First week of school

We all survived the first week of school.  It wasn't too hard to get back into the routine, because the boys all go to bed at the same early time all summer anyway. But there were some nerves the night before and the morning of, plus some excitement.

Ben is now in second grade.

And Max is in fifth grade.

 

Ben boasted he has no homework for two weeks. Max has plenty already.  They are trying to keep friends from last year while making new ones in their classes. They also keep trying to wear their same favorite shorts every day.

Here are the boys as they walked down to the corner together. Notice how Andrew is starting to realize that he's not going, too. And he's realizing that his playmates are leaving without him.

Max had to take his lunchbox back before crossing the street. Below is the result:

Supreme sadness! But Andrew and James (I think) are playing pretty well together in the mornings now. Andrew starts preschool in a week and a half, and then it will be just daddy and James in the morning 3 days a week.

That first day of school we all waited outside for Max and Ben to come home. James went running to meet them for a big hug.

Summer wrapup

School starts tomorrow for Max and Ben, and preschool starts in two weeks for Andrew. Summer is over.

When people ask, "how was your summer?" it's not one big thing that comes to mind, like a major trip, but many good things. Lots of trips to Lagoon, chilling outside in our kiddie pools or playing ball, having all four boys rush outside when I came home from work in the middle of the day, walks to the park, a quick trip to Bear Lake, and a camping trip for JB and the bigs:

JB and I went up one evening to Girls Camp, where this Bishop learned more crazy songs.

We had a Ward party, and a Stake carnival, where Andrew won these amazing glasses.

And, in the video, a family invited us over to enjoy the inflatable slide. Big brothers helped the littlest brother "enjoy" the ride.

He's unique that's for sure

James is really just a bundle of fun. I am trying to change my language when talking about him, because, most of the time, he really is the cutest, funniest, sweetest 2 year-old.  Other times he's a stinker and that's the word we most often say when talking about him.

For example, when JB took him for a haircut, he wiggled and squeaked and squealed. But that's to be expected, right?  After each swipe he said "All done!" and tried to get down.

He looks so grown up now. Like a bigger boy. His hair was really long and curly. I think he feels cooler now, because he had been leaving a circle of sweat on his sheet after naps.


The two bigger boys are slowly getting used to the idea that school will be starting soon. JB did some back-to-school shopping and brought home new clothes; Max dug his backpack out of storage, and James decided he should do a fashion show.

We call this picture, "Napoleon Dynamite Jr."

Jamesy is doing much better at naptime and bedtime about staying in bed and going to sleep without screaming or climbing out. We stick to the exact same routine every time. JB jokes that James thought we needed his protests as part of OUR bedtime routine: "Man, it's tiring entertaining those two. I know they love to cuddle me extra lots, so I have to let them know I'm ready for more bum pats and songs."

He talks a lot and talks all the time. Lately his most-used phrase is something like, "I want to hold it" or "I want to touch it." He's referring to things out of his reach, like the bigger boys' Lego sets or the car keys. He has set off the car alarm a few times -- and shocked himself by sticking the keys into the outlet. We've never had a boy quite like him!

Birthdays weekend

The end of July came with a fun, long birthdays celebration for me and for Max this year.

Thursday afternoon JB and I went out to eat at Rodizio Grill for a date to celebrate my birthday (he took a picture of me there and put it on Instagram, and people left the nicest birthday wishes, shucks!).

Then Friday was Pioneer Day, and we met family at Lagoon. Max and Ben rode the new, crazy Cannibal ride with JB and uncles and loved it. I just didn't feel like having my heart race and stomach flip out.

Saturday was my birthday, and JB and I went to a wedding in the morning, a sealing in the afternoon, and a reception that night. It felt like three dates on one day! I love my new sheets, shoes, capris and cookie scoop.

Max was getting anxious for his turn in the spotlight. Sunday was our shared day, with cake for both of us, and presents for him after Sunday dinner with the family.

BTW he asked for that shirt so it was my gift to him. I need a BYU buddy around here.

Then, Monday was his birthday. Did you know that his original due date was around JB's birthday in August. But they revised my due date, and then they induced me after my birthday 10 years ago when they thought he would be a huge baby. He was born at 1 AM July 27th and weighed 8 pounds, 4 ounces, so, he could have kept cooking I'm sure.

It was his turn for a friends party this year (we only do them every few years). He planned it all and even typed the invitations: A Nerf dart gun party in the church gym with pizza.

I think we had 13 other boys there from school/church/neighborhood. We invited some younger brothers because they all play together anyway. 

Some quickly emerged as Alpha males as they ran for the flag or organized assaults. And they almost all got nice and sweaty.

Max was very pleased with the presents. This is his last friends party. Maybe in the future he can invite a friend along to do something fun. Notice Ben and Andrew eying his presents, too. They have "helped" him play with the Kendamas and Legos and such.

I had wanted a boy first (back when I thought I would have some girls by now),  and I'm so glad Max is our first born. He's a great big brother. He's growing into a perceptive, listening (sometimes listening TOO much to mom and dad's conversations!), thoughtful, smart, brave and funny boy. He is helpful, responsible, and anxious to make sure his younger brothers toe the line and are safe wherever they are.

Bear Lake

Recently we were invited on a moms and kids quick trip to a friend's parents' cabin (read: lake house) at Bear Lake.

It was beautiful. The house, the view, the lake, the drive, the friends -- we all just had the best time.

There was room for each mom and her kids to have a bedroom or two. And a huge kitchen to cook all together.

James wanted to live in the swing.

Or scare me by walking down this spiral staircase.

The big boys played the Wii, ping pong, soccer and tag.

Andrew found a Hulk costume in the dress up box and was in heaven. See how he's trying to sleep in it in the picture below? That first night was rough because all the boys just couldn't settle down. See James's jubilation.

Also, a note about the dress-up box -- I walked into the house, and pink poofy princess dresses were strewn all over the floor. It was a shock to my eyes. So much pink! So much princess We have nothing like that at our house. The other 3 moms who were there have all girls except one other boy.

Andrew and James got along with the girls just fine at the beach the next morning.

Max and Ben just took to the kayak. They loved it. I, the scairdy-cat anxiety-ridden reporter mom, thought they should just stay in this nice mini-pond (big puddle).

But they ventured out into the lake and did just fine. It was chest deep for a quite a ways so there wasn't much danger.

I got some cuddles and a picture of me to prove I was there.

Back at the house all the kids piled into the hot tub.

They slept much better the second night. I felt relaxed, I read a whole book, I talked and laughed with friends. The only thing that would have made it better was being with JB. So many things he would have enjoyed. We would love to go back some time as a family.

Supermen

Just another day at the office. Eating a Nutella sandwich and saving the world.

But we don't just have one Superman, we have two.

This picture below may remind JB's family of another iconic picture from family history of two supermen brothers.

In that one, the young brothers (now both fathers and upstanding citizens) were in supermen underwear, so in the interest of privacy, we'll leave it in its frame on our shelf.

Cub Country

JB -- the bestest sport ever -- accompanied Max and Ben recently to Cub Country. It's a day camp for cubs scouts, and because Ben turns 8 this year, he was able to go. He was SO happy about that.

They did obstacle races and stuff.

I think this was fencing or sword fighting or light saber dueling. I thought about posting some of the other pictures with the other scouts in our den, but privacy and all -- but they are funny.

Then there was shootin'.

And they pushed people in makeshift go-karts. They crashed JB several times into several trees. Like I said, he's the bestest sport around.

The trading post store is the worst. Full of sling shots and "you'll shoot your eye out" stuff. One of the boys in our neighborhood returned home to a whip, much to his mother's dismay/chagrin/wry acceptance.  Max and Ben contended themselves with candy.