VBS 2013

 Day One - all smiles!

 Luke playing his instrument during music.

 Isaac earned a mustache one day, he thought it was great!  By the way, he did not wear the boots to VBS.

 The playground was Luke's favorite part of each day, he's been waiting for months to play on that playground!

We just finished our first ever week of VBS, and what a great week it was!  We decided that if Isaac was going to go, then Luke needed to go, too.  But we knew that Luke might struggle in that situation without us, so I signed up to volunteer.  This meant that Hannah would have to go to child care at the church.  When we decided all of this I thought she might cry some, but she'll be fine.  Well, apparently I forgot to tell her that part because she was not fine.  The girl didn't even make it 15 minutes in there before they came to get me.  I was bummed, I mean we hadn't even  moved to our first rotation yet.  So I picked up my girl and she joined me and the 3 year olds.  It was actually pretty funny, our first rotation was games, and Luke got pretty nervous, so he wanted to be held and would not play the game.  Hannah on the other hand was all about it, she wanted to play with those big kids.  Luke eventually warmed up and joined in with his friends, thankfully one of his best friends and her mom were in our group.  I finally broke down and called Carl to come get Hannah after 2 hours because even though she was having fun, I just felt like I couldn't do my job like I needed to.  At the end of the day I brought home two happy boys, they both loved VBS.  Tuesday Hannah stayed home with Hannah because she was a bit cranky and needed to nap.  Wednesday she went back with us, and even though she stayed in child care longer, she was not happy about it.  The boys continued to love it and were ready to go back every day.  I am so thankful I volunteered to be with Luke's group, even though it was difficult with Hannah, it was so fun to be with him and be able to watch him in that environment.  He did really well and bonded with one of our teenage helpers.  He enjoyed some parts more than others, but overall I am very proud of him and his openness in that situation.  It is so exciting to watch him grow into a little guy.  On Thursday, Hannah was blessed and so were the rest of us, she stayed home with Kristin and Taylor.  Oh what a relief that was, I was able to put all of me into working with the kids without having to worry about Hannah.  And let me tell you, Hannah had a fantastic time with them!  Today Hannah went back with us, and only made it about 25 minutes, but she had a great time with her 3 year old buddies.  :-)  This week was a wonderful time of learning about Jesus and His love for us.  It was great to be able to review with Luke afterwards, since I was there to hear all that he learned.  Isaac really soaked it all in, and was able to answer all of my questions after each day.  I am so thankful for the amazing volunteers who helped make this week possible, it really is a special week.

Oh and on a side note...I think it was great for Luke to see all of his friends using the potty, he stayed dry all day yesterday and today!!!  I'm not getting too excited yet, but it is a pretty big deal.  :-)

Potty Training is NO FUN!

Oh sweet Luke...doesn't he make a precious Cowboy Woody (from Toy Story)?  I love this picture of him, he was SO excited the day I pulled these out of the box of Isaac's old clothes.  He thought it was the best thing ever!  We had some friends over that night, but he had to go down to show daddy that he was Woody!  It was adorable, so the next morning I snapped this picture of him right as he came down stairs. 

This sweet boy has quite the stubborn streak, and potty training has been a true test for us both.  The boy has not decided that he wants to be fully potty trained.  He will go on the potty when I make him every hour or so, but if I forget so does he.  Ugh!  I cannot figure out how to make him want to do it.  I've tried rewards, punishments, encouraging, and even getting upset with him.  Nothing is working!  On Monday, Luke pooped on the potty for the first time since starting the potty training, we made a big deal, had an ice cream party and all.  I thought it was a turning point, I felt such relief, thinking we had turned a corner.  But yesterday and today were back to the same, he forgets when I does, and all the poop in the pull up.  What a bummer! 

Adding two other kids to the mix when potty training sure makes it harder.  It was so easy to potty train Isaac, he was more into it, but also I was not near as distracted.  Now trying to take care of all three, while remembering to take Luke to the bathroom every hour or less, well needless to say I am often too distracted to remember.  Fail.  I apologize now, my boy may be 5 before he's potty trained.  Any and all advice is appreciated.  :-)

Beach Weekend

As you can see we took a trip to the beach.  I am a few weeks behind, as this trip was Memorial Day weekend, but oh well, better late than never.  We were invited down to Galveston with some sweet friends, and it was a wonderful weekend!  The boys have been begging to go to the beach for months, so this trip was something they were very exctied about!  We were there with two of their best friends, a boy from Isaac's class and his little sister who is Luke's age.  The 4 of them get along so well!  And Hannah was trying her best to keep up with the big kids.  Isaac loved playing in the sand, but was not too sure about the water.  The first day we went to the bay side, the water was so calm and not deep, so it was perfect.  Isaac did well at first, but after some hermit crab hunting he realized that he didn't really want to be surrounded by these crabs.  The ocean side, the next day, was a little too rough for him.  He was nervous about the waves, and even with daddy's attempts to calm him down and assure him that it was fine, he never quite got comfortable.  Luke was pretty happy in the bay once he warmed up to it.  After some time playing in the sand he eventually started to venture into the water and play.  The beach was fun for him, too, and although he got a little more comfortable in the water than Isaac did, he didn't totally love it.  Hannah had a blast in the bay!  She had no fear and even sat down and spalshed in the water some.  She was too cute out there.  She did not like the ocean water at all, it was too much for her, but she did enjoy walking around freely and playing in the sand.  The weekend was so fun, such a simple, yet perfect get away.  We are so thankful for these sweet friends and the great memories we made.

5 years old!!!

Our big boy is 5!  I can't even believe it, 5 just seems so old.  Even though it's hard to accept that he's growing up and he's not my baby any more, it's also so fun to watch him grow and become his own little person.  I love seeing how the Lord is working in him; He's given Isaac such a big heart and a love for others.  Isaac is so sweet, and I'd say that is how most people would describe him, but lately he's also starting to test our limits.  He is learning and in that process he is trying to find the real boundaries, how far he can push us, what's really okay and what's not.  Sometimes it's very frustrating to experience, but I know it's his way of learning and growing.  Isaac is also so silly lately, he likes to tell jokes and to tease, the boy loves to laugh!  He is an awesome big brother!  He tries so hard to take care of his sister and brother, sometimes a little too much for their liking, but he means well.  He loves to hug on Hannah and tickle her to make her laugh.  Isaac is very determined, but also a bit lazy.  Funny combination, but that's our boy.  When he wants to accomplish something, he will work his little tail off to learn...like swimming or riding his bike.  But when he's in a certain mood or it's something he's not interested in he can be so lazy.  He is not into writing, he often just doesn't even put forth the effort.  I've noticed that with reading, too, sometimes he will try to so hard to sound out the words, other times he just says whatever he wants.  Oh that boy!  Gross motor skills are definitely his thing, he will bike and swim all day long!  Yesterday we went for a bike ride for over 2 miles...that's a long way for his little legs!  He loved it and didn't want to stop.  Our boy loves to dress up, he is really into wearing a tie and slacks lately, he wears them any chance he gets.  Isaac is so excited to start kindergarten and go to the big school.  He talks about it all the time.  Although he did tell me the other day that he wanted me to homeschool him because if he goes to school all day he won't have time to play with his friends and ride his bike.  Oh goodness, he's always coming up with something. 

I asked Isaac the annual questions, some of his answers were so predictable, but others really surpised me.  Enjoy these!

Favorite Toy:  the new 4 wheeler and bicycle
Favorite thing to learn:  how to work on cars with daddy
Favorite snack:  cake
Favorite TV show:  Jake and the Neverland Pirates
My teacher says:  She wishes she could have a class full of Isaacs because he is so sweet and well behaved.
My favorite activity:  draw in his journal
Favorite food:  pancakes with Emmy's jelly (Mayhaw jelly)
Food I dislike the most:  broccoli
Favorite color:  orange!!!
I love to go outside: to drive the 4 wheeler
Favorite song:  Yankee Doodle
With Mama and Daddy I like to:  play outside and go for bike rides
What I think everyone should know:  Jesus loves you!
Best Friend:  Colson and Taylor
What I love to do with Luke:  drive the 4 wheeler and splash in the mud
Favorite thing to do with Hannah:  hug her!
Favorite animal:  tiger because they are orange
When I grow up I ant to be:  a worker that drives an orange truck
Favorite place to go:  Pump it Up

 Isaac with his new big boy bicycle!

 He got his face painted like a tiger at Taylor's birthday party.

" Driving" the firetruck at his birthday party.

 Eating his birthday breakfast, yogurt with sprinkles.

His all time favorite thing, the new fast 4 wheeler!

I am so proud of Isaac, he is a fun loving, hard working, big hearted 5 year old! I am thankful for the things he has taught us in the last 5 years, and I can't wait to see what lies ahead as we all start this new chapter.