Sometimes I feel disappointed in how little I blog of our day to day things! In addition to the bigger things.
Zoe right now is full on kid. She loves to READ and I've found her laughing out loud to Junie B Jones more than once. She also loves to care for and direct her younger siblings. There are times this looks like being in charge and calling all the shots but ranges to really sweet invitations of reading books or playing games. I love this balance in her that I hope as time goes on and she grows more and more will lean more towards the gentle, humble taking care of people side. She is a really good big sister. She still enjoys school a lot but she enjoys her breaks too. She isn't as excited about homework as she once was and more than once we have had tears (on her side and mine) about that darn math. God is using Zoe's math homework to grow me up! Her favorite parts of the week are dance and anytime we go to the library. She is also a planner. She likes to dream about vacations we should take or how we should maximize time spent together. I LOVE that part of her. For her 6th birthday Tia took her (and me) to six flags and she is so brave! She a few times looked scared on some of the bigger rides she chose but still wanted to do the big ones! She is fiercely independent and very strong-willed with strong opinions that she really doesn't change ever. Again, this quality is a good root but needs some pruning with shears of humility. She is basically like a tiny, unedited version of Matt in this and when the two of them disagree on something sometimes I just like to sit back and watch the conversation go down.
Me and Ana both watch because there is something in both of us that just doesn't care about proving our point to other people. Or even defending it that much. Ana is a ball of love/encouragement for other people and this quality in her draws little boys to her like moth to a flame. She has a mini following of same age boys who just LOVE to play with her! She gladly plays whatever other people want to, with great excitement and joy in just being with whoever she is around. Combined with how beautiful she is Matt and I sit back and just pray for her teenage years. Ana's big emotions have almost all subsided. There are times when she is quite easily moved to tears but for the most part she always at least -starts- with using words and not freaking out. Ben can push her to her max sometimes but even then it's a giant difference from her days of old. Ana never walks anywhere and is ball of positive, excited energy. She LOVES PREK with the flame of 1000 loves. And I think Prek is what really pushed her over the edge to more controlled behavior. She has never changed her color and does what people ask of her most of the time. Ana is in this magical really obedient stage right now - and I love it. She loves Elephant and Piggie books, her bear and her brothers!!!
Brother Ben. I almost can't find words to describe his level of sweet/adorbs right now. I understand that it sounds like I am describing a fairy state of existence with my kids but right now for the most part they are really, actually, living in that stage. Ben sometimes freaks out about food but almost never about toys or having to do something he doesn't want to do. He, for the most part, is neutral about Jack. Unlike Zoe and Ana who dote on him and sing Jack songs and love on him good and well Ben leaves him alone. He doesn't talk to him much but he doesn't begrudge him much either. If I have to stop doing something with Ben to help Jack, Ben easily transitions into doing another thing. Mimi likes to call Ben, "the easiest kid ever" - and it's really true. AND he uses the POTTY! He is at 100% (except overnight) on staying dry during the day but mostly won't poop on the potty. I think it's because he can't be bothered to sit still in one place for so long. Either way, he doesn't wear diapers anymore and this mama is GLAD to have one less kid to change. He still loves cars! and trains! and big trucks! and froggy. His speech is really advancing and others who aren't around him often average at saying they can understand him maybe 75-80% of the time. Which is INCREDIBLE! Praise the Lord! He is almost three and I have loved 2 year old Ben so much I don't want to let go!! It is, however, so fun to see him getting taller/bigger/using sentences and know that he is growing up into a healthy big boy. Rough start but solid progression.
Speaking of rough starts, Jackie boy is growing along. At 5 months he started crawling and by 7 months he could pull to standing. Jack is a beast. He is so difficult to change or get dressed because he moves and pulls all over the place. I have had 4 kids and I still can barely manage to get a onesie on Jack. He is the smilest smilest smilest baby ever. And oh so sensitive. Daisy makes Jack cry. -Daisy- He favors Ana in this way. Timid and shy but full of joy if he feels safe. He hit or miss sleeps through the night - my favorite is when he wakes up around 11 or 12 while we are still awake so that if we give him a bottle he will solidly sleep through until 7am. (It's the other kids who sometimes don't sleep through!) He is doing well eating solids and LOVES BROCCOLI. He is an inspiration to my other kids in this. And puffs. That boy loves those puffs. Jack has not shown a particular pull towards any type of toy or thing yet with the exception of his sisters. Jack LOVES Zoe and Ana - possibly more than he loves me and matt because they are the ones down on the ground playing with him day in and day out. I am amazed - amazed - at how well these girls handle Jack pulling at their hair or knocking down their toys. It's like they actually understand that he is a -baby- and is still learning and they don't get upset with him. (They expect better from Ben, ha) I want to write they never get upset with him but I don't want to seem unbelievable - but in all honesty I can't remember a time Zoe or Ana got upset with something Jack did to them, even up to inflicting pain with his nails or hair pulling. It's like a tiny miracle. But really, who could be mad at that face?
Z and A just got out for winter break and I am looking forward to two weeks of nothing to do!!! Merry Christmas to momma.
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