A Socci Story: June 2010

Friday, June 25, 2010

Kaleb's Award

My first year of Preschool is finally over. My teachers made our class perform this like, "Broadway" singing program, which was followed by each of us receiving some special kind of award.

Well. I have worked very hard this year on ONE thing in particular. Being quiet. I did such a good job at this, that out of the entire school year, I only said one word: Mayflower. That's it. Not a single other word. My communication was a head nod or a head shake at best. Pretty impressive, huh?

Anyway, somehow, I made it through the long and "wonderful" singing program. Barely. Then it was time for the awards. I mean, awards are a big deal, right?

They called my name...

I bravely walked across the stage...

and accepted my award...

I couldn't hear much over the applause. My family is crazy. So I sat down to examine my paper.

What?! The Most Talkative Award?! Are you kidding me?

Man!

Do you know how hard it is for me to be quiet?

Just ask my mom and dad!

I worked so hard, all year long!

All for nothing.

No appreciation.

What a waste of time.

I am so done with this Preschool!

What? What's that? We get to celebrate at McDonalds?

Peace! I'm outta here!

Jaden's Award

Jaden is just finishing up Kindergarten. He did very well, made a lot of friends, and was overall, just a good student.

He earned a "Soaring Eagle" award. It's an award for students who have gone beyond the regular requirement of Kindergarten... or something like that. His certificate was nice...

...but Jaden was all about the medal. Way to go Jay!

Kaleb's Bus

Last week was Kaleb's last day of Preschool. To celebrate, they had a drive-in movie day. All the kids had to make a box-car to bring to school to sit in while watching their movie. Charles helped Kaleb out, and this is what they created.

Kaleb was so hyper that night... well... I guess he's hyper every night, but more than usual, on this particular night. I told him I was just going to take pictures really fast, and to just hold still. But for just about every shot I took, he made a different expression.

Such a ham. :)

Thursday, June 24, 2010

Who Says Peer Pressure Isn't Good?

A few weeks ago one of Jaden's friends learned how to ride a 2-wheeler. That next weekend, Jaden asked Charles to take off the training wheels. First he mastered it on Kaleb's bike, then he moved on to his bigger one. Who says peer pressure isn't good? Thank you Caleb. :)

Here he is riding his big bike:

He's a little pro now. He rides with his feet up, and he rides standing up. The other day I even caught him trying to ride with no hands. Charles also taught them how to "make Ice Cream."

Yesterday he found some ramps set up and just couldn't resist trying them out.

But at least he had the sense to use Kaleb's bike with the training wheels. Whew.

It has become almost a daily ritual to take all the bikes to the church parking lot and ride for about an hour. I love it. Jaden will speed around...

...Kaleb either rides his scooter, plays in the car, or just runs around...

...and Bradley likes to be pushed on his bike, or push his babies in the stroller.

Charles really should get his own bike. But, it's pretty impressive that he can balance on a bike that barely reaches his knees.

I love going here because it is just so much less stressful then trying to ride around the neighborhood. They can ride as fast as they want, they don't have to stay together, and I can see them the whole time. Sometimes I take my iPod and just listen to a book while my eyes are on them. Yes. Fun for everyone.

Wednesday, June 16, 2010

To Nathan, From Bradley

Bradley has been working on a little surprise for baby Nathan. So... in preparation for the big day... Happy Birthday Nathan!

Thursday, June 10, 2010

Spontaneous Reunion

Although the "reason" for our spontaneous reunion was very sad, the bright side was that we got to all be together for 10 days.

Ten days of fun...

So let's do a Top Ten list of our Ten Days of Fun...

Here we go. In no particular order.

#10 Leg Waxing
So Julianne has dove in, head first, into the world of wax. And she invited anyone who wanted to join, to come along. Alli and I were the only crazy-... I mean... brave... ones to actually do it. We had never done it before, and I think it's safe to say for both of us... "glad we tried it once... but never... again."

Jules did a very good job prepping us for this new experience... and bless her heart for sitting there for hours working on us.

I went first and screamed like a baby. So much that I started to wonder if my kids would worry about me. Sure enough, right after that thought came... so did Jaden.

Such a concerned child! After watching a few pulls, and realizing his Mommy was okay, he left... and in came Kaleb. But Kaleb was so sweet, he wanted to hold my hand.

Here's a little video of how much fun waxing your legs can be.

And here's Alli... only made a face... but not a single sound.

#9 Triathlon

It was fun to cheer on Dad and Alli...

David...

and Zak... (Don't you love his pink and black polka-dotted shorts?)...

...as they completed yet another Triathlon. What can I say, they're all a bunch of studs.

#8 Just hangin' out at Mom and Dad's

#7 Kaleb's Field Trip

Okay, this one doesn't actually classify as "fun." It was the lamest field trip I had ever been to. So not worth all the horse poop that accumulated on the wheels of my stroller. But Ethan got to come, so that made it better. At least we had ONE interested kid!

#6 The Big Bang Theory

Kare introduced us to this hilariously geeky, sitcom. It's kinda what we do. We find a new show on DVD, and just watch it together for hours and hours. It's so much fun.

#5 Multi-Million Dollar Embryo

Sorry... this one is secret.

#4 Leatherby's

The best Ice Cream Parlor. Just missing the husbands.

#3 Making Jewelry

Y'heard. Making jewelry. Julianne traveled with 6 cases full of beads, chains, pendants, tools and string... and taught us what to do. Here are the products of our labor.

Impressive, yes?

#2 Bottle Rockets

My Dad is the coolest. He did the best science projects for me in Elementary school... and Junior High... and he is still doing them today.