Max the builder

Max has really shown his love for combining building an art recently. His creativity with Art continues to grow. His interest in being a good artist also continues to grow. The other day he was asking us for help in how to draw a reindeer as he created a whole scene with a house in Santa sleigh and reindeer on the roof. He really wanted it to be just right. And he was proud of himself when we worked through something that he felt turned out pretty good. 

Over the weekend he started to build some elaborate houses with the Legos. Here is one he pulled together that he was very proud of. Of course his sister wanted to be in the picture too. And of course with Max's kind heart, he didn't mind at all.

Clair and puzzles

Claire has been pretty interested in puzzles for about six months. For her age, she does a really great job with puzzles. If you set her in the right direction she'll figure out how to connect things. She uses shapes and color for clues. And she has patience to sit there and really figure them out. All of this is impressive, and the funniest thing is when she's done, she thinks it is appropriate to lay down on the puzzle and enjoy it in all it's completed glory! I think Ms Sarah taught her this, but I can't be certain. The girl can come up with some great ideas on her own as well. 

Christmas tree decorating

The kids convince me to allow them to put the tree up before the end of the Thanksgiving weekend. I was having a rough end of the weekend and I went along with their spirit and excitement. I am glad that I did.

For most years I have done my Christmas tree myself. David might hang one or two. Last year Ellie was a great helper and really started to get into it. Max still struggled with interest last year. Much to my surprise was how eager each of the three children were to help this year, including the two-year-old who probably felt she could do the whole tree by herself without anyone else's help.

They all did a really great job. Max and Ally were very patient. Claire on the other hand thought it was her right to grab any ornament she wanted and hang it anywhere she wanted. She humored me and showed some patients at times being willing to wait for a couple seconds. But when she was told flat no she was attempting to hang up your glass ornaments, there were several meltdowns on the floor in full 2 year old spirit. 

Overall the tree was set up, fluffed, and decorated within a few hours. The growing family that is my new Christmas tree decorating team was quite efficient. It was fun. And of course, we listen to Kenny and Dolly's Christmas in the background while decorating. One day the kids will either hate that CD or recognize it as mommies Christmas tradition. The verdict is definitely still out! 

Pack rat

Today as I'm watching Ellie attempt to shove her lunch box into her backpack I finally ask "what is in there?" (Voice slightly agitated)

Response, "Books."

Me, "you need one book to read on the bus,"

Irritated Ellie responds with exasperation at that thought, "one book?!?!?!"

But then I realize it's not only the books. The bottom of her backpack looks like a trash can, literally it is filled with papers, trinkets, water bottles, trash, pens, treasures, more trash, rocks, and so much more. I just started grabbing handfuls and removing it. Ellie wasn't pleased. 

I do not understand how she lets this happen, it's disgusting. But, she is just 8. I should be more patient and attempt to teach her how to organize, except I'm not sure if I know how to organize and stay organized. 

As I'm looking through the pile of papers I have deemed trash to try to rescue one thing that had her most upset, I found, amongst all the trash, these nice cards and notes for us. I am reminded how sweet she is and how much she loves us. I hope my moments of crazy don't outweighs the moments of love. She is a special girl, even as a pack rat. 

Love my Ellie!

Brimming with Pride after conferences

Today I had conferences for Ellie's second grade class at Maxs kindergarten class.

I have been reflecting on these very pleasant conversations with both the teachers all evening. I honestly couldn't be prouder of either of them. They have both achieved different things in their school year. The most fantastic thing is seeing that my kids are the kind of kids that make their teachers happy to be teachers.

Ellie is sailing through school and her academics are fantastic. Her behavior is exemplary. Her teachers love having her as a student and say she is just the perfect role model. I am so proud of how much she loves school and how great she is at accomplishing academics. I have had thought that her grandpa Bob would be very proud of her too for this report. 

I have to admit that I have been a bit worried about how Max is doing in school. But the half hour I spent with his teacher was also amazing. She was on and on about how great maxes at learning and growing from what she teaches him. He is a hard worker, he concentrates, he enjoys learning. I am so proud of him. Socially, although Max can enjoy joking around a bit much with some of the kids in the class, he proves that he listens and learns when the teacher corrects him. He tries and usually succeeds and making improve choices when reminded to do so. This isn't normal at his age, and his teacher says only a few of the kids are able to self correct this way after being talk to. I think, considering how much my Max loves to joke around and laugh, I honestly couldn't ask for anything more out of him at five. I am proud of how hard he is trying, and how much he is learning, and how much he is growing in 

kindergarten. I truly am amazed and proud. 

During the conferences with each teacher there were times when I had tears in my eyes, tears of joy, tears of pride, tears of feeling emotions that I'm not very good at feeling.

The art dilemma

  

Over the past six months max has really taken to what he calls art. By the comment what he calls are, what I'm saying is it's different than what Ellie used to call Art. Max likes to build 3-D objects out of tape and paper usually. The focus he has been doing his art is really awesome. He is creative and comes up with lots of neat ideas. You can see some of his daddy and him the way he turned his art into building with the tools he's allowed to use at his age.

Today they got out of school early, and Ellie went over to a friends house, and Max was left home alone with me and loads of my work. I couldn't take the afternoon off to be with him. So he happily set beside me at the kitchen counter and did his art. He also took the time to write out the lyrics to a favorite Christmas Carol. He was patient, and just didn't joyed sitting beside me and doing his art. He is such a sweet boy and I was so proud of him. He never complained, he never asked for more attention, he didn't even ask for a friend come over, he was just happy being and doing his

 art. 

Below is a picture of the art he built. He was proud of it, he showed it to David, he tested it in the in term making process to see what it was like when he filled it up with water. And now it's it's on the kitchen counter, and I am tempted to trash it. Because my kitchen counter is full of paper and stuff and I can't see my kitchen counter and that drives me 

crazy.  This is where guilty mom comes into play. I can't keep all the kids artwork forever. So I have taken pictures and tried to say for them. One day I'll lament for the days my house was filled with artwork from my young children. 

Max still says he wants to be an artist and a farmer. I love my boys creativity and dreams. 

8 under fall softball

Ellies third season of softball is coming to an end. She's turning into quite the hit her. She does OK in the field, but doesn't enjoy it as much as her mama does. Her favorite position right now to second base. It's been a great season. 

Today during her third it back she reached across the plate to hit something and got hit by the ball on her finger. It was very sad because her mom was bitching to her. I walked in to see how she was doing and she was OK. She had decided she was going to be tough and not cry and stick it out. I was very proud of her.

When I threw her the next pitch, she swing hard and hit it right up the middle back at me. I was never prouder. She didn't let the ball scare her, no, she beat it back! Very proud of my Ellie!