Summer Vacation - the first two days

Thursday and Friday last week were our first days of summer vacation.  As a rule I generally let my kids have free reign of the electronics the first couple days, and they did.  I think the Wii was on non-stop for 3 days.

We did take a couple breaks.  Emma has her end of the year dance recital.  Seth had two T-ball games (one more to go).  Jacob had his end of the season baseball party.  We also went to the pool one time.  The kids picked up right where they left of at the end of the summer.  Jacob is a fish.  Emma is on the verge of being "floatie" free and Seth and Lucy can go anywhere they want with their flotation devices.

We have some big plans this summer and I hope they are fun and that I have the energy to renew my blogging.

Baseball is in Full Swing

Last Saturday was opening day for Baseball Season.  Seth is playing T-ball for the first time.  He is on the Padres.  Is drives me crazy to watch T-ball and all the kids running around not knowing what to do and then I have to remember they are only 4 and have to start somewhere.  Seth is a pretty good hitter, probably because he plays out front with all the boys in the neighborhood anytime he gets a chance.  But, like most 4 year old boys, the most important part of the game is who is bringing the snack. 

Jacob had to "try out", not really a try out because everyone makes a team, they just try to make the teams even.  Jacob was bumped up a league and is playing for the Red Sox.  He is playing with mostly 9, 10 and 11 year old.  We were nervous at first but he fits right in.  He has had 3 games and is doing well.  Unfortunately he has been hit by three pitches, it is the first year with kid pitch.  This is also the first year for him where they keep score which is a BIG DEAL for him because he likes to know who wins.  His team has won all of their games.

Our Spring is going to be full but a lot of fun.  Emma is also taking a Hip Hop/Jazz class.  And Lucy just comes along for the ride but has a good time cheering on her siblings. 

Dr. Seuss Week

Jacob and Emma had a full week of Dr. Seuss this week to celebrate his birthday. 

Monday - Fox in Socks - Mismatched Socks

Tuesday - The 500 Hats of Bartholomew Cubbins - Favorite Hat

Wednesday (also picture day) - If I ran the Zoo - Bring your favorite stuffed animal

Thursday - Wacky Wednesday - Well dress Wacky

Friday - Dress as your favorite Dr. Seuss Character

It was a fun week.

President's Day at Monticello

Yesterday, for President's Day, we took a day trip to Monticello, the home of Thomas Jefferson.  The kids were very excited to go.  Seth and Lucy did not last long inside the house but it was a fun day.  Sean, as many of you know, LOVES history.  This was his first time to Monticello and he really enjoyed it.  There is a Discovery Room with hands on things for the kids.  That made it more fun for the kids. 

The Front of Monticello.

The Back of Monticello.

Thomas Jefferson's head stone.

Sleepy Daddy.  He is working night shift and gave up his sleeping for the day to go with us.

On the way to Monticello.

It is GREAT to be EIGHT!!

Jacob looked like a little man in his suit.

Last Saturday Jacob was baptized.  It was a great day.  We were able to have a lot of our family here.  Jacob was very excited about his baptism.  He has been excited for a while.  It was Sean's first chance to baptize one of our kids.  I am grateful for the wonderful day that we had.  And proud of Jacob for his decision to be baptized.

Sunshine Award

Jacob and Emma both got an award at school last Friday.  They have an awards assembly each month.  The kids do not know ahead of time they are getting an award.  I was able to make each of them think the other one was getting an award so they were both surprised.  At the bus stop that morning Emma and I were in the van by ourselves, I asked her if she could keep a secret and told her that Jacob was getting an award.  When she saw us at the awards assembly she knew we were there for Jacob.  Jacob had asked me in the morning if he was getting an award.  Then he said, I am not getting an award am I?  I did not answer him which made him think that he was not getting one.  They also give the kindergartners their awards first.  When Emma's name was called she jumped right up.  When Emma got her award he looked right at me and shrugged his shoulders, knowing for sure he was not getting an award.  Another fun thing, Jacob was asked to be up front and hand out pencils to each person that got an award.  When they called his name he said, I am right here and put his arms up in the air.  He was SO excited.  Words can not describe how excited he was.  It was a great morning. 

 

No Christmas Letter this year

Brown Family November 2010

I had every intention of sending out Christmas cards and writing a letter but it just did not happen.  Life is flying by with the joys of 4 young children.  So, I will give you a quick update on each...
Jacob - just turned 8 years old.  He enjoys everything SPORTS, just like his dad.  He knows all about different sports, the rules, the players, the coaches, he is turning into a wealth of useless sports knowledge, again, just like dad.  The first thing he does when he wakes up in the morning is turn on Sports Center.  He played baseball last spring, flag football in the fall and is currently playing basketball.  He is doing cub scouts and continues to excel in school.
Emma - is 6 years old.  She is ALL girl.  She is involved in Daisy Scouts this year and is really enjoying it.  She loves anything social and crafts, Daisy Scouts is both so what is not to love.  She loves school and keeps her teacher in line because she never forgets anything.  She is a great big sister and is always helping Lucy when she can.  This summer we had our first traumatic experience as parents, Emma broke her arm.  She snapped both bones of her lower left arm in half.  She was a trooper and had to wear a cast for about 12 weeks.  It is off now and she has healed great.
Seth - is 4.  What can I say, he is my comic relief.  He is always making me laugh.  He goes to preschool 4 mornings a week and is starting to enjoy it.  Preschool was a hard adjustment for him.  He is really starting to love the Wii which does not thrill me but I am figuring out that boys love electronics.  He is full of energy and always a lot of fun.
Lucy - just turned 2.  She talks nonstop.  In fact as I am typing this I am listening to her talk when she is supposed to be taking a nap.  She LOVES Ariel, The Little Mermaid.  She tells everyone that she is two and that she had an Ariel Cake.  She likes to dress and feed all of her dolls.  And has Emma's love of stuffed animals.  If there ever comes a time when I am found missing check my girls "stuffed" animals.
Sean - is, you do not need to know how old he is.  He is currently working the night shift again.  It is not our top choice of shifts but he has a job and we are blessed for that.  He had hernia surgery at the beginning of December and they found a lot of fluid in his abdomen.  We are currently trying to figure out what it is from so we can get it fixed.
I am doing well and enjoying being a mom.  I love to help out and read in all the kids classrooms, which keeps me busy.  Lucy and I are able to have a few hours together in the morning.

I hope that everyone had a wonderful Holiday Season.