Father's Day: As Told By the Girls

Enjoy the following... I asked the questions, they gave the answers. Some are true, some make me laugh, and some came straight out of left field! That's what makes these fun right?!

Because I was an oldest child and liked to go first, we'll start with the oldest.

Jackie's responses (age 6).

What is Father's Day? We have biscuits and gravy for breakfast.

What do you love doing with daddy the most? Laying on him and resting on the bed. And I like it when he takes me to the lap pool and I go to the deepest part.

How old is daddy? 36

What is his favorite drink? Beer

What does he say all the time? Be patient and I love you.

What does he like to do for fun? Play outside with me and Rocky and Kit Kat

Daddy is happy when? He's in the water.


And now...Katerina (age 4)!

What is Father's Day? Going to church.

What do you love doing with daddy the most? Riding in his truck.

How old is daddy? 15

What is his favorite drink? Beer

What does he say all the time? I love you.

What does he like to do for fun? Play with me and tickle me when I keep laughing.

Daddy is happy when? I feed Rocky.

We just love having daddy back after a week of testing his cycling skills along the Bike Across Kansas. He rode over 550 miles during a HOT week in June. He came back tan, sore, and feeling good about what he accomplished. We are so proud of him and all that he does!

12 Things

Our oldest turned 6 in March. I've never really been one of those "where does the time go" moms. I do have moments where I look at my husband and our little family and wonder how we got here. You know, more of the big picture. I still look at her pictures on the Facebook Timehop and love being reminded of her cute little smile at 4 months, but I really do love watching her grow and her independence start to form.

Jackie on her 6th birthday!

When I started thinking about what to say for Jackie's birthday post (I know I'm a little behind...but it is what it is) I was trying to decide what special part of her year I should highlight. So I thought I'd focus on things that truly make her who she is. I wanted to do a number post. But 6 isn't enough numbers to talk about. Since there are 12 months in the year, I figured that 12 would be a good number to go with.

12 Things

1.) Independence
This one is the part of her that I just love. Her desire to do things on her own and learn more. I will admit, sometimes it drives me nuts because it would just be easier if I did it for her, but I love watching her little mind work. There are times when she tends to have selective independence, like when I want her to pick up tops, unload the dishwasher, or pick up the hundreds of pieces of popcorn they spilled on the floor...

She pulled out her first tooth by herself! I helped with #2 :)

2.) Questions
This girl has got some questions, let me tell ya. Forget the "how do babies get in your tummy" one, I have always been prepared for that. (Although the "it is a miracle that God picks out a special child that will be perfect for our family" answer is starting to wear thin...) The girl is smart and she wants real answers, to big questions, that I either don't know how to answer, or don't know how to make it simple enough for her 6-year-old self. Questions like "how do cell phones work?" and "How do rockets get to space?" "What makes planes fly?"  and "What makes electricity come to our house? How does those lines work?" Ugh! Anytime she asks one of those questions I try to find a non-fiction book at the library the next time we go. She sure is a curious little thing!

3.) Swimming
Jackie loves to swim! She loves being in the water, and as soon as she could walk she's been trying to jump into deeper and deeper water. That girl has no fear. But what she doesn't have much of yet, is coordination and strength. We're working on it, and I've seen a huge improvement this year. She's just so stinking small and looks a little like a baby deer that once her strength and body-control catch up with her, she's gonna be a speedboat! She's already asked me if she can be a swim teacher some day! Being a "water-baby" myself, I love hearing that!

4.) Eyes
Little missy got some glasses this year. But she didn't just settle for some regular frames to correct a small error. Nope. She went full-on LAZY! I had no idea that a "Lazy-Eye" was such a big deal. Seriously...it should be named something that gets-ya-going a little. The girl's first pair of glasses came with bifocals, and a super thick lens on the left side. She's now wearing a patch for up to three hours a day for the next 6 months. We always knew she'd need glasses someday, but I had no idea that it would be this intensive. She does look cute in them though! :)

Cutie pie in her glasses! 

5.) Salad
We've been working on including more healthy eating into our everyday lifestyle. The girls have done great (Billy is another story for another time...sheesh!). Jackie absolutely loves salad. I have a weekly "salad in a jar" party and she enjoys making her own salads. Of course, her dressing of choice is Ranch...and that's another thing to tackle another time. Right now, I'm loving her salads filled with peppers, and peas, and quinoa! Yep...she specifically asks for "that small rice stuff" for her salads! :)

Salad time! 

6.) Pretending
One of the best things about watching kids grow is seeing their imaginations come to life. I love watching her transform her bed into a ship to sail around the world, and pretending she is a mermaid when she's in water...of course that one isn't as fun when her "tail" splashes water all over the floor. It's fun to see her grab on to stories she likes to hear and transform her world into it.

7.) Reading
This girl has taken off! For someone who didn't even know how to write her own name or read a single word when she walked into Kindergarten, I just love how she tries to sound out every single word she sees. She loves trying to read the signs as we are shopping or when we're at the zoo. I love listening to her tackle a new word by sounding out each letter. Her teacher did such a great job transforming nothing into something great! I am sure there are much better readers out there than her at this age, but I am loving that she WANTS to read it herself and that she ASKS to read more. That's all I can ask for!

8.) Babies
Whew...talk about baby fever. This girl has wanted another baby in our house for a while now. About 5 months ago, she started doing all the little baby things that she always does when we have a newborn around. She's swaddling her dolly, wanting me to wrap the baby against her chest, walking it in the stroller, and trying to nurse her dolly. She was invited to her first sleep-over a few weeks ago and she might have spent more time ogling the little baby in the house than playing with her friend. Every time we pass by the Church steeple she says "Good morning Jesus, please let my mommy have a baby sister in her tummy!" Goodness.

Holding her newest cousin...Baby Ellyson :) 

9.) Heaven and Hell
Remember the part about "big questions"? Yup. This one is in there. The topic of death and dying is a ripe one in our house. Lots of "what happens when you die?" "Do all people die" and making sure her sister knows that you want to go to Heaven so you can go to the bowling ally and make thunder (Thanks Grandma!). But this allowed for a serious discussion of Heaven and Hell. And while I haven't told my daughter how babies really get in tummies yet, I was honest with her about Heaven and Hell. So...if you do something "bad" be prepared...she may tell you that you better be nice or you will go to hell. We're still working on more of the details...but yeah, she may tell you you're going to hell. Sorry in advance.

10.) Math with Daddy
The girls loves spending time with Daddy, and he loves that she's taken an interest in math. She loves to do little math problems with him on her white-board she got for her birthday. They do more than math. She loves to help him with any job he may have. Computer stuff, building stuff, working on his car. She wants to be involved in all of it. Such a curious mind!

Math problems with Daddy...she was VERY specific about how he should write his 7s and 4s!

A little eye-dying type. How exactly does that work? 

11.) Teacher
I told you that Jackie had a wonderful Kindergarten teacher, and it shows in more than just what she learned this year. Jackie wants to be a teacher. She hasn't changed her mind on that one the entire year. She also wants to teach Kindergarten in the same room that she was in. Because according to her "Mrs. Jacobs will be old by then." (Sorry Mrs. Jacobs...I'm sure by the time she's there she won't think you're old, age is just a number!)

12.) Chic-fil-A
If you ever have Jackie over to your house for dinner and you serve chicken, be prepared. It won't be as good as Chic-fi-A. Period. Unless of course, it is Chic-fil-A. That girl always wants to eat there and every meal is always compared to it. I am sure that's where she'll want to go for dinner/date with her daddy for her birthday. I don't mind because it is yummy...but I would like to not always be "second fiddle" to the chain restaurant!  :)

There you have it. 12 things about our 6 year old that may have you understanding her a little more. I"m sure she's gonna love reading about this when she's 12. Right??? :)

Her and little sister being silly! 

A Boy Mom

I have to say, for awhile I felt a little left out. Like I was missing out on some sort of "club." The "Boy Mom Club." I'd see all these posts about how wild and crazy life was with little boys. The climbing, rough-housing, dirt, and pee and yet how those mom's just felt connected to the little boys in some way.

But now I get it.

I'm part of "the club" and have been for 16 months.

I totally get it.

This kid is different. So completely and wonderfully different than his sisters. He is calm, but wild. Silly and sweet. Ready to run and play outside and snuggle with his blankie on my lap. I never really understood the bond that Ethan has with his little girls. How they have him so completely wrapped around his finger. But now I get it.

He is in to EVERYTHING! He digs in the trash, splashes in the toilet, and throws completely good diapers away, and the lids to my pots, and my badge for school. We gotta check our trash, often.

He love cars and trucks and balls. He's learning to climb. We don't have to lock the stair gate anymore, he can go up and down the stairs with ease. It's only a matter of time before he has figured out how to open the damn baby proofing locks we have on everything.

He grunts at everything. I've learned to tell the difference between his "dog-grunt" and his "graham cracker-grunt" and his "I WANT TO GO OUTSIDE grunt." He is going to keep us all outside all summer. He just wants to dig in the dirt, walk in the grass, and play with his puppy!

His sister's love him too. They love to find ways to make him giggle and chase them around the house. I'm sure they won't think that's as fun when he's a little bigger and can really catch them!

I'm so excited to be part of the "Boy Mom Club" and to be completely wrapped around this little guy!

A Post For Katerina

Daddy's little girl
His eyes and smile show in you
Love your spunky way

You are without a doubt a little daddy's girl. Although it didn't start out that way. You were born with dark black hair and a desire to be held by mommy. But as your hair changed to blond and your eyes stayed that crystal blue, your love for daddy came rushing out. We will be in trouble if you ever truly figure out how much you have him wrapped around your little finger.

Goofy Grin
Angry Eyes
Ornery Smile
Silly Laugh
Crazy Girl

Seriously. We always know how you're feeling because you show it on your face. Everything you do comes with emotion. Learning to control your emotions and allow your personality to shine has made for some very interesting pictures of you, little one.

Sweet little Kit Kat

Lover of all living things
A servant you are

Little Kit Kat, you love everyone. When your sister was sick, you took care of her. You made sure she was comfortable and happy. You like to keep the peace. You love your puppy and all your stuffed animals. If I were to be bold enough to predict what you may be someday, I see you in a position to serve others and make others happy. While your sister is very logical with her thinking, you go with your heart, always showing your emotions. This is a good trait. Don't lose it.

Active, moving, and always on the go
Racing, climbing, begging to swing
Signing and dancing to and fro
Sitting still is not your thing

Oh little mover. If you're sitting still, then we know to check your temperature. You have always been a mover. Out of everyone, you kicked me the most while I was pregnant with you, and you've kept that going ever since. We'll have to make sure there's always options for you to run off that energy. You never back away from a "race challenge" from your sister...and many times you beat her already.

Four.
Four years you've blessed our lives.

Big Jackie and Little Jackie

We chose the name Jacqueline for a couple reasons. I have love big names that have nicknames. I just do. Plus...I have never met a Jackie who I didn't like.

Our little Jackie has had trips to Ethan's work ever since she was teeny tiny. Ethan works for NetApp a computer engineering company in Wichita. They have had various family events that we have attended and she was able to go with him to the latest "take your kid to work day." She loves it.

And she also loves Jackie.  Ethan's manager, whom our "little Jackie" has met multiple times in her trips to NetApp. Even though "big Jackie" is no longer his direct manager, they still bump into each other in the hallways. The conversation almost always ends up talking about kids. The most recent chance meeting involved talking about "little Jackie" enjoying school and even still asking her daddy if he still gets to see "big Jackie."

The next thing we knew, "big Jackie" had written a sweet little note to our little Kindergartner about working hard in school and becoming a smart woman so she can make a difference.

Now...I'm not an over-sentimental person. I don't typically get teary-eyed at the different milestones my kids go through (yet). But this made me want to cry.

Here is a woman, working in a managerial type of position, who probably had a plateful of work to attend to, and she took time out of her day to encourage and mentor my little 5 (almost 6 year old). To me...this was powerful.

I have no idea if our little Jackie will want to be a computer engineer like her daddy or a teacher like her mommy, or a lawyer at a powerful firm, or a refrigerator repair-woman, but I know that I want her working for someone like "big Jackie" at a place like NetApp that values family and encourages young girls to become strong women and make a positive difference.

My heart melts and it makes me smile every time I think about it.

Thank you, "big Jackie" for more than you know. 

New Year Brings a Change

Happy New Year!

Before you get all "it's not January" on me, remember, I am a teacher. August is my New Year. More resolutions/goals are made (and actually kept) during this new year than the January one.  So I like to celebrate it in style.

By going to bed by 8:00.

This year, I have someone to share the new year with. Jackie started Kindergarten! She went shopping for her supplies and picked out the biggest backpack that she could find. She was literally counting down the days to the first day of school.

Part of me was a little worried about her transition into full-day Kindergarten. She never went to preschool. This would be a big change.

Other than not enjoying the early wake-up call, she has thoroughly enjoyed everything about school. After the second day of school I asked her what her favorite thing was and she replied "EVERYTHING is my favorite...we do AMAZING things there."

However, there is one person not liking this "Jackie-going-to-school" thing.

Katerina.

This little girl has had Jackie has her playmate for the last three years. More than ever, this summer they spent all their time together. Playing, eating, sleeping, bathing, and arguing. And now, all of a sudden that's gone. It's just Kit Kat and baby Billy left at home, and Bill's just not the same.

This weekend, the girls have been inseparable. At the Block Party Jackie made sure her little sister was well taken care of and they both had their faces painted with princess crowns. I didn't even want to break up the playtime to send them to bed on Friday night.

Katerina has two school years before she'll join her big sister as a little Kinder-Cardinal, and I'm sure she'll be ready to go! Until then she'll have to get used to bossing her little brother around the house!

Running.

A quote I have actually said:

"I sure hope none of my kids sign me up for any of those 5k-with-mom things...I don't run."

Wait for it...

This summer I have been running.

When I really sit down and think about it, one thing seems to come to mind.  Desperate times call for desperate measures.

You see, I don't like to run. My exercise of choice is to swim. I LOVE to swim laps. I get going in the cool water and feel like a million bucks when I'm done. My mind gets a chance to just think and escape while I'm pulling myself through the water, I am physically tired (the good kind) when I'm done, and nothing hurts.

But... Swimming takes time. By the time I gather my stuff, get to the Y and into the water, swim, get out, shower, change and head home...it's an hour and a half of my day (and that's a short workout...). PLUS...the YMCA has swim teams that use the lap pool certain times of the day, which limits when I can and can't get into the pool.

I just don't have that kind of time, at this time in my life.

The only days I can consistently get to the pool are days that Ethan is home and I don't have to worry about what to do with the kids. That means weekends.

Back to running... After baby #3, I struggled to lose the last 10 lbs. and this summer, I knew I needed to add in some exercise to my life. I HAD to fit back into my clothes by August.

In the past, I have had success with consistently walking, but for some reason, that wasn't just enough...I wanted to get my heart-rate up and feel out of breath.

So, I started slow. Very slow. On the treadmill one day, I just decided to run for 30 seconds, walk for a minute. I would alternate that pattern for my 20 minute walk that I normally do.  And surprise as I was...I didn't die.

AND...doing this allowed me to watch the clock and not go crazy.  You see, I'm a clock watcher. I look at the clock 100 times a day. I even used to get in trouble during volleyball practices..."Why are you looking at the clock, practice is over when it's over..." Seriously. I just wanted to know what time it was.

Eventually I was able to work my way up to running for a full minute, and then two, and finally one day, I ran for 10 minutes straight when I was outside running around our neighborhood.

To many of you, who run seriously, this may not seem like much, but for someone who hasn't done that in well-over 10 years...I was pumped!

I still have no desire to do those 5k-with-mom-things, but I am definitely closer that I ever thought I would be.