What I love about my boys...

Dimples!

Lunchtime

We were invited to eat lunch at Jacob’s school a few weeks ago. It was a lot of fun. Lunch at Jacob’s school is a production (real dishes, linen napkins, music, and candles).  As a special treat, Jacob’s teacher asked him if he wanted to do the dishes. He was ecstatic. Apparently, every kid begs to do the dishes. We watched him wash 23 plates willingly! If only we could pull this off at home. Why is it everybody listens to the teacher but nobody listens to mom?

 

 

Jacob and Grace's 1st Dose of Dry Milk

Ryan and I decided that we better eat all of our food storage. Why? Two reasons:

 

1)      We are too cheap to ship it across the country

2)      We are too cheap to throw it out

 

Some days I pray that they boy scouts will come asking for food donations. Until then…I’m grinding wheat, baking bread, eating chili every other night, and the kids are drinking dry milk.

 

When Jacob tried the powered milk for the first time he asked if “I had left the milk in the fridge too long.” Grace asked “why is this milk warm?” But they drank it! They don’t seem too miserable in the picture, do they?  

 

 

 

Life with three

Everybody asks me what life is like with three. I think that the third is a sweet bonus. The transition between one and two was really tough for me. But the transition between two and three has been sweet. Jeffery is adorable. Jacob and Grace love him too. True..our life has many more chaotic moments, but when I see them all three being silly together I forget about the undone dishes and the overflowing laundry basket.  

 

 

 

Why didn't I study photography!

I just went online and had a little blog fix. I started to wonder why I don’t update our blog more. So I searched through our pictures to find something to post. THIS PICTURE DEMONSTRATES WHY I DON’T UPDATE OUR BLOG. I can’t get my kids to look at the camera. I have a series of tragic family photos with nobody looking or if they are looking at the camera somebody is screaming. I finally found a photo with everyone looking, but then I remembered that I photoshoped Jacob’s head from another photo. EEEK. Maybe there is something wrong with our photographer. \

 

The New Generation of IPOD

Jacob and Grace play with a cardboard IPOD. They push the pretend "play button" and sing their favorite tunes. Jacob found Ryan’s IPOD today and starting using it. I’m glad that our toys are their toys.

 

 

Grace's First Hair Cut

Aunt Kelsey gave Grace her first haircut. Kelsey is amazing. Grace sat still the whole time and Grace looks beautiful. Thanks Kelsey!! 

 

 

Pediatric Dentistry Match Results

Match results came in this morning at 5:35 a.m. We’re moving to Rochester, NY in June.

Making money...

Well...you can't make money! But can you make gift cards? Jacob made this REI gift card for Grandma for her birthday. Then he insisted that we all go to REI to help her pick something out. I think he honestly believed that his was as "good as cash." Grandma had to slip the cashier some money to pay for her gift. I felt pretty bad that her birthaday gift cost her $45.

If you have a favorite store please let us know. Maybe Jacob will send something special for your birthday too.

No! He is my brother...

Grace & Jacob absolutely adore their new brother. They love him a little too much.

This is the most frequent fight that occurs at our house now.

Grace: "This is my little brother."
Jacob: "No, he is my little brother too!!!!"
Grace: "No, he is MY BROTHER."
(Then Grace starts to chase after Jacob.)
I will NOT insert the gory details here.
Mommy: "Grace, now why are you in time out?"

Grace has seen time out so much with her older brother that it's hard for
Grace to take time out seriously. Any suggestions?

Merry Christmas!

Jeffery Lionell Walker ~ Born 12/22/2007

To all of our family and friends, here are some pictures of yesterday and today at the hospital. It was so nice to talk to many of you over the past couple of days. Jeffery was born at 7:24 AM on December 22, 2007 - 8 lbs 13.1 oz, 21 inches long.

We are so excited for him to be with us!

Grace is Two

Ryan has wanted to give Grace one of her birthday presents early this year. Why? Because he is tired of being bounced on. Grace has an enourmous amount of energy!Fortunately, Rody (a bouncy pony) is Grace's new best friend. I'm hoping that this will help Grace nap better too.

Grace had a few simple requests for her birthday: pink cake, pink frosting, and pink sprinkles. She also requested a Curious George party. She celebrated her birthday for almost three days. We are done celebrating now. Back to reality.....

We thought it would be fun to let the kids help decorate the tree. I took a few pictures for sentimental value and then banned them both from the tree once things started to break (not shown). We've already broken 4 balls and counting. We purchased our Christmas ornaments before we had kids. Oh well...less stuff to put away this year.

Jacob's First Recital

Jacob had his first violin recital on Saturday. He played “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star.” He was so proud! He was inspired by the other students and commented to me, “Mom, will I play like him when I am five?” I have a new respect for parents who raise children who play musical instruments.

Birthday Dinner for Grace

We went out to eat at Red Robin last week. We figured it was “close enough” to Grace’s birthday that we might as well ask them to sing Happy Birthday to her. Little did we know, the actual Red Robin bird would come out. Grace was quite disturbed by the whole event and said “No thank you” for the ice cream. Yes…she actually refused to eat the ice cream because it was from the bird. Jacob didn’t mind her refusal. On the way out, Grace replied, “it’s not even my birthday.”

Why I never make time for myself....

One of the hardest parts of being a mom (for me at least) is balancing my life with theirs. I want to have time for myself and pursue my own interests, but it is usally for a hefty price. Sometimes I am willing to pay the price and sometimes I'm not. Last week, I finally decided I would demand a few minutes to myself and finish a project on the computer. In my ten minute absense, Grace and Jacob peeled an entire box of satsumas. The picture doesn't show the satsumas that they already managed to consume. How does the state figure that a seven to one adult to child ratio is sufficient when I seem to struggle with two?

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

We thought it would be fun to let the kids help decorate the tree. I took a few pictures for sentimental value and then banned them both from the tree once things started to break (not shown). We've already broken 5 balls and counting. We purchased our glass Christmas ornaments before we had kids. Oh well...less stuff to put away this year.

A Seattle Snowman

It snowed in Seattle today! Jacob and Grace literally waited by the window all day until we told them there was finally enough snow to make a snowman. They used every last snowflake on the ground to make their snowman.

We love Grandma!

We always love when Grandma comes. My mom makes me feel 17 again! She does our laundry, dishes, babysits for FREE.

Grandma got to join us for a Tiny Tots performance this trip at the symphony. On the way home Jacob said, "Mom, can we go out to a restaurant since Grandma is here." Ryan and I were glad Jacob asked so we didn't have to ask.