nine years old

Some of my children are beginning to clamor that their faces have not appeared on my blog as of late. So, because I am such an appeasing mother I decided to dedicate my next few posts to the recent happenings of my 3 children. It's either that or my bloggers block is still in full swing.
deal with it.
Recently Jonas turned 9.

He was thrilled to turn nine, while we as parents gaped open mouthed at him in a state of shock for a week in utter disbelief that our chunky little baby is over four feet tall. with big teeth. and a sassy attitude. But strangely not that much more hair.
If Jonas was allowed to be bald, he would be. Hair is just too much work for him. there is the wetting and the combing and the gelling... it's just all so exhausting. We have made deals in the past that he could enjoy the summer with very little hair, but during the school year he must suffer along with the rest of the hairy population and comb his hair. But last month he came home and told me about a friend from his class that is suffering from his 5th go round with cancer. The boys in his class banded together and shaved their heads in preparation for his hair loss. So he got his buzz a little early. Dang my child for being tender hearted.


Jonas isn't a cake fan, but he is a lover of apple pie. So we opted for a birthday pie. It was quickly devoured.
Jonas flew through his mound of presents with the help of his little brother who happens to be under the impression that every present on the universe belongs to him. It IS HIS universe after all.
- He enjoyed his 6 new Bakugans (if you don't know what those are, you obviously don't know any 7-10 year old boys)
- He quickly set to work building his 2 new Bionicles (if you don't know what these are, you must not know any small boys)
- Then he lept with joy at receiving his remote control bumper cars and his new DS game. (if you don't know what these are then you must not know any males whatsoever).
- Then received books, candy, and outdoor games (thanks Amanda!) which he loved. But what really got his heart was a chess set from my parents. (if you don't know what chess is then you don't know any old stuffy people or nerdy children). He has slept near it ever since and has been working on his chess skills; but considering the family his mother came from, he has a way to go before he beats his ma... (actually, I suffer from a disease known as "AVERAGE-ITIS" in an overachieving family, but that is another post, my friends).
Jonas has been brushing up on other skills this past year. He has become a wonderful big brother to his little shadow. Teaching him all sorts of boy things. Wrestling, gaming, burping... the list goes on. He has also honed in on the how-to-torture-the-living-crap-out-of-a-little-sister skill. He has recently achieved the status of complete smart alec when speaking to his parents, which we love.

Seriously though, there are lots of things we actually love about this oldest child of ours.
I love his laugh.
His thoughtful, contemplative nature.
His love for family (despite his disgust for showing that publicly)
His desire to do what's right.
His kindness.
His helpfulness with my little monster (I am so counting on his helpful nature to extend to his soon to come littler brother as well).

I love you, Jonas... all that you are and all that you are becoming.

And I know you love me too...

even if no one else is allowed to see it.