Family Soccer

About a week or so before soccer season started for the boys, we surprised them all new cleats, shin guards, soccer balls, and shorts.  We thought it would be fun to take them to the soccer field near my mom and dad's house and play a game with the family.

Here's Alli doing the running man to celebrate her astronomical play.

And here's Kaleb celebrating in his own way.

Jaden is not too sure if he wants to even play at all.  But we're making him try.

Fall soccer, here we come!

When I go on a mission, I want to serve in...

Jaden: "...China."

Kaleb: "...Antarctica or Mexico... or Italy."

Bradley: "...Seven Peaks."

Raingutter Regata

Jaden had his first Rain Gutter Regata.  He decorated his boat as a pirate ship.  When he got to the Pack Meeting, he saw that other boats had been cut and reshaped so they would glide faster.  He became disappointed and embarassed by his own boat.  We almost gave into his pleadings to go home, but then he decided to just go for it anyway.

Honestly I'm not too sure how I feel about this.  Some kids had to blow through straws, some used a fan, and some just used their mouths.  It didn't seem fair.  Plus, there should have been notice that you were allowed to change the shape of your boat.  Not everyone knew that.  Charles would have been all over that kind of thing.  Kids left feeling like losers.  Gee, I'm so excited for the Pine Wood Derby now.

Bradley and Kaleb wanted to make boats too, so Charles picked up some extra kits from the scout shop so they could all build them together.

Kaleb and Bradley raced theirs in the bathtub.

Bradley's World

While the older boys are playing with friends, playing video games, or watching Phineas and Ferb, these are the kinds of things that Bradley does...

He'll disappear into the bathroom for about 20 minutes to fill the sink with water and bubbles.  Sometimes he comes out with a new look. 

He will change into zippy jammies, even in the middle of the day, for the sole purpose of:

While his brothers eat normal hot dogs and sandwiches, Bradley requests a hotdog wrapped up in pepperoni.  When we don't have pepperoni, he substitutes it for ham.

He builds something every day.  Sometimes he builds train tracks and bridges, sometimes he builds roads. 

Sometimes he builds space shuttles and space ships.

His latest creation is a ramp.

Jaden and Kaleb liked that idea and they sometimes use it in their Lego battles.

Sometimes he recruits the taller folk to help him build the tallest tower.  A lot of the time, Bradley likes to organize his blocks.  Instead of throwing them all back into the box, he likes to sort them by shape, and sometimes by color too.  It's even a little hard for him to see other people put his blocks away because they don't use the same kind of care and organization that he does.  I kind of love this about him.

He loves to play outdoors.  When he's not running around the neighborhood with no shoes and socks or riding a bike with no shirt, shoes or helmet, he can be found in the backyard learning new tricks.  He was particularly proud of this one.  He asked me to video record it.



Bradley sure is a unique kid.  Very independent, and amazingly sweet and considerate.  Yeah... I'll keep him. :)

Kites and Scooters

One windy day, Jaden and his friend Kisaac made a kite, while Kaleb, Bradley and their friend Micah held a scooter wash.

No need to come inside for a drink.

Monkey see, Monkey do.

Bradley- First day of Preschool

Bradley

Miss Michelle

Sunshine Square Preschool

Jaden is throwing up his 3s, signifying he is in 3rd grade, and Kaleb is making a "K" in sign language signifying he is in Kindergarten... sorta.

I guess the "Peace" sign is a little better.  Haha!

Kaleb- First Day of Kindergarten

A week after Jaden started school, Kindergarten was done with testing and ready to begin.

Kaleb chose his Green Lantern shirt to wear on his first day to Elementary School.  He's such a ham.  I love how he can flip through 10 different expressions in under 10 seconds when I take out the camera.

I think he was most excited about being able to walk to school with Jaden and the rest of the neighborhood gang.  I can't believe that next year, Bradley will join them.

Here are Kaleb's walking buddies... Micah and Mason.

And Kaleb's neighborhood buddies who are ALL in his class:  Augustin, Micah and Mason.

Last year, hardly a day went by when I didn't pick Kaleb up from Preschool, only to hear from his teacher how much he had misbehaved and distracted the class.  I knew he was a class clown.  Once I realized how many friends he had in his Kindergarten class this year... I went straight up to another Kindergarten teacher and asked if I could switch my child into her class.  She said she would take him, but I decided to give Kaleb a chance with his friends.

***

Here we are, 2 months later, and not a single complaint.  He is focused, he is smart, and loves his new school and teacher.  He does his homework easily and without argument.  I'm not gonna lie, I'm kinda scared to stop holding my breath.  Go Kaleb!  :)