Update on the kids!

Kaleb has been really into Transformers lately. Tim finally talked me into watching the new Transformers Movie and it was to my delight a VERY good movie. So now Kaleb watches the movie all the time. Tim is especially thrilled with this new passion of Kaleb's because Transformers have been around since Tim was a kid. So he gets to relive his childhood through Kaleb. There for a while Tim was coming home with a new Transformer action figure every couple days. I finally had to tell Tim to quit buying himself new toys, because clearly he was enjoying them as much or more than Kaleb was! So my world is now a hodge bodge of transformer parts. Autobot (good guys) and Decepticon (bad guys) pieces and parts for me to find and try not to suck up into the vacuum! Kaleb also has recently become a fan of my Zucinni bread. My recipe isn't anything special, just straight outta the Betty crocker cook book, but Kaleb loves it! I love that he will eat a green veggie, however it is prepared. LOL!

Jasmyn is in Preschool this year. Last year she was in the same class but Future was in their with her. I really thought that she would be the queen of the classroom as a returning student. And for the most part her teacher says she is. But she is sometimes having a difficult time when we drop her off. SO we have been working hard on trying to make her comfortable in the mornings. We read a book called "The Kissing Hand" about a Raccoon that is afraid to go to school. His mother kisses the palm of his hand and he carries the kissing hand with him all day long. When he is feeling sad he presses his kissing hand to his cheek and it is like his Momma is there kissing him and telling him he is loved. So our tradition in the mornings when I drop her off is to give each other a kissing hand. It usually works, although sometimes she still is a bit clingy. It will get better as she gets more confident in her place in her classroom.

Mason is just talking up a storm. When Mason was born Jasmyn was 2, the same age Mason is now. After Mason was born it just seemed like overnight that Jasmyn's vocabulary boomed and she was speaking so much more clearly. I always assumed she did that out of survival since Mason had essentially taken her place. But now that Mason is the same age, his speech is so much better and gets more advanced everyday. I have to admit that it really does ease my mind about Jasmyn when Mason was born. She was just ready to speak, kinda like Mason is now. The coolest thing is now Mason is saying our names. He has always said Momma and Daddy, but it is so cool to hear him say Taybub (Kaleb) and Ja man (Jasmyn)and Utchur (Future) and Davit (David) and Gamma (grandma). I also love to hear Peez (please) Tank ou (thank you) Er Elcome (your Welcome). And when he is upset at you he also has been know to say "awp awuking" (stop talking). LOL! It took him saying "Awp Awuking" a few times before I finally understood what he was saying. I had to laugh, but then realized he was basically telling me to "shut up"! LOL!

Now I have 2 little stories to tell......

Kaleb & I were sitting next to each other at dinner. I held up a piece of zucinni on his fork and tried to feed it to him. "See Kaleb, this zuccinni is just like the stuff I put in the zucinni bread yo love so much." He looked at me and shook his head. "No Mom that is Decepticon Zuccini" LOL!!! He didn't eat it.

Jasmyn and I were on our way to her school. Parking around the school is a nightmare, so I was circling the block trying to find a place to park. Jasmyn asked me if we were going to the school. I said, " Yes Honey, we are just trying to find a parking spot and then I will drop you off. Are you ready for school?" "yes Mom, and I won't even cry or Nuthin' " I say " Oh good Jasmyn. You will have a good day and you will be with your teachers. They are very nice teachers, right?" Jasmyn says, " Yes Mom they are very nice teachers, and they WON'T even KILL me" LOL! Yes Jasmyn they won't even kill you!

Kids say the darnedest things!

First Day of School!

It is Fall again. And with Fall comes the start of school. This year Kaleb is in the AM session of Kindergarten. He loves his school and his teacher. He enjoys being independent and figuring things out on his own. This school is much more strict about parents being in the classroom. Kaleb has essentially found his own way in the school and classroom. I am very proud of him!

Here is Kaleb on the first day of school! He is wearing his "kindergarten smile"!

Jasmyn is in ECEAP. ECEAP is what "HeadStart" was for me when I was her age. Early Childhood Education and Assessment Program. It is run by the school district. Kaleb and Future were in this program last year. Jasmyn is a bit slower in transition to be in the school alone. Last year she went to preschool from Feb to June, but Future was in her class. This year she is alone. Well I say alone, but really there are about 4 or 5 returning preschoolers from her class last year in her class this year. So really she isn't "alone", but she is alone in that no one from her family attends with her. Her teachers are the same as well. We feel very blessed to have her back in Ms Casey's class with Ms. Melissa and Ms Carole. These ladies are just wonderful and really love Jasmyn! We are thrilled that Jasmyn is back in the same program.

Here is Jasmyn on her 1st day of school! She looks so big!

And of course we had to get a group shot so Mason wouldn't feel left out! He is still a few years away from preschool!

On the first day of school Kaleb's class made these puzzles! They are so cute!
And they came home with this poem attached! Such a cute idea!
Here is Jasmyn playing at school in the doll house with Ms. Casey
Kaleb and his teacher Mrs. Sine

This year is going to be about me letting go I think! LOL! Last year in the ECEAP program that Kaleb, Future and Jasmyn were in, parental involvement is a crucial part of the program. They level of my involvement will continue with Jasmyn in her ECEAP program. Kaleb on the other hand will not get the benefit of my involvement in his daily schooling. His school principal told the parents at orientation that for the first 6 weeks of school we are not allowed to volunteer in the class or school. They feel that we parents will disrupt the progress of the children learning to follow rules, procedures and also learning to see the teachers and principals as authority figures. Well they didn't actually come out and say those exact words, but the message was the same! LOL! Not only that but we have to pick up our kindergartners out side of the school. So no chatting with the teacher or seeing the classroom. We pick up and drop off in a valet line outside. The first day of school I tried to go inside to pick him up and the principal would not let me past the double doors! LOL! I kinda feel sad because I really got to know the preschool teachers last year just from pick up and drop off. It is amazing that the 5 minutes a day of small talk can really ease your mind about leaving your kids with them. I really believe that the kindergarten rules are more for getting the parents to let go of the reins or "cut the cord" so to speak than it is for the kids! LOL! Or at least that is the case for this Mom!

Kaleb, Jasmyn & Mason have never been left with any other adult that wasn't a parent, grandma or close friend for any amount of time. I mean we have babysitters like Katie, Roselyn, Katie and Shay, but they watch the kids for a few hours at a time a few times a week. Kaleb has never been away from me for any length of time ever in his little life. Neither have Jasmyn or Mason. So it was as difficult for ME to leave them the first day of school as it was for them. So being able to volunteer in the classroom last year eased my mind as much as theirs.

This year with Kaleb in Kindergarten will be lesson in letting go. I am not sure I like it so far. But he seems to be thriving in it and adjusting quite well. I am happy for him and proud of him. But at the same time.... a bit sad for me! My babies are growing up!

Jasmyn Turns 4!

Today is Jasmyn's Birthday! She turns 4! She was born at 5:09 in the morning. I can remember how awesome it was to give birth to a baby GIRL! We didn't know she was a girl until she was born. I remember feeling so happy and elated that I got my Princess! And who could ask for more with her cute little button nose, blond curly hair and her spit fire personality?!?!? I just love her and am so proud to be her Mom.

Happy Birthday Jasmyn, Mommy loves you!

We started off her birthday celebration with Blueberry pancakes. She had asked me to make them the night before for breakfast, but when it actually came time to eat them, well she was a bit grumpy form being woken up by Kaleb. He was WAY excited that it was her birthday and went in and sang Happy Birthday to her before she was awake. She DID NOT appreciate being woken up like that! LOL! So breakfast was a bust. But hey I tried!

Then we went and picked up Future so we could visit with him and he could celebrate Jasmyn's birthday with us! We also met up with Terrie, Ashley, Trinity, Emily, Micah and my Mom. We went to a park that has a splash pad and a jungle gym for the kids to play in. Here are some pictures of the kids playing.

Future on top of the world!

Jasmyn on the swings!
Then we ate some lunch. Jasmyn choose PB & J sandwiches, Cheetos, Watermelon, String cheese and apple juice for our menu.

After lunch Tim arrived. He had to work tonight so he slept for the beginning part of the party. Tim brought presents with him for Jasmyn. She got a new Leapster, a game, and a carrying case. She also got a new play shopping cart.

Her is the carrying case for the Leapster.

Future playing with the bows from the presents.

Jasmyn with her shopping cart!

Mason in a party hat!

Ashley walked away to say Hi to a friend and Trinity decided to follow her. Here is Trinity walking up a hill.
Ashley coming back to get her.
A few days ago I asked Jasmyn what she wanted me to put on her cake. I told her I was going to decorate it for her. She said she wanted "A picture if me with flowers, a butterfly, and a dragonfly, but no bees because they sting me". That afternoon we sat down to color and she instructed me on what she wanted me to draw. "Put me right here Mommy, Put the butterfly here, Make the flower this color" and so on. After we were done coloring she looked at the picture and said "That is what I want you to put on my cake" So I did.

Jasmyn & her cake.

Then the kids smeared cake all over themselves.... okay maybe just Trinity did that!
Well and Mason too!
After we ate cake and got cleaned up I put the kids in their swim suits (WITH sunscreen) and then walked over t9 the splash pad to play in the water. Micah amd Trinity didn't really like it very much so they kinda watched from the comfort of the shade!

Emily and Micah

When the kids got cold they came back and got dried off and then played with Aunt Terrie. She was a jungle gym for a while. Trinity was a BIT jealous of her holding the other kids!

Tim playing with Kaleb

Grandma & Future Eskimo kissing!

Future and Grandma loving on each other!

Micah. He is getting more and more mobile everyday!

And the Princess for the day.....

Our Beautiful daughter

Miss. Jasmyn Kathleen

Letters!

Thank you to Aunt Terrie who sent the kids a letter (and a $1). We received them today and the letters just made them beam. We are teaching them about saving money so the $1 went right into the piggy banks!

We will work on a return letter for you in the next few days!

If anyone else would like a new pen pal.....just email me and I will give you our address. It sure did make the kids happy to receive a letter from the mail woman addressed to them!

Thank you again Terrie it was very sweet!

First Haircuts

After Jasmyn's self haircut, I needed to find someone to cut her hair and even it up. Because she has naturally curly hair I wanted to take her to someone who knew how to care for curls. My friend Sarah has curly hair and only trusts our old high school friend Kristi to cut or color her naturally curly hair. I called Kristi as soon as I could after discovering Jasmyn's hair and made an appointment! So here are a few pictures documenting Jasmyn's 1st Haircut and style! Jasmyn did great. She just sat there on the chair with a half pouty lip and waited for Kristi to be done. She even allowed Kristie to blow her hair dry and style it!
I guess if it has to be a short hair cut at least she looks cute in it!

Here is a picture of her the next day after I styled it. She looks cute. I wish her hair was still long, but she still looks like a cute little girl and she still has her curls! For about 2 months now Tim has been bugging me to cut Mason's hair. It was getting a bit long in the back and covering his ears. I was hesitant because I did not want to just buzz cut it like I do Kaleb's. Kaleb's hair is much thicker and darker, so even with a fresh buzz cut he still looks like a healthy little boy. I was honestly afraid that if I just buzzed Mason's hair that he would look bald or like a child receiving cancer treatments. LOL!

After Kristi and Jasmyn did so well getting Jasmyn's hair cut, Tim & I figured we should at least give Mason a try. I wasn't gonna force him to do it, but I figured we could at least try. Much to our delight he sat very still in my lap and did not cry at all! Even Kristi was impressed! Here are a few pictures of Mason and I getting his 1st hair cut!

He even got brave enough to stand and let her do the back! Such a Big Boy!

Handsome boy!

Jasmyn

Isn't she beautiful? Isn't she lovely? Yeah, I think so too! She has the most gorgeous eyes and smile and cheeks and button nose and beautiful curly hair! Not to mention she has a sweet personality that is the perfect blend between confidence and shyness. Defiant and obedient. Silly and serious! I love her so much!!!!

Her hair has been a source of struggle for me. I have not had curly hair other than perms in my whole life. And those of you with curly hair know that caring for curls is very different than caring for straight hair. But through trial and error I have found that one thing is the best weapon in her arsenal..... WATER. I seriously just spray her hair with a water, maybe a splash of detangler, comb it out, throw a pony tail holder in it and scrunch the rest. Perfect curls every time. And when it rains or is humid, her hair looks it's best. *sigh* I wish mine was that easy. LOL!

The only thing that does cause problems is that her hair sometimes gets frizzy. But I am guessing some mousse or gel would cut that problem out completely. Anyone with curly hair have some tips that makes hair not frizzy but also NOT crunchy or wet looking? But her hair is gorgeous, right?!!!?!?!?!?!? I am only a bit biased.

Jasmyn also LOVES to play dress-up. She has a variety of dress up clothes from Ballet Tu Tus to Long Princess dresses. She always find interesting combinations to put together. Here are a few pictures of some of her outfits! I personally love the bunny ears, with the tutu and the animal print leggings! It kinda reminds me of something Dyani or Brook would wear at the same age.

Future also loves to play dress up. He especially likes to help Jasmyn pick out her clothes! He often helps her dress up as a "princess" so he can "marry her". Very cute! So here is Jasmyn as a Bride and her Outfit coordinator, Future.