Changes

Often it seems like my job as a mom is mainly to keep up with the changes and growth in my three boys. The twins especially seem to learn new skills every day. But Josh is changing too and continuing to move ever closer to becoming a self-sufficient boy.

Ever since Christmas, the twins have been working on running, climbing and dancing. Andrew especially climbs on everything. I've found him standing on the kitchen table, the coffee table, various chairs and even trying to get on the kitchen counter. Andrew has learned something that Josh didn't get around to until age 3. Andrew will move a chair in the kitchen to an area he wants to be able to reach and then he climbs up. Usually his desire has to do with grabbing food and I've caught him wandering the house eating a doughnut. :) Evan loves to dance when music comes on, especially when Mommy claps for him. Both boys love to chase and be chased around the house and are getting faster all the time. Peek-a-boo is still a favorite game for the twins and brings lots of laughter.

The best thing I'm noticing is more play with all three boys. Josh pushes the twins in a laundry basket all over the house. Andrew tries to have a sword fight with his big brother. Evan and Andrew both love to have Josh chase them. It's great seeing how they are starting to play together. Very special!

Josh lost his first tooth in January and is working on the second one. I've included a picture of him showing off the gap in his front teeth. He was so proud to have lost his first baby tooth and didn't really have much pain associated with it. His adult tooth is already coming in to fill the hole. Although as we have learned from our pediatric dentist already, we're going to have some crooked adult teeth!

Kindergarten is going fairly well. Josh is on target with everything except reading and sight words. Typical for a boy. But that is also the most important skill he needs to learn to move on to the 1st grade. Fortunately we have some time to make a decision about whether or not to hold him back next year. He could figure it all out in the next few months and we're continuing to work with him at home. He loves school though and has lots of friends - probably too many! One thing I've learned about my oldest son is that unlike his parents, he is definitely NOT a people pleaser by nature. So we're working on figuring out how best to motivate him. It seems like that changes from day to day!

Spring is coming closer here in Texas and the boys have enjoyed having some time outside to play. I've included a couple pictures from Friday afternoon in the backyard. Turning them loose in the backyard is a great way for them to burn off energy!