Growing up

I was so proud of Mr. 11 tonight.  Today at school someone in his class said something really mean and inappropriate to another kid in his class and this really upset him.  He wasn't involved but he just didn't like seeing someone else treated badly.  After some discussion about what was said (he refused to say it out loud but wrote it out for us and then wanted to burn the paper after we read it), he decided to talk to his teachers about it but leaving out all the names of the kids involved.  He sent an email to them asking to talk tomorrow morning.  To watch him really struggling with how to not allow injustices to happen but also wanting to be fair to everyone was so special.  

Family Movie

It's no secret that Mr. 3 is a challenging guy.  He is as strong-willed as they come - and we know strong-willed.  He has shoveled out most of the litter out of the litter box on at least 3 occasions.  He can now wiggle out of his car seat unless you cinch it as tight as it goes (I had told him that 3 year olds have to sit in car seats - not in the backseat in a booster - so now he tells me "I not 3" when we get in the car).  He refuses to sit in the stroller but will not hold your hand.  He will tell you "I run away" and then he really does take off and he is fast.  Today at Trader Joes he repeatedly ran away while I tried desperately to throw things in the cart.  He crosses his arms across his chest and will tell you "I frumpy.  It's a mad day."  

So sometimes, on the hard days, it's hard to remember that he is growing up.  Yesterday and this morning were difficult.  We had planned to go see Paddington tonight and even showed the kids the trailer last night.  We were not sure how it would work (we had tried Big Hero 6 but I ended up sitting in the lobby with him) but he seemed excited about the bear movie so we walked to our local theater, bought tickets, popcorn, and some cookies at our favorite coffee shop next door and kept our fingers crossed.

And he was perfect.  So excited, laughing at all the right places, telling me the bear was sad at the sad part.  We walked home through the cold with our happy kids recounting the parts they liked and drank hot chocolate when we got home.  Yes, he's growing up.  Maybe we'll make it after all.

Playmates

The cats were a huge distraction getting the boys of to school this morning. Every task required many reminders and I pulled Mr. 3 out of the little closet where the litter box (and Reason) were many times.  Very frustrating.

Now it's just Mr. 3 and me - and Rhyme.  These two are becoming happy playmates.   Mr. 3 will throw a toy over and over for Rhyme to chase.  Rhyme climbed up with us while we were reading books.  And now these two are happily following marbles down the ramps.

Christmas Eve morning

Complete with hugging until you fall down, a new instrument to play,
and a Christmas surprise scavenger hunt! We need to get a picture of
Mr. 9 flying his new quadcopter - he's getting pretty amazing at it!

Christmas fun

Christmas Fun

Silly cousins

Mr. 5 and Cousin F had a grand time together. One of the most
memorable is the long story they weaved all about the adventures of
Papa. Papa standing on the roof of the car, ziplining, shooting at
ducks, teleporting, playing with reindeer. They are quite a pair!