Olive loves wearing these headphones. She was screaming for fun with them on like she knew she could and protect her ears.
I glanced over at Jack and saw how he had his straw positioned in his tooth holes and I laughed so hard! A perfect fit 😂
Lunchtime shenanigans.
I asked Jack if he could get me a new packages of wipes from his closet for Olive. It was taking him a bit longer than I was anticipating so I asked if he needed help. He answered back that he got it, he just had to open a new box of them. I walked in later and saw this. It made me laugh so hard because there is no problem that boy cannot solve. He does not give up when it gets hard, he will just rip and pry and pull harder at whatever he needs to in order to get what he wants.
Sweet snuggles.
Earlier this week, Olive sat under the blanket with me and Luca while we read together (and she was in aw of being under a blanket). After Jack’s reading lesson was over on this day, he asked if I wanted him to go get Luca (we typically do Jack's reading lesson first, then Luca's). The next thing I know Olive was carrying a blanket over to me with one of her own books in her hand! I couldn’t believe it! She remembered! She heard it was Luca’s turn for reading and got the blanket to do it again (I didn’t even call for Luca, Luca wasn’t even sitting beside me yet). This time with her own reading material. She’s so smart and picks up on every little thing. I don’t know if that’s a girl thing (the boys didn’t pick up on things like she does, they were always too busy doing their own thing) or an Olive thing, but it blows me away.
Luca worked so hard on Jack's birthday all week. He made gifts, took from what he had to give things to Jack that he knew Jack would like. He even repackaged toys into packaging he had saved from other toys. He made all of the decorations and the cake toppers. He spent hours all week, ensuring that Jack would have a great day- full of all the things he would love. 90% of this, Luca made. As I saw it all laid out to wrap (which, Luca, mister organization, did), I couldn't help but think about how this is exactly how generosity works. You give from what you have. You don't wait until you have more in order to give. Look at what you are holding, look what is around you and think about how you can bless and bring joy to others.
He also stayed up late with me, after football, to decorate. He is the most creative! He had the best ideas and I didn't actually do much because he had it all covered and did it better than I could have. I'm so glad we have him.
He thought of everything, every light switch had a piece of decor above it.
We made a jungle scene for him to play "The Jungle Book" on and Luca gifted him a toy tiger, one that Jack had been asking him for so he could play.
Friday, September 15
Happy 7th birthday Jack!!
Poor Jack woke with a sore throat and runny nose. But, in true Jack fashion he had the best attitude, didn’t whine or complain once about being sick on his birthday, and enjoyed his day. All he wanted for the day was to stay home all day. For his two previous birthdays we were in Nashville, and he missed being home and doing all of our birthday traditions. So his being sick didn’t interfere too much with our plans, just stinky timing. He couldn’t fully enjoy birthday treats or his meal of choice because he didn’t really have an appetite. He still didn’t say one negative thing or complain! (I have so much to learn from Jack.)
We started the day with his requested donut cake.
The only places we went were to the gym and to pick up his cake. We didn’t have school; we declared 9/15 a holiday at Good & Glory Academy. Jack asked for a pajama day too, which he loved getting to do (and Luca did too!).
Our friend (and the coach for the class on Friday) had everyone take a birthday picture with Jack which I thought was the sweetest!
It was like Olive knew he didn’t feel well, she kept going over and just standing by him like this. Sweet little momma.
My parents facetimed and sang and I just think they’re the cutest/best so I took a FaceTime picture.
After Olive’s afternoon nap, she refused to leave Lee. He had 15 minutes or so of work left but when she cried as he handed her back to me- he took her immediately back and just held onto her until 5. He melts at her sad face. #bigsoftie
Sweet boy waited all day to open his gifts so Lee could watch him. He waited so patiently!
Something Luca made, which I thought was so clever.
I love sibling excitement on birthdays.
Another gift made by Luca- a coin taped on and a homemade keychain.
Repackaged toy.
Goodness I could eat him right up!
Some of his favorite new Pokémon cards.
Jack is the sweetest boy I have ever met. When I asked him all week what he was most looking forward to for his birthday he’d say, “a happy family.” He loves people so well. He sees a need and will do whatever it takes to meet it, often without being asked. He is kind and gentle and works so hard. He’s really good with numbers and seems to enjoy solving math problems in his mind and doesn’t like if we try to help him because he likes to do it himself. And I love hearing how he arrives at his answers because it’s always so different from how I get to my answer! He is deeply thoughtful, so generous, and funny. He’s such a good balance of sweet and kind and fun. He loves video games and is pretty good at them. He likes spending time with Luca, and since Luca really likes to create and draw- Jack does too. He’s gotten pretty good at drawing too! He has such a tender heart toward his sister, it’s such a gift to get to witness. He loves to wrestle Lee and is determined to take him down. He also likes to check in with me often to ensure I’m ok. If I sigh, which I don’t even realize I do until he asks, “are you ok mom? Are you really?”
One thing that stands out to me about Jack recently is his positive outlook on life. I have been thinking about this a lot recently. At the end of each day, while we snuggle before bed, I typically ask for peaks and pits from their days. 90% of the time Jack says multiple peaks and then says, "I didn't really have any pits, today was a really good day." What is interesting to me about that is that I can sometimes think of pits for him. But, he genuinely sees his day with a positive perspective that the peaks are what stand out. It is so inspiring for me because I want to see the world that way too. I want to see the good, and forget the not so good. I want to be more like Jack. Anyone who knows Jack, is truly better for it. He is such a gift!
Saturday, September 16
This day was our first official day of our flag football season! Go Panthers (Jack’s team) and go Bills (Luca’s team)! They both did awesome. Jack wasn't feeling 100%, so he was a bit off during his game. He was also very distracted by his mouthguard.
It's been really awesome to see Luca's transformation confidence wise since the start of his football practices until now. His positive self talk and confidence in himself and ability and his desire to learn and grow is through the roof and I really love getting to watch it unfold before my own eyes. It never ceases to amaze me as I watch prayers get answered before my very eyes. The things you pray over your kids and then watch them step into? I am not sure there is anything better. Or anything that shows me more clearly the constant hand of God on us and how He is always at work within us.
His best football pose.
Jack's game was first and while we waited, Luca made up his own football drills that he ran along the sidelines. He intently watched Jack's game and was genuinely excited to watch him play. It was like he grew up 5 years in 24 hours this entire day. He also challenged himself to do these curved monkey bars while we waited for Jack's game. He tried them like 10 times and kept falling but then he finally got it! It was so awesome to see him succeed, but whats more, it was so great to watch him persevere.
It was a long day at the field. Olive and I took a little break in the car for a bit in between games.
Luca's best football face.
Back home to run and play and be free and not scream every three seconds because she couldn't run onto the field while a game was happening.
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