Brown(Robert) + Green(KaDee) = Everything

I still don't understand the genetics that go in to deciding eye color. I've read about and been told about it but I still see no rhyme or reason that eyes turn out the colors they do. I thought for sure we'd have all brown eyed kids. Our kids each have a different shade of eyes.
                                                                      Dark Blue

(sometimes I think they're grey)

Dark Brown

                                                                          Hazel

                                                                         Light Blue

Kid Stuff

Claire -The girl always has a "tummy ache" and is always eating. I think the two may have a lot to do with each other. Claire is brave in so many ways but absolutely petrified of animals, bugs, and monsters. She is my first kid that really gets scared at night. When she gets scared she literally shakes.
Jane - Finally back to looking normal after a wicked fall at the park. Robert had the kids at the park at the time. She bled a lot. She had a big fat lip that was scabbed and she bruised her gums above one of her front teeth. One of her front teeth may be a little loose now. She seems to get injured a lot. Not sure if it's because of her knees or what. Recovering from strep.

Linda - Got strep this week and missed 3days of school. High fever, sore throat and really tired. She's been on an antibiotic. Was able to go to school yesterday and today just in time for her school holiday parties. Really doing great with reading.

Bruce - Finally drinking milk again. It's been years. I give him like 1/4cup a day and tell him that it's like his vitamin. Getting much better about eating things. Trying to get his 4 loose teeth out. On his own for the last month or so he's been coming up with ideas on how he can stay up until midnight on New Years Eve. His list includes: 1. Eating a spicy chicken sandwich with NO WATER. 2. putting ice down his back 3.no pillow and no blanket that might get him tired. 4. Go to sleep at his normal time and then have me wake him up at 11:30. He is always thinking! :)

Bye Bye Baby Hair!

Claire has had her hair trimmed quite a few times before, but today was her first big girl hair cut at a salon. I had the lady cut off all of her wispy baby hair. I couldn't believe how thick her hair is now that the baby hair is gone. She looks adorable with her little a-line cut. She was awesome in the chair. She sat very quietly and did exactly what was asked of her. After her haircut she kept touching her hair saying, "Pretty!"
                                                                       THE CUT

THE BLOW DRY

ALMOST DONE!

THE BACK & THE FRONT



I had parent/teacher conferences with Bruce and Linda's teachers last Friday. It was nice to sit down and have a real conversation with them about the kids. I don't get to help in the classroom because I still have the two little girls home in the days.

BRUCE - Bruce's teacher is great. She is very organized and efficient. Bruce seems to really respond to her and she seems to do a good job at teaching as well as getting to know each child's personality, weaknesses and strengths.
Some of his teachers comments:

Bruce is a delightful young man and a pleasure to have in class. He is very cooperative and always participates in classroom discussions. His oral reading and comprehension have continually been improving this trimester...A strength of Bruce's is mathematics. He has a great number sense and problem solving skills...Bruce is willing to take part in all classroom activities. He adds great insight in to our class discussions and is always willing to be a volunteer. I am looking forward to working with Bruce this school year.

LINDA - Linda's teacher seems to be good at what she does. I think that she probably has a pretty tough job with 26 1st graders who have full day for the first time. Linda really enjoys her class and whatever her teacher is doing, it's working. Linda has totally exceeded my expectations with her school work. She is keeping right up with all the other kids in the class and the half year of kindergarten she missed doesn't seem to be holding her back.
Some of her teachers comments:
(there weren't many, mostly it was ideas of things I could do with her at home)

Linda is very shy in class and mostly observes the activities. She is more vocal when we are in small groups. I believe in time Linda will become more comfortable and actively participate. Linda has a strong reading vocabulary of high frequency words and is blending sounds...

Thompson Christmas Letter 2010

Merry Christmas!

After spending two years in Fairfax, VA we made the move back to California. We started off 2010 in our home here in Oceanside, CA. We're just 2 1/2 miles from the beach which has been so nice. We love the weather and both Robert and I are able to live close to the majority of both of our families now. We do miss DC though. It was a wonderful experience living there. We miss the endless things to see and places to go and the opportunities is allowed our family to have. We also miss the friends we made there.

Robert works in Santa Ana, CA(about a 50min. commute) for the Federal Small Business Administration. They actually created a position for him out here and that's how we were able to tranfer back. His deals with disaster loan liquidation. So, whenever you see a hurricane or flood on the news, you'll know that that means job security for Robert. Robert serves in the Stake Sunday School presicency at church and that is one easy calling. :) He works so hard to provide for our family and is a good dad and husband.

KaDee stays home with the kids full time. With two kids in full day school this and only two kids home, life seems to be getting a little easier in the days...most of the time. I was recently called to serve as the Young Womens 2nd Counselor in our ward. Should be interesting. I've been contimplating going back to school next year. We'll see how the year goes.

Bruce turned 7 in August. He is a great kid. He's very athletic and has really enjoyed playing soccer this year. He is in 2nd grade. He does really well in school and excells in math. Bruce loves playing board games, building things, learning, and playing with friends.

Linda just turned 6. She is in 1st grade. She enjoys school and loves to socialize. Linda loves to draw and create things. She likes books and loves to play with Barbies. She is my little woman and is very capable. We're hoping to get Linda in to ballet this year. She is a good girl and she has a lot of love to give.

Jane is 4. What a sweetie she is. She is really excited about starting school next year. In February of this year, Jane was diagnosed with Juvenile Arthritis. She has arthritis in both of her knees. She is on medication and sees a great Doctor. She is doing well. Jane is somewhat of a tomboy. She is really interested in sports and loves playing with Bruce and her daddy. She is a happy soul. She loves rollercoasters and playgrounds and being busy.

Claire is 2 years old. She keeps me on my toes. She loves to eat and prefers to eat the good stuff that mommy and daddy are eating. She is always on the go...ALWAYS. She has been fully potty trained for a long time now which means that there can not be a single diaper or wet wipe found in this house. It's been about 7years of diapers changing for Robert and I and that stage is now at an end! Hooray! :) We call Claire our Virgnina baby as she was born out there and is the only one of the kids born outside of California. She keeps us laughing and we love her.

Most of this year was spent getting settled in to new schools, a new ward, a new neighborhood, new home, and making new friends. It finally feels like we've gotten settled and we are greatful for our lives here in CA. We're so greatful for the many blessing that have come from our Heavenly Father as we have moved forward with life.

Oh Christmas Tree!

Our Christmas tree has been up for a couple of weeks now. The kids were so excited to have a Christmas tree in our house. For the last two years we have spent Christmas away from home so we didn't bother to put a tree up in our house. It will be nice to spend Christmas at home this year.

The stockings are hung and ready for Santa to fill!