Grandparents Day

Kaipo and Ame made these this week at school and wanted some special people to see them, especially for Grandparents Day (this Sunday).

We are retyping Kaipo's, because we know it will be impossible for the elderly to read (haha)

I miss you when we're not together

I'm growing up so fast

See how big I've gotten

Since you saw me last?

As I grow, I'll change a lot,

The years will fly right by.

You'll wonder how I grew so quick

So look upon this handprint

That's hanging on your wall. (or computer)

And memories will come back of me,

When I was very small.

We are very grateful for all our grandparents and are so thankful for the influence they have on our lives! We feel your abounding love for us, even when we are not together, and hold dear all the memories we've made with you and look forward to many, many more!

Ame sends her love and kisses

Kaipo shares some energy, with all his affection, as well

Ash has so much love for you too, and is blowing you a soft little kiss

A NEW IDEA

I took my sister Karli out to lunch yesterday for her birthday (belated) and we were talking about the life challenges we are facing and I started on the subject of my SWEET, ENERGETIC Kaipo. I have been struggling with discipline, finding balance and something that will help improve his behavior. Karli gave me an idea, that a friend of hers had used. So we headed to the $$ store this morning, filled this bucket with random, prizes, toys and treats. We are going to try something a little new and see how it goes. Several times a day we are going to stop and talk about how his behavior has been and if he has had to visit time-out. If he HAS NOT, then he gets to choose something from the bucket. I talked it up the whole way home and said we would check b4 lunch, dinner, and bed. Well... already I have realized I need to shorten my time-frames. Within 10 minutes of returning home and filling up the prize bucket, he was hiding behind the couch, cutting up pages from Ame's diary (partly Ame's fault for leaving her scissors right on her desk, asking to be used). I am making more and more adjustments as the day goes on. I think once he gets 1 prize, he will work harder for the next! We shall see.

But I am soooo open to any other creative ideas, as well!

Some things ABOUT my boys

A few days ago we were in the kitchen. I was fixing Ame's necklace that got broken at school and Kaipo was playing with the stools. I told him, stop doing that...you are going to hurt yourself. I think I say that at least 20 times a day (and luckily he never gets hurt). Well today was a different story. He had put his feet inside the barstool and lost his balance, pulling the stool down on himself, as he crashed to the ground. Usually after his many falls he is just up and no big deal, but not this time. He was crying, as well as stuck under the stool. As I reached down to pull the stool off him and help him up, I saw blood all over his chin. As I held him and look closer, he had cut his chin pretty good, as well as his gums under his front teeth. First thing we did was tried to stop the bleeding, and all I could think was please don't have to go the Emergency Room (QUinn was in the middle of teaching class and I knew I couldn't get ahold of him)! After a while I realized it wasn't as bad as it initially seemed, so we just put some neosporin and a bandade.

Thank goodness it wasn't a serious one! I just know my days of being blessed without seeing the emergency room, will not always be as they were today!!

But for now, I am feeling rather lucky and so glad you are OK, my Kaipo!

And this picture capture 2 things about our little guy, Ash.

One: you can't see all that well, but he (as well as the rest of us) has had a runny nose for a good week now. He is getting more teeth, so that may be it for him, but some of the us have had sore throats, head colds and all the fun that comes with the changing season! I am so looking forward to winter, for that very reason! hahaha
Two: this is what we hear from him, A LOT! Since he still isn't talking much, this is the expression that comes with the yelling and sqealing for anything and eveything he wants (or gets taken away). I try and try to reinforce using words all the time, we watch signing time just about everyday AND the kids and I reinforce signs for everything. We have made a little progress-he signs dog, more, all done, blows kisses, waves bye, says dad (not mom). It is so interesting how different each child develops and it soo hard NOT to compare.

No matter what...I LOVE his cuddles and the sweetness about my little boy!

the FIRST day of School for our two BIG kids

Rise and Shine! It is the first day of school!!!

By the look on their faces you'd think I got them up at 5am (only 7:15).

Mom made a special breakfast-Egg/Bacon/Cheese Sandwhiches

and Breakfast Milkshakes (jme we make them all the time) Here's my BIG boy all ready for his 1st day of Pre-School
Ame is SOO ready, although now going back inside for a sweater.
She was so excited to wear her new dress and of course
we get a nice cold spell, so a sweater it is!
A new backpack of course

These 2 were equally excited for each other on their 1st day

And we are off! (QUinn had class this morning)

First stop (with the boys aboard), Ame's class! She found her spot on the carpet.

It was funny there were several PROUD parents (including myself) standing along the back of the classroom snaping pics and getting video. After a few minutes of intro the teacher told all the kids to turn around and WAVE GOODBYE to their parents. That was a cute way of saying

GET OUT OF HERE!

I wasn't as teary as I thought I would be, sending off my 1st to school.

I was just proud and excited for her. We have been waiting for this day for

A LONG TIME!

Next it was off to Kaipo's class...Alphabet Train PreSchool.

Kaipo and my good friend's boy, Casen. They are great pals too!

(the are both about the same...rough & tumble & crazy)

Ms. Michelle is in our stake and was highly recommended.

I think she will be GREAT with Kaipo-giving him the discipline

and structure he needs.

I HAD to take this picture.

After all that racing around, I brought Ash home to take a quick nap

b4 we had to go back to pick everyone up. I decided to check my

email and do a few things on the computer. And after a moment of

NO interruptions, I realized...IT IS SOOO QUIET.

It actually felt really wierd, but I think I will enjoy this

2 hours/twice a week!

Then it was back to school for pick-up.

I took a cute picture of Ame with her teacher,

Miss Amy when she had her one-on-one evaluation time.

Unfortunately, I had forgotten my camera, so I just snapped

a few withmy camera phone, which now I can't get off cuz something is

wrong withmy plug. I am annoyed with my phone lately!!

(beside the point)
Here she is, after her 1st day of school!

Ame with our 2 neighbors, Jackson and Garritt

(they are in the other kindergarten class)

Ame and Ireland-she is in another ward in our church bldg,

but they have played together a few times, so hopefully they become

better friends now that they are in the same class.

I worry about Ame and making friends. She feels left out easily

(which I am sure is common at this age), and I have been trying to talk to her

about how to make friends. I encouraged her to learn the name of one

new class member each day (and each day I will ask her who she met),

until she knows everyone! Hopefully that will help her to be a

little more outgoing!!

I didn't see who instigated the hand-holding,

but I though that was cute.

Rainy Day, Fun?

We got a big cold, rain storm, which rolled in Sunday after church.

While we were eating dinner, it started to POUR.

I told the kids we should go play in the rain and they LOVED the idea.

(I was inspired by my sisters blog about Chris playing with Kaiya in the rain)

We finished up and got changed, just in time for it to STOP raining.

It sprinkled on and off for a while, but it wasn't quite the

FUN in the RAIN that we had hoped for.

All we really got was cold and a little wet.

Better luck next time?!