Cantigny

I have fond memories of climbing on the tanks at Cantigny. I knew that these big machines would be a big hit with Nathan. He was ecstatic just to see them, but to climb them too?!? Now that is a great day for a four year old boy. 

Once he found out he could climb on them he was telling the older children and adults around us "don't worry, it is perfectly safe. They are quite old and won't move".  This boy dreams of being in charge.

Emie was pretty nervous to even touch the tanks, but she eventually warmed up. By the time we went home, she even wanted to know when we could play with the "big guns" again. 

Brothers

 We pulled out the baby pools this weekend (two are needed to protect Isaac from the crazies). I couldn't resist taking some pictures of Isaac in similar positions to Kuya Nathan at this age. I see quite a bit of resemblance in these boys!

And both are HUGE fans of water!

Soccer Mom

 So I live in the suburbs, drive a minivan and now I have a kid playing soccer. 

 Nathan played a six week session of soccer this spring and he really enjoyed it. He was one of the youngest out there, but played hard, scored a few goals and LOVED when he had the chance to be goalie. 

The last day, the parents and little siblings played the team. We were surprised that Emie wasn't afraid to get in there and go for the ball. Didn't think she had a competitive side, but maybe she does!

Nathan's biggest fans!

Cubbies awards

Nathan finished out his first year of Cubbies!  He learned 30+ verses and had a great time! The last week was an awards ceremony and the kids performed a few songs for us. Nathan's teacher was absolutely wonderful and she told me she is excited to have him again next year. Emie will hopefully be able to join in the fall too. We just aren't sure she can handle staying up late for it, but we'll give it a try.

Nathan was excited to receive his certificate and his Cubbie bear pin for his vest. Please ignore the large iron mark on my son's vest. It couldn't possibly be from a harried Mom who was trying to iron on the last of the patches a few minutes before leaving for the ceremony. I am always prepared well in advance of such events and I always meticulously sew each patch on instead of ironing, so that couldn't possibly be how it happened!

What we are reading . ..

Nathan: We just finished reading The Boxcar Children by Gertrude Chandler Walmer and he is hooked!

Emie: She has been quite faithful to The Tale of Squirrel Nutkin by Beatrix Potter for some time. She is often looking for Nutkin when we walk Bailey, but we have yet to find a squirrel missing his bushy tail. Let us know if you see him.

Isaac: He seems amused by Baby Giggles by Rachael Hale. You know, when he isn't chomping it!

Me: I just read Nurture Shock by Po Bronson and Ashley Merryman. Very interesting stuff! I think I'll finally read The Hunger Games next. Yes I am far, far behind!

Gus: He is all NBA right now!

Easter!

We had a great time this year celebrating the risen Christ! We started out with breakfast at Egglectic Cafe with my parents and sister.

Here's hoping the Elmo bib keeps the Easter dress clean!

Isaac had his peaches and oatmeal at home, so he just rotated laps throughout the meal. Pancakes for you next year buddy!

Grandpa was pretty tired with Easter falling a week before tax day, but he stayed awake the whole meal :)

Grandma gave the kids their Easter baskets. They each became very attached to the small stuffed animals she gave them. Nathan got a rooster named Henley, Emie a duck named Puddles, and Isaac a bunny named Fields.

We took a few attempts at a family picture. I think this one captures a lot of our family personality :)

After breakfast, we headed to church. Then we came home for naps and had a group of our close friends over for dinner. We feasted and celebrated!

Some funny Easter stories to remember:

At the Good Friday service, Nathan was asking me about communion. I told him that my cracker stood for the body of Christ which is broken for us. After squinting at my cracker for a few seconds he said "so, that's like, his foot?". I looked down and low and behold, my cracker was in the perfect shape of a foot! We'll have to work on explaining communion :)

The kids were really excited to answer "He is Risen Indeed!" as often as possible. Emie decided to add a quack, quack to the end of it. "He is Risen Indeed, quack quack!". Apparently quirky is genetic.

E is for Egg

Holiday traditions are getting more and more fun as the kids get older. Nathan and Emie were really excited about making Easter eggs this year.

Emie with her favorite egg! Of course she wanted to sleep with it that night :)

Nathan's favorite egg!

Nathan wanted to make a pattern with the eggs, but Emie wasn't about to give up her favorite egg. Oh well. 5/6th of a pattern is pretty fun too.

Summer in March?!?

I still can't believe the kids spent almost a whole weekend in March in their swimming suits! We set up a bucket of soap and some huge sponges and they cleaned up the play house, slide and sandbox for me. Then I brought out some finger paints and let them paint their bodies.

Nathan went for the Incredible Hulk look.

Emie went for stripes and then declared herself a zebra.

So much fun! Can't wait for the summer days ahead with our enthusiastic kiddos!

6 months

Our little cutie turned 6 months on March 22nd. The last two months have brought big changes for our little guy! He's rolling all over, sitting up like a big boy and just this week has started getting up on all fours and scooting backwards. He started pureed foods about a month ago and seems to like everything he has tried. Green beans sometimes take a little coaxing and the little guy gets seriously excited for peaches.

His growth has slowed down a bit, but that is pretty normal for our kids. He weighs 15 lbs 10 oz and is 26.5 inches tall.

He is still a rock star sleeper at night and is taking 3 naps a day. I'm looking forward to the two nap stage to give us more time to get out and about, but we are fortunate that he is still able to nap on the go for now.

He doesn't have any teeth yet, but chomps on anything in sight. You have to watch your hands, shirt and whatever else around him because he will start gnawing on whatever he can get his gums on. He was sitting behind Emie tonight and grabbed a handful of her hair and started munching. She wasn't a big fan of that! Things could get interesting as our very hungry little caterpillar becomes more mobile in the months ahead :)

We all love our little Ikey Ike so much!

St. Patty's Day

St. Patrick's Day was unseasonably warm this year. We decided to take in a parade and have a picnic. We thought about going to the parade in downtown Chicago, but the train schedule wasn't great for taking three small kids. Fortunately, Naperville also has a parade and it was a lot of fun! I think because of the nice weather, a lot of people had the same idea.

Our older two kids have leprechaun Mickey ears which made the day all the more fun.

We'll have to see if Tito Pogi can find Isaac a pair.

Waiting for the parade. It started with bagpipes.

Our newest Filipino/Irish addition :)

After the parade, we headed to Herrick Lake Forrest Preserve for a picnic lunch and some attempts and getting some pictures of all three little ones.

As it neared nap time, Emie got tired and decided she could fit in Isaac's car seat/stroller. Silly girl! She is still under the weight limit, after all!

Such a fun day!

That's what I'm talking about!

Nathan has enjoyed taking on some new responsibilities now that he is four. He is really good at washing dishes!

Way to go Nay! Mommy could get used to this :)

I want to remember :)

I want to remember these funny, funny kid days. I was reading one of the Duggars' books recently and they shared a story from when they had four or five little ones. They looked at those little faces and realized "these are the best days of our lives and we don't even know it!". Our kids are all at really fun ages right now and they all make me laugh in their own ways. Here are some funny conversations we've had lately.

N: Mommy, when I grow up, like in college, what should I be?
T: What would you like to be?
N: A fireman
T: really? You don't want to be a physical therapist like Mommy and Daddy? Or a teacher like Grandma?
N: hmmmm . . . No.
T: how about an accountant, like Grandpa?
N: I don't know what that is, but it does NOT sound fun.

T: Emie, time to go potty before bed, you can cook me a pot of soup in your kitchen tomorrow.
E: Potty soup? Yuck! How about fish and butter soup? That would be good!

Issac is funny in his own way too. His utter love for the giraffe on his exersaucer, his current obsession with his toes, the little joyful river dance he does when I get him up in the morning . . . all things I must remember.

You know you are in an intercultural marriage when . . .

This is your dinner table conversation . . .

T: What are you doing in there? (G is searching through the pot of soup he made for dinner)
G: I'm looking for the chicken butt.
E: No Daddy! Don't eat the chicken's butt, it might poop!
T: Pretty gross right?
N: If it is roasted, it won't poop.

Hopefully I can keep Emie on my side on this one. I've already lost Nathan to the chicken butt and pig nose eating dark side.

In reality, I love what makes our family unique and I love seeing my kids embrace our unique culture. Even if it grosses me out just a little sometimes :)

Emie and a ping pong ball

Here is a little video of the kids dancing to a Mickey Mouse song.

4 months

**Major picture overload alert**

I can't help it. This boy has captured our hearts! He is cute, sweet and so very kissable :)

Isaac turned 4 months on Jan. 22nd. He has had a great few months and is growing up really fast, it seems. He continues to be such an easy baby! He is a good eater and sleeper and almost always content when awake. I know he'll be right in there causin' trouble and making me laugh with his Kuya Nathan and Ate Emie in a year or two, so I'm savoring these very sweet cuddly days :) Here are a few (okay, a lot!) of pictures from his last month.

Here is our little guy wearing his "Luke overalls". My dear friend Kelly and I bought matching overalls for our little boys when I was pregnant with Nathan and she with Luke. A month or so later, Luke went to heaven. I always thought of him when Nathan would wear these and now I think of him again when Isaac wears them.

Isaac is a raspberry blowing machine! If you hold him, watch out for slobber!

Isaac lights up whenever he hears his Kuya Nathan's voice. Although, he doesn't look thrilled to be sharing his gym!

Isaac has also discovered the joy of grabbing everything and chewing on it. Poor lady bug never stood a chance.

At four months, Isaac weighs 14 lbs 1.5 oz and is 25 inches long. Apparently, that puts him in the 30th percentile for weight and 50th for height. But I'm pretty sure if they had a "chart" for cheeks, he'd be 100th percentile for sure!

We had Isaac dedicated in church on his 4 month birthday. We didn't get any pictures of the actual dedication, but here is one of him having his diaper changed in the nursing room at the end of the service. It was sanctity of human life Sunday and we celebrated this little blessing from the Lord and prayed that God might order his steps and capture his heart as he grows.