Kade is Thirteen - Another Teen in the House!

Kade's birthday fell on a day when there was too much going on.  In some ways, the day got kind of skipped over and we feel a little badly about that.  But we took a few moments to celebrate between events and he still got to have fun - we just weren't there to share it with him and that is kind of sad.

Kade is pretty easy to please though and he didn't hold it against us - especially not since we let him have his gifts on his birthday - which we didn't really plan to do. We thought we'd take the time the next day to celebrate well. He liked the way it went better.  Jonathan thought this would be a good year for Kade to receive a gun, so that was the big deal.  Kade shows an interest in this and seeing that is is good to hone in on the different interests of your children, Jonathan obliged. I am not always loving it, but I do see the wisdom.  This is something Jonathan and Kade can do together - the two of them - and that is important!

Looking at some of these pictures from the last year of Kade's life, it is clear that it has been a year of growing up and a lot of other changes too!  Not that he is so big now, but he sure looks a lot littler a year ago!

Kade is our daring boy. He doesn't always think super far ahead and therefore is able to throw caution to the wind a little quicker than some of the other kids. I wouldn't say this makes him dangerous - just daring. If a situation requires a bit of guts, but is still safe, Kade will have no problem diving in.

Kade is our cozy boy too.  He lets us know we are loved and we love that.  He is also cozy in the way he dresses. This part of his coziness drives us a little crazy sometimes! If he could choose what to wear everyday, it would be either jogging pants or the adidas (or whatever brand) gym pants.  Every day. All day.  And gym shorts in the summer. Oh. And a dri fit t shirt!  We have put limits on him so he knows now that he needs to dress "nice" a couple days a week too, but it is definitely not his favorite.

Kade has a lot of other clothing quirks too. He likes certain things and really doesn't like others. He gets really hung up on certain items and over wears.  He is old enough to decide for himself but we do intervene and encourage him to diversify as well.

Kade loves his sports too.  He loves hockey and soccer the best probably and appreciates each one in their season.  Whereas Kevin could do hockey all year long, Kade comes to a time when he is ready to be done and move on to the next sport.  He still talks about wanting to play football occasionally - but there really is nothing in this area and we are really not looking for more things to participate in either. 

Kade is really developing his own person as an athlete and that is fun to watch. He is different than Kevin and that is okay. I think they complement each other when they play together so this should be fun for them in the years ahead.

Kade is still a very social character. He loves to be with people.  He enjoys his friendships. If there is an opportunity to spend time with friends he will be up for it! He does seem to be settling down a bit and realizing that time at home is okay too. He seems to enjoy some down time which is a good thing.

Kade is our screen addict as we like to call him.  He is the kid who can somehow sneak into the office (very quietly) and make it on the computer before it logs out (which doesn't give him a lot of time). He loves kijiji and you tube.  He also loves his x box.  Our weekend policy is in place primarily because of him!  I'm pretty sure he has no sense of time when he plays and he for sure has no sense of "Wow, this is getting boring". He could play all day.  He doesn't!  He loves Minecraft and Strategy games. He will play sport games with Kevin too.

Kade is usually the first in our family to latch onto fads. He was huge into rubix cubes this past school year. He took the time to learn how to solve a number of different cubes and even took the time to try to teach his parents (who don't learn so quick!).  This was a great fad to be on. It takes brains and you can take it pretty much anywhere - plus you have to sit somewhat still and quiet!  The new thing is the fidget spinner. This is also pretty harmless but very popular!

Kade is actually somewhat of a reader. He will usually sit down at some point each day and read. He has certain types of books that he loves and I try to keep him supplied with such books. Right now that is Minecraft books of any time - true, make belief, learning etc.   Doesn't matter.  He soaks them up.  He also loves cartoon books. They seem to be a favorite.  There are actually a LOT of them out there so it is not too hard to keep him happy. 

Kade still loves the water and enjoys water activities.  He doesn't talk about being a coast guard as much as he used to, but we'll see!  He is done all his swimming lesson levels and will start on the bronze medallion course this summer.  He is a good swimmer!

Kade is still a very distracted/ unfocused person.  As in the past, this is sometimes comical and some times down right ridiculous.  I have learned how to give instructions at certain points.  "Kade! Go grab dad's blue sweater from beside his bed. Please don't confuse it with the black on in the basket in his closet. It is blue and it is on the floor."  You'd think that would be fail proof. Sometimes. Sometimes not.  That's just Kade!  Sometimes he will get to his destination and have absolutely no idea what he is supposed to be doing/getting. (I guess that is not totally crazy - I have those moments too!) I'm not sure if it because his mind is so busy that the message gets lost in traffic, or if he just has the ability to think about nothing  - and loses it that way!  It is Kade!

Kade has had his first chiropractic and massage therapist visits this past year as well. His back occasionally gives him a bit of trouble.  He has to work on his posture.  Things seem to be okay for the last couple months. I think he put it out of whack doing crazy things on the trampoline. He loves doing front and back flips and is good at them  . . . but not every landing is perfect!

Kade has had glasses for 3 years now and it is just recently after his appointment that he really started wearing them.  He had to decide for himself that he needed them and it finally came time.  We are now at the point where he looks funny when he is not wearing them.  Though we love his cute little "no glasses" face, I am glad he is wearing them and seeing the world clearly!

Kade would really, really, really love to have a dirt bike.  His kijiji moments are spent trying to find a good one.  He is learning. At first he was sure the very first one he saw was "THE ONE".  Now he seems content to look and learn . . . though I know he still really wants one.

Kevin and Kade are good friends. They lead somewhat different lives and do not spend a ton of time together right now, but they don't fight much either.  When they are home at the same time, you may find them playing hockey, watching a hockey game, taking soccer shots at each other, or playing x box. Kade is pretty loyal to Kevin and protects him. (though this is not always helpful to us, it is what brothers seem to do!)

Kade and Kylie seem to have reached a bit of a truce lately.  They have had a pretty good year. One of Kade's new years propositions was that if he did not bug Kylie for a full year, he would get a dirt bike. The dirt bike is not going to happen (he bugged), but he does seem to bug less. Still does. But less.  We are grateful!

Kade is also great with Karter and Konnor. He is not always wanting to sit down with them or occupy them, but when he does, he is great. He will read them books or play a game, or set up blocks.  They love their big brother time too. It is good for them all.

This was also the year that Kade got braces. He got them on in October or November. He adjusted well and his teeth are already amazingly improved!

Kade is also brave when asking for things.  He wanted to play in a hockey tournament fundraiser this past April.  I wasn't sure I wanted to pay his fee, but they were allowed to get people to sponsor them to play. He had no problem asking for sponsors and getting the money.  It is the same way with ordering food. He has no problem with it .  . .whereas Kevin was always much more hesitant. Kade has confidence!

Kade does not love school work. He does need to routine of school though. He was the first to be bored during Christmas holidays.  I think he does well knowing what is going to happen each day. If there is too much time for him to plan out and fill himself, he gets a little lost.
Kade loves music.  He picks lyrics up really quick (except memory work songs).  He likes songs with a beat and thinks he needs to fall asleep to music.  He thinks he would like to play the drums.

Kade is pretty good at waking up. Though he seems to love his bed a bit more and more as he gets older, he usually knows when he needs to be up for school and doesn't usually come down late.  I am grateful for that. He even makes his bed most days! The clothes and towel on the floor still need work!

Kade.  When I first started writing I had a pretty good case of writers block.  How do you sum you up? You are growing up fast and the older you get the harder it is to write.  It is easy to write about first steps and first teeth. It is a whole lot harder to sum up the character and personality of a teenager!  I hope I do you justice. You are a great kid.  You are a kid we are extremely proud of. You are not perfect, but you are willing to learn from your imperfections.  When you offend, you usually want to make it right. You are a bit sensitive and that is  a great thing.  It is good to "have a heart" and feel for others. Don't forget to do that! Remember to work hard! It is hard work to work hard, but it is so important. Give it 100%.  And give God 100% .  Don't give Him what you have left over at the end of the day. He is deserving of so much more.  Be faithful in your Bible reading and prayers.  He is the Giver of all good things.  

Kade, thanks for the hugs, and the "I love you"s  that you give so often.  Don't stop.  We love you so much - jogging pants and all :)  

Port Dover

On Good Friday, we as a parental unit decided that it would be a very good idea to resurrect a tradition that had fallen by the wayside. In years past, we had loaded ourselves into our vehicle, headed south and visited one of our neighbouring Ports.  Our very first trip we headed west on Hwy #3 and ended up near Eagle in the Port Glasglow area. This is when it was just Jonathan and I and were expecting Kevin.  Other trips took us to Long Point, Port Burwell, Sandhills, Port Bruce, Port Stanley and maybe more.  Now 16 years later, the older three kids thought it was one of the worst ideas ever and were dreaming of hundreds of other options that were sure to be better.  They couldn't imagine sitting in the van and driving for who knows how long and then just walking on a beach.  It was the epitome of boredom and dullsville for their unimaginative minds.

But alas, after some wonderful banter, we managed to get all seven of us in the van.  It was a BEAUTIFUL day and it was high time we spent it all together.  

It WAS a long drive . . .  well not really.  About an hour.  They figured there were probably closer beaches we could hit and get it done and over with, but Jonathan and I wanted to see Dover again.  We have been there once before but again it was in our first few years of marriage, so it was time to go back.

 It was very busy in Port Dover.  I'm not sure if it was just a combination of holiday/beautiful day, or if it is always humming.  We did a little walk through a part of the town and then hit the beach.  Though it was a lovely day, none of us (even Kade) dreamed of getting wet. But there was a group of teens in the water on a wake board of sorts and though a few of them had wet suits on , there were a couple that didn't and who HAD to be freezing!

 It was really nice to just lay down on the sand, out of the breeze, and feel the sun beating down.  

AHHHH spring!!!

 We stayed for about an hour and enjoyed a snack and sand.

The snack we ate and the sand we played in (and ate) and in Kevin and Kade's case, shoved down each others clothes.

 As the afternoon progressed, we headed back to the van. Since we were in the area, we decided to hunt down a waterfall we had visited as part of YP years ago. We found it almost right away and this is where the boys were convinced that this was a good way to spend the day and that mom and dad indeed do have some not so bad ideas after all!

 When we came with YP it was mid summer and people would walk through the waterfall and be able to stand behind it.  Kevin and Kade were intrigued by that!

 They had fun trying to cross the river before the waterfall- Kade made it; Kevin's common sense or desire not to get wet and/or float downstream, prevailed and he remained at 3/4 way.  We need one of these in our back yard!  They could have played there for hours.

 As you can see, the water was cold . . . 

 But even cold water has some kind of lure you can't resist . .  

 Needless to say, we hoped we wouldn't get pulled over on the way home seeing as we had two teenaged boys who had rid themselves of their wet britches and were now rather scantily clad.

It was a very good day. A Good Friday. The fun of the day was nothing compared to the more important goodness of God's gift of His Son on the cross. This was primary. But it was a good day spent together as a family enjoying the beauty of the changing seasons and creating memories.

God is good.

Karter at Five

FIVE! This was a VERY long awaited birthday. The countdown was on and the anticipation grew to astronomic proportions. I suddenly thought it might be wise to ask him, "What does your birthday day look like?"  I didn't want the day to arrive and have him bitterly disappointed and let down, so I thought that if there were notions that needed to be squelched, I better get going on that!  

But he didn't really have high expectations. He wanted cake and friends over and I'm sure presents were in that list too, but he didn't make too much mention of them until the day or two before and even then he wasn't asking for much. Phew!!

We counted down days for quite a while and it was the first question he would ask when he woke up in the morning. .  . how many days now?? 

We decided that since one of his favorite questions each day is, "Can I have someone over?" that we would have multiple play dates/birthday parties instead of having them all over at once. 

So he had two friends the day of his birthday, and three the next day. This worked really well and it was fun to see them having fun together!

 Blowing bubbles.

We actually did not end up having cake. We went to the grocery store and this is what he picked. He had it all figured out in his head. "The brown thing with white in it!"

And pictures and commentaries from the last year:

I'll start with Karter and Konnor's relationship since this picture is first.  These boys love each other and can play incredibly well together, BUT Karter also loves to bug and tease Konnor for no apparent reason other than to hear him cry or whine.  (this seems familiar).  We could do without that part, but on the whole Karter is very glad to have Konnor around and they are pretty good buddies. Now that Konnor is getting older, he can play certain things with Karter and Karter DOES enjoy having someone to play with. He does not have a whole lot of imagination, and therefore if he is all alone, he grows bored rather quickly. 

 Karter is definitely ready for school. I was not looking forward to this at all, but there comes a time when it is okay.  I think I will be sad, but okay when September comes.  Because he is so ready and is constantly needing something to do or somewhere to go or someone to have over, it becomes easier to have him go because it will make him so happy! I am still very glad that it is only two days a week. It will be a good balance.

 Karter's favorite time of the day is when the kids come home from school.  He counts that down too. "How much time til the kids get home?" is a constant refrain in my afternoon.  When it gets close, he will often head outside and wait for the bus to come.  Then he has new faces to play with!

 Karter loves all sports and is another "always on the go" kid.  He loves soccer and hockey best, but will join in whenever he can at whatever he can.  When I teach Phys. Ed at school once a week, depending on what we are doing, he will join in and get right in there with the Grade 4's - especially in hockey and soccer.

 Karter is really starting to love the water and swimming. After a slow start last year, he really embraced it and was totally good with jumping in over and over by the end of the summer (with his crab). He has already jumped in the pool once this spring and though it took his breath away (literally!), he did not hesitate at all. (though he probably will next time!)

 Karter loves story time at the library. We go once a week and he knows most of the kids and loves the "teacher".  It is familiar and fun and they do such a good job there, that the kids LOVE going!  

He also loves books. We still try to sit down once or twice a day and read a few books together. If I try to escape after my coffee or breakfast, he will sit on me and force me to stay until I have read him the three books he has grabbed for me to read.  I do really enjoy this time and so does Konnor, so I am thankful that it is part of our routine.

 Karter also really enjoyed Bible Boys (and Girls) this year.  He goes to that "class" while we meet for Bible Study. I cannot believe how much he learned this past year. They started going through the Jr. Catechism and he just grabbed onto those question and answers and really figured them out.  It is not odd to hear him saying something like this, "That is just a stone. You cannot worship it b/c there is only ONE TRUE GOD. How many persons are there? Three. God the Holy Spirit, God the Son and God the . .. . . . . Father!"   I love it.  There have been a lot of discussions and conversations as a result of the things he learned there and I am so thankful for the time the teacher has taken.

 Karter loves to talk about God and ask questions.  He is really trying to figure Him all out.  He knows He is big - but how big? Bigger than the house? Bigger than the truck?  But then how does He fit in our hearts.  When we read a Bible story before bed, I am often interrupted in the middle of every sentence as he thinks of another question. Some are related to what we are reading and some are not.  It is pretty neat. I love these conversations and hearing him say that he loves God and Jesus SOOOOO much.

 We memorized Psalm 103 as a family (with the church) and Karter is able to say pretty much the whole thing too! We are still perfecting the last few verses, but he can recite most of it perfectly.  We're pretty proud of him.

 Karter loves Kevin - Kevin is the one who will spend the most time playing hockey in the basement with him and that is his most favorite thing in the world to do.  Kevin, though he has a fairly full and busy schedule, will usually take the time to teach him new things or help him practice.  

 Karter also loves Kade but they maybe bond more over screens.  Kade has somehow (to our dismay) created a deep love for x box and you tube videos in Karter.  He won't last as long as Kade on a screen if left unsupervised, but he sure does want his turn.  He has lately started calling me screen girl b/c he thinks I spend so much time on the computer.  He figures for every minute I get, he should get the same - and he actually believes that that is the right and just thing for me to allow. Never mind that I am working and he is not.  Those details are not important.  He feels thoroughly persecuted and mistreated when I tell him no. I am a firm believer that video games make kids bratty.  It is true of him and thankfully we have a weekend only rule that is well enforced and not argued with.  He is quite familiar with the concept of a weekend as a result!

 Karter loves Kylie and when they get playing together it is wonderful. It is the only time Karter plays with his imagination.  He can do it and he does it well, but I believe that everything he has learned concerning using his imagination was taught to him by Kylie.  She is amazing that way - especially with the nicer weather, it is so fun to see them playing outside and pretending and having a good time.  

 The many faces of Karter!

Though Karter has a room in our house and even a bed, he spends every night on an extra mattress on the floor of either Kevin and Kade's or Kylie's room. He does not want to sleep in his own room with Konnor. This works out fine, so this is the way it is for now!

 Karter's last year was a year of many dental visits. He has (HAD!) bad teeth. He had  a few taken out and replaced with silver and a few cavities filled. He was amazing through it all, but we are glad to be on this side of it and thankful that at the last dental visit that she declared his teeth excellent and his brushing VERY GOOD!  I don't think we slacked terribly on him, but it sure made us smarten up!

 Karter loves spending time with Jonathan and loves it if he can "work" with him.  His favorite is when Jonathan plays hockey with him, but he is equally happy to go out to the shop and help him .. . and Jonathan reports that Karter is actually a HUGE help.  He also loves going on scrap metal runs or other odd jobs. Part of the joy is the Tim Hortons run they go on when they are done. Regardless he loves Dad time.

 Karter loves spending time with friends.  Mason and Karter remain very close and have lots of fun and get into little bits of mischief together.  Karter also loves spending time with the other boys his age at church - and there are a bunch of them to choose from.  He also loves his cousin Savannah!

 When Karter puts his mind to helping - or when there is a reward at the end, he can go like there is no tomorrow. He can help me put the house in order in a very short time if there is motivation. There are also moments, when picking up one toy is a monumental chore that he is pretty sure he will never make it through alive.

 Karter is starting to do some "school" things. I don't do any work with him specifically, but once in a while I will get him to copy letters or something like that while we are working in the office. He will sit at his desk and I will sit at mine, and he does quite well. He can copy most of the letters very well, though he doesn't know all of their names.  He knows a bunch and most of his numbers. I am not too worried about having him figure it all out. Kindergarten will be here soon enough.  He knows how to write his name so they should let him in :)

 Karter is also an amazing help at the grocery store. He gets a comment pretty much every week on how good of a helper he is too (which I'm sure spurs him on!) At the checkout, he usually loads the cart onto the counter while I start packing on the other end. He also loves to organize the shelves if he sees things kind of out of place and push the empty milk crates down the track.  He would be a good stock boy.  He also helps with Konnor - or bugs him.  Some days are good and some days he is just not allowed to sit in the cart with Konnor!

Karter, like everyone else in this family, doesn't require a lot of sleep.  We are a bit dysfunctional with bedtimes right now and Karter often goes to bed at a time far beyond his years.  This will change next year for sure when he has to get up for school. Right now he sleeps in so it works out okay!

 Karter is a snacker and asks too many times a day for snacks.  Thankfully he does like healthy snacks too. One of his interesting quirks: He eats yogurt with a measuring spoon. Always. And usually the smallest one there is.  Not sure why, but it has to be that way for him.  

Karter also loves to sing. He has his favorite songs that he learns from his older siblings and to which he gets most of the words wrong. He also has his favorites that we sing as a family after supper.

 Karter! We love you so much.  Our prayer is that you would be like your favorite Bible character - David.  You love listening to the story of David and Goliath that we have on a CD.  May you be brave like David. May you be strong in the Lord like David - putting your trust in Him in every situation! May you praise the Lord with everything that you do, and when you sin, may you, like David, turn to God in godly repentance, asking for forgiveness, and knowing that God will cleanse you and wash you til you are whiter than snow.

Thank you for all the joy you bring us. Thank you for all the help you are to us. Thank you for the things you teach us (some that we don't like learning!) Thank you for being a great brother to all your siblings and a great son to us!  We are so grateful that you are a part of our family!!

We LOVE you!