What we're up to...

(warning this post is long and basically for journaling purposes)

We have been bombarded with snow and icy cold weather. Unless you live under a rock I'm pretty sure you've seen and heard about it.

I personally would like to let it remain in the past.

This past week we saw the 1st signs of Spring! WHEEEE.

VA is kind of cruel in a way.

Spring comes rushing in with sunshine and warmth for a few days and then it sneaks away, again.

The kids were in heaven, we walked to the fish pond 3 days straight to feed the geese and fish.

They played in the forest and rode their scooters on the path.

Joseph- Joseph has been super busy at work. He is now the TSD Division Director.

We are super proud of him. This promotion has been great for him.

He is enjoying his work a lot.

He finishes up his Masters program TOMORROW. There will be lots of celebrating.

When he's not busy with school or work he has been spending lots of time with the other love of his life...his rifle.

He has been heading to the shooting range with his buddies to shoot some skeet.

Boys will be boys.

I foresee many Saturday mornings being a shooting range widow.

Heather- I have been busy running the kids from one activity to the next, putting the baby (?!) down for naps, trying to make sure the baby doesn't kill himself as he scales everything in the house. I'm doing everything I can to keep him from walking.

Once he starts I know my life is really over. I loathe 12-18months.

I have been hitting the gym a lot. and doing P90X.

I want to run a 5k in the fall. I know this doesn't seem like a big deal to most but I DESPISE running.

I would rather do lunges all day.

I'm excited to have my body back (other than still nursing) and not be pregnant or thinking about getting pregnant.

Abbey Grace- Miss Abbey is doing some big things these days. A few months ago Joseph and I were really debating whether to send her to Kinde. in the fall. I was worried that she wasn't reading enough or writing enough.

We have NEVER been worried about her social skills, haha.

After spending Christmas with Madeleine and Ashley, Abbey suddenly had this massive interest in reading and writing.

Madeleine wrote and drew a book just for Abbey. It is one of her prized possessions.

We came home and that was that.

Everyday during quiet time she wanted to know how to spell EVERY.THING.

I'll be honest, it was getting on my nerves. Well now she has progressed to spelling things for herself.

I bought a book that my sister inlaw recommended for teaching a child how to read. We're not even half way through the book and she is sounding out words and "reading" a bit.

It is so fun to watch her.

She is ready, so after much debate we are sending her.

We will reevaluate after 1 month and so on.

She loves to play games on the computer and would sit for hours playing games.

We are super proud of her.

And if you haven't seen her lately she is suddenly no longer a little girl.

She has grown so much, it's really sad.

I cannot imagine how parents watch their kids leave home...but that's another post.

Jack- Jack is firmly planted in the 3's. He wants so badly to be a big kid but he still needs his mama for a lot of things.

He is so sweet and cuddly, still. But there are times when I see the independence come to the surface and he gets so frustrated with himself.

He is the leader in his class at school.

His teacher tells me that he keeps the other kids in line and makes the classroom a happy place.

I love that about him.

He is such a joy to be around. I love him so much.

I've recently noticed that Jack can "write/color" with both hands.

So I need to keep my eye on that so that he doesn't become frustrated in trying to figure out which hand to use. I remember that feeling so well from my childhood.

Turns out I am a lefty even though my teachers always tried to make me use my right hand for everything.

Joshua- Josh is 10.5 months old now. It appears that he may have finally left his separation anxiety behind him for right now. He is absolutely hilarious.

He talks all day long. He loves to wave "hi" and "bye".

He is cruising around the furniture and on the walls.

He can eat and eat and eat. And drags a sippy everywhere he goes.

Praegers Potato Pancakes are a current fave.

Bagels with cream cheese, macaroni and cheese, turkey, etc. This kid has a huge appetite.

He loves to play outside and gets mad if I don't let him crawl around and get dirty.

We moved the big kids into bunk beds. They love them.

The jury is still out for me.

I'm debating whether to paint the bed white or just leave it.

I still have lots to do, including getting rid of that Toy Story bedding. HA

We are getting really excited to head to the OBX with the rest of the JBG's.

While I am not looking forward to the drive on Memorial Day weekend, I am so excited to go to the beach with everyone.

And if you made it this far, congrats.

That is our life in a nutshell.