Little Slice of Haven

What a Hunk!

I usually have to share this guy with these Daddy Hogs.

But tonight I get my man all to myself.

Yay for date night!

And double YAY {yay} for free babysitters! =)

Camp Tramp

 They’ve been asking to do it ALL summer.

But it’s just been too hot.

Until tonight.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I thought they wouldn’t even last until midnight.

But nothing woke them – not the cold, nor the dogs barking, nor the busy street behind us, nor the bright street lamps. Not even their dad’s snoring.

The rays of the morning sun touching their sleepy eyelids was the only thing that could stir them.

And they were in the house just before 6 a.m. so delighted with themselves.

First Day of School

Backdated from Oct 4, 2012

Evan has wanted to be a Garbage Man since he was in Preschool. I keep waiting for his aspirations to change. This year, I told him we’ll make a sign every year on the first day of school to see how his signature changes and all the different things he decides he wants to be when he grows up. He said, “But Mom, I’ll always want to be a garbage man, because that’s what I’m going to be.”

Zion is enrolled in two different preschools this year. In the afternoons, she will be attending the same Speech preschool that she went to last year, and in the mornings she will go to the elementary school’s preschool program. She has a Fall birthday, so she barely misses the cutoff for Kindergarten. But I think she will definitely still be academically stimulated this year!

  {In keeping with the theme of her older brother and sister’s statements, Taryn first said“tractor” when I asked her what she wanted to be. But because of her poor intelligibility, I responded, “Doctor?” And she changed her mind in agreement. I decided to keep that answer. We need at least one child with some ambition.} :)

Taryn has been so excited to start preschool this year and get to ride the bus just like her big sister. She is attending the same speech program that Zion is in, but Taryn gets to go in the mornings. She’s been talking about the bus for months and months. I thought she would actually be scared to get on it though, but when the doors opened, she bounded up the steps so quickly I could barely get a picture of her.

Photo Shoot

Backdated from Oct 4, 2012

 

 

 

  

 

   

 

 

  

   

 

  

 

 

These were taken in beautiful Haigler Creek outside of my dad’s cabin,

by the talented husband/wife combo of my sister Mimi and bro-in-law Dave.

While it lasted

Well, it was nice while it lasted. But all good things must come to an end…

including Evan’s good behavior.

 

 

You can take a guess at what he did in class today that prompted

a phone call from the teacher,

the writing of an apology note when he got home,

and the writing out of sentences.

 

 

 

Sentences in which I just noticed he left off one of the most important words. :(

Self Control

I had no idea he was even capable of demonstrating so much self-control. 

I'm almost disappointed that he didn't give us anything hysterically funny to laugh at. 

Just a lot of seriousness. And this is usually NOT a serious kid. 

I kindda feel bad that he was so restrained. 

Or that he felt so much pressure to be so - that he actually WAS!

A couple of things to note:

1. The fish face at the beginning - this is not him messing around. It's the face the teacher has them make when she wants the kids to be quiet. Wow - he did it on his own.

2. His stance - earlier in the week his teacher told me that he kept complaining about not being able to stand for that long. So I told him the choral-singing-secret: feet apart, knees slightly bent. I can tell he was concentrating very hard on that. 

3. Check out the arms - tight to his side. His fingers get the urge to play every now and then, but man is he ever in control. He even stops himself from clapping at the end. 

4. Focus - the entire performance was incredible (all 10 songs). He was looking directly at his Mom and Dad the WHOLE time. I'm assuming his teacher mentioned something about singing to your families, but boy did he ever take that to heart. So cute. 

Taryn danced along to the songs

While Zion was pretty-much bored

The baby sat contentedly, I beamed with pride, and Greg kept asking when it would be over.
Watch out Dad, this is just the first of M.A.N.Y. recitals,

I'm sure.