Black eye

Tayden plays football during recess. Every day. Last week, one of his friends broke his hand. This week, Tayden got a black eye. Here’s some fun progression pictures. 

It took about two weeks to subside. Which he loved, because he thought it was awesome. He especially loved that he had a black eye during class pictures. My rough tough boy! 

Cheap Dad

When your dad is too cheap to buy you your own drink... 

But gets one all to himself. 

Weird Parents

While showing Kyle off at my parents, I requested he sang I Am A Child of God. Which he happily did. 

“I am a Child of God, 

And he has sent me here. 

Has given me and earthy home

With parents KIND OF WEIRD” 

My parents and I died laughing. Oh this boys, he’s a keeper. 

Pinewood Derby

The pinewood derby was a lot of fun this year. With the changes that the church has made to scouts, it may be the last. I’m glad Tayden and Beckett got a chance to race with each other. Tayden took 7th and Beckett took 9th. 

For some reason seeing Beckett among all the scouts made him seem so grown up. He really is turning into a respectful and kind young man. 

At the end of the race all the kids, regardless of age, get a chance to run their car down the track. Kyle has been looking forward to it all night and was having a hard time waiting. He started acting up and had to sit in time out for a bit. 

But as soon as it was his turn, he was all smiles. 

We look forward to this night and it didn’t disappoint! 

Cache was there too, but he was way to busy playing with his friends for any type of picture! 

Valentines

Valentines was fun this year. It’s not a huge holiday in our home, but the kids have fun decorating boxes for school. Cache was beyond excited for his first school box and did a great job and had a lot of fun building Darth Vader. 

Beckett made a quick and easy LEGO. 

Tayden insisted on using a pizza box. He cut a hole out of the Little Ceasers mouth on the top. He thought it was hilarious. I thought it was so Tayden. 

Family Fun

After being stuck in the house the past couple of weekends while mom and dad painted, the kids were getting a bit stir crazy. So, we took them to my gym to swim and boy was it a win! In fact, Cache had a game at 4:00, but 3:30 rolled around and the boys were having such a blast, we skipped the game to keep playing. Sometimes family fun has to be first. 

Parent Teacher Conferences

Half the time, more like three quarters, I wonder if I am doing this parenting thing right. I worry about their screen time, sibling arguments, spiritual opportunities, academics, sugar intake, clean rooms, etc. etc. etc. Parenting is hard. But after Parent Teacher Conferences last week, I called my mom and shared my elation that I was doing something right. Here's why.

Tayden: Academically, Tayden is doing great. He doesn't love to read, heck, he doesn't even like to read...but his scores are great. He is reading at level and doing really great in math. He is usually done with his math before his friends, and tends to be "overly helpful" when he finishes up. Although he love love loves to make people laugh, he listens when he needs to and obeys Mr. Adams. His teacher said he was a kind boy and friendly to all his classmates. He is also taking Hope Squad very seriously and helping whenever he sees a need. That part does not surprise me, because he is very much the same way at home.

Beckett: Where do I even start? Beckett is by far my most passionate and emotional child. Which can be good, but more often than not it results in some temper tantrums at home. However, at school he is the sweetest. He teacher went on and on for a good twenty minutes about home much she loved and appreciated Beckett in the classroom. He is kind to other students, respectful to her and is always dependable. She said how good of a heart he has and how good natured he is. I was floored. Academically, Beckett is sharp as a whip. His reading is wonderful and he is testing at a fourth grade level in math. Mrs. Hart said when he was absent the class couldn't figure out a math problem and one student said, "I bet if Beckett was here, he would know the answer." Years ago as he started speech, someone told me that he would probably struggle through life. I am so happy to report they were wrong.

Cache: Little chatty Cache is really blossoming this year and it is a wonder to watch. Socially, Cache has always been fine. This year is no different, but he is learning to control his urges to talk and when to talk. Its monumental. He loves kindergarten and is soaking up all the information like a little sponge. Math is great and he practices for fun at home in his little notebook. But reading...he really took off. He is reading at a 1.5. Kindergarten kids are expected to read at 0.5. He is testing a whole grade level above where he needs to be. He is kind in class and helps our neighbor Owen, who has some physical limits. He is witty and just a joy to be around.

I am so proud of my kids. Its great to hear they are doing so well in school, but I love hearing how well behaved they are from each individual teacher. They are each so kind and respectful and are having zero disciplinary issues. My mom always tells me I'm doing a good job, but its really great to hear it from an outside source.

Baptism Week

Beckett got baptized this week. It was a special special day, but it took a little bit to get there. On Monday, Beckett decided to lie about feeling sick so he could stay home from school. You have to understand that the flu is running rampant right now. So when he told me he felt sick, I kept him home. After I dropped the brothers off at school and had an extra minute to interrogate Beckett, I quickly realized he doped me. He was feeling fine. So instead of having a nice relaxing day like he anticipated, he got a work day with Mom. And he picked the wrong day to fake being sick. Mondays are known as "Mom clean Monday" meaning everything needs to be cleaned to Moms standards. So he got to do the laundry, wash dishes, clean out the pantry, clean bathrooms, etc. He told me more than once, "I didn't know how hard you worked at home." If anything, he appreciates me a little bit more.

Tuesday went off without a hitch, but Wednesday was a different story. Beckett woke up legitimately  sick. I took one look at him and knew something was wrong. I put my hand on his hand and the fever confirmed it. He was sick. I had this gut wrenching feeling and I knew he had the flu. If there is one thing I have learned to trust, its my mothers intuition. So, I called the doctor and the test confirmed it even further, Beckett had Influenza A. He said Beckett needed to be fever free for 24 hours to be considered not contagious and that the prospect of the baptism was pretty grim.

Beckett came home devastated and crocodile tears rolled down his checks whenever we talked about it. Later as he calmed down, he told me that he prayed to be healed enough to be able to be baptized. My heart broke a little bit, mainly because my faith wasn't as strong as his, and I prayed that his prayers would be answered.

Sure enough, they were. By Friday he was feeling great. Problem was, Scott was not. He picked up a head cold from work and it put him out of commission. We discussed it and came to the conclusion that Scott would power through Saturday if I would let him sleep and not be cranky with him Friday. (Which I tend to do when he's sick.) We agreed and I got to work while he slept off the cold. There were a lot of things that I didn't do through out the week because I thought the baptism would be postponed. But when we decided we would be able to do it, all those things came crashing down. I had to clean the house...like really clean it...mop the floors, vacuum the fans, clean the bathrooms, put away painting supplies and disinfectant the home as to not get any visitors sick. I had to get Becketts Book of Mormon embossed, food ordered and bought, buy Cache new pants and still take care of the kids at home. We didn't decide until about 11am that we would do the baptism, so I was feeling a bit overwhelmed, but with the power of prayer I got it all done. And Scott was able to sleep of the cold and feel a million times better for the baptism.

Saturday came and we were ready. The day was just awesome. I am so proud of Beckett. He doesn't like to be the center of attention, but he handled it like a champ. Scott was also a champ and powered through his cold and gave his son the best possible experience that he could. One of my favorite moments of the day was watching Beckett come out of the water. He took a huge breath and let out the most wonderful sigh. It was priceless.

Beckett is the sweetest spirit. He stands true to what he believes and likes to do good. He is funny and smart and so so so silly. He is really starting to be a time stickler and hates to be late, especially when it affects him directly. Case in point...this morning he was asked to be a few minutes early to church so he could sit on the stand. He was completely ready to go...breakfast eaten, dressed, shoes on and hair combed a whole hour before church. And reminded me every ten minutes home much longer we had until it was time to go. He is just he best little man.

Also, another little thing I want to remember about this weekend is when I bore my testimony in church. As I spoke a bit about Beckett and the gift of the Holy Ghost, I looked at him and he was holding up a sign that said, "Why are you talking about me again?" Oh, he cracks me up.

It was a great weekend and I am so proud of the great young man he is.