Questions

1. What is something mom always says to you? You have horrible handwriting (Dom) Get changed! (Molly) Get your school work done (Will)

2. What makes mom happy? When we're happy (Dom) When we love you (Molly) When we do our schoolwork (Will)

3. What makes mom sad? Sad movies (Dom) When other people are sad (Will) When your children die (Molly)

4. How does your mom make you laugh? When you're silly (Dom) Tickle us (Molly) I don't know (Will) (truth be told, I don't know if I ever make him laugh, but he makes me laugh a lot)

5. What was your mom like as a child? Mischievous (Dom) I have no idea (Will, he is still having a hard time believing I was ever a child) Me either (Molly)

6. How old is your mom? 34 (Dom) That's easy, 34 (Will) 34 (Molly)

7. How tall is your mom? 5' 4" (Dom) 50 feet (Molly) I'm 4 feet and your higher than me, so you could probably be 5 feet (Will)

8. What is her favorite thing to do? Watch TV (Dom) Go ahead and play (Molly) I don't know (Will)

9. What does your mom do when you're not around? Watch more TV (Dom) I have no idea (Molly) Mainly work on the computer, I think (Will)

10. If your mom becomes famous, what will it be for? I don't know (Dom) I have no idea (Will) I have no idea (Molly)

11. What is your mom really good at? Being happy (Dom) Teaching us how to do things (Molly) Taking care of children (Will)

12. What is your mom not very good at? Upward Mobility (a video game) (Dom) Chasing kids (Molly) Playing games on the TV (Will)

13. What does your mom do for a job? Homeschool (Dom) Teach us school (Will) Teach us how to not run around in church (Molly)

14.What is your mom's favorite food? Spaghetti (Dom) Salad (Molly) Pizza or Falafels you can choose.  When I said you can choose I meant which one you like better. (Will)

15.What makes you proud of your mom? Sometimes you let us play the Wii (Dom) You make dinner for us, I guess (Will) Maybe if you let us have ice cream (Molly)

16. If your mom were a character, who would she be? Professor McGonagall (Dom) A mom, because you are a mom so you would most likely be a mom if you are a character (Will) A mom (Molly)

17. What do you and your mom do together? Watch more TV (Dom) We make food (Molly) We do math together...well school together (Will)

18. How are you and your mom the same? Brown Hair (Dom) We have the same color eyes (Will) Brown Hair (Molly)

19. How are you and your mom different? I'm skinnier (Dom) I'm a boy and she's a girl (Will) You're bigger and I'm smaller (Molly)

20. How do you know your mom loves you? She gives hugs (Dom) You make us food (Will) Because you sometimes give me ice cream (Molly)

21. What does your mom like most about your dad? He sleeps with her every night (Dom) He married you (Molly) Your conversations (Will...'you talk to him a lot')

22. Where is your mom's favorite place to go? Aunt Katie's House (Dom) To Kansas to visit your Mom and Dad (Will) Out to eat dinner at Pizza Hut (Molly)

23. How old was your Mom when you were born? 25 (Dom) 55 (Molly) 27 (Will)

Maybe we'll get a camera this weekend?

It is really hard to not have a camera when your kids are totally awesome and cool and everyone wants to hang out with them.  For example, I did not get a picture when the 5 boys in my acquaintance (my three and two neighbors) all donned the capes that Grandma made them and had an epic light saber battle in the backyard.  At the same time, Molly was wearing her Princess Leia costume complete with wig.

I did not get a picture when I totally schooled the boys (including Eric) at knock-out on our new basketball hoop.  I also didn't get a picture of all of the kids helping Eric assemble the new basketball hoop.  John was particularly helpful and I blew his mind a little when I showed him the plastic tools that he could use however he wished.

I did not get a picture of Molly coloring and reading her new books.  Or her colorful outfits.

I did not get a picture of Will excitedly telling me about learning re-grouping on Kahn, but how he already knew it, but now totally understands the concept better than I did until college.  Kahn and Will are a match made in heaven.

I did not get a picture of the three eldest playing Just Dance in our living room yesterday as the rain poured down outside.

I did not get a picture of Dom's excited face upon discovering there is an ENTIRE section in the newspaper devoted to sports.  I don't think he even realized the comics were on the last page.  Until Will realized that every time we get a newspaper (we just subscribed this week), there is an ENTIRE page of comics.  Shout out to Robert: He's already realized that Pearls Before Swine is hilarious.  At least that was my interpretation when I heard him mutter to himself: "I have to read Pearls Before Swine"

I did not get a picture of John carrying the marble works construction around the house so that at any given time he could put it down and play with it.  Who said it had to be in the office, anyhow?

I did not get a picture of the light bulb over my head when I realized that I would be much more hands-on with Dom's writing if I sent him to school.  Now that he and I are writing together, he is more relaxed and I am not angry and frustrated when it comes time for another writing assignment.  Win/win/win  It should be obvious that people have to work really hard at some things, but I forget it all of the time and it is a failing in me.  Writing does not come easily to Dom and that is not his fault.  Fortunately, I can see steady improvement as I guide him through the process rather than just throw the assignment at him and expect him to do it.  Thank goodness for light bulbs.

I did not get a picture of John's new bedtime routine of touching everyone's noses.  While saying nose.  Or how happily the other three play along with this bedtime delaying tactic.

I did get a picture of all four playing with the train tracks:

Eric and I are sleeping in later on the weekend than we have in 10 years because of our eldest happily entertaining John until we get up.  I really need to get them to change diapers.  Just as soon as I get another camera...

Midway through January

 So, John has been getting up on the top bunk again.  Normally, this delights the kids because he is so excited.  But, not so much when he is waking up his still sleepy brother.  I believe the lines I heard from the room were: "John is on the top bunk.  He's bothering Dom.  And he's poopy."  Poor Dom.  Speaking of the last bit, though, John continues to add words to his vocabulary.  This week I realized he referred to all diapers as "Poopies".  Luckily, this is not the case, just when we discuss them the most in his presence.  He also has started saying: Thank you!, Happy Birthday! (we've celebrated a few in the last few weeks), and will hum the Imperial March.  I'm not joking.  He's done it on a few occasions just out of the blue.   And if I haven't said it before, he will identify all Jayhawks he sees.  Seeing a Jayhawk will even distract him from crying.  Which is really pretty nice in this house where Jayhawks are basically around every corner.

This last week, we hosted a tea party for the neighbors.  It was kind of to celebrate Molly's birthday, but really just an excuse to decorate the dining room and pretend we are on Downton Abbey.  Of course, I was well into it when I realized that I was playing the part of the downstairs staff.  Took a little bit of glow off the whole thing.  But, everyone had a nice time, even the boys who got to take part after some other guests made their regrets due to illness in the house. Our menu was cocoa with marshmallows and peppermint creamer, French Puff Muffins, strawberries and blueberries, and cheese balls.  Super elegant. (The kids got a big kick out of the fact I stood on the table to do the streamers)

 I broke out the mystery mosaics again this week.  Or as I like to call it: My Art.  I love the fact that Molly and Will immediately wanted to help.  With the three of us coloring, we got through one in no time and started a second.  It is a nice cold weather activity.  And we are all so weak so anything under 65 generally means we are inside with warm drinks.

 Which then leads to this:

 John is really embracing his role as the resident 2-year-old (fact check: He is 21 months).  I discovered several of his 'drawings' this week on various surfaces.  None of which consisted of paper.  He also has a tendency to move shoes around the house which can cause quite a problem when it is time to leave.  He actually has a tendency to move everything around the house.

 Fortunately, the weather warmed up the last couple of days and we all took full advantage of it.  Hours were spent outside playing with neighbors either on scooters, in imaginary scenarios (I saw some spell casting today), football, and most recently basketball.  Dom/the family just got a new goal today that will go as high as the one Dom plays on in his league.  Will won our final game of knock out tonight.  And you know in this family, he totally earned it.  Well done, Will!

 And these pictures are a little out of order (our tree is now down), but we did have a delicious cake on Molly's birthday.  We also did crackers (firework type things with paper crowns and in our case little musical horns that we could all play to create a simple melody...Will was really good, the rest of us, not so much).

 And Nana provided our family with a dog so that we didn't feel left out as all of the kids' cousins have pets.  John loves it/him/her.  It is just our kind of pet.

I guess that is about it.  We have started school which has been going well.  We've been watching a lot of football and basketball and soccer when Eric has his way.  The kids are happy and healthy.  Who could ask for anything more?

Perhaps a working camera.  Ours apparently died without warning today.  We'll make due with Eric's phone until we figure out something else.  But, my random daily life pictures will be limited for a while.  Still, life is pretty great!  Rock Chalk!

Major Dad

 A little over 10 years ago, Eric commissioned in the United States Air Force.

 At the time, we were about two weeks shy of getting married and I barely knew his family.

 I felt a little bit like an interloper pinning him on.  His mom had known him his entire life, and here I was with very little clue as to what I was getting into.  I still was holding on to the idea that he would serve his 4 year ROTC commitment and he would get out.

 Ha!

 Well, there is one consistent from then to now.  We are still huge Jayhawk fans (Did you see that game Monday night?)!  I'm thinking if you asked Eric to choose which he was more proud of, promoting to Major or crafting this cornhole set...he might just say: Toss Up!

 On January 1st, Eric promoted to Major.  He waited until Monday to have his promotion ceremony when it would be a little more convenient for people to attend.  And did they attend!  Granted, there was cake, but I think Eric has built himself quite the reputation in his office.  Actually, an excellent reputation and it was wonderful to hear so many people congratulate him and wish him well.

 For the third time, Liz and I pinned on his new rank (Ok, actually the Colonel pinned on captain).  I am still the rookie and had to double check with her that I did it right.

 A few more people helped put on his epaulets.  FYI, Dom was a pro.

 Swearing to defend this country against all enemies, foreign and domestic.  This line sent chills up more than a few spines.

 We've added a couple of kids for this promotion.

(for reference a picture from his Captain promotion..sorry I didn't crop the above one better. I really need to learn how to use technology..but, we all looked fantastic.  And just to beat a dead horse: JOHN LOOKS JUST LIKE WILL!)

 We were so grateful that Eric's family came out for the promotion.  It is not an easy trip and kind of a waste of a Florida vacation to come in January...it was so cold.  Think mid to late spring in Milwaukee.  I mean, we had to wear socks and everything.

 But, the kids loved having their grandparents and uncle here.  Personally, I loved when Grandpa took John for a long walk around the block as I prepared Sunday brunch.  I think he could probably go into a third career as toddler walker.  No seriously, there is a demand for that.

We accepted many congratulations as a couple, but I'm truly grateful for the service Eric gives to his country and then turns around to serve his family.  We are proud of you and are happy to be on this journey with you.  Congratulations, Major Dad!

Happy Birthday, Molly!

On the 12th Day of Christmas, my true love gave to me:  one of the spunkiest, feistiest, sweetest, silliest, messiest  (and most understanding) girls I know.  Today is her 5th birthday, and it seems as fitting of a way as any to close out the 12 Days of Christmas!

How is it possible she is already 5?  Well, several days have passed since she came into this world and she has been going just about 100 percent speed ever since.  It is impossible for time to not fly by.

 Molly has such an absolutely fantastic personality.  She is nearly always up for just about anything life throws at her.  If you ask her to do something, 7 times out of 10 she will respond: I'd love to!  The other three times...let's just say she would not love to, and quite likely is refusing to at the top of her voice...you always know where you stand with Molly.

 Molly's imagination is wonderful.  She will disappear for a time, only to return with a fancy meal set up for you and her dolls.  Dressed to the nines. Or she will play for hours with Will and a set of toy drill parts each with its own unique character.  Do not, I repeat, do not attempt to pick these up.  You will really mess up their story.

 Molly is incredibly bright and perceptive.  And her memory is extremely clear.  I am looking forward to starting her officially in kindergarten next year...if I can keep up with her.  She is always surprising me with what she is already able to do.   For example, she has an excellent grasp of opposites.  One day as we were leaving The Dollar Tree (I love that store!), she held the door open for a gentleman who said: 'Thank you, Young Lady!'.  Her quick response came back: 'You're Welcome, Old Man!'.

 Molly's fashion sense has continued to evolve.  I love seeing what she comes up with and her explanation of her inspiration for the get-up.  Trust me, there is always quite a bit of thought that goes in to her ensemble.  Even if it is just eenie-minie-moe between three shirts, pants, and socks.

As I've said many times, Molly is up for anything, whether it is a dance party, singing around the piano, flying broomsticks, or wearing cinnamon buns in her hair.  And if she isn't up for it, she'll let you know she is tired and disappear to her bed for a nap.

Molly is my first child to really embrace accessories.  (excluding Dom's propensity to wear baseball caps...always).  She loves getting compliments (but, use the correct words: pretty, beautiful, gorgeous, cute, lovely....awesome and cool have been relegated to not fitting of our little lady)

When the doctor announced I had delivered a little girl, I was a little in shock.  And when we went to church and people came and congratulated us with a: 'Oh, you got your little girl!', I was a bit offended for my sons.  But, as this year has progressed, I've caught myself understanding a bit more these sentiments and how wonderful it is to have a little girl.  Especially one who identifies with me so proudly.  (Despite my lack of accessories...but, she is very complimentary when I do wear them).  This year our relationship has strengthened in the kitchen while baking, in the living room while watching sappy movies that no one will watch with us, and on the bed reading books I've been saving to share with her.  And of course, doing our make-up together.

Eric and I have been amazed at the differences in the children and Molly is the outlier in so many ways.  We regularly look at each other and he will comment how very glad he is that she is a part of our family.  She definitely gives it a little spice and loads of color and sparkle.

Happy Birthday, Molly-Girl!  God clearly knew what he was doing when he gave you to us and we are daily grateful for the chance to get to know you and hear your perspective on life.  Your optimism and enthusiasm make even the grayest days seem brighter.  We love you very much and look forward to watching you to continue to develop your personality and grow into a little lady that everyone wants to get to know.  Have a beautiful and wonderful day.  (Now, lets get to the store to buy that cake mix!)