Andy & Jessica

In response to me saying that he was a “nice little boy,” he said, “No. Me big!”

Andy has a habit of stockpiling food (and other things for that matter) and we always have enough food on hand to feed a small army. After he returned from grocery shopping today, Jude commented, “Scooby Doo and Shaggy would love this house. They’d be like, “Where’s the food? There! There! There!””

Last night Andy was up really late last interviewing a podcast guest from Singapore for Echo Zoe so I was in charge of getting all 3 boys to sleep. We all laid in the biggest bed we have and then the boys all fought over who would get to snuggle best with me. Jude seemed fairly satisfied when he had snuggled in and remarked, “I have Mommy’s hand and part of her elbow.” Levi and Asher continued fighting over the best place, but Levi wanted to quit the fight and just go to sleep with Daddy, who was busy. In the end, all 3 fell asleep and then I transferred them one by one to their beds, where they didn’t last too long, as is usually the case.

This morning Jude, Levi and I went to Jude’s first karate tournament.  We went in empty handed and came out a half hour later with a trophy.  Jude just had to do some punches and kicks on command from a judge and won the trophy regardless of his actual performance (this will be his only freebie trophy for his karate career).  While his yells were nice and loud and he has a good karate face, he has balance issues.  I’ll never know if it is a side effect of the brain radiation or just lack of coordination.  I have no doubt though that he’ll get good at karate someday if he sticks with it.  Here is a picture of the proud boy and his sad little brother who tried to unsuccessfully grab a trophy from the prize table.   Jude was so sweet to little Levi and let him carry the trophy out to the car, although he told all the people on the way out that it was his trophy and that he was just letting his little brother carry it.

 

“God keeps making the days and we keep planning them.” Jude is very excited about our plans this weekend, which include karate practice today, following by a movie at the theater and then a karate tournament tomorrow, followed by church and ice fishing.

Jude came to me tonight saying that he has written a “God song.”  It goes like this:

“In a period of ti..i..i..me…God will pick us up.”  Repeat 4 times.

Jude told me that the song means that if you repent of your sins and love God, someday you will die and God will take you to be with Him.  Right on, Jude.

Jude got his gold striped belt about a week ago at karate. He was really thrilled.

Andy set Jude up with an email account that Jude very occasionally uses to send me emails at work.  It is always a highlight of my day, knowing that Jude pecked out a special message to me.  Today he wrote:

“Hi Mom, I am good. Are you good? I love you. i know you are happy. Bye.

Jude”

Asher has apparently taken a liking to baths. Several times we’ve caught him sneaking off to the half-bath in the front of the house, climbing into the sink by way of the toilet, and helping himself to a nice bath. I hope the trouble he causes at this age is a sign he’s destined to be an Olympic swimmer some day.

Levi turned 3 today, but, I’ve asked that that be kept a secret.  Jude makes me feel so guilty about having to work everyday and never getting any time off (as is standard for attorneys at a law firm) that I certainly would be made to feel so guilty about working on Levi’s birthday.  Instead, we’ll tell Levi that his birthday is on Saturday, when family is coming for his party.

We all love Levi so much.  He has a great sense of humor and is the sweetest boy (he gets it from both ends, with Jude and Asher both bullying him).  It is fun to watch him grow.