Summer is finally here, although with the amount of rain we have been getting you would never know it! I keep telling myself that the Lord has a reason for all this rain, were a little Seattle (yep, that much rain.) The kids have been out of school for one full week. We hope to have a lot of fun activities to keep them busy and the mom's sane!
The cheap theater here in town offers summer matinees. We get to go every Monday afternoon to see a kids movie. Most all of them are now out on DVD, some we have seen, most we haven't. The kids look forward to it and can do jobs to earn popcorn and drinks.
We want to take some easy hikes. Just close by and easy enough for a four year old.
We encourage the kids to read by giving them treats for so many pages read. Esther is on fire. She will be in the first grade this fall and is charging through the books she will be reading at school. The local library offers them. She is reading about 5 a day. I am so glad to finally have a child who loves to read. I am working really hard on not becoming too prideful over her success. Why does that become a challenge? Why does our kids failures and successes tend to rub off on our person feelings of value. So good reader or not, She is of value a great kid, and has no bearing on whether I am a good mom or a smart person! There!
Tayla is excited to go to kindergarten. I was watching her in primary last week and there she was laid out across the chairs. You look over at the Sunbeams, and there they are laid out across the chairs. She is still my little sunbeam! I have to remind myself everyday that she is only 4, she's the size of her 6 1/2 year old sister. And I am seeing that emotionally she is about three. I am still raising my little angel, I am trying to be more patient with her, I am pushing so much for her to grow up, and she is trying, just not at the pace that I think it should happen. But she so much needs for me to help her to grow up with all the time that she missed. You often hear of children who had hard childhoods being delayed emotionally and I am seeing that. She is the cutest little thing too. Two of her most famous quotes. She says "I don't matter" instead of "It doesn't matter." Also she will say "Huh, you love your little girl." That always gets a big hug and a "Yes, I will always love my little girl."
Elijah got a good GPA in school 3.2. He was disappointed though because we bribed him, yes I know.... But we did, I was desperate! His homework wasn't getting handed in and I didn't know what else to do. So we offered him $150.00 if he would get straight A's. He cried, that for me was fine, Realized that he was punishing himself enough (he did end up with one F in History) that I didn't need to lecture him. I love it when they come down on themselves, then you get to do the fun job of a hug and encouragement, and a "do better next time, you are more than the F. Your a great kids, and your going to work harder next time." I am glad that it happened now, before the grades really count.
Malachi, for all his weaknesses, is a terrific kid also. I threaten to buzz the hair when he gets out of control. He has some great friends, but is at that age when the crude stupid jokes go around. He has been caught passing on some crude jokes and I have had to come down on him. He also has gone through 2 girlfriends this past school year. I would see the notes, with his approval and knowledge, I am not eavesdropping!!!! He is a true romantic comparing her eyes to diamonds. SO ADORABLE! He also said that a kiss on the cheek was o.k. but not on the lips. O.K. I had to commend him for his integrity and then shake my head when he wasn't looking. what am I going to do with a little Romeo? Now I am going to have to keep a close eye on that guy. I am just glad that we have already started with the boys talking about dating and kissing and our personal family rules. They know what is expected and so far they are not rebelling against it... So far....
Our home remodel is moving along, it's the slow train, but that is better than no train at all....
Life is full of unexpected twists and turns, with the world the way that it is I expect that we will face disasters in some form, I just pray that they will be easily managed, that our spirits will remain high and we will weather the storms of life, whatever they be.
I have so many photos that I have taken, I will get them on as soon as I can. It takes a long time to add photos, so I have decided to write more and add less photos so then I can update more often. Till next time...