Busy Times

Okay, so my blogging has decreased in frequency. It seems like my time to update the blog is directly proportional to how content my sons are each day playing alone. Obviously they really like having time with Mommy! :)

Josh is getting ever closer to the end of his Kindergarten year. I'm happy to report that we're promoting him to first grade next year. I need to work with him on his reading this summer, but he's really made a lot of progress this year. When I look back on the work he did at the beginning of the year to now, it's amazing how far he's come. Now if I could just get him to tie his own shoes!

We've also started Upward Basketball at church for Josh this Spring. He plays on a team of other Kindergarten girls and boys. The first game I went to was very surreal for me. Seeing my oldest son in a uniform dribbling the basketball made me so aware that this is probably the first of so many games I'll be watching my sons play. Josh has made great strides in his defense and passing. Dan's coaching the team and it's been both fun and draining for him this season. But I think Josh loves having his dad there every week and Dan's doing a great job!

The twins keep me busy every day. It never ceases to amaze me to much trouble they can get into if I'm not aware of what they are doing every moment! Just this morning, Andrew sprayed bleach on his t-shirt. Fortunately, he missed his face. And this was another moment where I was reminded how many things he can pull off the countertops now. Evan has finally progressed completely to table food, although I'm convinced that his primary food groups are chicken strips, french fries, dry cereal and crackers. Fortunately, he likes the new V-8 fruit/veggie juices so at least I'm getting more than protein and carbs in his system. :) Andrew will try pretty much anything we eat, and likes most of it. As a result, he continues to grow bigger and faster than his twin brother. But they are both healthy and happy little boys, with their own distinct personalities.

This year is flying by and summer is rapidly approaching. We're going to try to schedule swim lessons for all three boys, although not at the same time! Josh has VBS and his 6th birthday next month and the twins are going to try a day camp at church in July. I can only imagine how crazy our life will be in a few more years!

I've included a pictures of the twins at Easter (with their buckets), Evan playing baseball, Andrew putting on Daddy's slipper (and looking like he was caught in the act!) and Josh playing basketball. Enjoy!

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!