Long over due catch up

It has been months since I've posted and my only good excuse is that we've been deeply engaged with our kids activities and just enjoying our lives together. My not-so-good excuse is that I started a new job in March and it has been very consuming but I love it. 

I'm now working at Mission Hospital as their Communications and Marketing Director. I am in heaven. The environment is so different than corporate america. The people here are good, salt of the earth people, who really come to work every day to make a difference in another persons life. I constantly hear comments such as "it is an honor to help the patient" or "I'm more than happy to help" or "what can I do to help you". The work is good, the commute is great and the people are just amazing. Although I maybe working more hours (on the iPad in the evenings), I'm a much happier person. 

But I'm horrible at posting now -- I need to catch up from Jack's birthday, Easter, Scott's birthday and Memorial weekend... but in the meantime, a quick summary of the kids.

Brooke is just loving Kindergarten. She is constantly telling stories, learning sight words, reading and we are working on her math. At her open house this month, she was jumping out of her skin to show us each and every corner of her classroom. Proud girl! She started jiu-jitsu in May and is just loving it. She also started piano in March and although she doesn't practice as much as she should, she does want to participate in the recital this summer. Brooke (at almost 6.5 years old), still has no wiggly teeth, but now officially out-weights her brother. She still enjoys gymnastics, and I'm amazed at her strength. I always knew she has great core and leg strength, but she was on the bars the other day and she did so well - even her teacher said how strong her arms are. Brooke is most certainly our fish. We had no idea when we bought our house last year - that came with a pool - just what a fish she is, but clearly we were meant to have a pool for her. She would be in the pool all day if we let her. 

Jack is a busy boy with jiu-jitsu, baseball and piano - he also started piano. He is advancing slightly faster than Brooke but I think that is more because of his age and grasping concepts faster. I'm enjoying playing with him - I'll play a song with his fingers on mine to get a feel for it. It is a wonderful bonding experience. His jiu-jitsu and baseball are both coming along. He loves having his sister at jiu-jitsu and has earned 3 game balls in baseball this season. Pitching is one of his favorite position, but is also great a other positions such as 2nd, short stop and 1st. Jack has a recent doctor appointment and although we did a bone x-ray and blood lab work to check his growth (5% for weight at 46lbs and 7% of height), he is totally normal. 

A couple conversations I recently had with Jack that I want to post in order to remember: 

A few days ago, we were outside playing in the street with neighbors/friends and a car pulled out of its driveway. Jack was playing with his tennis rack and ball when the ball got away from him. I told him to stop. He said that the ball was going to get run over by the car. I told him that I can always buy a new ball but I can’t buy a new Jack. He said, "of course you can – you can just go adopt another me." I said that it wouldn’t be “you”. He said that I could just adopt another “Jack”.  He was told that it would haven’t his personality... and there is never any way to replace him. 

Another time, we were in bed talking about being a good big brother and protecting his sister, not picking on her, esp. in front of his friends. I asked him – do you remember what Pappy (my dad) use to tell me about Nini (my sister)? He said yes, that she is the only one who will always be with you for your whole life. I was surprised he remembered because it has been months since I told him that. A bit later in the conversation, he turned to me and asked, “when are you going to get another baby”. I asked if he wanted one and he said yes. I asked “a baby like Lizzy” (our neighbors just adopted a baby girl who is now about 9 months old), he said no – that he wanted a brother. I said that if we did that, that it would take away time from him because instead of sitting here in bed with him, I’d have to be giving the baby boy a bath and getting him ready for bed. Jack said that he’d be in the bath with us.

All in all, the family is good -- no great. We spend many late afternoons and evenings with our neighbors and friends on the street ... either just playing in the street, or dinner at our house, or a block party. Although we are typically at one kid activity or another during most evenings of the week, I wouldn't have it any other way - they are thriving and so are we. My only sadness is that I can see my kids spending more and more time with friends vs. just being with Mommy and Daddy, and hanging out. They are already slipping away - which I understand is what needs to be and I love they have friends and are social. But I still do love my cuddle times with them. So even now, when they ask to sleep in our bed, I'll still say YES! 

Milestones

I've gotten away from monthly milestone updates on the kids.... partly due to the fact they are older and don't have as many "monthly" milestones/changes, and partly due to the fact that I'm just too busy. But I feel remiss and wanted to give an update - not on the events in our lives but on the kids themselves.

Jack, at almost 8 years old...

- has lost a total of 8 teeth - middle four teeth on the top and bottom. All four bottom middle adult teeth are in and two of them are diagonally crooked. The two middle top teeth are coming in - HUGE - with no room for the other two teeth.

- is totally obsessed with the Wii U. He especially loves the Wii U Lego video games. He is also obsessed with playing apps on my iPhone.

- is amazing with his math and spelling. He almost always gets 100% on both his math and spelling weekly tests. And if it isn't 100%, it is within the 90% range. His weekly spelling lists are always the hardest level and he is advancing his math skills as fast as possible (not being held back).

- loves playing outside - riding his bike, playing baseball, soccer and football.

- still enjoys Jiu-Jitsu (almost two years of doing it) and has started to do Jiu-Jitsu competitions. 
- started playing piano and not only seems to really enjoy it but also has a good sense about it.

- although on the smaller scale for height and weight, it doesn't phase him in the slightest.  His athletic ability rivals those that outweigh him and are much taller than him. 

- loves his may-may (lovey blanket), cuddling with Mommy and sleepovers in our bed.

- doesn't mind holding my hand in public or even having me hold him in front of his friends.

- plays with Legos, nerf guns, anything soldier/army related.

Brooke, at just over 6 years old...

- is an amazing reader. She reads out loud to us and sounds out 5+ letter words. Although we don't do sight word flashcards, she knows all the basic sight words just because of her reading.

- loves, loves, loves soccer. She is the most aggressive girl out there and will take on anyone. 
- enjoys gymnastics and has started playing the piano.

- has found riding her bike once again. We took off the training wheels last spring, but she took a fall over 4th of July and didn't get back on it until early this year..... she conquered her fear and now rides her bike every chance she gets.

- will hang in there with Jack playing the Wii U (although not as obsessed) and has found a couple Disney video games she enjoys.

- still has the sweetest personality; always loving and wears her emotions on her sleeve.

- loves anything Disney princess and My Little Pony.

- loves to listed to books on CDs and music CDs. Often we find her sitting on her stuffed chair, with her CD player in front of her listening to music (and singing) or listening to an audio book.

We've been in our house for almost a year now and it has been simply amazing. We are still so in-love with the house and blessed to have it. As a bonus, the street could not be more perfect. It is one of those streets that has Christmas light strung from side to side. I love it. We have 5 neighbors with kids around the same age as ours kids - there are 14 kids aged from almost born to 8 years old. One of our neighbors has become our closest friends, with kids the same gender and age as our kids. We typically do Friday night dinners with them and the kids have sleep overs.

Although no life is perfect and one could always "want" more... but there really isn't much I can complain about.

January Events

January for us, is typically a quiet month -- meaning not a lot of weekend commitments so we've been able to relax and just enjoy. We did finally furnish our living room - after living in the house for 9 months! A few other things going on with us....

Jack got another promotion at Jiu Jitsu.

Jack learned how to drive... or rather, just pretend drive. 

Jack earned a few badges at cub scouts.

Jack learned how to box... or rather just mess around with Daddy's heavy bag.

Brooke joined a carpool... or rather, played with the neighbor kids. 

Brooke's 6 year old check up

Brooke had a great 6 year old check up. She was thrilled because there were no shots! She is in the 38% for weight (at 43 lbs) and 34% for height (at 44.5 inches)... very proportional of her! She also checked out perfectly with both her hearing and vision. A clean bill of heath, which is so nice to hear (no holes in her heart, no umbilical hernia = a easy check up). 

Our doctor provided this list of 6 year old accomplishments. Brooke is able to do all the following except the last three.
- plays cooperatively
- brushes teeth without help
- enjoys friends
- dresses/undresses self without supervision
- shows independence
- ties shoes
- knows right from left
- prints name
- gets physical activity
- plays computer games
- reads
- rides bike without training wheels
- understand long commands or complex sentences
- can tell a story about recent events
- readiness to learn to read and do math
- conforms to simple rules regarding behavior
- able to walk heel to toe
- able to draw a triangle
- watches TV
- knows number to call in case of an emergency
- understand fair/unfair
- knows telephone number and address (lacking the address part)
- tells time (only on a digital clock)

Brookes 6th Birthday

It's official.... my baby is 6 years old and she is thrilled. The night before her birthday, she told me she couldn't wait to go to bed to sleep to be rested and ready for her actual birthday! 

We celebrated by taking her to Disney on Ice the day before her birthday, and on her actual birthday, we went to Build A Bear - so she could build her own My Little Pony Rainbow Dash - and Farrell's for birthday ice cream. Everything a 6 year old could ask for - princesses, ponies and ice cream! 

Princess Party

My baby is turning 6 and is super excited. We had a princess birthday party for her at the house with 16 little princesses (plus 2 older cousins and 3 boys). The majority of the girls were friends from Brooke's Kindergarten class, with two from the street, two from soccer and two more from her preschool days. We've entered the phase of some parents dropping off and some staying, so we had a full house for the afternoon.

Fortunately, by living in Southern CA, it was nice enough weather to have part of the party (crafts, cake and ice cream) outside, and then move inside when Princess Belle arrived to entertain the kids with dancing, games and face painting. After Belle and the majority of the guests left, Brooke opened her presents and the pure joy on her face with each and every gift was just amazing. She, more than anyone I know, has just amazement and happiness with each present. And although I'm having a hard time with her turning 6 - more so than any previous age - she is thrilled to be 6.

Gymnastics and Jiu-Jitsu

Brooke had her gymnastics performance - she loves performing and being on stage. She was able to show off her handstands and cartwheels. 

Jack participated in his first ever Jiu-Jitsu tournament. Although he didn't win (ref called it), he enjoyed the experience, learned a lot and earned a huge participation medal that he loves.

Baseball and Soccer

Jack's fall baseball and soccer season finished up last week. It was a crazy 2 months of practices and games that took up almost every day of the week, but it was fun. Jack did "kid-pitch" baseball and was able to pitch a few games. Jack got hit by the baseball early in the season and was really shaken by it. It took a bit, but he eventually got over it and no longer jumps out of the box when he is at bat. Jack really seemed to enjoy his first season in AYSO soccer. Next fall may be difficult as he will have to choose between fall baseball and AYSO soccer, but I'm not for doing both again at the same time!  Brooke is still really enjoying soccer... may have to put her in AYSO soccer next fall.

Fall

I just had to post this adorable photo of the kids at their schools fall festival fundraiser.

5 years.

The anniversary of when we first met Brooke will always be memorable... seeing her for the first time was an amazing gift for us - even though it was on my father's birthday. We talk about the day and tell her about it, but I don't think she has any idea of what it all means and that is okay. She is content and happy and thriving and that is all that matters. 

She was so scared that first day. She slowly came out of her shell and by the time we went to bring her home, she rocked our world - testing us and pushing us. And she continues to do so today. She has spunk and a determine little mind to do just what she wants. Sometimes that isn't always in her best interest or safety but most of the time, what she does is loving, caring and helpful. I'm amazed that she is already in Kindergarten. I'm amazed that she is healthy (given she had a hole in her heart and an umbilical hernia). I'm amazed at her competitive spirit when playing sports. I'm amazed at her giving.

Keeping up with Brooke

Brooke is such a good sport... just about every day, she gets carted around going to one of her brother's activities. Fortunately, she has a friend to play with and we make good use of the time by either doing homework or practicing her gymnastics. Of course, there is time to just be a little girl and play around. 

At gymnastics. She is learning cartwheels, round-offs, handstands and back-bends.

Keeping herself and friend, Autumn, occupied during her brother's soccer game.

While her brother had his own baseball game, Brooke enjoying going to an Angel's game with friend, Autumn.

Happy, encouraging sister watching her brother's game.

At a friend's birthday party, Brooke took to the climbing wall. She made it all the way across, every time, without falling. 

At the friend's birthday party, Brooke battling with a school friend. 

1st day of Kinder and 2nd Grade

 It is official -- both kids are in elementary school. Once location for both drop off and pick up feels pretty good! They kids got an early start as they went to TLC (the after care program) for 3 days before school actually started (but only maybe 3 hours each day). On the first day of school, as we were walking onto campus, Jack was telling Brooke where everything was, "this is the office, that is the MPR, this is where we eat lunch." It was the cutest thing ever.

Jack's class lined up on the black top... little chaos trying to find the line while getting through the swarm of kids and saying hi to parents and friends. His teacher, Mrs. Cole!, introduced herself and escorted the kids to the classroom. We took a class picture in front of the classroom, which Jack loves the location because it is opens up to the soccer field. I think I was more anxious that he was - but I have him a hug and kiss and off he went with a smile, walking into his classroom and found his seat.

Just over an hour later, we went back to school to drop Brooke off (who is a Late Owl start). She has the same teacher Jack had for Kinder, whom we love. She was super excited, putting her backpack on the hook and walking into the room. She clung to my leg as I introduced her to Mrs. Ryan but then opened right up when she found the basket of books. Mrs. Ryan read "The Kissing Hand" and then the kids came to give us kisses, and us to them. She was totally fine and happy to be in school.

I shed some tears, but fortunately, I was the only one.

Brooke & Shingles

Wednesday night, I noticed a small red area on Brooke's back. Thursday night, it had grown and there was a second red spot under her arm pit. So on Friday, Scott took her to the doctor and found out she has shingles. 

A small lesson on shingles:
-kids can get it (it isn't just for adults)
-it is a disease caused by the chicken pox virus (not caught by other people with chicken pox or shingles)
-you had to have chicken pox or the vaccination to get shingles
-it typically isn't as painful or as itchy for kids as it is for adults
-most common on the back, check or stomach

Brooke had chicken pox at the baby house before she got home. And once you have it, the virus stays in the body dormant. But for some reason, can be reactivated as shingles. Her rash should last for 7 to 10 days. She is itchy but isn't scratching. No prescribed meds were given, but we are putting on hydro cortisone cream and giving her Benadryl to help with the itching. We are also covering the rash with gauze and medical tape so if she does touch it, she won't rip at the rash. I'll spare you the photos of the rash.

We've notified families that we spend a lot of time with and fortunately, this is happening before school starts - otherwise she'd be home for a week! She is being a trooper and still, for the most part, is in high spirits.

Brooke's hair and love note

Just recently, Brooke came out of the shower with her hair still in a pony tail. I explained to her that she always had to take the pony tail out in order to effectively wash her hair. The next day I told Jack we needed to get his hair cut soon.... and that Brooke would need to get her hair trimmed before school started. She pitched a fit -- she does not want to get her hair cut because she wants LONG hair. So later that night, as the kids were sent upstairs to shower, I was surprised to hear from Jack, "Mommy, Brooke is cutting her hair!"

I ran upstairs and found her bend over the bathroom trash can, office scissor in hand, cutting her hair... come to find out, she was trying to cut out the pony tail. Why she couldn't come ask me to undo it (as she does most nights), I have no idea. I also don't know why she decided to cut it out in the first place but then to also continue to cut as the tuffs of hair were falling to the ground. 

She has a tuff in the back (see first photo), as well as a group of hair in the front (see 2nd photo). I'm tempted to give her bangs since she is already about a third of the way there! 

AND.... she was in soccer camp for a week. On the last day, she was awarded the MVP player! She was also given the below love note from a teammate! Crazy.... 5.5 years old and already getting love notes.... trouble! 

Note says: My Song
I can not explain how beautiful you are.
It drives me insane, your like a shining star.
I love to play with you. It makes me crazy.
Just baby listen. I love you, I hope you like me.
I think your different from all the other girls.
When I see you, my head spins in swirls. 

Brooke update

My little girl! She is full of life and full of love. She has come a long way, although some of her behavior still makes me shake my head... she is strong willed; if she doesn't like what is served for dinner (i.e. chicken) she just won't eat it; she drops words from sentences and then can't figure out what she said wrong; she'll answer a question without knowing what she actually said... but she has more and more amazing attributes. 

She has taken to swimming like I've never seen before. Last year she was pooping in the pool and now she swims the length of our pool like a champ. She has learned freestyle and is learning how to breathe on the side stroke. She is also learning the backstroke. She has no fear of the water and jumps (literally) at the chance to go into the pool. 

Show her a map of the US and she'll name the states. Some of them she gets mixed up (ex: she calls Georgia, Oregon), but for the most part, she can name them - either by just knowing geographically where they are or by reading their names. She can even name the oceans and Mexico. 

She has learned to write many 3 letter words. I'm starting her on sight words already and she picks it up so quickly. 

She counts to 100, even by 10's, and recognizes all the numbers up to 100. She can do simple addition (ex: 2 + 2, 3 + 3, 4 + 4, 5 + 5, 6 + 6). 

She loves to sing and listen to CDs. She'll spend hours in her room listening to books on CD and music CDs. She'll listen to the stories being read to her and turn the pages of the book to follow along. She'll listen to the CDs and sing with all her heart. 

She is starting to read level 1 books. Scott is very patient with her, helping her to sound out the words. She tries so well to sound it out instead of just guessing at the words. 

She is a power house at soccer. She is always in the mix, elbowing kids out and aggressively going after the ball. She scores a goal at every game. 

She gets overjoys at the smallest gifts. Every gift is like Christmas morning for her... eyes full of wonder, excitement and appreciation. 

She loves to give hugs and kisses. She is always coming to us giving us hugs, kisses and rubbing our backs. She is one affectionate girl. 

May review

As my mom nicely pointed out, I've been slacking on updating the blog, so here is a recap of the month of May.

Brooke loves her soccer. She scores at least one goal at every game. She even decided to go to soccer instead of going to an Angel's game one Sunday.

Brooke has made fast friends our neighbor, Autumn. She lives two doors down, is just about the same age as Brooke and will be starting Kindergarten at the same school with Brooke in September. Here they are cuddling on the couch watching a movie.

 Jack ended his baseball season. He was awarded two game balls during the season and had a lot of fun. It was great to watch him improve his skills and understanding of the game. At one point during the season, he said he didn't like being catcher (Scott thinks because his glove isn't a "catchers" glove so it hurts his hand). But then Jack realized - on his own - that a catcher gets a lot of action during the game, so there were several times he volunteered to be catcher.

Jack's school did a mother's day breakfast. I was so glad to be able to spend some time with him at school and look at all the great work he did for me.

Both the kids have been getting a lot of use with the pool. Here Brooke is on a Friday evening just playing in the spa by herself.

Jack was in a school play as one of the announcers. He practiced all the time and knew his line by heart.  

This is how dirty Jack is when I pick him up from school. Between basketball and handball, the boy has dirt covering his arms and hands (both sides), and streaks of dirt down his face.

We took the kids to the the battleship USS Iowa. They were on the USS Missouri in Hawaii almost 2 years ago. It was great exposure and a learning experience for both of the kids.

 This is how Brooke fashions the pool noodles as flotation devices in the pool. However, she doesn't really need them. Her swimming lessons have really paid off. She can do the freestyle - learning how to breath sideways right now and is learning the backstroke.

We went to Jack's open house at school to view all the amazing work he has been doing.

Scott and I had an adult night out with good friends!

Jack and Mommy day at an Angel's baseball game.

Brooke with her new bike! We told her as soon as she learned to ride without training wheels, she could pick out her own big-girl bike. She choose Strawberry Shortcake.