Oh Sam, how we love you...

Your full set of teeth, your chunky cheeks and chin, your naughty little grin. Why must you be so stinking cute? It's making it very difficult to discipline you when you climb the stairs, splash in the kitty's water, and bite your mommy's shoulder. You are so...HAPPY...and we love you!

Sometimes I just have to record the conversations I overhear...

Claudia: Jake, you're in my room. That means I have to give you a test.

Jake: Okay.

C: Do boys like princesses? [These questions come in rapid succession.]

J: Yes.

C: Do boys like makeup?

J: Yes.

C: Do boys like dolls?

J: Yes.

C: Do boys like Transformers?

J: Uhhh...no.

C: Do boys like Batman?

J: No.

C: Do boys like Star Wars?

J: No.

C: Do boys like birthdays?

J: No.

C: Do boys like rats? [This one threw me off.]

J: No.

C: Okay, you can stay.

Must document Halloween

Sam stinks at carving pumpkins!

But he makes a cute cow!

Ooh, what a handsome Batman! And creepy spider!


Add Princess Frankie and Spidergirl Molly, and with that Sam is done.

Funny what we can learn about ourselves by listening to our kids...

Claudia and Jake's new game is "Mommy, Daddy, and Baby." And it even includes Sam! Yes, Sam takes his role very seriously as "Baby." Last time they played, Sam really gave them a run for their money because he kept running away. He was eventually given a time-out for the rest of his life.

Claudia also takes her role very seriously as Mommy. Today she was very concerned (eyes brimming with tears) because "Daddy" was supposed to be watching the baby but he wanted to do so from the couch. She absolutely could not leave the baby with him unless he watched Baby the way she wanted him to. What a control freak.

Meanwhile, Jake was insisting he could watch the baby from the couch on his phone because his phone can show everything.

Where do these kids get this stuff?

Look who's getting bigger!

And I'm sorry, but could he BE any cuter?

An Extreme 4-Year Old

Jake turned 4 a few short weeks ago and celebrated in a number of extreme ways, from go-karting at Craig's Cruisers to water-skiing at Pickeral Lake. Like his Daddy, he is usually successful at whatever he chooses to try -- as I stand by watching with both pride and terror. (Yes, I did jump out of the moving speed boat when he dropped off from his first water-skiing experience, and I'm not ashamed of it.) We are proud of our little boy for so many reasons. Jake can be incredibly sweet and kind, usually willing to share his last piece of candy, let Claudia have her way, and lend his beloved Nemo to a friend (as long as she doesn't put it in her mouth). He gives us many good laughs and gives us a run for our money - especially when he's tired and can't control his naughty impulses any longer. He is a Mommy's boy, and I love a good cuddle with him, even if it does mean that his thumb still goes immediately to his mouth. He's a sucker for pop, candy, and soft fabrics, and he plans to be a dirt biker when he grows up. He's our middle child and I hope we parent him in such a way that he realizes the strenths God has given him and chooses to use them for His purposes.

Looking cool with Daddy at Craig's Cruisers





Go-Karting - "That made me really, really tired."

Water-skiing - Jake got up on his first try and skied like a champ!

Trey Turns 1!

Now this is how you eat cake! My nephew, Trey, turned 1 a few weeks ago. He actually needed some coaxing to get started, but then he grabbed, smashed, smeared, and, oh yeah, ate it like a champ. I came across this picture today and had to share...Happy Birthday, Trey!