Update on James

James has apparently decided within the last six months that he knows everything, can do anything and everybody loves him.  Needless to say, we are experiencing growing pains with him. The problem is that he is still so cute and cuddly.

Here's what's up with him:

In February, James's class performed a patriotic program in honor of President's Day. He did a great job, even though his face doesn't display much excitement here.

This year he lost his two front teeth.  They are starting to come in now and he is happy about that because he can finally scrape off the good stuff on an artichoke.

James loves to read which is probably the reason that he thinks he knows everything. He's made it through two Harry Potter books and is now working on The Candy Shop Wars by Brandon Mull. 

When James was two he didn't draw on things.  When James was four he didn't draw on things. But now James is seven and he's decided to draw on things.  I find little pencil drawings on the kitchen counter, the window sill, his desk and this lovely masterpiece: his shirt.  Apparently Superman can do his own stunts but not without a little blood coming from who knows what body part.  Maybe he used kryptonite toilet paper.

As if James's natural face wasn't pathetic enough when he asks for something, he decided to make a "begging boy" out of foam paper, with blue pleading eyes and a sweet smile. Maybe Mom will say yes to someone who doesn't look like James?

Things that have come out of James's mouth:
James' prayer: Help us not to be like Megamind in the beginning, but like Megamind in the end, so we can be good.

Prayer from James tonight: We're thankful for the people who invented ice cream and candy. (Thank you Candy Shop Wars)

James lost a tooth in Moab in the sand and we never found it. James lost a tooth in church today and someone gave him a tiny green treasure chest to put it in (Thank you!).

James's note to the tooth fairy: Dear, toothfairy, in Moab I litrliley lost a tooth so will you give me two dollers? if you will thanks! P.S. Please leave the box hear

James prayed last night that "people who don't have very good brains will get better brains."

 James also finished another season of soccer and had a soccer party with his coach, Kevin Daly.

Literacy Costume Review

Another school year has come and gone and I had another fun year reading to the kids at school.  It has come to the point that whenever I'm at the school, the kids think I'm dressed as something.  My favorite is when I go to school in exercise clothes or am sporting a pre-shower look and they say, "who are you today?"  I say, "a frumpy housewife." I get blank stares for that one.

For Candy Shop Wars. . . 

. . . a Laffy Taffy, complete with jokes: How do you mend a broken jack-o-lantern? With a pumpkin patch.  What do you call a monkey who loves potato chips? A chip monk.

Little Critter books

Joseph had a Little Overcoat is one of my favorite books. Mark wasn't crazy about the costume.  I guess I looked too much like a man.  I had a PTA Christmas party to go to in the middle of my reading so I just went like this, because they already know how crazy I am.  Nobody recognized me as I approached the door and someone told me, mid-sentence, that they couldn't take me seriously.  So, I consider this my most successful costume.

Maybe this is why I decided to let my hair grow long.

Froggy books are always a hit! I need to do a better job at matching my greens because many kids pointed out my mismatch.  When you are finding costumes at the thrift store you can't be too picky.  Frogs are multicolored anyway.  Well, this one is.

Literacy Month was "Rhyme Time."  Nobody knew what a beatnik was.  Perhaps that's good.

The principal joined me for Dr. Suess Day to peruse the lunchroom and ask students to rhyme words.  Many took the opportunity to pull on my tail too.

The Arcade

My mother sent me a link to this youtube video of a kid who built an arcade out of boxes. Watch it, it's worth your time.

I showed this video to the boys, so immediately afterward they started planning an arcade of their own.  They began by gathering all the "old" toys they don't want anymore and any game that could be attached to a large box.  They immediately wanted to sit outside and wait for customers to come, but their dull mother convinced them to advertise a little and set up a specific time for patrons.  Here's what they came up with:

 This sign is attached to the advertising scooter:

They had a trial run with one of their friends, Brock, who spent a little money on the games he always plays when he comes over to our house.  The games on the box are a utah football and basketball game where you flip the ball through the hoop/goal posts with a spoon, a pokemon game, a handheld solitaire game, and a lego jousting game that Spencer invented.  When the smaller kids came, they added Balloon Lagoon by Cranium.

 Once the day and time were set, they were so anxious for that time to arrive.  What do you know it, but a few of the neighborhood kids showed up to see what all the fuss was about. The boys couldn't contain themselves as they shouted, "They're here! They're here!" Spencer and D.J. were good guardians of their games and made sure people followed the rules.  James played.

 As indicated by the advertising sign, the cost was a penny per token (the tokens also happened to be pennies).  Thanks to my good-hearted neighbors for letting their children borrow a few cents.

They even sold a few toys and a few books and came away with a little over $5 for their first day.  There has not been a second day.  I guess either the novelty wore off or they are satisfied with splitting $5 three ways.  Perhaps the summer will bring more entrepreneurial adventures.  It was a great learning experience for the learning how to run a very, very small business!

Here Comes Peter Cottontail! Easter 2012

In the years since we've moved back to Utah, we have spent most of our Easter Days in Logandale because it coincides with Spring Break and it's not hot enough to suck all the moisture out of you when you step outside.  We have a fun time hanging out and letting the kids play in the dirt outside. I don't know why I have them pack extra clothes to change into when they really only wear one dirty outfit the whole time. I have them pack extra socks, but invariably we come home with four clean pairs still in their place in the suitcase and one pair for each boy that no longer have bottoms.  You would think we would keep a closer eye on their health and hygiene, but all parental responsibility goes out the door when we're with Grandma and Grandpa (or at least in their house while they are gone).

Mark had to work quite a bit, but at least he could do it on cushy couches and just one trip to the St. George office (which I tagged along for and he treated me to massage and pedicure while he worked! Thanks Wendy for watching the boys!)

The boys spent a good part of their time at Ryan and Wendy's new home and in their swimming pool, even though the water was not up to Nevada bathwater temperature.

We also had a visit from some Centerville friends, the Larsons, who were in St. George for Spring Break.  We took them to Red Rock to ride four-wheelers and also to the reservoir to play in the water and do some more riding.  Yes, I rode the four-wheeler and didn't even have panic attacks or start stuttering.

As always, we had a fun Easter egg hunt with the Nevada Cousins!

Memorial Day Togetherness

In the process of remembering those close to us who have passed away and those we don't know who have died for our country, it's nice to have time to enjoy those we do have around us.  We spent part of Memorial Day hiking to a waterfall in Fruit Heights.  It took us about 4 hours and the trail was a great one with rocks to climb over, water to go through, soft sand, ups, downs and more!

We bring sling shots to keep the boys busy during the hike so we don't hear "How much longer?" "My feet are tired!" Though I carried them most of the time. They were good hikers! 

 Being in nature makes us happy!

 Licorice break!

 James found a perfect rock cradle for his afternoon nap!

 Spencer used the Pringles lids for a sylin' monocle and the bottom of the can to blind us all.

D.J.'s cast didn't stop him from using his sling shot or climbing!

The Race is On! Derby March 2012

Pinewood Derby time again (well back in March)!  This year, instead of having the race with just our troop, we combined with a bunch of others, which was really fun!  The people in charge decorated the whole gym and even had the racers come out into the darkness, through fog, being followed by a spotlight.

Because there were so many contestants, score keeping was a little more complicated.  Thankfully, the man who provided the professional track had his own score keeping board with his own sort of system. AND IF YOU VIOLATED HIS RULES YOU MUST PAY $5! A few kids had to pay up for jumping over the track.

 Oh the excitement of it all!

 D.J. and Brock Gregersen with cars produced in the Mark Astling Wonder Garage.

 D.J. placed 7 out of 37 cars!  Good job D.J. (and Mark too)!

Monster Concert 2012

This year the Monster Concert theme was: Heroes and Villains; the Good, the Bad and the Ugly.  Spencer and D.J. played the Superman theme. D.J. conveniently broke his thumb before the concert took place, so he just played his part with his right hand.