Michael

Kindergarten has been absolutely wonderful for Michael. He loves to go everyday and never complains. He doesn't seem to ever get in trouble at school and loves to follow the rules. In fact, his teacher says he is a bit of a policeman in the classroom (Really hope he isn't 'that kid') At home it's a different issue, he talks back, is agressive to his sister, and whines when he doesn't get his way. Almost as if he uses up all of his good behavior at school. Part of the problem is that it is hard hard to have him come home from school and need to punish him. Having to split attention with Finlei is also a problem for Michael. He loves her and likes to play with her, but doesn't like it so much when we give exclusive attention to her. Very tough balancing act.
Michael's first Christmas program is next tuesday, and we are very excited to see him perform. He has been practicing his songs for us, and is very good at memorizing his lines. We are so proud of him. He is growing up to be such a handsome smart boy. He really loves to learn. Especially about dinosaurs and other more contemporary animals. He remembers a lot, and likes to demonstrate his knowledge. He is getting better at asking questions about things he doesn't know. (He used to just say, "I know", even though he didn't.) Kindergarten has been amazing for his learning progress. Lessons that we used to work on for hours, he gets in minutes, and he is much more receptive to our teaching. More to come.

2 awesome ladies and a sweet little girl!!!

Finlei at the Beach!!!

Michael at the DC Zoo

I think this is a Sloth bear, Michael loved the Sloth Bear!!

Finlei

Finlei is now 9 months old. How the time does fly. She now has 7 teeth 4 on bottom and 3 on top. She is the worlds happiest baby. She is an absolute delight, her smile is contageous and beautiful. I never thought it would really matter wether I had a boy or a girl, and in the scheme of things I know it doesn't. But, my mom is my best friend (other than Jamie) and I can't help but hope that I am raising my best friend. Finlei is my sweet little girl and I cherish every hug and every kiss I get.......

Finlei

Finlei is watching her brother play outside with Lola our dog!!

Michael Reiff my wild man!!!!

So Happy!!!

I am feeling very happy today, Michael is off to school and doing awesome!!! He is the only kid in his class who hasn't had his name on the board, YAY!!!!!!!!! He has started spelling his full name Michael instead of Mike. He now has a few more best friends Aaron and Gabe he comes home describing his adventures to me. Most of them involve him killing bugs and making underground dirt tunnels, you know the usual. I often ask him what he had for lunch and he tells me to look at the calander, really you can't remember? Nope he never remembers, if you know Michael you no food is a very low priority to him. (I wish I had a little of that in me) But, my favorite part of the day is when I go and pick him up from school, he doesn't know I am there and I just get to watch him interact with the other kids for a bit. When he finally looks up and sees me his face lights up and you can tell he can hardly stay in his chair, he wants to run out to me. I feel very loved and needed at that moment.
Jamie and I have to be the proudest parents in the world two fun great kids who could ask for more!!!!

James and Michael before school

Michaels first day of school

Finlei milestones!!!!!!!!!!

I just thought I would update everyone on Finlei's new tricks. Fin is now crawling forward not just backward, she crawled backward for a few days. She loves to crawl and gets into everything, she has probably eatin some seriously nasty stuff. Her favorite things to get at are cords and outlets yikes!!!!!! Finlei has also learned to clap, any time you say patty cake she stops in her tracks, sits on her bum, gets a huge grin on her face, and begins clapping. So, so very cute. Finlei is a truly delightful little girl she is always happy and gives her smiles away freely. Well that is unless she thinks you might take her away from her parents, then you may get tears instead. She really likes to stick with Jamie and I, stranger anxiety is tough on the grandparents. Michael is even enjoying her he says frequently that he can't believe he is lucky he is to have a little sister and of course she adores him and all of his energy. They are both such a blessing to me!!!! I am a lucky mamma

Gas!!!!

This morning the kids and I were getting ready to leave Spokane for Missoula, and I informed Michael we needed to stop and get gas before we left and he said, "I gotta tell you mom I like the smell of gas, well not poopie gas, just the gas you put in the car." I thought the way he clarified what kind of gas was hilarious. Gotta love a 5 year old boy!!!!!

10 things I have learned this summer!!!

1. If your daughter wears a size 3 diaper, size 2 "won't do" someone is gettin messy.
2. If you put M&M's in a camp fire they don't melt. Seriously try it.
3." Deet free" means useless mosquito repelent.
4. 5 year olds think wiping is optional.
5. You can't convince a 5 year old that the howling coyotes are just angry dogs.
6. Spit up smells even worse in the heat.
7. Baby teeth come in no order. (Finlei has 6 teeth on the bottom none on top.)
8. Push lawn mowers are evil.
9. Putting a spinkler under a tramp is always fun no matter what the age.
10. The most important thing I have learned is that kids grow up to quickly, so I am cherishing every moment.

Great Pictures of Michael slip and sliding this summer

Finlei 4th of July

Mikes favorite things summer 09

Michaels 5 favorite things:
1: Going to places where he might find a snake!!!
2: Collecting bugs with Jamie and I
3: Finding spiders outside and having me spray them with Raid
4: Sleeping in bed with me while dad is gone.
5: Mini Snickers
I have to wonder if Finlei's list will look anything like this when she is 5?
O and he wanted me to add a 6th Shark Week on discovery channel. He loves Shark week.

My kids

Wow, what was I put on this earth for but to raise these two kids. Michael who looks and acts so much like his dad, and Finlei who is my little girl, she looks like me and acts like my dad. Michael is so smart like his dad he remebers amazing and crazy little facts and looks at me like he is thinking "really mom," but listens anyway, because I am his mom.
Finlei is easy to make smile and cry, she only likes her mom and dad. Grandparents have a chance if they try real hard and both sets do, still she prefers to snuggle into Jamie and I. Which we truly wouldn't change for anything in the world. Its crazy, Jamie is gone all week Monday through Friday and no matter what she still knows him. Finlei adores her dad, she truley adores him she is absolutely tickled to see him no hesitation what so ever, she does this full body smile when she sees him. Michael does the same thing, he really loves his dad. Jamie is so fun and adoring to both the kids. He really delights in all they do, they are beautiful and wonderful and he loves them. I now realize after living life, that being a kind, loving, and supportative dad is so important. I am truly thankful for my husband. My Cup runneth over....

I cried today

I came home today from working in Coeur d'Alene Idaho for the week. Michael said on the phone that he had a surprise for me. When I got home he gave me a huge hug and promptly told me he was running to get me my "special surprise!" About a minute later he ran back in to the house and, while giggling, proceeded to spray me with water from a new squirty fish he got at the store. Man I love my son!!!!

Finlei was sleeping when I got home so Michael and I were able to play in the yard for about an hour before she woke up. When I heard her cry out in her room I walked in to say hello and get her up. Her immediate response was a huge smile. I cannot believe what it does to me when she smiles. I feel like my soul fills to overflowing with joy.

She sings!!! As I walked around and held her she opened her mouth and sang aaahhhhh, over and over. As she did, she looked at me with her eyebrows held up as if to say, "what do you think?" It may be one of the cutest things I have ever seen. Logan told me that she does it more when she is being sung to or while dancing with one of us. Logan turned on some music and I danced with Finlei. She began to sing and smile. As I spun around in slow circles with my beautiful blue eyed daughter I saw in my mind a vision of dancing with her at her wedding. No man will ever be worthy of what she is to me. Tears flooding my eyes I spun circles with my daughter and she sang and we both smiled.

My two favorite Boys!!!!

Michael and Crew, Crew is holding the only fish they caught after 4 hours of fishing.
You gotta love the fake 5 year old smile. It looks so genuine!!!

Mike and Jamie went fishing together for probably the first time. It was mainly just Jamie throwing the line out and Mike crying when he reeled the line in and there wasn't a fish. They did this for about 4 hours. Needless to say their first fishing trip will probably be their last.

Michael and Crew playing on the beach, Michael was able to swim a ton in McCall and had a blast

The adults organized a big scavenger hunt for the kids. Michael loved looking for clues, and at the end the dug up a big treasure filled with 4th of July activities.

These are all the Nelson cousin's with the exception of Ty and I.

Finlei 4th of July weekend I think she just looks so pretty in this picture.
She was in a pack n play and all of her older cousins were looking down on her making her smile and giggle. She absolutely loved all of the attention!!!

Finlei and Daddy by the camp fire
Finlei loved to watch the flames

I love CA

Top 10 reasons I love Carolann:
10-She is always kind

9-She listens, I mean really listens

8-She gives great hugs

7- She is wise

6- She is humble

5- She completely delights in Spencer, Kate, Michael, Rachel, Anna, Abbigail, Finlei, and Maci (grandkids)

4-She loves big, just ask anyone who knows her.

3- She gives Jamie someone to argue with, and really seems to enjoy their little "discussions" ( I really appreciate the break CA)

2- She is beautiful inside and out

1- She is Michaels joy!! ( that one really makes me tear up out of happiness, but it is so true, he really does adore every minute he gets with you Oma.

CA,
thankyou for all that you do for my family and I. I truly believe God blessed us all with you. I am honored to call you one of my best friends.
Love You

My Sweet Kids

Goofy Boy!!!!

Mike and Fin swinging

Finlei swinging in the back yard

Today the kids and I spent most the day with Amy, Maddie, and Avery Sacry. Amy is truly one of my favorite people to spend time with, she is honest, sincere, and kind. Finlei and Avery are almost the exact same age and its so fun to watch them meet mile stones together. Maddie and Michael are exactly a year apart so we frequently have them share family birthday party's and they really get along well. Amy is easy to discuss the frustrating parts of parenting, without judgement which is so nice. I admire for lots of things she is passionate about her kids, her husband, and her job. I am so thankful for her friendship.
This weekend we are all going camping Scott, Amy, their kids and her parents, and James and I our kids and Carolann and Terry and Kate. It should be lots of fun.

MMMMMMMM............... I love this little girl so much!!!
Finlei Josephine Reiff 6 months old