May Update

It's hard to believe that the school year is almost over.  The kids have changed so much, and continue to entertain (and sometimes frustrate) us.  It does seem that the entertainment sticks in our heads more than the other, and we get such a big kick out of what they do and say.

TJ - 5 years old
TJ has shown marked improvement in school since switching to his new class.  I'm not sure we will ever know exactly why the end of the year proved to be so difficult for him in his previous class.  However, the owner of the school pulled me aside recently and said that they recently were remarking about what a change he has made in the last month; the sparkle in his eyes is back, he is engaged, and he is playing with new friends.  Likewise, at home, he is back to being the sweet (but not perfect) boy that we know and love.  His temper is subdued, and he is finding ways on his own to be helpful.

TJ LOVES his bike.  Daddy takes TJ on the bike, with Luka in the trailer and explores the bikes paths.  They go to skate parks, where TJ jumps off of foot high curbs.  (At 5 yrs old?)  He seems to have it in his blood, just like his dad.  One day they had a 9 mile bike ride.  Though on these longer trips, Daddy often has to push TJ to get from point A to B. 

Quote of the month (though fairly embarrassing but worth the story and the memory): Scott was in the kitchen in his boxers making pancakes.  He got onto TJ about something, and TJ retaliated yelling, "Daddy, put some clothes on.  I'm tired of lookin' at your freakin' boobies!"

A few weeks ago, we asked TJ to go get dressed for dinner at a local Mexican restaurant.  Here is how he came down in 95 degree weather:

Luka - 3 1/2 years old
Luka is still the entertainer.  He loves to make people laugh with his antics and teasing. He puts up with his brother's abuse, and the only time he typically gets upset is when his brother is picking on him.  His whining is finally subsiding, though is not completely gone.  He sleeps every night in the top bunk in TJ's room; Luka's bed in his former room has not been made in months.  He is loved by his teachers and looks forward to going to school (except when his brother reminds him that he is supposed to whine about not going to school, as if that works.)  Overnight, he is suddenly coloring in the lines, and seems to really enjoy drawing.

Quote of the month: "Mommy, when I grow up, I want to be an astronaut, and fly in a rocket ship, except my Jiffy might be scared when I leave him."

This is the first picture Luka "drew," and colored in all on his own.  It took him about an hour.


We've been enjoying the backyard.  Scott put the pool at the end of the slide, so the kids have been having fun with that.  And, yes, they now play with squirt guns and I still can't quite believe it.  (How did he learn that form?)




And then, even Daddy was so hot he had to take advantage.

Finally, the kids had their year-end Spanish Schoolhouse show.  W.O.W. do they ever put a lot of work into it.  The kids were so excited to perform, and they were so proud.  Of course, so were the parents.  Pictures aren't great, but you get the idea.





Here is a picture of Luka and his teachers.  They love on him so much.  Maria Helena, on the right, has 3 older girls, so she just loves these little boys to pieces, and seems very attached to Luka.  Isela is on the left.