*4*

4 months old

time just keeps ticking away

emelia is a delightful baby

she's a little thumb sucker, which has improved her sleeping greatly

she usually sleeps 12 or more hours at night

typically with an early morning feed 

 

 she is still in our room--

i'm just not ready to give that up yet

the co-sleeper has been so awesome--

it's like having her in my bed, but not

she's rolling from her tummy to back pretty easily

but hasn't tried to go the other way yet

she still looks like xan and mark to me

although i get glimpses of the other boys too

she's a total smoosh

and gets a million kisses every day from all of us

love, love, love her

 

saturday fun

i was trying to get a picture of the 4

luca was not cooperating 

love how emelia is looking at her daddy

big and little

pretending they were at the beach

luca asked me to take this picture--he's resting

 working on soccer skills

daddy's girl

JUMP

so fun!!

yellow belt

 david started taking karate

in the middle of december

his dai sempai is also his 3rd grade teacher, and david loves him

yesterday he tested for his yellow belt

it started with a written test where david had 

to know a bunch of japanese terms as well as some historical aspects 

of karate

then a physical test that included sparring with a number of his fellow students

(including dai sempai)

followed by performing some katas (a series of moves) in front of the class

dai sempai then broke 4 boards on him (one on each arm and leg)

i didn't get a picture, but david had to break a board with his knee

which he did on his first try

 receiving his yellow belt

it's official--out with the white

we are so proud of the effort that david puts into everything that he does

he is disciplined by nature (i think he was like 4 when he asked for an alarm clock 

so that he could wake up early to have his QT and work out :)

it's so much fun to watch him grow up-- 

countdown...

as of today, only 5 more weeks till summer vacation

i'm not sure who's more excited--me or the boys--

--and i don't even homeschool ;)

here's to many lazy days spent with friends

and cousins

and i'm SUPER excited that my littlest sister 

(who is about to wrap up her sophomore year at mcdaniel)

is going to be helping me this summer

i have plans for a major "stuff" purge

and general organization---

and hopefully lots of laid back fun mixed in

*6*

my baby #2 turned 6 yesterday

i was thinking back to his birth yesterday

a little scary at the end, but out he came--perfect

the nurse said he looked like a little bunny

and that's how i thought of him in those sweet early days

he started his day with family presents

and vanilla scones from starbucks (personal request)

he had a little party at school complete with donuts and goodie bags (a must)

here the class is sharing what they like about xan

the first kid that shared said "you're my best friend"

i thought it was the sweetest thing, until i realized that in kindergarten

every kid says the same thing

they're all best friends :)

then a cousin party at home after school

with tacos and grapes (another special request)

and a cake that has the "same features as a cupcake, but bigger" (his words)

our little xander man

we love you so much!!