Thursday Tidbits

..Brandon..

1. Loves 5th grade so much. I think it's because of his teacher. She's so cute and fun. Last week they did an information sheet where he said that Derek Jeter is his hero. I don't think he even knows who Derek Jeter is but guess who has a dog named Derek Jeter? His teacher!

2. Decided to study the Periodic Table of Elements the other day because it's fun and interesting and he just wanted to!

3. Has been reading the almanac lately and last night diagnosed himself with two different diseases. An eating disorder and depression. We had a little chat about the symptoms and came to the conclusion that he has neither.

4. Has been reading the Skeleton Creek series. Then subsequently has nightmares. Derek put a ban on reading them but I lifted it and told Brandon that his consequence for reading them was nightmares so...read on!

5. Has played "Tomcat Prowl" every morning on the piano. I might just burn that book. It did cost me 7 bucks though, so maybe not.

..Kendal..

1. Loves her 1st grade teacher who was actually my 1st grade teacher and Brandon's 1st grade teacher also. I love her too! She's amazing.

2. Has worn her sparkly, sequiny, shoes to school every day even though I bought her 4 pair of sandals with backs to wear to school. Oh well, they'll go to a good home when she outgrows them and I can sneak them out of her room.

3. Is also reading the Skeleton Creek series. Loves them and isn't scared at all. She hasn't had one nightmare yet. She's my thrill-seeker-dare-devil-girly-girl.

4. She's a dilly-dallier in the morning. I'm going to have to start waking her up at 6 so that she'll be ready for school by 9.

5. Is so, so, so loving and helpful with J. She's going to be an awesome mom someday!

..J..

1. Has been spitting for a couple days now. I love to listen to him over the baby monitor when he just wakes up and decides to have a spitting contest with himself. It's priceless!

2. Found his toes a couple weeks ago but today I caught him putting them in his mouth. Love it!

3. Loves the Beatles. To put him to bed (for a nap or for the night) I sing "Here Comes the Sun", "Let it Be" and "Hey Jude". Just the right length for a snuggle and to put him to sleep.

4. Loves rice cereal and is sleeping through the night. The two go hand in hand. Hooray!

5. Will only be with us for about three more weeks. I'm so blessed to have been a part of his life up to this point. He has blessed our family beyond measure.

Summer

Hello world!!! Yep, I'm back. Did ya miss me? I've been reading up on all of you but I've been a little busy to write about us. So, I'm going to update you on the whole summer with pictures. Have fun!

June 3, Kendal got an awesome birthday present. J at almost two months.

Adorable!

Derek pulled out Brandons top tooth. He promptly swallowed it because he was screaming! The tooth fairy gave him five dollars anyway!

Kendal turned six! We went out for pasta and to a movie - Marmaduke (wait for DVD).

We went hiking! People would pass me and tell me how cute my baby was, ask how old, and tell me I was awesome for getting out and hiking so soon after having a baby. Yep, I'm amazing!

J played with toys!

And dressed in gangsta wear! But mostly tried to roll over!

Brandon pulled out his second top tooth! All by his self! When he came down his hands were shaking but he was so proud that he did it all by himself and didn't swallow it. Hooray!

Kendal slept like a rockette!

We celebrated the Fourth of July!

We took the long road home from Panguitch and stopped at this cave where they charge you six dollars a person to go down in! Highway robbery I tell you!

We watched the Fourth of July parade in Hurricane where Derek snuggled J till he fell asleep. That's dedication for ya!

J smiled again and again and again!

Kendal took swimming lesson and didn't drown!

Brandon did too! Cannonballs rock!

J found his toes!

And his spit!

Kendal got a new back to school haircut! Before above, after below. So cute! Thanks Miss Katie! We love you!

Brandon got his mop removed! I've never let him grow his hair out so I decided that this summer might be the time to adopt the Justin Bieber haircut. I'm sad to say it wasn't meant to be. We all like him better with short hair. The girls think so too!

Miss Katie working her magic!

Newly shorn!

We went fishing and both Kendal and Brandon caught fish! Or maybe John caught them and then handed them the pole. I'm not sure about that one. It took Derek till after dark to catch one though, he needs more practice.

Meema bought sparkly school shoes for Kendal and cool skater shoes for Brandon.

The kids decided to head to school. And really not a moment too soon. I was afraid they were going to kill each other before school started. Whew! We made it!

Brandon turned nine! Holy cow! I'm really not that old! I promise!

And that leaves us to today. I'll see you in about another three months!