And then there were two . . .

Due in large part to a promotion from Koguryo that allowed Michael to earn free classes by donating some books, we've decided to let Michael start attending Tang Soo Do once a week. Luke goes 3-4 times a week, but that is a bit much for a 4-year-old and Michael still has his heart set on playing soccer this fall, too. So, for now, he'll tag along with Luke on Tuesdays and start working towards his Master White belt. He did great in class, remembering to say "Yes, Sir!" and to say "Koguryo" every time he bows. He already knows some of his combinations thanks to help from Luke. We are very excited to have another martial artist in the house!

Days of Awesomeness--Part One

I feel like the Fates have been conspiring against me, not letting me blog. My computer keeps crashing. I lost the camera (now found). Our a/c is out, so sitting around our hot living room on the computer is unpleasant. And Justin is sick. And every time I sit down, there is another kid crisis.

But, man, we had an amazing time this past weekend. Sharleen, Eli and Sadie came to stay with us. We hadn't seen them in two years. The kids fell right back in together even though Michael and Sadie were teeny tiny when the Sperles moved to Minnesota. The kids all slept (or didn't sleep) on the floor of the boys' room. Every morning they got up and hung out with Matt and then we were off on some wild adventure.

 Catching fireflies the first night.

Then, off to the Birthday Bash in Johnstown.

 Year 6 of the EBC Kids!

 Next Day, at the zoo, making friends with a flamingo.

And trying to get everyone in one picture (almost did it, missing Lola!)

And there was more! I wish I had more pictures, but I misplaced the camera while I was packing up to come home from the Birthday Bash and didn't find it until today and I didn't get any good shots with my phone or bloggie. I will post pictures of our day at the park and Audobon Center once someone else does, so I can steal them! And I'm hoping Sharleen got some of our kiddos just hanging out.

I just don't feel like any blog post could do justice to the great time we had. The kids were great. The days were great. The evenings were especially great--catching up with Sharleen on our own a couple of nights, with Cheryl one night and then with most of the moms at a MNO (thanks to Matt for watching all of the kids). It was just a spectacular visit and I am so happy that the Sperles made the trip to come see us! I hope they do it again and we will need to come their way one of these summers, too.

Promotion

Luke finally got his full Orange belt tonight! Woo hoo!

So, he was able to add his half-orange belt to his new belt display that he got for his birthday. What a perfect gift! Thanks Graham Family!

mini-golf

So, I've figured out how the places on Groupon make their money. People like me buy Groupons and then forget to use them. But I remembered that I had one for mini-golf, so today we went.  The boys loved it, although Justin didn't want to stay in the stroller.

 

Michael's swing was a bit unorthodox, but he did pretty good anyway.

Justin kept tossing the golf balls onto the holes.

Matt, Luke and Michael also tried the batting cages because we got some free tokens. I made them do the slow pitch softball. Those machines have always freaked me out, but Luke and Michael actually got a few hits.

Mentoring

Luke passed his belt test earlier this month, but there is almost two weeks between the test and the belt ceremony (enough time to order the belts). Even if they pass, students cannot move up in their curriculum skills until they formally receive their belt. Luke hates this "dead time" while he's waiting for promotion because he has to repeat material he already knows. I think Master Circle knows how much he hates it, too. Today, he let Luke "instruct" two of his junior classmates in their terminology.  As I've mentioned, Luke has a mentor on the Black Tigers, so it was nice for him to have the experience of being a mentor himself. The belt ceremony is Thursday evening, so he doesn't have much longer to wait!

Happy Father's Day!

Super Hero Party

Luke and Michael went to Jackson's birthday party today. Luke went as Shark Boy.

Monkey Boy Michael hanging out in the trees.

They chased villains (Jackson's cousins who, it turns out, went to IC!).  They ate cake. They climbed trees and battled. It was a great party!

Tiny Hawk

 This week was Michael's Skyhawks Sports Camp. Attending the camp was his birthday gift from Poppy and Nan. I had to choose between registering him for the 4-7 yr. old half day Mini Hawk camp or the 3-4 year old one hour Tiny Hawk camp. I decided to go with Tiny Hawks because I remembered Luke breaking down at age 4 and not being able to handle a 3 hour camp (we dropped out of VBS after 2 days). Good call. Michael enjoyed the camp and had lots of fun, but he was totally DONE by the end of one hour. Oh my goodness, there were so many tantrums and breakdowns and kids who wouldn't leave their mommies. It was a riot. But Michael loved the small basketball hoops and soccer goals and playing "What time is it, Mr. Fox?"

At the end of camp today, Michael got a certificate. He was very proud because he knows Luke gets certificates at martial arts.

Luke, Justin and I spent the week hanging out at the park. Daddy was able to join us a couple of days. Justin loved wandering through the parking lot. Luke and I especially enjoyed watching my friend Cheryl's daughter, Daniela at the other end of the park. She was attending the "real" all day SkyHawks camp. She looked like she might have been the youngest at her camp and she was the only girl! Every time I looked over, she was kicking a goal or making a basket wearing her pink sunhat and sunglasses.  She totally rocked. I didn't get a picture of her, but I'm sure there are some up on her mommy's blog! 

Trouble

Three kids and this is the first time I've had one do this. Of course, it's the heaviest one! On the other hand, who am I to discourage Justin from learning how to unload the dishwasher?

Buddy Day!

Luke brought Michael to Buddy Day at Koguryo this week. Michael had such a great time and can't wait to start Tang Soo Doh for real. Mommy and Daddy say not until after soccer season in the fall, once Michael officially hits 4 1/2.

Ready to Home School

NOT!!! But I did take out a bunch of dry beans and pasta the other day and let the kids fill bottles using tweezers. Supposed to help fine motor skills or something. Kept them occupied a little while. Why yes, Michael IS wearing a monkey towell on his head.

Kings Island videos

Here is a quick clip of the Parasauralophus at the Dinosaurs Alive exhibit. Michael liked it, but was also a little nervous.




At about 7:30pm, I walked Justin around until he fell asleep. I thought he was out for good. About 8pm, we got ice cream. Next thing I know, Justin is pushing his blanket aside, sitting up in his stroller and calling "mo!" which is his catch all "give me something to eat" phrase.

Kings Island



We went to Kings Island for the first time yesterday. The weather was perfect, much cooler than it has been. We had so much fun! There were several rides that we could go on as a family, including Justin, and some more that Justin could do with Luke or Michael. There weren't as many that Luke and Michael could do together. Michael generally had to ride with someone and Luke was tall enough for a couple of the scarier kiddie coasters, but he also had to ride with an adult. Still, the juggling wasn't nearly as bad as I had anticipated.

Justin wore this ride and both of his brothers out!



 Matt took this picture of Luke and I on this coaster. See! I am cool roller coaster mom! I still have headache.

 Matt did this one twice. His stomach wasn't happy about it.

The big attraction for Kings Island was the new Dinosaurs Alive exhibit. There were about 30 life-sized animotronic dinosaurs. It was really cool.

The boys also liked this excavation area.

We stayed until almost 10pm and watched the nightly fireworks from the car. Luke and Michael were great all day and Justin was such a trooper. They all fell asleep on the way home. We didn't get home until almost midnight, but Matt and decided that a late night at our own house was preferable to a crappy night in a hotel. Plus, Matt actually had to go into work today. We loved Kings Island and may go back again in the fall for their Halloween celebration.



So I was wrong.

There MUST be a Last Day of Kindergarten post and just because I wasn't there doesn't mean I can't cobble together some sort of post. Matt sent me some pictures on the phone, so I'm just going to use those. It was Field Day and the Kindergarteners were supposed to wear orange. Luke wore his Halloween shirt. Too funny.

Luke's classmate Taylor hosted a pool party. I was expecting a typical midwestern above ground pool. It's Clintonville, the lots are pretty small. So I was pretty surprised when Matt sent me this picture.

Luke is on the yellow noodle. Taylor's family appears to be doing pretty well. Remind me to encourage Luke to hang out with her more!

Meanwhile, Michael and Justin went to go play with Joseph and Cheryl took this picture of them. Joseph and Michael have been playing at our house every Monday for the whole school year. It's been my favorite day of the week! I'm going to miss it so much this summer and next year when Joseph starts preschool! I love this picture, by the way. I love the little boy legs.

And finally, apparently, Matt and the kids weren't worn out yet because they went to the ODU picnic after that! Yet another thing I missed. They always have a balloon person there and Luke had her make me this flower.

I still wish I had been there, but this isn't a half bad post after all! Thanks for taking the phone pictures, sweetheart! And thanks for letting me raid your blog, Cheryl!



No Mommy, No Blog.

Hard to blog from a thousand miles away. I'm here in Colorado grading World History AP exams. I'm not allowed to blog about the process or the questions, but I can say that I've been reading hundreds of essays that have something to do with Aztecs and Mongols. I think I need reading glasses. And there's a reason why I've never had an office job.

I admit that I was looking forward to having a few days away with no one to take care of except myself, but I was totally over that by Day 3. At least I got to see my mom and stepdad, which was nice. We had a great meal at a Mexican restaurant with good margaritas, so that was really good. But now I'm just missing Matt and the boys and feeling guilty about what I've missed and everything that Matt has had to juggle by himself this week. I hate that we need this crappy paycheck so bad, but we just spent on the minivan pretty much exactly what I will make here. The good news is that tomorrow is the last day of grading and I will be home on Thursday.

I will try to get over the fact that there won't be a Last Day of Kindergarten post because I wasn't there. It may take a while.