When I was having Ethan, I was worried that the older boys (especially Nate) would not have much of a relationship with him because the of the age differences. I have been amazed and thankful at how well all boys really do get along. Nate and Josh are probably the closest at this point & play the most but they frequently include Zach. On almost any day, you will see each different "pair" interacting in some way.

On this morning, Nate was teaching Zach to swing from the rope like Indiana Jones. Josh paired up with Ethan & they played all kinds of things (on the play structure, with a ball & for awhile Josh pushed Ethan around in a wheel barrow). I thought it was neat moment to catch & write about. I hope that the boys always stay close!

On a side note: Yes Zach is still in his underwear and Ethan is wearing his pajamas. As I mentioned, it was still morning & obviously a lazy morning at our house. :)

Excitement over toothpaste???

We ran errands today & I got a real laugh from our trip to Target. The boys needed new toothpaste. They usually take turns picking out a flavor. I couldn't remember which boy picked last so I told them that they could all pick out their own tube of toothpaste. Nate turns to me and says "are you kidding?" and I replied "no". Both Nate and Josh yell out in excitement...you would have thought that I just told them they could buy a huge Star Wars Lego set! They could not even wait to get home to try out their new toothpastes....they held them all the way home from Target. I didn't realize the excitement in getting your own tube of toothpaste! :)

New Star Wars movie!

Brevin and Justice invited Nate and Josh to the OPENING DAY of the new Star Wars Clone movie. We have not gone to many movies so it was a real treat. There was added excitement because they went on opening day, so (in Nate's words), "We will be one of the first people in the WORLD to see the movie!"

What a busy, busy day. The weather was beautiful, which was great because we had a lot of outside activities going on. Both boys had their last games of the season.

I got a kick out of Nate last night...here was our conversation at bedtime:

Nate: I am excited about soccer tomorrow and hope we win the Championship.
Me: Championship?
Nate: Yeah, the last game of the year is the championship game, so tomorrow is our championship game.
Me: thinking to myself...do I explain that it is not really a championship game, that there is no championship game or crowned champion in their league...instead, I ask: What is the most important part of the game? Winning?
Nate: No, it is having fun and doing my best, but winning the Championship would still be cool.
Me: Good night Nate! Get your rest for your game tomorrow...laughing to myself because he is sort of understanding that the goal is to play hard, do his best & have fun but that need to win is still there!

Before the games, Nate went to an end of the year pool party for a few hours with some other friends to celebrate being done with second grade.

I missed the beginning of Josh's game when he was in goal because I picked up Nate from the pool party but we came in time to see him in the field. I brought the video camera and took about 5 minutes of video so I didn't get many pictures. Unfortunately, 5 minutes was all the time the camera had. Jim had used up most of the video at Josh's Kindergarten celebration & I didn't know it! So I didn't have a video camera for Nate but instead got tons of pictures! There was not enough time to go home between the games but we did walk into downtown Plymouth & grab a quick bite to eat.

Both Nate and Josh did win their games & Nate got his medal (but everyone on every team gets a medal at the end of the season!

Here is a picture of Josh during his game & a slide show from Nate's game.

At the end of the day, Nate told me that he had a GREAT first day of summer. At bedtime we usually talk about our favorite parts of the day. Today he told me that he could not pick a favorite part because the whole day was his favorite!

Last day of school for Nate. He is excited to be off but I think he will miss school & his friends!

Ethan, Zach, Josh and I brought up popsicles as a treat for Nate's class.

Here are a few pictures of Nate after his last day!

To celebrate, we all went to Chili's for dinner & then went for a walk. We walked around the high school complex. The boys were excited about their finds. We came home with about 7 tennis balls, 3 baseballs & 2 softballs. Most of the baseballs and softballs were on a closed off field. Josh and Nate were small enough to fit in a gap between the dugout and the fence & head out onto the field to collect their treasures.

Can you hear Josh cheering? Actually he is pretty mellow & you wouldn't really know that it is his last day of school. When I asked how he felt about being done with school, he response was "Good." That was pretty much the end of our conservation. Here is a picture of the door that Josh lined up to next to all year..next year he will line up in the gym with Nate.

Here is a close up of him on his last day....

After school, Brett and Jake came over for a couple hours..they are 2 brothers in Nate's class. We all had pizza & popsicles! Well, everyone except Zach. Zach went to bed shortly after we came home...poor guy feels really bad. He has completely lost his voice. I did get a good laugh today because I said something about him being horse and he broke down in tears & said "me, not horse". I had to explain myself but he still had hurt feelings (remember my post a few days ago about his fragile feelings).

We finished the walk tonight. The final step was to put the sand in between the bricks & seal it up! That is all done. Jim started laying the sand last night. I went out after dinner & worked on it some. All of the bricks had to be hit repeatedly with a rubber mallet to make sure the sand was in & around the bricks. I have blisters on my hand from all the time I hit the bricks...sounds sad...but I was out there swinging that hammer for a long time tonight! The good news it is done. This weekend we can back fill around it & start the landscaping along the house. We also have to work on the parking area (which will be a larger gravel area).

A special message for a special someone....

Today was Nate's last full day at school. He has two half days & the he is officially done for the summer. Josh just has one half day left tomorrow.

I want into school this morning with Nate to drop off his teacher's gift. I was in charge of the classroom gift. The parents decided to purchase a brick paver in Mrs. Pedersen's name. We also purchased an AmEx card for her to use on her trip this summer. Lastly, I put together a memory book...each of the kids had a page in the book. The pages included pictures of the kids & then they wrote something the liked about Mrs. Pedersen and/or being in her class. I think she was very touched, mainly by the book. It was also neat to see how excited the kids were to see the completed book & hear what everyone wrote. I am glad she enjoyed it. She has been a wonderful teacher & Nate has done really well in her class.

We have sickies again at our house. Ethan and Zach have yet another Spring/Summer cold. I am not sure where they are picking up this junk. Zach has a horrible cough & both have runny noses! Nate also woke up this morning complaining of a sore throat. Hopefully everyone else can remain healthy!

Today was a big laundry day & I had a helper! He actually did hand me clothes to fold but he also pulled folded clothes off the table! He spent about 30 minutes climbing in and out of this basket just hanging out and enjoying the day. His personality is really starting to show. He is now walking more than crawling, even when he falls, he now gets back up instead of continuing with a crawl. He is a really happy guy & loves playing. One of his favorite things is to find all buttons on toys to turn them on so they play music or make noise, he will just keep pushing the buttons over and over....got to love noisy toys! He also loves to wave. The two times that he gets most excited about waving is when Jim comes home & when we pick up Nate from school.

Josh had his party at school today....things are quickly coming to an end. Only a few days left!

Jim started a new exercise routine today...he is riding his bike to work. Apparently this made a huge impact on Zach because he told everyone at Isbisiter today (at pick up for Josh) that his daddy rode his bike to work & didn't take his truck! Jim impressed a bunch of people!

We made a baby step in progress with Zach & potty training...he actually pooped in the potty. I sat him on the potty while he watched a movie & be pooped. Unfortunately, it was followed shortly by more poop in his pull-up. I am a bit frustrated with the whole potty training...he just does not care & is not interested. Jim said to look at the positive & that Zach did poop in the potty. It is true but it is also easier for him because he is not here all day working with Zach.

Last week of school!

Are the boys ever excited! Only 4 days left for Josh & 5 days left for Nate! Today was a busy day!

Josh had his Kindergarten graduation today & Nate also had his end of the year party.

Jim will met us at Josh's class to watch their performance. They sang lots of songs & read some books. We had punch & cookies and also got to look through some books of Josh's work throughout the year. His made fantastic progress & learned so much & is ready for first grade!

Right after Josh's graduation, we went downtown Plymouth. Jim played in the park with Josh, Zach & Ethan while I ran into Play Cafe to say hi to Nate. Nate's class was very lucky because the parents of one of the kids in his class owns Play Cafe (it is an indoor HUGE play structure). The entire class was invited to play, and then they also got pizza & ice cream....can't beat that for an end of the year party! With Josh's graduation, I was not able to attend the entire event so I just stopped in to say hi. Nate & the entire class seemed to be having a great time. I could barely get Nate to stop for a picture!

After seeing Nate, I took Josh out to lunch for his graduation day & then we headed home. The little guys were exhausted & Ethan even fell asleep in the car on the way home!

Nate had his last soccer practice tonight. Jim took Nate while the rest of stayed home...just too hot to sit at the park! Jim said that Nate did great & has made real progress this season with his understanding and skills.

Seemed like a busy day! Josh had his soccer game and then we had a BBQ with some of the families from Nate's Boy Scout troops. There was a terrible storm that came through so the outside BBQ had to inside. Jim and I were not to the most social couple because we had to keep watch of Ethan. He is big enough now that he does not just want to be held but is obviously too small to just be left alone with the older kids. So Jim & I hung out in the kitchen eating while all the other adults sat around a dinner table in another room....a few more years & we will be able to relax more at gatherings!

Zach's Feelings....

I have to share a recent phase that Zach is going through. It appears that Zach has very fragile feelings! Somewhere along the road of development, Zach learned that he has "feelings" & that his feelings can be hurt. Now, I very routinely hear from Zach "you hurt my feelings" or that someone else has "hurt his feelings". Every time he does not get what he wants, hears no, is overly tired, or is unhappy for any reason, Zach will say that someone hurt his feelings...sometimes it is me, sometimes Jim & even Nate & Josh are at fault at times!

Another HOT & HUMID day in Michigan. We stayed around home most of the day & tried to get a few things done, although we did not have much progress. Jim did have a brilliant idea! They kids are into Indy Jones right now & pick up any string to create a whip. Well, Jim decided to help them make better whips...he pulled out some twine & duct tape...helped them braid the twine together & each of the boys has a new whip.....great idea Dad!! NOT! Actually, the boys had done well and do far no one has been hit or injured by Jim's creations!

About the only time we left was for Nate's soccer game. Only Jim and Nate went as it was just too hot for the rest of us to sit outside.

Captured a few fun pictures of the boys climbing & being boys!

It is Friday! In the morning we I took Ethan & Zach to the splash park. I brought the camera along for pictures but didn't end up taking any. The place was crazy busy..figures since it was our first day over 90. Also, Ethan was a crazy man. I was not sure if he would like all the water spraying but he had a blast. He toddled (sort of a drunk sailor combined with Frankenstein walk) back and forth through the spray scape. A few times he got sprayed pretty good & he stopped & looked at me. I thought he was going to cry but nope, he shook it off & kept on going.

When I picked up Nate, the camera was still in the car so I thought I would take a moment to document one of our daily activities. I am back and forth to school 3 times a day. In the morning I drop both boys off in front of the school & they walk in together. At 11:30 I pick up Josh, for Kindergarten pick up I am required to come inside to get Josh. Then after school, I pick up Nate. At the beginning of the school year, I walked inside and stood in the hall to get Nate also. Once cold weather & winter hit, one trip inside was enough...so Nate and I formulated a plan. He walks out the side doors of the school & meets us out at the van....so much easier for me. So each day after school, we park & wait for Nate to come out. Each and every day, Zach & Ethan just light up & squeal with delight when they see Nate walk through the doors and head to the call...they love their big brother! With the camera in the car, I thought I would take some pictures....

Zach fell down today and got some scrapes on his knees. After he got done crying, he was actually excited because this was the first chance he had to use some bandages that he picked out last week at Target. He had the choice of Diego, Scoooby-Doo, and several other characters but instead he picked a box of neon colored bandages that were next to the character bandages. For some reason the picture is sideways but I think you get the idea! :)

Today is the start of a heat wave. I think we were in the mid/upper 80s today and it is suppose to be in the 90s tomorrow & through the weekend. Not only do we have the high temps but the humidity is horrible!

Even though it was hot, we played outside for a few hours after school. With the hot temps & high humidity, everyone did pretty well although there were a few disagreements. At one point Nate threw a pretty big fit over something that I can even remember. Since I had the camera outside, I was a little mean & took pictures of him while throwing his fit...I think this made him even more mad but at least I got to laugh!

I am trying a new slide show program...let's see if it works....here are a few pictures.....

I could hear myself....

This morning I went into my room to finish getting ready while Ethan, Zach & Josh were in the kitchen playing. Then I hear Then I hear Josh saying....

"No Zach, you can not hit Ethan. I know he hit you but he is little and does not understand. You are big and you know better. You can not hit."

Even the tone & inflections in his voice sounded just like it was coming from me! This is something that I have probably said hundreds of times.

I think Josh would tell you that he had a great day today. This morning his class went to a local farm were he milked a cow, fed teenage ducks & goats (some with bottles), and held baby bunnies & kittens. His "teenage ducks" was great...he said that he fed teenage ducks. He went on to explain that they were not babies but not full adults so they had to be teenage ducks!

After he came back to school, he got to have lunch with Mr. Harrison (the principal at his school). The school had a raffle a few months back & Josh (along with 3 other kids) won lunch. Two of the other kids were 5th graders and one was a 2nd grader (actually one of Nate's friends). From what I saw and heard, I think Josh was a little intimidated by the 5th graders & didn't say too much, mainly listened...but he thought it was great and enjoyed himself.

When Jim came home, all the boys went out to play soccer and Josh helped Jim fix the wheelbarrow. The other boys went off to do other things so Josh got one-on-one with Jim.

Then all the boys got a real treat just before bedtime. My friend came by with 3 Indiana Jones color/activity books. She found them at the dollar store & thought of the boys. They were all so excited!! There was no time for coloring because it as bedtime but all the boys (excluding Ethan) took the books to bed to look at & find pictures to color in the morning!

Jim is planning on watching the Wings game tonight. As soon as I finish this, I plan on heading to bed. I am so tired after the last two nights. Thankfully Ethan is okay & we do not have to wake him up tonight.

I lost about 10 years of my life yesterday. I tripped and fell with Ethan in my arms! We both landed on the new paved sidewalk. He landed on his back & hit the back of his head. Now that it is 24 hours, I can report that everyone is okay but I was sure shaken up for most of the day. We had to wake Ethan up every 4 hours last night to make sure he was okay & are suppose to do the same again tonight but he really does seem perfectly fine. I am saying lots of thankful prayers today that neither of us were hurt worse!

On a happier note, Jim said that Nate did a fantastic job at soccer practice last night! He is picking up the strategy of the game & figuring things out!