Leaf Jumping Extravaganza

The last few weeks have been quite a whirlwind with Caedmon's birthday and Christmas, but I'm finally getting around to getting some pre-Christmas photos and stories shared. Building up to our celebrations have been fun with the boys, and Caedmon had a lot of fun activities at school to talk about. The day of their Christmas party, they all decorated little gingerbread houses to bring home, and he was so proud of his! Although it was a struggle to keep him from "looking at" (eating) all the gumdrops before supper, we had fun admiring it, then helping him eat it.

Although we see Isaac quickly learning how to be a big boy like his brother there is so much about him that is still baby, and I cherish this time when I get the chance by taking opportunities to rock him to sleep, snuggling him, and putting sweet little outfits on him that he probably won't tolerate much longer. That why, when I found this little doggie hat, I was so excited and put it on him as soon as we had weather cool enough to justify it! I don't think he was quite as delighted as me but didn't really seem to mind too much!

The weekend before Christmas we knew was the last opportunity for us to get our leaves under control for a while, so we prepared for our "Leaf Jumping Extravaganza." Daniel mowed in all but one section of the yard and left that to make a huge pile for the boys. Caedmon seemed to know what leaf jumping was all about - we did it last year and perhaps he remembered, or maybe it just comes naturally - and Isaac definitely had fun but was more interested in grabbing big armloads and dumping them on the mower. It was a great time!

Jumping from the ground is exciting, but it obviously must be more exciting to get tossed into the leaves from up high! Caedmon pleaded to go higher and higher, and Daniel (bruised ribs and all!) graciously accommodated him!

Isaac thought jumping with Dada's assistance was pretty great, too! What a thrill!

We tried to get a shot of Isaac's expression from his level...unfortunately the camera focused on the background but his expression is still discernible, and we thought pretty precious. After watching his brother's belly flops and leaps, Isaac finally took a break from hauling the leaves around to dive in by himself!

Our brave photographer was about to "get it!"

We've been amused and amazed by the other things our little boys are doing lately. Isaac has stopped saying "yeah" and now says "yes" to answer our questions affirmatively...actually, it sounds more like "yas" but it's pretty cute! Caedmon continues to work on his vocabulary with him and has begun breaking words down into syllables - "Isaac, can you say 'balloon?' Ba-loon." Our favorite is when he gets miffed for the way Isaac pronounces his name, which right now sounds like "A-mee." Caedmon says, "No Isaac, not A-MEE. It's 'Cay-men!'" We are working with Caedmon to learn to say "May I" instead of "I want!" and are just starting to see hints of it catching on.

Amid all the fun, it's a challenging time of growth and increased independence which requires much shepherding and guidance, and we're praying daily - hourly? - for wisdom and grace, yet also are constantly reminded of God's grace with us and the great love He shows in allowing us the privilege of having a front-row seat to the lives unfolding before us. I, especially, am humbled by the opportunity to be home and the constant caregiver for these boys, and too see all the little bits of their personalities, the light in their eyes and the twinkles of mischief, to hear their giggles and sprouting conversations, and to feel their sweet little hands in mine, their hugs and snuggles in my lap. I frequently think of Mary, who with all the miraculous events surrounding Jesus' birth, "treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart." Now I have a better understanding of what that means! It is such a precious time, every life a miracle in itself, and as much as we look forward to who these boys will become, we cherish all these little moments and events that God has graciously allowed us to share!

Caedmon is THREE!

How did this happen? How did our little firstborn baby get to be such a grown up little boy? In the weeks preceding his birthday, as we celebrated a number of family birthdays, he regularly reminded me that for his party, he wanted "diggers" on his cake. Sometimes he specifically mentioned a crane or excavator, but he never strayed far from his favorite theme. So...we now have another "construction" themed party under our belts, and he loved it! It took a lot of effort to keep him from nabbing the toys right off the top of the cake before the party, though!

To go along with the construction theme (or perhaps it should be demolition - this is what the boys actually seem to prefer at this point!) Daniel was a good sport and wrapped a bunch of big boxes in butcher paper for me to become large "bricks" for the kids to stack...and of course, knock down!

We paused for a quick family shot before singing and digging into the cake...

Caedmon had a little help blowing out his candle. When it came down to actually eating the cake, he didn't really do a lot of damage, as he had finally claimed the little toys that had been decorating it all morning.

Isaac seemed to enjoy the party, too, and all the little construction toys. He's become quite a fan of the big machines himself, frequently pointing them out and exclaiming "Di!" when we're driving.

We had a good sized gathering of family to celebrate (a week early) and so enjoyed their fellowship and continued gifts of love and care for our boys!