MW 5.0

Well this is LONG over due. AND I haven't even done Lo's at all. Funny how life just gets busier the older they get. I think this is such a fun way to remember them. A few months ago Chad was editing an old video of the kids for their yearly video Chad makes and there was a part where MW was stuttering so badly and we just cracked up! At the time I was so worried about it, but now looking back, I am so glad to have that video and little memory since I had totally forgotten they way he use to talk.

MW is so full of life. That is actually an understatement. He does all things with intensity and gusto, including our snuggle time. His love language is physical touch at a level I am not sure I can meet. HA! He has to be snuggled a minimum of 3x/day for at least 20 minutes. I do enjoy it because one day our "loving time" as he refers to it will soon be another distant memory.

He is super smart. And I know all parents say that, but seriously he is super smart it is frightening. However, can't write to save his life or color in the lines. So you win some you lose some. I am so interested to see how he does in Kindy next year! The teacher may have her work cut out for her since he can't go more than 5 nano seconds without talking. {again wish I were joking}. However, the church SS teachers tell me he is a great listener AND participator...so maybe there is hope.

He is into Super heros BIG time. He plays with daddy's old super hero action figures all the time. Correction all the time he isn't watching TV or playing his kindle--which seems like a lot.

He is hilarious, just like his daddy and has wicked good timing. I love being around him all day. He is my little buddy and I am so so so going to miss him next year when he is off at school everyday.

I never thought being a boy mom would be as fun as being a girl mom, but wow I was wrong. The energy he brings and the boyish books and toys are tons of fun. We recently discovered Marvel Super Hero short chapter books that we read and we both love them. It's our special thing.

Stats at age 5:
wt #37
ht 3f6in {3 inches shy of sissy!}

Now without further ado your 5 year old interview




MW IS 5 from Michele Keethler on Vimeo.

Your Cross Demands My Life...

There is this song "God Be Praised" sung by Gateway Worship.
You know how songs can just breathe into your soul the way nothing else can. Nothing.
That is why worship music in particular is so powerful.
For me worship songs get into the nooks and crannies no other light can and for just those moments I am free and Jesus has absolutely all of me. That's why leading worship has always been such a powerful tool in my life. I want others to have that too. Just that one moment.

This song. It's not new, but man every time I hear it I just get it. I get what Christ did for me, for you, for all of us.

Today I decided to make a printable of my favorite line. The one that makes you stop and realize I, I deserved that cross. I deserved to suffer and die, I still do; but God He said "no." He said I love you THIS MUCH and His son spread out His arms and died for me, for you, for us. His GRACE is my anthem, your anthem, our anthem.

That is what Easter is about. He died and 3 days later walked out of the grave conquering death and offering me the gift of life with Him forever. Offering you the gift, we just have to accept it.  So my soul can't help but sing Hallelujah.

You saved my life from death
When I was all defeated
You spoke Your promises
And brought life to my weakness
Came as a conquering King
And You warred for my freedom
My soul can’t help but sing
Hallelujah

You opened up my eyes
For the first time I saw You
Your love commanding life
And deserving devotion
You told me who I am
Now in faith I believe it
My soul can’t help but sing
Hallelujah

You’ve made a place for me
Silenced all my accusers
Leading me forth with peace
Filled with joy I will follow
Your cross demands my life
Now Your grace is my anthem
My soul can’t help but sing
Hallelujah

Hallelujah, we’re redeemed and made free
By the blood of the Lamb We have won
Hallelujah, we will sing victory
Jesus conquered the grave
God be praised

MW 4.0 {video edition}

Ah, my little baby baby boy is 4 years old now.
Sometimes it takes me by surprise how fast they both are growing up.
You are so full of life and energy. Oh the energy. You are like a border collie that needs to herd sheep for most of the day just to wear you out. Unfortunately we don't have sheep...so just mommy is worn out. Now all the naps I take are making more sense. :) Because let's face it you don't nap. And really if the truth be told if  you nap that gives you more energy to burn off. So we spend most of nap time learning the art of quiet play.

In order to run off a bit of the energy we lock ourselves in the racquetball room in the Y.

MW loves babies. This is our BFFs baby girl and he loves to love on her. 

Montage.

However, you do love to play by yourself a lot. That took some time to get use to after sissy started school in the fall, but now you will just sit and play Transformers or legos for a few half hour increments at a time. And when you get bored with that you usually come find me and help me around the house. Although sissy remains your favorite playmate and you are always excited when we go pick up her up at 1130a.

You are still a talker. I suppose that will never change?!!?
You are not a learner. We started contemplating pre-K for you next year...we are still undecided, but you choose not to write or draw. You can't even write or spell your name. I know it isn't fair to compare you to your sister, but well you aren't where she was at this age. However, we are trying to have a few quiet moments each day to work on our fine motor skills. It last approximately 45 sec. Baby steps.

The most coloring he has ever done.

You use to sleep with us nearly every night, which isn't exactly my favorite thing since you a toss and turn like a waller wart, but as of the last few months you have been staying put. YAY! If you nap you can't seem to go to sleep before 9p {bedtime is 730p regardless!} and you are up by 615a-645a.

You are still my little love bear. You never hesitate to tell me how much you love me and how pretty I am. You are going to be the best husband someday.
I love our time together in the mornings. It's nice to have that quality time with you that Lo and I had before you were born. Lots of memories.

{Stats}
Wt: 33#
Ht: 3ft 4in
shoe: 10
clothes: 3t/4t and pants 3t. {you are super tall and skinny like your daddy, so you are hard to dress}

Below is his birthday interview. It is so hard to get him to focus, but that is half the fun of the videos.



MW is 4 from Michele Keethler on Vimeo.

Leighton 5.5 {Watch Me Grow}

Today is September 3.

Leighton had her 1/2 birthday on August 15, 2014.

I feel bad I didn't get this posted but with school starting I just forgot.

I love documenting how they speak, think and live every so often. Life changes so quick.

I found this adorable video of Lo when she was 10 months and the other little girls are just mere toddlers. Now, they are all so "grown" up. 

Lo and friends {Nov 2009} from Michele Keethler on Vimeo.

Leighton's 5.5 video.

Lo is 5.5 from Michele Keethler on Vimeo.

Video Questions
Favorite....
color-PINK AND PURPLE
animal-GIRAFFE AND LION
book-RAMONA BOOKS
show-FIREMAN SAM AND PAW PATROL
song-FIX MY EYES {KING AND COUNTRY}
food-MAC 'N CHEESE
snack-BLUEBERRY GRANOLA BARS
game-iPAD LEARNING GAMES
play-BABY DOLLS
friends-COLE, LANDREY, AVERY, BRODY AND BRU GIRLS
to do inside-PAINT
to do outside-RIDE SCOOTER
place to go-FREEBIRDS
lovies-JUJU, POODLE, BERRY BEAR, WHALEY, SARAH---ALL OF THEM
sport-GYMNASTICS {ON PRE TEAM NOW}
when I grow up I want to be-SCOOTER FIXER...STILL THINKING ABOUT IT.

As you grow I am starting to make predictions as to who you will become. Your personality is really taking shape and as I said in your 5 yo interview you have always possessed these qualities and interests they are just coming into bloom.

I predict that you will become a teacher of some kind in your future. You love teaching everyone different things, including your little bro school. 

{Playing School}

I also predict that you will always be an out of the box thinker, intuitive to others needs and leader. This you get from me.

You love life, you get that from your dad {as well as the teaching thing.}

Watching you grow is my greatest joy.

We love you. 

Micah 3.5 {Watch Me Grow Video Style}

Well my little buddy is 3.5.
You seem so different from Lo at this age but very similar if that at all makes sense?!

I went back and watched Lo's video and I just love seeing how much they have changed. Her voice is so different now, so I cherish these little interviews. Most of the time they just make up random answers, but I suppose that comes with being 3.


MW is 3.5 video from Michele Keethler on Vimeo.

Some things I want to note are:

*You would eat PB and honey for breakfast, lunch and dinner if I would let you.

*You use to be the best at bedtime, now you have locked into your sister's excuses and ways and join in on the bedtime run around.

*You also never use to get out of your bed, now you join us by about 1-2a every.single.night. Some parents are put off by this and really I am, but I know it is temporary. Matter of fact {praise the Lord} right at age 5 Lo stopped coming in every night and she started at around 3.5...so at least I have hope now. ;)

*You love coming to gymnastics with mommy.

*You can't write your name yet and have zero interest.

*The biggest news is that at 3.5 no more paci! This happened many a moons ago, but it still bears mentioning as I wasn't sure that day would come.

*You have been playing more and more by yourself, which is great considering your playmate is headed off to school this year! :(

*You are full of personality--ranging from the sweetest most loving, cuddly child to a fearsome, dramatic and willful toddler. You are full of jokes {always looking to get a laugh out of people} and still have one of the best laughs I know. It still sounds like a 6mo baby laugh. It gets me every time.

 This was funny b/c you acted as if you found a long lost twin and just kept kissing and playing with your mirror image.

 Momma's little love bear!!

STATS:
Ht: 3ft2in
wt: around 30#
Clothes: 3T
shoe: size 9-10

Routine:
Bed 8p-630a
Breakfast +show
Off to work with mommy
Lunch 11/1130a
Nap 130p-3ish
Snack +show
Dinner 5ish
Play time outside
Bedtime snack +show
Bed +story+prayers

I love you my baby boy. Remember you promised to be my baby boy forever! This is our year buddy--just me and you. I can't wait to see how you continue to grow and change.

Happy 3.5 MW!!

Table Rock 2014

Can I just preface this post and future posts with I miss blogging. I love to write my memories down. I have always loved keeping a journal--it was my favorite part of class--creative writing. However, I am tired. Like I don't know if I have a disease, condition or just plain lazy, but girl I am tired. And tired does NOT yield itself to creative writing. It barely yields itself to a coherent sentence. Point. I have a 100 things I would like to post on from this month and no brain power. Blah. Thus, why you don't hear from me too often.

ANYWAY.
Last week we left for Table Rock Lake. It's a 4ish hour trip with maybe one-ish stop. It took us nearly 6 hours. 5 adults, 6 kids, 2 vans and 1 boat will do that I suppose. Here we are locked and loaded and ready to go. I got the luxury of riding down with my two precious angels. Chad got to ride in an adult car. Lucky! Micah wanted a snack every 2 minutes and asked 118 times if we were there yet. Lo was fantastic. She was super quiet and kept herself entertained.

This is Day 1 on the boat. Life jacket-ed up and ready to set sail.

The entire group consisted of 7 adults, 10 kids and 3 tubes, 2 boats and a partridge in a pear tree...

Micah had a huge "fear" of the water this year. We couldn't get him off the boat to swim or tube. I finally went out on Big Mabel with him and sat. He seemed to  like that as long as we weren't moving.

Now for my sass the master water skier. She is just so freakin' cute out there.

Hiding from the wind.

So on day 1 MW and his friend came back for naps and I opted to be the babysitter---I may or may not have wanted to nap too. By 4 they were up. I had zero cell service so we walked to the dock. It was probably .25 mile but up and down steep hills in extreme humidity with two 4 year olds sucked.

So we waited on the dock hoping they would be coming in soon since dinner time was approaching. We waited...and waited and waited through a rain shower and waited some more. No signs of them. Boo. The kids were so disappointed. They wanted to go out on the boat.

So we walked back and as soon as we got back they came in. Of course. So they did their best pouty faces and con-ed a daddy to take them back out all by themselves {and me of course.} It was a beautiful sunset ride.

Cuddle time!!

Day 2

So here he got on Big Mable by himself and then the big boys tipped it over. I thought he would freak out, but when it go flipped back, there he was just laughing and laughing. (I did convince him to tube with me and he loved it. Silly boy.)

More skiing. This time she was able to get up all by herself. Normally I would get in and push her up. Now she is rocking it.

Lo water skiing 2014 from Michele Keethler on Vimeo.
Um, more cuddle time?!

This is MW form of "tubing." He is a hoot.

After a bad incident skiing. She let go wrong and bit the board. :(

Daddy's turn at skiing. He sort of got the hang of it...maybe next year?!?

chad skiing 2014 from Michele Keethler on Vimeo.

Me skiing. I haven't skied since I was 10-13. I did so well until the driver swerved the boat to toss me out when I wasn't ready and I bit it hard. :(

Micah and his homie. He had all the big boys wrapped around his fingers. Nice babysitting for this mommy.

Chad knee boarding.

And I shall end with this sweet pics of my babies. Sleeping peaceful on the last day. We all shared a Queen sized bed. Yeah, that was fun. But so worth it to have a fun, mostly relaxing vacation out on the water thanks to wonder friends we share life with! Until next year.