Thursday, October 14, 2010

Bragging

I was really getting irritated with Jake when he would not go to sleep last night. I guess his brain would not turn off (hmmm... gets it from his mama, poor child!). The next morning, this is what we found tucked under his pillow:

It reads: Wud yoo lik to cum with us to a moovee--ETHAn and ElRRey--ETHAN and ElRRe--frum Jake. On the front it says luv Jacob.

Really? Could I be any prouder? Seriously. This is from my little five year old, barely in kindergarten, sounded out and written all by himself. He is a smartie. About a week ago, I talked to his teachers and they moved him up to first grade for reading. It's a little more his level, with spelling words instead of learning letters in kindergarten.

Well, that's it. Thanks for letting me brag.

And just an update, we LOVE our newest house. We oddly feel very at home here as opposed to the last one. So grateful it worked out. It's been a blessing to have Scott's work so close.

Thursday, October 7, 2010

The Long Catch-Up Post

We went to Lake Powell. Again. We are so lucky. Well, it was just me and my kids. Scott couldn't come :( but we had a blast. Thanks, mom and dad, for everything. Really, what a fun time! This time it seemed really quiet with just me, my kids, Josh, Tarah, Treston, and my parents. We stayed half the week and made it back for Jake's soccer game.

Sunset at Lake Powell. We forwent (is that a word?) the early morning ski trip, opting for a sunset ski trip. Usually the water is calm and glassy, but this evening it was choppy. I think I got the little good water that there was. Oh, well. It was still lovely.
She loves her grandpa. What a sweet, affectionate little princess!
This is how dark it was on the way back from the evening wakeboard run. Yikes.
Do we look alike? I think that's what my brows would look like if I didn't pluck! Ha, ha. Love you bro.
Tarah looking too hot and Brookie (looking like her noggin is too big for that hat!). She did the usual "I only let mama hold me or touch me or look at me" thing, but somehow she calmed down with the boat motor and Tarah's magical touch.
Chillin'

"Ojitos." Our favorite face from Treston.
The normal, angelic face.
Attempting to smile
What impressive teamwork. Thanks again for all the work and gas and everything that goes into this trip!
Now known by everyone as "Jacob." He'll always be Jakey to me.
Josh pulled out some sweet moves.
Soccer game #2. Yes, Jake did play soccer this summer. Why have you not seen pictures? Oh, because we missed the first six games, he played one, two were cancelled due to floods, and one was rescheduled. All in all, a good season! Still, the $40 was worth seeing him do his funny hand signals and fancy kicks in those two games.


I love soccer at this age because who even knows the score? The other team was actually really good, but they held their own. And... who's counting anyway?!
First Day of Kindergarten. It probably deserves a post of its own, but this is what you get when you move 4 times in 5 months and your life is barely feeling back together. Jake started kindergarten. He LOVES it. Insists I walk him in, but ditches me about 10 feet from the door and I am lucky if I get a "bye, mom" or any acknowledgement. His classmates practically cheer when he arrives and he somehow has attracted all the girls "without trying" according to his teachers.

It was pretty obvious after a month that reading was boring for him (learning letters... he knows how to read!) so I talked to his teacher and he is now going to first grade for reading which he loves. He should probably go for math, too. His math is pretty easy for him. I was really happy that his teacher didn't just offer extra material, but listened to my concerns and actually did something about it.

Last thing about school. When I pick him up, he rolls down the window and shouts goodbye to any friends within sight. It is hilarious.
Our "old" house. We stayed there 6 weeks and moved into our new house. We are so, so glad it worked out. It was a nice house. Nothing wrong with it at all, but we are so happy to see Scott more than 5 minutes before bedtime. We're grateful for answered prayers and a family and friends that love us enough to move us twice in two months!

Anyway, here's Buzz Lightyear-ette and the Ninja in our "old" house.
Diving--Jake explained it to Alisa and she went for it. Then she did it over and over.
Jake giving me a heart attack with how brave he is... jumping off the houseboat!