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.

Playing Catch up #1 - The Pumpkin Patch

Back in October Seth, Lucy and I went to the pumpkin patch with a group of our friends.  It was a nice day, the day we went.  We learned about pumpkins, went on a hay ride to pick our pumpkins, fed the animals and played. 

The kids always enjoy going to the pumpkin patch.

A trip to the Dentist

This morning we made our semi-annual trip to the dentist.  Jacob, Emma and Seth all had appointments.  They all did amazing.  Seth even commented, "I am a brave boy, I did not even cry."  And told his dad, "Remember last time I was really nervous, I am not nervous anymore."  Seth's teeth look great.  Emma was told by the dentist that she needs to stop sucking her fingers, which we fully agree with but have lost the battle, so far.  We have tried everything we can think of but it is a losing battle.  I will gladly take any suggestions.  She does not do it as much as she used to but still does it quit a bit.  Emma also has two "wobblers", which was exciting for her.  Jacob did not get the best report.  He has two cavities.  He is not too excited about it.  It is his first time.  Luckily they are on baby teeth.  We will get them filled and try to do a better job with the brushing.  I do not enjoy the dentist, AT ALL, and even taking my kids is hard.  I do not want my kids to fear the dentist like I do so I put on my big girl mommy face and go.  I do not think that I will be able to take Jacob to get his fillings though.

Halloween 2010

The past week was a fun filled week.  Each of the kids had a school party.  Seth and Emma both had a trip to the pumpkin patch.  Thursday night we painted and carved our pumpkins.  Saturday night we went to a Trunk or Treat at church.

Lucy loved painting her pumpkin.

Emma loves to paint.

Seth was very serious about his pumpkin.

Jacob is the only one that wanted to carve his pumpkin.

My little Monkey and beautiful Princess.

My skele-boy and Scooter accident victim.

Free Ice Cream for a Year!!!

There is a new ice cream/sandwich shop in town.  For those of you that are local you need to check out Skipper's Dips and Deli in Charles Town on Washington Street.  Monday night they had their grand opening.  We had been there several times before and it is delicious.  We headed down for the ice cream, fun and festivities.  When we got there they were starting a "Cow Pie Eating Contest".  Jacob wanted to enter.  The "cow pie" was and Oreo cookie with a scoop of chocolate ice cream and whipped cream.  The kids had to eat it without their hands.  

I am ready!!

YUM!!

This is good.

I am finished.

And Jacob won!!  The prize was a free scoop of ice cream once a week for a year.  He was VERY excited.  Several of his friends were there to watch.  Apparently he was the talk of the school Tuesday morning.  Everyone knew he was the kid who won a year worth of ice cream.  I told him that I would be happy to eat his free ice cream if he does not want it but that probably will not happen.  So, we now refer to him as "cow pie" boy and he likes it.

Lunch Buddies

Things around our house are a little bit quieter these days.  I will get to the back to school posts eventually.  But, Jacob and Emma are gone at school all day.  Seth goes to preschool 4 mornings a weeks.  Lucy and I get some one on one time in the morning.  It is fun.  Lucy and I go pick up Seth and come home and eat lunch.  Below is a picture of what lunch at our house is like.  Just the two little ones.  It is an adjustment but we are having fun.  We have fun playing games, coloring, doing play-doh and making cookies.

My new lunch buddies.

My cookie helpers.

Jacob's lost tooth

He looks likes a good ole' West Virginia boy now.  He has lost a total of 5 teeth now and his other front tooth is very loose and I am sure will be out any day now.  Unfortunately for him he has lost them all in the summer, 2 last summer and 3 this summer so far.  The nurse at his school gives out cute little tooth holders for kids who lose their teeth at school.  He would really like to get one but no luck so far.