Dylan's Week

Dylan did have a big week last week. He had his first day of preschool, also my first day of preschool since the other two didn't go. He loved it. He got to hear a story, eat a snack, play with all the inside things (the sand table was his favorite), play on the playground, eat lunch (soft tacos at 10:30 AM) and sing some songs. I think the best part of his day was that I stayed with him, because the next day he said he couldn't stay at school without me because he would miss me too much. I love that kid. For the past three years he has been telling me that he's only daddy's boy, but when push comes to shove. . . it's all about the mama.
He also had his birthday on Thursday. Five. He took gifts to his preschool class and wore his birthday crown while he handed them out to everyone. Loved it! Thursday night we went up the canyon with Pa and Grammy. They didn't bring Webster 'cause he'd just been groomed. We got a couple of nice fall pics before Ben dropped the camera into the river. If we are able to rescue them, or it, I'll post some. The kids also got to see what happens to a stupid high school kid on a long board going down the canyon trail without a helmet. Lots of blood, police, paramedics, and bandages. Idiot. Friday, we had his very first friend birthday bash. It was a pirate party. They dug for buried treasure in a pirate cave with a pirate skeleton inside (thanks to my ingenuity and Ben's Halloween stash.) They also played a couple of games and drove the pirate ship. It was fun. I was exhausted. Then Sunday, he got a new Primary teacher. It took some convincing to get him to go to his class. There was really nothing else for it. Ben was teaching, and I was doing music. As it was, Lauren spent most of the time in a stroller next to the piano. Now after all that, he's having a couple of rough days this week. His anxiety is a little higher. Yesterday he didn't want to go to school, but I reminded him about his new backpack. Today he didn't want to go to school, but I convinced him I needed him to do some sneaky peeky spying on the kids in his class who were having their "Special Day" because his is coming up. Don't know yet what I'll do tomorrow. Dylan's had a big week.

Time

I find it very funny, as children are learning about time, the kinds of questions they ask. Dylan has been at it for several weeks now. For example, today he asked me, "When are Mad and Regan going to be done with school?" I told him, "In about three hours." Dylan, "Is that a long time?" Me, "Yes." Dylan, "What? Like three years?" "No, like two Star Wars movies." "The cartoon one?" "No, the real one." "What? Star Wars is real? Can we get a R2? And a pet Ewok?" "No I mean the people are real, not cartoons. What were we talking about?" "Mad and Regan. I'm going to tell them Star Wars is really real! Can we pick them up from school now?" "No. They aren't done yet." "Are they going to be a long time?" At which point I refused to answer in order to save my sanity.

A big day before the Big Day for Dylan

Today, I took Dylan to get his hair cut before his first day of preschool. He was so funny when it was done, he didn't want anything to mess up his new look. When we left it was raining and he was screaming like a girl about his haircut being ruined! Right after that I was going to take him to get his blood drawn to have his lead levels tested (they want it for Headstart) but he was really upset about going so I chickened out and postponed until I picked the older kids up and they could go with us for moral support. I feel like the worst mom when my kids have to be hurt and I take them to make it happen (shots, etc.). I know overall it's for their good, but when they look up at me. . . . I might as well rip my heart right out and stomp on it! This time I had him on my lap and was distracting him so I didn't see "the look." He was so brave, he didn't even cry until they pulled the needle out. Next time I just wish they'd stick me instead. A hundred times before one of my kids. Tomorrow is his big day, so we'll see. . . . .I want to put his picture with this, but I can't find the cord for the camera so, maybe tomorrow.

Summer Fun

Since I'm just beginning, let me back up just a bit. We had a really fun summer doing nothing spectacular! To begin with, all three kids played ball in June. On Tuesdays and Thursdays. Dylan had t-ball games at the same park Regan had machine pitch. Madelyn's softball games were several miles away. sometimes we went from game to game, other times we had to divide and conquer! It was Dylan's first experience being on a team for anything. He was so excited! He loved almost every minute, and keeps asking when t-ball starts again. He also wants Better Batter Baseball for his birthday so he can practice for next year. (I'm not sure it's a great Utah winter toy!?!) Regan had a really hard time getting started in ball this year. Last year was coach pitch, and he almost always got a hit. This year, after a few pitches, they were calling them out. It was sooo sad to see that sweet little face and puppy dog eyes with head hanging down walk off the field time after time! My little mommy heart couldn't hack it. So, after some definite inspiration, I figured out that he just couldn't get the rhythm of when to swing at the dumb ball. I took him a little early and had him stand behind the backstop, directly behind the batter. When the ball came out I said, "See, it's like you have to count to two and then swing. One, two, swing. One, two, swing. You know like that song 'We Will Rock You' that they played at the Padres Games." And then I made him walk all the way to the bathroom going "stomp stomp smack". Guess what? He was a hitter!!!!!! It totally worked for him. His coach wanted to know what he ate before he came to the game, and voted him the most improved player and had his team cheer for him! It still brings tears to my eyes. He was so excited about baseball he even hustled out to the outfield, which is a big deal for Regan (I mean moving faster than a slug.) Madelyn, in her typical fashion, tackled softball head on believing she could do whatever she wanted to do and be amazing at it. She decided she wanted to be a pitcher, went to a clinic, told the coach she wanted to, and was one of 2 girls doing it for most of the season. By the end of June, she was getting to be fairly accurate. She was also dividing her practice time with Irish Dance because she had a competition coming up at the end of June. On our anniversary and Lauren's 1st birthday to be exact. Ben stayed home to do ballgame stuff. AARRGGHHH! Super-romantic! She competed in one team dance where she received Honorable Mention. The next day was the Solo Competitions. She competed in four dances there, and placed 2nd in two of them, third in one, and fourth in the other. I was so proud, still am. That's against girls from all over the west! And it was her first competition ever! But of course I was the more nervous of the two of us. She knows that life is what she makes of it and has confidence beyond what either of her parents have.

At the beginning of July we went to Vegas to see Rieka's baptism, and spent the fourth of July with them. It was fun! We got to meet Kevin's fiance, Shannon, and her daughter Dakota (Yes two girls named Dakota in my life. Weird, huh?) We really like them. Ben flew back to Vegas 2 weeks later and drove with his fam to CA to see his brother get married. Then we spent the rest of July/August going to parades, babysitting my brother Josh's kids, camping and more camping. We spent a lot of time just playing in the water. It was great! Now, we'll have to see what fall brings. There's been more going on since school began, but I'll save that for another post!

More Summer Fun

Dylan at Bat. He's loving it!



















Regan, when he got his groove!

Kid-isms

Every day, they come up with amazing, interesting or funny things to say. So I've decided that every day (or almost) I'll share some that have amused me.



Madelyn - We didn't win our soccer game today. . .it was unexpected.

Regan - Recently I was in the kids room at 2:30 AM taking care of Lauren. I heard this from Regan, "What kind of dance do owls like to do?. . . .Hoooola". What kind of kid tells jokes in his sleep?

Dylan - What? They killed my favorite steer for meat? Why couldn't they eat another one because now my favorite one is dead! (As he was sobbing over the cow we used to see on the way to school.)

Lauren - She calls her pacifier a "dooey-dooey". What?

Dylan - (After showering with Dad) "Mom, Dad has lots of moles on the back of his back." We asked "Where is that?" and he pointed to Ben's back, then we asked "Where is the front of his back?" he pointed to his chest. Whatever works?

Madelyn - "Something unfortunate happened today. . . I couldn't speak." I know this is a huge tragedy for her. It turns out she had the wind knocked out of her by a line drive soccer ball.