We're still kickin'!

I guess I have established a new standard for "not so periodic" updates.  Gosh, has it really been that long?  Let's not figure out how long it as been...I'm just not going to go there.

So what has the Shibata Household been up to since we've last surfaced?  There were end of the summer outings with the kids and a vacation with friends.  There were weekend trips to see family and a wedding.  Birthdays were celebrated, sometimes multiple times.  Of course there was school and all that goes along with it, the first day back, class field trips and celebrations, picture day, lunch duties, school programs, and even homework.  There has been volleyball in the forms of serving as camp director, volunteering at various practices and even a good bit of playing for fun (yay!).  There has been work and the expected challenges and stresses that go along with it.  There has been grad school and late night study sessions.  There were the little holidays that included costumes and candy and BIG holidays, also celebrated multiple times.  And in the midst of all that, our lives are filled with everyday blessings, so many of which we have to remind ourselves to enjoy.  The kids have been growing and changing, providing us with frustrations, utter joys, and many opportunities to grow.  We. are. blessed.

Marie is almost halfway through her 1st grade year.  She is thriving.  It is not uncommon for her to come home from school and "play school".  She claims her favorite subject is math.  Don't get me wrong, she is good at math and is quick to pick up the concepts.  But she is very good at reading and reads well beyond her grade level.  According to her teacher, she gets along with everyone and has been known to say that she has 23 friends at school (there are 24 in her class).  She has always been mom's helper, but she is really turning into a big help around the house.  She is a good playmate for her younger brothers, as long as she doesn't try to boss them around too much.  Marie tried ballet for the first time last fall and LOVES it.  This was a completely new arena for us, definitely embarking into the unknown.  She took to it right away, and to the untrained eye, you can't tell that she is the only one of her classmates that hasn't been dancing for two years.  Marie seems to have a natural grace that she most definitely did not get from her mom.

Joey is just recently four years old!  He had been looking forward to this age for quite some time and had developed quite the list of Thomas the train characters and accessories to have a response if anyone were to ask him what he wanted for his birthday or for Christmas.  He has such a good heart and is generous beyond his years...at times of course.  For example, he didn't think twice when a certain uncle jokingly asked for his last bite of Christmas cookie.  Joey loves "screen time", whether it be TV or on the computer.  We almost always limit "screen time" to educational games and shows.  (Note:  "We" does NOT include Grandpa.)  As a result, Joey has started sounding out letters and picking out an occasional word.  He also frequently shares random science facts that he learns from Sid (the Science Kid).  He recently informed Jon that it was actually friction that slowed him down as he was sliding across our hallway in his socks.  Speaking of sliding, it is such a relief that we finally have snow.  Finally, you might ask?  Yes, finally.  He has only been asking about sledding since June.  Joey has a wonderful smile and sense of humor and makes us smile even when he's not trying.  He has got to be the slowest kid at getting dressed and one morning I asked, "Joey.  Why do you still not have your clothes on?"  His response: "Well there was dirt in my belly button!"

Stevie is our two-year-old that is not quite two.  That is he acts like and gives us as much grief as a two-year-old.  Yet Jon (rightly) contends that he makes me laugh more than the others did, particularly at things he should not be doing.  Stevie has been trying to keep up with Marie and Joey from birth it seems.  Anything they have or are doing, he wants to have and be doing.  He climbs and runs, stays up late and takes or "ruins" Joey's toys.  His laugh is contagious and he is a ham.  He is starting to talk more and is finding it less frustrating that we don't know what he wants or is saying.  He loves hockey, watching or playing it.  He is Grandpa's boy, constantly talking about Grandpa's tractor even though Stevie wouldn't ride in it during our last visit.  He is fascinated with tunnels, for cars or trains and ones that he imagines like under tables, chairs, blankets, or a plethora of other things.  We sometimes call him, "the destroyer" which goes along with the fact that he has a particular love for hammers.  And boy, you should see his face if you even mention the word "cookie".

And as for Jon and me, we are still at our same jobs and still for the most part enjoy them.  We are thankful to have them for sure, and I am especially thankful that I can maintain working part-time so that I can be at home with my kids and see them as they grow.  Jon is still working toward his graduate degree, but (I think) the end is in sight.  I have really enjoyed being able to play more volleyball than I have in years (pregnancies will do that I guess).  Big thanks to Jon for handling the kids while I'm off getting exercise and having fun.  We all continue to be blessed with good health, good friends, and wonderful family.  If we could ask for one thing, it would perhaps be time, but then I'm sure we would fill it up with more of this thing called life.  So I guess when it comes down to it, we wouldn't change a thing.