Major Milestones!

The first weekend of summer - no more training wheels! 
The second week of summer - we learned how to play H-O-R-S-E
The third week of summer - Tanner learns to tie his shoes!
The fourth week of summer - Alex learns to tie his shoes!

And I thought these tasks were going to take us months.  What to tackle next?  :)

Chivalry is Still Alive

Tanner and I were playing checkers last night. The checkers game has suggestions for alternate versions that can be played. Tanner was reading through them to find a new twist and settled on one. He started to read the directions, which stated:

Corner Checkers
Place nine checkers of each color on the board as shown. Follow standard checkers rules except for these two exceptions: men may move and jump sideways and a king may only be crowned in the...

Then he said, 'Oh wait Mom. We can't play this game. It's really unfair. Only the men can move their pieces sideways. That wouldn't be fair to you."

Ahh. So sweet that I didn't even bother correcting him and just thanked him for being so thoughtful. Too cute. (I'll re-read the directions with him today and fix the literal interpretation).

So we picked an alternate checkers game and I said, "Ok buddy, you can go first.". To which he responded, "Oh no, Mom. Ladies first...always."

Always an Excuse...

So this morning Tanner was really struggling to get moving. In his defense, we had a 7:30am dentist appointment so I had to wake him up early.

Whenever it's just the boys and I driving, the radio is typically off and we have little chats. The conversations are hysterical and I wish I recorded each and every one because I'm really going to miss our morning drive-n-chat 10 years from now. Anyhow...

So on the way to the dentist this morning I was telling them that we needed to move a little faster in the morning and follow direction the FIRST time. Tanner responded in a pleading voice, "Mom, you wanted me to do all these things but I was spending all my time just praying to God that he wouldn't make any more mosquitos. I was praying - like - all morning - because my mosquito bit was so itchy!"

Now how do I respond to that excuse?

Field Day and Jaundice

Nice title, eh? So for Field Day at school each grade wears a designated color. For 2nd grade this year it's orange.

I don't like yellow or orange on the boys. I had a lot of yellow baby clothes and when they were jaundice in NICU the yellow clothes made them look so unhealthy. I've avoided yellow and orange fairly effectively through all these years because I just can't get that NICU picture out of my head. This is going to make dressing for Field Day interesting! Yuck...jaundice looking 2nd graders in the Wooden household tomorrow. Blech.

First Casualty of the Summer...

So, it's only May and we've lost a pair of flip-flops already (thank you Tanner). We've managed to ruin a swim shirt too (Alex). Oh - and a pair of sunglasses (I have no idea who to blame). Totally ridiculous. At what age do kids learn to be responsible for their own belongings? I'm not the best role model because I misplace things all the time...but was hoping the more sensible genes of their father would show through on this front!

Young Republican

Tanner had to do a research project on a President of his choice. So, he chose George H.W. Bush. Why I wonder? Wouldn't have been my first choice as a kid, or an adult for that matter. He did the homework with Dad while I was shopping for summer clothes for the growing boys, so I'll have to ask in the morning.

Nonetheless, he picked a Republican so he gets five stars for that. Oh wait - we're in West Michigan - Forest Hills text books likely skip over any references to the Democrats. An appropriate choice might have been rigged :)

Nothing like a West Michigan, conservative, Republican upbringing :)

Let the Camping Season Begin!

24 hours from now my buddies will be chowing down smores around a campfire and reading Garfield comic books by flashlight in sleeping bags. Sweet.