School Update

I thought this may be necessary since there was some concern over the look on Aaron's face ;)
Aaron is loving school so far. He came home with a sticker today because he was so good. He had a hard time last week because like he said, "I just like to talk!" Yes, I know where he gets that from. He is doing super on those math facts so far. He is at the point where he just can't learn enough in one day. He always wants more. I love that about him!
Ethan is doing well but has developed a complex over the dreaded math facts. He really hates it when Aaron shouts out the answer before him. He is doing super reading and came home with a 105 on his science test. The five bonus points came from him memorizing and writing-I will praise thee;for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Love that too!
Brendan is hanging in there with jr high. He did come home concerned about a vocabulary test but he wasn't upset. I managed to help him with his algebra tonite since DAD isn't home. Luckily, there were plenty of examples and he only needed a "little" help.
Lauren was feeling left out tonite with mom doing homework with all of the boys so we pulled out the alphabet cards. She loved every minute of it. She did recognize her L and was very satisfied that she had some homework time with mom too.
So that's the update today. I figured that I still owed ya for not updating much.

Wow, its been awhile!!!

We have been really busy lately but I didn't realize that it had been so long since I blogged. Well, school has begun. We officially have a jr. high student! All is well in jr high so far. Second grade is going smoothly considering that E is adjusting to new glasses for reading. First grade is much better than Kindergarten was! Lauren and I have adjusted to life without the boys at home. We are super busy at the mission! It seems we are doing that way more than two days a week. She has been a real trooper allowing mom to spend so much of her time working. She usually watches a movie, colors or plays with the people there for the few hours that I work. I am so thankful that she can be happy without all of Mom's attention;) Here are a few pics of the going ons around here:

Pictures for Nevin

Family Pic minus me and Aaron







Took this as we were leaving...sorry about the glare!









That's Brendan in front of the new Airbus! That thing was huge!







Our future pilot!









Aaron learned to rivet!








Cutest pilot award







Not sure what they were doing but it was fun!

It's Been a While.....

Man, where has the summer gone? We have been so busy enjoying all of the summer activities that I have not taken time to blog. The kids have been fishing, swimming, doing chores, playing video games, riding bikes and watching lots of cartoons. The older two went to a daycamp at church every day last week. They didn't like the idea but ended up having a great time. They have had a blast this summer and do not want it to end. This will be our last official week of summer vacation. Next week is full of appointments for haircuts, immunizations and check ups. I put it off until the last minute so we could just soak up summer as long as possible. I'll try to put some pictures of all the summer fun on here next blog. Let us know how you've been!

She Doesn't Get This From ME!!

This whole girly girl thing is really crackin' me up!! She needs to wear dresses EVERY day. She is constantly putting on her play makeup--blue eyeshadow is the current trend ;) Hair accessories are a pretty big deal too. Today's request was two braids with a flower on top. And last but not least..EVERYTHING revolves around being a princess!!


Yesterday's scenario:

(Mom & Dad hugging in the kitchen)

Lauren:

STOP!!!!! That's my handsome prince!!!!!

My "Baby" is Eleven!!!

Can you believe that???!!! Brendan is 11 years old!!! He will be going to the 6th grade this year. THAT IS JUNIOR HIGH PEOPLE!!!!! Can you tell that I'm not so sure about this??!! Its so hard to see that lil man that has always been my baby ....well....as a little man!?! OK, enough on all that. Here are some pictures of his birthday. He had quite the day and was treated a bit "royally"...I think;)









The day started off with our traditional Happy Birthday cinnamon rolls for breakfast-Plus a little aggrivation from Dad!










Everyone loved that it was Brendan's Birthday! What a fun day!










Blowing out the candles.....









on his birthday cookie cake!!!










Looks like daddy is suffering through this day. Don't ya think?











Can you ever really win enough tickets????












A big surprise for everyone at the end of the day!!!!



Don't worry! To ward off all the damage mom and dad did on this special day, the boys are learning to replace toilet seats today!! See they aren't totally ruined!!!

Southern Summers

There is something quite unique about southern summmers. Only a true Southerner knows what it is like to have to get up very early to get things outside done or waiting until dark to get back outside. All of this to avoid the heat. All those expressions, "dog days of summer"and "lazy southern summers", they have new meaning to me. The heat here is so oppressive! We have to plan our whole day around when it it just so hot that we MUST stay inside under the a/c. There's nothing lazy about those summers-just to0 dang hot to function! After saying all this, I couldn't resist the tradition of putting up corn this year. I haven't made time to do that in several years. We got up very early one morning and drove to my grandparents corn field, picked about 100 ears of corn and was back home by 8am. The boys enjoyed the work day. I cut the ends off of each ear, Brendan and Ethan did the shucking, Aaron did the silking. After we finished, we ended up helping Aaron with the silks. The boys got to go play some video games while I cut the corn off of the cob, blanched it and put it up. We got about 7 large bags of cut-off corn and a couple of bags still on the cob. Lots of work for so little result but it will be worth it this winter when we have fresh corn! I'm so glad that the boys got to do something that I did while growing up. I hope we made a memory. The funniest part was watching there reaction when they were surprised by a bug/worm in the corn. They even kept a few in the bug dome to watch for awhile- I NEVER DID THAT GROWING UP!