Interesting statistics

Being the math nerd that I am, I enjoy reading statistics. This month, Parents magazine had an interesting article about the changing households in America. It was interesting and thought provoking enough to me that I thought I'd share.

Just in case you need clarification on what these really mean (I did):
Millennials are basically the kids (now adults) born in the 1980s and 90s.
GenXers are those born in the 1960s and 70s.

~Millennials (53%) and GenXers (57%) are less likely than older generations (75% of those over 65) to say a child needs a home with both parents.

~44% of Millenials says marriage is obsolete, 37% of those over age 30 think the same

~21% of households are married couples with children compared to 43% in 1950.

~23% of homes with a stay-at-home mom (for married couples with children under 15)

~10% of children under age 18 live in a home with a grandparent. Of those, 22% don't have a parent in that same household.

~More than half of moms say their kids have a better lifestlye than they themselves did growing up

What does all this say about our society? What does this mean for the future of our families? Is giving our kids a "better" lifestyle than we had growing up worth the destruction of the basic family structure? What values and ethics are being taught? Is a committment valuable anymore?

I know what I think. Tell me what you think about it.

The longest birthday celebration ever

I have never seem someone so little extend their birthday celebrating out so long!

Birthday day- celebrating Disney World style! He wore a button that let everyone know it was his birthday. Just about everyone (employees and other guests) told him "happy birthday". He wasn't sure at first, then kindly said "thank you". Both lunch and dinner, the waiters noticed the birthday pin and brought Jacob a dessert complete with a candle and a song. Pretty special! Just so the rest of us didn't feel left out, we were often told "happy un-birthday" in true Disney style.

When we got home- opening presents from Mommy and Daddy and Beth (and a few that arrived in the mail while we were gone). As you can see, he was quite wowed by the Green Lantern game he got from Beth. His new Geotrax Batcave was a hit, too. We sure enjoyed just hanging out at home and playing with the new toys.

The next weekend- birthday party with friends then presents and fun at home with Grandma and Grandpa. We had his party at Peter Piper Pizza on a weeknight. That was absolutely the way to go! We nearly had the place to ourselves. It was just perfect! They had a great time playing together, ate plenty of pizza and cake, and played games to their hearts content.

Back at the house with Grandma and Grandpa, Jacob got to open more presents. An awesome Batcave got the response "It's just what I wanted!". Jacob is totally into superheros this year and now has lots of fun stuff to play with! It was fun to have Grandma and Grandpa stay to watch the Cowboy game and spend the night, too.
the NEXT weekend- Popi and Yaya came for a visit. We had so much fun just hanging out with each other. Jacob opened the last of his presnets- a trove of scurvy pirate goods!

So, now, two weeks after he turned 4, we have finished celebrating! Whew! We are so blessed to have friends and family with which to celebrate such a precious part of our life.

To my sweet 4 year old

Jacob,

Poof! Time passed so quickly, and now you are 4 years old. According to your pediatrician's office, you are 40.5 inches tall and 34 pounds, both measurements just about average. But, anybody who knows you knows you are far from average!

You are very much an average, normal boy. Oh my, are you without a doubt a little boy! From the minute you wake up, you are full speed ahead. I don't think you know how to walk- you run, skip, jump, slide, etc everywhere you go. Unfortunately, you have your momma's lack of grace. You fall, run into things (because you don't pay attention) and have bruises all over your legs, but they don't seem to phase you. I get tickled because most of the time, you don't even notice when you hit something. Your hearing test at your check up showed that you have great hearing, but it seems to be "boy hearing". Too often you are so engrossed in what you are doing that you don't hear what we tell you. About the time that I say "nevermind", you acknowledge what I said. Silly boy!

You have such a big personality! You make me smile every single day with your sense of humor! We are quite convinced that you will be a salesman one day with your charming smile and twinkling eyes. You're so much like your daddy in this!

I love watching your wonder and you observe and learn new things. You get so excited when it's time for a "lesson". I am just amazed that you are in the early stages of learning to read. You know your letters and their sounds. You try so hard to sound out words, but so often those words don't fit the "rules" you know for sounds. You'll get it soon, I'm sure! The moments you slow down long enough to watch something, you are so observant to details- the colors, sizes, shapes of things. What amazes me more than anything is your joy in learning Bible verses. You are so proud of yourself, and rightly so, when you memorize a verse. Recently, you memorized John 3:16. What a big verse for a little boy! I hope you will always hide God's Word in your heart, and one day truly understand those verses and put them into practice.Of course, you have moments of attitude and temper. You are stubborn and bullheaded (I'll say like your daddy, but I know some is from me too). You don't like being told "no". You're trying so hard to be independent and determine what's best for you. I know it's hard to not get your way, but I promise I'm just trying to teach you and keep you safe. Despite those moments, you truly do have a tender, sweet heart. You love to snuggle, you worry when someone is hurt or upset. Every kid you meet is your friend. The moments that you say "I love you" or share a hug or kiss, all without prompting, are the best.Oh, my sweet boy, I cannot believe you are already 4. You have given us so many adventures, and I know we have so many more ahead. I look forward to them all!

Love, Mommy