Together Again

After what has been a very long year, Jonathan has arrived back at last! Despite a few days' delay because of airline trouble (something that plagues Jonathan everywhere he goes, and Kuwait appears to be no exception), we have now been reunited.

Michael, Jax, and I emptied the car to make room for a year's worth of luggage, and then navigated the airport with an umbrella stroller and jump-rope (to keep Michael close - he was instructed to hold on at all times). We arrived a bit early, but the kids were really good as we waited the last few minutes.

When Jonathan came around the corner we were all so excited! Jax was immediately interested in dad and couldn't wait to get out of her stroller to see him. Michael was a little more reserved, but Jonathan won his heart while waiting in the "lost baggage" claim area (did I tell you that Jonathan has airline trouble wherever he goes?). We are all so happy to be together again.

All About Eggs

We had our friends over for Easter dinner and dyed eggs with the kids. To reduce spills and stains, Michael had one side of the table all to himself and Tyler had the other - and we covered the table with foil and newspaper, hovered over them to aid their every move, and strapped them into booster chairs too! Despite all these precautions, both kids seemed to enjoy the activity, and Michael even escaped with a few dyed fingers...

I am tempted to say that Michael's favorite part of the Easter Egg Hunt was tipping the traffic cones and running to the furthest extremes of the park with Tyler, but he does seem to be enjoying himself in the picture. Maybe the egg hunt ranks a distant third...

Lost in Translation

After a few days' build-up about the importance of Easter, on Easter morning I wanted to read the kids our little board-book about the resurrection.

After finishing the book I turned to Michael and summed everything up by saying, "Jesus came alive again on Easter morning. That is why Easter is so special." Then I asked him the all-important question, "So Michael, why is Easter so special?"

"Because the Easter bunny comes!" Well, hmm, not exactly what I was going for...

Jax is a Princess

After we finished with all the morning activities, the kids put the chocolate away, washed up, and got dressed in their church clothes. When Michael saw Jacqueline's new dress he exclaimed, "Jax is a princess!" and asked excitedly, "Is Jax a princess, mama?"

Jax seems to have caught on to her new royal status, as she has now begun to point (in a very haughty manner indeed) at items that she wants brought to her. She doesn't even ask for water anymore, knowing that a well-aimed point of her finger will bring it immediately.

First Word Watch

I was taken completely by surprise when I realized that Jax is talking! Michael didn't say much until he was about fifteen months old, when he began to say dada, which meant any parent, along with two words that summed up his interest in the pursuit of action and movement: "Uh-oh," and "Whoa!"

Jacqueline's first words are: "Mama" (Jax may be the only child who calls my name before dad's, so hooray!), "Mai, Mai" for Michael, and "Wawa" for water. Although my name came first, Michael's gets called with the highest frequency...

Jax tries to say much more, most of which cannot be understood by anyone - except Michael, that is, who cracks me up when he translates for her: "Mama, we guys want more Cheerios," and "Jax is not tired - no! He wants to play toys!"

I've seen that smile somewhere before: Just look at the way Michael and Jax laugh - so much alike! After church on Sunday the kids started playing a game where Michael would roll around on the floor while Jax tried to crawl over him. They were laughing so hard and having such a good time. And, with careful help from mom, there were no injuries!

Let the Games Begin!

My two kids are old enough to play together - Michael is so happy to have a playmate who can equal his energy (sadly, I lag far behind on this one), and Jax loves to join in and laugh at his activities. Almost every day Michael comes running to inform me that he and Jax are playing a new game. Here are some of my favorite pictures of them together.




I also want to note that Jax started giving kisses this week! Through much trial and error she has learned the difference between biting and kissing, and is charming us all with her love and affection.

Heaven on Earth

A Child's Prayer

We recently had lasagna for the first time that Michael can remember. He took one look at it and decided he hated lasagna. Here is his dinner prayer:

"Heavenly Father, thank you for my mom, I don't like lasagna, and thank you my Jax. Thank you my dad. Thank you my grandma and grandpa. Thank you my books and my drink and my stickers and my bear. Thank you for the lasagna, I don't like lasagna..."

Whispered prompt from me: "Please help me to like lasagna."

"I don't like it!" After a pause, "Please help me to like lasagna. Thank you keeping dad safe. Bless us have fun in nursery..."

By the end of dinner he'd eaten everything - including the lasagna - but his salad. Maybe next time we should include a request that he start liking spinach?


Keeping Up Appearances

This Sunday we got to church a little later than usual and the parking lot was totally full so we had to park a ways down the street. My hands were filled with things to keep the kids quiet during meetings when I discovered a beer can right next to the car door. I didn't want Michael to play with it, thought it was empty, and tried to nudge it under the car before he saw it. I discovered the bottle was full only as it emptied itself into my shoe.

When we got to church Michael needed to use the bathroom. Once there he quickly locked the stall, took off his pants, and dropped them to soak in a nasty little puddle at the base of the toilet.

Ah, nothing quite like hearing the word of the Lord with the family reeking of liquor and bathroom puddles!