in defeat.

For appreciation of God's creation
Loving God, show my children how to love all animals, birds, creatures, and all green and growing things. Help them to cherish and protect your creation.

For gratitude
Dear God, let gratitude, praise, and thanksgiving continuously flow from the lips of my children. May they "give thanks in all circumstances" {1 Thess. 5:18}.

For the courage of convictions
Gracious God, convictions mean nothing unless there is the courage to stand up for them. May my children "be strong and courageous" {Joshua 1:6}, standing up for those treated unkindly and unjustly.

For emotional & spiritual strength
Eternal God, whenever my children feel the pain of rejection by friends or feel they are the objects of ridicule, infuse them with emotional and spiritual strength. May they always remember that you are the strength of the weak, the refreshment of the weary, and the comforter of the heartbroken.

To be joyful Christians
Loving God, bless my children with the spirit of joy. May they smile naturally, laugh easily, rejoice in your gifts large and small. Let the words of the Psalmist resound in their lives: "This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it" {Psalm 118:24}.

To be free from materialism
Gracious God, even in their youth let my children be free from materialism. May they enjoy their benefits, privileges, and material possessions without the constant clamor for more and more and more. And, should they be blessed with wealth in their adult years, may they know the importance of sharing and using their abundance to bless others.

For peace & justice
Eternal God, nurture in my children a love for the many people who live in poverty and misery. Arouse in their hearts a deep and abiding hunger for justice and peace.

To be filled with hope
Loving God, no matter what may befall my children, may they be so filled with hope that it prevents any despair from taking hold. With the Apostle I pray that you, "the God of hope" {Romans 15:13}, will fill them with all joy and peace.

For perseverance
Dear God, keep my children from becoming impatient and quitting prematurely. Develop within them endurance and perseverance so that when faced with major challenges and crises they do not easily give up. Let my children be "joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer" {Romans 12:12}.

For a passionate love of God
Gracious God, cultivate in my children a passion to love and serve you. May my children have the same kind of passionate love for you as did this Psalm writer: "I will praise you, O Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonders. I will be glad and rejoice in you" {Psalms 9:1-2}.

For generosity of spirit
Loving God, instill in my children a desire to give of themselves. May they always be honorable in action, sincere in words, and gentle in their treatment of others.

To be forgiving
Eternal God, fill my children with the spirit of forgiveness. Whenever they are hurt, may they naturally forgive and thereby free themselves from the burden of resentment. May they take seriously this word from the Apostle: "Forgive as the Lord forgave you" {Col. 3:13}.

To have a teachable spirit
Gracious God, infuse in each of my children the awareness that the world is filled with teachers. May they see others as being sent by you into their lives to teach them to learn better patience, greater love, more compassion.

For the wise use of their talents
Loving God, thank you for filling my children with numerous gifts, talents, and abilities. As they mature, let them exercise wisdom in using their gifts to help others.

To be honest
Gracious God, let my children always exhibit honesty of conduct and honesty of speech. May there be nothing deceitful in what they say and do. Instill in them the awareness that life flows more smoothly when it is built around honesty.

To practice hospitality
Eternal God, may my children be open and affirming of all others. May they be the ones who reach out, embracing those who are left out or left behind.

To be faithful in prayer
Gracious and loving God, help my children to live lives punctuated by prayer. With the Apostle may they "pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests" {Eph. 6:18}. May they be persistent and powerful in their praying. Victor M. Parachin is a minister and writer living in Oklahoma.

The latest

We tagged along with Matt on a business trip this week and had lots of fun. Here are some pictures before we left on Sunday and some from the trip. More to come tomorrow.