Merry Christmas 2014

I apologize that this will be a christmas in pictures.  I've let a month go by before writing this.  We pretty much did our normal routine.  Christmas Eve at Grandma Colleens.  Back at our place with the Lafeens later in the evening.  Christmas morning at home.  You asked for your own X Box controller and Santa managed to find a 'navy' one (blue and black camouflage).  You were completely excited.

I guess there was one break in tradition, the Petersen's cancelled their Christmas Brunch.  Weddings and Missionary phone calls.  We had brunch with the Goughs at Mimi and Papa's and then opened a few gifts before heading up north.  Christmas dinner at the Hardcastles following opening presents.  You all got everything you wanted and then some!

Hyrum Christmas morning 2014 from Melanie Lafeen on Vimeo.

Birthday recap

It shouldn't be a surprise to me any more that life get's pretty crazy between your birthday and the end of the year... because it happens every year.  But, it always seems to do just that.

So... here's the last month or so.

You're six.  And you're pretty excited to be six.  I've decided that you and Milo will get a big(ish) friend birthday party on the odd years and Kate will have hers on even years.  It will cut down on one party a year, not that you'll go without lots of parties.

We took your best friend and neighbor, Max, to Chuckie Cheese the week before the big day.  That's where we went last year and you had been asking to go back for about 364 days.  Pizza and video games. It's your happy place.

The day before was Friday, and I brought balloons and a class treat, which you thought was pretty cool.  You were in the spanish part of class and they sang Happy Birthday to you.  I assume.


Spanish bday from Melanie Lafeen on Vimeo.
You went with Mimi on the morning of your birthday to the Pumpkin Bread place (Starbucks) and she gave you a Kindle (combined gift with Christmas).  Not surprisingly, you love it.

You got to you have a weekend by yourself with Gordon and Jessica on your birthday, which is always a treat.  You went and saw Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles in the theatre (Gordon tries to indoctrinate you and Kate on his childhood (or adult) favorites every chance he gets.  You also got a cool TMNT sleeping bag that you sleep in quite a lot at home now.

The next day was our regular Sunday dinner with the Hardcastles.  You wanted an army birthday cake, so I actually enlisted your help.  I just made a chocolate sheet cake and let you decorate it with army guys.  Easiest cake so far!

One more party with the Lafeen's and Goughs 2 weeks later with Kate.  You remain an awesome gift-receiver and we're even practicing what to say if you happen to get something you already have.  You have definitely lost interest in clothing items, but I suppose that was to be expected.

Hyrum bday 2014 from Melanie Lafeen on Vimeo.

You are a bright and curious kid.  You constantly ask questions about what words mean and I find that you're listening to things around you, even if I think you're not.  You are a great big brother, mostly to Milo.  You find more things to fight about with Kate.  You are very sensitive and loving and express your love for people and inanimate objects often.  (like your kindle, video games, etc).  You try really hard to listen and do well in school, especially the behavior aspect of it.  You've kept a running tab on how many times you've reached Marvelous Mustang at school (the highest level of good behavior they have) and can't wait to tell dad about it.  You like writing and drawing, but you like to finish fast and we have to work on your handwriting.  You are doing awesome in music class and it's fun to notice how you're picking up on a lot of musical skills.  You hate having your hair cut, but tolerate it because it means I don't have to fix it in the morning.  You are always looking on the bright side of things and seem to find the silver lining in almost every situation.  We love you buddy, it's so much fun to seen who you're becoming!

Birthday Interview

What is your favorite color?  GREEN

What is your favorite toy? EVERYTIME I GET A NEW TOY, MY NEW TOY

What is your favorite fruit? GRAPES

What is your favorite tv show? MY BIG, BIG FRIEND

What is your favorite thing to eat for lunch? PIZZA (Same as last year)

What is your favorite outfit? MY COSTUMES (Same as last year)

What is your favorite game? FOUR SQUARE

What is your favorite snack? APPLE (Same as last year)

What is your favorite animal? JAGUAR

What is your favorite song? SATURDAY IS A SPECIAL DAY

What is your favorite book? DINOSAURS LOVE UNDERPANTS  

Who is your best friend? GUNNER

What is your favorite cereal? FRUIT LOOPS

What is your favorite thing to do outside? PLAY

What is your favorite drink? ROOTBEER

What is your favorite holiday? CHRISTMAS, BECAUSE OF THE SNOW

What do you like to take to bed with you at night? MY BUDDY AND MY BLANKET 

What is your favorite thing to eat for breakfast? PIZZA (Same as last year, and for the record, you've never had pizza for breakfast)

What do you want for dinner on your birthday? PIZZA

What do you want to be when you grow up? A POLICE OFFICER

What did you used to do when you were little? SUCK ON MY THUMB (but... you didn't)

Anything else you want to say about being 5 years old?

I want to say all of things I did when I was 5.  I played with Milo, and I kissed Milo on the cheek and I hugged him.  I did chores.  I played dads iPad and mom's kindle.  And I made a turkey hat.  And I went to Kindergarten.

What do you think you'll do when you're six years old?

Get taller.  And I might be old enough for swimming, because it will be summer when I'm six.  I'll go to school and I'll play with my friends.  I'll make new friends.  I'll feed the fish.  We'll move houses.  And eat pizza.  And the last thing is play downstairs in the toy basement.  

All I want for Christmas...

It's not your two front teeth, but you lost your first tooth (a few weeks ago).  On the bottom.  And you just showed me that one right next is loose now too.

Dad pulled it out.  I'm hoping dad is around for most, if not all, of the tooth pulling experiences.  It's pretty gross as far as I'm concerned.

 This was a staged photo.  It really came out the next day or so.

The tooth fairy gave you a WHOLE dollar!  You were pretty excited.

Parent/Teacher Conference

So... Disclaimer.  All kids are special.  All kids learn and different speeds and have different strenghts and weaknesses.  I'm sure your kid is just as awesome as mine.

That being said, it's kind of nice having the smart kid in school.  We had our first parent/teacher conference.  It started at the same time as music class, so dad got all of the generic information.  Reminders of pick up and drop off procedures, fundraising efforts, etc.  I got to the classroom in time for your teachers Ms Bentley and Maestra Ruiz to explain classroom rules, procedures and testing results.  I have to say, you aced your beginning of the year testing.  We're not all the surprised, since you started reading last year in preschool, just makes me all that more grateful for such an amazing preschool program we found (thanks to your Aunt Shondel).  It's worth the 30 minute round trip drive and stressing out over getting Kate on time in the afternoons.

Your teachers both seem to really like you and speak highly of you and your progress.  No issues with discipline, or boredom, or anything.  I asked about books you should be reading, or tips they have to help you with the spanish portion of the day.  They didn't have much to say, so we'll keep doing what we're doing and try to add a bit of Espanol to our day.  

I'm really proud of you, and I hope that you continue to do well and enjoy school as much as you do right now!

Big Day

Today was a big day for you!  First day of Kindergarten.  And, just like I always do, I couldn't think much about all of the exciting firsts you'll have today without being a little fearful of all the firsts you'll have over the next 13 years.  First day in the lunch room without a parent (today), and the first time someone suggests you skip class (not today).  First time for recess with dozens of dozens of kids (today), and the first time someone challenges your beliefs (not today).  First time being at school all day (today), and the first time your friends aren't there to sit with you at lunch (not today).  First time you walk into an elementary school by yourself (tomorrow -we didn't do that one today) and the first time you hear all about the 'birds and the bees' (not today -I really hope).

You're excited.  You're a little nervous.  You're most excited about meeting your teacher and meeting your new friends.  You're such a positive kid I don't think it's entered your mind that everyone in that class isn't going to be your best buddy!  You talked about Max (next door neighbor friend) and wished that you were in the same school, but was excited to go over and ask how his first day went.  You wanted to hold Milo and sit next to mom and dad during our little meeting in the gym today.  You were excited to have your book bag and lunch box with you.

We've been to an orientation meeting at the school.  You've had a 10 minute "test" with a random kindergarten teacher.  We've had school lunch (at a different school) a few times to practice the lunchroom and you practiced opening all of the lunch containers that you'll bring to school.  I've labeled your backpack, lunch box and containers.  I also tried to get you a unique and bright colored bag, in the hopes that it will increase the chances of it coming home every day.  We finished reading the last set of books in the series that you started while in preschool as well as the last Captain Underpants Book that's been written (so far -I'm afraid there might be more).

You're smart and tender hearted.  You're thoughtful and you're energetic.  You're impulsive and forgetful.  You like to know what our plan is for the day, the next day, and the next week.  You don't hesitate to introduce yourself to new people and make new friends, even if it's only for an hour at the park.  You love your family and have a few favorites.  You would be just as happy playing outside all day as you would be playing a video game or tablet all day.  You play well by yourself and play great with other kids.  I'm really excited for you and hope that you have a little bit more today say than "Fun" and "I don't remember" when we pick you up this afternoon!

Kindergarten from Melanie Lafeen on Vimeo.

More Summer Stuff

We had our yearly trip to Lagoon, thanks to Mimi and Papa and Sysco.  I know a lot of people don't like Lagoon.  I love it.  And, YOU love it.  Sure, it's crowded and slightly dirty, and hot and full of strange people who are in various degrees of undress.  But I'm a sucker for roller coasters and you're just about there too.  We were able to graduate to the medium sized rides this year (in addition to all the kiddie ones) and you loved it.  You're also getting really brave in the water and could have stayed at Lagoon a Beach all day.  (I didn't manage too many pictures, but trust me, you enjoyed yourself)

In other amusement ride news, you got to go to your 'best buddy's' birthday party last Saturday at Jungle Jims.  You just love seeing and hanging out with Josh, I wish we lived closer to him.  You had a great time and got a little sad when we had to leave, I think you know that you won't see him much anymore.  You're social kid that I'm sure that it won't be long until you have another best buddy, but Josh was your first!

We've been camping once.  And, I think once is good for me. Dad and I were in charge of our ward campout and you guys had a blast.  Well, you and Kate, turns out Milo prefers to not sleep in a tent.  At all.  There were these awesome trees that all of the kids played in all night long.

You've made a ton of progress in swimming lessons this summer.  We're just finishing up our second 2-week session and will probably sign up for one more.

You went to your first real baseball game.  Not Fenway real, but Bees real.  We went with the Lafeen's (and the auto shops) for the 24th of July to see the fireworks.  I'm not sure how much you really followed the game for you would watch for short periods of time and you were always VERY excited when the scored or made a play (which was a lot during this particular game).  I think you may have liked the ice cream and cotton candy the best, but you enjoyed the night.

We've been practicing eating school lunch and you let me take a few pictures before church and you were by far the best behaved kid during the Hardcastle cousin photo shoot.  Well, Charlotte was pretty good, but she wouldn't smile for anyone!

We went up to Mirror Lake over the 4th of July to beat the heat and most of the crowds.  You love hanging out with your family and being in the mountains, AND you had an awesome experience and caught a live fish with a net.  I'll add the video here, but I should translate.  You were playing in the creek with a buttery fly net and had caught a number of dead fish parts.  (People were obviously gutting and cleaning their fish just up the way a bit).  You were pretty impressed with the heads or the tails you were 'catching' and then a live fish happened to make it's way into your net.  You were pretty excited.



I fish story from Melanie Lafeen on Vimeo.

One last thing... Dad has been working with you on your bike for a while.  You've had it for a few days, but I finally went out and took some video.  You haven't quite mastered the breaking part, but you're pretty good just cruising down the road.



Hyrums bike from Melanie Lafeen on Vimeo.

Preschool program and graduation

Another year, another preschool program!  Maybe someday when we don't have little kids (so, for Milo) I'll be able to sit closer to the front and get a decent picture or two, but for now, we're always near the back and/or side.  Plus, since you're the older group, you were on the back row too.  You guys sang a bunch of songs, and you even knew some of the words this time.

You had the actions down, including a few that weren't practiced.  After a quick bathroom break, you seemed much more relaxed!  I love how much you've learned in preschool, you're reading and playing so much better with other kids.  You're still FULL of energy and always have one (or ten) things to say and add to the teacher (I've noticed this in other settings, like church, gymnastics, and now a music class).

Dad couldn't make it, so we have a few videos.

Oh, and Kate loved watching you and was so excited to see you after you were done.

And, I talked to your 'girlfriend', Kaylee's mom.  She was aware of you, which was pretty funny.  I'm so excited for kindergarten, and you make friends so quickly and easily, I'm sure you'll do great!