Happy 6th Birthday, James!

Funny, kind, silly, and cuddly James is 6 today.  What a joy he is in our lives.  He is an open book of a little guy -- fully involved in any activity, emotion or thought that presents itself.  His inventive stories make us laugh and often include lots of farts, butts and other bathroom humor joys of little boys.

We are so proud of the progress he's been making in the classroom, with reading skills coming quickly and easily.  His teacher, Ms. Singh, says that he is an excited learner, which is such a joy to watch.  He is really thriving in the Montessori environment.

I love that he still snuggles with Alma and me every morning while Joshua is in the shower and often spends the first few minutes of dinner sitting on my lap.  Joshua and I are lucky to be his "Mom and Pop" as he likes to call us.  Now if we would only call him JAC, as he often requests (based on his initials).  Ha!

Happy birthday, buddy.  We are so delighted to have you in our family.

Winter Concert

Winter Concert Dress Rehearsal

Bowling Birthday Party

Happy 8th Birthday, Alma!

Today, in celebrating Alma's birthday, her class had a compliment circle in which they went around saying happy birthday and telling Alma what makes her great.  It was so lovely to hear what a good friend Alma is to her classmates, about how they love her smile and humor, how they are impressed by how quickly she has started playing the violin, and how they have a fun time playing with her on the playground.   Joshua was able to tell the class about how proud he is of her for often knowing what she wants -- even from the time when she was a baby and would cry to be put down instead of held -- and how that will serve her well in life.

She is the best big sister on the planet, flowing with the ups and downs of being the older sibling and always including James in everything she does.  She is a thoughtful and tireless helper around the house.  Her sweet tooth is ever-present but understanding of the need for balance.  I love going to yoga class with her and marveling at her focus, strength, and delight at being on the mat next to mine.

We are so blessed to have Alma's insights, creativity, caring, inquisitiveness, and humor in our lives.  I love being her mother.

Celebrating in the new house

Local Politician Visit

Thanksgiving 2017

Fall Family Photo

Zoo Trip with Nana and Grandpa

Happy Halloween

Black Panther and Katana

Parade of Nations

The kids donned some homemade kilts for their school's Parade of Nations. 

Happy Birthday, Joshua!

To the best husband ever --

• the guy who sings Fly Eagles Fly with the children after every touchdown, 
• encourages the kids to run drills in the yard and time each other as they race around the house, 
• can nap at the drop of the hat, 
• works out nearly every night to ensure that he is balanced and healthy, 
• foregoes sleeping in on the weekend in favor of watching Voltron with the kiddos, 
• listens to me chatter on endless about work and schoolwork, always offering wonderful insights, endless support, and thoughtful encouragement, and 
• is the most contentious teacher I've ever encountered as he clocks an additional 15+ hours a week correcting student work, creating new material, lesson planning, writing newsletters and plays, and ensuring that all of his students are striving and thriving.

Simply put, we think he is the best!

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Side story: Joshua's ice cream cake read "This is a Naked Mole Rat."  It is half-eaten in these photos because we enjoyed it the day before his birthday with Scott.

Back story: When James was little, he wasn't able to keep a secret so we would give him a line to say when he wanted to give away information about a present.  One year, Joshua told him to simply say, "We got you a naked mole rat."  This phrase has stuck so, when I was ordering the cake from Dairy Queen, I had them write the odd phrase on the cake so that James's insistence that we got Joshua a naked mole rat would be accurate.  Ha!

Uncle Scott

Scott wins again as the first overnight visitor at our new house.  Three houses and one apartment, he is still the reigning champ!  It was a great, quick visit: pumpkin picking & carving, bowling, celebrating Joshua's birthday and even a quick trip to the mall.  Fun times.  We are so grateful for his on-going friendship.

Pittsburgh

The kiddos and I took a quick trip out to Pittsburgh to visit Kate, Neal, Timo and Baby Solia.  What fun!  I love traveling with these two and it is always great to have Pittsburgh time with the Kloders.