Football, Fair, First Haircut, and Bike Riding

This was a productive weekend. Both boys had their first football games on Sat. Luckily they were two hours apart so we could watch both. Unfortunately Bubba's game started late so we had to have JP run over to his field to practice and B had to go to the car to get drinks for Bubba's team during the last quarter. Then I went and got our lunch out of the car while JP's game was starting, but luckily I only missed the first play. Bubba's team kicked booty. They are an awesome hard working bunch. Bubba has really wanted to play offense this year, but is always on defense because he's a great lineman. His coach did let him play center a little at the end of the game, though. He's been practicing a lot in the backyard though catching passes and throwing. One of the coaches a few practices ago asked him if he wanted to play a little QB after seeing him after practice throwing to another kid. Then last night, his head coach finally asked him if he'd like to be a receiver. He's so excited. JP did great blocking at his game. He got taken out by a fat, mean kid. So his coach moved him to the other side. This kid kept tackling, but it's only flag, so his team would get a penalty. Anyway, they lost, but towards the end they started to improve. The problem is that their coaches aren't working with them enough on plays. He was the star at practice last night and the only one to not have his flag pulled. He's doing a great job.


In the petting zoo checking out the goats


In front of the Lego exhibit


On the train ride

After football we decided to hit the fair since it ended Sun. We weren't sure about going since we just went to Silverwood, but it's really not that expensive and we always go. So we went and saw the animals and let everyone pick one ride. I didn't go on anything because I had a headache and pretty much every ride spins which makes me dizzy. I used to love those rides, but I guess now that I'm old my equilibrium has changed. Bubba chose a ride that went in a circle upside down. It would go one direction and then the other. The guy across from him was looking sick after the ride and Bubba asked if he was okay because he was holding his mouth. Luckily he got out of there before the guy lost it all over the ride. B and JP did the same ride together. I don't even know how to describe it right. It's on a big arm with seats all around a circle and your feet hang. Then it keeps swinging back and forth and spinning and gets higher and higher. It's actually fun. I went on it last year. Peanut chose the caterpillar roller coaster for kids. And then he lucked out that we had a couple of extra tickets so he could take Jo Jo on a little train that goes around a track several times. Jo Jo freaked and screamed for the first few seconds when he realized I wasn't staying on it, but then had a great ride. We got a funnel cake after checking out the show cattle. It definitely wasn't enough to share between all of us, but those things are expensive and super fattening. It actually ended up being the worst fair food when they did a thing on the radio about fair foods. There's like 900g of fat in ONE! We left after that and got dinner because we had coupons for free kid's meals somewhere else.


Before


During

This is actually kinda fun


After

That night I decided to finally let B cut Jo Jo's hair. I made him use the longest attachment and he just did the back. I started to freak out and almost cry so he didn't cut the top. It's not really that short like how we cut the other boy's hair, but it's shorter in the back. He looks like a big boy now. It turned out really cute because it's still curly on top, but cleaned up in the back.


Ridin' along


Ready to go (I know, he's riding with no shoes on, but he had them on earlier)

Sun. afternoon Peanut FINALLY learned to ride his bike. It's dad's fault really because he hasn't really worked with him much, but he took him out and practiced until he got it. I was doing dinner and they called me out and he just took off down the street. So yesterday and today I rode with him to school. He fell twice yesterday, but got right back up. He still steers a little crazy so he stops quite a bit, but he's excited to be riding to school. He loves school so far and really looks forward to going. We asked if he has any new friends and told us that all the boys in the class are. Today they had to wear red and bring a picture of something red in. They'll go until halfway into Sept. when they've gone through all the basics.

School is in Session

Today was the first day of school! We went to meet the teachers last night and turn in supplies. (Don't get me started on that). The big boys rode their bikes this morning. Bubba really hates wearing a helmet. I think it's a too cool for it thing. He told me that he didn't know why he needed to wear it because it wouldn't do anything if he was hit. I told him that it would save his brain and he told me that his skull is way thicker than the helmet. I informed him that it wasn't and it would crack if he was hit by a car. That convinced him enough to wear it, though it was still against his will. I gave them firm instructions that since our school is the first to start (there's one across the street that will start Mon.) they needed to be extra careful this morning. I told them to only cross if there were no cars at all or if they came to a complete stop. I told them not to cross if it looked to them like the car was slowing because you can never tell for sure. Bubba seemed to be annoyed with this instruction because of course he knows it all. Last year I rode with them for the first week or so. It was good that I did because we were almost hit twice. Peanut doesn't start until 12:15 so he got to sleep in. About 11 he started asking when school started and why he couldn't go in the morning. I'm glad he was so excited and not scared. We had lunch and then he wanted me to drive him there. He said it was okay for me to ride my bike to pick him up since brother's had their bikes. We went around to the door where he is supposed to line up and all the other moms and dads were there with their cameras. He was very excited. When it was time to go in we all gave them one last hug and a wave goodbye. Jo Jo was a little upset that he couldn't go in too. I had to carry him because he was running away screaming about it. It was a bittersweet moment. He's been my little buddy now for so long since JP is 3 years ahead in school. But it's only 3 hours and he went to preschool that long last year but only 3 days a week. And I still have the morning to hang out with him. I was proud of myself for not crying.
JP's teacher this year was Bubba's 3rd grade teacher. We really like her. I got to observe Peanut's teacher last year and she seems awesome. I'm not sure about Bubba's teacher yet. She seems a little stern. She sent out an email letting us know that 95% of students get reallly stressed out the first month because the work load is really big. The work is going to be hard. I'm worried about homework and how he'll deal with everything with football practice every night. I plan on sitting with him everyday to help him stay focused. I'm going to put up a table in our dining room that is now the piano room so they have a separate place to study. And no one will be allowed to watch tv until everyone is done because they'll still be able to hear it in the other room.
I was looking forward to a quiet afternoon, but after trying to get Jo Jo to take a nap for an hour I gave up. At least he decided to go upstairs for awhile and play. At least I only had one with me at the bread store, although he wanted to put everything on every shelf into the cart. And then wanted to toss each loaf of bread onto the counter. It was actually pretty cute.
Sat. will be our first real football game. It looks like we'll only have 1-2 conflicts with the two different schedules. The rest are at least two hours apart and at the same place. As long as Bubba's games don't go longer than two hours we'll be able to see both of their games.

Last week JP did our family home evening lesson, which I'm embarrassed to admit has been getting forgotten now that football has started every night until 8pm. So we're opting for Sundays now. Anyway, he decided he wanted to talk about Jesus. He didn't have a specific plan, but wanted to show some pictures out of the new gospel art book. So I would hold up the picture and he would tell what was happening (because there's not a description under each one). He blew me away. We got to the picture of Jesus raising Jairus' daughter from the dead and I asked if he knew what it was and he told us. He also knew about the picture of Lazarus being raised from the dead. He also told us why He came to earth and what he did for us. He remembered the story of the Ten Lepers as well. He's definitely our special spirit. Sunday I saw him reading his new scriptures in sacrament meeting. I think the only time Bubba opens his is during Primary (and only if they're needed for a lesson). I was floored and actually almost started crying right then and there. B told me when we got home that he was already in 1 Nephi chapter 3. He said he had whispered to him that if he kept reading he would be done before Bubba. He got very excited at that. We have no idea when he started reading them since that was the first time we saw him. What an awesome boy. Hopefully you don't think we're bad parents for the fact that our older child isn't reading, but honestly I never read my scriptures until I was like 12 and even then I never read them all the way thru. Anyhow I just think he's a special boy. All of my boys are special in different ways though.

School starts Thurs. (thank heavens my sanity might halfway return).

I keep forgetting to post these. It was the first time I think I remembered to bring the camera to the pool and it's Aug. I've been trying to take them a couple of times a week. We haven't always stuck to our schedule, but we're making it over there as much as I have energy for. Jo Jo has decided that he likes jumping now. And I mean jumping all the way under the water from off the stairs or off the side of the pool. A couple of times now he's borrowed Peanut's life vest and that's the coolest thing ever. It's still a little big so I stand right there and make sure he comes back up right away. He ran down to the end of the pool (with the vest on luckily) the other day before I could get down there. Luckily I made it in time and told him not to jump until I got there. Then I got out when we were with my sister that same day (before he had the vest on) and he jumped in off the stairs. Luckily my sister was walking in at that moment to keep an eye on him while I was checking the time. She was right there to grab him. In a way it's good that he's not afraid of the water, but at the same time, it's really bad that he's not. He likes to jump to the side of me. Yesterday I decided to see what he'd do if I didn't lift him right away. He actually came to the surface and bobbed for a second. It didn't scare him at all. When he has the vest on he'll kick and do his arms. Also, if I'm holding him, I'll just barely hold him under his belly while he does the same thing. Maybe he'll be swimming by next summer. Peanut was practicing a tiny bit the other day while Jo Jo had his vest. He was staying right by the stairs, but he was swimming a little. The main problem I think is that he insists on plugging his nose, so he only has the use of one hand. Plus, I think he's a little nervous. We're thinking after football of putting him in lessons and JP is interested in learning more advanced swimming. We think it'd be good for his arthritis and that he's got the perfect body for it-uber long legs, and big feet. Maybe he could do some kind of swim team stuff. Anywho, we're enjoying just hanging out the last week and a half of summer.

Jo Jo Chatter Box

We went to pick up Bubba's friend for a playdate and we're going swimming when my sister gets here at 1pm. This is the conversation I had with Jo Jo on the way home from picking him up.
J-Where's Weesha's (Alicia my sister) swimsoup?
M-At her house?
J-Oh. At her house?
M-Yes.
J-Where's Weesha's car?
M-At her house.
J-Oh. At her house?
M-Yes.
J-Where's AJ's (Alicia's husband) swimsoup?
M-At his house.
J-Oh. At his house?
M-Yes.
J-Where's AJ's truck?
M-At his work.
J-At his work? Oh.
J-Where's daddy's swimsoup?
M-In his closet.
J-In his closet? Oh.

He has really long conversations with me a lot. And if I don't respond to what he's saying he gets louder and louder until he's screaming it at me. Like on the way to pick up the friend he saw two fire trucks in the station. He kept telling me "There's two fire trucks in there." And I kept responding with "Uh huh. I see them." But that wasn't good enough. I had to practically yell it back at him (after he screamed it a few more times at me) "Yes, there are two fire trucks. I see them." You have to repeat exactly what he tells you so he knows that you are truly listening and not just appeasing him by saying, "Uh Huh." I have to remind B of this constantly as he tends to either not hear him (because he usually does it while he's talking to me), or he doesn't respond correctly. He's a pretty funny kid. Oh another cute thing he said last night. This tells you about what a lazy I've been this week. He ran into the garage when B got home last night, which he does every night. The first thing he told him? "Daddy I got dressed!" He said it very enthusiastically like it was the biggest news of the day. Side note-he's also dressed today.

Peanut's Day

"Why did the skeleton cross the road?" (Peanut)
"Why?" (my sister asked)
"Um...(thinks for a minute) to get to the doctor."
The funny thing is that this joke actually made sense to me yesterday when he told it. Maybe I need to spend more time with adults, I'm not sure.

Sat. Peanut and I went on a date. Awhile ago when we had gone bowling with the other boys and they were freaking out about how bad they were doing, I told Peanut we could go on a date and go bowling. Several years ago I took Bubba to see "National Treasure 2" and JP out to eat at Chuck-a-Rama, but Peanut was too little to do anything with just me, since he stayed home with me all day anyway. Well, he kept asking when we would finally go. On Fri. night when I was tucking him in he asked if B would be home on "the next day" and when I told him he would, he was super happy and asked if we could finally go on our date. So Sat. morning we got ready and went bowling. I used his free games coupon, but they must have higher Sat. rates because it was still $10. Anyway, two people bowling two games doesn't take long. We were having so much fun seeing how well we could do. Afterward he was so excited because 31 Flavors is right next to the bowling alley and we got to go get ice cream. B and the other boys were out getting a net off of someone's property to try to make into a batting cage and it was stuck in giant weeds, so we decided to go to the mall. We had a coupon for a free Build-a-Bear animal so we decided to get Jo Jo one because he only has one and Peanut has three. Peanut did really try to talk me into making it for him. I told him he had 3 already. "Three isn't a lot. A hundred is a lot," he told me. So anyway, he helped me pick out a panda and we named it Jo Jo. Then we went to Costco and ate lunch off the samples and did some grocery shopping. I hate that I spend a zillion dollars there and then come home and the next day realize that I needed something else that they carry there. Anyway, he had a great day. All day he was smiling and hugging me and telling me how fun it was. I loved it too. I think I need to do this more often with each of them. Especially now that they'll be in school again and are getting older. Actually I know Bubba would prefer to hang out with dad, but JP still likes doing stuff with me.

So they got the netting to make a batting cage. They brought it home after digging it out of weeds that were as tall as B. We started picking out all of the dry weeds at home with it layed across the entire lawn. It was a pain and like 95 degrees out. I decided we needed a break, so he went to Home Depot with Bubba to get all the stuff to start his project. He decided while he was there and adding it all up in his head, that he would call a guy he'd seen on craigslist with a net and pitching machine. It was a really good price and the good thing was that all the pieces were already there. So he went and bought it. We put it up only to discover it was inside out, so we took it down to do it again and B realized there wasn't really a correct way to put the pitching machine in through the hole made for it. So we put it up the right way anyway. Bubba took a few swings that night and got really excited. We're just waiting for the letter from the homeowner's association telling us we can't have it up because it's too tall. We got one about our playset after living here for over 3 years. They still haven't ever done anything about it. It's in OUR yard and not an eye sore, so who cares? Anyway, good times had for all.

So I totally forgot that I've been writing a few special things about each boy when they have their birthday so here are some things I think about when I think about JP.
-soft, buttery skin
-tender heart
-kind
-good friend
-goofy
-Wii
-little mom
-salmon
-good reader
-smart
-fluffy (we used to say he was)
-baseball (especially Red Sox)
-Sponge Bob
-daddy long legs (I've started calling him this)
I love you my sweet little boy who's not so little anymore!

Happy Special Days!

Jo Jo really got into mini golfing. I realize it's a bad picture, but I wanted you to see how cool it looked.


Dad and JP before the baptism.


In front of the font.


The three muskateers. Impossible to get a serious picture of these guys.


Transformers...more than meets the eye.


His Joker toy to go with the Batman one he got from Papa and Grandma Susan.

I don't feel like reorganizing all of the pictures. So here you go.

Happy 8th birthday to my sweet JP! His birthday was on the 1st and so on the 31st we went glow-in-the-dark mini golfing with two of his best buddies. We had cake at our house first. I made a Transformer cake. Then we went golfing. We had McGrath's Fish House for dinner. We'd never been and JP loves fish so he's been wanting to go. He was so excited when they had a salmon kid's meal. He even got a free sundae and got his picture with a giant fish hat.

This past Sat. the 7th was his baptism day. It was such a special day for him. On Thurs. night B's mom, step-dad, sister Amy, and her boys Glen and Randall came up from AZ. They brought us B's great-grandpa's piano. Hopefully we'll get Bubba started in lessons soon. We went to Sizzler as a special treat for dinner. Thanks again Grandpa! Fri. morning they came over from their hotel and we went swimming at our pool. We came back after awhile for a sub sandwhich lunch, watermelon, and potato salad that I had intended to make for dinner the night before. It worked out better so that we actually had a lunch that day. After lunch the kids played for awhile outside while we waited for B to get home early from work. Then we went swimming at their hotel. It was really fun and we made a whirpool in the pool. I've never done that before and it was really cool. We came home so I could get dinner ready. We got started a little late with the spaghetti sauce, but actually it was the noodles that took the longest. The cousins spent the night that night and everyone else came over in the morning for the baptism. My mom and brother had arrived Fri. night after dinner while B had taken everyone fishing to help the boys pass off some scout stuff. He was baptized Sat. at 1 pm. This time we went early because at Bubba's we made it just in time for the start. It's so great to have a Priesthood holder in our home who can baptize our boys. JP was very excited. As soon as he was confirmed the Randall/Lee family left. My mom and brother went to eat at JP's choice-Chuck-a-Rama for late lunch/early dinner. They had to leave after because Sun. my cousin would be giving his farewell and Chad's mission president was giving his homecoming. Last week JP went to his first scout activity and will earn his Bobcat this week at pack meeting.

Football practices started last night for both boys. This will be an experiment for JP. We're not sure how he'll do with his arthritis, but he really wanted to play this year. It's a busy week with two practices and Peanut's last t-ball game tonight, dentist and pack meeting on Thurs. It will be B's last pack meeting as cubmaster (Hallelujah!)

The boys and I have been watching all of the Harry Potter movies. We just finished #3 this afternoon. I started reading the final book last week and finished last night. I forgot how good that book is. Now I'm ready for the first part of the final movie in Nov. What I can't figure out, though, is where they'll stop the movie. I hate when they do that.