Super hero

Jonathan and James walk to and from school together in baseball hats, covered in sunscreen. They are always given lots of love, hugs and in the case of Ryan, tackles before they leave in the morning. Jonathan’s in swimming, speech for his Rs, the GATE program, soccer, scouts and if I can be strong enough to force it, piano. His favorite pastimes are reading and playing soccer or baseball in the backyard with Michael. He's starting to be quite helpful, folding clothes here and there for me and making beds.

James sits at the Zebra table at school and says they currently have 10 points and would have more if one girl, Kaylee, would stop talking so much. He consistently asks her to please be quiet so they can get more. He has passed off all 13 Articles of Faith thanks to his demanding mother, a cup of treats as a bribe at church and the children’s song versions. He is supposed to be doing soccer though we haven’t heard from his coach yet. I’m making him take swimming lessons once a week so he can be a more confident swimmer.

Gracie told me the other day, “Mom, I really want to hold you.” That little sweetheart is something else I tell you. She needs a nap every few days now and otherwise plays sweetly in Quiet Time. With all my boys, I feel like I need the break of sending them to preschool the year before kindergarten. With her, she’s not really that messy and can sit still coloring so I may or may not have her go. She loves doing reading lessons with me and asks to do them at least three times a day. Her new favorite activity is combing my hair.

Today is Ryan’s first day of potty training. Since the kids are 2,4,6, and 8 now, this is my first experience potty training without a new baby. There are no pull-ups, potty seats or steps by all the potties this time around. With the way that boy can climb on counters and dryers, he can climb on a potty seat and manage to not fall in, believe me. I also haven’t resorted to using treats as bribes yet. Granted it is only day 1. Potty training with carpet makes hardwood floors all the more appealing.

I sent James to his room for Time Out yesterday and he hid behind the media center to avoid going. Unfortunately for him, he got stuck back there and needed help to get out. That’s one way to stay in Time Out I guess.

Gracie loves to use my lip gloss and tip toes into my bathroom during Quiet Time (i.e. Ryan's nap) to get a brush to brush her dolls hair. I can get her to let me brush her hair if I tell her I will try to make it look like the hair of the girls on Frozen.

Jonathan and James started 3rd and 1st grade respectively this week.