Kindergarten Thanksgiving Family Breakfast

Jacob's Kindergarten class had a "family thanksgiving breakfast" this morning. The kids have been baking all week for this event (muffins, cakes, etc). This was Emily's first official outing. Jacob has been so EXCITED for us to come to his school, and Jacob was especially thrilled to show off baby Emily to his teachers. Don't worry about Emily being out...I kept her covered and had my Purell handy. Oh... sometimes I relate to "What about Bob" a little too much. I'm going to make my kids into germaphobes if they aren't already. This swine flu thing hasn't helped my case.

Simple pleasures

Jeffery loves cars, trains, and motorcycles. Which is perfect because after having already had a boy, we have plenty of these things around. In fact, Jeffery is pretty content most of the day to tinker with his vehicles. Here is Jeffery at work this morning. And when he's not playing with these, he's snooping around in the refrigerator.

When the cats away, the mice will play!

So..since having Emily, I’ve resolved to be better at updating our blog. This is what happened when I attempted to update our blog today. Jeffery discovered the cool whip in the refrigerator. (I didn’t really want to publicize what the inside of our refrigerator looks like, but maybe you’ll look past it and only see his adorable, mischievous face. Maybe this entry will win me some compassion for why I’m not so good updating my blog or emailing. My kids get VERY curious when I’m distracted or have any connection with the outside world (phone, computer, email, conversations with other adults, etc.). Jeffery told me that the cool whip was “really good.”  I feel the same way about frosting from the container, which is why I don’t buy it!

 

 

Bringing Emily Home

Because of the Swine flu outbreak in Rochester, the kids couldn't come to the hospital to meet Emily. Fortunately, they could say hello and share gifts for her through Skype after my delivery. Because of this, our greeting in the car when the family came to bring me home from the hospital was very exciting. Can you see their excited grins? Jeffery laughed the whole way home. Now, when the kids come home from school, I'm lucky to even get a hello or a hug. Everyone is running in to look for Emily. She is our newest and greatest distraction. Everyone is thrilled to have Emily home. I'm thrilled to no longer be disturbed by the nurses, residents, doctors, and medical students in the hospital! Four kids is nothing compared to that!

Emily Jane Walker is Here!

Emily Jane Walker
Born 11:45 pm 11/11/09
7 lbs 5 oz 21 inches

Everyone is doing great!

-Ryan

Happy Halloween!

Jeffery

Jeffery is very happy. He has a contagious smile! Jeffery will even tell you when he's ] "happy"...like when he's eating berries or ice cream. Can you see his grin? He loves books. He follows me around with books most of the day. And when I simply don't have time to read to him, he'll sit and look at a pile of books on his own. Jeffery loves to pretend, which allows him to play well with Jacob and Grace. Even though Jeffery is a happy, easy-going little boy, he definitely has a strong WILL. He also has learned some quick defense tactics to protect him from Jacob and Grace.

Jacob

Jacob loves to golf, play soccer, be a "big" brother. He also LOVES his violin. He asked his Kindergarten teacher if he could play his violin for his Kindergarten class every day for a week. He played in front of the whole Kindergarten a few weeks ago on his own initiative. He loves music! He also LOVES to read to me and loves to be read to.

Jacob is constantly thinking!! Constantly. Most of the time he doesn't have time for my lectures. In the car the other day, I was lecturing about him something. When I was done lecturing and would have hoped for a "sure mom, I understand Mom" I got a "Mom...I think I'm going to invent something" instead. Typical conversation! And when he's not inventing something, he's designing a new paper airplane to throw around the house. His pregnant mommy literally throws away 10 a day. Not to mention the 5 paper airplanes make it up to his bedroom each day. I hope he doesn't notice that I throw some of those away too.

I love Jacob's million of insistent questions, his curiosity, and his imagination. Each night, I usually feel exhausted after he is in bed!

Grace

Grace is spunky, energetic, and playful. She also has an amazing memory!!! Oh...if nothing else, I hope my kids will forget my mistakes. Grace is very curious, loves animals, and loves frogs. This summer our friends had a very fast frog in their basement. No one could catch it! Grace took three minutes to catch her pet.

Grace loves dancing, swimming, and music. Most of all, she loves Dad. Every night, when I ask her about her favorite part of her day, she responds, "hugging Dad when he came home."

Music in the Park

Grace and Jacob and the park violin "play-in."

Happy Birthday Jacob!!

Grandma visits New York

Grandma Romney came to visit New York in August. She was here for Jacob's birthday. We loved having her here!! Ryan and I even got to get away for a few days. Oh...bless her!!

She'll be back in November after the birth of our new little one.