Jonathan Paul Mack...

" I am SIX today! And this is my best furry friend: Murray!"

(Photo taken @ Cleveland Botanical Gardens - Hershey Childrens Garden)

Jonathan's birthday wishes:

1. Go to Put In Bay

2. Go to Cedar Point...FINALLY!

3. See my favorite friends: Avery & Maxine!

Brotherly Love...

Usually this term is reserved for my tongue-in-cheek description of a brewing war over a toy. But one summer morning, I saw The Real Thing. Granted Daniel and Tommy (and Daniel's bestest furry friend Toby) were sleeping and had no idea that they were loving and cuddling and melting their mother's heart. So...the phrase "Take a picture, it will last longer!" came to mind and I frantically ran to find my digital to capture this precious and fleeting moment of Brotherly Love. Soon after they awoke...and...you can guess the rest of the story...!

School's Out!

Daniel & Mrs. Glinka on The LAST Day!

She is a wonderful teacher with a passion for special kiddos! We are grateful for a great year!
Miracles happen...we ALL made it on time to Daniel's

First Grade Portfolio Day at 7:30 AM! We ALL had wet hair...but we were there!
Jonathan's Montessori Graduation Day

This school has been the perfect fit for our tender, quiet and curious little guy.

Jonathan had enthusiastic and artistic Miss Sara for 2 years.

Jonathan with his Extended Day teacher Mrs. Johnson -- a native of Germany...and fellow boater! We visted her a week ago at her dock at Bay Point.

Jonathan & his good friend Avery at the school picnic.

For Philsy...Make that Dr. Philsy!

Could not resist, Papa!

February Update...Quickie Version!

OK...I started this "scrapbook" on Tommy's 2nd birthday -- July 26, 2008. We have just passed the 6-month mark and I am already falling behind. I have failed to document some really neat happenings -- especially around the holiday season. It almost seemed overwhelming at the time. BUT...I am NOT out of the game! A few more cliches come to mind...Better late than never...Something is better than nothing...Both so true when it comes to documenting my guys and their silly selves. So here is a quick update...a snapshot of our mid-winter life...and I promise to backtrack and get those other stories in here!

Sooner than later! Better late than never! Down but not out!

How about...I am Not a Lost Cause...YET!

So...here we go...

Daniel...Reading so much...telling time...getting the hang of $...loving our new rec center swim pass...enjoying more time with friends from school...still interested in boats...but planets have entered the scene...getting so tall...so good for Mrs. Glinka...goes to an adventure club (social skills) called Game On on Tuesday afternoons...participating in Cub Scout outings (bowling last week)...still an extremely picky eater...but started eating strawberries!!!...learning to downhill ski with Dad at Snow Trails! Telluride...here we come!

Playdate with friend Josh

Snow Trails with Daddy (yes, a Boarder!)

Bay Lanes (vintage!) with Cub Scouts

Jonathan...Still as sweet as ever...but no denying that slightly devilish passive-aggressive push-my-brothers'-buttons-when-my-mom-isn't-looking side (stuck in the middle...cannot totally blame the guy!)...learning lots about numbers and reading and animals at Montessori...loves his teachers Miss Sara and Mrs. Johnson (from Germany and a boater!)...pretend plays with Tommy (usually in closets...major mess)...gives me occassional parenting advice ("Mom, I think you should just ignore Daniel when he does that.") as well as occassional puppy training advice ("Mom, Annie is just a puppy -- she doesn't know better." -- as she chews the 5th leather shoe - and never a pair!)...loves to eat snow but still learning about where to safely dine...very interested in planets and geography/maps -- two big Christmas gifts...loves to find Oakland, CA on the map and think of Aunt Lisa (we need to field trip there!!)...enjoys the rec center pool but is longing for the day he hits the 48" mark so he go down the slides and lily pads with his tall brother (he makes me measure him every time we go...just in case he has grown that one inch overnight!?!)...is eating A LOT (like 2 dogs as an afterschool snack!)...simply a joy!

Duty calls - will finish post later - but am publishing any way!!!

To Be Continued...

MeMe Monday...

After-school treat at famous Mitchell's Ice Cream with MeMe!

Lucky Us! MeMe flew to Florida to be with her sisters this Tuesday...so we got to see her Monday afternoon and then deliver her to the airport . What a treat! While here MeMe got a glimpse into Daniel's first grade classroom. We were in charge of helping each student make a paper snowflake. Daniel did not know she was coming with me -- his surprised face was priceless! We then picked up Jonathan and Tommy from Montessori -- it was Tommy's first day in the new toddler class. He seems at home already with Mrs. Donegan and Miss Barnes -- except for a minor screaming session upon my departure.
Jonathan is also continuing to do well in his class. Miss Sara reported in an email just today that he is "really blossoming":

"Jonathan has really been making strides, and we can see such a difference in him...He is so much more verbal, and willingly verbal- it was so cute at sharing time, because when he was explaining who everyone was in your family photo, it went something like "This is me, and this is my big brother Daniel, and this is my little brother Tommy, who now goes here to our school...." it was so cute! This little mini-adult sort of speech!"

Back at home, MeMe also got a glimpse into what life is like with three boys 7 and under couped up in a not-so-big house in the heart of a frigid Ohio winter. (It is negative 12 as I write this!) Bouncing off of the walls is NOT an overstatement! Growing up in a three-girl sorority house is a different planet from our three-boy fraternity house! Loud, busy, high energy. Always. Oh - and throw in a 6-month old at-times hyper pup named Annie - who I dubbed this week our "Toddler In Fur"! When I told Mom that I was considering joining a local indoor rec center as an outlet for this "electricity", she fully endorsed the idea. I think her head is still spinning!
.