Christmas Greetings

School Christmas Parties

Both of the boys had their school parties on the same day at almost the same time. Patrick came with me to see Jack sing and he stayed for the party while I drove to Will's school.  His class did a reader's theatre of the Gingerbread Man. Will was Narrator #2, and had a little party.

Jack did such a good job singing the songs, and watching his music teacher. I was so proud of him for being so brave. He had told me that morning that he was nervous, and didn't want to do it. I'm so happy he found his courage!

Will knew exactly when to stand and read his part. I was so proud of all the kids in his class. I could tell each of them had practiced their part. I loved seeing the confidence ooze from Will as he did his part. This was a great way to start off our Christmas break!

Will's 7th Birthday Letter

My Sweet Sweet William,

I always get teary when I write your birthday letters. You have had some hard challenges in your life, but you haven't let that hold you back! I love you so very much and am amazed by your hard work ethic and determination to accomplish things that are challenging for you.

You learned to swim this year and I know that was a challenge, but you stuck with it. That accomplishment paid off for all the hours you got to spend at the pool this summer.

You are an exceptional reader and you love to learn through reading.

You also love to try and teach Jack and Samuel how to do things. You are such a sweet big brother, especially to Sam. You came up with the nickname Hops for him and rarely call him Sam anymore. He has heard you say it so much he has started answering to that name now. I can tell you that a mother's heart is happiest when her children are loving and supporting each other. I hope as you grow older you find that what brings pure happiness, joy, and peace to our lives most in life is when we are taking care of one another, the way our Heavenly Parents intended.

This past year you have worked so hard on your hand writing. I know it has been hard for you. You get frustrated and sometimes want to give-up and give-in. But then you try again, and again, and again, and again. I hope you know that in those challenging moments and times during you life that you are enough. That I am rooting for you. That your Dad is pulling for you. That your brothers love and adore you. And that our Heavenly Parents and our Savior are ever mindful of you and your life, the good and the bad, the happy and sad, and the hard and the easy,  and They are close by watching and extending blessings at every opportunity. I hope you will stay close to Them. That you will know that they are close by and love you more than you or I can comprehend. Please pray to Him and seek His guidance often.

With all my heart I love you.  You made me a mother. Not just by your birth, but by the incredible love and patience you have helped to foster and create in me. I will forever be thankful for your part in that.

Your 1st grade teacher asked the parents to write a poem or a letter to each child and submit it. Here is what I wrote for you.

W ild and sweet, 

I 'm in for a treat.

L oving or 

L aughing,
I 'm kept on my feet.
A lways a smile on his face
M y William could never be replaced.

All my love,
Momma

Keeper of the Stairs

I think this boy loves the stairs as much as I do.

Brothers Sleeping

Will always begs for Sam to sleep with him. We have said yes a few times and Sam usually just gets up and comes to find us. Not on this night.

Sam and I have been walking down on the Greenway on days when the older boys are at (pre) school. After I walk, I take him to the playground to play for a little bit before we head home for lunch.  He loves playing in the tunnel.

Our Fireplace & Our Boys

Framing Finished!

Finally! So happy that piece is done. And I now have stairs! Yay!

Jack's 5!

Jack had been begging to go to Chuck E Cheese's for his birthday. We invited Jack's friend Kylie and her family to go with us. Jack has been really into Spiderman for a little while so a Spiderman cake is what he asked for. It was my first time making and using fondant. Wow. It was not easy. But it's pretty easy to impress a 5 year old so it worked out fine. He had fun playing games and spending time with his friends. After CEC's we stopped by a new Italian ice shop here, Rita's. Then we went out to the house and built a fire until dark. When we got back, Jack opened up his birthday presents, which included his very own big boy bike! It was a fun day. Love this little stinker. He keeps me on my toes.

Sam loved Jack's new bicycle helmet and wouldn't take it off. 

Jack's 5th Birthday Letter

Happy Birthday, Jack!

Another year has passed and you are still continuing to add joy and laughter to my days. If anyone can make me laugh, it's you.  We still have our battles between what I think and what you want, but for the most part we balance each other out pretty well.

You are such a smarty pants!! and have a super quick wit! I'm amazed at how quickly you grasp new ideas and you love, love, love to learn and understand why things are the way they are. And when you ask and we don't have the answer you are quick to try and logically think your way through it, and why it must be the way that it is.

You have a heart that is sweet and tender and thoughtful. You often think about others and how you can make them happy and feel included. This makes me so proud!

I love you to pieces and love hearing you laugh...it's contagious, and the sounds of it always makes me smile or laugh along with you.

Your temper is definitely something to be reckoned with, and I hope and pray you are able to learn how to compromise a little better in this coming year.

You love to sing and you are quite the entertainer (when you don't get embarrassed or shy).

I'm so happy and so thankful to be your Mommy. I know you love me dearly and remind me of myself and how I felt about my mommy when I was little. I didn't want her out of my sight!! Will sometimes says he wishes I had a job where someone else would watch y'all while I was at work. But not you!! You want to keep me near and dear, always! It feels good knowing I'm loved so much by you.

You have done a good job of trying to have courage and try new things this year like starting preschool, learning to swim, and ride a big boy bike, going to your primary class all by yourself. I am so proud of you, because I know new things can be scary. But they can also be so much fun! I'm proud of you and I love you!

I don't know how I got so lucky to be your Mommy?? Better not to question it, but just enjoy the ride!!

All my love,
Mommy

Warren Co. Fair

Mom wanted to take the boys to the fair and since Will had an abbreviated day today, it seemed like it would be the best time to go. Before we went Mom had the boys help her decorate a pumpkin. The boys were a little nervous about riding the rides, but once they rode a couple they warmed up to the idea pretty quick.

I'm gonna miss this