Blake’s Russia

First of all today is Justin’s birthday! All five of us are planning to go to dinner and do some last minute shopping for things we need for our trip.

Prior to about 3 or 4 days ago Blake appears to have no recollection of Russia. Well, maybe I should say he has had zero interest in taking about Russia at all. If we ask him is he remembers various things or if we show him pictures from our time there he just changes the subject or looks at us like we are completely insane. The other night Justin and I were looking for some papers in the office and came across the album we took to court. We were flipping through the pages and Blake came in. We showed him the pictures. He saw one of him and Justin and pointed to Justin. Here is how the conversation went…

Blake: “What is your name?”
Justin and I exchanged a puzzled look.
Justin: “What do you mean, what is my name?”
Blake repeated himself: “What is your name?”
Justin: “My name is Daddy”
Blake: “Papa, your name was papa and now it is daddy.”

Justin and I were speechless. This is the very first time Blake has made any reference to Russia at all. It took us by complete surprise. And then yesterday when we were talking about Russia to Madison, Blake piped in and said “My Russia? You goin’ to my Russia?” It will be very interesting to see what develops of the next several months. Thankfully Blake is very excited to have a new family member – especially one that is smaller than him!

Nov. 14, 2010 Brady's Baptism

Sunday was a very special day for us!  Brady has been asking for quite some time to get baptized.  He was able to explain all of his reasons why we should let him do it and he was full of emotion.  We felt his heart was finally ready.  It was an honor for Justin and I to have him ask us to be the ones that were in the water with him.  I was very emotional.  To see Justin baptizing our first born son was quite special.  The day was made even more special by the family and friends that attended.  It really meant a lot to Brady to have everyone there.  After church we came back to the house and had pizza, cupcakes, and brownies to celebrate!  It was a great day!!

Halloween Fun!

Having dinner before trick or treating... Madison thought the lemons we had to squeeze on the fish would be fun to play with!

Our zombie, soldier, and ballerina!

The loved not only dressing up but also acting out their characters.

We went trick or treating in the dorms on WIU's campus.  It is fun for Justin and I to reminisce about our time in the those dorms.  Plus it is fun to be inside and out of the wind.  Brady's friend Ezra (the mad hatter) went with us too!

Brady had the zombie act down!

It took some convincing to get Madison to dress up as a ballerina.  This was her dance recital costume last year, I was looking for a way to get some use out of it since it wasn't cheap!  I told her she could be a ball'oweeeeena and she seemed to think that that was ok.  :o)

Blake loved taking treats to his school Halloween party!

The speech clinic hosts a Halloween night for their clients.  Blake got such a kick out of this bowl.  When he would put his hand in the green hand would come down on his.  He loved it!

It's funny how the jack-o-lanterns reflect each child's personality.  Brady's pumpkin reads 'Let it rip' which is what you say before battling beyblades (these are toys that he and his friends - and Justin! are into right now).

Blake wanted a traditional jack-o-lantern.  He does not like getting his hands dirty so reaching in and pulling out pumpkin goop was not fun to him at all.   He didn't mind if he could use a spoon though!



Madison had Justin help her with a cat carving.  She is our animal lover through and through!

Party Prep

Last Saturday we were stuffing the goodie bags for Brady and Madison's birthday party on Sunday.  We got these funny glasses to put in the boys' bags.  They are funny!

Love this!

This makes a mama proud!  They sat quietly and read to Blake.  Brady would read one side and Madison would read the other.  They tried to use dramatic voices to make the book even more interesting for their little brother.  I love these guys!

Double Digits!

Our big guy turned 10 last Sunday, October 3rd. It is very scary to me how fast time is going by. He is showing signs of making the change from Justin and I being the coolest and smartest people in his life to his friends being the coolest and smartest people. He is still very sweet and respectful, but in the slightest ways I can see that he is beginning to test some limits. He is becoming independent in many ways and in other ways he needs our guidance more now than ever. Parenting can be such hard work!

We learned early last week, that our good friend Bill Buchanan had 4 tickets to the Nascar Race in Kansas City. He asked Justin if he and Brady would like to go. We don’t really follow Nascar but the trip was too awesome to pass up. Not to mention that Brady thought the entire thing was planned specifically for his birthday since the race was on Sunday. They had such a good time and received royal treatment in the Sprint Suite at the race. Here are some of the pictures they took!

The boys got to sign the finish line!

Here is Justin and Brady with Tanner and Bill.

Great times with a great friend!

 

I love how Brady is hangin' with the big people!



Such a big boy!

Today is Blake’s 5th birthday. He has been so excited about turning 5. He wants to be big. (We hear that at least 15 times a day.) The changes that he has made in the past year have been amazing. He seems to understand the meaning of family now. He knows that Brady, Madison, Justin and I are super special to him. He has even begun to show some shyness in public around strangers. This is a very healthy development. We have continued with speech therapy. He has an outstanding teacher this session. She lets Blake be the teacher. So for example she will have him show her a picture of a horse. She will say “Hort” which is how it sounds when Blake says it. He will then get very serious and say “No, that is not right! It is horsssssssssssssssssssse.” This is a great strategy and seems to really be working for him. He is also continuing swim lessons this year. He is not afraid to have his face in the water, and he is getting more coordinated which is helping. Blake seeks Justin’s approval on everything (and dad is happy to give it!). If Justin puts his foot up on a bench, you will see little Blake right next to him copying his pose. When I pick him up from school, he will tell me that he has been good all day. Then he quickly follows up by saying, “Let’s call dad and tell him I be good!” He and Brady crack each other up. Brady is so patient with him and loves to include him in on things. Blake and Madison have a very typical sister – little brother relationship. She loves him to pieces and will read to him. But she is easily annoyed by him and she does not want him anywhere near her things – that is unless she wants someone to play with. As for me and Blake…. I just love him so much! He is the baby of the family right now. While I wouldn’t say that I spoil him, I would definitely say he gets some special attention. (0:  He is still just as light as a feather which makes it so easy for me to pick him up. I tell him that God made him tiny so I could pick him up and hug him for many years to come!

Happy Birthday Blake! We love you.