Mile 1

Last week, Alison asked me, "Did you know you wanted to be a runner when you grew up?".  It kinda took me by surprise that she thinks of me as a runner.  She then asked if she could run in the Hog Jog this year and train with me and daddy.  Ben took her out for her first run this weekend.  I thought we'd start with around the block, but he made her run a full mile! She did great and actually ran pretty fast and made it the entire time!  I was so very proud of her!

First Music Video

We have small group at our house a couple times a month.  This past week, Megan choreographed and made this music video with Alison and Bailey while group was going on downstairs.  I am beyond impressed with her skills and I know it made 2 little girls feel very special.

Finally Gone!

Alison finally lost her front tooth!  It's been hanging on by a thread for weeks and we have been praying (literally) that it would come out soon.  My mom and I even tried to pull it in her sleep!  Monday we were at the pool, having a snack when she jumped up and said, "My tooth fell out!".  She was beaming the rest of the day and I am so thankful that snaggle tooth is finally out.

1st week of summer

 Alison very creatively, decided to make up her own tradition for the first week of summer.  Every day would have a theme and she even got some her friends involved.
Monday was crazy day.


Tuesday was fashion day.  I don't know how I didn't get a picture this day, but she wore a fancy dress and feather boa in her hair.

Wednesday was sports day.  Natalee and Lydia came over and they spent hours outside playing.

Thursday was Princess day and she wore a tiara everywhere.

Friday was Hawaiian day and we went to Tropical Smoothies for free drinks!

My mom is here this week and we've gone to the pool several times.  All the kids have been doing awesome and really improved.

This particular day, no one was at the pool.  I have no idea why, but we enjoyed the extra space.  Colin was content to play in the sprinklers and Alison and Eliot got the slide all to themselves.  

Last, but not least, we picked our first tomato!  Alison ate the whole thing by herself!

Happy Farthers Day

Becoming a daddy.

Alison Louise

 So, let's be honest.  It wasn't easy.  Alison's birth wasn't pretty and she came with a slew of hurdles.  Plus, this daddy had to deal with a new momma who wasn't handling being a new momma very well.  But Ben was strong and supportive as we ventured into this parenting world together.

I realized this Father's Day that most Father's Day sentiments are really self centered.  I could write a page about how amazing Ben is, because he is, but you would only be thinking "Wow, Jen is so sweet" instead of thinking "Wow, Ben really is a great dad".  I thought a lot about how to make this edifying to Ben and not to me and the only thing I can think of is to state the facts about Ben as a dad.

Eliot James

1.  He is gracious and patient and calm when parenting the kids.
2. He always gave our babies baths.
3.  He sings to them every single day.  Whether it's a made-up goofy song, or hymn, or goodnight lullybye, there is always music coming from him.
4. He cannot handle the kids playing in the music room or on the stairs or sitting on counters or standing on chairs.
5.  He takes time to teach them and explain things that are complex.
6.  He literally growls at them if they wake him up in the morning, but quickly scoops them into bed to snuggle.
7.  He stretches our kids, but never tries to make them someone they are not.
8.  He can fix any misbehavior with one simple word in "the daddy voice"
9.  He cannot even look at one of our kids covered in food after a messy meal.  It's okay, he wipes all of their snotty noses for me, so it's even.
10.  He plays Angry Birds with Eliot.  May seem silly, but it means the world to that little boy.

Colin William

Years ago, when I pictured our family, I never really thought about what kind of dad I wanted for my kids.  Husband?  Sure, I had a long checklist.  But never thought about qualities in raising children.  There is one more fact about Ben Shear that I learn early on; he is way more than I could have ever put on any list.  God knew what I needed and the dad that our kids needed and he blessed us with Ben.

Alison's Dance Recital

I got to spend the day getting my girl ready for her dance recital!

 

 

 

 

 

She felt so special being able to wear makeup

I felt in over my head, as I was completely new to this world and was thankful for other moms there to help us through the day. 

She did awesome and I was so impressed with her all day.  She loved watching all of the other dancers and hanging out with her friends.  She seemed on top of the world and I was in awe of how much she's grown.  Just a few short years ago she was in tears when it came time to show her routine (i.e. the notorious lollipop dance fiasco), but now she was soaking up the spotlight.

Gymnastics outfit

Ballet outfit

Here's video of her routines during rehearsal.  She's in the back row, on the right.

Happy Birthday Colin!!!

Colin's birthday and Alison's dance recital were the same day!  Ben was supposed to be gone too, but won mega points when he changed his trip so he could be here to help me.  It seriously was a huge deal to me that he was here and I thought countless times "I'm so glad he's here".  I saw it as a huge blessing that Ben and Colin got most of the day together while I was with Alison at her rehearsal.  Alison and I were home for a couple of hours in the afternoon...just enough time to eat, shower and have a party!

Eliot picked out tie-dyed cupcakes and Alison helped make them.  I love that you can see Colin playing in the background with earmuffs on :)

 By the way, Eliot was SO excited for Colin's birthday...I think he's starting to appreciate having a younger brother.  

I took a million pictures and I loved most of them, so enjoy the birthday show:

of course Eli is in his winter pjs...it's only fitting

He got a Cars watch and glo in the dark ball

This picture is just hilarious.  Ben opened the bag of the Thomas tent and it went flying across the room, barely missing Colin's head.  So if you buy a Thomas tent, watch out...they explode.

His eyes were full of wonder through the whole party, just soaking everything in.  Periodically, he would say, "Oh, cool!"

 

The one bit Colin ate.  Boy am I glad I didn't make a giant cake.

Listening to us sing 'Happy Birthday'

 

blue icing was fun, but messy!

"hmm, how can I make this higher?"

 

 

I can't believe he's 2!

Happy Birthday my Lil' Stinker!  We love you!

 

Goodbye 1st Grade

Alison at her table...back yellow

Yesterday Alison's class had an end of year ice cream party.  Before the party, Mrs. Lyons gave each student an award.  She was very creative and gave them each a box of candy and an encouraging award to go with it.  Alison got the Spree Award for always finishing her work on time and helping to keep others on track.

The party was great and I was thankful I hired a sitter to watch the boys while I went...helping 26 kids make sundaes was crazy and messy.

Today, was the last day of school and they celebrated summer birthdays.  I super appreciated that her teacher did this for Alison and it was a very big deal to her.  The boys and I took her lunch and treats to share with her class.   

1st grade has been great.  Really, truly, great and I know we were spoiled.  She never had homework or projects and never "clipped down" (they have a behavior chart and she never misbehaved).  I loved her teacher; she was an awesome combination of cheerful/loving and strict/in control).  I always felt like Alison was in good hands and she thrived in school.  Yesterday, she was 1 of 3 kids in her class to get a ribbon for their reading program.  She was a goal boaster every 9 weeks and is reading on a 4th grade level.  I wish I could tell you exactly what the ribbon and goal buster mean, but I can't.  All I know is that she passed a lot of reading tests and scored high.

She brought home her journal from school.  Every Monday they wrote about their weekend.  This journal will be kept forever because every page cracked me up.  I love her observations about our everyday life...I'm trying to convince her to keep doing this through the summer.

 "I remember last year on Thanksgiving I played chess with my dad and uncle but I never win."

Yes, this is Ben Shear's daughter...no doubt.

"On my break I had a pretend Christmas, because my grandparents won't be here on Christmas except my Poppy.

She wrote one about going to the zoo with our friends and noted that I took lunch with us instead of buying it there.  It just cracked me up that stuck out to her so much...aren't picnic lunches supposed to be fun?

I've heard 2nd grade is a kick in the behind, so I'm going to enjoy our relaxing summer.

3rd times the charm

 Colin is certainly much different than Alison and Eliot and quite the charmer.

He loves accessories and will often wear gloves or hats or bracelets.  This week, he wore his sunglasses upside down all morning while we ran errands.

I love his uniqueness and his adventure.  This week he also did something that Alison and Eliot still don't do...he floated all by himself.  Neither 2 have used this floaty as it is intended, but Colin just kicked up his legs and watched the kids play.  Hopefully by the end of the summer he'll actually be moving his arms and legs to get around :)