Fall Fun

The boys have suddenly developed a keen interest in the seasons. I will frequently hear them discussing their favorite things (ie, games, books, movies...etc), only to hear them add in "season." For some reason, it just makes me giggle to hear two four-year olds discussing the weather. For the past several mornings, it's been Jack Frost. They'll look outside their window to see if Jack Frost came, and if there is, indeed, frost, Dex will start claiming that he saw Jack Frost and that he's a really nice guy. Yesterday, the story got a bit more developed, as he and Jack Frost are apparently becoming pretty close ("real good buddies," as Dex would call it). Once again, just a little something that keeps me smiling in the morning.

They're also becoming better and better at problem solving. Don't get me wrong, I still wind up playing the role of referee on many an occasion... but, it's a delight to hear them work things out for themselves. On one recent occasion, a playmate was visiting who didn't want to play any of the toys/games that the boys were playing. I watched Jaxon go grab a few different board games, and showing his pal the pictures on one of the games, said, "See? This is a fun game! The kids on the box are having fun, so you'll have fun, too! It's not a bad game, it's a really, really fun game!" Apparently, this argument was persuasive enough for his friend, because within seconds they were playing and laughing again.

Shea is becoming such a handful! I turn around for five seconds and I swear every toy bin or box has been dumped on the ground. She is fast and she is efficient and since her ultimate goal is the cover the entire living room floor with toys, I find it's a losing battle on most occasions. She is still very much into her storybooks, almost obsessively. I'm not complaining, though. I love the fact that she likes to cuddle and look at books. I just wish she was more capable of understanding that her brothers also have needs, as does her mommy! :) I think what delights me most about Shea, these days, however, continues to be her relationship with her brothers. She asks for them constantly, follows them everywhere and wants to do exactly what they're doing almost all the time. When they're involved with a game or toy she's not big enough to play, she'll sneak up on them, quickly steal a game piece and run away as fast as she can, giggling the whole way. Sometimes, they are not at all amused. But, other times, they'll happily chase after her, which is exactly what she wants, and the three of them will run around the room chasing each other and giggling, inevitably landing in a big pile on the floor. It's great.

How can you not love fall? Striped tights and big hats.... love it!

Dex

Jax

Dexter's fake pouty-face

Shea's fake mad face

Trying to be mad and not laugh... hee hee

Okay, Mom, not amused... stop taking my photo

The boys, listening to their Star Wars pandora station... Dex, looking at magazines... Jax, working on puzzles and licking my batter-filled whisk. Yay for afternoons!

Included in Shea's baby obsession is a love for all things "mommy" and "daddy." For a good two weeks, she carried these mommy and daddy figures around the house. Too cute.

Jaxon, striking a pose with his new spiderman gloves for Halloween.

Ooh! I've been webbed!

The kids with Don and Mary

We had a visit from the Miedemas one evening, which was great. The kids played so nicely and the grown-ups actually got in some good visiting! Here's Haley, showing Dexter how nicely she can write.

Jax and Taylor

The six kiddos spent much of their time romping around the living room. Totally fun.

Look at all those blondies!!