Life and Times of the Clark 4

It's been a little while, so I thought I'd update everyone on the life and times of my favorite 4 little people. So here it is...a snapshot into each one's life as we begin 2010.

Riley is a couple months away from being 8 years old. She's got a personality the size of Texas....there's no denying that. She is full of sass and spunk...an emotional child with major ups and major downs. She has such a kind heart, and is very helpful with the baby. She's currently involved in gymnastics and just signed up for spring softball (she's graduated from T-ball!). This year she has really grown into a smart little thing. She is reading above her level and loves the "Junie B. Jones" series of books. She wants to learn to play the piano and loves to write (everywhere...her diary, "short stories", and on furniture and toys in her room). She even writes notes to us instead of asking us, for example: "Can we have Broccoli Cheese Soup for Dinner? Circle Yes or No". She's very creative and recently started scrapbooking and every free moment she gets she asks, "Mom, can we scrapbook?"...if only we could.

Caden is 5 (and a half). He is full of life and is so full of joy. Cade's eyes sparkle when he smiles...they have since he was a baby. He is VERY into video games. Unfortunately he has a mom that doesnt allow him to play much. Cade is involved in gymnastics and just signed up for spring T-ball. He knows math-small addition and subtraction problems, how to write his name and every character in Star Wars. Cade doesn't much like to color, but he is very active. He loves to play dress-up (boy stuff...storm troopers, indians, buzz lightyear, the hulk, etc...). He loves to ride his bike, play tag, and build things with legos and tinker toys. He is extremely generous for his age and shares very well. Every time he is offered a treat (like a sucker or sticker) he always asks if he can get another one for his sisters. He keeps his room very neat and I hardly ever have to ask him to pick it up (which I can't say for his sisters).

Brooke is 3 (and a half). She is our little angel and is so happy to have her older siblings...she loves to play whatever they tell her too. Cade and Riley argue over what to play but she isn't picky - she's just so happy to play. She has the sweetest disposition. She loves to have books read to her and freely gives out hugs and kisses. Favorite activities are playing with play-doh, coloring--a.k.a. scribbling, and cooking in her pretend kitchen. She knows all her letters, but she is still in a diaper at night. She shares a room with her sister and they sometimes have trouble going to sleep at night because of all the giggling and twittering. She is currently involved in gymnastics and speech therapy. She still is hard to understand to anyone beyond mom and dad.

J.P. is nearly 9 months old. I say that with a grimace cause I can't believe it! He is starting to scale furniture. He's been pulling up for a while, but now he's scooching down the tables, sofas, etc. He's really into Cheerios, pacifiers, and exersaucers. J.P. has 2 teeth and the MOST infectious smile...it's the dimples. He truly is the happiest baby. He wakes every morning around 5 o'clock which is tough (even for an early riser). As I curse all the way to his bedroom - when he sees me he breaks out in the biggest grin and then all is right with the world.

I'm convinced I could have 4 more and they'd all be as different as my current 4. (I'm not going to test that theory, but I'm sure it's true).