A quick update on Christian

This summer has been so great! I have absolutely loved being home with the kids. Christian did summer camp, we went swimming almost every day, there were day trips (not as many as I would like!) to the bay and beach. We spent tons of time with family and friends and generally did everything you would expect out of summer. It wasn't all fun and games though...we worked hard! Jared is still keeping up a grueling schedule with two jobs, and I also did bookkeeping for a local tax company. In addition to work, being pregnant during summer was basically the worst thing ever. There were so many days where I thought that I would never be cool again! But when I look back at all of our fun and adventure, I am so grateful for the time home that I got to spend with the kids.

Christian is growing like a weed. At his 4 year doctor appointment, they determined that he is the size of an average 7 year old. He is on their heart watch list and he recently had blood work done to see if he has the same genetic mutation as others in the Joyner family. We hope to receive those results soon. He has also started preschool...which has become the bane of my existence, but he is THRIVING. He has made a few friends, and although he is way ahead of other kids and isn't coming home learning a bunch of new things, the social and physical outlet has made all the difference for him and our family. He attends 5 days a week from 12:00-3:00. It is an absolute pain because I have to get him and the other kids out of the car twice a day (the second time during Leila's nap!) to sign him in and out, and that is just no fun at all. But as I am so often reminded, this will be my life for the next few years! He continues to be a chatter box, often getting lost in specific details. While it drives me crazy, I love to watch how his mind works as he thinks things through and applies it to what he already knows. He tends to correct people because he is sooooo specific, and that will definitely be a character trait we will have to work on as he gets older. However, although he may correct others in an unintentionally obnoxious way, he makes up for this with his kind and generous heart. Rarely will you see him raise his voice or his fists. He reaches out to anyone needing a friend, and speaks kindly to his friends and family.

At 4 1/2 Christian loves:
Dinosaurs
Dinosaur Train
The Santa Clause
Oatmeal
Sour Patch Kids
Lego sets
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles...especially Raphael and Michaelangelo!

His best friends are:
Elaine
Gavyn
Kaylen

Grandma took CJ and Elaine to Lake Tahoe for their first overnight vacation

Some of CJ's artwork on Snapchat

Building his very first Lego set. He LOVED it

Working on writing his letters

Mommy and CJ date

Time to clean up that mop of hair!

Two peas in a pod

He is so silly and makes me laugh constantly

Body Slam!

His little tan line!

He made a few new friends this summer - his favorite being Jaxton

Dad tried to be cool and create CJ's name....Christian was NOT impressed

Arts and crafts time! His least favorite, but he is tolerating it well

This is from his trip to Utah with Jared and Leila.

I love that he sleeps just like his Dad

Family Breakfast - it doesn't happen often and it was a nice treat!

He somehow got covered in dirt and he looked like a hobo!

Swimming in our backyard

And of course, his Mom is awesome and got pictures with his two favorite Ninja Turtles!

Christian, we love you! Thank you for being such a bright and joyful light in my life.