i LF u

Jacob did this a week or so ago. It's a cookie he made for me in CookieDoodle (iPhone/iPad app, I highly recommend it :). I was really surprised how well he sounded it out and with his handwriting. I just came across it again in my photostream. He used an 'f' instead of a 'v', but we haven't covered v in his reading lessons yet. I worry a little about him going to full day kindergarten next year, he's such a busy boy. But then he does something like this, and I am reminded that he really is ready for it. Love you Jacob!




(ps- my recent posting has been a little 'Jake heavy'. Hopefully I will balance that out soon. The other kids have been busy learning, growing, and playing too!)

...because He was there too

Jacob gets to color during Sacrament Meeting, after the blessing and passing of the sacrament.  Today, he was working really hard on this picture of Jesus being baptized by John the Baptist.  I wasn't paying much attention, but after several minutes of working and talking to himself, he wanted my attention.  He pointed out Jesus, and John, and then, pointing to the blue stick figure on the right, "...and this is God, because He was there too when Jesus Christ was baptized." He was so matter-of-fact about it too!    Then he made some marks ('writing') above the stick figure's head that started out "This is my Beloved Son..."

When he finished this masterpiece, he moved on to another lds.org picture, and used a pencil to put "Power Ranger masks" on everyone.  It was a short, but sweet moment.  It's always nice to get a little feedback that your children are learning good things from you and from Church.  If you saw how 'busy' Jacob is during Primary, and Family Home Evening, and Family Scripture Time, you'd understand why these little moments with him take me a little by surprise.  Except that they happen often, so in that way, it's just part of who he is.

Spring Break, part 2a- Park in Durango

We arrived in Durango pretty early (it's only a few hours from Alamosa).  So, we went to a little park for lunch.  I got to try out the sports/action setting on my new camera for the first time.  I love what you can capture when it's taking multiple shots per seconds, so fun!

Andrew, Eden, and Jacob running- look at that form!

Charis clapping:

                                      

Spring Break 2013, part 1

The kids actually had a few days off before we started our trip.  We left on Tuesday and got home Saturday, just in time to get ready for Scott's promotion to Major!  Our first stop was The Great Sand Dunes near Alamosa.  I wasn't entirely sure what to expect, but knew there was a creek that kids enjoyed playing in, but going in the middle of summer, the sand was too hot.  I guess late March is too early, because the creek wasn't running yet, plus it wasn't warm enough for swim suits.  So, the new sand toys went unused in the back, and we decided to hike to the top instead.  We were lucky to be there while the sun was shining and it wasn't too windy.  We hiked most of the way in our bare feet, and everyone made it to the top!  After that, all they wanted was the hotel pool.  (In fact, if you ask any of the kids about the trip, the first thing they'll tell you about is the hotels and the pools :)

Our destination, from the start

Charis did great in the Ergo- backpack style

Along the way- it really is surreal to be in the middle of the brown sand dunes and see those green and white mountains in the background

One of the steeper sections of the hike

Jacob stopped once or twice to build, just like he does in his 'sandbox' at home.  This sand was so clean though, like the natural beaches in Hawaii, no like the sandy dirt we have in our yard.

Another steep section, Jake decided it would be better if we crawled

Making it to the top of that ridge, with encouragement from Eden and Andrew :)

Fortunately, there was another group at the top and one of the guys offered to take a picture of all of us together

Barefeet, and SNOW!  Yes, that is snow under the sand on the top ridge.  Evidence of the change and growth still happening there.

Rosy cheeks, and fast asleep, back at the start.

New Camera

Back in March, I finally bought the Canon 60D package Costco, after eyeing it at Costco for over 2 years.  The good thing about waiting/procrastinating: I had researched DSLRs quite extensively and knew this was what I wanted, and it fit more than comfortably in our budget, plus the price had dropped a couple hundred dollars!  And when Costco ran $200 coupon on it only a couple weeks after I bought it (instead of the $100 off that was their regular offer), they gave me the difference back.  I love Costco, so glad I don't have to say goodbye for the 2 years we're in New Jersey!  But, I digress...  I have wanted an DSLR camera for a while- for better zoom capabilities and faster shutter speeds that would make taking photos of the kids so much easier when they are in the school play, or racing at Landsharks, etc.  The Canon 60D is a fairly basic, but high quality DSLR camera, a good fit for my 'needs'.  We got it just in time for our Spring Break roadtrip of Southern Colorado, so I had some time to read the manual a bit, and play around.  It is so fun!  Something about the big lens and the fast shutter sound (especially in the sports setting), makes anyone feel like a pro.  I still have a lot to learn, but I seriously love the shots we've been able to get so far.

These are the first photos I took with the camera.  I was sitting on our greenish couch in the living room, and Charis is on the fireplace hearth in the family room, a good 40 feet or so away, in the basic setting.  It's so much easier to capture certain moments when you can stay far enough away that the kids don't know they're being photographed.  The only downside, isn't really the camera, it's just that I still haven't completely figure out how to organize all our photos so that I can find them again on this computer. That's what I've been working on lately, so hopefully I can get to posting more frequently and consistently.

The funny things Jacob does

It's warm and cozy (especially when there's still laundry in there), there's a shelf just right for optimal iPad viewing, and it's just his size!  When we can't find Jake or the iPad, this is a good place to look.

Some recent quotes from Jacob:

"Daddy, you know, sometimes I name my sock Bob."

(Out-of-the-blue observations)
"It's hard to sing with your mouth closed." and "This is what I look like with my pants on."

Andrew the Bobcat

Andrew is so excited to be able to participate in Cub Scouts now.  At the February Pack Meeting, he earned his Bobcat award.  They have a 'face painting' ceremony, where the Pack Leader reads a statement that corresponds with certain marks that a parent (me!) puts on his face.  I'm happy to see him enjoying it so much. He got his first Pinewood Derby kit at the pack meeting, the derby will be in April.  Fun times!