These days ...

Just an update on my little treasures:

Pumpkin, age 8, in 3rd grade, just started taking tennis lessons! He’s really enjoying it. Last year he picked up a racket for the first time and I’d find him hitting tennis balls against the wall of our house. I took him to his first lesson where he spent the first 20 minutes shy, and then began to open up with the instructor over a small scrimmage. He recently got braces too! He confessed to me a few weeks ago that he’s happy to be home a few days a week so he can spend more time with me. We have been catching blue-neck lizards in our yard and building lego houses for them.

Peanut, age 6, in 1st grade, loves soccer and runs fast! She has the sweetest spirit, and two weeks ago yelled to me during her soccer game, tucking in her tears, “I’M FEELING PRESSURE.” She applies herself to everything and seeks to please coaches, teachers, and friends. She gives me hugs readily, helps me cook dinner most nights, can climb anything, rarely complains, and recently started washing her own hair. (sniff, sniff) She worries about losing things and being late and wells up with tears easily at the slightest inflection in your voice. She recently learned to braid (Mommy tip: Use pipe cleaners to teach braiding! So easy!) and isn’t afraid of getting dirty! She loves to play big sister to other little children, especially her brother and some little girls at our church. She also plays agreeably with Pumpkin and his friends, crossing over into 8 year old territory seamlessly and with a smile.

Bean, age 3, in pre-K, attends preschool three days a week and LOVES it. He is a very active child. In fact, I cannot imagine a 3 year old more gross motor gifted than the Bean. The very reason he is called bean is because he used to jump like a “Jumping Bean” in the doorway jumper when he was a little baby. He sings, laughs, dances, and has an active imagination! He loves chocolate and all things sweet, requesting a Nutella sandwich every day for lunch (much to Bookguy’s chagrin). He follows Bookguy around like a heat-seeking missile, (and why wouldn’t he?!) and loves to wrestle, play tickle bugs, swim, ride his tricycle, ride his scooter, swing, play soccer, and play baseball (he’s hitting pitched baseballs!). He enjoys books and recently started counting to ten and often makes up stories for no apparent reason. He is SO much fun!