Conversation with Jacob

I found this little questionare for kids thing through Pinterest. (Oh my, so many ideas there! Proudly, I've used about 5 that I've pinned!)

Here are the questions and Jacob's answers. I love the peek into his busy little mind!
What's your name? Jacob
How old are you? 4
What is your favorite color? blue and green
What do want to be when you're all grown up? an Indian, no, umm..... a Cowboy (said with complete Texas twang)
Who is your best friend? Beth. No, Jaxson and Jonas. And Jesus.
What is your favorite movie? Mulan
What is your favorite book? Daniel and the Lion's Den (what we read last night)
What makes you happy? When a friend plays nice with me
What makes you sad? When nobody plays with me
What is your most favorite food to eat? Lots of things (which means a sectioned plate with something in every section- stick cheese, lunchmeat ham, cheese nips or goldfish, yogurt or peaches or grapes and a dessert- candy or thin mints or brownie)
What is your favorite song to sing? (and dance/act out) I'll Make A Man Out of You (from Mulan)
What games do you like to play? Guess Who and Sorry

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

Wanna play Memory- Jacob style?w

One Tough Cowboy- Wordless Wednesday

Oh my sweet boy,

I can't believe you are turning 3 today! Where has the time gone? It seems just yesterday that you joined our family. You arrived at full speed and haven't slowed down since! I couldn't imagine our life without you. Our family is complete, with you in it.

You fill our lives with such adventure on a daily basis. You keep us on our toes and full of laughter. I'm seeing how different little boys are from little girls. Honestly, I wouldn't have it any other way. The way you play, the toys you like, the sounds you make, the things you find funny. Oh, you are such a hoot! You are quick to play along when I tease you.

J: Where are we going?

M: Crazy. Wanna go?

J: Where are we going AFTER crazy?

Even though Daddy sometimes scares you playing Zurg, you love it and ask for more. You're such a daredevil too. You love hanging upside down, being slung around in play then laugh and ask for more. What a difference from your cautious sister! Playtime with Daddy is so much fun. You both love playing blasters (guns) together. If you can't find your blasters, you just make one out of blocks. You are total boy in that you find body humor absolutely hilarious- toots, burps, talking about them, saying potty words, etc. I know you didn't learn that from me, so it's got to be part of being a boy. I want to laugh along with you sometimes, because you're so tickled, but I have to teach you when and where those things are okay. OH, and when you get to laughing, whole-heartedly laughing, a vein pops out on your neck, and I can't help but giggle with you. It's such a precious, sweet sound, hearing you laugh.

Most of the time, you love to learn new things. Anytime I go to the hall closet, you ask if we're going to do a lesson. It has been fun learning about the letters and their sounds. You find such joy in recognizing letter while we're out and about. That's how I know you've been listening! I'm glad you've started to like coloring. Your little brain is just an amazing sponge. When you listen and aren't distracted, you learn so quickly. You're really starting to understand how to play games on the computer. It amazes me that I can leave you in the chair to play your new "Frog Jr" (Webkinz Jr), and you don't need help.

It's been a joy to hear you memorizing scriptures! Your favorite is still the first one you learned, the one you pretend to read when you hold a Bible- Ephesians 6:1 "Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right." You love going to church to see your friends and favorite teachers. That makes me so proud. I know you're listening to the stories and lessons, sometime remembering what you heard. You've been learning so many songs that you love to sing at home too. Your favorites are B-I-B-L-E and Zaccheus.

Those scriptures and lessons you've learned come in handy when you get in trouble. You know when you disobey and why you get in trouble, but you sure don't like it. When we talk about what Jesus asks us to do, you know the answer. You're 99% of the time remorseful and ready to say "Sorry for ---" and give hugs. Usually, you have to tell Mommy our reminder "Obey the first time, with no fits." I know it's hard for you to do that when you have a mind of your own wanting to do your own thing, but you're learning. I'm glad you're tender-hearted to doing what's right.

You love your sister and your friends with everything you have. You wake up and want to know where Beth is. You can't wait to see her when she gets home from school. Then, you love to play with her and be in her business. If she's close, you may be content to sit together, or you may irritate her just because you can. I absolutely see that little brother side of you, pushing her buttons until you get in trouble. I love seeing the sweet, loving brother side of you too. You share your toys or snack, you're willing to play things like "Beth's Restaurant". Those precious moments bring me such joy. I hope you will always love each other like that.

I can't wait to see what adventures the next year brings. I have big plans for you with potty training. You told me you'd go on the potty when you are 3. So, it's time kiddo! With Sister in school all day, you and I will have lots of time for lessons, trips to Target and so much more! I'm so glad I get to share in the joy and adventures of your life!

Love, Mommy

No cavities! But still missing 1 tooth- WW

He makes me smile

While Jacob is full of energy from sun-up to sun-down, challenging me to stay on my toes, he provides some great moments of entertainment.

We recently went to a birthday party at the zoo. When we came back to their house for cake and such, Jacob made himself right at home.

He and his buddy, Mr. Joe got comfy

Can't you just hear the laughter?

Look at his veins popping in his neck because he laughs so hard.

This is a rare moment of calm and quiet. Also a rare moment when I see myself in Jacob (who resembles his Daddy in MANY ways)

Wanna Play a Game?- WW

Wordless Wednesday- Boy Adventures Never Cease

Nevermid going to Infinity and Beyond, we're going to Target!- Wordless Wednesday

Letter of the week: S

Oh my, did we have fun learning "S"!

There are so many things you can do with the letter S. I think this has probably been the most successful letter yet!

We always start with coloring the letter and gluing it construction paper, along with pictures of things that start with that letter. That page becomes the placemat of the week. (Sorry it won't rotate)

We read books (some that also have songs we sang)- Snuggle Puppy, Twinkle Little Star, Itsy Bitsy Spider, Stuck in the Mud, Skidamarink

We made art- with stamps, S snake, S spider

We tried to trace the letter, but we have a long way to go with motor skills on that. We found poems and little books about spring and sunflowers. We sorted M&Ms by color. We practiced sign language signs for animals. We practiced shapes (and counting) with these great mini pages designed for color dot stickers or whiteboard magnets. Jacob LOVED the sticker part of this!

We learned a verse (KJV but shortened). It just amazes me how his brain can memorize these already! At the end of the week, we add his verse to a special treasure box of his verses. He already has a handful in there, and he's SOOOO proud to say them for me.

We played games- Straw Hockey, Silly Faces

But of all those fun things, I think this is the one that made the biggest impact. I took boxes from the recycling bucket and some solid color dot stickers. He looked to find the letter "S" on the box and put a sticker on it. From them on, he looks for the letter "S" everywhere- store signs, on clothes, in a book, on movie credits. Just incredible the impact that had!

Sources for our "lessons": No Time for Flashcards, Brittney and Quinn, Alphabet worksheets, Making Learning Fun and I'm sure I'm forgetting the others at the moment

For your listening pleasure

Especially for Grandma, so you can hear it whenever you like.

"Beth, smell"- Wordless Wednesday

Treasures found!- Wordless Wednesday

Lightning?

(not my picture, found somewhere online)

Last night, driving home from church, there was a lovely storm, complete with pouring rain and lightning. As Beth talked on and on about the lightning.

Then, Jacob, who always has to be part of the conversation, said, "I see McQueen." Okay Jacob, sure you did.

Beth continues on and on about the lightning, still, what would happen if it hit the car, the house.....

Jacob continues telling me he saw McQueen. I didn't see McQueen anywhere.

OH, wait a minute! LIGHTNING McQueen.

Wordless Wednesday- Look who can put socks on, all by himself

A Day out with Thomas

Every little boy's dream- meeting Thomas the Tank Engine. Jacob loves Thomas. We have wooden train tracks and engines, we have diecast engines, we have dvd, we have books... You get the idea. Thomas is a big deal at our house. I found out that Thomas makes a visit once a year to a train station about an hour from us. I knew we had to go! Yup, he was thrilled, "THOMAS!!!!!"

This was some setup! We met Sir Topham Hatt, the director of the railway. Beth wasn't interested, and Jacob would only go with Daddy. The kids got temporary tatoos- Jacob picked Percy and Beth picked Rosie. We played with trains and tracks. There were blocks and puzzles and stamps too!

We colored pictures. There was a great Thomas bounce house and slide. They giggled with delight! We even got to watch a little of a Thomas movie for a few minutes. We all enjoyed the toy train setup. I think it had at least 4 trains running, some complete with steam coming out and whistles blowing.

But, the best part of all was a ride on a real train. Thomas pulled the train along the track. A 30 minute ride in a passenger car. Beth wondered why we were going so slow. She loved that the conductor punched our tickets, even though it wasn't fancy like on Polar Express. Jacob was just mesmorized that we were riding with Thomas. He loved dancing, clapping and singing along to Thomas's songs coming through the speakers. At the end of the day, they both said riding the train was the best part.

Toot! Toot!

After we'd visited all the activities, we headed to the gift shop where they got little view finders for visiting all the spots. Then, Jacob picked a Thomas flashlight (he now has to carry all 3 of his flashlights everywhere). Beth picked out a Thomas art set. We feasted on wonderfully greasy fair corn dogs. Even Jacob, my picky eater, liked his. We had found all the fun we could handle, so it was back to the car to head home. Some were a little more tired than others. :)