thoughtful

Logan's wife is going to be one lucky girl.  Certainly, all my boys will be a great catch, but whoever ends up with Logan is going to be spoiled rotten!  For now I'll enjoy being the focus of his affection before he turns his attention elsewhere.  He is often wanting to give me little things, talking about things he wants to get for me/do for me, drawing thoughtful pictures for me, and writing little notes.  And the boy has good taste!  Recently our family was in a local jewelry store as both Mike and I needed our watches resized (Mine was the one they gave me for my birthday last year, and it's been tight for a long time I just never got around to have it taken care of; and Mike's was a new one I got him for Christmas that came way too big.).  Anyways, Logan was pointing out all the things he liked and wanted to buy for me - of course he was choosing the biggest, sparkly-est pieces.  He'd better get a good job someday, and I sure hope I get to go with him when he's shopping for an engagement ring!  :)

health

A couple weeks ago Caleb and Logan had their 6 year well-child visit to the doctor.  Mike took them while I stayed home with Levi and Jackson.  Caleb weighed in at 57 lbs, which is 91st percentile; and he is 4 ft 2.75 in tall, which is 99th percentile.  Logan is 47 lbs, which is 55th percentile; and is 3 ft 11.5 in tall, which is 81st percentile.  We are so thankful for healthy boys!  The doctor mentioned to enjoy the window of about 6 yrs to 12 yrs.  :)

Caleb has had a rash (athlete's foot, actually) between his fingers where he's had to wear the splint.  I've been letting him go without it more the last few days as the finger is looking much better.  Tomorrow afternoon he goes back to the orthopedic surgeon for the official word.

Caleb and Logan got report cards last week and we are so proud of both of them!  They both had very good grades and good comments from their teacher.  They were rewarded with a trip to see Star Wars in 3D with Mike (and Levi got to go, too...).  :)

Jackson has been sleeping well at night for the last couple weeks.  THANK GOODNESS!  He's still not a good napper, but I keep trying to remind myself this won't last forever...

Friday's

I absolutely positively LOVE Friday's during this time of the year!  Mike has Friday's off during the winter, and it's become a special time for our family, especially after the kind of year 2015 was.  Just knowing that he has a whole extra day to spend with us is so nice.  Sometimes on Friday we go do something special (like going to see Star Wars together), sometimes we just run errands and end up out for lunch, and sometimes we're just spending the day at home, but no matter what it is I am so grateful to be able to enjoy that time together.  Kinda dreading springtime and next summer...

dedication

Last Sunday was Jackson's child dedication at our church.  What a blessing to be able to do that, and that so many of our family members were able to be there.  We certainly hope that as Jackson's parents, God will use us to bring Jackson to a saving knowledge of Him and to grow up to be a godly man.

So, all six of us got to be up front for the dedication.  And, for the many that were expecting a good show from The Krol Boys, they were disappointed!  :)  Amazingly, everyone behaved very well.  Levi was a little antsy, and I think Caleb kinda jumped down the stairs at the end, but compared to performances in the past, that was tame.

Afterwards we had our family over for brunch to celebrate.  HOW WONDERFUL TO HAVE A USABLE BASEMENT!!!  This was our first gathering here since the project, and it was just so great to have that space for the kids.  Even though this is a decent sized house, the layout on the main floor isn't real great for large groups, so having the basement now is a huge help.  Mike worked hard getting the basement cleaned up and guest ready, and it's the perfect space for kids to ram around in.

thumb

Another quick post...  Maybe I'll eventually get caught up on what I want to write!

Levi quit sucking his thumb a week ago!!!  There's been just a couple slip ups, but overall he's doing SO good.  It started with the boys running around last Tuesday wearing those stretchy gloves.  The next day Levi made some comment to me about not being able to suck his thumb with the gloves on.  Later we were running some errands and I went to Gemmen's for a couple things.  Levi wanted to look at the toys and said maybe he could pick something out to get for not sucking his thumb (we've been talking about that for months).  I figured now might be the time, so he picked out a new combine and I told him he had to go for 7 days to earn it.  A few times he held up his fingers and said, "That's a long time..."  :)

The first couple days I noticed there were a few times that it was especially hard for him.  I would be snuggling on the couch with him, and that would normally be prime thumb sucking time, but he was just real fidgety with his hands and not sure what to do with them.  Today in the car on the way to the grocery store he was real quiet listening to the music, and normally he'd be sucking his thumb, but I looked back and he was just sitting there no thumb in the mouth!  He must have sucked it during his nap today, so he's got a little time added before he gets his new toy, but we're not terribly concerned about since he clearly has it under control most of the time.

love

I've been wanting to sit and share a bunch of thoughts, but a certain someone doesn't give me any large chunks of time to work with, so I'll have to just quickly jot down one thing.  :)

Logically I've always known "it won't last forever", but it's really sinking in now.  I don't know if it's Caleb and Logan getting older and going to school, or having my last baby that's bringing it on.  Anyways, I've really been enjoying each of the kids much more lately.  (We still have our "moments"!!!)  This morning as Logan was walking in to school he turned and blew me a kiss - how much longer do I have before he's too grown up for that??  And, last night during our church business meeting he wrote me a note that said, "I love mom. Do you love Logan?"  The smile on his face and look in his eye when I wrote back, "Yes!" was absolutely priceless.  And, while Levi was eating his lunch today (and I was feeding Jackson), he ran over and said "Mom!  Feel my muscles!"  This often happens during mealtimes, but of course it struck me that someday he's not going to do that anymore. I can keep thinking of examples...Caleb running up from the basement to report how their game of Pig is going, Jackson smiling at me...  These are the little things that make up life with little boys, and I just want to soak it all up.

star

Levi's Sunday School teacher wrote down something he said in class yesterday.  I guess they were talking about wise men following the star, and he said, "We can follow Jesus without a star."  :)  That kid comes up with some really good stuff, I wish I could write it all down!

This morning was Jackson's two month appointment.  He weighed almost 13 pounds, which I believe was the 67th percentile, and I don't remember what his length was, but I think it was around the 88th percentile.  He's healthy and growing as he should!  Despite not napping well...  :)  He got a few shots today, didn't take TOO long to calm down afterwards.

rollin'

Yesterday was Jackson's two month birthday, and he rolled over three times! He rolled over once weeks ago, I figured that was a fluke. But, last night we were at the Steenwyk Christmas party at my parent's house and he did it three times, one right after the other. My Aunt Mary was a witness, so it's totally legit.  :)  Of course, right after that I moved him over by Mike so he could hopefully see him do it, but instead Jackson just got tired and fell asleep.

And, he had a decent night last night!  He slept for about 7.5 hours.  Hoping this is the start of a new trend, but who knows.  He had a good night two weeks ago, too, but then hasn't done well since.  I'm improving on accepting the fact that he just doesn't nap much.  If we're out and about and he's in his car seat he'll nap pretty well, but at home it's about 30 minutes...