Kids - A Snapshot in Time

Little things - important to remember. Slip your mind so quickly if you don't write them down. So, here is a look at the little things that really tell you who they are right now.

Alex -

• Checking out on school. The boy is just ready for summer vacation. It's hard to push for him to plug away at his homework, especially when the weather's nice. He's done such a great job this year that I don't think we need to worry if he slacks off a bit during these last couple of weeks.
• He's loving the Nintendo DS he got for his birthday; although, thankfully, he's not as totally obsessed with it as I thought he would be.
• He make up jokes (at least he claims he made them up): Pete and Repeat were sitting on a fence. Pete fell off. Who was left? Repeat... InchMe and PinchMe were in a boat. InchMe fell out. Who was left?
• Fights with his brother nearly constantly. Those boys have some fierce sibling rivalry.
• As much as he fights with Luke, he is so sweet and loving with Erica. He just adores that girl. I guess it's easier to get along with her because he doesn't see her as direct competition like he sees Luke.
• Gets along great with other kids, but also content to do his own thing. For a while we were worried that he was too much of a loner, but I don't think that's the case. He's the kind of kid that doesn't mind playing alone sometimes - he'd rather do what he wants by himself than do something he's not interested in with someone else. His teacher said he is a leader that won't do stupid things just because other kids are.
• Is very mechanically inclined. He understands Matt's machines better than some of the operators do.
• Still a hard worker. Happier to be doing a project than playing. Begs Matt to let him cut the grass (he can start the mower and mow some of the more open flat areas).
• Gives me hugs and kisses when I tuck him in at night. As much as I felt really sad and worried when we found out that he was missing several permanent teeth, it did start a wonderful nightly ritual. We brush and floss our teeth together almost every night, and then I tuck him in. It's just 5-10 minutes of one-on-one time, but it has been a true blessing.

Julia

• Still getting back to healthy. Ear infections followed by pneumonia followed by a mystery bug...it's been a rough couple of months for her. It sure does make us appreciate her personality and good spirits when it's been a while without having her really shine. It is a true blessing that she is such a strong little girl and that she is so easy going. She rarely fusses, never cries and just keeps plugging along, sick or not. So many lessons to learn from that girl.

Luke -

• So full of life that he sometimes sucks it right out of the rest of us. It's nearly impossible to keep up with him, so the best we can do is try to keep his energy focused. Because otherwise, you will have: melted popsicles behind the couch (or a half-finished yogurt drink or Cheerios or crumbs from a granola bar) - a boy needs his snacks along with a nail clipper or two - a boy needs to be well-groomed and take care of his 'nail problems' (nails that snag or are too sharp); dish soap smeared on the window sill and furniture - a boy needs to help his mom clean; books with the pages 'glued' together with toothpaste - a boy needs to do his craft projects; Luke and Erica sneaking out of the house - a boy needs to show his sister how to escape to the sandbox - there really is never a dull moment with that boy!
• Most trouble is followed by an explanation that begins "I just..."
• So full of love and so happy that it's easy to forgot how much trouble he can get into.
• Does not take a daily nap, but he should. He gave them up back in April or so when we moved him out of his crib. Once he was free, it became nearly impossible to keep him still enough to take a nap. He does make up for it at night though and usually sleeps from 7pm to 6:30am.
• Recently overheard him talking to himself saying, "I don't know everything. Someday I hope to know everything."
• Also said, "Erica doesn't know everything. I'm going to teach her everything I know."
• Makes friends so easily. It's not unusual for Luke to know more people than the rest of us. He doesn't just tag along to his big brother's stuff, but makes them his own - he's got friends at Alex's soccer, friends at Cub Scouts, etc. Not to mention his friends from school, neighbors, grocery store clerks...you get the idea. He's a true charmer.
• Uses big words...like "The mail has arrived," and "I need my helmet to fit properly." He was an early talker, and he still has really good verbal skills.

Okay, early to bed for a change. I need to add more to this list (didn't even get to Erica yet). Maybe tomorrow...or the next day.