Joel

 Joel is a very logical thinker.  We had some pots and pans out and the kids were drumming.  He looked at the bottom of the pan and said "I can tell how old this pan is."  "How do you know?" we say.  He said, "I counted the rings."  Then we figured out he was counting the rings like you would a tree.  Smart kid.

 

Joel played basketball again this year and this is a picture of him from his tournament.  They don't keep score, which is good.  It's a good way to get experience playing other teams.  Joel loves to play sports and is going to try soccer this year.  We have to hope for a good spring.  I've always boycotted soccer here in Canada because it's always too cold and snowy for much of the season.  I wish they would do it in the fall when the weather is nice. 

Random happenings

Macy is helping me make Shrimp Scampi, a new favorite recipe.  We love it and it's so quick and easy.

Brynn and Joel had a lot of fun this day making forts out of our abundant supply of wood and the little bit of snow to help it stay up.  Since this picture, we got a couple of feet of snow, most of which has now melted again. 

 

A Sunday afternoon.  I'm pretty sure Stan is napping.  Joel's trying to help Spencer be happy while he is on his tummy.   

Spencer at 6 months

 

 

 

Spencer sure is growing.  He is sitting up really well and has been for most of the last month.  He is happiest when being held and walked around, particularly by Mom.  He does really well too if the kids take him away and play with him, where he can't see me.  He still has to be completely wrapped tight in order to sleep.  He's so strong now that we have to wrap him twice, once with a thin blanket and then again with a stretchy knit blanket so we can wrap him tight, so his arms don't escape.  It seems extreme but he sleeps pretty well.  Right after the last month's post about him sleeping through the night, he stopped.  I never know if I'm creating a habit or if he really has a need.  He goes to bed at 7 or so.  He is now sleeping through the night again.  He usually has 2 really good naps a day and sometimes a 3rd.  I'm grateful for that, as those are the times when I can get something done.  He really likes to be outside and in areas where there are lots of people to look at.  We are grateful that he is healthy and strong.