Harry Potter Party!

Targhee's Aunt Traci is the most amazing party planner ever. She had this Harry Potter party last week and there was no detail left out. Check out these pictures. The kids had a blast. I never went to a party like this in my life as a kid and she does something like this every year! Thanks for the awesome memories, Traci!

Baseball Season

 

This year Targhee coached both Jack and Evan's baseball teams. It was very fun and kept us busy 4 nights a week. Evan loved it and we discovered that although he is left-handed, he bats right. He was such a great sport and smiled and enjoyed the whole experience. This was Jack's second year playing and he had a rough time getting interested at first, but by the end he was making some great plays and hitting the ball every time he got up to bat. He loved spending time with the grandparents at the games and Drew liked the snacks the grandmas brought.

Jack's Baptism

 

On June 30th, our little Jack was baptized. It was a beautiful day with so many friends and family members who came out to support him on that special day. He was such a gracious kid and greeted everyone with a hug and thanked them for coming. He was smiling all day long and seemed to really be enjoying it all so much. He is so blessed to have such wonderful grandparents who who did almost all the work to make the luncheon and the whole day great. His Kindergarten and 2nd grade teachers were there too! What amazing women they both are who, other than being awesome teachers, have always shown him so much love and guidance. Thanks everyone for helping to make that such a beautiful day.

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.