Why does "knee" have a silent "k"?

Now that our first born is in school, the question list is getting longer (and my answer list appears to be simultaneously getting smaller). It's difficult to explain all of the spelling rules of the English language...when there's 47 exceptions to every rule (hence the title above...this was one of the questions yesterday). I never considered myself to be brilliant...but my self esteem is taking a beating by all the questions asked by my 5-year old that I actually CANNOT answer. I think I need a hug...anybody???

Logan started preschool in January and we're pretty excited that he's already reading. I guess when they're ready, they're ready. Most of his class is younger, so they're just working on sounds, but he moves on with the kindergarten class at reading time. He actually read an entire book to me a couple of weeks ago. I love this age. We're pretty much past the tantrums and we haven't yet developed an attitude problem....life is good.

Logan seemed to take a few weeks to adjust to school. Each morning he'd tell me he didn't want to go to school, but he'd always tell me how much fun he had when I picked him up. I think he was pretty sure he was missing out on some grand excitement that Carter and I were engaging in while he was busy learning. Once he caught on that Carter and I just came home most days, he stopped telling me he didn't want to go to school. It's nice to have just Carter in the mornings; Mommy's never seem to get that one-on-one time with any of their kids after the first one.

Logan also seems to grasp the idea that he is in fact OLDER than his brother. They've always done the same things together...until now. In fact, when leaving church on Sunday to go to children's church, Logan stopped at the door and shouted "Carter, you can't come to children's church. It's too hard for you!" Thankfully, Carter isn't competitive enough to really care at this point.

Now that the boys are getting a wee bit older and into more activities, I'm beginning to wonder how I ever had time to work (for an actual wage, that is). I still get up at 5:15 - 5:30, just like when I was working. But, I used to get myself ready, drag the boys out of bed and toss them in the car. On the road around 6:00. But now, I actually have to get my own children ready rather than pawning that off on my sitter. So, I get ready, wake the boys around 6:15 and we head out to the car around 7:20 to get Logan to school. I'm still not sure why it takes an hour to get two little boys fed, dressed and teeth brushed...but it does. I'm wondering how weird it will be when Carter goes to preschool next fall too...I guess the dog and I will have some bonding time...or maybe my house will actually get cleaned.

The latest indoor sporting activity...jumping on Daddy when he's trying to rest (sometimes even without warning him first!!!)

I'm not sure how Logan's teacher got materials on Daddy's extracurricular activities...but I guess that makes the learning more meaningful (note the picture in frame 4)

Every day Logan has to write his name and a sentence. We wanted to send a note back to the teacher : "We do not wish to encourage our child to write false statements" (I hope you can read the writing. It says "I am not a nut.")



Here's our very own Superman. I still love pictures of sleeping babies, regardless of age. Poor little guy has developed some fears of going to bed at nighttime; we were actually up with him every hour for two nights in a row (now I've had infants...but either I'm old or I've grown accustomed to sleeping through the night because these two nights were very brutal on us).

Sweet dreams.

Why the winter is so long (according to a 5-year old)

As I picked up Logan from preschool today, he proceeded to tell me about Abe Lincoln and that he died when someone shot him. Moving on from that, he resumed our conversation from yesterday about Groundhog Day. After a moment or two of silence, he asked "Isn't that kind of silly that the groundhog sees his shadow and winter lasts longer?" I then told him that story is make believe to explain how long we'll have winter. He then told me "Yeah, I thought it might be. I know Jack Frost is who makes winter so long."

Can't put a pricetag on education...

The latest sewing attempt

So now I'm on the lookout for new things to try to sew. I love JoAnn's clearance section. No sense screwing up on the good stuff. I do love to go into the "nicer" fabric stores and dream a little...and then gag at the prices and enter back into Earth's atmosphere.

My latest endeavor was to make tote bags for the boys. My deadline was Thursday as Ryan and I are planning on going to Aleyska and Anchorage this weekend (provided Mt. Redoubt doesn't BLOW our plans...literally!). I played around with buttons and magnets, both of which I would now do a little differently, but such is how I learn. The fabric was left over from when I made some crib bedding for Logan (remember way back when Logan was a baby???...me neither).

We'll see how they hold up packing for a weekend with the grandparents. They should work alright, considering Logan is still telling me how "perfect" his backpack is. My next project? Water bottle holders for the boys...then a backpack for Carter, since he's been asking for one ever since I made Logan's. I think I'm subconsciously avoiding it; I made the mistake of letting him pick out the fabric - Smoky grey corduroy to compliment the bright yellow fabric with little green John Deere tractors on it. Lovely.

My babies are growing up

I'm gradually coming to the realization that I no longer have a baby living in my house. I frequently get comments on how tall our boys are...especially Carter. In fact, the other day, Logan asked me when Carter was going to have a booster seat like he (Logan) did. I told him not until he was too big for the seat he had and then proceeded to tell him that when Carter's head reached the top of the back of the seat he would be ready for the next booster seat. Logan then informed me that Carter's head is already at the top. Turns out the little bugger was right; we've got about an inch of clearance. I think the last time I noticed, we had a least six inches to work with. Evidently my child grew when I wasn't looking.

So, on top of Carter's apparent growth, Logan is now frequently telling us of the things he can now do because he is FIVE. At the top of the list...going to school. I won't bore you with the details of why he wasn't in preschool last semester...but he is now. He attends READS Primary school from 8-12 Monday - Thursday. So far, he's met lots of friends but only knows one by name - Gracie. So, combining that with my rediscovered love for sewing, it only made sense for mommy dearest to make his backpack.

It's definitely far from flawless, but Logan told me it was "perfect".

Ready to go.

So what's Carter been doing while his brother has been at school? Bored, mostly. I didn't realize how much they play together (or shall I say FIGHT together) until one of them is missing. I must hear "Play with me, Mommy" all day long...even when I AM playing with him!

That aside, Carter is also working at becoming a little more proficient at dressing himself...

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That's right...inside out AND backwards! (Now that takes talent!)

Whew!

As everyone else, we have had a couple of busy weeks. So now I finally have a moment to sit and update.

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Logan's birthday was filled with a small gathering (grandparents and us) before Church. Logan is VERY proud of the fact that he is now 5. According to him, he is now of legal age to make any and all decisions at our house, school, or grandma's house. Poor kid - I hope he doesn't hurt himself falling from way up there in the clouds!

Logan and Carter checking out his new train...and the slinky.

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Concentrating.

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Little brother looking on.

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Batting around the balloons from Grandma Rita.

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Carter eyeing the cake.

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Several years ago, I "taught" myself to sew (this consists of the sewing machine manual and "The Dummies Guide to Sewing"). Besides the little duffle bag I made in 8th grade Home Economics class, I've never sewn a thing. A friend helped me make some crib bedding for Logan and it looked like fun, so Ryan got me a machine for our anniversary in 2004. I sewed a few things and then starting having thread tension problems that I couldn't seem to figure out, so I packed it away. More than 4 years later, I learn that ya gotta clean the darn things! One professional cleaning and I'm back in business.

So, as long as our boys have never had a comforter on their beds and the little blankets they've used for 3 years are too small to even cover them anymore, I decided to make rag quilts for them - twin size. They were lots of fun. I had made one quilt for someone else before these, so I learned a little and each one gets a little neater. I'm afraid I still can't sew a straight seam to save my life; I think that little needle going up and down distracts me from watching the fabric!

Anyway, the boys loved their quilts, and they are no longer freezing at night (they've got the coldest room in the house!). Lots of love was put into each and every stitch that I didn't have to pull out.

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Ryan's brother Jimmy, wife Doreen and daughter Avery joined us for Christmas this year. I KNOW they appreciated the -25 degrees we had....just a mere 100 degrees cooler than Arizona.
Logan teaching Avery about the top bunk safety rules.
.Logan trying to get Avery to "pop" him with the ice cream toy.
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You should hear this little girl talk! She just turned 2 in September and she talks almost as well as Logan, knows her shapes, colors, sounds, etc...plus she's cute!
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Two days after Christmas, we had Logan's official birthday party. We decided to have his party AFTER Christmas this year so Avery would be able to come. I decided it's slightly more...chaotic...to get my house presentable after Christmas, but nobody seemed to mind.

Euan, Logan and Carter checking out one of his cards.

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Auntie Doreen guided me through the cake-making process. Logan decided he wanted a checkerboard cake...and I'm kinda glad he picked something pretty easy. My first fondant (you should check out my link to "Magees" and then follow her link to her other blog (on cake decorating) - she's made some marvelous ones!).

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So, we are now recovering from a bit of a whirlwind, but happily so. I keep waiting for life to slow down...I'm beginning to think it's not going to!

On this day...

...five years ago...at 10:10 a.m. (and much to our surprise), this tiny little boy emerged into the world. He was silent initially, but has since learned to make a little noise. With no name picked out yet, we simply called him "baby." We marveled at his large hands, monkey-like toes, face that looked just like his dad and his ability to sleep with his mouth wide open like Grandma Jan.

He's changed a bit since then and now amazes us with his not-so-funny jokes, his ability to debate ANYONE and his gigantic heart that always leads him to say "I love you." We are very blessed God has given us such a marvelous little boy to raise.

Happy Birthday, Logan!

Here she is!!!

Mommy Erin managed to get a few minutes and sent us some pictures of Madyson McKenzie. We think she's precious. You can see more pictures of her if you check my link to "Martins". She resembles her big sister, but doesn't look exactly like her (or so I think).