The Raccoon

 

That is what we have been calling Drew lately. He is nuts. He chewed through my computer cord. What the heck?! People kindly describe him as "busy," but I think he is like some kind of wild animal. I finally decided to document a weeks worth of damage and here is what I got: Computer cord chewed through. Wood floor colored on with ball-point pen. Two incidents of meaningless pants peeing, one of them described by the perpetrator as "a pee party in the kitchen." Pen on bedroom wall(no other person in this house has ever colored on a wall). My favorite pic here is the one where he has pen on his face and he is clutching the Lego creation that he stole from his brother's room while he was at school (he had to find a chair to reach it on a shelf.) Also, he chewed the cover of my Nook, leaving perfect, CSI-style bite marks on the front. I promise I give him lots of attention. No other child has been read to this much and never have I enacted so many different scenarios of "Cars go to a haunted house" or "Transformers go to the temple" which sadly ended with an original song by Drew that involved Optimus Prime blowing up the temple (we haven't played that again.) I know I am not alone on this. A neighbor recently told me about her "busy" son who put her Social Security card in the shredder as she watched from across the room, not able to make it in time. It's all worth it, though when he says to me this same week, "Mom, will you teach me how to do your hiccups?"

Old Timey Boxer Finally Potty Trained

 

Targhee thinks this is hilarious. He taught our red-headed child, with the physique of Irish boxer from the 1920's to jump around with his fists up saying, "put 'em up, put 'em up." It is pretty funny, especially because now he does it whenever he takes his clothes off for any reason. Seeing him in these undies also reminds me to document the disaster which was potty training this child. He is a year older than the other boys were when they were done with it. I have thrown out more underwear with him and begged and pleaded and bribed and cried and made up more songs and cheers and stories and motivational speeches than I ever thought I was capable of. But, it is done. It is done.

Sunday Daddy

 

These pictures sum it all up for me. These are the kinds of moments that don't seem really important, but this is what makes life great.

Hot Chocolate

 

I want to remember when their cheeks are red from playing in the snow. I hate winter, but they don't and I shouldn't ruin it for them, so bring on the hot chocolate.

Piano Man

 

Jack had his first piano recital a few weeks ago. His grandparents were there and he did a great job. He was very nervous beforehand and actually cried some tears. This is not like him at all, as he usually basks in the spotlight. He told me afterwards that it was all worth it. He said, "Mom, the feeling of performing for all those people was spectacular." That is so him!

1st Day of Kindergarten

 

Evan started Kindergarten today and loved it. Here were the highlighs (after dragging anything I could out of him.) No one cried, but someone forgot to come in from recess. They got to look for a pirate's treasure and it was Rice Krispy treats. He got to sit by Hadley. He saw Jack at recess who ran up to him but did not hug him. That was all I could get. Sometimes I wonder if those of you with girls just get the whole run-down of the day when they get home. I have to beg for any snippet. Anyway, I thought he might have had a little more trouble when I dropped him off, but he didn't even look back. Drew and I are using the time while Evan is in school to race around and do as much as possible. It is amazing what can be accomplished with only one child in tow.

Best Year

 

Jack told me a few weeks ago that this is going to be the best year of his life. He went back repeatedly at the end of the last school year to visit his soon-to-be 2nd grade teacher, Miss Farley. He just wanted to get to know her a little better, so he would visit her at recess every day. He is right, she is wonderful and this probably will be the best year of his life. I am so glad he loves school and learning. Doesn't he look like a happy second grader? I so love the Miss Farleys in this world. Our good teachers need to be supported and appreciated. It is a trluly noble profession.

Summer Fun

 

Drew thought the Clinton City parade was the hilight of his whole summer. Everytime we drive by the spot where we sat he goes nuts yelling about the parade. The other photos in this collage are just some fun summer pics.

Las Vegas in July

 

That title just makes you want to go get a big cold drink, doesn't it? Well, it was wonderful. We went to visit Uncle Jared and Aunt Jen and our little cuzzies and we had a blast. Aunt Jen put her whole week on hold for us to stay and play. We took out favorite babysitter, Katie, and drove down for the week. Jared and Jen live in a BEAUTIFUL community with the most amazing private pool and waterpark. We went swimming almost everyday and nearly had the whole place to ourselves. Jared watched the boys one night so the girls could go shopping. Jen watched the little boys so Jared could take us to the strip one night (including the Gold & Silver Pawn shop). Then Katie babysat one night so the grown-ups could go out for a HUGE and delicious meal at Hash House A Go Go. The boys wrestled and chased and yelled and laughed together all week. We love our cuzzies and miss them already. Thanks again, Jared and Jen!

Uintahs Camping Trip

 

The boys were very excited about our camping trip to the mountains. Here are some of the highlights. The mosquitos were BRUTAL. I have never seen them so bad. We kept up the Deet, but somehow little Drew got his face and head covered with bites. Someone at the store when we got home asked us if he had chicken pocks. There was a lot of fishing being done on this trip, but because of the impatient nature of the majority of the fishermen, few fish were caught. Probably many more fish were scared away from any others fishing near us as well. Lots of stomping in the water and reeling in and out of lines. No one got a hook in the eye or anything, however, and it is a miracle. From the pictures you would think we just sat around wiping chocolate pudding on our faces, but we did have some fun adventures. Jack is maybe more than a little interested in fire. We will keep an eye on that. Over all, it was pretty fun. It will only get better as Drew gets a little older and can be trusted not to wander away, pour out all our camp's water, spray sunblock in his face, dump his dinner on the ground, litter at the camp site or poop his pants. It's all uphill from here.