Micah is 9

Micah turned 9 in the middle of April and then the "end-of-school" started. :) I told myself I had to get his update done before June otherwise my brain would turn into mush. 

When we think of Micah we think about what a great friend he is. He has a variety of kids in his class that he talks about and he knows real details about them. Whenever my kids get invited to a birthday party, I ask what kind of gift their friend would like and he can always come up with something. I heard one of his friends describe him as the "class clown" so I'm trusting his teacher would have told me if that was a problem. He loves to laugh and make others laugh too. That's true at home too. Micah and Eli have really gotten into sports cards. They both still love the Dallas Cowboys. It's wild to me how much they have picked up from reading cards. He adores Emmit Smith and when the boys play football he loves playing running back. He's so shifty fast- I think he often surpises people with his speed. They know what era certain players are from based on the card design and know rookie years to players from looking them up. I will admit, the hobby sometimes makes me crazy when I walk in their room, but overall it's been a good bonding experience for the boys and not a bad way to get some sneaky reading in. :) 

Micah received the core essentials award at the end of the school year this year. He and his buddy Marshall and I genuinely think he was just as happy for Marshall as he was himself. He's just the best cheerleader. Oh, and he's become a good photographer for us at Eli's baseball so that has been really handy for this mom. He is anxiously awaiting the start of his season- kid pitch! 

This past year meant a diagnosis for Micah too. He has alopecia areata. If you've seen him in person, I'm certain you've noticed. It's an autoimmune disease and his dermatologist has given us hope that his hair growth will return, but of course it isn't guaranteed. For now, it seems his hair loss has stalled out, so we're just treating the spots and will see his doctor next month. He has done awesome with it- kids ask of course, but he tells them the name and they move on. I think it's evidence of what a good friend he is to others, because they haven't picked on him about it at all. 

Of all of our kids, Micah is the most emotive about missing his Grandpa Wichert. He often will tell us stories he remembers in the most random of moments. I'm so glad God made him this way. Micah is such a gift to our whole family. Our prayer continues to be as Micah grows in stature that he will grow in favor with God and men. We are confident that God who began His good work will see it to completion- that Micah will grow to hear the voice of God and respond in obedience. Oh God, let it be. 

Height- 51.5"

Weight- 58.8lb 

Knox is 3

Oh Knox, Knoxie, Knox Joshua. What a wild joy you are! 

 Knox is a complete juxtaposition of no-limit, go-till-you-drop, never-ask-for-permission, passionate AND gentle, sweet, perceptive, and loving. He's not unlike most 3 year olds where he's just a roller coaster, but I do think he's special because I'm his mama. He is the first to give a hug- often to us or his Grandma Bonnie (probably his favorite person) or to a person he doesn't know that I'm talking to at a baseball game. I've seen it enough times to know what's coming- it starts with a leg hug, a "what's your name" followed by a "what's your favorite color". I love being along for the ride that is "Knox". Oh, and his favorite color is "red, like Marshall". 

Knox loves: paw patrol, puzzles (he's crazy good at them), hugs, food, climbing step stools and cabinets to get food, foxie, trains, cars, dirt (he made a dirt pillow at baseball), books, friends, other people's food, singing (his voice is so loud and he's currently singing a lot of Annie and Sing 2), Bluey (who doesn't like Bluey), and talking to Abby on the phone (our babysitter).

 Knox is a kid that I often wish I could see what's going on in his mind. As his vocabulary and communication skills grow, I'm getting more of a glimpse and it is honestly helpful. He usually has a good reason for doing what he's doing, but it often has us spinning until we realize. 

 He did flood our bathroom this year. I think the big kids will remember that forever. He also can open our garage door by getting a broom handle and hitting the buttom. If that makes you nervous it should, but also we are constantly all on "Knox watch". He really is very similar to Curious George- he usually has a good reason, but also doesn't often listen to "reason". Can't believe we've gotten to have him in our family for 3 years. It's going to be a fun ride seeing what God has for him and who he's made him to be.

Height- 37.75"

Weight- 36.2 lb

Lana is 5

Lana Mae, how did we get to 5 already? You are so excited to be in kindergarten and we are ready to see you bloom there.

Lana loves: deciding what her brain tells her what color is her favorite that day (it changes a lot), playing barbies, playing legos, coloring and drawing and any kind of art project, the corners of her elephant blanket, playing with Haddie (she LOVES her), when Abby comes to play (babysit), swinging, talking about kindergarten, singing, playing house (especially if everyone is the person she assigns), her friends (Frank, Katie, and Mary), she also loves doing "best friend day" where she chooses a sibling to focus her attention and fun with. If a siblings is home sick from school, Lana would say something like "well I guess it's best friends day with Eli today". If it's Eli, for example, she'll ask if he wants to look at sports cards with her. She really just likes being with people and is sweet to know what everyone likes. 

 Lana has BIG feelings- often accompanies with loud reactions. It's fun (sometimes) to walk her through those and see her process. We know from past experience (older kids) that as they grow in their understanding of themselves they also grow in their emotional understanding. She hates hates hates being left out- both the reality of it and the perceived reality. She wants to be in the action. She is pretty absent minded which makes me wonder what she's thinking about. I often have to tell her to pay attention to where her feet are- because she trips, runs into, and falls a fair amount. I just think she's in a dream land- I think it's fun. She goes to extremes pretty easily- in the same meal she will say "this is my favorite food ever, mom" to shortly after saying "actually, I don't like it". I've learned to not take a compliment or criticism too seriously. :) Oh, and my favorite word she says is "airmaplane" (airplane). 

Lana had her tonsils and adenoids removed in January and ear tubes put in. So far, we've noticed she can hear and process much better. We're so thankful we went ahead and had the surgery done as we think her quality of life has improved. 

I don't know that anyone else is more excited for summer than Lana- to have all her siblings home every day. She is looking forward to swimming and nature and lots and lots of playing house. Lana Mae, we love you so! You add a spunk and spice our family needed. You love our family and talk about us all the time. We're excited to see what God has for you in year 6. Love you to pieces. 

Height- 44.5" 

Weight- 45.2 lb