Update

Sorry to post so little lately. I am really busy with the holidays and all the fun of raising children. Normally I would write when they go to bed at night but we are also having computer problems and can no longer use the Internet at home. It seems to take a lot more to go out and blog else where.

Things are going well for us. We enjoyed Thanksgiving with my family in Michigan. We drove there with the whole family and my brother and sister. We truly enjoyed our time and love to see the family.

Our house has been a barrel of fun. We have not yet put up our Christmas Tree but we have been reading lots of books and telling stories and watching Christmas movies. The boys and I have also been donating our time to CAP a local Christian group who lets us put things together for children in need this season.

I love having a child who can read in the house. Previously JJ could tell a story he knew well by looking at the pictures now he can read Christmas book and scriptures to his brother and sister and I love it. So do they.

This year we are starting a new Christmas tradition. No cookies for Santa. This year things really seemed to click that Christmas is when we celebrate Jesus' birthday. I am really happy to focus on this instead of Santa, who is fun but not the reason for the season. So one day when we were reading Luke 2 JJ had an Epiphany and asked to make a cake for Christmas. When I asked him why he said "It makes me feel special when you make a cake for my birthday and I want to make Jesus feel special." I cried. After I said yes and he than started to haggle me, "with details?" he says. So I promised him lots of details and lots of love with a new tradition of cakes for Christmas.

Super Hero Mom

Yesterday the children and I were sponge painting at the kitchen table. I was using it as a review for Shapes and sides. JJ drew a Superman shape with a J in it. I asked him if I could be a Super Hero Mom and he said no. I was a little hurt so I asked him why, told him I like being a super hero. JJ replied because Mommy's know better than super heros. Days like that make being a mom the best job in the world!

JJ's New Catch Phrase

Last week Grandma Alice came to visit us on Tuesday. While she was here she let the kids have one cookie. She left them here on accident so I put them on the counter. Wednesday when I came down from my shower I knew something was up. After a little investigating I found all the cookies were gone. When I asked the boys who ate them JJ promptly replied "we did Mommy. We didn't want them to go to waste."

Fall

It is finally cool enough to wear sweaters and play outside in the middle of the day!

Playing at the Park 3

I know you are all probably sick of seeing us play at the park but I am always amazed at how much fun it is and how independant they can be.

I'm Teaching by Example

Jeremy takes the boys upstairs to put them to bed. About 30 minutes later I go up to see whats taking so long. I find both boys reading thier own books and playing and Jeremy streched out a sleep on Jaedon's bed. I wake him up and point to the kids and he says "What I'm teaching by example?"

I Love to Dance

Kaylee loves to dance. She will dance to anything. Mommy singing off key, her brothers toy, even ring tones. Here is a vidoe of Kaylee dancing to a computer game. I played the ABC song for her.

JJ in School

I wanted to do an update on my venting. I went to the school last Friday for a meeting with the principal. When I got there JJ's teacher was already there waiting for me. Overall it was a great meeting. I am very happy with the result I received. I was able to get a 504 program. The reason this is so important is that if his teacher doesn't comply with this than she will loose her teaching license. The plan is very simple. I says JJ does not have to complete his work in class. If he is behind or frustrated he will be allowed to take the work home and given two days to complete it. I will not be forced to sight read or memorise any words which seems to be the reason JJ struggled with reading. He is reading well above his class just not very fast. The last thing this plan includes is me having an outline of the next weeks lesson plan. I know all these things will take more time and preparation on her part and the schools part and am very grateful they were willing to put this into place. The principal also addressed my concerns about not being able to come into his class. He simply overruled the teacher. He set it up so I can come into class on Monday and Friday to tutor him and see how he is interacting. He also gently but firmly chastised her for punishing JJ for being frustrated. He told her she can only punish or take away rewards for breaking rules or disobeying her and she needs to teach what to do instead. So when he is frustrated or other children they can put there head down on their desk as long as they are not ignoring her and respond if she asks questions. She had concerns about JJ as well. She believed JJ had a stutter when reading because it was difficult for him. Not true but glad she was paying attention. She also noted JJ is unable to simply get directions and sit down and work on his work. This led to great discovery, the school only received half of JJ records. They were unaware of some "Learning Limitations" JJ had one of which you have to look in his eyes when giving him directions. Now she knows. I had been a week and things seem to be going so much better. JJ seems happier and his teacher said he is more involved and having fun doing his work. Thanks for letting me vent and more updates as time goes by.

Update

Sorry I have not been as diligent in my blog lately. We have been very busy and sometimes overwhelmed with the start of school. Jaedon is doing well. He seems to be adjusting very well and I might even be able to leave during preschool hours. He is also growing like a weed. He is thinning out and loosing the toddler look in favor of a little boy. It makes me sad to see him grow up but I feel so grateful for such a wonderful, sensitive little boy.

Kaylee is doing very well. She is learning so fast its scary. Her newest trick is pushing chairs up to the counter to get the things I put out of her reach. Her problem is she gets stuck after she gets what she wants. She is totally adorable. She is learning all sorts of new words and loves reading books.

JJ is doing well at home. He is very happy and smart. I wish I could say that school is going well but he is struggling a lot. Sorry if you are reading this and I have vented and asked for advice on this as I am sure some people are getting tied of hearing about this. JJ comes home from school most days crying. He no longer wants to go to school which is ironic because I wanted to continue homeschooling but JJ really wanted to go to school. He wants to know where I am and one day because I took him to school he thought I didn't want him any more. Couple that with not enjoying his teacher. He gets frustrated often and gets in trouble if he puts his head down when frustrated. His teacher says he has trouble keeping up with his class and it takes him longer than most children. She also says he is reluctant to do his school work. I am very worried because when he is at home and we go over his work and read out loud he doesn't have any trouble at all. Most of the things seem too easy for him. I wonder if he is acting out and if so I want to stop it now. I also worry about being reluctant to do class work because the home school books at home are one of his favorite things to do when he gets home. I have addressed all of these concerns and conflicts with his teacher and feel like I am getting no where. She refuses, simply refuses, to let me come into the class room and help or read books and speak with her once a week and is unwilling to make any kind of special allowance for him. I fell like I am in between a rock and a hard place. I made an appointment with the principal tomorrow and invited her to come as well. This has really made things hard JJ come home even more unhappy and says his teacher is mad at him. Thanks for letting me vent. I am trying to get him signed up for a program called a 504. It allows him to have individual lessons and more involvement by me like letting me have the lessons in advance so I can work with him and the teacher would be more of a backup or tutor and other things like only doing the odd problems at school and the even ones when he gets home with me and turning them back into the teacher. I realize that this means more work for the teacher and better preparation on her part. I almost feel bad for that but I really want school to be a positive experience for him.

Jeremy and I are doing great. Just working on the daily grind.

Labor Day

We enjoyed Labor Day! We took our bikes to the park and rode around the outside, .89 miles, and than we played on the park equipment. JJ's chain fell off his bike and Kaylee bumped her head on a ledge she used to be able to walk under but other than that it was a perfect day.

Kids

Tonight we were reading scriptures and learning about Jesus. He were specifically talking about Jesus being a boy and how he had all the same parts as we do. Two eyes, two ears a nose mouth. About ten minutes later Jaedon comes up to me and asks "Mommy does Jesus have a winky?" Glad he was paying attention.

Deer in Headlights

On the way home from work on Thursday Jeremy hit a deer. He was doing the speed limit and handled the situation great. Unfortunately, he was being tailgated and unable to slam on the brakes as hard as he would like. Well no big deal we just roll with the punches. We had fun spending time together bending the frame back in place and replacing most of the damaged parts. The rest will have to wait for a little while. It's now street legal and up and running. Jeremy - 1, deer - 0

My Brother

I want to be like my brother. I am wearing Jaedons clothes and JJ's shoes. I look up to them a lot and mimic everything they do.

Football on Saturday

Ed played a wonderful game and they won 47 to 6. GO BROWNS!

Ed #32

Ed's Kick off

JJ First Day of School

JJ had his first day of Kindergarten. He got himself ready made his own lunch and left for school.

When Did My Baby Get So Big

As JJ starts kindergarten and find myself wondering a lot. When did my baby get so big? I swear I was pregnant yesterday and he was just taking his first steps.

I'm Not Sleepy

Today The children helped me wash all the bedsheets. JJ insisted he was not sleepy. I went and got his sheets and returned to this. I am sure he is really asleep.

We Love to Color

Coloring is a family affair. we all love to color and Kaylee is getting old enough to take part as well. We love it!

I Have the Cutest Nephew

I have the cutest nephew. I was privilege of meeting my new nephew. He is five weeks old and we are so happy for Justin and Amanda. He is really cute and lucky to have parents who love him so much. We were invited to his blessing on Sunday. He was blessed with so many wonderful things like good health and the ability to serve a mission and be married in the temple. JJ and Jaedon were completely smitten with their cousin. They both wanted to hold him. JJ says he "adorable looks" and Jaedon just couldn't be happier. Kaylee wants to give him kisses and is trying to copy the sound of Oliver. It may take her a while before she can say that name.

The children jumped on the trampoline
Kaylee likes jumping

The beautiful mother and beautiful baby

The Proud Father

Jaedon after he got over Ollie was excited to notice that all the boys have belts

Family Here to Visit 4

Family Here to Visit 3

Family Here to Visit 2

Family Here to Visit

We are so lucky. It seems to be family visiting season. I know that the reason is not so great (Rick needing support for his next surgery) but we are so happy to see everyone. Yesterday Great Uncle Mark and Great Grandma Alice and Big Daddy Mark came out to visit us. We had a very pleasant day at the park and then went to Nutters for some ice cream. Jeremy I and the children were there as well as my brother Ed. Becke and Rick were there as well. I was so nice to be able to have great conversation. We talked about old time, growing up and family history. We are very excited to see Justin, Amanda and Oliver next week and to have Zach and Heidi moving back in August. Here are so of the pictures I took. Look for more and some videos to come.

Playing at the Park 2

Playing at the Park

Family Home Evening

Tonight we had one of the best Family Home Evenings we've had in a while. I borrowed the Movie Toy Story. I have never let them watch it before because they are very sensitive to violence and I was afraid Sid, the child next door, might scare them. But we watch the Disney channel and they have seen previews for Toy Story 3, so I thought it was about time. So all day today we have been talking about Toy Story and watching it. We coupled that with Toy Story bath toys and a Toy Story book during story time and they were giggling with excitement. So we told them they could stay up late and watch the movie after a bath and putting on Toy Story pajamas. They thought life was wonderful. They sat the whole time never fighting about space or blankets. Jaedon gave Jeremy a truly heart felt thank you and even Kaylee laid on the floor with her own blanket. Afterword we had a nice conversation and chocolate and strawberry milk and then they all went to bed without any hassle. I enjoyed it so much I was thinking about what would be an appropriate length of time before we could do it again for FHE when Jeremy surprised me and told me how much he enjoyed it to and what great kids we have. I am so glad the Prophet councils us to have FHE and even more glad that my family can enjoy it.

Mommy's New Bed

Last night my youngest son got in bed with us. Jeremy and I were not to happy about this so this morning at breakfast Jeremy had a talk with Jaedon. He told Jaedon it was Mommy and Daddy's bed and asked him where Mommy was supposed to sleep. Jaedon without a second thought said "Mommy can sleep on the floor," so now I guess I have a new bed.

Stair Surfing

I know I shouldn't but I let the kids, JJ and Kaylee, stair surf with an old matress. The pictures didn't come out very good but they had such a good time.

Kittens

The kitten on top is shadow and Midnight is on the bottom.

Shadow
Midnight

Midnight and Shadow

We just adopted two beautiful black kittens. They are absolutely adorable. They were abandoned at a local church and a nice family has been taking care of them. The only problem is they have two dogs who wanted to eat the kittens. So a couple of emails and phone calls down the road we adopted them. The kids are so excited. Jaedon can do nothing but follow them around. JJ has told anyone who will listen about them, includeing some who didn't want to in wal~mart, and Kaylee can now say kitty and keeps wondering around trying to find them. I will have some pictures of them once They get used to things but here are some pictures of the trip home.

If you can't tell Kaylee has wormed under her seat belt and is bent over patting the kittens head. Which one? I really couldn't tell you.


Later the kitten climbed in her lap and she held on with one hand and petted with the other. It's amazing what a natural talent she has for nurturing.

JJ when he liked the cat after a scared screaming fit.

Jaedon perfectly content

JJ's fit

I did move the cat.