One Word Can Melt My Heart

My kids often do or say things that melt my heart and leave me speechless.  Hannah has done that a few times, but today she stopped me in my tracks and almost brought tears to my eyes.  I fed her before putting her to bed, just as I always do.  She was very tired tonight, so was falling asleep as she ate.  As I was walking to her room with her in my arms she was half asleep, eyes only halfway open, but suddenly she opened her eyes all the way and said very sweetly, "Mama" as she looked me in the eyes.  She has said mama many times, but always only after being prompted, this was her first time to say it unprompted.  Moments like that make the daily challenges all melt away...so thankful for my sweet baby! 

Buddies

All three of the kids get along really well and there is a special bond between each of them.  However, Luke and Hannah have recently developed a sweet relationship.  Hannah lights up when Luke comes in the room, and if it's first thing in the morning or after a nap then she gets extra excited!  Luke is the same, in the morning she is the first person he asks for and he immediately smiles and starts talking to her.  Once together they play together, Hannah crawls to him and tries to "hug" him, which usually results in her pulling his hair, but he doesn't mind a bit, he just laughs.  He will bring her toys to play with when she's upset, and if she has something she isn't supposed to have or something she stole from him, he usually finds a toy to give her in place of what he takes.  Luke sits directly behind her in my truck, but that doesn't stop them from having fun together, often when it's just the three of us in the car they still find a way to communicate and play, laughing so hard at each other.  Last night Carl got Hannah ready for bed in her room, then brought her to they boys' room for prayers and good night kisses; as soon as they walked in Luke said, "Hannah look so so pretty!"  Hearing him say that just brought a huge smile to my face, their connection is precious!  I pray that they never lose this sweet bond, that they are always the best of friends, and they continue to love each other and take care of one another.

Fun Christmas Activities

Merry Christmas!!!  Christmas was a busy, but super fun time around here!  We really tried to help keep the kids focus on the real meaning of Christmas and the fact that it's not all about presents and Santa, but about Jesus.  Now don't worry, we did Santa; the kids got a letter from him, he sent a special Elf (penguin) to hang out at our house, and we even got to see Santa twice!  But when we talked about Christmas and the reason we celebrate we always tried to bring it back to Jesus, and I think they get it. 
This season was full of fun activities.  I'll try to shortly recap each one...

• Sinterklaas - Oma and I took the kids to see Sinterklaas in Old Town Spring.  I wasn't sure how Luke and Hannah would do with him (Hannah has just entered the stranger anxiety phase), but they both surprised me!  As we walked up to the store we saw Mickey and Minnie Mouse hanging out in front...the boys were so excited!  They didn't hesitate to go get their picture made with their Disney friends.  Once it was time for Sinterklaas the kids were ready!  All three of them were happy to see him, the boys talked to him (even in Dutch), and all three smiled pretty for my pictures. 
• The very next day we took the kids to see Santa Claus at K2 (the place where Isaac does gymnastics)...it was a fun day!  They had a station to make snow, drink hot cocoa, decorate cookies, and of course open play!   It was set up so great, they called each family back a few at a time, which made the wait time short.  Once it was our turn the boys were so excited!  They both sat on his lap individually and told him what they wanted for Christmas (Isaac - cars, Luke - trains).  Luke was funny, he was a little nervous, but still happy.  Santa asked what he wanted, he quickly said, "Trains."  Then he turned to me and said, "Cheese" without listening to anything else Santa had to say.  It was really funny.  Then Hannah's turn came, she was all smiles, until he touched her...oh man, she was not happy about sitting in his lap.  We got a great picture of all three, the boys smiling and Hannah screaming!
• Isaac went to Christmas Choir Camp at his school (church)...he loved it!  It was once a week for two hours, they sang, did crafts, and played games.  I worked two of the days, but he went alone the other two days.  He did get nervous before each time, but always had the best time!  The first week the church worship band began setting up to practice as we were finishing up.  Isaac noticed the guitars and was hooked, he had to watch.  That was his favorite part of the night!  He and his camp buddies performed at the Christmas Eve service at church...I'll save that for another entry.
• We had our own little Christmas Polar Express one night.  Isaac had choir camp, so Carl and I took the little ones to Chick Fil A for dinner, then headed over to pick up Isaac.  We let him eat dinner in the truck (not the norm in our family) as we drove around two neighborhoods to check out the fun displays.  The boys loved it, and Hannah slept through most of it.
• The Friday before Christmas was a big day.  Isaac had a performance at school, so of course we all attended, along with Oma and Opa and Emmy and Gumby.  Isaac sang, but didn't do many of the motions, he had fun though, and we were so proud!  After the performance we went to his classroom for cookies, he loved showing off his room.  That evening Isaac and I had a big night, we headed over to his friend Taylor's church.  They had a fun event that included Santa and Ms. Claus, hot dogs  and smores cooked over the fire, even a hay ride to look at Christmas lights.  We all had so much fun...it was special to have some time with only my big boy!

I wish I could include pictures, but my blog is not cooperating.  I'll post about Christmas Eve and Christmas Day another time...it's time for bed now. 

10 month girl!

10 months old, how is that right?  My baby girl is growing up SO fast!  She watches her brothers every minute she can, and she wants to be like them...therefore she is growing and learning fast.  Hannah is crawling everywhere, she is into everything, and has started pulling up on everything she can!  She is moving fast between stages, she wants to keep up with her big brothers!  Just last week she started walking behind a walker, she loves it, and has great control.  We predict she will be walking by 11 months.  Hannah loves to crawl under and between things...it's hilarious!  She loves to squeeze through tight spaces, but when she gets stuck she sure gets mad!  Luke is hilarious because he often follows her through those tight spaces (luckily he's small enough to fit), and she sure loves having her buddy to play with.  Hannah is little Miss Social, she waves and smiles at everyone she meets, and has even started trying to say bye-bye.  Her favorite word is still uh-oh, she says Da-Da quite often, but only says Mama when she's upset or I'm not around when she wants me.  The girl loves books...when I'm reading to the boys she makes sure she is not left out and often tries to steal our book.  The boys have decided that her favorite color is pink, but she's yet to tell us if she agrees.  One thing we know is that she has quite a strong opinion about things, and she has figured out how to throw a good fit...I'm talking throw herself on the floor, screaming, kind of fit!  The boys have never thrown a fit like that, so this is new to us, and we're not quite sure how to handle that.  She has started this at 9 months...oh man, I think we're in trouble!  Thank goodness the fits are short lived and don't happen too often, and the smiles/giggles are more her normal behavior. Hannah got a few dolls for Christmas, and she loves them!  She doesn't actually play much with them yet, but she does like to talk to them and give them kisses...I love hearing her little squeals when she's "playing" with them.

Hannah is really moving fast out of the baby stage, so I'm trying to savor every sweet cuddle and my time I get to rock her to sleep.  I'm sad to see her finish the baby stage, but I'm so excited to see her enter the new toddler world (but not too soon)!

Isaac at 4.5

Talkative, silly, curious, observant, persistent, and so sweet...these are all words that come to mind when I think of my Isaac.  Many times a day I wonder how he grew so fast, is that big boy really my baby boy?  Gosh, he's growing fast physically and mentally!  I cannot believe kindergarten is only a semester away, it just doesn't seem possible.  He is loving this year of preschool, he learns so many great things every day (academically, socially, and spritually).  This year he communicates the things he's learning more than he did in the past and I can tell he is soaking it all up!  He has two fabulous teachers, for which we are so thankful!  Isaac has always loved music, singing, and "playing" his guitar, so we decided to enroll him in his school's Christmas Choir Camp.  He has gone every Wednesday for this past month, for 2 hours in the evening, and he has a blast!  He is a bit nervous to go every week, but once he's there he's fine, and he leaves the church giddy and bouncing from excitement!  Of course at home he still loves to be outside, really he prefers to be outside.  From the moment he gets up until he goes to bed at night, he is asking to go play outside.  His favorite activity is now a toss up between riding his "motorcycle" (aka bicycle) or driving a power wheels vehicle.  He also really enjoys swinging and jumping on the trampoline.  He and Luke play so well together and often drive off through the yard together going to do different things...it makes me so happy to see them enjoying those moments together.  Isaac ADORES his sister, he takes such good care of her!  Sometimes he hesitates when I ask him to do things for me, but when I ask him to do something that involves helping or taking care of Hannah he does it immediately.  He would feed her, change her, and even bathe her if I allowed it...he is such a great big brother!  Isaac's newest infatuation is with jeans and belts....he wants to wear a pair of jeans with his belt every day!  If the jeans are dirty or if it's too hot, he chooses shorts with belt loops, he can't leave the belt at home.   A couple of weeks ago I let him wear a tie to church, now that's a daily battle, too!  Oops, I should have known that would happen.  Of course, Isaac is SO excited and anxious about Christmas!  He has made many Christmas crafts at home and school, he talks about it all the time, and demands that we listen to Christmas music in the car.  I love hearing him sing the songs, it's a precious sound...even the millionth time.  Ha!  I mentioned at the beginning that he is talkative...oh my, the boy's mouth is never closed!  He cannot let a second go by without a word...Carl is sure that behavior was passed down from me...I've apologized to my parents for the nonstop talking I'm sure I did as a kid, which may or may not have driven them a bit crazy.  :-)

My Isaac is keeps me entertained and keeps me thinking...I'm thankful for his deep thoughts, silly thoughts, and sweet heart.

Big Changes

Luke has changed so much in the last couple of months!  He is talking up a storm, which is the biggest change, and he is so much happier and more social.  People tell me all the time how much he has changed and grown up.  I love hearing him talk because I feel like I'm really getting to know his thoughts now.  He amazed us daily with his talking, he went from saying a couple of words at a time to saying full sentences!  One of my favorite things he has said recently was when we were looking at Christmas lights...he kept saying, "Mama, look!  Those lights so so SO petty!!!"  Luke is such a joyful boy, which we always knew and saw, but others didn't see it often because of his shyness, but now everyone sees it!  Luke has a new love, a love for driving power wheels.  The boy started driving one day and hasn't stopped, and he drives perfectly!  Now when we go outside all he wants to do is drive and swing on the swingset.  If I tell him it's time to go in before he's had a chance to swing he tells me, "Please swing a minute."  Luke also loves to just play independently, he will play quietly with his trains or cars for so long, and sometimes I sneak in to just watch him play so sweetly.  Now that he's talking I enjoy listening to his descriptions as he plays. 

Luke loves his sister and brother so much!!!  He can't wait to pick Isaac up from school, he says with such excitement, "I see Isaac!!!" as soon as Isaac walks out of the building.  And he brings Hannah toys all day long, and loves to hug on her.  He has lately started getting nervous about her getting his toys though.  Sometimes when he's pushing around a car or train she will look his way and he just flips out, cries and calls for me.  It's sad and cute at the same time. 

Luke is my sweet peanut, he is full of energy, joy, and love!

Baby Girl is 9 months!

Sweet Hannah is now 9 months old!  I keep telling her to stop growing, to slow down, but she isn't listening to me.  :-)  Hannah is so fun!  She is much different than the boys, the boys were always pretty content with the toys we put in front of them, even once they learned to crawl they were still content.  Hannah on the other hand is into EVERYTHING!  She is such a girl, she wants to check everything out, she wants to play with everything, and she gets upset when we tell her no.  Oh goodness, she keeps me on my toes!   She started crawling at around 8 months, and started pulling up on things this week, so right around 9 months.  She gets more stable when standing everyday, it's really neat to see it.  She loves this new perspective and the new world that has opened up to her.  Hannah talks up a storm, she's always making noise.  She has learned to say "UH-OH."  I couldn't believe it the first time she said it, but now she says it all the time.  She will even say it as she holds up a cup or toy, and then she drops it and says it again.  The girl is so silly.  She also started waving this past month, it's the most precious beauty queen wave.  She also claps now, and she gets the biggest smile on her face while she does it!  Hannah has quite a personality.  She now makes a cute scrunchy nose face when I get the camera out...she throws her head back and makes this silly face.  She is quite the ham!  She laughs the most at her brothers, oh how she loves those boys!  Her face lights up when she sees them!  She is eating really well, she wants lots of solids.  Today at Target we were picking up some food for her and she went crazy, she wanted to eat it right then!  She is Miss Social, she loves to play with other kids and babies.  However, she has developed quite the stranger anxiety, she does not enjoy being away from me.  I hate that because it makes many situations difficult, but at the same time I'm trying to enjoy this time with her and give her all the extra hugs and cuddles she needs.

Hannah Baby is so special...she brings us so much joy, we are so blessed!