Monday, September 14th, 2009

Well, tomorrow, Jack turns 4 years old. This time of year comes with many milestones in our family. School starts, each of the kids have birthdays 6 weeks after the next, and it feels like the years are slipping away so quickly. I cannot believe that Jack will be 4. He's becoming a big kid- funny, thoughtful, kind, smart, loving, independant. I love watching the person he is every day. It brings me more pride and amazement that anything else ever has. I know that we've done a good job parenting him (or at least the best we've known how!), but the person he is makes me really believe in the nature of people having a lot to do with who they ultimately become. There's no way I could have instilled the sweetness he possesses in the little time I've had him. He is just naturally that way, and I feel lucky that he was given to me that way!

Jack started school a week ago today. He is in Mrs. Pacetti's class again, but this time with a whole new group of kids (15 kids in the class- none of whom were in his class last year!) and with a new aide, Mrs. Gallagher. I'm already seeing a big difference in the activities they're doing in the classroom. They are trying to hold the kids' attention for longer periods of time. I also noticed that we haven't been good about practicing our writing/ coloring skills this summer. The first week back to school brought a lot of stress on me, watching Jack form his letters- much worse than at the end of last year! :( But we're working on it every day now- in actuality, Jack is wanting to know how to spell words and wanting to write more on his own... and I'm already seeing a big improvement.


Annie announced, in her own way, that she knows how to climb up the stairs. I had never seen Annie climb up one step. I was cleaning the house to get ready for a showing last Friday and left the kids down in the basement, playing. From upstairs, I heard someone crying in the kitchen and ran down to see what was going on. There was Annie, sitting on the kitchen floor, whining. I couldn't believe my eyes. Not only does she climbs stairs now, but she does it QUICK! If I leave the room and forget to put up the gate, inevitably, Annie has raced her little bottom up the flight of stairs, and can usually be heard giggling as she does it- because she knows she's not allowed to do it and thinks it's hilarious when someone is chasing her.

Annie and Mallie have become playmates. Annie follows Mallie, crawling around the first floor and laughing hysterically. They love chasing each other, and peeking around the corners for each other. Also, as soon as Mallie sits down to the dinner table, Annie stops whining and starts doing this goofy laugh to try to get Mallie to laugh at her. The two of them sit and laugh at each other the entire meal.

Annie is also walking now while pushing things. I've been trying to get her to do this for weeks now and everytime I tried to put her up to a push toy, she's just sit down and play with it. But on Saturday, Tommy tried to get her to do it, and away she went. She wasn't timid about it either. Off she went like a shot of light across the living room. It hilarious to watch her because her little chubby legs are so awkward but they go so fast.


I took Jack and Charlie to Memphis Kiddie Park this afternoon to putt-putt for Jack's birthday. Jack hit a hole-in-one on his first hole. He didn't even realize it! And Charlie made a hole-in-one on the last hole which qualified him for a free game of golf! He was very excited. They followed the game up by a ride on the train and an ice cream treat. I think they had a great time. We'll have Yaya and Papa, Grandma and Grandpa and Dede over for dinner tomorrow night to celebrate.