Month: August 2014 (Page 2 of 2)

Jack the public speaker

Last week they asked Jack to give a talk in Primary today.  We wrote it together and put it into book form.  We read it together every nap and nightly story time so he could give the talk himself. 

See, traditionally a parent goes up and feeds the kid their lines one by one.  But I knew Jack was up for the challenge of speaking on his own.  He loves to be picked to do things in Primary, so that was a big motivator (the fact that he was “chosen” to give a talk and got to stand on the step stool and talk into the microphone when no one else gets a turn).

I took little sick Sam in just to watch and film.  I couldn’t resist!  The teachers were all gushing too and asked if he would repeat it for the Primary Program later this year in front of the whole congregation.  I’ll bet he will!

Update: I posted this quickly, then watched the video.  Thought I would add a couple things
–Sorry for the swaying.  I was holding Sam too.
–He messed up a line on the hard page.  We practiced it a lot the last couple days.  He repeats a line instead, stops, shrugs, then says the correct line perfectly.  I was so proud!
–I can understand him well since I know the talk, but I realized if might be helpful to print it here.

Heavenly Father gave us a family.
My family has Dad, Mom, Jack, and Sam.
Heavenly Father and Jesus want us to show our family love by doing things together.
With Dad I like to play legos.
With Mom I like to bake desserts.
With Sam I like to wrestle and play.
All of us like to go on family walks.
I love my family.

Maths

Can I brag about Jack a little?  He’s totally teaching himself math.  While we were driving one day:

Mom!  Two twos make four!

That’s right dude!

And three threes make six.

Well, no.  Let’s count them out.  (We do so, he agrees that two threes make six).  So what do three threes make? (We start to count them out.  Before I can finish)

Nine!  Three threes are nine!  

Then on another day we passed a family walking by.  Jack said:

There are two girls and one boy . . .  two and one make three!  

That’s advanced, right?  I’m pretty sure pre-preschoolers aren’t doing math yet.  But then, I’m biased 🙂

Week in review

Let’s see.  This week my oven broke when I was supposed to feed the missionaries dinner.  I was able to make a stove top meal instead.  Remember it broke last year?  Then magically fixed itself?  I went ahead and ordered a replacement circuit.  Today the part arrived and it’s working perfectly again now.  Maybe better.  The old electric panel was always wacky (clock ran fast, button menu skipped steps). 

I’ve been enjoying going to the gym.  I go 4-5 times a week, doing either Zumba or elliptical+stretching+calisthenics.  I really want to start lifting barbells.  I looked into the Lift Strong 5×5 program, then started reading Starting Strength.  Unfortunately my back pain has returned lately.  I went to the chiropractor Monday and today.  I’m hesitant to start lifting until the pain is gone.  On the other hand, getting stronger will make my core stronger and prevent it returning.  Grrr. 

We tried to go to the gym tonight, but Sam had an amazing blowout in the car ride there.  Down the pants, all over the car seat, and soiling Ben when he took him out of the car.  Of course I didn’t have any diapers or wipes or spare outfits with me, so we turned around and went home.  Just as well.  After a bath and laundry, we had family movie night in the basement with popcorn and the projector.  Sam was extra fussy.  I put him to bed at 7 despite him napping late this afternoon.  The poor guy was 99.6F.  A little while ago he woke up cry at 103.6!  The little dude has had so many fevers his first year!  It breaks my heart.  I hope he feels better in the morning. 

That reminds me – Jack has been having weird urinary symptoms.  He’s at the age where I probably shouldn’t detail his bathroom habits on a public forum, so I’ll just say that he’s doing better now.  But if anyone else has experience with bladder spasms in little boys I’d like to discuss him with you.  Preschool starts Tuesday.  Fingers crossed that things continue to improve so he’s back to normal by then. 

Oh, we went to Lakeside last weekend.  Dang, I haven’t put those photos up yet.  I hope I remember to do it later.  It’s getting a bit late to edit and upload now.

Amanda and I are planning to take tap classes!  We looked at different offerings across the western suburbs and metro area and found a couple to try that will fit our schedules.  I ordered some shoes but they don’t fit great.  I might have to take a trip down to Penny-Robin to try more shoes on and get them before class next week. 

Sam is 11 months old

Look at my little Samwise sprout!

Sam is 11 months old

He’s turned into a wild bean.  Always on the move, always ecstatic or tearful, curious, jealous, enthusiastic, rambunctious, and every changing.

Sam is 11 months old

Cruising is a breeze.  He’s working on standing balances.  He’s better at being hand-walked.  I can’t wait for the day I don’t have to carry him everywhere!

More teeth are in.  Four on top, four on bottom, and I saw both lower incisors creeping up this morning.

Sam is 11 months old

Sam is 11 months old

Sam is 11 months old

Toys and objects of every kind.  I have to keep a constant rotation of toys around the house to keep him interested.  He’s really good at finding Jack’s too small toys and trying to eat them.

Sam is 11 months old

Sam is 11 months old

His appetite is still strong, although he’s starting to show preferences.  Vegetables are already getting the boot.  Sweets and salty things are his favorite, like all of us.  He also likes cheese, fruits of all kinds, yogurt, and goldfish.

Gasp!

Sam is 11 months old

Where’s Sam?

Sam is 11 months old

AAAH! Peekaboo!

Sam is 11 months old

Almost one year, baby.

Sam is 11 months old

Gotta go– off to explore more corners unknown.

Sam is 11 months old

San Diego (aka Sandy Lego)

This past weekend we joined the whole family in visiting my Dad’s side, who all live in San Diego.  Jack was just about Sam’s age the last time we all went.  The weather didn’t cooperate, but we still had loads of fun.

Here’s a smattering of photos.  We even used our nice camera at Legoland for the morning, but I haven’t gotten those up yet.  More from the trip are on my flickr.  

San Diego 2014

San Diego 2014San Diego 2014

San Diego 2014

San Diego 2014

San Diego 2014San Diego 2014San Diego 2014

San Diego 2014

San Diego 2014

San Diego 2014

San Diego 2014

San Diego 2014

San Diego 2014

San Diego 2014

San Diego 2014

San Diego 2014

San Diego 2014

San Diego 2014

San Diego 2014

(I think you can follow it to the flickr site and view it there)

https://www.flickr.com/apps/video/stewart.swf

Lyrics for the Grandmere’s song.

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