Summer Wrap-Up

We had a great summer, it went fast but the boys were excited to get back to school.  James had summer school through July.  He really had fun and loved going.  It was only a half day 4 days a week and his teacher made it like going to summer camp.  She was so proud of his hard work and progress he made.  James loved being able to spend time with his friends.  He was sent home with a progress report at the end of the summer and I was impressed with how many days he was able to work independently or with minimal support. 

James' report card.  

A few days after summer school got out James decided he was ready to ride a two wheeler.  So he got on Mikey's bike and went for it.  He needed no help from me.  

 He was pretty proud of himself.  Shortly after he learned to ride a girl came riding up the street.  She was about his age and riding a much bigger bike.  She rode around watching him for a few minutes then said in her most snotty tone of voice, "I can ride a much bigger bike than you."  James simply and sincerely replied "You are good at riding two-wheelers!"  She left.  He has since moved to riding his own bike which fits him much better.

James learning to ride a two-wheeler!

Mikey loves riding bikes also.  Wasn't quite ready to move on to the pedal bike. 

 The first week of August we took a family trip to Flaming Gorge with Doug's family.  The boys were so excited for this trip!  Doug and Mikey left on Monday to drive the boat and all our gear up and to get a campsite.  Brooke went to hang out with Grandma and Grandpa for a few days and I drove up with Billy and James on Tuesday.
Tuesday was fun, hanging out at the beach, driving the boat to "rockland" and playing in the rain.  James was terrified of the boat at first so he got on to drive to the campsite and then would not get on again.  On Wednesday we forced him on to drive over to rockland and he quickly overcame his fear.
On Wednesday Amber showed up with the cousins.  The boys were so excited to be able to spend time with them.

James "kneeboarding" 

On Thursday morning they took the boat to pick up Grandma and Grandpa and Brooke and the boat broke down once they got back to camp.  So we were kind of stranded the rest of the week.  

Riding on the boat

 The boys still had a blast playing with their cousins, fishing, swimming, eating, and getting dirty.

James' favorite thing was the hammock we brought.  He spent
a lot of time here. 

Billy caught a fish.  He was pretty proud of himself and talks about it often still.

Mikey wanted a turn holding Billy's fish

 Billy and Adam became fast friends.  Adam also cohered Billy into some mischief.  One time they were playing with Brooke running up and down a small hill in our camp.  We were just sitting there listening to them playing and laughing.  Then someone noticed.  There was no more laughing.  The kids were gone.  Everyone jumped up to go find them.  Billy and Adam were found on the path a short distance away and Brooke was in the woods between camp and the path.  When they were brought back to camp someone said "Did you go for a walk?"  Adam said "No we run."  and Billy chimed in "We run away from Brooke."  So apparently one of them talked the other one into ditching the little sister.
Another time Billy and Adam were hanging out in Adam's tent.  Doug was listening to them play and noticed them sneak out of the tent and leave camp.  So he decided to follow them and see where they were headed.  Adam kept saying "we have to get away from the grocery store."  Billy was not as excited about the adventure but followed his friend.  He was pretty worried that he wasn't wearing shoes and there were cactus everywhere.  They went quite a ways away until finally just when Billy was about to step on some cactus Doug said "Billy, what are you guys doing?"  Billy turned around surprised and said "Dad, You here!"

 We brought this swing to try and keep Brooke contained so we didn't have to worry about her running off and falling in the lake or some cactus.  She didn't get to use it much,  the bigger boys had a blast swinging in it and spinning around.

Mikey playing with his cousins

James loved fishing

The boys had no trouble sleeping.  We had to wake them up
on the last day to pack up to go home.

On Saturday we packed up camp and hitchhiked back to the cars.  It was so much fun the boys are excited to go again next year.

In SUMMMMERRR!

Summer has been fun for us so far.  And going by so fast.  Although I know Mikey is ready to get back to school, and I think it helps that James has had Summer School for the month of July.  It is so nice and cool here compared to New Mexico that we have had a blast this summer, just hanging out and being outside. Here are some things we have done this summer so far: 

James lost his first 2 teeth.  He has been super excited about this all summer. 

Lost a tooth!

James' letter to the Tooth Fairy

Lots of parks.  All kinds of parks.

The Sports park splash pad is the best, it is right in the middle
of the playground so I don't have to chase kids back and forth. 

Brooke loves parks and everything about them.  She is way to
independent for her age!

Mikey showing off how strong he is.

 All kinds of water activities. We have been to splash parks, swimming pools, and had lots of fun with water in the back yard.  It's not summer without water!

Brooke found her brothers bath after he got out!

Snuggled up after some time at the Dinosaur park.

A snack after swimming!

Hanging out at the lake, "fishing" with a friend.

He may be part reptile!  Soaking up some heat from the rocks.

General silliness!  Everyone in this house is silly.  Brooke is one of the most.

Playing Peak-a-boo with Mom.  As soon as the camera turns
on we are in cheesy mode.

Reading buddies!  We have spent a lot of time at the library and James' reading skills are coming a long.  It is fun to listen to him sound words out and read whole books to us.

James reading a book to Mikey

Building forts and tree houses.  James really wants a tree house.  Two problems, we are just renting, and we don't have a tree that would hold a tree house.  That has not stopped him from putting the "kid ladder" next to a small tree and "climbing" the tree a lot.  We also made this awesome fort which we called a tree house.  James was convinced...for a minute.

Our make-shift treehosue

Riding bikes!  Billy wanted a bike for his birthday.  None of our kids can ride a two-wheeler yet so I was torn between a balance bike or another training wheel bike.  So Doug came up with the idea of make balance bikes out of thrift store bikes.  We made each of the kids one for a total of $15 including a can of spray paint to pair a very girly Barbie bike orange.  The boys have spent hours and hours on these bikes and I bet by the end of the summer we have at least one actual bike rider.

 Camping and camp firing.  James has been really really excited about camping this summer.  The boys have slept out in the back yard a few times and we have a few camping trips scheduled.  We have done a few camp fires in the fire pit and lots and lots of s'mores.

Look a picture of Mom!  It's a miracle.

Mikey relaxing at the fire.

Billy just chillin'!

A few other things:

• Golf lessons.  Mikey has been taking golf lessons during July.  He is learning a lot, but has a hard time with such a slow paced game!  
• Zoo!  Billy loves and zoo and now so does Brooke.  Last time we went we actually took her out of the stroller and let her see the animals.  She seemed to like it more when she realized we weren't just walking around looking at fences. 
• Mountains.  We got to go to Doug's family's cabin for Memorial Day.  The boys always love it up there.  We went on a 4 mile hike around Monarch Lake and James practically ran the whole thing with me right behind him.  He loved playing temple run.  They also went fishing several times and everyone caught a fish.
• Utah.  Mikey got to go to Utah with Grandma and Grandpa and Scott.  He loved spending time with his cousins and especially loved the trampoline place.  He now wishes we had a place with "hundreds of trampolines".

Bills is 3!

 Billy is now 3!  It is crazy how fast they grow, he does not seem old enough to be 3 yet.  He has really added so much to our family these past 3 years and I love him so much.  Usually just around the time the kids turn 18 months Doug says he wished he could pause time because they are really so much fun, and haven't hit any terribleness yet.  Well for the first time Doug has declared for a second time on a single child that he would like to pause time.  Billy is FUN!  He is mostly pleasant, he does have a few temper tantrums and can scream with the best of them, but for the most part he is just sweet and awesome.  He is still always looking out for "Fwa" (Brooke) and is concerned when she is doing something he doesn't think she should be doing.  He LOVES playing with his brothers and can hold his own when they get playing pretty rough.  I would even say he typically isn't the first to leave their wrestling sessions crying.  He is usually pretty easy going and kind of gets the short end of the stick a lot because he just doesn't care, he's just happy to be included.
I think my favorite time I spend with Billy is when I am putting him down for nap or bed.  He happily runs to bed himself.  Then after we read a story he asks me to sing songs.  "Sing ABCD" (his favorite) then if I sing too fast (according to him) he takes his index finger and gently runs it down my cheek and whispers "Sloow".  Then we have to sing "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star. Sloow" then "I am a Child of God" and finally my favorite, "I Love You"  during which he hugs me tight during the entire song and I get a kiss at the end.  Then once I am done singing he says, "I love you too".  Seriously, this is happiness.
I think his birthday was the easiest to plan.  This kid has things that he absolutely loves, and he gets really excited about everything.  Mikey got him Blades the helicopter Rescue Bot.  Rescue Bot's is like Transformers for preschoolers. I think it was love at first sight.  He has not been without his Rescue Bot since.  They do everything together.

Billy watching "Rescue Bots" with his Rescue Bot

Billy eating breakfast with his Rescue Bot

Sleeping with his Rescue Bot

About 2 or 3 months before his birthday Billy for some reason decided he wanted a "He Man cake!"  And the way he said it was so cute we asked him often what kind of cake he wanted.  As his birthday drew closer it was obvious what kind of cake he would really like...and Airplane cake.  He LOVES airplanes.  I tried several times to see if he would change his mind but he didn't.  The week of his birthday he finally changed to "He man cake, robot cake, airplane cake, spiderman cake, ninja cake... all those cakes."  So I had a plan of a hodge lodge cake to incorporate all the things he loved.  Finally the day before his birthday I was mixing the cake and was about to pour it into the pans when I asked him once more what kind of cake he wanted.  He replied "AIRPLANE cake!"  Talk about waiting until the last second.  When I showed him his cake the next morning he LOVED it. 

It may have ended up with a few more airplanes by the time we ate it.

Silly Billy! 

Some other things he got for his birthday, a planes sleeping bag and backpack (which is perfect because his favorite color is orange and he loves planes) an airport and racetrack play mat, Ninjago legos, Planes the movie, a remote control Dusty airplane (this may have stole the show for awhile), a pillow pet and a pirate ship with some Jake and the Neverland pirates figures (this show is now watched often in our house).  Billy gets so excited about things that it was fun to watch him open everything and play with it all.

Billy playing with Dusty.  This airplane also sometimes
sleeps with him. 

Our interview with Billy this year was a little hard because he hasn't even given much thought to many of these questions. 

• When he grows up he wants to be a city builder like Dad
• Likes to play airplanes with Dad and eat dinner with Mom
• Favorite:
• Color: Orange
• Show: Rescue Bots
• Movie: Cars
• Book: "Let's Paint the Garage"
• Song: ABCD's
• Candy: M&M's
• Animal: Lion
• Food: Nachos
• Toy: Cars
• Game: Football

Everything is Awesome!

(We may or may not have watched the Lego Movie a few times this past month....)
The other day James' teacher called me just to give me an update on how summer school has been going.  She had nothing but good things to say and I LOVE when that happens.  It seems like James has been making so much progress lately that it is even easy for us to see the difference.  I think if anyone from New Mexico were to see James now they wouldn't even recognize him.  We are so proud of him and all the hard work he has done to get to this point.

James has been playing dress-ups all the time.
I never know who is going to come up from
the basement once he has been down there.
The other day I even caught him sitting at my
sewing machine trying to sew himself a new costume.

Some fun things we talked about:

• James and Angel.  James has always loved Angel and he really missed her while he was on break.  Once he went back to school he attached himself to her again.  His teacher says before he would say "Hi" and hang around her a little bit, but there wasn't much interaction.  Now he actually plays with her, and they play dolls.  James is not a big fan of dolls so it is pretty big for him to choose a non-prefered activity in order to hang out with his best buddy.  The other day they were making clothes pin butterflies.  Angel was taking a nap, so when James finished his he asked if he could make one for Angel.  He then put it next to her pillow for when she woke up.  
• James is WORKING!  She says she doesn't have to really redirect him as much.  He has his awesome stool (similar to this), which he loves, and will sit and work for 20 minutes at a time. She even hasn't had to offer him the iPad as much as a reward. 
• He is getting really good at math.  He does his work and loves it.  The other day she had him try to help another boy with his math and he sure tried hard but couldn't get past "the answer is 5".  He just could not figure out how to explain how he got the answer. 
• He has had almost 0 temper tantrums and is really learning to self-regulate.  One time he started getting angry and went to run out of the room.  She just said "think about it James. It's almost recess time" (she never takes recess away, but will take away a preferred activity at recess) and that was enough for him to stop himself and get back on task.    One day there was a boy in another classroom having a meltdown. For about 2 hours.  After awhile James calmly asked for his headphones.  
• He is learning to follow the directions and do what he is asked.  One time he and another boy were playing marble run.  It was time to clean up so James did.  The other boy did not.  After a few minutes his teacher said "OK James you are done let's let him finish cleaning up his stuff"  James left, but did not take his eyes off the boy.  After a little while he said "She's going to put it up."  Meaning up where they could not play with it anymore.  He was really concerned this boy was going to loose his favorite toy for them. 
• He is really good at arts and crafts.  They have the day set up by stations and make sure that James always goes to the craft station last because it is such a good motivation for him.  She says he is the best in the class and draws great faces on all his creations, put the parts on correctly and spaces things just how he should.  
• He is trying lots of new foods...as long as they are brown. 
• He is playing on all the equipment at recess rather than just walking around on the perimeter. He is climbing and using his whole body. 
• He isn't quite as obsessed with blue. 
• He has learned to control his temper.  She mentioned to the assistant teachers that James had a temper.  Their response was "James?  Really?"
• He is getting a sense of humor close to what typical kids his age would have.  She said she was having a conversation with the kids about farting at circle time.  She said everyone farts, it happens, but you can leave and do it somewhere else.  I guess James thought this conversation was pretty funny and said, "the principal farts?"  yes.  Then he raised his hand and giggling said "Do you fart?"  I guess farts are funny. 

Our little mad scientist.  He loves to get his
science kit out and make different mixtures.
This particular time he make a "zombie" in
his flask. 

Glimpsing into James' Mind

I love when I get a glimpse into James' mind and understand a little how he views the world.  

1. We often tell James how skinny he is.  Mostly when he is changing and we actually see those super skinny arms and his ribs.  I didn't think anything of this.  He often tells his brothers they are skinny when he is in a supper silly mood.  So it made me laugh pretty hard the other day when I realized what he actually thinks skinny means.  He got out of the shower and was running around upstairs naked yelling "I'm Skin-ey,  I'm Skin-ey" of course he is skinny, he is after all covered in skin.  

2.  Doug brought home and old children's wood picnic table from his Grandparents.  They were going to throw it away and Doug decided to refinish it for our kids.  We explained to them that first he needed to sand down the old wood and paint then we would put new paint on it.  James has been pretty excited and has been asking when Dad is going to sand it.  So the other day Doug was cleaning out the shed and James found a jar full of sand.  He immediately ran over to the picnic table and carefully poured the sand all over it.  He then explained to me that the table was now "sanded" and we could paint it! 

James "lost" two teeth this week.  He had a dentist appointment and since the other teeth were already growing in behind the dentist just pulled them out.  He was so excited.  Then not long after we got home he lost them in the backyard.  We talked about it and he decided to write a note to the Tooth Fairy: Dear Tooth Fairy, Find my Teeth. She did and left him 2 dollars and a tooth brush and tooth paste so he can take care of his new teeth.  

He was really mad that there is no school because he wants to show his friends that he lost a tooth.  He asks every day if there is school. 

Mikey Turns 5

Mikey turned 5 on May 18.  He is so exceed to be growing up, he is pretty much excited by everything.  Mikey is a fun little soul and doesn't have very many strong opinions.  Getting ready for his birthday he couldn't decide what he wanted to ask for, and we couldn't figure out what he would want either.  I had to take him to Toys R Us one night and just walk around so he could figure out what he wanted.  He still didn't have any really strong opinions.  He also didn't know what kind of cake he wanted. Finally a few days before his birthday he settled on a Rainbow Dash cake.  

One thing he was certain of was what he wanted for his birthday dinner...Crabs.  He talked about it constantly.  So we decided that since it was kind of expensive, and James and Brooke weren't going to eat them, and we didn't want to do all the work for Billy we would let him have a special dinner with Mom and Dad after the others went to bed.  He loved it, and it was fun just talking and talking to Mikey.  

Mikey eating his corn. 

 With how enthusiastic he started eating I was worried we weren't going to have enough crab for him.  but he eventually got board of how slow of a process it all is and decided to be done.

Dipping his crab in the butter.

Some things about Mikey at 5-years-old:

We finally decided to get Mikey some Golf Clubs.  He loved going golfing with his Grandad last year and talks about going with his Dad all the time.  He was pretty excited about the gift and was pretty impressive starting out.  

Mikey chose to have a Rainbow Dash cake, so we had to do two cakes.  One chocolate that we would actually want to eat, and one rainbow cake, because it just seemed wrong to do a rainbow dash cake but not have a rainbow cake.  

boys and squirt guns...poor Brooke

He also got a slip and slide from his Grandparents.  The kids have all been having a blast on it all summer.  Although since his birthday was on a sunday he didn't get to try it out until the next day. 

She wasn't too excited about it. 

Billy is the most fearless of all the kids, nothing seems
to bother this kid!

Mikey making his brothers scream

 Mikey is such a fun, loving, good kid.  He is the one I can count on to do whatever I ask him to do and follow directions.  He is a good example for his other siblings.  He still talks and talks and talks.  Whenever we play the quite game it always ends by Mikey claiming "I won" even though nobody else has said a word.  He loves making friends and whenever we go to a park he always finds a new friend.  He is a sensitive little soul also, he hates being reprimanded and doing something wrong.  He is still a tiny little guy.  Every time we leave the house I can count on someone asking me if he and Billy are twins.  We love Mikey and are so glad he joined our family 5 years ago.

James Is 7

James had his 7th birthday this week. He was so excited.  Every year it seems like he enjoys his birthday more and more.  This year he was up until almost midnight excited about his birthday.  First thing in the morning he got to open 1 present, it was his science shirt and he was so excited about it. He wanted his "science kit" and kept asking if he could open it all day long.  I also gave him a button to wear that said "Happy Birthday".  He was so excited to about it and couldn't wait to show all his friends at school.   

After school he got to Skype with Grammy and Grandad and open his gift from them.  He got a nerd bow and arrows and was so excited.  His favorite movie is Brave so he couldn't wait to get outside and try it out.  

Once Dad got home it was time for dinner, he choose his favorite Lasagna.  I don't know if I have ever seen him shovel food in like he did then.  

After dinner it was finally time to open presents.  He was so excited about everything he got.  Billy gave him a play dough baking set, Mikey gave him a large "draw board", Dad gave him some survival pants, and we also gave him a Science box full of stuff to do experiments.  Grandma and Grandpa gave him a set of Science tools, which is what he had been waiting for all day!  He also got and Electricity kit from Uncle Scott, and some finger paints and paper from his cousins.

 Cake time!  James wanted a "Temple Run Brave" cake this year.  Maybe one of the simplest cakes I have done but he LOVED it so that is what is important.

The next morning it was hard to get him to school because he was so excited about his science.  He has been doing science projects ever since. 

Some things about James from the past year:

James has really started loving school.  He has lots of friends and talks about Angel all the time.  He is learning to read and does really well sounding out words, but has a hard time when words don't follow the rules.  He doesn't have obsessions quite like he used to.  He seems to like more things, and not quite as intensely as he used to.  Some things he has liked during the past year: Lightening, bear hunts, Tangled, Ammon, Sun Glasses, Marble Runs, Umbrellas, Dream island, Temple Run and writing books. 

Some of James' favorites: 

Color: Blue

Friend:Angel

Movie: Brave 

Food: PB and Honey Sandwich 

Song: Bear necessities 

Candy: Chocolate Bunnies 

Animal: Bears

Toy: Draw board

Game: Temple Run

School Subject: Recess