What Little Boys Love

Sports
Well Jaden is definitely on a roll with scoring goals his first season of soccer. He has scored 4 goals up until now. One for his team, and 3 for the other team! Here is his latest OG. But watch how he tried to turn the ball as he kicked he in. You may also notice that Charles was the coach that day.



One day this week, Charles and Kaleb went outside to play in the rain. I didn't want to get the camera wet, so I took these videos through my window upstairs. Recognize the ball, Melanie and John? Kaleb loves it. He calls it his Christmas Ball.





Here is a glimpse of the Kaleb that I am very anxious to have join our family. Meet "Patient Kaleb." I was seriously amazed at how long he shot that ball without getting too frustrated and throwing a fit. Good job, Buddy!



Bugs
Kaleb discovered Roly Polies. Now the boys are always looking for them in our backyard. I love the way Kaleb says their name! :)



Rough Housing
Here is one of the many ways the boys like to Rough House. They love to stand still and have us try and knock them down with pillows. Some days it it too much for me to watch. I cringe and gasp whenever someone looks like they got hurt or is about to get hurt. But I guess I just need to get used to it. A family full of boys is bound to bring on the broken bones and stitches!



Helping Dad
The boys are also good little helpers... as long as it doesn't involve cleaning! Here are some pictures of the boys hard at work! Little boys, AND big boys. :)

Mowing the lawn

Ripping out baseboards

Pulling out nails

Uh... "vacuuming the wall" Nice work, Kaleb!

Cutting tile... (Poor Dad was having major issues shaping that particular piece, but even though he was super frustrated, he still had a smile on his face. Unlike Charles, who when I asked him how he was doing, reponded with a crude hand gesture. lol)

Laying tile

Here you can kinda see how the tile turned out. I'd say they did a rather fine job!

Painting (Here is a more appropriate expression from Charles)



Creative Play
They used the tracks from their race track to make a "city of freeways."
And here's Bradley... just because.

Almost a Hat Trick

So the last soccer game Jaden had was awful. No one was there, and the few that were there, didn't want to play. The most each team can have on the field at one time is 6 players, and Jaden's team was lucky if they had 4. There were times when Jaden was the only orange one out there! Although he hasn't shown much "enthusiasm" for the sport... thankfully we have never had to drag him onto the field. For the most part he has always been happy and willing to be out there and run around with the bunch. So even though his team (... if you could even call it a team) got slaughtered, Jaden stayed out there the whole time and we couldn't have been more proud.

That is, until Saturday...

Jaden scored 2, yes... count 'em 2 goals. His team came back from the dead and they were actually pretty closely matched. Jaden was awesome. The first goal was like this...


He was with "the bunch." They were on their defense side. The ball came close. Jaden went for it. He kicked it away from "the bunch." He even kicked it towards his goal on the other side of the field! Then he took off after that ball. It was a break away! He kicked it again. And again. Each kick making the distance between him and the goal smaller and smaller. He dribbled it all the way down the side of the field... leaving "the bunch" behind in the dust. Then he centered the ball, took aim and shot. GOOOOOAAALLLLL!!! It was beautiful.

We all clapped and shouted for joy. Mom and Dad were there. This was the first game Dad was able to make it to and he was quick to take the credit, saying that Jaden scored "because Grandpa was there." Well, Dad... now that you are Jaden's lucky charm I better see you at his last 2 games!

On to his second goal.

It started with a throw in.... Jaden was the one who took the throw. He held it in both hands. Planted both feet in the ground. Pulled the ball back behind his head, and threw. No one could stop the ball. It had such force and speed. Every player missed. It bounced, then bounced... then rolled... and rolled. It rolled right into the goal. Ummm.... the other team's goal. GOOOOAAAAALLLL!!!! It was hilarious. Yes, it was another O.G. ...but another goal, just the same.

Way to go Jaden.... almost a "Hat Trick."

Jaden's Update

So what's new with Jaden? Well, his new church clothes for one! I asked him to pose for a picture and all he did was give me goofy grins... except for this one. I thought it was pretty GQ.



**HAP KI DO**
Jaden and I have started taking Hap Ki Do, a form of martial arts. How did we get into this you ask? It all started on our quest to find what interested Jaden. We tried gymnastics and we tried a beginning sports class. He didn't like either one. But then his preschool class went on a field trip to a Martial Arts studio, where they learned a few defensive moves on how to get away from a stranger. After that he couldn't stop talking about "karate."


We found a place that seemed reasonably priced and it was a family class. We thought maybe if Charles or I took the class with him that maybe he would do better. Well, Charles (even though he is the more experienced one, having done Judo as a kid) was unable to participate due to his school schedule, so that left me. I planned on going only until Jaden was comfortable enough to go by himself... but it really grew on me! It's so fun! Jaden loves it and is the youngest kid in the class. I, on most days am the oldest.


The kids are all really respectful and encouraging, so it has been great for Jaden to learn from their examples. It took us about 5 weeks of doing lots of chores to earn our uniforms, and it was worth it. I love how they make the kids "earn" everything.

Jaden learned really quickly how to count in Korean and has already taught Kaleb... and Alli and Kare! He also teaches Bradley some moves. Here is a video of Jaden teaching Bradley a Spear Punch. "Block... trap... strike!"





**SOCCER**
Jaden has started his first year of soccer. His team is called "The Creamsicles" and he is number 11... good number.


Here's a video of Jaden practicing in the backyard with Charles before the game.



So far he has had 2 games. At this age they don't have practices, they just meet for the game and run around in a "bunch" hoping to move the ball into the goals. It's a riot to watch. Some of the kids are still learning not to use hands. And many of them have a parent out there holding their hand, and whipping them across the field. :)


Well, we think Jaden has done very well. We were afraid he would sit out and just not participate, but he has surprised us. He runs around with the bunch, and kicks the ball... if it comes to him.


Jaden prefers to hang out in the back of the bunch, he's definitely not a ball hog! On his first game he scored a goal!! It was an Own Goal, but still a goal! We cheered nice and loud for him! We didn't care if he scored for his team or the other team... we were just proud of him for knowing the ball needed to go in the net, and for taking the initiative to put it there! We can work on direction later. :)

Here's a video of Jaden taking a goal kick... and then chilling in the back... as the other team scores.



And, here is the most exciting part.. the end-of the-game treats! It makes it all worth it... for Kaleb!



**READING**
Jaden is learning to read. We have promised him that if he can get through 100 lessons, then we will take him to Disneyland.



He's getting close to 70! So if anyone wants to come, we're looking to go in October. Possibly July, but most likely October. We try to do one lesson each day while Kaleb takes a nap... It's amazing to see him begin to read words on his own while we're out driving. Last week he saw a sign and said, "Smmm...Smi...Smit... Smitt....no, Smith, Smith's!" I was really impressed. What can I say... I'm a proud Mama!


**MAKING HIS OWN LUNCH**
The other day Jaden asked me if he could make his OWN lunch. I asked him what he wanted to make and he said a Peanut Butter Sandwich. Well, why not? Here's how he did. Doesn't he look so proud of his work?


This is GREAT! Now he just needs to learn grilled cheese and he can take care of himself AND Kaleb! Sweet.