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! 

Jiu-Jitsu competition

About two years ago, Jack started Jiu-Jitsu and through all his other activities, he has stuck with it. Last December, he did his first competition and it was a eye opening experience. He was out within 30 seconds but it taught him that Jiu-Jitsu is more than just a 50 minute class a couple days a week - it is competitive, and kids go hard and fast. He wasn't swayed with the first competition and wanted to do another one. Perhaps it is because the Olympics are on and talk of medals is in the air, but at his second competition, he said that he didn't want a participation medal or even a bronze medal, but a gold or silver medal. So this is how the day went...

Arrived at the competition, watched his younger team mates compete for an hour and got weighted in.

Waited for about 30 minutes, went onto the mat, warmed up and sat down with his competitors. 

Got coached up by one of his coaches. 

Went round one - and won with 4 points to 2 points. His last two points were earned in the last 30 seconds of the 3 minute round. 

Round two - won by having an advantage even though no points were scored. 

Telling me "I'm in the FINALS!"

Round three - looking at the clock and score, realizing he was down.

But came in second - earning himself a silver medal! 

So proud of this little man for achieving his goal!

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. 

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.

Cub Scouts awards & space durby

This whole Cub Scout's thing is new to me but so far, so good. Since our camping trip in early October, Jack has been working on several belt loops. At our last pack meeting, he was awarded 6 belt loops and a patch (which I still need to figure out how to attach to his shirt!). He was SO excited to earn his patches and belt loops.

The cub scouts had a space derby, which entailed making your own space rocket ship. We purchased the "kit", which has 2 blocks of wood, 3 sheets of plastic (for the fins/wings), rubber bands, propeller and a few other small items to construct the rocket. I warned Jack upfront, that since I was the one helping him, he may not win but we'd have fun together doing it. He didn't win any races, but he did win "best Halloween decorated ship", so that was great. And I got some tips for next year - as well as the race car derby coming up next year.



Jack learned about the flag - what the colors, stars and stripes stand for - as well as how to fold a flag. Here he is with his den and a flag from the civil war. 

8th tooth

Jack really is a Jack O Lantern for Halloween this year... or maybe a great Dracula. He now has all top four teeth missing. A couple good yanks (and "cracks" as he says) and out his 8th tooth came (top right, next to the middle).  It takes him forever to grow the new teeth in, so he may well be asking Santa for his top FOUR teeth this year.

Fall

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

I guess it takes 7 years....

All day on October 4th, I had a nagging feeling I was forgetting something...but I couldn't figure it out. It wasn't a family member's birthday, it wasn't an anniversary... I just knew the day meant something but couldn't put my finger on it. And then it hit me... October 4th was the day - 7 years ago - that we met Jack for the first time. Apparently it takes me 7 years to "forget" that adoption date. 

I don't know if that is a good thing or a bad thing... good that I don't think of our adoption all the time or bad that I could forget such a momentous day in our lives? Or perhaps I'm just now so consumed with our daily life. Because 7 years ago, that little 13 pound, 6 month old, most adorable little boy on earth consumed our whole world and he continues to do so. For example, on this weekend, we had Jack's baseball practice Friday night and packed for camping. Saturday morning we went to Jack's soccer game and then immediately went camping with his Cub Scouts pack. Saturday was filled with setting up camp, learning bike safety, eating lunch, going on a bike ride, playing capture the flag, doing cub scout activities, eating dinner, going to a Bat seminar and Bat walk, hanging around the camp fire listening to skits and then cuddling in the tent. Sunday was spent packing up camping, unpacking from camping once home, doing fundraising for Cub Scouts and school, and then going to Jack's baseball game. Life is never dull with Jack, that is for sure! 

Chilling at soccer. 

In the camping tent.

Running from 3rd to home.

We've always been open that we adopted our kids and they know it, but it still comes out in funny ways. Jack and I were talking about his 2nd cousin, who just because a big brother for the 2nd time. Jack asked if they adopted a new baby. In Jack's world - that IS how families are formed! I explained they gave birth to the baby and kept him. But with some families, the baby is born and then the Mommy and Daddy come to adopt that the baby. He just said okay and that was it.

I pray I can always answer his questions clearly and that his adoption doesn't consume his world - just as it (his adoption) doesn't consume our world, but rather we thrive and have our FAMILY consume our world. 

Jack's sports

Jack has a very busy schedule. He has soccer practice Monday evenings from 5 - 6pm. Jiu-Jitsu Tuesday and Wednesday from 5:10 - 6pm. Baseball Thursday and Friday from 4 - 6pm... although those tend to run longer. Saturday is an hour of a soccer game and Sunday is a 2 hour baseball game. 

Baseball practice - on first base getting coached by Daddy.

Pitching!

Soccer.

At bat.

Soccer.

Cub Scouts

Jack wanted to do Cub Scouts this year. Although I know nothing of it, we're giving it the old college try, and jumping in feet first... along with too many other activities! We had our first official cub scout event on the 2nd day of school at the 9/11 flag raising ceremony. I think Jack was a bit nervous since we haven't had one den meeting or anything. But I managed to put together enough of his uniform to be presentable (missing our den # badge). He looked adorable in his uniform, if I do say so myself! And I was so proud of him for being a part of the meaningful ceremony - and earning his patriotic badge for it.

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.

AYSO Soccer & Jiu-Jitsu

Jack really wanted to do soccer this fall. The kids took an AYSO soccer summer camp and both really enjoyed it, so we decided to see how Jack would do on an AYSO team. I was wary.... the first time he did soccer, he was just under 4 and my cousin was the coach. There would be the ball... the cluster of kids following the ball... and then Jack trailing behind kicking down all the cones. Then in the Spring of 2011, Brooke wanted to do soccer so we signed her up and Jack said he'd do it with her. The way their birthdays fall, they were on the same team - with Brooke as the youngest and Jack as the oldest. Although Brooke did great, Jack and another player (who is now on his AYSO team) dominated; by being the oldest by far.

Since I didn't see the kids at the soccer camp this summer, I've only recently seen Jack's soccer skills and I'm impressed! See photo below - look at the determination on his face during a scrimmage. And at his first official AYSO soccer game -- Jack scored his team's first goal! He had several other goal kick attempts but hit the post or went just outside -- but he had the most attempts. He is also learning to pass and control the ball.

Jack earned another stripe at Jiu-Jitsu!

Another Tooth Gone & Mining

At our block party, there was a 4 year old boy who filled up a gatoraid bottle with water and threw it... right at Jack's mouth. They were in the kiddie pool and Jack started crying - I thought out of shock. I scooped him up to try to sooth him and realized his mouth was bleeding. At a closer look, I realized his top tooth, to the left of his middle one (already gone) was OUT! The impact of the bottle knocked out his tooth. Fortunately it was a baby tooth, but it was only slightly loose and probably could have stayed in his mouth until at least the end of the year. One of our neighbors fished out the tooth from the kiddie pool so we had the tooth to give to the tooth fairy that night. But now Jack is missing three, top front teeth and has a very big hole when he smiles.

We went to Zoo Mars (a petting zoo) for a friend's birthday in August and Jack really wanted to do the mining activity, but it wasn't part of the party, so I promised I'd take him another time. I took a day off from work and the kids and I went to Zoo Mars to go mining. I was so glad to be able to do that with them - fulfill a promise - and just watch them enjoy themselves with doing something new. They had fun sifting through the sand to find their gems; and then look up the gems on the brochure to see what they got. Little did they realize that THEY were the best gems of all.

Our Saturday

I took Jack to jiu-jitsu on Saturday morning and on the way home, passed Scott as he was taking Brooke to swim lessons. I then took Jack to a friend's birthday party while Scott took Brooke to our niece's Morgan's 5th birthday party. Jack and I left the friend's birthday party early to meet up at Morgan's princess tea birthday party late. Lots of running around, but we managed to squeeze it all in. 

That night, Jack decided he wanted money, so he pulled out his top, front, left tooth! This was his fifth tooth, but first on the top row. Again, I didn't think it was that loose, but sure enough, Jack was determined and pulled it right out. I got it on video and you can actually hear it when Jack pulled it out.