Noah, right now

I haven't written one of these milestones posts in a long time. The boys and their development seem to have taken backseat to the move. We're starting to feel like we might just dig out after all and I can take a moment to catch my breath and think about the incredible little men we are raising. First up, Noah-- my little boyfriend. I have always had a little crush on Noah. It's those huge blue eyes, his creamy skin and perfect little features that steal my heart. Or, maybe it's the way that his little mouth always turns up into a smile as he talks. Whatever it is, this boy just melts me. If I could eat him I just might.

When we got home from church today Noah disappeared into the living room for a while and when Nat went in there he found that he had turned the secretary into some sort of music dock and was jammin' to some tunes in his head. He does things like this all the time. He creates his own fun and usually gets Isaac to join him.

Noah, at 4 and a half:

• maintains his position as the glue that holds this family together. He is keenly aware of everyone's feelings and makes it his business to cheer everyone up.
  
• is slowly losing all of the language quirks that we loved so much. He still misuses possessive pronouns and I secretly hope he holds onto to that one for a while longer.
  
• is much more physically affectionate and snuggly than he used to be. He loves to sit on my lap and cuddle while we read together. It's a welcome change from the prickly infant and toddler who never could hold still.
  
• remains independent and self sufficient. He helps himself to snacks and drinks all day and usually makes sure he gets some for Isaac too.
  
• is learning to put the sounds of the letters together to form words. His increasing awareness of the world of words is fun to watch and, like most things in his little world, is self directed.
  
• still greets Luke every day with a welcome home hug and a "how was your day?" He listens sincerely to the answer and asks questions about the day's happenings as well.
  
• longs to be helpful. I can give him little tasks throughout the day and really rely on him to do them. He is especially helpful as a my "go get it" man. He can find what I am asking for and bring it to me. I love this.
  
• loves music.
  
• is still a champion sleeper. He sleeps the latest in the mornings and is able to sleep through all of the hustle of Luke getting up and ready for school. I sometimes find myself feeling jealous as I watch him snooze away. He always looks so comfortable and oblivious.
  
• has made quite a few friends in the neighborhood. There is a little pack of four and five year old boys that run around together during the day while the big kids are at school and Noah fits nicely into their play. Social interactions come very naturally to him and it's fun to watch him form these relationships.
  
• is finally coming out of his shell at church. It took him a while to feel like he could go to his class alone but he's got a wonderful teacher that has loved him through that. I feel like a free woman attending all of my classes without a kid in tow-- it's novel.
  
• always wants to make potions and creations in the kitchen. It would be cute if it weren't so darn messy.
  
• loves his puppy. Jem is just another member of the family to Noah and so it's Noah's job to make sure Jem is happy. He goes to find Jem his toys and talks lovingly to him all day long. His puppy voice sounds just like his baby voice.
• always wants to wear cozy clothes. He has many more opinions about what he wears than Luke has ever had. He dresses himself and almost always chooses pants with elastic waistbands. He might just be on to something.
• is developing a real interest in spiritual things. Luke has always been interested in church and the scriptures and for a long time Noah was just more interested in jumping off the bed. I have been trying to focus a little more on his spiritual development and he is really responding well. He asks questions about the scriptures and stories we read and I can see the little wheels turn as he processes the answers.
  
• has the cutest tongue thrust when we talks. I could listen to him all day (as long as he isn't whining).
• has a funny little perception of time. He gets confused about how long the seasons last and what is coming next.
  
• is unfailingly loyal to those he loves.
  

I sure love this boy!

Two Year Old Photo Shoot

(Don't worry, it's not a tumor, Thomas' shirt is just poking out funny)

Here is the result of the our last attempt to capture the kids in all their two year old glory. It was our last chance to catch them as Addie turned three this week. I cannot appropriately express how much I love these pictures, they capture these little personalities so well. And, I love those little personalities.

(Addie has the same scowl in almost all of these.)

(We finally figured out how to get Thomas to hold still.)

(Oops, we lost Tommy again!)

Snowy puppy (and some boys)

We got quite the dump last night for a March storm. It is in the high forties today and the snow is rapidly melting. I managed to find my camera this morning and take some pictures of the little boys playing in the snow with their puppy. Isaac refused a coat and played instead in his jammies, which was fine given the temperatures. Snow that melts the very same day is easier to endure in March than snow that comes and stays.

Jem was made for the snow. He runs, buries his nose, and nibbles on the piles as he plays. He's a treasure and has, so far, been a very easy puppy. I think it helps that he gets plenty of exercise and attention. He spends most of his inside time sleeping in his favorite corners.

Lately...

Usually when I go for long periods without blogging I end up with a backlog of pictures and things I want to document. Not this time around. Other than forty attempts to get a decent picture of Luke's new and toothless smile (at which I failed, I might add) my camera has only a few gems to document the last weeks of our lives. We've been consumed with painting the kitchen cabinets (a seemingly endless project), figuring out what to make for dinner, playing with cousins and getting homework completed. I am hoping to pick up the pace as we keep digging out of our boxes over the next few weeks. There are, however, a few things to remember from these weeks.

The Fort

Luke, Jakob and a bunch of neighborhood boys have turned the backyard shed into an enviable fort, complete with furniture constructed out of moving boxes and black duct tape. There is a code of conduct, strict training guidelines and a long list of rules that one has to follow in order to participate. There are also some pretty clever gadgets. So much more fun than video games, in my opinion.

Book Report

This picture is for my momma. Eliza dressed up as Meg from Little Women and delivered her book report. One of the (many) advantages to living down the street is that I got to see her and snap a picture before she headed off.

Cousins

Really what these weeks have been all about is family. We happily settling into a pattern of playing, sharing dinners and toys with cousins. I was attempting a better shot of all the two year olds and once I realized that the shadows on the faces were terrible my camera battery promptly died. We are also missing the female two year old. We'll try again soon.

Spanish Class

The neighborhood kids have talked me into a weekly Spanish lesson, which I love. I love their enthusiasm and the way they chatter back and forth. I let them decide our subject matter every week and they ask lots of questions. I have a few more kids every week and they all seem to like it. (Notice my unfolded laundry in the background on the kitchen table-- classy huh?)

Not photo documented but notable parts of our lives right now are:

• cleaning up a million water spills every day. The fridge has a water and ice dispenser and no control lock. Isaac leaves a perpetual puddle in his wake.
  
• reading, reading, reading. Luke and I are about done with To Kill A Mockingbird. Noah and I are a few chapters into Charlotte's Web. Isaac is really digging all the board books we have pulled out of storage and I wax nostalgic as I remember reading them all with his big brothers.
  
• playing tea party with Eliza and her friends. I love little girls.
  
• cousin art time. Jakob usually leads the crew. They all line up and draw for hours on end.
  

My mothering rhythm has changed so much and gotten so much easier as we live in a neighborhood full of kids and cousins and have good weather and a fenced in backyard. We love being in our own home but being close enough to enjoy family. Now we just have to get the rest of our family and loved ones to move to the neighborhood...

Come on ya'll!