This is what video calls look like around here. We are a very serious family.
Video calls
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Apology Penguin
Last year when the kids were fighting a lot I made them write apologies to each other several times. I had mostly forgotten about that (though I should probably do it more often!), until today. This morning I was in the shower and they started at it. When I was brushing my teething I heard Eve shrieking and telling Lex to go away. I couldn’t do much about it since I had a toothbrush in my mouth so I just ignored them. When I got done and came down stairs they had separated and were quiet. Eve was in the living drawing and Lex was at the table working on origami. I went to get dressed. When I came out of my bedroom Lex says to me, “Mom, I made Eve an apology penguin!” He was so proud and happy. I asked what Eve thought and he said it made her smile and he was pretty sure she was in the living room drawing something for him. I thought of last summer’s forced apologies and wondered if the kids had been thinking of that too. Whatever they were thinking, they made up and we had a beautiful day together.
For Sale
Our awesome neighbors made these awesome stands for summer play work! My kids quickly joined in on the fun! Lex even asked his friend if he was looking to hire help. 😄 His buddy said sure and handed him an origami book. Lex is a pro though and promptly got his own books and supplies! Like a chef with his own knives.
When business is slow they support each other. 😊
This picture came out way too dark and I'm too lazy to walk down the street and take a better one! LOL!
Lex’s 11th Birthday!
Hey all. Lex turned 11 last month. I’m still not loving my blogging setup and, well, I guess I’ve been busy too, so this post is a little delayed. I love the boy all the same though and I’m sure he’s fine with the delay. :)
Morning presents.
Happy Birthday!! Eleven years old and handsome as ever! <3
I made brownie bars for school and cake for the party, so I asked Lex if maybe we could skip a cake on his actual birthday. He said sure, then asked for cookies instead. How could I say no?! :)
Candle in cookies, better than cake!
This year we had a birthday party at the rock climbing place. Lex invited a bunch of boys and it was so much fun!
Packing up goody “bags” for the rock climbing party.
It’s party time!!!!
Happy Birthday Lex!!
Lex had a great time! We sang and joked about how many candles the cake needed and all his friends were so nice and happy to be there celebrating with him.
Presents time. (I think Alan just said something funny. Love the look he’s getting.)
Hey, there were a few Colliers there too! :)
Alan decided to give it a try too! He’s a natural, of course.
Everyone was all worn out by the end!
The next day we went for a nice walk to the playground. It’s always great when Rosy is around. She drags us all out for fun and exercise!
Eve decorated the dog with lovely dandelions.
Lex has mad ball skills! :)
So there’s Lex’s 11th in summary. I love him more than the world and it’s amazing and overwhelming and just plain perfect that he has become the young man he has. I want to keep him in my arms forever, yet also look forward to what the future has in store. Life is good. Happy Birthday my boy!
Notice anything different?
Welcome June
I love this house It isn’t mine, but it is adorable. I love the orange door and the flowers right by it (you can’t see them well in this picture) and the fence and all of it. It looks so charming and sweet.
Happy June. I have so much going on. So much to write about, but so little time or motivation. Lex had a birthday and several parties. Lots of family came to visit. I got a job. School is out in six days. Here comes summer! Maybe a blog post or two as well. Not tonight though. Tonight I need to eat dinner and go to bed. Life is good.
Thank you notes
Lex did a great job with thank you notes this year! Not only was he prompt, with a little encouragement from me, but he wrote clever and funny things too!
Is it weird to post his thank you notes online? Some of you may recognize some of these. 😊
The best part though is that he did them with no fussing or arguing!! That’s what I’m thankful for!! Maybe I should write him a note! 😄
My day in snaps
Spring Concert
It was a big night at school with the final concert of the year, and Lex’s final concert in elementary school! This year they split it into two concerts, K-2 last week and 3-5 this week. It made it much easier to find a seat and see your kid! Eve was ready to go in her black striped “jazzy” dress, and Lex even made his debut on the concert risers! I am so proud of them both!
The 3rd graders all made their own instruments from recycled containers.
Lex was excited for his band songs. Percussion is fun because you get to play so many different instruments and sometimes you get to switch instruments in the middle of a song. Lex really enjoys the team aspect of percussion as well. Everyone is working together in that back row!
Lex having a little fun with the symbols. He tells me about the various instrument all the time and some of them I have trouble picturing from his description (not the symbols, of course, I know what those are!) so he told me he would hold up each instrument in the concert so I could see it. :)
This concert, for the first time ever, Lex even stood up and sang with his class! There have been many emails in the past few months between his music teacher, his team, and his parents, all trying to help him feel comfortable and prepared for this concert. We had plans and plans for plans. Lex agreed to stand with his group, and *maybe* mouth the words since he “accidentally learned all the words.” This afternoon he said he might do small hand motions. This evening he totally go into it and had a blast!!!
Lex (in green) signing with the 5th graders. :)
Wearing shades for the final song (I totally forgot what it’s called and the kids are asleep and can’t remind me).
What a fun night! Mema and Grandpa Tom got to come share in the fun. Lex got so many compliments. I think he counted twelve comments, plus “Mom’s counts twice because she kissed me in public,” he told the school councelor. We all had a good laugh!
Plus, on the personal note, I got so many congratulations from the teachers on my new job. I’m so excited that everyone is excited to have me on board! They like me, they like me! Eeee! But enough about me, the kids did awesome, the music teacher is amazing, and I love our school!
Happy 11th Birthday Lex!!
You are my heart and I’ll love you forever. More birthday fun to come, but for now, adorable pictures of my growing boy. <3