Swim

Simon is our little fish, always has been. He has taught himself how to swim and loves to be in the water. So this year we signed him up for swim team.

I took him to his first practice last week, and it is still pretty cold water! The kids teeth were chattering with lots of blue lips. Thankfully practice is only 45 minutes.

I watched him swim to see how he did and to see how he stacked up to the others in his age group. He's better than a couple, and a couple are better than him. I'd say he's solidly in the middle. On his first swim across the pool, in freestyle, he made it about halfway and then stopped and stood up; as practice went on he could go less and less far before needing to stop. By then end he would only do about one stroke before needing a break.

After practice was over we talked about how it went. I told him he was in the middle, some kids faster, some kids slower. Then I asked him, "So I noticed you got tired before you got all the way across the pool. What was tired? Your legs, your arms, or your lungs?"

"My arms."

I nodded, "Guess that's something you'll need to work on then."

"Mom, will doing pushups help?"

"Yes it will, that's a good idea."

"'Cause I don't want to be in the middle." Turns out that boy might just be competitive!

Later that evening we went to Eli's soccer game and as Eli's team was warming up Simon was down in the grass beside our chairs doing pushups. I think he ended up doing about 75.

The first meet is tonight and I'm super excited to see how he does in that type of environment. Good luck Simon!!

Mother's Day

I love to take pictures of me and each of the boys on Mother's Day. For much of the year and the pictures we have, I am behind the camera so we end up with not a lot of just me and a boy. Eli was my photographer for the three little boys; Noah took the one of Eli and I but he is just starting to learn how to work the camera so Eli and I had quite a session since I insisted my head needed to be in the picture, ha!

Then we recruited Tim to take one of all of us-we had to hunt him down since he's always working on my mom's apartment. So that picture is in the storage room of the apartment.

Hard Sleepers

Most of my boys need to get up in the night to go to the bathroom, however Simon is such a hard sleeper he can never wake up to go. So he still wears pull-ups at night. Poor kid.

We have tried a variety of things, including an alarm clock that we set for the middle of the night, but he would never hear it. So one day last week we go the bright idea to put it in bed with him. Simon thought it was a great idea-it's a Yoda Lego clock so that was fun for him. Seemed to work, he woke up.

Well last night I found the clock in the dining room. ? I have no idea.

When I went to bed I tucked Yoda into bed with Simon. So he didn't know it was going to be there. A little while later, Tim and I heard the alarm go off and immediately feet hit the floor. And I thought, "Total score! This is working!" But then the feet came to the hallway and a loud knock on our bedroom door.

"Mom?"
"Yeah?"
"My alarm is going off."
"I know. Go to the bathroom."
"I can't."
"Why not?"
"Because it's under my bed and it's too loud."
I'm cracking up at this point and I say, "It's ok, just go to the bathroom."
"Ok."

Footsteps to the bathroom, alarm shuts off on it's own, Simon crawls into bed, Tim and I laughed so hard I almost cried. Then I slept really well for having such a good laugh.

Soccer Boys

My soccer boys, 2013.

They are all playing this year. Eli & Noah are traveling teams, and Eli also plays on a select team.

To date, Simon's team is undefeated.
To date, Jesse is undefeated.
To date, Eli's team is 6-1.
To date, Noah's team is defeated.

Simon's Seven

Simon is SEVEN.

Seven wonderful years.

I love how each of our children, of the same parents, in the same house, are so incredibly unique. Simon is our "brown hair" like his daddy. So like the other boys with his interests, but so different in how they manifest. They all enjoy LEGOs, but Simon takes it to a whole different level. Same with drawing, and goofy-ness.

I am SO excited to see what this little fellow is like as an adult. What will he be like, which passion he will pursue? Artist? Architect? Author? Okay, why do all of those start with an A?

He got to have a friend over to spend the night for this birthday. The first time he's had someone spend the night just for him. They had a ball.

Happy Birthday Simon! We look forward to celebrating many more with you!

Cutting Hair

I generally cut the boys hair all on one night, makes clean up easier that way! However, in the winter I tend to get some boys that want their hair long, some that I won't let go long, etc. and then the hair cutting days are much more haphazard.

Eli was skipping a hair cut-he has always had strong opinions about how he wants his hair cut or not cut. And I don't much care. Plus he has such GREAT hair.

Noah wants long hair but for some reason I can't stand it on his ears, so he got a trim around his ears last week. Except now it *almost* looks like a mullet so I'm keeping an eye on that!

Jesse has the same fine hair as Noah that I can't stand on his ears either so he also got a trim last week. But he's little and just does what his Mama wants, no opinions just yet.

Simon claimed he wanted long hair too so I skipped his haircut, but then on Monday I felt it was too long so I told him that and asked if he wanted me to trim it. He said no, he really wanted it long. I figured we'd let it go another week and then he'd get tired of it.

On Tuesday Simon and I were sitting at the table working on his math problems. His head was down and I thought, his hair looks really short there in the front. I pulled his chin up and looked at him. Sure enough, the front section of his hair had been cut down almost to his scalp. I barked at him about cutting his hair, and with instant watery eyes he admitted he cut it, at home, after school. When I asked why he said, "Because it was too long in my eyes."

Oh the fury that bubbled up. Hadn't I just asked him LAST NIGHT?!? Yes, why yes I had. But I knew it was too long, but also wanted him to have some control over his appearance. Just not that kind of control.

Of course it was also the evening that I had worked late and had my mom over to take care of the boys, so homework time was an hour behind our normal schedule, and I had to run my mom home to her house (hour round trip) yet that evening. I didn't feel like I had time for a hair cut and shower for Simon. But I took a deep breath to realize it was my fault for not cutting his hair when it needed it and went on with homework. Then after dinner cut his hair short and herded him to the shower.

Simon is a quiet one, and one to take care of a "problem" on his own rather than come to me for help. While I appreciate his independence, I need to remember to keep an eye on what's going on under the surface with him. So different than the one that screams like a girl...

Stiff and Sore

I've started running again on the weekends. I started with a two mile run, trying to start small. And the next couple of days I could certainly tell it's been a while since I've run. I was stiff, not all that sore but just stiff. A good reminder to stretch and warm up better next time!

Simon wanted to show me something upstairs in the playroom/schoolroom so I grabbed his hand and we started up the stairs. As I took the steps the tightness in my legs reminded me I need to get out and run again soon, and I said to Simon, "Simon, my legs sure are sore from running!"

Without missing a beat he replied, "Well you better get used to it Lady!"

I snorted and laughed and he laughed right along with me. Tells it like it is. I love that kid!

Teeth?

At the rate this boy is losing teeth he's going to be on a diet of jello and ice cream soon! Wait, maybe that's his whole plan...

Love this toothless grin!

Bike Riding

We took the training wheels off of Simon's bike last summer but he never really learned how to ride; I just didn't put in enough time with him I guess. So over the winter I've been helping him off and on when the weather is nice, and when my back hurts from holding on to him then I tell him to just practice his balance; no feet on the pedals just use them to push off the ground.

Well, this weekend was beautiful so I figured this was it. I helped him a little bit and encouraged him a lot. He kept practicing and when he needed a break from falling he'd come and help me pick up sticks in the yard. Then I ran and got groceries. When I came back-he could ride! He's still a little shaking on braking and turning, but the boy can ride.

So then on Monday after school, even though it had rained and everything was wet he was out there on his bike. I was outside and he took off across the front porch and then I heard a loud metal crash and a SCREAM. I mean, a real scream. I ran for him and he was running to me (that's always a good sign).

I was trying to hold him but he was screaming and writhing down to the ground with a hand over his ear. I pulled his hand away and saw that he had scraped his whole ear. Not quite enough to draw blood but enough to make him writhe in pain. Poor kid!

I sat down on the rock wall and pulled him on my lap to console and rock him. He was still in a lot of pain so I said, "Let's get some ice for it and you can sit with Dad for a few minutes." He cried and said "No, I don't want to do that!"

"Well, what do you want to do?"

Still crying he answered, "I want to ride my bike!"

Smiling, I said, "Let's put ice on it for a few minutes and then you can ride your bike again."

He agreed and I moved his bike-he had crashed into the screen door which was why it was so loud and we got him iced down for a few minutes and then he was back at it.

When he went to bed that night he said to me, "I like to ride my bike like a big boy. Riding a bike is like running, but you don't touch the ground."

I think we have ourselves a bike lover.

Tornado Safety

Simon is on the "safety kick." He's at that age. Eli and Noah both went through it. With them it was fire safety, we talked about it two or three times a week at dinner. I guess since Simon has been hearing about fire safety for as long as he can remember and he's got the plan down pat, he wants to move on. He talks about tornado safety, worries about it, mumbles about it, and dreams about it.

We were discussing it the other day (again) when I said, "Well Simon, I'll put some bottled water and a box of granola bars over in the corner of the basement where we go for a tornado. That way if there is a tornado we'll be able to have a snack."

He seemed very pleased by this and said, "Okay. But let's only eat one bite of the granola bar since that's all we'll have to eat for the rest of our lives."

I laughed and said, "Or just until the tornado is gone and we can come out."

Then he laughed and said, "Oh yeah!"

So now I need to add bottled water to my grocery list and organize a tornado drill for the boys. Guess I should have a flashlight down there too. I would hate to be sitting there in the dark in that damp creepy crawly basement!

Guess who's Six?

There's someone at our house turning six. Do you know who? I'll give you a hint:

That's right, Simon! This certain boy wanted an M&M cake, but only with an 'S'. Eli laughed and said, "So you want a skittle?"

We determined to make the cake brown so it wouldn't look like a skittle! That boy is easy with his requests. Typical third child, easy going. He's doing wonderful in school, and is quite the writer and artist. I am so excited to see how he develops his talent as he grows. Plus his Lego building is beyond his years, if you ask me. Just so creative!

Happy Birthday Sweet Simon!

Clock

Simon is our biggest Lego creator.  Here he created a grandfather clock with amazing attention to detail. 

He put a spider in it-to show that it was old.
He put it on a piece that was a hood to a car, so it was not flat and so the sides would go out farther and be curved and fancy like a real clock.
The top he used not a flat piece so there would be extra fancy detail, like a real clock.
The pendelum is on a chain so it swings free.

We don't have a grandfather clock, so it was all from his memory/imagination.

Rest

The boys have been passing around some kind of puking bug the week.  Good times.  I stayed home with Simon and he was laying onf the couch and I was sitting in the recliner working on a self-study workbook.  Yay for being a CPA :-)  Anyway, Simon was fidgeting and I said, "Simon, just rest, you don't have to sleep, but just rest."

He got kind of whiney and said, "Rest? What is rest? I don't know what that means."

I chuckled and explained it to him, but really that doesn't surprise me, he really doesn't know how to rest, he's just like his dad.  Always busy, always moving and never resting.

When Tim got home I told him he laughed and laughed, and then said, "Well, that's really good that he doesn't know how to rest."

Which made me laugh.  I think he wants all the boys to be workers like him so they can work together all the time.  But we all know that I've got Noah, he's my napper (a title he claims proudly), movie watcher, and reader, just like his mama!

Growing Up

My boys are really growing up, you know how sometimes it just hits you?  This weekend has been like that.

Eli made scrambled eggs for breakfast on Saturday, then made himself and Jesse fried eggs on Sunday morning.  I know he's old enough to do it, it just hit me that we really are preparing him to fend for himself and leave us someday.  I kinda don't like to think about that part.

Also on Saturday Eli ran up to me and said, "Can we watch that movie we got in the mail? "Knowing we don't subscribe to netflix, I said, "What movie?"
"Well Lee said there was a movie in his Lego magazine so I just checked ours and there is one, see? Can we watch it?" just like a big kid would do.  I said sure and off he ran.  7Long gone are the days when they need help putting in a DVD or putting the TV on the right input.

Eli had his championship soccer game over the weekend, which they won by the way, and on the way home I see Noah leaning over and whispering to Eli, so I ask what is going on. Noah nudged Eli and then Eli said, "Well, we were thinking that since I won, we could go out to dinner to celebrate. And I know just where I want to go.  Friendly's!" Noah with all of his careful scheming to get his way, he later asked if they could watch a movie and eat popcorn as part of Eli's championship celebration. Where does he get this stuff?

"I'll talk to Dad, we'll see." We, of course, did take everyone out to eat, I mean we celebrate good grades, we better celebrate a champion!

Since Simon had watched the LEGO DVD he was creating like a fiend for the rest of the weekend. He had been given some new ideas and he was running with it. That boy and his creations, they are something to behold. I think I'll start taking pictures of them. He's growing up fast.

Then comes my Jesse, not one to be left out, he had to grow up on me this weekend too. As I was passing out vitamins he said, "See Mom, I can say it! Vitamin!" I was happy and praised him, but then I said, "Yeah, but I'm going to miss "bite-a-vin."

Eli, ever his father's son, didn't understand, Noah, his mama's boy said, "I know, it's so cute." Simon had no opinion since he was off playing LEGOs already. Tim didn't understand me either. Such is the life of a mama of growing boys.

Squash

We were at the grocery, in the fresh foods section, when Jesse got excited and ran over to a bin and said in his typical Jesse volume, "Mom!  Can we get this squash again?"  Jesse only has the one volume-LOUD!

I looked over and saw he had picked up a butternut squash.  "You guys did really like that last week didn't you?  We certainly can put on the menu for this week!"

Jesse began to pick one out and said, "It's so good!"

Simon grabbed an acorn squash and asked, "What is this one called?"

"That's an acorn squash.  We still have one of those at home, we'll fix it this week too."

He smiled and said, "Good!"

I love that my boys like good food, they are such good boys!

First Days

Well they're all in some kind of school now.  Here's a picture of the "big" boys on Simon's very first day of kindergarten. 

And Simon getting on the bus for the very first time.

 Then Jesse started preschool, complete with a backpack and lunchbox.

So they're all in some kind of school this year.  Man it's going fast!

Playing Dog

Simon was playing "doggy" at the sitters and was rubbing his nose on the carpet, sniffing around you see.  She told him to stop so he wouldn't get rug burn.  He didn't stop.  I'm guessing he didn't know what rug burn ment.

And I'm also guessing he does now!

Anyone know which of those non-scar creams works well?  We're at the phase where we're ready for it.

Say it!

We (Simon, Jesse, and I) were in the car when Jesse said, "Simon say J-E-S-S-E."

"No."

"Simon say J-E-S-S-E."

"No."

Getting whiney and mean, "Simon say J-E-S-S-E."

No response.  I can tell this is about to turn bad so I said, "Jesse, if you ask Simon nicely instead of telling him what to do maybe he'll do it."

"Okay.  Simon, may you say J-E-S-S-E?"

"No."

Oh dear.  "Well, he still doesn't want to say it, so just let it go Jesse."

Jesse's mad, but they are both strapped in so there won't be any hitting since Jesse can't reach Simon.  But Jesse's not ready to let it go.  He said, "When we get home, I'm going to get a toy and I'm going to throw it at you!"

I almost laughed, but didn't and said, "Jesse!  We don't throw things so you're not going to do that so don't say you are."

"I wasn't going to throw a toy!  I wasn't!  I'm going to get a pillow and throw it," now he's lightening up, "and then I'll get a blanket and throw it," he giggled.

Simon thinks it's funny too so he, quietly, and so quickly said, "J-E-S-S-E."

Brothers!

Cousin Fun

Simon and Sean with some cousin fun.  They both had a ball!

Dad

We were in the car on the way home when Simon says to me, "Mom do you know who's the dad of all of us?"

"Uh, yeah, Dad is your dad."

"No," he chuckles, "God is the dad of all of us."

"Oh, well, yeah."

"And God's wife?  She's the mom of all of us right?"

"Well, I'm not sure that God has a wife.  But if he does, then yes, she'd be the mom of all of us."