Yearly Kiddo Updates

Per Kate's request :)

Megan - size 8 clothing, loves all things girly, favorite color is magenta, ears are pierced (but she can only wear sterling silver earrings), interested in cooking, art, music, sewing, bugs, dinosaurs, science, reading (especially Nancy Drew - she even dressed up like Nancy Drew for costume day at school), archeology, and most recently origami. Has now decided she is going to be a farmer when she graduates from high school and has taken to scoping out prospective sites not currently in use (such as medians on the highway) to build her farm on. Has drawn a picture of the barn/house, decided what animals she'll have, and planned out her daily schedule, which has her waking at 3am in order to get all her chores done before she leaves for college at 7am. She does not get that from me! Asks the oddest questions completely out of the blue. Reads encyclopedias. Loves to sing. Walks into our room at least once a day and announces "I just want to spend time with you".

Kylie - size 8 clothing, but does not like clothes with un-stretchy waists like jeans or clothes with seams on the inside that are "itchy" (which is pretty much every single gorgeous dress I want them to wear for holidays). Favorite color is still pink. Interested in cowgirls, soccer, princesses, and animals. Plans to be a zookeeper and soccer goalie and live on a farm with Megan. Favorite animal is still a pig as it's pink. Incredibly talented at computer games and although she can't sit still for anything else, she'll spend hours playing games on the computer if we let her. A definite tomboy, she and Jack wrestle and chase each other. Teases incessantly (she got that from Rob), but often throws herself into helping with chores or around the house. Not much phases her. Her pants fell down once in kindergarten and her response was "oh, by the way, my pants fell down. I probably shouldn't wear these ones again until I'm bigger" instead of being completely embarrassed as I would have been. Loves reading as well and loves singing. Her favorite song is "Ska8ter Boi" by Avril Lavigne. Loves practicing soccer with Rob and drinking pickle juice (with Beth).

Beth - size 6 (or 7) clothing, also does not like tight pants or itchy seams. Three months into the school year and she has worn a dress to school every single day. The few days we've had that were freezing, I managed to get her to wear leggings under the dress. Favorite color is purple (second favorite is blue). Interested in ballet, Dora and Hello Kitty. Has started reading simple books. She is going to be a mom when she grows up. Loves suduko puzzles (kid ones). Incredibly precise. Picks up how to do things instantly and gets mad at herself when she doesn't. Has two volumes - off and ON. Around everyone except us, she is usually off and is not swayed by social niceties. If she doesn't think something is funny, she won't laugh. When she is on, she never stops talking. Has decided (with Megan) that she and Megan are twins. Loves having her own space, but is always happy to share it with Eva. Loves slipping in under my arm when I'm sitting down somewhere.

Jack - size 4 (almost) clothing, favorite color yellow (second is red, which he sometimes calls yellow). Current interests include superheros, especially Captain America, Lightning McQueen, Toy Story, dinosaurs, cars, and robots (or transformers). Loves playing on the computer. Working on colors, shapes and letters with me. Carries the lid of a food storage container with us wherever he goes as it is his Captain America shield. Incredibly active, can literally bounce around a room. Bumps heads with Rob as they are so much alike. Teases incessantly just like Kylie. Loves sharing with Eva though and is thrilled to help out by carrying in groceries, telling me how to walk to school, or "change" a stop light from red to green by blowing on it or making noises at it. Randomly comes up and wraps his little arms around me, tells me he loves me, and gives me kisses.

Eva - size 12-18 month clothing (probably more 18 m if you're getting gifts). LOVES music and dances even when someone's singing without accompaniment. Loves anything that makes noise, especially if it's chewable. Loves to eat pencil erasers. Favorite foods are clementines (she can eat 3-4 at a time), broccoli, hot dogs, and any frozen dessert. Does not like blueberries or grapes. Walking everywhere. Has just learned that she can climb on anything and gives me several heart attacks a day. Knows exactly what she wants and alternates between wanting to play alone in the little kitchen, wanting to play in the middle of one of her sibling's game, and wanting me to hold her while standing up. Definitely a Momma's girl, although she loves Daddy too. Not a huge fan of anyone outside of the family (except for Miss Betsy) and is very vocal about it. Screams louder and longer than I thought someone that size could. Will definitely NEVER be overlooked, even as the 5th child. Grins and blows kisses when I ask for them and she feels like giving them. Randomly lays her head on our chests and rests it there for a second to give us hugs.