Jolly Jersey Kids

I've failed again to keep up with my daily happenings with this Jersey household. Hopefully 2012 will tell a different story.

Tyler: growing up too quickly for my liking. I guess they all are, but he seems to be doing this in spades. He is smart, kind, creative and some days, wishes for a different mama. Too bad he is stuck with the one he has gotten. His newest love, is some wild animal shooting video, that he is limited to playing just a few times a week. Santa brought this gift for his father, and they have been found inviting guests over to go on their scavenger hunt. I hear giggles while they are all in a room, so it cant be all that bad, right?

Cassie: I have to give the girl credit. She holds her own very well being sandwiched in by two brothers. They both give her a test, and has been given the title, as "Little K." Not sure if this is a good thing or not. She starts cheer leading in a few weeks...not sure I'm ready for pom-poms and cheers or chants non-stop through the house.

Jacob. Where did my baby go? Has anyone seen him? At 18 months, he is finally on the charts for weight and height. 27 pounds and pure love or pure boy or combo of both. He is busy from sun-up to sun-down, thankfully with a good nap in-between. He talks more and more. Calls most of his food, "a cookie." Squeals when I drop him off at the sitters, "Mary Mare." You ask him where something is and he doesn't know, his rely in the cutest voice ever, "Don't know!" He loves to pat like a dog, ba like a sheep, moo like a cow and KKKKKKKKKKKKKEEEEEEEEE for a cat. Its hilarious. I think because my poor 15 year old cat, has had enough of these kids.

We had a wonderful Christmas and looking forward to making 2012 are best year yet!

2nd grade, Jersey Boy

How is it possible that my oldest is now 7 and rockin' the second grade? I look at this picture and want to smile and cry! Smile because he has really matured and grown--not only in appearance, but in attitude, ability and self confidence. Tyler is very competitive and part of me doesn't like that, but really in this dog-eat-dog world, his competitiveness will come in handy. It doesn't matter if its with school work, on the basketball court or getting his household chores done before his sister, he wants to win! Then part of me wants to cry! Wasn't it yesterday that we were bringing him home from the hospital or working with him when he was 2 with speech? Our once chubby baby boy who from early on got the name porkchop has easily given that title to his baby brother. Tyler is slim, tall and handsome!

Tyler's favorite things include anything that has to do with the farm! He is a spittin' image of his father, in spades, and wants to be just like dad! It makes me smile! After all, I cannot think of a better role model for my children! He loves math, reading, basketball and soccer. He loves to play with his friends, and he has quite a few of them, no girlfriends (as of yet, which is A-OK with this mama) and while he loves his sister, he really has a special place in his heart for his baby brother.

He does and always will have a special place in my heart! Love this boy to the moon and back!

Summer re-cap

I cannot believe its been nearly a month since I last blogged. I know, I know. I swore I would do a better job at blogging. Excuses, well, life got in the way! It all seems like a blur and I'm not real great about recapping the last 4 weeks, but here goes.

Trip to Wisconsin for National Jersey Convention
Kids loved it! Ty & Cass went in tow with thier grandparents and loved learning about cows, seeing those brown-eyed beauties and meeting other young Jersey kids! What a neat experience for them. A few days later, me and Jake drove up to spend some time with past Jersey colleagues and friends and what fun we had! Thankfully, a few days later, Scott came up, and we decided to enjoy some of the great indoor waterpark and festiviteis and made a lil' family vacation out of it! So fun. So needed!

County Fair Time
After Wisconsin, it seemed like the following 3 weeks were devoted to County Fair prep. We walked kids show calves daily, despite a few meltdowns by all! The kids had fun and did well, despite the thermomter reading 115. Are we passionate about showing? Crazy? Or a bit of both?

Summer wind-down/School prep time
Not exactly sure what all went on the last few weeks after county fair. Seems like it included sprinklers, bike riding, ice-cream eating, friends over, garage selling, farm helping and baby...not so much a baby...went from walking to running overnight! School shopping, bargains had, will be estatic if brand new sneakers last til snow falls. Cute side note: Cassie is found sporting her brand new Nikes and backpack playing school with doors shut up in her bedroom. I overhear her telling he "friends" that they better having their listening ears on! Ha!

Happy 7th Birthday, Tyler

Happy 7th birthday, Tyler James!

Every year seems to go faster! Between swim lessons, shooting hoops, riding his bike, playing with his sister & brother and working at the farm, it seems like Tyler doesn't have much down time. Of course, down time generally means he is emptying my pantry and zooming to the next level of reading. His growth, physical, academic and maturity seems to be off the charts.

He is kind, creative, smart and funny! His faves includes playing outside, Pokemon (which I don't even pretend to understand), reading, drawing and playing with his friends, which lately seems to include his sister and brother.

He easily makes his father & I proud. On cinco de mayo, I brought b-day treats into his classroom and he got to pick one friend to help pass 'em out. He quickly chose his classmate with special needs to help out. It was hard for me to hold back the tears.

Happy Birthday, Tyler! We Love you with every ounce in us.

XOXO!

Tyler's Christmas Program '10

Tyler had his Christmas program this morning and his father and me and baby Jacob were in attendance. I love Christmas music, but what is even sweeter is having your own child sing Christmas songs. Its pure sweetness. My husband smiled and kid me, "Whats wrong with you," when I teared up watching Tyler sing all his songs. I guess, they just grow up too quickly for my liking and I looked at baby Jake and thought, gosh soon it'll be him up there singing those songs. Makes me wanna hold my kids tight and generate a formula to slow down the aging process.

Jacob, 5 months old

How is it even possible that my baby, Jacob, is five months old already?! Jake is a hunk and a love and we are so blessed to say the least. His favorite things include his brother & sister. His eyes are glued onto theirs and he just loves having them play with him! Its so nice to have such great help with baby Jake. I can cook dinner and know he is fully entertained with his Jersey siblings.
We started cereal and baby food this month. The doctor was quite surprised that he was content just being breast fed with how big he is. He is lapping it up like he has been eating it forever! I think he was trying to tell me "FINALLY mama!" Ha.
He is rolling over and if he wasn't so heavy, I'm sure he would be crawling. He wants to, but too much weight to move around. I'm just fine with him not crawling. So not ready to baby proof the house. I think soon, we will.

Summer Recap

How did I let the summer slip by without posting @ all?
I guess with the birth of my third child, county fair, west coast visitors and a 10-day vacation to Oregon, kept us busy to say the least.
Our third child arrived on June 12th at 2:20 a.m. Jacob surprised us all by tipping the scales at 11 pound, 9 ounces and stretched out to 20 inches long. He is a FAT and HAPPY baby and we are completely in love. He was very much welcomed home by us all, including his big brother Tyler and big sister Cassie. They adore him!!
My sister, Cathy, flew out surprising me to help for the week. The stars must aligned because she flew out on the day Jacob was born. She helped cook, clean and tend to the older kids, while also helping me adjust to a family of five and my postpartum state. Poor Tyler, he kept wondering "When is my mom coming home!" Cathy assured him that we would get to come home, and when we did, he was nothing but smiles!
A month later, Cathy flew back, along with her middle child, Colby, 6 and niece Rebecca and family friend Richard. There visit stretched out over 10 days and the Jersey kids loved it, as did I! The temps were hot and humid, but fun was had by all! The kids showed their calves at the fair, rode the rides, went to movies and to water parks. Richard kept everyone hydrated and fed well and Cathy snuggled with baby Jake every chance she got.
In early August, the kids and I flew 2,000 miles out to Oregon to visit my family. We were able to spend a few days at my sister's lake house cabin that has a fabulous view and the environment was amazing. Kids swam, tubed, snorkeled, knee board and laughed. It was so fun to watch them on the water and it was so much for to enjoy time with my sisters. My parents loved meeting grandchild #16 and I was so glad to spend time with them.
Now we are back in the grind of another school year. The kids are doing really wonderful at it, esp. Tyler. He absolutely loves 1st grade and is "rockin' it!" I hope the momentum continues and is contagious to those around him. Cassie is in pre-school and is doing swimming and tumbling. She is doing great, too.
A few snaps from the summer. I hope to be better at blogging on a regular basis. This will be my goal!

Bruiser Boy

I received a phone call around the end of the school day that Tyler was in the school office, could I come and pick him up! I dashed over confused b/c Tyler has never been in trouble or in office before. Well, when I showed up, I broke down in tears. My coordinated son, trip over his own feet playing four-square during afternoon recess and biffed it on the blacktop. He never cried, of course I did! Ice-cream made him feel better and amazingly, in a few days, his battle scars were gone.

Tyler Turns 6

How's it even possible that my "baby" is offically is 6?! He has been countin' down the days since the first of the year and is so excited to be 6...and soon, to be graduating kindergarten and onto first grade. He has really grown up and has really developed his own personality. Love it! Love him! He is all boy and his favirote things include collecting bugs, worms, frogs... He is all about trading Pokeman cards, much to my desmise, but I figure there could be worse things out there. He needs his own space now, and occasionally can be found with his bedroom door closed and a sign saying "No girls allowed." He secretly tells me, I can come in, but not Cassie! Thankfully, he still needs his mama to tuck him into bed at night, loves a good story to be read and has lots of hugs and loves...for now!
This year we celbrated at his requested spot, Jungle Bungle, which is a pizza place/kid zone...and to be honest, I felt a bit guilty with not having to prep or clean up! Kinda nice since Im 8 months pregnant! He, along with a handful of his friends played in teh bounce house and in the arcade. He thought for sure this was the "coolest party ever."
Today is his actualy birthday, my cinco de mayo baby and we will head to the farm after school so he can help finish chopping rye. He said, "Gosh mom, I'm the luckiest man alive." LOVE his simple requests and needs. I cherish 'em and him!
Happy Birthday Tyler!
xoxo!

Magical Moments 2009

Okay…better late than never, right?
Since this photo-snap Jersey mama took nearly 500 photos during their family vacation to DisneyWorld, I will have to post is segments.
First off...we had a blast! Time away, how could we not? The temps were a bit cooler than we hoped for, but I had to remind my hubby...and myself, that 60's were much warmer than teens back at home! So, no tan to brag 'bout, but the giggles and time together are priceless.
Scott doesn't get much time off. No secret to most. His idea of vacationing and mind are a bit different. My idea is to unwind and go at a slower speed than regular life presents itself. Scott, not so much! So the first day, we were at Magical Kingdom when the gates open and left to go back to the hotel after the fireworks at Epcot, getting back around 11:00 p.m. As you can imagine, the two kids were beyond tired and I'm not sure who was more crabby, them or me! 16 weeks pregnant and clockin' in many miles by foot, I was just plain wore out!
Thankfully, the days to follow did slow up, as my hub realized that less does not mean less. Getting to the parks later in the day with rested company meant better time spent there!
At Magical Kingdom, the kids LOVED the tea-cups, dumbo, seeing the castle and a roller coaster that Scott & Tyler went on, is all that he talks about! Cassie loved all the characters and we stood in line to meet and greet any and all that we saw. Tyler wasn't so fond at first, but later warmed up to the idea! CUTE: He thought they'd be his size versus mine!

Farm BOY

Tyler just LOVES for being at the farm, it was like he was born underneath the Jersey cow...or something like that. Pretty darn close. These photos were taken during Thanksgiving break. Tyler LOVED that he got to help move heifers and be apart of the choring process. I don't know who was more excited: Tyler or the grown Jersey men! I've been told, pretty soon, Tyler will be calling the shots, the foreman of the farm and it makes me smile! He is a farm kid through and through.

Great combo: Milk & Cookies

Temps cooled off, way off into the 40's and made me wanna turn the oven on and make some cookies with the five year old. He loves putting an apron on and yes, someday, he will ask me to burn the picture of him in it, but for now, I try to smile as flour flies across the kitchen! Brings back memories of when I was a child helping my mother. Love that I can share this with my children. The end result is delicious, as always, especially with a cold glass of milk. Cheers Jersey boy.

Atta Jersey boy

Awe!

Tyler has been doing so well in kindergarten. We just finish Parent Teacher Conferences and he is makin' such big strides! We celebrated Jersey style, with a scoop of ice-cream on a waffle cone. Definitely the Jersey boy fave thing "ever"! Ha, love him!

Don't get me wrong, there are times that he test me, smartly saying "I don't have to" or "Your not the boss of me". Not sure where he gets this flamin' attitude, surely not from me! :)

However, he told me today that he sat next to the new kid on the bus, introduced himself and told the boy that he'd place with him at recess the next day. It made me cry, love his natural ability to make friends and seek those that could use one!

Atta boy Tyler.

xoxo!