Some things about our now 6 year old....

Well W is now 6!!  Out sweet boy is growing in every way.

Six to me is such a milestone. He is officially on his way to 10!! This year we gave W the choice of a bday party with his friends, or put that money towards a bigger gift instead. He chose the bigger gift and of course it's was a Lego set he already had picked out. I kept asking if he was sure that's what he wanted, and he stuck to it. Turned out it was a hidden blessing because we all had the stomach flu on the weekend I would have planned his party. So we had a couple of little family parties with him before his bday. The morning of his real bday I performed a little song and dance for him and I noticed he was rolling his eyes with a little smirk on his face. It just made me laugh, because to me it was such a sign of the "mom I'm to cool for this" attitude. (but I know he still loved it). I've also noticed him 

saying things like "dude" when talking to his friends. Ohhh.. that really cracks me up!! Lately, he seems to always be humming a tune. When he works, plays, or eats! If he is not humming he is in his own imaginary world. He has never been a child who has to be entertained (unlike his brother). Y seems so lost with out him when W is at school. They have such an endearing bond.

W loves to work with his hands. So of course he loves Legos or anything else he can build. He built the set in the picture himself. It took him a few days, but blew us away how focused he stayed until completion. So much like his mom..oh I mean daddy that way. He does good in school but can't say he is enthusiastic about it. He tells me all the time how board he is at school, but not because he is not challenged but because he has to actually sit and do work. He just loves his buddies at school and I'm already sad that he will be going to a new school next year. So I pray with him that he will meet good friends who loves Jesus.

We also have been teaching him about the fruits of the spirit. We looked them up together and he memorized them now we just encourage him to use them.  On our way to school I remind  him that he has the opportunity to show God's love to others through his actions or in his attitude.  I try to point out to him when I catch him showing love to someone, or has peace when he is upset. But what has been amazing is when he recognizes it on his own. For example he has said to me "mommy I just showed patience to Y" (one that he tries to shows his brother a lot lately) Whatever it is, it's just so rewarding to see our kids bear "fruit" because as parents we seem to always be persevering to teach our kids Godly values. What a blessing.

We are always facing new challenges in parenting but we see God working in his life and we are so proud of him.   Our prayer is he just keeps growing closer to our Savior!! 

NO SNOW NEEDED!

     A few times now I have looked out and there are W&Y sledding down our hill in the back.  The funny thing is, we haven't had snow lately.  They can really get moving on the grass.  They have had a blast with this the past couple of weeks.  It blows me away what these two come up with to occupy their time.  But as you can see G-ma even came up with an even more exciting idea where all the cousins can go down at once.   (and to think that pool was in the trash pile)

Valentines Day with Grammy

Grammy came out for a visit a couple of weeks ago.  She just made her visit so special with the boys.  She decorated valentines and baked cookies with them.  She had them make one for each other and then everyone in the family.  We had a fun celebration and then she babysat so Daddy and I could go out on the town.  What a perfect gift for us.  Before she left she also wanted to celebrate W's b-day early since she wouldn't be here on his b-day.  W is SO into Lego's right now, he loves to work with them designing his own stuff.  So Grammy had him build a little car, and then she surprised him and had a cake decorated around it.   Such a fun idea.  Thanks--Grammy

My Three Cowboys....

A couple of weeks ago we were able to go with some friends to the Western Stock Show. It was so fun to dress W&Y in their cowboy duds.  They loved it!  But the best was when Daddy came down in his cowboy duds too.  They just came unglued.   Daddy took W to his first rodeo.  It was day full of Western Fun...

California Christmas!!

I just realized that I haven't posted anything about our holidays.  We went to California to spend Christmas this year with my whole family.  My mom really out did herself.  Not only did she have a house full of guests she made it such a fun time for the grand kids.  She planned so many great activities for them.  Starting with our traditional Christmas program--so glad it's passed down now to the grand kids.  First, Gramps read to them a Christmas story.  Next, she had them dress up and sing--there  were 3 shepards and 1 angel.   Then, Christmas just isn't complete until you have a birthday cake and sing Happy Birthday to Jesus.  So she had them make birthday crowns and a cake to celebrate.  They ate it up!!(literally:) They also had fun picking oranges and going to the zoo lights.  The boys are really growing close to their cousins.  My mom and I were also able to take the boys down to see our friend Kayce.  She and her husband took her cousin's kids in and amazingly they are the same age as W&Y.  It was fun to see them play together.  Christmas through a child's eyes--nothing better!!    

Thanksgiving 08!

  

We spent Thanksgiving with Tim's whole family at their friend's country home close to Loveland CO. They were so gracious to open their beautiful home to us and all the chaos that comes with 7 kids.  The kids just had so much fun running around the property and playing games in the basement.  I keep thinking what a great babysitter this house is.  I never thought it would be a relaxing time-- but it was!  Grandaddy deep fried the Turkey.  It didn't look too appetizing at first as you can see but ohh once you took the black outer skin off, it was  so juicy and flavorful.   Grandma did a beautiful job decorating the table. (such an appropriate job for her)  We just all pitched in were we could.   What a wonderful gift from their friends the Ryans.   It was truly a blessed time with family and friends.  

One of those "humbling yet funny" moments--

So the other day, I took the boys to the mall to run around and get some energy out. It was a cold day and they were desperate (me too) to get outside of the house. So instead of putting Y in the stroller I decided, to let him walk too. It was nuts, they were all over the place. But I only had a few stores to run into, and knew exactly what I needed in each of them. One of the stores was "Things Remembered", you know the one with all the breakable stuff in it. So before going in, I gave W the lecture-- "Okay this store has a lot of glass, mommy knows exactly what I need so stay close, and please DON'T TOUCH ANYTHING!! If you disobey and something gets broken I will have take money from your allowance to pay for it." Then I told Y not to touch anything but he of course is only two. It was so tempting for both of them but W obeyed. He"helped" me keep Y in line and his hands off all the stuff. I just got done paying, and as I'm leaving the store I turn around call Y to come, and as I turn back around my purse hits something!! And as it happening I think to myself-- come on that's not really going to fall off and break. Then I heard the shatter. Broken glass everywhere. I was so embarrassed and I could just see the awe in W's eyes. I knew he was in awe because I just did the one thing that I lectured him about and he was just waiting to see what would happen. So of course I apologize and offer to pay for it. The girl didn't let me, so I insisted again thinking "just let me because I have these eyes glued on me and he will not forget this." She still didn't let me but more than being a teaching moment for W it was humbling moment for me. So next time when I'm giving the "do not touch" lecture I need to remind myself to take my own advice and be more CAREFUL.