The "Skunk Tattoo" Chipmunk....

Well, here he is....it's the best I could do seeing as chipmunks are faster than a speeding bullet. This little guy zips across our deck a billion times a day. One morning we were sitting by this window playing a game and the chipmunk flew up to the window, stood up on his hind legs and stared at us. The boys were fascinated and they are now convinced that this chipmunk likes us! I'm sure he really does now because we looked up what chipmunks like to eat (I told Jack what I knew, but he wanted proof...really he just LOVES to look up stuff about animals with me) and we threw some sliced almonds onto the deck for him to eat. Later that night while watching tv I saw something on the deck out of the corner of my eye...looked up and this HUGE black cat was chowing down on some almonds!! Never seen him before and luckily he didn't like them enough to continue his feast. The next day the chipmunk finally appeared, filled his cheeks, and looked grateful! :^)

Comparisons.....

JACK'S HAND IN 2008



JACK'S HAND IN 2002

THATCHER 2004

THATCHER 2008

They are growing up so fast and I can't do anything to stop it....Jack was touching a bug in both pictures. After I took the one of his round hand with the ladybug, he smooshed it and told me that when he did, "mustard came out of it!" I can't believe how completely round Thatcher was from top to bottom....I always thought it was SO hard when they were babies, but I think it just gets harder in different ways....I feel like there is so much for me to teach them and "train them up" and so little time. It's harder to pull the wool over their eyes anymore. Now it comes with explanation! It's SOOOO hard to let go....every time I do, it leaves a space for worry to nest....I'm so glad God loves them more than I ever could and has got them covered!!
When I was in the hospital having Margaret, all of the nurses would ask "Is this your first baby?" I'd say "No, this is the 3rd...and last ";0) Then so many of them would follow with "Well, then you've got this down! You're an old pro now!" I thought....yeah, right...I'd ONLY consider myself an "old pro" if I was giving birth to the EXACT SAME child for the 3rd time!! It's starting over EVERY time because you have a brand new unique being! It's sad to look at these pictures and realize how time is flying, but it's a good reminder to make the most of the time I have now! I don't always do that, but I want to...;^)

The Brick Master....

I thought I was the most creative person in this house until Jack....his LEGO creations are much better than mine....he often gives me suggestions when I'm building with him! He took these pictures of just a few of his models that he designed so he could remember how he made them in case he needed to take them apart and rebuild them later. I let him take these pictures so I would have them to remind him one day of just how creative and unique he is! However, his creativity failed this week when he broke a huge branch out of the tree he climbs in our front yard. He was afraid he might get in trouble so he ran for a quick fix....scotch tape....needless to say the branch was picked up with our yard waste today with several feet of tape wrapped around it! ;^)