We had doctor's appointments recently, so I have updated stats for all the kids. Our appointments are very delayed because the office won't let us schedule a year in advance and also doesn't send out reminders, so by the time birthdays hit and I think of yearly check-ups and call, we're looking at an appointment two months out. They also won't let me schedule more than 2 kids for consecutive time slots, so I spend the better part of 2-3 days returning to the same office with the same 5 children so that a different 1-2 can be the star(s) of the appointment.
Olivia: 76 pounds, 59.25 inches tall
Gretchen: 61 pounds, 56.5 inches tall
Kaitlyn: 58 pounds, 50.5 inches tall
Matthias: 51 pounds, 47 inches tall
Theodore: 40 pounds, 42 inches tall
Matthias has joined his sisters at school, so Theodore is the only one at home now. Some days we get a lot done, and some days we just get on each other's nerves. Theodore's most recent weigh-in meant that he got to move to a high back booster in the car, so we currently have zero five-point harnesses in the van. He was a reluctant buckler of his five-point harness and is not any more pleased with the booster. Mostly he feels strongly that, as the littlest, things should be done for him.
We've been making lunches the night before and Theodore was jealous of everyone's yummy food getting packed away, so now he gets a lunch most nights, too. He picks the food and helps pack it up in a cute little lunch box that he pulls out of the fridge the next day at lunch time. Usually he is not irritated at the choices he made the night before. He is always excited to have the lunch box to open, regardless of the contents.
Kaitlyn played soccer this fall and enjoyed it for the most part. She's pretty good at defense, although she spent the first few games gesturing apologetically at the other team after kicking the ball away from them. She got more aggressive as the season progressed and learned to stay with the ball after kicking it.
Gretchen played volleyball for the first time, and might take after her mother in this regard. Which is to say, she did not manage to serve over the net this season. She got closer each game, though, and if she decides to continue with volleyball next year I think she has a good chance of making it.
Four of the kids are participating in a Healthy Kids Running Series this month (Kaitlyn declined). It's a nationwide program that just found its way to Lima. I'm definitely more excited than they are, but they humor me. :) Theodore runs an adorable 75 yard dash, Matthias guts out a quarter mile, and Olivia and Gretchen have to complete a mile. Olivia has been the first girl across the finish line each week. Gretchen gives it her best and managed to land herself in the ER with stomach cramps last week that Bryan was worried might be appendicitis, but the doctor decided were probably due to poor running form. Sad day. She likes the idea of running. Next week is their last week and is followed by a parent mile which I plan to run. Bryan will run if the kids make him.
Matthias is looking forward to a basketball technique season that starts at the end of the month. No games, just learning ball handling skills. I think mostly he's excited to have something of his own on the calendar.
