Merry Christmas! If this is your first time visiting our family blog, welcome! It's been a great way for me to chronicle our family adventures, and at the same time, keep friends and relatives up to date on our lives.
2014 was a good year for the Gilberts. With no big changes this year -- no new babies, no new jobs, no new schools, no new house (each year in our 9 years of marriage, at least one, if not more, of these big events has occurred) -- we were able to hit a stride and get into a routine as a family. We still have our fair share of chaotic days, exhausted parents, kids who melt down, and overall craziness, but we are blessed to be living this life together.
So, from oldest to youngest, here is what the Gilbert clan is up to:
Myles is nearly 6.5 years old and in his second year of kindergarten. As one of the youngest kindergarteners in his part time class last year, we had planned to have him repeat kindergarten in the full day program this year, and I am so pleased we did. He is making steady academic progress, is very comfortable and independent with the school routine, and has a lot of nice friends at school. One of my favorite things going on with Myles right now is that he is starting to talk! Speech is still hands down his biggest struggle, but he is saying more and more words that we can understand and even combining a few words at a time. He is a smart boy, but his language does not do his intelligence justice. We have a long way to go, but I am thankful for the progress he has made. Myles is a typical 6-year-old boy in many ways; he continues to love Spider-Man, watching movies, climbing up and then jumping off any and all surfaces, and is happiest when our whole family is together. He is a sensitive and compassionate little boy and is the best of friends with his siblings.
Sydney is nearly 4.5 years old and way too grown up for her own good! She attends a pre-k program two days per week and is learning so much in school. At home she is our chattiest one, to the point where sometimes we have to ask her to stop talking for a bit just to have some quiet, but in public she is very timid. We've seen nice progress in this area over the last several months and she is becoming more comfortable in groups and new environments. Sydney is a fantastic helper around home and acts as our 2nd mama to her brothers (which is sometimes necessary to keep those crazy boys safe!). She has been in gymnastics weekly this fall and winter and really enjoys her class. She also likes art projects, helping in the kitchen, reading (and is starting to read some on her own), dressing up, and using her big and active imagination to keep occupied. Sydney is our sweet, dependable one who helps to keep things steady and calm (unless she's being dramatic, then things are the opposite of calm).
Ryker recently turned 2 and is the perfect youngest child for our family. He has thankfully always been laid back and not fussed by too much. He is very verbal and actually listens pretty well for his age. I thought for a bit that with his personality, and all of our, you know, fantastic and seasoned parenting skills, we might actually bypass the "terrible twos," but Ryker is asserting his two-ness on a daily basis and giving us increasing amounts of toddler attitude. Oh, joy. Ryker attends "Jr. Preschool" two days per week and has also learned a lot from his school program. He loves to be active and wild, likes books, dinosaurs, cars, and trucks. Ryker is also a big sports fan and is often heard asking, "Broncos today?" or saying, "I want to watch football!" It's actually influenced Myles to be more interested in watching and playing sports too! I probably kiss Ryker 50 times on a daily basis; he is still my baby even though he's clearly turning into an independent toddler. It's bittersweet for this mama.
As for Gilby and I, when we're not keeping busy with our little ones, folding laundry, washing dishes, and all of the other fun stuff that keeps a family going, we occasionally still have enough energy to do house projects, connect with friends, and once in awhile (gasp) even get out on our own. Gilby is coming up on three years as Program Coordinator with Rocky Mountain Down Syndrome Association, and I am in my sixth year as a (part-time) social worker for Children's Hospital Colorado. Both are amazing organizations that work hard to serve our community. We joined a new church closer to our new home last spring and have really enjoyed making new friends and getting involved there. The little kids and I go to a Mom's Life Group each week and Gilby is preparing to serve as a youth group leader starting in the new year. We feel incredibly grateful for the family we have been given and the amazing kids we have the privilege of raising.
Merry Christmas from our family to yours.
Love,
Jocelyn (and the whole Gilbert crew)
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