Magic Tree House Books

Oh boy...summer reading options are off and running! Trips to the library are now every 3 days. They are reading before they go to bed at night...first thing when they wake up...any time they are bored...BOOKS, BOOKS, BOOKS! Reminds me of Greg and I growing up. We went camping this weekend and I read them Magic Tree House Book #1 by the campfire one morning. They've decided they want to read one each day of summer break. It's a chapter book series with something like 50 books, so off we go!

It's so funny to see/listen to them read. The teachers are always quick to point out that they read 'with comprehension'. I guess some kids just read but don't follow the story? Their recent IEP had the typical array of people...current teachers/therapists who are trying to relay all the boys ins and outs to the new set of teachers/therapists for the next school year. The reading subject is always funny to watch them hammer out. It usually goes something like this... the current teacher will state Alex/Tanner can read...new teacher sort of dismisses it. Current teacher repeats - 'No, they can read CHAPTER books.'. New staff look up slightly. Current teacher says - 'They read CHAPTER books WITH comprehension'. Then they all set down their pens and talk about it. Something about the 'comprehension' seems to be the kicker. \

Anyhow...so in Magic Tree House #1 we found a few new and interesting words. Medallion was one. Impossible was another (for which they dreamed up all sorts of things that are impossible). Fern was another. They didn't know what a fern was or looked like. So, we went on a hike in the woods in north Muskegon...and found TONS of ferns.

So, this pic represents not only our camping trip this weekend, but also our new book series!

Magic Tree House books #2 is about knights, #3 is about mummies and #4 is about pirates. Should be fun!

Gymanstics Year End Show

Let me start by saying...help parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles...anyone! How the heck do you take decent pictures in gynasium lighting??? I must figure this out ASAP.

But, as with all firsts, this event must be documented despite the lacking picture quality - so here's a few shots from the boys first gynastics show! They have a 1 hour class called 'Boys Will Be Boys' every Thursday 9AM. They've been going for a little over a year and love it. And...let me just say the teachers are true saints for even hosting such a class...knowing full well what kind of kids are going to enroll! :)

Here's the rowdy bunch lined up waiting for their turn to perform. With something like 15-20 gynastics classes to take the stage, the wait was long and they were all cracked up!

Of course, my guys are the only ones who take the extra time to start performing unapproved stunts while waiting in line :) I think the kid next to them is sure these two are in trouble!

This next pic is their first gymnastics move - leapfrog! Yeah...that's pretty tame for my monkeys but they are happy as can be to start the routine. (oh yes..."routine"...used in a sports/performance sense...yet oh so soothing to little AJ who love to perform it on demand...the set order is music to his ears!). But beware - he will ask you to join!

Next comes the somersaults. They look so easy. Until Alex asks YOU to join the routine. When's the last time you did a somersault? I'm honestly scared to do one with him (sad that I have to admit that). I told Jim I think I'll try practicing outside going down hill. The livingroom floor is hard, flat and frightenting!

Now the bridge. Look at those super bendy boys!

Now the kart-wheels (yes, that's what that is supposed to be). Tanner's working on this still (as are most of the boys in the class). Wish I could have got a pic of Alex...he's actually really good at them!

And after a few more little stunts, the grand finale pyramid where the Wooden boys serve at the base.

Then they are presented their Gold Medal and Certificate of Excellence...and we're off for ice cream to celebrate! Nice work fellas!

Who Am I?

I am a happy boy, obviously. I'm a Wooden boy, obviously. I have great eyelashes which my mom is jealous of, obviously.

Now, if you don't know exactly who I am, perhaps these little clues will help now, and in the future:

1. I have a scar over my right eye going right through my eyebrow. I hit my head on the slide at the park when I was 2 years old and got stitches at the ER.

2. I have dimples when I smile. The dimple on the right side of my face is much more prominent. My brother does not have any dimples.

3. The enamel on my teeth is shot due to prematurity. My left front tooth is chipped right in half, but the dentist said the prematurity shouldn't affect my adult teeth though!

4. I have a thin scar line across my chin where I fell into the fireplace at our old house when I was less than a year old.

5. My right eye is a little lazy when I'm sleepy or late in the day (drifts toward the center). Mom thinks if I try to drink or do worse as a teenager the lazy eye will be a dead give away that I've been getting into trouble.

Who Am I?

A Conversation with Trooper

I've NEVER seen Alex talk to Trooper. Laugh at him - yes. Terrorize him - yes. Play golf with him - yes. Have a conversation? Nope.

Jim and I were tickled this weekend when we watched Alex crouch down next to Trooper and tell him all about how he hit his head on the table and got a bump on his head. He just went on and on...heck...long enough for me to grab a camera! If you know Alex, you know that conversations are a bit short and fleeting. Except this one. Trooper just looked at him and listened patiently. Then, Alex leaned over and said 'Trooper, will you lick it so it will feel better?'.



WHAT!!! Back up the wagon here. I was done being impressed with this interaction. No requests for kisses from MOM? Man, my ratings are slumping big time it seems!

36 Hours...

and I'm still Elasti-Girl. Oh how I miss being Mom.

24 Hours and Counting...

The boys are fascinated with 'The Incredibles'. Tanner chose the movie for the drive to Grandma's on Saturday. Alex chose the same for a Sunday night movie. Now, we've been living in character for 24 hours.

Mom = Elasti-Girl
Dad = Mr. Incredible
Tanner = Baby Incredible
Alex = Dash (and boy is he having fun remaining in character - running every where!)

Alex will not respond to anything but Dash and won't call anyone by their real names. Poor Staci came in this morning unknowingly being called 'Violet' and was thoroughly confused. Brian - you are Syndrome. For all of you who have no idea what I'm talking about - watch the movie :)

This morning, he crawled in bed with me and whispered groggily 'Good morning Elasti-Girl'. Can't wait to see if mommy's little AJ is still in his imaginary world tomorrow AM!

And as for Mr. Incredible, it's his dreams coming true to have kids that love superheros! My little Jimmie's...

Green Eggs and Ham

Alex is still in love with Dr. Seuss...still...after all these years. I started reading these books to him in NICU, and apparently created a life-long fan. Green Eggs and Ham is the latest obsession (it seems to rotate).

• So, tonight we made green eggs and ham for dinner which was a huge hit (and I failed to take pictures...sorry!). He was shocked to discover it tasted just like yellow eggs and pink ham :)


• He got a Green Eggs and Ham animated video for his birthday from Aidan which I'm embarrassed to admit I've let him watch far too many times.


• He chose a 4-in-1 Green Eggs and Ham puzzle at Barnes & Noble with a birthday gift card from Aunt Heather and Uncle Jack. It also in includes themed activity ideas for Mom (should I choose to perpetuate the fascination).


• He from time to time will recite the book or movie while he's playing or eating.


• What's even funnier is when he finds an appropriate moment in the day to insert a line from the book. For example, I'll say "Alex, would you please get into the car". And he'll comply while retorting "Would you could you in the car, eat them eat them here they are!".

But alas...with the same gift card from Aunt Heather and Uncle Jack, he picked out a new Dr. Seuss book on CD - Fox in Socks. I couldn't be happier as I hate reading that book out loud. It's a terrible tongue twister!

Cya Sam. I think you're about to be bounced out of the rotation. :)

P.S. My Seuss lover LOVED celebrating Dr. Seuss' birthday at school in March. He got to make a Cat in the Hat hat and wore his construction paper masterpiece proudly!