Kid Updates

For sure, our kids are keeping us hopping right now.

Sam:  Knock on wood, Sam has essentially potty-trained himself.  Seriously.  I'm not sure what I did to deserve this, but I am definitely not looking the gift horse in the mouth.  He is super excited about Thomas the Train and Lightning McQueen underwear.  He has been amazing about this, and I am counting my blessings.

Sariah:  Our sweet diva kindergartner is learning how to read.  She seems convinced that she can't do it, but reading with her proves otherwise.  We are playing lots of sight word games these days, especially bingo with marshmallows and M&Ms to cover the board.  Funny, but all of her siblings and her nana want to play, too, and without complaint.  I can't imagine why.

Rex:  His birthday party is next week, and he is looking forward to it.  I was a little scatterbrained about getting the invites out, but apparently he's been telling people, because they've been calling me to ask about the mystery party.  Ha!  Rex also started piano lessons last week, and has practiced diligently this week.  It's funny how when one kid around here starts playing the piano regularly, other siblings soon follow suit.  Oh, and he just started his Webelo year in Cub Scouts.  Back to work for us again.

Caleb:  This young man is my best helper these days.  He helps get the little ones ready in the morning so that I can shower, and he's been helping with getting Sam potty-trained.  To top that off, he joined chorus this semester, so he's been trying to catch up there, and he and I are working our way through a reading of the New Testament.  He still enjoys playing the trumpet and playing outside and cleaning my kitchen to cheer me up.

Lizzi:  Lizzi finished her Personal Progress recognition at church in November, and she started over again, because she is awesome that way.  She comes to the Y with me to work out several times a week (and makes me look like a fat old lady ... oh wait ...), and we hope to get her into some voice lessons in the near future.  She, too, has set a goal to finish the New Testament, but she is completely outclassing me and Caleb, because she's like a super-reader or something.

Hannah:  Swim season winds up this month, and we're down to the final few swim meets.  I think she plans to continue swimming with the Y team afterwards.  Meanwhile, she started a new semester at school and is now taking driver's ed (what?!?!?! that's crazy!).  I feel like we never see this kid because she's so busy growing up.  I know that's what we want her to do, but still ... a mom misses her firstborn.