Burps

The newest Jake-ism. He isn't allowed to say "butt" and he isn't allowed to say "fart". When he passes gas he says that his "bummie talked". All of the kids say that. Jake was going to the bathroom this evening and he was more than a little bit gassy. He told grandpa that his "bummie was burpin'".

Sea Monkeys

Well, yesterday was a busy, busy day! It was the older kids "Splash Party" at school. They did it all. Huge water slid, jumpy thing that had sprayers of water all over it, water balloons, kiddie pools, slip and slides, water guns, mud bog (sandbox on the playground filled with water), fishing pond (ie, throw line over wall and "fish" for a prize), a catch the goldfish and take it home pond, pizza, popcorn, and snow cones. For 4 hours they played hard. They came home from school at 1230 and were happy, tired and a bit pink on the shoulders. Kaylee then had a few hours to cool off and relax before her swimming/slumber party at Lindsey's house. She is still over playing and swimming with Lindsey and Lindsey's cousin and its 2pm. Yesterday, Jake felt very left out of the fun and of course Ethan and Kaylee were so excited that the only thing that they have talked about for the last 3 weeks has been the splash party. I called his swimming teacher Mrs. Amy and asked if we could come use her pool. She said of course!! So Jake and Jaden and I went swimming. Grandma went too to hold Jaden, but didn't get in the water with us. Jake loved having me swim with him and he especially like to shoot the basketball and just PLAY. Something he doesn't get to do in lessons. Jaden LOVED the water. His first time swimming ever! He sat on the top step with grandma holding on to his shoulders to keep him from falling in and splash and laughed and giggled. When he took his turn out in the pool with me, he would immediately start kicking his legs as soon as I took him off the step. He was in heaven! We swam for about an hour. Jaden started to get too cold as he was wearing a long sleeved shirt and in the shade the whole time to keep him from getting burned. It got a little chilly for him and so we all got out and headed home. Jake asked me first thing this morning (at 530 am I might add), if we were going to go swimming today too and could he bring his toy boat this time. Unfortunately, the answer was no. Today was spent doing chores and shopping for groceries at Costco. I'd rather have gone swimming!!!

Graduation and Tacos

Well, it's official. Ethan has graduated...from kindergarten!! His school had a nice little ceremony and he got to walk with his little cap and gown. Let me tell you, he thought he was hot stuff! Afterward there was cake and punch to celebrate. Ethan has really done well at school this year and especially here lately. He has finally learned how to write all his letters in cursive. He reads just a bit and improves everyday. He has really grown up this year and considering all the changes and upheaval in his life that is a great accomplishment.
Just a side note: My 3 year old chow hound, Jacob, went to Taco Bell with Grandpa after swimming lessons today. Jacob ate 5, yes count them, 5 tacos!!!!

It's a Monday

Yeah, it's Monday. It has been a mixed day. Jaden was up all night last night so Istarted out tired as it was, but now today he just cries (he's really tired too) and fusses and refuses to take a nap. He'll go to sleep if I hold him, but that's just asking for trouble!! Jakey on the other hand has been a really good boy for me. It's helped a lot that he has been content to play with his blocks and cars and play in the back yard. He hasn't turned the hose on the backyard and sprayed the neighbors cats or windows. He hasn't tried to climb up the front of the fridge to reach things stored up on top. He hasn't colored with a marker all over any chairs. He hasn't tried to turn the computer on by himself. He hasn't tried to get the front doors unlocked so that he can go out in the front yard and pick lemons from the neighbors tree. He hasn't climbed the shelving units in the pantry to reach the "treat box" up on the top shelf. He hasn't snitched an entire box of gogurts from the fridge. He hasn't even chased, hit, kicked, or thrown anything at our cat yet today either. It's been rather nice!! Must be a full moon tonight or something. I can't even imagine what a nice day it would be if Jake was this well behaved AND Jaden was his normal happy self. Wow, it would be HEAVEN!! I have done several loads of laundry and only have 2 left to do and I finished 2 scrapbook pages. It's 2pm and I am wondering if I should press my luck and try to get Jake to take a nap. Hmmmmm....

A little fish named Jacob

Jacob is three, in every sense of the word, and so I was a little bit skeptical of putting him in swimming lessons. I was sure he'd cry and not want to do it. Boy was I wrong! As you can see by the pictures, he was very nervous waiting for his class to start. He watched other kids in the class before his and was excited to go swimming, but more than a little bit scared! Once the class started though, he was fine! He goes under water and blows bubbles. He is working on his kicking and big arms. He loves to "dive" for rings off the bottom. He asks everyday if today is swimming lessons and he gets upset if its not!

Just bonuses

I decided when Bryan left for Iraq... again, that I would keep a journal while he was gone. I don't like to think about all the things he is missing out on. And not just the big things like birthdays and Father's Day, but little things too. The things that happen every day around here. Such as the fact that Jacob climbed up the FRONT of the fridge today, Ethan won prizes in the Kindergarten penmanship contest, Jaden pulled up on the laundry basket and then climbed in it and that after a discussion on the creation Jakey said "Jesus Christ made Sprite too? Wow!! He must be MAGIC!" So I am doing this for you, Bryan, and the rest of you are just bonuses!