Homework

John's first homework assignment was to decorate and fill a bag with 5 things that were important to him or that told something about him. Here is what is important to John right now:

Cheeseburgers (we put a wrapper in the bag)

Red is his favorite color. He had me cut him out a heart with my Cricut in red paper. He said it also represented love, because he loves everyone.

Doing art.

Legos. Duh!

Friends. This is John with Blake. They both put this picture in their bag.

2nd Grade

John started 2nd grade this year. He was very adamit that we could not call him a 2nd grader until school started. His teacher is Mrs. Rinehart. He is getting more used to her and thinks she is very nice. He was sad that his friend Blake was not in his class this year, but we are encouraging him to play with other kids as well. His anxiety is really high right now and we are working with the teacher to help him feel more comfortable in the classroom. We love him very much and are so proud of him.

Mrs. Rinehart and John

I can't believe he is in 2nd grade!

Cuddle Time, Alison Style

Since she was born, Alison has been a cuddlier. As she has grown, she has become specific on how to cuddle her. For example, when you cuddle at bed time she will put her cloth over your face so that the air you are exhaling will not get on her. You are to sleep on the edge of hthe bed and not rest your hand or arm on her. However, when she is actually asleep, she is right up next to you. If you move even an inch, she will find you within 3 seconds. Tonight she tells me, "Mom I'm used to looking at your face while I go to sleep now and you are breathing your breath". So nice to know that I, and my breath, am loved and accepted.

Dance I Say, Dance

This summer we started dancing. The kids are loving it! They enjoy their own class and like to watch the other classes when it is not their turn.

Alison is in a Ballet, Tap & Tumble combo class.

John is taking Break Dancing. He can "freeze" with the best of them.

K-I-S-S-I-N-G

I am working in the house while the kids are playing outside with the neighborhood kids. John and his buddy Blake come running in to tell me, "Mom, Alison and Pierce kissed on the lips, twice!" Thanks for telling me, lets go and clean up outside and take Blake home.

When I go outside, Pierce's parents are out too and then Pierce and John both tell them what happened. Heather, the mom, and I discuss what we will be saying to the "love birds".

Later that night as I am putting Alison to bed we have a talk. I tell her that it is not okay to kiss someone that you are not married to. She is only 5, I can tell her to wait until marriage for at least 5 more years. She then tells me that she and Pierce are going to get married so it is okay for them to kiss. I restate, that when they are married they can kiss, but not until they are married. But mom, we are going to get married. I can see that my point is not fully being made. So I throw in, you will have a time out if you do it again.

Fast forward a week. I was outside tonight visiting with some neighbors as the kids played. One of my neighbors mentioned that he saw on Heather's blog that Alison and Pierce kissed. The other neighbor then tells me that he saw them kissing yesterday as they drove around in Pierce's power wheel. The image of a moonlight night and a parked car come to my mind.

I tell Alison latter when we are in the house that one of the neighborhood dads saw her and Pierce kissing yesterday. She looks at me with a big smile and then immediately says, "no we didn't. We were just hugging in his jeep".

4th of July

July 4th brought fun, relaxing and hot weather. We started the day with a trip to the local spray park to try to cool off. We had a lot of fun. The kids love to stand with the water in between their legs so it looks like they are peeing. Oh, kids!

Fun at the park.

Potluck dinner and dessert with the neighbors. Lots of yummy food!

Fireworks, fireworks, and a lot more fireworks! A big thank you to the Kelly's and Brown's for the organization and firework show. We look forward to next year.

Look Who's 5

Alison, you joined our family on July 1, 2004. You have brought us so much joy and happiness. You are a wonderful sharer. You love to cuddle. You love your brother, John. You want to do everything he does and then some. You love to sing and dance. You love to explore nature and play outside. You love to swing. You love chocolate milk, "Ducky" and "clothy". You put your shoes on the wrong feet every day. You are excited to be in Kindergarten in the fall. We love you very much. We are so lucky to be your parents.

Just so cute!

Alison, how old are you?

Did someone say presents?

Dinner at Red Robin