The Adventures of Jonathan

*Bedtime stories told to Timothy of a boy a little older than him who learns right and wrong or does remarkably funny things. 

Once upon a time there was a boy named Jonathan. Jonathan loved going to the beach. He usually wore his swim shorts but one day he really wanted to wear his coat. Even though it was hot outside, he zipped up his coat and went into the water. At first, it felt really funny to wear his coat in the water. The water even filled up his coat. But when he tried to swim, it was really hard. He tried swimming again...but - it - was - too - hard! So, Jonathan took off his coat and put it on the sand. When he went back to swim with just his swim shorts, he saw that it was much easier to swim without a coat. Jonathan realized that day that coats are for winter and not for the beach.

By: Kristine

So impressed!

For My Records (Timothy at just over three - 37mo)

Children are amazing! And they learn extremely quickly. For Timothy, his learning is enhanced by songs. He's learned how to spell his name (minus the 'I') and all of Cayden's name just by a jingle. He can figure out the name 'Esther' by sight or hearing the letters spelled out. 

This morning, he sang all the months of the year. The months of the year?! Yes! It was crazy! I'm one impressed mama. 

As for some other areas I'm blown away by: 

-He counts successfully to 14, skips 15, and 16 finishes off the counting. 

-He knows Sunday - Wednesday in order but needs help with the rest. 

-He identifies most of the uppercase letters and some lowercase. He identifies numbers up to 13 (although 12 is a little foggy). 

We are doing nothing special other than making silly songs and showing him letters he asks about. I continue to be so caught off guard and surprised by this little guy. I tell him that God has given him such a good memory and smart brain. I think that is the root! 

*Hours after I posted this: He sang his name song with the I!! Yay!

The Nurturer

Timothy has so much sweetness pouring out at unexpected moments. 

If a friend is upset that a toy was taken or dropped, he runs over quickly picks it up (or something similar) and runs it back over to the crying friend. 

Sometimes if Cayden has a toy Timothy wants, he says, "Here you go buddy," as he offers something else to play with (that maybe Cayden will or will not like :)). 

If Cayden is screaming in Target cause he'd rather I hold him than sit in the cart, Timothy comforts him and says, "It's okay buddy." or "You'll be okay, I'm right here." In these moments, Timothy teaches my heart to soften to Cayden's cries just has he has. 

So thankful for this little/big boy. 

Brother Love

Apples and Oranges

Both my boys! Some similarities, some differences. (Both are about 9.5 months.) 

Snow Day!

It took us to get all the way to March to get a really good snow. And it took me all the way to March to get both boys bundled up and out to play in it. So much fun! So glad we made it happen.

But here are some lessons learned from today:
1. I do not know how to build a snowman.
2. I cannot accurately throw a snowball at my oldest child.
3. Even if we end up building a snowman, eventually the "destroy everything" will come out in my boy and it will be gone in a matter of three swings of a shovel.

February Pictures

I usually try to categorize the pictures, but sometimes you just have to get things done and be fine with it. So here's some from February, all smashed together!

*Glow sticks

*Cayden at Tim's birthday breakfast

*Cousins rocking it out at Tim's 3rd bday party

*We're trying to act like Eric isn't taking pictures of normal events.

*Littler cousins!

*Wow, money!

 *Birthday cake!

*Loving how the boys are playing more "together"

*Our valentine rocker

*Newest and sweet valentine!

*Special visit from the Bucks!

*Seriously, the best brothers!

*Attack daddy! This is going to get better as they get bigger!