10 in 2010

It is very hard to believe I am the mom of a 10 year old! I always get all sappy and reflective this time of year...Robbie and I both get older in October, then two of the three kiddos get older in November. It really does make me pause to consider how quickly time goes.

Today, Jackson is 10. He came in to the world a surprising 4 weeks ahead of schedule...and he's been keeping us on our toes every day since! My two favorites lately...

He had a history test at school. We had studied and he felt really ready. That afternoon when he came home I asked him how it went. He rolled his eyes and sighed. "Mom, there was a word bank. It wasn't even a challenge"! I'm nearly certain he is the only kid that was frustrated about the helpful hints!

My newest favorite...tonight, we were sitting at his birthday dinner and catching up on the day. I asked if he got back the math test he took last week. Casually, "Yeah Mom, my first 100 on a math test this year". I went crazy. He just looked at me funny...as if to say...no biggie Mom...I got this covered!

I am so proud to see how well he has done with school and the transition to Veritas instead of full time homeschool. It has also been great to see him develop in areas where he doesn't excell as easily. He really struggled last year in football...but he's worked at it and this year seems to have found his groove. He is more relaxed and has made some really great plays. Last weekend his team won the flag football super bowl!

But I guess the thing that gets me most...a few days ago a friend said to me..."You know, all the little ones love Jackson. They are always talking about getting to play with him". That filled me up. The Lord has given Jackson a gentle spirit. I pray he will continue to use this gift and glorify the God with his life.

Happy Birthday buddy. I can't wait to see the adventures in year 10!

Fabulously Four

I cannot believe it...but today Brooklyn is four years old! She is very proud to be four. I've done retrospective posts before with all the baby photos leading up to the big new photo of how grown up she is...but today I'm just going to stick with telling about this day!

We had a few friends over for lunch and cupcakes today. Then this evening B got to pick the place and we took her to dinner. Her choice...Chick-fil-a....always! It was a pretty laid back day but still had plenty of birthday fun. I was once that mom who planned the party a month in advance...sent out the cute invitations, made the amazing gift bags, and of course...baked an entire cake from scratch and decorated it to the hilt using the theme of the absolute favorite character (of the moment) for that particular child. I am no longer that mom! I look online last night to find what easy cupcakes I could make in any acceptable girly theme... her favs right now are Olivia and Madeline...I looked...WAY too complicated! So...here's what we ended up with...

Not amazing people. Completely stolen from a photo on the internet...totally made from store bought candy and cake mix...but look at the kid...she's happy and I didn't loose my mind doing it! Score one for both teams!

I would love to say I took some amazing new photo of B today that I am in love with...but lately, I'm in love with this......notice the sheer drama of all that is needed for this blissful sleep...2 bunnies and a fuzzy blanket. That's my girl! And one day those bunnies and that blanket are going to be memories tucked away in a keepsake box. So, this...this I love. This I remember is going away too soon...and with a bitter sweetness, I hold on to today. Four years old!