This sweet boy (he's a cowboy with a baby and not sure what's around his head!) My first born who stole my heart continues to amaze me everyday. He truly is such a sweet, sweet boy who loves everyone and wants to be friends with everyone. Whenever we go places and play with new children (Chick-fil-A, Pump it Up, etc) he tries to make fast friends with everyone there and after about a minute of playing and asking them their name he will politely ask them, "are you my friend?" It melts my heart every time. So much like his daddy! I would never ask a stranger if they were my friend for fear of rejection - but he's still so innocent and fear of rejection is foreign to him - I pray he stays that way!
While John-Mark definitely has his own little personality very different from his brother (not so much motivated by people pleasing) he continues to be James' mini-me. He repeats so many things that he says. Example - I posted previously about James' little "you don't understand me" pouts - John-Mark has now started using this line. I don't think he really understands what he's saying because he says it at random times that don't make sense:) He also loves to tell me "I don't know mommy" which is straight from his brothers mouth. He also is becoming quite the social bug like James. Here is what a trip through the check out line sounds like (and both boys are usually talking at the same time)
Boys: Hi, what's your name (to the bag boy or check out clerk), my name is James (or John-Mark), her name is Mommy, and that is Gracie. When is your birthday? I like cheese (as they see it being put in a bag) Do you like cheese? Why are you moving so fast (as the bag boy was quickly bagging our groceries). I'm going to be 4 on August 11. Do you like Super Why? I like this store. Thank You (as they are given colors and a coloring book) Do you have to save the rest for the other kids? Then after they help up load our car they ask - where are you going? work? why? you have to make money like daddy?
It literally NEVER stops- and it's TWO of them! I can't imagine what it's going to be like when Gracie starts talking!
I feel like James has grown up more in the last couple of months and he is beginning to have many more of his own ideas about things - which is good, however it does lead us to some good disciplining opportunities when his ideas and mine are not the same - as far as behavior is concerned. He's really in to telling me what he's "not" going to do :)
The weather around here is still pretty cold with a chance of snow again this weekend - and I am OVER IT! We all are so ready for spring to arrive so we can get back outside and run around and get back in our routine. We were cooped in the house for what felt like WEEKS with colds and then the weather. We're finally all over our sniffles and coughs and back in the gym and small groups are starting soon so we'll be jumping back into all that fun soon too!
The dynamic duo during some serious play doh time! John-Mark has finally stopped trying to eat the play doh so they can play more - but it has to be when Gracie is sleeping because she's in the "put everything in her mouth" phase now :)
He's a mess - and knows it!
These two crack me up! John-Mark is pulling her all over the house and she is loving it! Both boys love their sisser but these two seem to have a different bond - I think she knows he's the wilder one and she's always looking for action!
Miss Hollywood! She found her brothers sunglasses and was too excited! I've noticed that when the boys play with a particular toy for a while - later, after they've put it down she will end up finding it and playing with it. It's like she watches and waits for her turn. James played with that orange thing he has on his head in the top picture for days until he got tired of it and I looked over and Gracie was having the best time ever with it! Still no walking on her own yet - she'll grab on to anything and push it around the house and she loves to hold on to my pant leg and walk with me but if she's left solo she'll drop to those knees as fast as possible and get to movin'.
We have this fun little book that we got from Dolly Parton's Imagination Library all about how streets are constructed. The boys love the book because it's all about tractors and rocks :) Lucky for them yesterday we had a portion of our drive paved and they got to see what we've been reading about in our book first hand - home education at it's best!
John-Mark is super excited!
We got to see the "asphalt, asphalt, cooked with heat. Pouring out a slice of street" :)
and "sticky street, soft to spread. Squeeze it out like jam on bread"
"Roll it, roll it, wheels so fat. Roll it down and make it flat."
The boys had a great time watching all the activity. John-Mark had his shovel and was asking if he could help. He also asked all the workers "you not gonna hurt me?" meaning, run over me! :)
