Family update

Eleven...that is how many steps miss Maggie took today. It seems like it's more and more each day...today she even pushed a stroller for a while before it got ahead of her :) Maggie also likes to watch the big kids, play 'tag' as her and Charlotte chase each other around the living room, and Maggie also likes to keep me up all hours of the night...just because. Last night she woke up, Matt brought her to me, laid her on my chest and she fell back to sleep immediately. She just needed me...I need her too...but I also need sleep! She also takes an HOUR to go down for naps the last couple days. She used to rock/nurse with me for a few minutes until she was good and sleepy, then I'd lay her in her crib, and she'd go right to sleep...no fuss. It's a whole new story lately...I'm thinking it's just a phase...hoping...praying...that it's just a phase. Well, I guess I really don't expect her to be doing this for years, so when I put it in perspective, yes...I suppose it is just a phase :)

Charlotte is reading more and more. She LOVES to play with Maggie, and she will 'baby sit' her while I go change the laundry, clean up the kitchen, etc. They play and play and play. Charlotte is great at redirecting her and helping her find something more appropriate to play with when she starts getting into things she's not supposed to have. I'm AMAZED at how good she is with her baby sister. They are actually ALL really good with her, but I think her and Charlotte have a special connection.

Mason is not liking school so much. He is doing fantastically well, but he's bored...and he lives for the weekend. He does all his homework on the bus so he doesn't have to lose precious playtime at home doing it...which might explain why he got docked for messy writing on his report card :) Mason is smart as a whip, and I can't believe all he remembers from reading. Tonight we were playing Trivial Pursuit and I asked Mason his question "What country would you find the Black Forest in?" And he said "Oh man...where did I hear that.............GERMANY!" And he was right! He had gotten a book about Germany at the library (and several other books on European countries) and he has been reading them at bedtime. He is so proud of all the facts he knows. We are so proud of him :)

Isaac is Isaac. Full of energy and definitely THREE :) He's so much fun, he is so imaginative, playful, and smarter than we have given him credit for! He is recognizing letters and even writing the letters in his name...he is so proud of himself. He also recognizes two digit numbers which surprised me. His brain is WIDE OPEN right now and he is such a little sponge. I LOVE seeing that. I'm not ready to see my Isaac grow up yet...nevertheless...grow up he must. I'm so proud of the amazing little boy he is.

Matt...well, he works, and works, and travels for work. I have never met a more ambitious, conscientious, motivated man in my entire life. And it all translates to his personal life as well. His favorite place to be is at home with me and the kids. He is the best playmate the kids could ever ask for...wrestling, hide and seek, and SLEDDING too :) Our first snow came late last week and the kids have really been enjoying their time outside with Daddy. I'm not a fan of winter, so I stay in and make the hot chocolate...and marshmallows this year. Homemade marshmallows are so yummy!

Oh, and me...I'm busy...taking care of all the above mentioned amazing family I have been blessed with. I'm so thankful I can stay home with the kids, most days anyway :) And I have SUCH AMAZING friends I have surrounded myself with....having good friend makes life that much sweeter...and sane :)

That's us in a nutshell right now :) We are really looking forward to Christmas this year....more to come soon!