Cuteness overload!
Avery was pouting in the background.
Such a goose.
Friday, May 31, 2013
Wednesday, May 29, 2013
If I don't post it?
Did it really happen?
Did my first born already turn six?
The past year has been amazing in maturity for my First Born. 4-5 was a hard year. It was the year that concerned me the most. He was still not talking to anyone but family and showing signs of great anxiety in social settings. It was during this time that we both learned a very hard and sobering lesson. We learned that labels are dealt out like candy on Halloween. Being your own person only applies if you are an adult, maybe a teenager, but by no means a 4, 5, or 6 year old. Little ones are suppose to come in standard cookie cutter format, at least according to society. We were concerned as were some others about his delay in social behavior and his extreme shyness/anxiety. We went through testing to see where he was developmentally in different areas, by the end he was "tested" in four areas with a variety of results, from, "Why are you here, he is more than fine" to "With extensive therapy he may be employable." One "therapist" was ready to label him her third worst autistic case in 20 years. I am ashamed that I foolishly went along with any test and did not trust my heart that all he needed was time to grow and mature. We forget that not all kids are thrust into the system at 3 or earlier. While I don't feel we live a radically different life, I must remember that we do by today's standards. Our children have not been enrolled in sports or preschool or Sunday school. They do not know any of the main-stream cartoon characters. We have tried to focus our children on being part of a family and not part of a group of same age children. I think this has played a role in PT's social development as one Uncle observed that both of Paul Thomas' parents are not out-going and social butterflies, why would anyone expect him to be?
Well, that was a load off...What I really want to say is that by God's grace alone our oldest is being fashioned into a very amazing young man. He is so helpful and adores his siblings, particularly the littles. He is job oriented and a perfectionist; really what firstborn isn't?
Philip and I find ourselves picking up our jaw in astonishment as we watch him grow. We take no credit as it is all by God's grace.
So how do you celebrate an out of this world young man? With an out of this world cake of course.
This is one of my favorite cakes to make!
Did my first born already turn six?
The past year has been amazing in maturity for my First Born. 4-5 was a hard year. It was the year that concerned me the most. He was still not talking to anyone but family and showing signs of great anxiety in social settings. It was during this time that we both learned a very hard and sobering lesson. We learned that labels are dealt out like candy on Halloween. Being your own person only applies if you are an adult, maybe a teenager, but by no means a 4, 5, or 6 year old. Little ones are suppose to come in standard cookie cutter format, at least according to society. We were concerned as were some others about his delay in social behavior and his extreme shyness/anxiety. We went through testing to see where he was developmentally in different areas, by the end he was "tested" in four areas with a variety of results, from, "Why are you here, he is more than fine" to "With extensive therapy he may be employable." One "therapist" was ready to label him her third worst autistic case in 20 years. I am ashamed that I foolishly went along with any test and did not trust my heart that all he needed was time to grow and mature. We forget that not all kids are thrust into the system at 3 or earlier. While I don't feel we live a radically different life, I must remember that we do by today's standards. Our children have not been enrolled in sports or preschool or Sunday school. They do not know any of the main-stream cartoon characters. We have tried to focus our children on being part of a family and not part of a group of same age children. I think this has played a role in PT's social development as one Uncle observed that both of Paul Thomas' parents are not out-going and social butterflies, why would anyone expect him to be?
Well, that was a load off...What I really want to say is that by God's grace alone our oldest is being fashioned into a very amazing young man. He is so helpful and adores his siblings, particularly the littles. He is job oriented and a perfectionist; really what firstborn isn't?
Philip and I find ourselves picking up our jaw in astonishment as we watch him grow. We take no credit as it is all by God's grace.
So how do you celebrate an out of this world young man? With an out of this world cake of course.
This is one of my favorite cakes to make!
Adding the moon landing gear!
By the way this big guy is starting a new chapter in oral care. Adult teeth!
Snuggles.
Present time.
Six dollars for a six year old!
A weather lab for my science guy.
A little help.
Saturday, May 25, 2013
Friday, May 24, 2013
Friday Photo Favorites
Just some pics of the most precious baby.
Had to document that he does have eyes for all those who met him this last weekend.
This is the state he is most often in.
Mmm...pure love.
Friday, May 10, 2013
Friday Photo Favorites
Not a typical face.
Priceless non the less.
An attempt to get a picture of four kids.
Well they're all in the frame.
Ahhh we won't bore you with picture perfection.
No we'll entertain you with REAL LIFE captures!
Disclaimer: Avery is still sporting his shiner which was a result of not a valiant encounter with a dragon or bike or tree or even a result of any sort of fun prior. No it is a result of a poorly timed fit thrown (literally) from his top bunk.
No we'll entertain you with REAL LIFE captures!
Disclaimer: Avery is still sporting his shiner which was a result of not a valiant encounter with a dragon or bike or tree or even a result of any sort of fun prior. No it is a result of a poorly timed fit thrown (literally) from his top bunk.
Thursday, May 2, 2013
Dodging Lighting
When I was growing up I thought it was so amazing that on my Dad's side everyone knew a foreign language. Well at least before meals we did! "BlessohLordandthesethygifts...."
In an attempt to help our children learn to pray, we have drastically reduced the speed at which most prayers are prayed in our household. It doesn't always work though. Every night I find myself praying extra hard during the Lord's Prayer.
"Our Father, who art in Heaven....Thy will be dumb,"
In an attempt to help our children learn to pray, we have drastically reduced the speed at which most prayers are prayed in our household. It doesn't always work though. Every night I find myself praying extra hard during the Lord's Prayer.
"Our Father, who art in Heaven....Thy will be dumb,"
I also try to stand as far from Avery as possible, just in case.
Wednesday, May 1, 2013
Are You Smart Enough to Keep Up With A 5 Year Old?
A hummingbird visited our feeder this evening while we sat at the dinner table. Since it was the first of the season, it was quite a momentous occasion. That's really only a nice way of saying that dinner-time devolved into a chaotic, high-pitched tumult, in which manners and decorum - why are you laughing? - were jettisoned and, inexplicably, it became absolutely necessary to climb on top of the table to catch a glimpse of our hovering, avian companion.
After re-straightening our dinner jackets, Avery expressed his concern that bees might be next to visit our yard to partake in the sweet, albeit artificial, nectar.
PT, with the authority that only the eldest brother can command, explained that bees couldn't get to the nectar in the feeder "because their proboscises aren't long enough."
Only by my mastery of the use of contextual clues, well-honed after half a decade of interpreting babies' speech, and a vague, misty memory of a Marty Stouffer's Wild America episode was I able, after several awkward moments of silence with Mamasita, to remember that term meant and formulate a marginally intelligent response.
Time to get studying.
After re-straightening our dinner jackets, Avery expressed his concern that bees might be next to visit our yard to partake in the sweet, albeit artificial, nectar.
PT, with the authority that only the eldest brother can command, explained that bees couldn't get to the nectar in the feeder "because their proboscises aren't long enough."
Only by my mastery of the use of contextual clues, well-honed after half a decade of interpreting babies' speech, and a vague, misty memory of a Marty Stouffer's Wild America episode was I able, after several awkward moments of silence with Mamasita, to remember that term meant and formulate a marginally intelligent response.
Time to get studying.
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