jess and the gang

19/52

Connor: I can't help but feel he is growing up oh so quickly right before my eyes. I wish I could freeze time for a bit. Every time he grabs my hand, my heart skips a beat. And I can't help but wonder if it will soon be the last time.

Isla: I tell you she has a huge heart for all creatures…and she kept asking for more money to feed the goats until I was all out.

Callum: His hands instantly go for his feet these days.

"A portrait of my children, once a week, every week, in 2016."

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Isla, the Insect Lover

One thing I seem to notice in my kids is ways they are like me…things I did (or still do) as a kid, both good and bad. Things I enjoyed. Ways I played. All of it.

Isla is a lover of practically all living things and I was totally all about little crawly things growing up. Her love of snails is one I showed her, as I still make sure not to step on them when I am walking. A couple weeks ago, I helped deal with the aftermath of the accidental death of her snail Zoo. Even now, she brings him up and wonders how he is doing in heaven. Mind you, she played with him for all of 10 minutes before his accidental killing. Then there was the rolly polly that was dropped, causing hysterics and me, on the ground looking for said rolly polly. It never was found. Then there are the worms in the backyard. And the random ladybugs we spot. Every creature must have a home built for it. And usually there is pleading for me to allow it in the house…but I've learned my lesson with that one.

I loved snails growing up, and rolly pollies…and many other things like that. Even now, it's easy for me to get down and dirty in the dirt with the kids, playing with the insects. They are fascinating little creatures.

All this to say, I not only love Isla's heart for all these little creatures. But I also love how she isn't afraid to get all up close and personal with them. And I love how she is literally entertained by the little things in life.

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Connor's Kindergarten Open House

^^ This is Connor's drawing of a fish and here is what he had to say about fish, "Some fish are creepy, some fish are fierce, some fish are dangerous." It would appear he isn't too fond of fish!

Connor's school open house was this past week, on my birthday. A couple days before, they brought home an invite to the open house that they wrote the information on and drew a picture of what they were most excited to show us. Connor drew a butterfly. His class is watching caterpillars turn into butterflies, so I thought that's what he meant. Turns out that he meant the butterfly craft where he is the butterfly…and, I'm not biased or anything, but I think that's a cuter butterfly anyway!

Connor acted oddly shy about his open house. Turns out he does have a bit of my personality! He didn't want any of his grandparents to come. And when his study buddy Matt (the kindergartners each have a 6th grader they meet with once a week) came in his class to say hi, he just stared at the ground refusing to talk.

The classroom was crazy busy, so after finding all of Connor's work (some was even hanging from the ceiling!) and letting Connor show us some of the stuff his teacher uses to teach with, we took off. I did try to get Connor to go look at the first grade classrooms before we left, but he got all shy about it. I did peek my head in, so I would have more of an idea on what to expect for him for next year. I can't believe Connor's first year of elementary school is already almost over. Time really does fly.

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18/52

Connor: This kid lost his sixth tooth this week, while brushing his teeth right before bed.

Isla: We found a lady bug and played with it for a while. Isla promptly named it and built a home for it. She sure has a big heart for all creatures.

Callum: This little guy had a rough week. Looking back, I think he may have been sick. Tons of spitting up and much more crying than normal…and much less sleeping. But, he seems to be back to his normally smily self.

It was my birthday this week. The kids were so incredibly excited for it. As soon as they woke up, they wanted me to open their presents. Connor not only wrapped his by himself, but he also made me a card all by himself. He gave me his most prized possession, a pair of (fake) diamonds. He also gave me one of his stuffed animals. Isla got me some sparkly nail polish and a cat birthday card she keeps stealing from me and carrying around.

"A portrait of my children, once a week, every week, in 2016."

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Callum's First Giants Game

On Saturday we took Callum to his first Giants game. Ian got two tickets through work, so we left Connor and Isla with his parents and took Callum with us to the game. Now, let me tell you, I literally couldn't have imagined Callum being as good as he was. Like he was way better than he normally is. He literally didn't cry. He spent most of the game strapped to my chest in the ergo, perfectly content. He pretty much just started at the people behind us and got super big eyes every time the crowd cheered loudly.

It was fun how many people made comments about Callum at the game. So many people wanted to ohh and ahh over him. And several people told us about the first time they took their babies to Giants games back in the day at Candlestick Park. It was really sweet to hear so many people reminisce.

I'm glad we took Callum to the game and glad it went so incredibly well…and glad I was able to fill my belly with garlic fries. Now to get Callum to act like this at Connor's tball games because he literally goes crazy every single stinking time.

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A Fairy Garden Party

My friend's mom, who also happens to be my neighbor, has to be one of the sweetest and coolest ladies out there. Her garden is like no other. It is always overflowing with a bountiful harvest. She has chickens, ducks and bunnies. My kids love going over there…heck, so do I!

This past week, she hosted a fairy garden party for the girls (her granddaughter, Isla and another friend's daughter). And when she hosts something, she hosts something. It started out with the handmade invitation that went out a couple weeks ago. Isla has been carrying that thing around with pride and excitement and counting down the days until the party. She got the girls little fairy outfits…which I was pretty much dying of cuteness just watching Isla run down the street to her house all dressed up. There was a fairy bell to ring when they entered the garden. The girls had a tea party. Then they got to spread fairy dust everywhere. And, they made little fairy gardens to take home.

And us moms? Not only did we get to just sit back and watch the cuteness unfold, but she lavished good food and drink on us too. It was pretty stinking awesome.