We celebrated Valentine's Day on Tuesday before Ash Wednesday like our schools did. It was very low key-I bought little presents for the kids and Jeff and we had pancakes that were supposed to be heart shaped but turned out to be blob shaped.
This was an "I only have eyes for you" Valentine-what a cute idea. We gave out store bought cards with suckers which didn't stop me from lamenting the fact that my kids all came home from school with bags of candy. Is Valentines Day the new Halloween? Thank goodness it all disappeared quickly.
Isaac came home this weekend and it was nice to visit with him even though it was for such a short time. I had run out with the younger boys to get haircuts, thinking we would make it back before Isaac arrived (he hitched a ride with a friend.) When we got back I walked in the house and didn't even notice Isaac was sitting right in front of me till he said, "Hi Mom!" I jumped a mile and yelped and the boys came running in all smiles-within minutes they had a basketball game going.
Janey gave him a giant stare-down, wondering just who this new guy was. Which makes me sad! But I am trusting all of you readers who write to me and tell me about your close relationships you had with your much older siblings.
Isaac was amazed at Patrick's new dunking skills and took some great pictures of him.
My dining room table always turns into a closet when Isaac is home. It is always Abbey's homework station anyways.
Look with horror upon these socks that he was wearing. The minute he took them off I threw them away.
Abbey getting ready for the dance. The flower was my touch and it was quickly removed.
Last week they had Spirit Week at Abbey's school and had dress up themes every day. The theme from this photo is "Dynamic Duos" and she and her friend were Mary Kate and Ashley.
This is Janey, dressed up as Mary, (tricked you! :) thanks to Patrick.
Hey there! I'm a new follower to your blog (found it from Sara's post about 40 bags in 40 days over at August Fields). Just wanted to say "Hey" and tell you that I look forward to reading your blog ... it always makes me happy. And your kids are adorable.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing a window into your world! :)
I said the same thing about Valentine's Day to my mother in law- "it is the new Halloween". We gave out non-candy Valentines this year because I just didn't want to contribute to the sugar overload.
ReplyDeleteMy brother is 18 years younger than me. He is one of my favorite people! Janey and Isaac will have a special bond.
ReplyDeleteYou're hilarious! Love your ordinary days!
ReplyDeleteThis post gives such a nice sense of what your family's like.
ReplyDeleteI love the photo of Janey! I also love that you keep it real and show the messes and the hole-y socks, but also the joy and happiness!
ReplyDeleteYour family is beautiful! I have a brother who is 20 years younger than me (I'm 26 and he is 6). I think we have a great relationship. Our grandparents died while my brother was still a baby, so sometimes my mom feels bad that he doesn't have that special relationship of having grandparents. But, he does have siblings who are much older and love to take him to the movies, museums, send him cards and little gifts for holidays. I know it's not at all the same as grandparents, but it is a special and unique relationship that he has with us. He's also an uncle to my sister's kids and he loved playing with his nephews. All in all, despite the age difference, my brother is very loved and has great relationships with his older siblings. I'm sure that Janey will be the same way- very loved! :)
ReplyDeleteMy husband's brother is 17 years younger. He was a groomsman at our wedding when he was 4, comes and stays for a week with us regularly, and is THRILLED with his new nephew, our son Jack. My husband and I started dating when he was a little baby so I am just another sister =) It is one of the coolest and best relationships I have ever had the pleasure of witnessing and being a part of. Just make sure you give them plenty of time to bond and I am sure they will be great.
ReplyDeleteMy mother-in-law is 17 and 19 years younger than her older sisters, and they all have always been super close. She would go and stay with them and their families as a child and teen (being close in age with their kids), and had a very special bond with both of them as an adult. As adults, all three lived in different cities, but would meet up a couple of times per year for 'sisters' weekends'. Janey will undoubtedly have a great bond with her older sibs :)
ReplyDeleteA big brother is always special to a much younger little sister, and the other way around.
ReplyDeleteMy youngest brother was two when I went off to college. We did not share many experiences then, but as adults we clicked very well like there is no big age gap. Our families now see each other on an almost weekly basis. Blood is still thicker than age differences and distance:-)
I just admire the way you love your kids!
Ok, I had to skip your last post - I'm not there yet, but I did have a friend accidentally spill the beans - very confused about it! (Downton)
ReplyDeleteAnd my goodness - could Janey be any cuter??
I think not!
my brother is ten years younger than me, and eighteen years younger than my sister, and we are all so close. Janey will know him and look forward to seeing him every chance she gets. My parents were worried about the same thing but he's twelve now and still so close. He loves his oldest sister visiting even more now that she has kids, he thinks it's awesome to be an uncle as such a young age. It will be okay.
ReplyDeleteSarah - I love when you allow us to peek into your "ordinary days." You have a beautiful family! God bless you all!!
ReplyDeleteI have a little caboose.. He is 4 and his oldest sibling is 28! There are 8 other siblings in between and he is the most loved and doted on little guy. He is an uncle to 3, soon to be 5. He was the best gift I could have given my grand kids as they adore having someone closer to their size and he gets to have that older sibling type role when they are here. My little guy so anticipates visits from the "married kids", who mostly all live far away, sob. And when they are here, they pay special attention to him and also to the other kids still at home. I think brothers and sisters share such a sacred bond, it will be strong regardless of age. Lucky Janey and lucky Isaac, for they will have biggest brother and littlest sister memories to create.
ReplyDeleteI have a little caboose.. He is 4 and his oldest sibling is 28! There are 8 other siblings in between and he is the most loved and doted on little guy. He is an uncle to 3, soon to be 5. He was the best gift I could have given my grand kids as they adore having someone closer to their size and he gets to have that older sibling type role when they are here. My little guy so anticipates visits from the "married kids", who mostly all live far away, sob. And when they are here, they pay special attention to him and also to the other kids still at home. I think brothers and sisters share such a sacred bond, it will be strong regardless of age. Lucky Janey and lucky Isaac, for they will have biggest brother and littlest sister memories to create.
ReplyDeletehttp://sab-aa.blogspot.cz/
ReplyDeleteMy sister and I are close in age, but my sister lived far away when my son was born. She was so excited to be an aunt, but so disappointed that it took my son a while each (short) visit to remember her. So, we started video chatting once a week or so, rather than a regular phone call, and she could see Elliott in action and he could "talk" to her. When she moved back in December, he remembered her and recognized her immediately! Maybe see if Isaac can spare some time from his busy college schedule to Skype. I bet Patrick would love it too!
ReplyDeleteTo encourage you, I have a brother 17 years older and a sister 13 years older...I am in my 30s now and enjoy a great relationship with them both! God has blessed our family to have His love at the center, which keeps us all together! May He bless your "little" ones to always be close, loving, and have Him at the center! :)
ReplyDeleteMy sister is 18 years older than me and truly one of the most important people in my life. She worked hard to make sure we were close and I am so grateful to her for that! I am also ver close to her children.
ReplyDeleteMy sister is 10 years younger than me and we are best friends. We are in contact at least 10 times a day if you count emails, bbms and phone calls - and we again live in the same town. Although have lived in different countries at various stages over the past 25 years.
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