TGIF

This week has been full of wonderful surprises! A fun care package from my sweet brother and sis-in-law had goodies galore! The cookie next to my coffee and the cute bird necklace were both from them. And I ate all the cookies myself, hiding them from the rest of the family. Because it's my birthday and I'll eat cookies if I want to.

The daffodils the boys and I found in the forest yesterday. They were so pretty and we picked them to add to our roses. So pretty!

And in kid news, James has a funny new quirk. He makes sure people know he had given them a present and demands a "thank you". Good grief! Working on not telling other people what to say, even though I have been doing that to him for years. His response, "but Mom, a polite person would have said thank you"...can't argue with that!

Then and Now

A St. Patty's day picture of my brother and I (4 and 2)

and my two little guys (4 and 3).

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Sunny Cali

We are absolutely loving the beautiful weather here in sunny California!
Although I have become a little self conscious because suddenly I have become that eccentric lady wearing a tank top while everyone else is wearing a parka. Bending to peer pressure I have been forcing the kids to wear a fleece, (because you get fewer looks when your kids are properly dressed) but they shake off those jackets so fast saying they are too hot. Guess I'm no longer a California girl. Haha!

Just when you thought you had enough Presidents

You realize that there is always room for more...especially on a pirate ship.

Twilight Zone

My sweet James is officially growing up too fast. He is so social and just last week went skipping down the hall with a little girl on the way to choir. It was adorable, but took me by complete surprise.

Recently he came up and said "mom, did you know mount Rushmore is in South Dakota?". I honestly did not know, and had been meaning to google it for our unit on Presidents. When I asked him where he heard that he replied," it was on my map game.". Seriously?

He also loves reciting the presidents, but especially likes to start at a random president. "let's start at Ulysses S Grant" he told his preschool teacher. Then he proceeded to list all the presidents after Grant. I thought I would have to pick her up off the floor.

So proud of my sweet James!

Big and Little

These two boys are so blessed to have so many cousins! I think these pictures speak for themselves. What fun we had hanging with our big and little cousins this past weekend!

Some highlights include:

*"Istn't she pretty?" James referring to Abigail.

*Hearing the pitter-patter of 5 sets of feet in our house. So cute!

*4 adults, 5 kiddos, 2 bats and a stomp rocket. Enough said.

*Lots of hugs!

So fun!

Cousins!

Who says boys do not like doll houses?

Anyone recognize the chef?

Preschool

Here is some if what has been keeping us busy:

Pocket Palls, presidents and geography have been the big winners by far! I am always amazed at how quickly these two absorb information. Me on the other hand was never good at geography or history. So we all get to learn together - win win. Don't worry, I do have a firm grasp on the alphabet.

My future is so bright, I gotta wear shades!

Yesterday we were setting up our calendar for February. Luke was helping, because he likes to help with EVERYTHING. James walks up to me and starts singing and perfectly recites the 12 months of the year, in proper order along to a cute little melody. I am stunned, not because he has memorized this. The kid could memorize anything. But because I have never taught him that song. Hilarious!

I also immediately thought of a certain genius in my family who we realized sometime in high school or college that they did not know the months of the year. So apparently genius comes in all sorts in our family.

Ok, so here he is:

And for good measure, a picture of Luke (who also knows this song and sings it with gusto).