I Heart Faces: Smile

Jakob, my first born.

He's got the most pictures out of all my kiddos.

We have a lot of videos of him, too

(unlike Jethro, my third, who I believe doesn't have one single baby video from our old, chunky video camera).

He should have been trained by now on how to smile naturally in front of the camera.

But it's always the same, posed smile.

I think he likes his pictures like this than the all-gums-and-teeth-smile he sometimes give me.

I have a few of those and I am planning to use it on his wedding day!

This smile will do for now.

Click for more smiles 

Somebody is a decade old

My boy.

My happy, smiley boy

is now 10 years old!

I cannot believe it.

He'll be a teen-ager soon,

then he'll be going to College and start working,

then he'll marry,

have children

(I'm going to be a grandma).

How can I stop this boy from growing?

We love you very much, Jakob!

We are excited to see what God has in store for you.

My Little Graduate Cutie

My middle child,

my baby (as she wanted me to call her, just no diapers involved),

my princess,

my cutie pie,

my graduate.

Can't believe my Beata is now promoted to Grade 1.

Many thanks to the teachers for helping her in her Kinder years.

They worked hard and helped her accomplish a lot of things...

including being able to read and write WELL!

Happy Graduation, Little Miss!

And congratulations to Jakob, too for his piano recital

and first violin recital

and making it to the "A" Honour Roll.

And this is for Jethro because...

we don't want him to be left out.

Good job, guys!

We are so proud of you.

I apologize for the long absence.

Been very busy preparing for a yard-sale-that-would-end-all-yard-sales

that suddenly became "House for Sale"

Sweet victory

Jakob's first ever church hockey league ended their season. 

Playing for third place, they played their best of the season.

It was like an Olympic feeling for us watching on the sideline.

Overtime winning goal by his good friend, Joseph gave them a sweet victory.

I think Jakob's supporters that night has the loudest cheer (thanks to Tita Lani!)

Beata and Jethro played with their friends most of the time during the game,

but they were as excited as Jakob when he finally got to wear the medal.

Good job, team.

See you next season!

PIC OF THE WEEK: My trio in B&W

BROTHER

Mischief Maker
Protector

Tormentor
Tattletale

Hero

Best friend

BROTHER

It's here!

December is here and the days seem to be passing quickly...maybe because we are always busy any given day in December before Christmas (okay, and the last week of November for this blog's sake).

Jakob played goalie in his hockey team, and made twelve saves and $10.

Raymond promised to give him a dollar for every save less the score on him. He had twelve saves, four goals on him.
Yes, you're math is right. Eight is the answer but Raymond was pleased with Jakob's performance that he decided to give him $10 instead.

I want to be a goalie, too!

 

We got our fresh tree on the last Saturday of November as usual.  But there was NO SNOW!  It feels weird going to a tree farm, choosing a tree with no snow on the ground -- just mud.  On the other hand, it was an advantage too because we were able to take our time choosing the perfect tree.

And no gingerbread cookie (apparently, the lady who supplies the cookie did not make them this year so no cookies in the munch house at the farm). 

It turned out that this tree is about the same age as Jakob.

And it took me a week to decorate that perfect tree.  Talk about procrastination.

Raymond turned 22 for the eleventh time that day too. 

On December 2, Jakob played violin in church for the second time. 

Can you see the intense concentration?

They all did great!

Time really passes quickly.

Nobody can deny it.

Christmas is here, and I'm excited.

It's my favourite time of the year!

Winter is here as well. 

Not too excited about that!

We got our first snow storm today :(

Proof

Here's the proof of my kiddos' cooperation to my beloved camera last Wednesday night.

No complaining.

No hiding or running away from the crazy lady with the camera.

No fake smiles (okay, maybe a little!)

Just very willing subjects, posing away for mommy. 

Especially Jakob. 

I find it hard to take a picture of him coz he is either too zealous or too lazy (or eyes are always closed) when I have my camera on hand.

But that night was different.

He was even requesting for more.

I guess it's official -- they now welcomed my D90 to the family!

Awww, thanks!
*sniff, sniff*

Awake, arise...and write!

I could never understand why I am always behind my house work (or blog for this matter) around Jakob's birthday.

It could be the weather. I tend to delay on grocery shopping or other errands when it starts to get cold outside. I am still not used to this cold weather even after 10 years in Canada. Or it could be the Halloween. I tend to avoid stores especially when I am with my kiddos (they are terrified by the things displayed and sold in stores) at this time of the year.

It could be the excitement around Missions Conference in our church which is after Jakob's birthday; I tend to forget that I have other things waiting for my attention (like my blog!). I love Missions Conference though. This year, Beata was in the Parade of Nations. I think her dedication to it was too intense that she ended up with a bad cold and cough after it.

So many things I missed blogging.

Like Beata's first field trip, for example.

A memorable moment for her (and me)...eventhough it was freezing cold

I even volunteered to help.

Ahhhhh! I should be blamed for this I'm sure.

So many other things I can blame but whatever it is, I have to awaken...arise...and start blogging.

(Apology-introduction ends)

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Jakob's bowling birthday party was a bowl! (get it?)

I am pleased with the outcome of this family birthday activity. Though I was not really able to watch and play with my family member (was busy looking after Jakob's guests/friends), every time I glance over their lanes, I see smiles, giggles and cheers. I believe they are having fun. Definitely recommending bowling for a family activity (though I may be thinking twice doing it around Halloween because Beata was so scared of the bowling alley decoration).

Bowling, family, friends, pizza, cake and presents - I am sure Jakob is one happy birthday boy.

9! He's 9 today!

My firstborn is 9 years old today.

One more year and he'll have a two-digit age.

4 years then he's a teenager.

8 years then he'll be in college.

Time freeze please!!!

(Though he said he never wanted to leave home, even when he's all grown up.

Don't know if he'll change his mind, but until then, I'll cherish every minute with him.)

WEDNESDAY reWIND: To Infinity And Beyond...

Blah, blah,blah...Buzz Lightyear.

The blah...

I blah...

My blah...

Buzz Lightyear.

You might be wondering what those lines were.

That's how Jakob used to talked when he was about 3 or 4 years old.

You would not understand anything but the words Buzz Lightyear.

(Just ask his Sunday School teachers that time and I'm sure they'll tell the same story)

He loves Toy Story 1 and 2, Disney Store and anything that has to do with Buzz Lightyear.

With Toy Story 3 coming next year, here's a little tribute to our favourite Space Ranger...

From Jakob...

Taken October 27, 2004

and from Jethro (who loves Buzz Lightyear just as much!)

Taken July 1, 2008