Kid Updates

Summer is in full swing and we are busy and having fun. Owen loves going to the pool these days and his favorite thing to do is “dive for stuff” he says. I missed the chance to get him on the swim team and I’m both bummed and relieved about that. He’s a good swimmer and I’d like him to learn the strokes, but then it’s a more relaxed summer schedule for all of us too. Next year. He is a great hiker and we have been having fun going to stone Mountain. I am excited to take the kids to Utah this summer and try out a few hikes there too. Anything that involves water is going to be a big hit!
Owen is a good reader and we are practicing that most days at home too. We took him to Brockett Elementary yesterday to get him registered for 1st Grade. “I can’t believe I’m going to be in 1st GRADE!!!” Me either little man.
The last few weeks he’s been taking pictures with the camera whenever we pull it out and above is one of his latest. I just find them so darn cute... He has been very self motivated lately and on his own decided to clean all of the mirrors in the house yesterday.
A recent Owen story that I love to share and want to remember:
He wants to be a scientist or a Ninja Wizard when he grows up. I asked him one day if he wanted to take Karate lessons, to which he replied, “I already know Karate.”
Me: really?
Owen: Yes. I have a little school in my brain that teaches me stuff. I taught myself Karate. I don’t DO Karate very often, but I KNOW it.
Me: Awesome! I’ll save my money I guess.

Love this boy!

My girl is a lot of fun and is always making us laugh. She loves swimming at the pool too and I am surprised by how motivated she is to swim by herself. If she sets her mind to something she works at it really hard, but it does need to be her idea. She practices swimming further underwater when we are at the pool and it is a riot to see her do a “can opener” as she calls it. (Jumping in the pool holding one leg...instead of both...which would be a cannon ball). She and the boys can swim all day. We like going later in the afternoon so the sun isn’t soooooo hot. Just hot. It is Atlanta after all.
Olivia is confident and adventurous, but in her own way and time. When she decides to do something she is tough. She loves to make us laugh with jokes and tricks, following in the foot steps of her older brother. She looks up to Owen and relies on him a lot to explain things to her. She has a great imagination. She still loves to play with her pet shops and dolls and loves to dress up like a princess. Right now she is in a toting phase and will schlepp every doll/stuffed animal from room to room with her as she goes. She will cram every pet shop into a basket and tote them around, giving them baths in the bathroom sink. I am amazed at all she can carry at once too. Though she gets that from me. I would rather carry 20 grocery bags, staggering my way into the kitchen then have to make TWO trips. She apparently feels the same way about all her beloved toys.
She loves playing (or starting to play) board/card games, but we lose her about half way through. We do learning time while Jonah is napping: reading books, games, work books, etc. and she likes doing that. She’s a great little hiker too. I like doing challenging things with the kids and seeing what they can do. She’s slower than Owen so he stops to rest and by the time she catches up he’s off and running again, but she still keeps on going. I’m amazed by her. She is a strong girl who adds a softness and sensitivity to our family as well.
Love this girl!

Yesterday Jonah broke my heart. I call him baby Jonah, or just baby and yesterday he told me: “No baby. Jonah.” Sigh.
Jonah is growing up. He is by far our sassiest kid. I have had to sprinkle water in his face to stop him from screaming (joyful...but screaming just the same), and boy does that ever tick him off. He loves his mom and does not like to be more than about 5 feet from me. I’ve tried taking Olivia to the bathroom at the pool and leaving him with my friend (who he knows very well), but he always ends up screaming and running his way to the bathroom with us. The same thing happened at church last Sunday. I don’t know why but that’s the status lately. Him and me. He is cute and snuggly still, which I love. He wants to be cuddled after a nap and when he gets a scrape on his knee, unlike the other too. I love that.
Jonah loves the pool too and is getting around pretty well with a float. He hikes about 50% of the time when we go. He wants to keep up with his brother and sister in every way, so nap time is just a huge disappointment for him these days.
He loves trains and cars still and talks and talks. He loves reading books and eating yogurt and putting his shoes on (that means we are GOING somewhere...and it’s sure to be great!) and dogs and treats and hanging out with his family. I will cherish that as long as I can.
Love this baby! (I will hang on to THAT as long as I can too.) :)