When Jaden Grows Up

"When I grow up, I want to be a zoo keeper."

A couple days before his graduation, Jaden had to dress up like what he wants to be when he grows up. He chose a zookeeper. We were a little surprised and a little frantic. Up until the day before, he had said either a doctor or a firefighter. He has dress up clothes for both of those occupations in his room... but a zoo keeper? So the day before, he asked Grandpa Ashton if he could use his "Aussie hat." (Thanks Dad... uh... yeah... we still need to return that...) Then he decided to wear his bear fanny pack (thank you Grandma and Grandpa Socci) so he could carry food for the animals. Charles even made him an "animal catcher" which he will demonstrate for you. (btw, "Brownie" is the name Kaleb gave to the big stuffed dog)



Well, he went to school and everyone was so impressed, that about half of his class decided they wanted to be zoo keepers too. Needless to say, at the graduation, there were a lot of kids saying "when I grow up, I want to be a zoo keeper." Way to go Jaden!

Jaden's Graduation

So last week, Jaden graduated preschool. But HE wants to be the one to tell you all about it. Here's Jaden...


Jaden's Blog

Sometimes we sing Old MacDonald had a Farm at school. And then you got to do E-I-E-I-O. Uh, I still have to go to school. My graduation was a little.... AAAHHH! I love my graduation, but I'm a little scared to go to my new school. This is me waiting for the graduation to start.


I'm waiting again.


This is Izzy, Me and Layla


Here's me and Addi singing "Here comes the sun, do-do-do-do... Here comes the sun, and I say, It's Alright." It's from the Bee Movie. The humans sing it, not beatles.


We're singing Mr. Golden Sun. "These little children are asking you, please come out so we can play with you. Mr. Sun, sun, Mr. Golden Sun, please shine down on, please shine down on, please shine down on me"............ I made the sun.


I love this one and I want to see it again and again and again! That's it! Now can I do it?



I graduated.


I made this bee at Preschool. I cutted the stinger off when I was cutting the booty, so now I don't have a stinger anymore.


This is my favorite picture because I like it. Me and Mommy.


This is my family. Kaleb and Daddy and I play tougher. Sometimes when Bradley gets bigger, he can do it too.


This is when I went to a restaurant after my graduation. Grandma and Alli, and Mommy and Daddy took me there to celebrate my graduation. It was Leatherby's. I got chicken, fries and a brownie. And I just tooted. I just want to say what I did. I know it's a stinky word. Grandma gave me money but I couldn't buy anything with it. I really wanted to get something with it but I can't because I couldn't.

(I just want to interject here, and say that his parents did NOT tell him he couldn't spend it... thank you.)



This is me getting comfortable. I unbuttoned my shirt cuz I was HOT! Hottie, hottie, sottie tottie.


This is Kaleb. He's my brother.


Those are my brothers, Kaleb and Bradley. Kaleb is feeding Bradley water on a spoon. I love my two brothers.

Jaden's Thoughts on Mothers

I read on a friend's blog an email she posted about what a bunch of 2nd graders thought about mothers. Someone had them answer a bunch of questions and it was hilarious. I decided to ask Jaden these same questions:

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Why did God make mothers?
Because if any girls didn’t come, that means the boys have to marry BOYS!

How did God make mothers?
By the Spirit. The Holy Ghost.

What ingredients are mothers made of ?
Salt, water, pepper, uh, power of Jesus and the Holy Ghost and that’s it.

Why did God give you your mother and not some other mom?
I don’t know… b/c Daddy picked her, that’s it.

What kind of little girl was your mom?
Kind of like Alli, a little girl who hasn’t found the boy she really really loves so much yet. Julianne found one and Kare found one.

What did Mom need to know about dad before she married him?
He has to grow up. Like I’m growing up to be a dad too. Growing up is a big job!

Why did your mom marry your dad?
B/c he picked her and he had to grow up to be a big boy, a DADDY. Because he LOVED her, so he married her.

Who's the boss at your house?
The moms and the dads. You know what the boss is of the whole town? The bishop.

What's the difference between moms & dads?
Daddy is taller and older. But you get taller everyday. Boys are different than girls. Girls have long hair and boys have short hair.

What does your mom do in her spare time?
She plays with Kaleb and me so much. And she has to give us some timeouts. That’s it, that’s all I know goodbye.

What would it take to make your mom perfect?
To not give Kaleb timeouts when he hurts somebody and it’s good to be healthy.

If you could change one thing about your mom, what would it be?
Being nice to us kids. She’s not so nice to Kaleb when Kaleb hurts Bradley or me.

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.

Kaleb Update

Kaleb Jon Socci is our 2 and a half year old. And let me tell you, he is VERY good at being 2. Ever heard of the Terrible Twos? Kaleb excels. He is extremely skilled in the art of pushing my buttons. This kid will drive me NUTS on a daily basis... make that an hourly basis.



But... in the blink of an eye, (even while I am reprimanding or even restraining him) he has the gift to just melt my heart and make me smile and laugh like no one else can.



He really is amazing. One second I am so ready to end his little life, and the next I wish I had my camera out so I would never forget such an adorable moment. (Jaden took the picture of Kaleb and I playing) Needless to say he keeps us all on our toes, and we love him to death...lol.


So what's Kaleb up to these days... other than tantrums and timeouts? Well, he is almost never found without his bear and/or blanket. Grandpa Socci like to refer to him as "Pigpen." These are 2 items that will definitely make for a sad day if they are ever forgotten.



He is also very busy playing with his brothers. He's very protective of Bradley and always wants to hug and kiss him. He gets this really high voice when he gets excited... which is most of the time that Bradley is around.



He does everything that Jaden does. Which Jaden doesn't seem to mind... it's easier for him to manipulate Kaleb that way. For about half the time they really do play well together. And when the weather is nice they can stand each other even longer. They love to run around, and wrestle, and play sports. They also enjoy taking turns pretending to be the family dog... because that's as close as they will get to having a real one! Kaleb is awesome at the Magnet blocks... definitely one of the favorite toys around here. He gets extemely frustrated with them... but equally, if not more, excited when he finally builds what he wanted. He's a very smart and talented kid.



One day last week I needed a little "girly" break from all the male-madness in our home and I decided to dust off the foot spa and give myself a pedicure. The boys watched me and insisted on having one too.



Although it is obvious how much Kaleb looks up to Jaden and copies everything Jaden does, he DOES have a personality of his own, and is very much into saying yucky words... (Thank you Grandpa Socci! :) ) Some of his favorites include stinky, poopy, BOOTY and he loves to pretend to toot. We thought it was funny the first few times so we took a video. But now it is just out of control. We have really gotten into a losing battle with this one.




When Kaleb is on a little bit better behavior he is an angel. He loves going to his Nursery class at church. He never really had a problem with shyness going into class. His teachers tell us he is attentive, happy and cooperative. Hmmm... so what am I doing wrong at home?...



Kaleb loves to pray. He also loves to add in his yucky words, but here is a video of him WITHOUT those words.




Kaleb loves many people and things, but there are 2 people that Kaleb seems to LIVE for. Grandma and Daddy. Every Monday night when Jaden and I have Hapkido and Charles is at school, Kaleb looks forward to his time with Grandma. Even if it's just an hour, he treasures that time. And it's always a nice thing for me to have to threaten him with... "pick up these toys, or you won't get to see Grandma tonight!"



His other special time is when Charles comes home. Whether it's late at night or early morning, or if he's waking up from a few hours of sleep after the night shift... Kaleb knows it's "Daddy time." Kaleb loves to play "tougher." This is pretty much wrestling, but they shout about who is tougher while doing it. They also like to play "horsey." Charles loves this one especially right after doing his hair for the day!


Charles and Kaleb seem to have a very special bond. I have to admit that I am a bit jealous over it. But it is sweet. Kaleb has also invented a game that they love to play together. He calls it "Stinky Ball." Stinky Ball is where the boys sit halfway up on the stairs and Charles throws my yoga ball at them. They just love it. He's one creative toad.

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Bradley Update

Bradley Reed Socci was born August 7, 2008, and is almost 9 months old now... crazy. Yes, we DO call him Bradley, but he has a few other nicknames... "Blably"-- This one came from Kaleb because he couldn't pronounce Bradley. "Brabbles"-- came from Charles... not quite sure why. And "Rad Brad" -- from his cousin Forrest Jr. He has been such an easy and happy baby (knock on wood!) Always so smiley and cuddly... I just want him to be a baby forever! And it helps that I finally have a "Momma's Boy." He is the only one to actually learn to say "Mama" before "Dada." Yay! What can I say... I feel the love!



He is a very content little guy, most of the time. It amazes me how he can play by himself for long periods of time. I can set him down next to a box of toys and then go do the dishes, or fold laundry, or cook a meal... and he just entertains himself. I don't remember the older 2 ever being that easy. But I really appreciate it. It's like he just knows that I am stressed out with 3 little ones... and Charles is so busy with school and work and doesn't get to be home very much... it's like Bradley just wants to give me a break. A very much appreciated break at that.

Here he is playing happily by himself outside.


We forgot all about suncreen for his bald little head and he got his first sunburn :( Here's Kaleb making sure Bradley keeps his hat on...


Here's Bradley playing on the train table... I assure you he was safe!

Here's Bradley with his cousin Katee Jo who is only 6 days younger than him. (He's really good at raising one eyebrow!)
Bradley is a pretty good eater. He is also a very HAPPY eater!


Bradley still doesn't have any teeth yet, but he wants real food... now!

The little boys also love their "baby." They get so excited to see him every morning when he wakes up. They still ask if they can hold him, or feed him, and always like to play with him. Bradley laughs a lot, but not as hard as when the boys are playing with him. He really loves his big brothers.