What a Good Lookin' Family!

Andrew's Birthday Weekend

Andrew turned 6 this weekend and we had fun celebrating!

On the morning of his birthday, Andrew opened his present from us (Razor Scooter), then we took Lamby I & Lamby II on a train ride to the downtown library. The Lamby's were dropped off and got to have a "sleepover". The next morning, we picked them up and watched a video of all the fun things they did. They roasted marshmallows, watched a movie, looked at art, made their own art, and wathed the sunset. It was sooooooooo adorable! The boys loved it!




That night, we went to IHOP for dinner (Andrew's choice) and then Chuck E. Cheese to play games:

Then the next day, we went to Grandma & Grandpa's house, and the boys & Rand had a campout in the backyard (Andrew made it the whole night, Joshy didn't):

We finished the weekend with a family party:

Universe DVD from Grandmas Doris & baseball mitt from Grandma & Grandpa

Cute book from Grandma & Grandpa

Water guns from Aunt Maranda & Uncle Tyler

Bean Bag Toss from Grandma & Grandpa

Fun facts about Andrew:

• He loves to learn. Each week when we go to the library, we get books about a topic that Andrew is interested in that week (some of the things we have learned about: tornadoes, space, lightning bugs, human body, lightning, seals, dolphins...). I learn right along with him! We've also been reading the Magic Tree House series each night (well, almost each night) - we're finally at the point where we can read books without pictures on every page.
  
• He is still fascinated with bugs. He went to a week-long "Bug Club" day camp this summer (of course, no pictures). We've been trying all summer to catch some Monarch caterpillars up by Grandma & Grandpa's house with no luck, but he always comes away with some sort of creepy-crawly creature.
  
• He is a swimmer! We spent 4 weeks this summer doing swim lessons and he did great! (again, no pictures)
• He loves doing crafts and begs for them almost on a daily basis.
  
• He is a great helper. I'm always asking him to fetch me something and he does it without complaints.
• He is " tall and weighs - he's all arms & legs!
  

"It's in the refrigerator. The door is closed, the lights are out. The eggs are cooling, the butter's getting hard, and the jello is jiggling."

I miss Chick Hearn. Go Lakers (vs. Celtics 4-3) - what a fun showdown to watch!

Backyard Art

Josh's Masterpiece

"Space Planets Sinking in Water" by Andrew

School Field Trip

During the last week at school, Andrew's class went on a field trip to the zoo. Instead of taking a bus and going in one large group, the parents split the class into groups and we carpooled there. We got to take cute little Lizzy & Amelia with us. And of course, Joshy got to tag along.

Take a picture, it will last longer

We said goodbye to Kindergarten today. Well, technically Andrew's last day is on Tuesday, but today we sifted through all of his school work and art projects. I didn't have the heart to throw anything away during the school year - each piece of paper showed his progress and made me so proud. I threw all of his papers and artwork into a drawer - we had quite the collection! Andrew and I worked together to sort each piece into a "recycle," "keep," and "take a picture, then throw it away," pile. I'm planning to make a book out of the pictures we took. Randy was the one that had to throw everything away, though, it broke my heart a little.

When Andrew first started school, he was generally the last kid to finish his work. While his classmates were busy doing their work, he was staring off into La-La land. He wasn't distracting to the other kids, but it took him awhile to get going. The other kids got "free choosing" time after they completed their work, and Andrew rarely did. I was in his class every other week and it was frustrating for me to watch! But after a couple of months, something just clicked in his brain and he just got it. He did his work and had enough time for free choosing. His handwriting, cutting & coloring improved. He rarely needed help from me when he did homework at home - and often, he'd ask for more homework and so I had to make things up for him. His reading skills improved a ton and he read over 100 books with me!

I don't think we could have received a better Kindergarten experience. Mrs. McDonald is amazing - she is one of those that everything she touches turns to gold. She is a perfectionist and very thorough - she was able to accomplish so much in a short time. She also taught them silly songs and poems and was so kind and gentle. I also grew to love her aid, Miss Alisha. At first, I wasn't so sure about her. I think she thought I was a crazy, overprotective parent (I was), but I think our first impressions of each other changed by the end of the year.

Penguin March

I have a video camera. With two batteries. The night before, I thought to myself that I ought to make sure the batteries were charged, but I thought, "I have two, we're good." Both were dead. Note to self: Check batteries before special events like this!

Thankfully, I also brought my camera. Andrew's class performed in the cutest play...

The painted feet killed me

The perfectionist Mrs. McDonald, pinning Andrew's wings on the "right" way. His mommy is retarded.

Andrew had a few of his neighborhood friends in his class: Fiel Woods, Tyler Randall, & Isaiah Halverson

Friends

Kenzie, Andrew, Josh, Tyler, Darin in our ghetto, yet lovely basement

I had a devious plan to take a little snooze while watching five children. I fed them lunch, let them play for an hour, then got out the air bed, turned the lights off and put on a movie. Mercifully, they watched the entire movie while I folded laundry and then napped in the recliner next to them. A win-win. We'll miss the Randalls who are moving to Iowa this week for residency.

Private Blog

I'm switching to a private blog this Friday (6/4) - if you would like to be invited to view it, please send me your email through comments - I won't publish your comment. Also, let me know if you'd like to receive an email every time I actually post something on my blog. Thanks!

We Love Grandma's House

It's never a disappointment when we visit Grandma & Grandpa Lamb's house. We spent Memorial Day with them and enjoyed a barbecue in the beautiful warm weather. The boys discovered (all on their own) how much fun it is to play with the water hose on the trampoline. Next time, I'll be sure to pack their swim shorts!

Baby Animal Days

We made our first trip of the season to This Is The Place. We got to see the new baby animals (lambs, pigs, goats, chickens, ducks & cows). The day was gorgeous and the boys got to run around like banshees.

27 weeks and feeling great!

Or as Randy likes to say, "Large and in charge."

Two Wheelin'

I learned how to ride my bike without training wheels when I was 5. Andrew was nearing 6, and so I prodded Randy to teach Andrew how it's done. Randy ran with him back and forth, back and forth. I did, too. We both decided....maybe next summer. But then a few days later, Andrew saw some awesome roller blades at DI. A couple of his neighborhood friends have some and he wanted them, too. I told him that he would be ready for roller blades when he could ride a bike without training wheels. That very day, he went out, got on his bike, and taught himself how to ride. He didn't want my help at all. He was a bound and determined little man, and he did it! It took him a couple of days to learn how to turn, but after that, he was a pro at it!

Fluffing the Nest

I love you Shark Navigator. You. Complete. Me.

I have to admit it (and please don't hate me), I love being pregnant. I love feeling the little movements inside my abdomen and all of the hormones surging through my body give me a sense of calm and peace.

Another added bonus is that I am a compulsive, freakish cleaner! My house can't be clean enough. I have a cleaning schedule. I dust. I clean corners with a toothbrush. Randy LOVES it. Although he knows not to criticize a messy house (as long as he is fed, he's a happy man), he definitely doesn't mind finding me sifting through a messy closet and de-junking.

Last week, I couldn't stand it one. minute. longer. I went out and bought this beautiful vacuum. The first day I used it, I filled the canister three times! If that's not a selling point, I don't know what is! I'm telling you, I'm in domestic heaven people!