Normally we go to the daffodils in town, but it rained for approximately 217 days over February and early March. Fortunately our azaleas seemed to love all that rain, and their blooms brightened up the yard and provided a lovely backdrop.
Let's start with our Sis, who turned four-and-a-half the 3rd of March. Here's what we need to remember about Maryn Elizabeth at this age:
- Still a total firecracker. Loves a reaction, and will do or say just about anything to get one!
- Is very confident and outgoing in most situations, but still completely uncomfortable around (sometimes downright scared of) masks, dogs, loud noises, and crowds.
- Shows she's pleased with something by giving you a big thumbs up.
- Shows she's displeased by stomping, throwing herself on the ground, or eliciting the biggest, fakest, most dramatic set of tears you've ever seen.
- Cannot help herself, Maryn must be bothering one or both of her brothers every waking minute of the day.
- Has the sweetest bond with Wesley. Not only are they twinsies (minus the hair and gender), but they are super close.
- Is super persistent, stubborn, and not too concerned with consequences or reprimands. We like to refer to Maryn as a honey badger, because she just doesn't give a...
- And loves to be silly. So stinkin' silly! She's also in a phase where she likes "cutesy" words and names. She'll refer to people by nicknames like Wes Wes (Wesley), Gram Gram (Grammy), Endy (Enda), Dada (Daddy), etc.
- Has an inherent need to be around another human being at all times. Even if you're not doing anything interesting, she'd still rather be with you than by herself. Also, if you're together, Maryn needs to be physically touching you. I normally eat with someone playing footsies with me (not James!), or sit on the couch with a foot in my face, or cook with an arm wrapped around my leg.
- Loves getting her nails done and being "fancy". But DO NOT ask Maryn to put a bow in her hair. She just plain won't.
- (Like her Mama) she needs total darkness to sleep and complains about the bathroom light on (which her brother needs on to sleep). She also snores like a grown man.
- Has her own vocabulary for things that are too cute to correct: "hanitizer" (for sanitizer); PPS (for UPS); PJMaxx (for TJMaxx); "upheels" (for high heels)
- Gosh, she's smart. So, so smart. I think she'll be reading before five. Maryn also remembers every little detail of our lives, and puts ideas together that are way beyond her little preschool head. She can spell not only her full name but can also spell (and read) the names of all her classmates.
- Even when she's driving you craaaaaazy, you can't help but totally fall in love with this red head because she's so unique, so special, so her. Sometimes I'm almost jealous of the self-assuredness that she has, and pray that we can protect it as she grows into a young lady and woman. She's going to run the world!
Next our little caboose baby, Wesley Robert, turned two-and-a-half on March 23rd. How in the world did that happen? I'm almost in denial that he's growing up, and treat him like the baby that he should still be. He gladly lets me!!
- Wesley still loves his pacis; loves a sleep sack (and wears it for sleep or for comfort); needs me (and only me) to rock him to sleep every night (and how can I say no??); and refuses to even look at the potty or undies.
- Still a tiny little guy! He's not moving much on the growth chart (that he was barely hanging on to), and his weight and height have not changed much from age two. This is astonishing to me, as this boy eats more than his older siblings. He can pack away so much dang food, and also will eagerly try anything I put in front of him.
- Loves his trucks and trains. He will play by himself forever, as long as he has something to push around the house.
- Is also faster on his little Piki Piki bike that some kids are on their bicycle. Wesley's so fast that now I make him wear a helmet.
- Can be a bit of a daredevil, which is new for us since the other two are fairly cautious.
- Loves to run around naked and shake him hiney, sit on things with his naked hiney (and laugh!), or dance like a wild man. This gets a BIG laugh from his siblings, which only makes him do it more.
- His vocabulary has exploded the past 6 months! He has too many new phrases to count. However, some of my favorites:
- When we go down Hillcrest and top the hill he'll yell "ders Popeyes!!" (My parents took him to the new Popeyes one single time and now he asks to go daily. Loves that chicken, I guess.)
- If we get onto his siblings for something they're doing wrong (e.g. "please quit fighting!") Wesley will pop up and say "but not me! but not me!" He's learning to deflect any and all blame, and secure his place as the angel child.
- He loves to say the blessing at the table, singing "God Our Father" with his head bowed and eyes closed. And if someone else tries to say the dinner blessing he'll yell his at the top of his lungs, over the other person.
- He can sing DJ Khalid's "All I Do Is Win". I mean, what other 2.5 year old can do that?
- (James doesn't remember our other kids doing this, but) Wesley has started to screech, strip, and act like a wild child at the dinner table. We pretty much dine at home these days, to avoid any scenes.
- Wesley is such a cuddle bug, and we love it. He's affectionate, gives hugs, says "I wuv you". He also asks you to rock him all the time. He'll stay in your lap and rock for hours. He also asks me to tickle his back, which I do because...well, how can I say no to that!?
- Or swing for hours! As long as someone is pushing him, he'll sit.
- Although we joke that Wesley wishes he were an only child some days, he truly adores JB and Maryn. Even though he's starting to stand up for himself (and defends himself in a way that draws blood or tears from his siblings!), he only knows a big family and seems content with constant chaos. He's just the best little brother!
Lastly, our first born! James Benjamin (though don't try to convince him that's his real name - he'll deny it!) turns six-and-a-half today, on the 29th. He has grown into just the best kid, and is a great big brother. And, as JB likes to remind us (and I quote): "the oldest of the children and the third oldest in our family".
Speaking of our big brother:
- He refers to his siblings as "my siblings". It's pretty funny, but also just how he is: formal and serious.
- Absolutely adores hunting, fishing, and working on the Farm with his Dad. He and James have been turkey hunting all week, and JB will walk and call turkeys for hours all morning. He walks 5 miles without complaint. He's super proficient at checking deer cameras, looking for tracks, understanding what guns for what game. He's turning into quite the outdoorsman.
- Doing so well in school, and reading very well, too. Also a great little artist, who mostly draws outdoor landscapes (not surprising!) or pictures of trucks, tanks, or other types of farm equipment.
- Still wants to be in the military, still committed to a job as a Chaplain so he can "share God's love". This child's heart...
- Sensitive and dramatic, can easily get his feelings hurt OR get riled up (especially by his sister). Has not quite grasped the idea that life is not fair.
- Still enjoys karate, and has picked up a Cross Fit obsession this year. He'll drop down and do burpees for the heck of it. Toys with the idea of team sports, but only if it won't impact his Farm time.
- We read The Boxcar Children every night (about 6 times through) after Gia gifted it to us for Christmas. We actually read up to the last chapter several times before he would let us read the ending. When we did, he became emotional that it had ended, because he would never "finish it" (without knowing the ending) again. We're now on to Charlotte's Web, and he never lets us put him to bed without at least one chapter.
- Has great, strong friendships at school and church, and still super close to his BFF Mac. But will also play by himself quite well.
- Our worries that he'd hole up in his room once Santa brought him the Nintendo Switch (which he begged for) were for not. Although he does like to play a little bit each day, he'll be the first to run outside when the opportunity presents.
- Still very good on his bike, and now also very good on a scooter. He mentioned a skateboard but Mama put the kibosh on that one for a bit. :)
- If you compliment him on an achievement, he'll say "nah, it's no big deal, I just tried my best" (then he'll grin in a way that tells me he's beaming inside). It makes my heart just burst, to see this considerate, humble, loving child grow into a young boy.
We are so thankful for these three beautiful blessings that we have the honor to raise and love every single day. I can't believe how quickly they have grown, and that we're on the downslide to 7, 5 and 3!!!
