What the Kiddos Are Up To

Rachel:

Rachel is still my fiercely independent, energetic, sweet preschooler.  She is intelligent and loves learning.  We are probably homeschooling her for a couple years and then will reevaluate.  We started this year with preschool so that I could get us both in the habit and establish a routine.  She loves school and learning.  She is one smart cookie, picks up concepts very quickly, and is quite articulate.  When I gave her her preschool pretest earlier this year I was surprised how much she already knew.  This year we are using ABC Jesus Loves Me.  It is a bible based curriculum that includes pretty much everything I need.  I like that I don't have to pull together materials from multiple sources. 

She loves to dress herself and I am learning to let her even when things get a little crazy for my taste.  My style tends to not stand out.  I wear a lot of darker solid colors and tend to accessorize very little.  Rachel loves bright colors, especially pink, mixing prints, and hats/crowns.  We do talk about how to match clothes in terms of colors and patterns and there are some rules like clothes must be weather and venue appropriate.  For example I was raised you dress up for church, and so Rachel follows the same rule.  Dresses/Skirts for church.  You do it because you love and respect God.  You bring him your best.

Rachel just finished up a six week gymnastic session.  She loved it, and we will continue the class in January after the holidays are over.  She does a great job trying to do everything and listening to her teacher.  We figured gymnastics would be a good fit for her because she is high energy, loves bouncing, somersaulting, going upside down, swinging, twirling, running...

Joel: 

Joel is just about 5 months.  He is improving his muscle tone and is now able to lift up to his hands on his tummy and hold himself upright with minimal slouching when being carried.  At his last well baby we found out he is pretty weak in his upper back/shoulder muscles.  He has been working out with extra tummy time.  We got the jumper down for Joel, and he loves it.  Within the last couple days he has figured out how to jump in it.  The toys are also fun to spin. 

Joel is a social guy.  He loves people and hates being alone.  He has learned the crib means he will be left alone to nap and now if I put him in it for a minute or so to say wash my hands after a diaper change he almost immediately screams.  Needless to say nap time is still challenging.  Other than the whole nap and crib thing he is pretty happy and mellow.  It is still easy to make him smile and laugh.  Sometimes all we have to do is look at him and we are rewarded with a big grin or a little giggle.

Well, that is what the kiddos are up to.  I hope you enjoyed the update.