Sweet success I blogged!

We picked out our 1st REAL tree! It looks a lot bigger at home...

Does this need a caption?

Oh sweet blog. How I have missed you. I would tell you I've just been to busy, but that is a lame and boring excuse.  The truth is, Matthew is like a cat and wants to sit on the keyboard anytime I come near you.  The more that I discourage him from batting at the mouse and banging on the keys.. the more that he is determined to do it. He is such a persistent little fellow.  He also challenges the vacuum to a dual every time I turn it on (which is a lot).  He gets into a 4 point stance and faces the beast head on.. then charges right at it without hesitation. I've actually vacuumed over his little fingers, sucked a bit on his clothes.. no fear was elicited.  So I don't think I'm going to win this one with the computer either.  And of course I could blog when he sleeps... if he EVER went to sleep. EVER! But anyhoo... someday he will be a teenager and I will wake him repeatedly- possibly poke him in the eye and scream loudly for good measure.  But at this moment he is happily exploring Jack and NonaJane's room.  Jack and NonaJane got a new set of bunkbeds yesterday.  I heard NonaJane jump off the top bunk to a delicate landing on the bean bag down below.  Jack yell whispered (you know so I wouldn't hear him) "Nona, you're YOUNGER than me! You are supposed to be afraid of things!"  After showing him that she indeed was not hurt, and gently encouraging him that he TOO could be brave and jump- he did. Despite what seems like a possible threat of injury- I hated to interrupt. I just read an article about how we are overprotecting our children from gross motor play and causing them to have poor body awareness, self-esteem, and coordination. SO.. I guess I decided to abide by their suggestions just NOW. Besides, the three of them are in one room happily playing, why interrupt a good thing?
So what have I missed documenting over the last few weeks?

Well, with Jack we have decided to remove the i-pad. The poor kid was so addicted to the game mine craft that it was all he could think about.  He was waking before the sun to play, he was begging to play before his feet hit the ground from the school bus, AND he told us he would rather play minecraft then join us outside to string the Christmas Lights! That was my final straw (besides the million meltdowns that we had already endured when his time was up on the iPad).  I decided we had a real addict here, and intervention was needed.  Jack is such a happier kid without the iPad! He doesn't know it, but we can all see it.  He is back to his playful self- imagination in full swing.  He colors and draws, plays with his sister, and runs around outside.  I'm thinking it will be a long while before we introduce any kind of gaming systems into our house. On a more positive note with Jack, his teacher sent home some enrichment work for fun.  It had some reading work up thru 3rd grade.  On Jack's first attempt- without any teaching or guidance- he correctly read 78% of the 3rd grade words!  The only problem we had was that if he did not get a word correct he had a bit of a meltdown- his perfectionism is still in full swing.
NonaJane has been so sweet and amazing lately! She cracks me up, because as Jack was struggling with his iPad addiction Nona saw an opportunity to leverage herself.  She would so sweetly comment "Mom, I'M not throwing a fit :)" or "Mom, I'M not being rude :)"  Even- "Mom, I loooove you :)"  in the midst of my frustration with Jack.  It absolutely cracked me up every time.  Just earlier as I walked into their room to put away their laundry she said "Mom, thank you for buying me these bunk beds!" - How darn sweet!!  Nona also just finished her 3rd modeling job thru Hoffman.  Each shoot has been with Hallmark (and booked alongside Jack!)- and she has been nailing them.  They did a Spring/Easter shoot, a Christmas ornament shoot, and over a year ago she did her first shoot with the clothing line.  The photography team at Hallmark has been raving about her with each job.. so I'm thinking she may have more in the future! She isn't old enough yet to audition for the acting/commercial gigs like Jack does.  But she loves seeing his commercials on TV and has confidently informed me that she too will be in a commercial some day. I have no doubt :)

Jack has been in a variety of these US Toy ads! Last week it was on the COVER of a local magazine!

My little "helper" was the worst elf ever. Just kept attacking
the wrapping paper and diving for my scissors!

Again, "helping" me clean up after Dinner by getting a ton more crap OUT of the cabinets :)

And Matthew.  10 months now! The kid is getting cuter everyday! He learned the word "kiss" and gives you a giant drooly lick any time you desire! It's the cutest thing EVER (unless you're not his mom. then it is probably just gross).   He let go the other day and took his first steps- he was at Meagan's house so I didn't see it.  He took a pretty hard fall so it may be a week or two before he tries that again.  He is definitely in a 'mommy phase' as he prefers to be attached to my hip at all times.  I don't mind it for the most part.  It's pretty nice to be loved to that extreme.  So I let him sleep on my face, and give me back problems from carrying him all day.  Wouldn't have it any other way.  I just love his fluffy hair, his giant blue eyes, and that concerning look that he continues to share with everyone.