Party Day for Max

Once again I'm the room mom for Max's class and I can admit that I love every minute of it.  Well maybe not every minute of the prep work, but party day - that's a good time :)

We started out with a snack before making a craft.  Max had a bit of trouble iwth the hands and feet but it turned out so cute!  He also cut a nice chunk out of his shirt in the process. . . But I love seeing his little valentine hanging in our kitchen.

 We played two pretty great games this time around.  The first was a cupid's arrow game where the kids used straws to shoot arrows (qtips) into a target at the end of the room.  It was a huge success - and a lot harder than it looked.

But the highlight of the party had to be this balloon paddle game.  We played music and the kids had to bounce their balloon and stop with just their paddle when the music stopped.  At the beginning Max - and all the other kids took it really seriously.  Then as the game went on they got more and more into it and had so much fun.  I think the moms had even more fun standing on the sidelines and watching.

Max has grown so much this year.  He isn't such a little kid anymore and it kinda breaks my heart.  At the same time it is such a pleasure to watch him grown and gain confidence in himself.  He is more and more willing to try new things and I love watching him interact with his friends.

I count my blessings every day that his intelligent, kind hearted, sensitive soul is ours to raise and love.  How did we get so lucky?!

Party Day for William

What a crazy busy week!  Will had his party at school last Wednesday morning and I was lucky enough to be able to attend.  I mean, what is cuter than a bunch of four year olds celebrating love?

The party started out with a sweet treat of ice cream.  Will was pretty excited about the chocolate sauce on top.

Next we headed to the gym for this super cute little game.  The kids passed around a present wrapped in newspaper.  Each time the music stopped the kid holding the gift was able to unwrap one layer of the paper.  I'll admit when the mom described the game I thought it had disaster written all over it - they won't just do one layer!?!  But they did!  Each time they unwrapped a layer they were rewarded with a sucker or notepad.  It was really adorable.

 After a couple more games we called it a day.  All week Will couldn't wait for Wednesday to come. When I asked him why he said because he has three special things on Wednesday.  His party at school, lunch bunch (where he packs a lunch and stays at school until 1pm), and swimming lessons :)

Unfortunately the swimming lessons were canacled due to snow, but two out of three isn't so bad.

This little wild man has the uncanny ability to press my buttons.  But oh my goodness, I love him more than I could ever imagine.  He has such a huge heart and so much passion for life.  I am one lucky lady because God chose me to be his mama.

The Blue Bomber

My blogging always drops off in January and February.  I think I'm just trying to get through the winter with three stir crazy boys :)  A couple weeks ago Max had his pinewood derby for scouts.  

He named his car the Blue Bomber this year and he did pretty well.  It's the second from the left in this picture. The Blue Bomber made it to the finals and placed 5th out of all the scouts!  Pretty impressive.  

 It was a crazy morning of chaos as the electronics for the track didn't work quite as planned, but we were lucky enough to have Grandma Mindy and Grandpa Jack join us for the fun.  Max was so proud - even if he is getting too old to let it show.

His little wolf den is pretty darn cute.  They really seem to get along and I'm so glad that Max is enjoying scouts so much.  Hard to believe that he is almost halfway through elementary school.  Time needs to slow down a bit!

Our Little Fish

So both of the little boys began structured swim lessons after the holidays.  I'm working with Max at the gym pool, so since I'm the teacher there aren't any pictures of his lessons.  I'll have to remedy that.

Jack's PT suggested swimming lessons as another avenue to support his gross motor skills.  I searched high and low and found a preschool session where I don't that to get in the water AND that takes place when Will is at school.  Huge win.

His little eyes were as big as saucers when he first saw the pool.  We were a bit early so I let him play and kick around a bit since there wasn't another class in the water before us.  He adjusted well and was ready when his class began.  I'll admit I get a bit nervous since he is the smallest kiddo in the class and I'm worried he will bob off into the deep end.

It seems that his very favorite part of class is at the end when they get to look for the rings in the water.  So far he has managed four lessons without going under, so we will have to see how he likes that when the time comes.

Our goal with Jack isn't to create the next great swimmer quite yet.  We are working on helping him to build up the muscle in his legs.  The water allows for his to do so without the pressure of his full weight.  So far so good, he lights up every Friday when I tell him it is time for swimming lessons.

This guy was ridiculously excited to start swimming lessons.  He couldn't contain himself as we sat on the bleachers and waited for our session to begin.  He is in a Swim American program and I'm hoping that he develops some solid skills and shows progress.  

 He loved the floats he got to use with his teacher.  I just love the look of determination I saw on his face as he gave his very best effort.  He tried everything asked of his and there were no tears.  It's also nice that on Wednesday nights he gets a bit of one on one time with mom or dad when we take him to lessons.

  At the end of every lesson they have a chance to jump into the deep end.  Will did it the first night.  It wasn't pretty, but when he talked to Daddy about lessons that night he didn't bring that part up.  He was very excited to share that he got to kick, glide, and blow bubbles.  The second class he chose not to 'cannonball' as he called it.  We will take it.  Baby steps.

Jack the Gymnast

Jack has qualified for out state's early intervention program to help develop his gross motor skills.  One of the physical therapist suggest a gym in town and we signed Jack up.  He has had three classes at this point and absolutely loves it!

I've been super impressed with the teachers and the fact that they work on the kids on actual skills.  Each class beginnings with a bit of open playtime before songs ans stretching.  There are also structured skills lessons, which are pretty impressive.  We need to work a bit on following directions, but we will get there!

While the kids are waiting for their turn at the skills station they are supposed to sit on a mat.  It's funny how quickly Jack has figured out that sitting on the mat means he gets to have his turn soon.  Especially when it is something super fun!  I'm so excited that we found this outlet for him.  It is exactly the extra boost he needs to help develop his skills, and I'm so fortunate that we are able to provide him with the opportunity!

Max's Big Day

I'm behind on my blogging and I have a few older things I need to post, but today was a big day.  Max made his first reconciliation at church!  I have to admit that I was scarred by mine as a kid.  It was terrifying.

Today was perfect.  Not the least bit scary at all.  All the second graders made their first reconciliation together so there were lots of kids.  They had twelve priests set up around the sacristy out in the open.  

Max was lucky enough to have a Great Aunt Carm and Great Uncle Mike join us for the service.  Aunt Carm is my godmother and it was so special to have her there to see my first born receive the sacrament.

Last but not least, was Max's godmother, Aunt Anna.  The whole experience was perfect.  It couldn't have gone any better.  Now we look forward to the next big sacrament in May - his first communion!  Hopefully Max will cooperate more so I an get a few better pictures :)

Christmas Continued

  I know I'm a bit behind, but I wanted to post the rest of our Christmas fun.  First thing Christmas morning we sang happy birthday to Jesus.  Complete with this adorable birthday cake that the neighbor dropped off.  They boys got a huge kick out of it.

Max, always the stickler for accuracy, said that we had an issue because there was no way 2015 candles would fit on the cake.

 Of course what Christmas morning would be complete without presents from Santa!  The boys were thrilled to find these packages under the tree and they couldn't wait to dig in.

Max got the Wii U game he had asked for.

This little middle man was super excited to find that Santa brought him the walkie talkies he asked for after all.  He has finally gotten the hang of pushing the button while he talks.  It took a while ;)

 Jack thought his new train piece was pretty spectacular.  He just about wore out the batteries  pressing the button over and over and over again.

Christmas evening we headed over to grandma and grandpa's house for a nice low key celebration.  It was exactly what we needed.  The big boys both got fishing poles and tackle boxes and they can't wait to go fishing with grandpa.  I think Max has looked through his tackle box so many times he has memorized everything in it.

The Sunday after Christmas we had yet another celebration with cousin Madeline in town all the way from New York.  She and Jack bonded over some watercolors.

Nonna and Nonno couldn't have been any happier to have all four of their grand kiddos in one place.  It was pretty great.