Light at the End of the Tunnel...

It looks like we might be gaining a bit of independence here in the Johns house.  Since promoting independence in children is what I do for a living...it only stands to reason that I would expect nothing less from my children.

Jackson is really becoming quite the helper and big-kid.  He is totally able to dress himself, get ready for bed, take a bath (except run it), the other night he got himself out, let the water out, and tried to dry off all on his own!  He brushes his teeth, and can get his own snacks.  Recently, he started being able to open his own juice boxes.  So proud, so proud!!  (both he and I)

And Miss Katie has some independence skills of her own.  She has been holding her own cup for a while now, but she has recently started feeding herself puffs.  She used to pick them up and the "lose" them on her finger and never get them to her mouth.  But, now, she purposefully brings them to her mouth!  She only lost about 2-3 tonight after dinner.

And tonight, since she was doing so well with the puffs, and was acting like she wanted more to eat...I fed her  some "real" green beans!  She did SO good...just picked them up and put them right in her mouth.  And, I have to tell you, I think even she was a little proud of her big-girl self.  So cute, so sweet!

So, I'm seeing a bit of light at the end of the tunnel that I won't always be doing every single thing for these kiddos.  I know it's my job and it's what I signed on to do as their mother. But, every once in a while, I would like them to bring ME a juice box, or at least a green bean or two.  :-)  Love those two kids...wouldn't trade 'em for anything.  Except maybe some quiet free time.....Naahhh...

Jackson-ism

"Mommy, why do they sing about that boy playing his drum?"  [Little Drummer Boy]

I've always wondered that too, Jackson!!  :-)

Jackson-ism:

"I like Sonic mozzarella sticks for a warm snack on a cold winter's day!!"

WHERE does he come up with these things??

Saturday Salamagundi

GOOD THINGS ABOUT TODAY:

* Bought a new 2010 Calendar.  SO fun! (yes, I'm a nerd, and I love office supplies).

*Went Christmas shopping and found some super-cool things for the kids!!

*Started learning a new song on my piano.  I've got a long way to go...

*Jackson showed some interest in handwriting tonight...a rarity.  We worked on a "trace-the dot" together...it's fun to do those things when he is cooperating!!

*Found a cool toy at Copelin's that I SOOOO wish Staci and I had when we were kids:

Told you I was a nerd!!  :-)

NOT SO GREAT THING FOR TODAY:

Katie has had a fever since Thursday.  She had an ear infection Thurs, and the Dr gave her an antibiotic.  Still has the fever, though.  Kind of starting to worry.  We'll miss church tomorrow.  BOO!!  Hope my sweet girl feels better SOON!!

UPDATE on GREAT THINGS FOR TODAY:

Just opened my new calendar for next year...and it came with stickers!!  How fun!  ;-)

Jackson-ism

Mommy:  Guess what today is?  It's Daddy's birthday!

Jackson: (after thinking for a minute)...Do you think he'll have his party in Heaven?

Mommy:  Well, I would imagine so, yes!

Jackson:  (after thinking another minute)...Who makes the cakes in Heaven?

oh, I love that boy!  (well, both of those boys, actually, Daddy and Jackson)!

Happy Birthday, Chris!

Today is Chris' 36th birthday.  I debated on if it is his birthday, was his birthday, would have been his birthday...and I decided that today IS his 36th birthday.  I mean, Kay gave birth to him 36 years ago, right? So it is his birthday, always will be.  Anyway, last year his birthday was TERRIBLE.  I was pregnant and emotional and, well, the day was just bad.  It was the first "event" I had been through since he passed away and I surprised myself at how emotional I was about it.  (which made me even more emotional).  Every "event" since that day has been much easier to deal with.

So, knowing that today was approaching, I was kind of anxious that it might be a bad day, again.  I decided to go ahead and try to work.  I was able to see a couple of kiddos and then had a rather long break in the day.  I enjoyed a yummy lunch with mom, at my favorite place, Mama Roja's.  I went to the office to work for a bit, but Miss Katie was running fever, so plans changed and took her to the doctor.  An ear infection.

Anyway, back to the birthday...Aunt 'Daci and Uncle Jeremy asked me to go to dinner, and mom offered to watch the kids.  We went to Flips...and here's the funny part:

Chris and I stumbled on Flips Italian Restaurant on our Anniversary last year (August 9, 2008) right before he passed away.  We loved it!  And on that terrible day last year when I was so overcome with emotion and couldn't really do much...Staci and I went there for lunch.  While we were eating tonight, we realized that the last time we were there was on Chris' birthday last year!  How funny...maybe a new Birthday tradition??

I think Chris would have liked it.  He was pretty excited to find Flips.

So, Happy Birthday, Chris!  We enjoyed Flips tonight, just as much as the first time we ate there...

Jackson-ism

Tonight, after Cubbies, while putting Jackson to bed:

Jackson:  "Andre from my Cubbie's class was sick, he had the same thing I had last week."
(he wasn't sick last week, but time is relative when you're 4).

Mom: "Oh, what were you sick with?"

Jackson: "You know, when I had the phlegm and then I frew up.  Except Andre didn't have the phlegm.  He just frew up."

keep in mind that mom has just a *small* phobia of 'frow up'...


Mom: "OH!  That's too bad.  When did Andre say he was sick?"  (thinking, I hope it was like 2 weeks ago or something...)

Jackson: "It was tonight in Cubbies.  He frew up in the trashcan."

Mom: (Trying to remain calm...but I'm just sure by now that Jackson has "it" and will be frowing up on me any minute...) "umm...did they send him home?"

Jackson: "yeah he went home."

Mom: "you didn't hold Andre's hand or anything did you?"

Jackson: "no"

Mom: "and did you sit by him, talk to him, look at him or anything??" (I'm sure I still sounded very calm...)

Jackson: "no mom, I don't even like Andre.  He speaks French."

HA!!  Most kids Jackson knows and can't understand speak Spanish.  I guess Andre must have quite the accent.  I sure hope he's feeling better.  But, I wish he had left his 'frow up' germs at home.