Family Swimming

We decided to take advantage of Charles being on half-term this week and took the whole family swimming. They have a rule that you can only have two non-swimming children with one adult so I cannot really take the kids on my own. I was grateful for the help. The whole family enjoyed it. It was Addie's first time and she thoroughly enjoyed herself. We took some pictures to show what a bathing beauty she is!

Sweet Little Adelaide

Roommates

This weekend was a big one for our family. Theo moved into the bottom bunk in Jack's room. They have been anticipating this for a while (see previous post -(http://onethumbuponefootdown.blogspot.com/2008/08/brothers.html) and with half-term and Charles not having classes next week, we thought this was a great time to go for it. They were so excited when we announced that we were going to try them in the same room on Friday night.

Happy to report that they did splendidly together. Evidently Jack got up to go to the bathroom around 4 am. We didn't hear him which is unusual. He said that he woke up Theo when he was coming down the ladder but that they both fell back asleep. We closed their door at 7:15 pm and didn't hear from them until 7:00 am so it seemed like a success to us.

Saturday night was fairly good as well. We told them that they were allowed to talk for a few minutes after we closed their door. After we closed their door, we stood outside listening. Complete silence for the first thirty seconds. Then Jack (of course) said, 'Theo do you like sleeping in the bunk bed with me?'. Theo answered 'Dah (code for yes)'. Jack answered with 'me too'. And that was it. No more talking. It almost felt like Jack felt obliged to talk a bit since we gave them permission to. For anyone who knows Jack, you can be sure he didn't want to miss his chance.

Jack did come to our room around 5:30 am and tell me that Theo wanted me. I went to the room and told Theo he needed to go back to sleep. Again, they both did go back to sleep with relative ease. It was funny because later that morning I asked Jack about the wake-up incident. He told me that he heard Theo calling 'Mommy Mommy' so he just said 'Theo do you want me to go get Mommy for you?'. Theo said 'Dah'. So Jack, being the helpful brother, bounded down the top bunk to retrieve me. He has been instructed to tell Theo to go back to sleep next time - (i.e. be a helpful son first, brother second!).

I am sure there will be many hiccups in this process, but we are thankful for two good nights. And even more thankful for brothers who love being together. We pray it will continue their whole life.

Picture beforehand



Video with the roommates



Ready to go

Jack, the photographer

In a previous post I lamented the fact that I didn't have many pictures of Addie and me. I then went on to show Jack's expert camera skills in trying to fix the problem. Well, I post the following pics to show that he is getting better.



And then a slip in the photography skills!




Getting back on the horse!



And he is off again!

Mom, We have a problem

Our daily routine involves Jack having a quiet hour in his room while the other two kids take their afternoon naps. Thankfully, he does this happily (after a small period of protest a year or so back). Most often, I use this time to catch-up on things that are hard to do with the three kids up. It is, however, not unusual that I would lie down for a power nap as well (now that I think of it this would definitely fall into the 'things that are hard to do with the three kids up' category).

Today I was downstairs in the kitchen when Jack's hour of quiet time expired. I heard him open his door and then a few seconds later he came downstairs to meet me. He came into the kitchen and very calmly exclaimed, 'Mom, we have a problem.' The following conversation went something like this:

ERIN: What is the problem?
JACK (very calmly): There is someone sleeping in the guest room.
ERIN (realizing what is going on): Oh, did you open the door and go in.
JACK: Yes. I thought the door was closed because you were sleeping in there.
ERIN: Who was in there?
JACK: I don't know. I couldn't tell because I had my sunglasses on, but I closed the door really quietly.

After Jack had gone upstairs a good friend had brought her two year old daughter over for me to watch (well really just have a sleep). Jack did not know this. I guess I am just somewhat concerned over WHO Jack thought would be sleeping in the guest room and WHY he wouldn't be more alarmed over this oddity?

Happy to report that I knew exactly who it was. It was this lovely little lady who joined Theo in his cot after her nap was over:

Lunch Date

Jack invited two of his friends around for lunch today. They are both students at the local school and came in their school uniforms. I took a quick picture to record the event (knowing my American readers will find the uniforms cute).



And here is a video of the three boys goofing off:



I also took another picture of a cute little boy who couldn't stand to be left out of the action. I was changing Theo's nappy when the door bell rang. He immediately ran downstairs and outside before I could get his trousers back on. He did stop to put his boots on as you can tell from these pictures.

This morning...well really every morning

Here is what our bed looked like at 7:10 AM this morning:



At 7:00 our bed is occupied by two adults. Shortly after 7, we are joined by an eight-month-old looking for her first feed of the day and a nearly five-year-old who is looking for his first conversation of the day. This lovely four-year-old usually manages to squeeze in but by the time the 'not as easy a riser' two-year-old shows up, we are definitely down to only room for one adult if not both of us booted out to make room for the three pictured above.

Next time we buy a bed, we will get bigger than a standard double! But that is the only thing I would change, the rest I wouldn't change a bit.

I'm not an apple

Today while Jack was at pre-school I heard Theo role-playing with his toys. I stopped dusting and listened from the other room (yes, I was really dusting! It is a rare occurrence - we have friends coming to spend the night - I was tempted to stick that fact in and not make mention that it was a rare occurrence but I know my readers know me better than that!). Anyway, back to the role-playing. I heard the following:

Theo: Hello Apple (he was holding a real half-eaten apple).
Apple: Hello Apple.
Theo: I'm not an apple. I am Jack's little brother.'
Apple: I really am an apple.

I love it. I love listening to little people.

All My Days

It was a singing day. So Jack didn't want to be left out.

Happy Theo

Jack is usually the band's front man, but when he goes to pre-school Theo is the lead singer. Here is a video of Theo singing Twinkle Twinkle Little Star. As you can see, he is most interested in seeing himself on the camera afterwards.



And a smiley picture of Theo:

Happy Addie

Here is a video we took today of our happy lady.



And a few pictures, now that she is a sitter (although she is a reluctant sitter).

Speaking Problems

Today Jack told me, 'you see I am an American, but I was born in Cambridge and I live here with all these English people. And you see, I should speak American but I get kind of confused. And And And I really don't know what to speak.'

There you have it. The first time Jack Anderson doesn't know WHAT to speak. You would never guess it by how much he talks.

Ironing

Today I got the urge to iron one of my shirts so I got the iron out. I warned the boys that it was very hot and then set it up high. They were both very taken with the ironing process and the steam coming out. While they were watching Jack exclaimed, 'this is the first time Theo has seen an iron.'

Theo is two years and two months. I would like to think Jack is wrong, but the truth be told, he is often right. YIKES!

Fellowship Group Social

We had a Fellowship Group Social yesterday - about twenty people for chili and cinnamon rolls. After spending thirty minutes in the playroom with Jack and the other kids, one of our new students (who has just met Jack) asked me if I write down at least 90% of what he says. I guess he was really holding her attention with his one liners.

Then he came out of the playroom and told another one of our new students who has facial hair that 'he was pretty sure he [the new student] wouldn't have facial hair in the new creation'. Evidently Jack thinks facial hair is a sign of the Fall. Jack sure does have an interesting view of hospitality.

We had a great time and didn't have to plan our entertainment at all - just invited the kids!