kids

Caleb:  Getting more independent, which is good, we just need to help him figure out what's an appropriate level of independence at this age.  He wants to go off and be on his own at times when that might not be the safest choice.  He's been challenging me more when I tell him to do something (especially when we're in front of other people), but he's still such a sweetheart inside.  He acts big and tough with certain things, but other times is still scared.  Like at the cottage, he's getting a little big for his britches and getting cocky while out on the tube behind the boat.  If the lake hadn't been so busy when they were tubing, I'd be all for dumping him off the tube.  :)  So, he's brave on the tube, but he won't try anything else behind the boat.  He'll jump off the pontoon boat in the middle of the lake, but he's too scared to jump off the raft by the cottage.  On the 4th we went to some kids games in the park at the lake, and he had no problem jumping in and participating with the games.

Logan:  He is more reserved and not as bold as Caleb.  He's so curious, with lots and lots of questions.  He is very observant, and seems to especially enjoy science - whether it be facts about the planets or investigating a strange bug.  He loves swimming at the cottage, and spends as much time as he can underwater.  This past weekend he started opening his eyes underwater and was pretty excited about what he could see.  He has no problem jumping off the raft, and will go tubing.  I tried to convince him the other day that he'd be good at wake surfing because he's pretty coordinated, but he's just not ready yet.  :)  One of my biggest challenges with him, and has been for awhile, is how he likes to take everything I say so literally, and use it against me later.  I always have to think through what I'm saying to him, and it can be exhausting.

Levi:  My farmer.  He loves playing with trucks and tractors, and he jumps at opportunities to help with jobs outside.  He's good at taking initiative on things - like helping to unload the van after we get back from the cottage without being asked.  He'll ask if he can help in the garden.  He mostly has no problem keeping up with the big guys, he'll maybe just get tired a little quicker and it shows in his behavior.  One of the recent times when we were on our way home from the cottage (and Caleb and Logan were riding with Mike), I said something to Levi about missing him because we're so busy having fun when were there.  And he said, "Yeah, that's why I come find you sometimes."  Melt!  He has really been improving with his swimming.  He'll keep his lifejacket on most of the time, but this last time he was getting brave and taking it off some to try swimming like that.  He'll swim out to the raft, but he won't jump off.  He'll go tubing as well.  Don't make him mad, though.  If he's upset you'll get quite a look, and good luck getting him to say anything.

Jackson:  He has all of the sudden over the last couple weeks gotten into looking at books.  So fun!  He's especially good at making noises for cow and tractor, and saying "ball" when he sees one.  Last week he said "nigh nigh" for the first time and I thought my heart might melt.  However, for most naps and bedtimes lately he's been angry about being put down.  I'd mucher rather have some snuggles than screaming.  :(  He's also angry pretty much every time I have to change him.  Lots of kicking and screaming.  Good times.  But when he's playing and happy (and I'm not trying to get anything else done), he's so much fun!  He's saying "More, please" (aloud and in sign language) all the time asking for stuff, so the trick is trying to figure out what he's asking for.  He also says "All done" a lot (he says it like "da dun").  Also lately, he LOVES babies and giving hugs.  Last week when we were at our friend's house, they have a life-size baby doll, and he was enjoying picking it up, holding it, and hugging it.  Now since then we've been around a few other REAL babies, and he reaches up wanting to hold them.  When given the chance he gives hugs, and it's pretty much one of the cutest things ever.  He's been upset at each nursery drop-off the last several times, but is fine within a few minutes.  Phew.  He also gets upset at times when he gets to see Mike for just a few minutes - like if we visit him at work and then have to leave, or when Mike gets home from work and then has to do something else after holding him for a minute.  He has been doing so well on the summer schedule, sleeping in and doing 3-4 hour naps.  Woo-hoo!

Love my boys and the uniqueness they bring to the family.  There are plenty of challenges, but for the most part I love the crazy we've got going on here, and wouldn't have it any other way.  :)