DJ, age 5

How do you feel about being five?  

Good! And excited.

What kinds of new things do five-year-olds do?   
Play video games. Start kindergarten.

What are you most excited about for the next year?
All my presents and my cake.

Who are your best friends?

Leland, Colin, Brendan, Wesley Toy, Wesley Cody, Otto

Who are your favorite people to play with?
Otto, my sisters, our dogs, Eddie and Mary Cate, Dad and Mom

What kinds of things are you good at?

Helping mom. I'm best at being best!

What do you want to be when you grow up?
A policeman.

Why do you want to be a policeman?
Because that's my favorite thing.

What’s your favorite song?   
The Paw Patrol song!

What's your favorite food?
NOODLES!!

Favorite movie?   
Inside Out

Favorite book?   

The Bible

Favorite color?   
Green, you're writing the words green! [I'm writing the words green because I know it's your favorite color, DJ!]

Favorite place to be?

McDonalds. We've been there today!

What are your favorite things to do?   
I don't know, that's a tough-y! Ooh, play with my new toys that I got for my birthday!

What is your favorite present that you received?
My Paw Patroller. Because you can fit all my Paw Patrol guys in it.

Is there anything else you want us to know about you?   
It's my birthday! That's special because you get bigger and bigger until you go to heaven.

Christmas Eve service

(12/24/2016) Two viruses buzzed through our house this week and hit Kevin at the same time today, so I am taking the kids to church on my own. I'm imagining us sitting there, basking in the glow of candle lights and the joy and hope of Christmas. I'll keep you posted.

UPDATE: It was mostly basking. There were low points...tears over not getting the coloring book (turns out they weren't really out, the usher brought her one); a meltdown over a dropped crayon, after which the meltdowner covered his ears for the entire service because it was "too loud;" when the pastor invited kids to the front of the church and asked what they wanted most for Christmas one said (to the whole congregation) a Harry Potter wand. Not sure how the Baptists feel about Harry Potter, you know. There were high points, too. Our parenting skill reputation was redeemed when another child knew all three gifts the wise men brought, Mary Cate cooed happily through the entire thing, and Eddie sang his heart out to every carol. But he only sang the ABCs. Loudly.

The packed service ended with everyone lighting candles--the kids' were electric--and singing "Silent Night." It was beautiful and just how I imagined it, only with hot wax all over my fingers and pants from holding my candle far away from Mary Cate's reaching hands. Then it ended and we went to McDonald's for happy meals. And everyone was happy!

Matching Christmas outfits

Real life, including naked toddler. And toddler toilet.

Mary Cate, 3 months

Seriously, how cute is this baby? She's also turned a personality corner. This weekend she started playing with toys, talking and singing to us constantly, and only cries when absolutely necessary. Like when she tries really hard to sit straight up from a propped position and lands face down. I'd cry, too! She's not anywhere close to sleeping through the night, but she did start taking nice long naps again.

Mary Cate is growing into her 6-month clothes, which means packing up the newborn gear. Also, we got her first Christmas ornament in the mail and every time I look at it I feel a little weepy. Today, grasping toys, tomorrow, the world.

We don't let our four-year-old drink, honestly!

DJ tried jello for the first time this week, now that there's a dye-free option. His response: "Dad, you've got to try this! It's better than beer and french fries!"

Still more things they say

There are a few things the kids say that are funny mainly because 1) all four of them say it, and 2) I've never heard anyone else say it. Which probably means that Nellie started it because she's Nellie and the others don't know any different.

One is "voting" for a sports team. Every time there's a game on the TV or radio, no matter the sport--so, several times a week--someone will ask who we're voting for. I love it.

Another is their own word for a uvula. Dribbler. Just say that out loud a few times. Now imagine our kids saying it seriously in sentences. Like, "I think my dribbler is swollen." Hilarious.

Christmastime + Winter Storm

What a pleasant weekend! We didn't get to go to the American Girl store in Novi today (after much deliberation) because of the snow, but we packed in movie nights--The Santa Clause and Christmas on Sesame Street, decorating the tree, finally working on finishing the renovated rooms, my work Christmas party, church, making cookies, and lots of playing in the snow. Playing in the snow BY THEMSELVES. Which is amazing because playing in the snow is just about my least favorite thing. I would rather take the kids swimming in the early morning hours at the lake, any day.

There were lots of little moments, too, like "happy Eddie" staying up late jumping into the bean bag chairs and Mary Cate being three months old and cooing merrily all day long. Anyway, it was all pretty idyllic, and with a snow day tomorrow we have a bonus weekend day. I'll take it!

This kind of looks posed for a photo shoot, but it was unstaged, promise. You can tell because no one is hamming.

Eddie wanted to go outside in the worst way, but wasn't wearing any pants. We were trying to catch snowflakes but it was snowing so hard it was like getting water splashed in your face and he couldn't stop laughing.