Church Conversation

The scene in church today:
Jacob sitting on my lap, pinching my cheek on occasion and making some commentary fairly quietly.
Me: "Jacob, let's quiet down, mass is almost over; let's talk later."
Jacob: (I actually wasn't listening to what he was saying, but I was just asking him to quiet down so it sounded like...I blah, blah, blah, etc.")
Me: "Jacob, let's quiet down sweetie." THEN, I finally decide to listen to what he is saying - priceless & I had to chuckle.
Jacob: Pinch, "I like your style, cutie!"
Don't know where that came from for sure.

Kuenzel Genes Around Our House

Patrick told me this morning that there sure are "Kuenzel genes" running around here. Grandpa Jerry has been so helpful and was here this week to work more on the basement kitchen area. Today, the boys wanted to help Patrick prime & paint the newly drywalled areas. After lunch, the boys were pretty anxious and Jacob started saying, "Come on, what are we waiting for?" A slight pause, then, "What are we WAITING FOR?" Gave us a chuckle; it is quite Kuenzel-like.

Costco sure does provide great Examples

We went to Costco today and Leyton was really in search of good "examples." You know, grape juice, chicken, soup, apples, etc., whatever they happened to be giving out, he was ready.

Jacob's Shopping Trip

Jacob joined me tonight to go to the fabric store to look at fabric for the bridesmaid dresses with Beth. It was cute after we picked it out. Jacob asked what it was for & I told him for a dress for me to wear to the wedding. He said, "What about me?" I told him that he wouldn't be wearing a dress but that he would get to wear a nice outfit for the day also. He said, "Oh, and Bethy will see me?" I said of course; I know she'll love to see him!

A Joy of Motherhood

The kids seem to each have a little different stage of a cold. Leah has a runny nose, is a bit more grumpy than usual, but still plenty cute. In addition, her method of kissing is coming at you with an open mouth...can you tell where this is going? Well, tonight I was heading out on an errand and put my coat on. She came running to me with her open mouth for a big kiss...very sweet. It seems, though, that all I received in this exchange was a noticeable amount of "nose matter" shall I say, planted right on my lips. She's a sweetie, hope she's (and her brothers) feeling better soon.

Birthday Celebration

So, for the birthday, we again went to Chuck E. Cheese and fun was had by all. Mom & Dad even got to sneak a few tokens to play a game or two. We also had cake after that and Beth & Robert joined us. For the third year in a row, Leyton wanted me to make him a firetruck cake, and Nathaniel wanted me to make him a tractor cake...so we did. For school, they each took a different treat, so I also made brownies & cupcakes. We're doing their first "friends" birthday party next weekend at Pump It Up, so that should be a lot of fun, too.

Some of the highlights on birthday gifts were: books, Playmobil pirates and helicopter, Dino O'Dell CDs, Blokus, Froggie Checkers, Thomas Birthday trains, markers, paints, etc. I have to say I am really enjoying the Blokus, too!

It has been so exciting seeing them sit down to play games more and really be occupied with their gifts. Patrick says we need to buy more since they're playing so much together but on their own & peacefully & happily, ha, ha. I'll have to post some birthday pics soon.

Happy 5th Birthday, Leyton & Nathaniel!

Wow, hard to believe we've made it there. I was telling the boys on their birthday a little bit about how much they surprised us on that day 5 years ago. Things sure have changed since that morning, and definitely for the good! We have been so wondefully blessed.

These two boys are so much fun. It is so amazing seeing how much their thoughts are developing and how much reasoning they are capable of. Nathaniel continues to be our future engineer if we had to characterize. He is always finding solutions on how to fix things, new ways to do the same thing, EASIER ways to do something, etc. I'm sometimes amazed to hear his thoughts as they involve about a five or six step process and he skips right to the result he's arrived at. He is also very gentle hearted and kind. Interestingly, he's also very strong physically. I'm sometimes amazed (although, other times not impressed if it involves making a sibling miserable) when I see him exert his full strength. He could do some damage! He literally does open pickle jars or other jars if I need him to!

And my sweet Leyton. He is such a true big brother. He takes great care of his family, especially Leah, and always has sweet words for her especially when she wakes up. He plays very well with her and really does care for all the kids. He's a big helper and he's always thinking. He's becoming very good at adding, counting, writing, etc., and seems to really enjoy it.

I completely enjoy both of them. They are big helpers, they are curious, they are sweet, and I just couldn't imagine life without them. It's been a wonderful five years and now they're about 43 pounds...quite a change from 3lb 13oz (L) and 4lb 3 oz (N).

Dancing Girl

So one of my next to-do's on the list is to video tape Leah dancing. Tonight we (the kids & I) were all in the family room dancing away to Funky Mama and I just really enjoyed Leah's liveliness. She's really getting some moves! Bopping around, making facial expressions, and twirling in circles. Fun, fun times. Definitely need some footage. One of these days; I need to get the battery recharged from Christmas...good idea - no time like the present.

Jacob's Evening Wisdom

Tonight Patrick way laying by Jacob at bedtime and Jacob wanted one more drink of milk. Patrick agreed to get him a bit more and said he'd be right back. Jacob's reply, "God told me I should go with you." So, Jacob won a trip to the kitchen. Along the way, he told Patrick, "God is the only one who makes people. God makes Jacobs & Leahs."

Too cute.

A Few Christmas Pictures

Merry Christmas to All

What a wonderful Christmas this year! We celebrated many times and with many people and it was all very special. Our first gathering was the "cousin Christmas" at Scott & Tracy's on Sat., the 20th. Since we spent Christmas in Washington this year, we met up with most of the Robinson clan a bit early & let the kids enjoy time together and their exchange gifts. Everyone was there except Jeff & Charlene, who understandably couldn't make two trips from Iowa within just a few days. It was a lot of fun.

On Christmas Eve, we headed to Washington for Christmas at Grandma Donna & Grandpa Jerry's. We left a bit later than expected, so we met up at church around 3:45pm for 4:30pm mass. The kids did really well considering they got straight out of the car after the 3 1/2 hour trip and went right into a long mass. Then we headed to Grandma & Grandpa's for a Christmas Eve celebration with Grandma Rita and also Uncle Ben & Aunt Rachel. It was another special time.

Christmas day was pretty low key, just relaxing and we did visit with Grandma Mary that morning. The rest of the day we pretty much relaxed and had a nice lunch with us, Grandma & Grandpa, Grandma Rita, and Uncle Greg & Aunt Debbi. Too bad Grandma Donna wasn't feeling too well - she spent most of the day resting in bed. BUT, the food she made ahead of time was still very yummy.

The day after Christmas, Beth & Robert came to town so it was fun to visit with them as well. Another low key day overall. The weather was pretty good, though, so Patrick took the boys to the park for a few hours when Leah was napping (& I tried to sneak in a nap - sometimes when you have the chance, it's still kind of hard to get that done!). Lots of fun.

Saturday, we headed back to our house to see if Santa had stopped through. YEAH! The kids took a few minutes to notice the gifts under the tree, but once they saw them, it took a whole six minutes for the gifts to be unwrapped...then another SIXTY minutes to get all the toys out of the child-proof (& somewhat parent-proof) packaging! Overall I think the kids really enjoyed it.

They got plenty of nice things...
Leyton & Nathaniel, & Jacob - clothes, walkie talkies (they've wanted these forever), firetrucks, caterpillar backhoes, etc., Thomas train pieces, books, baseball gloves (cool ones that even light up!), puzzles, etc. (yes, all pretty similar gifts as they pretty much always want the same things).
Leah - clothes, dolls, puzzle, books, etc.

The weekend was topped off by a visit at home from Grandma Sally & Grandpa Dan. This was a great visit, too. Jacob got a toy motorcycle, Leyton & Nathaniel got an ambulance & helicopter, and some Jayhawk outfits for all. Leah got clothes and a Little People cute airplane.

Always fun to spend time with family for sure.