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!