Yesterday when loading everyone up to go up to Meika’s house for lessons, Samuel insisted on taking the little violin. I didn’t argue, and let him. So he had a short 5 minute lesson with Meika that made him so happy. The interesting thing was that during one of my cello lessons today, Samuel watched the whole lesson. At age 3, I’ve never had any of my boys stay and watch a lesson voluntarily. He was squirming back and forth on the couch during the lesson, but he was watching nonetheless! Hmmm….I wonder….
On his 8 month birthday, Jacob finally decides to crawl!
In words from cousin Savannah:
We were downstairs and Jacob saw piece of a horn. Then he decided to crawl to them. Then he crawled to them! I tried to get him to do it again. I used one of his toys. Then he did it again! I was so glad i told everyone!
Back to LaReita: It was a very exciting day for everyone! Jacob was beaming while everyone shouted and cheered for him. Today he has been crawling a bit more to everyone’s delight. I have been wanting him to figure out crawling because I know that it is an important developmental step for them in learning how to read. (Cousin Laurel Ann Strate, who is an excellent educator can fill you in on all the scientific details.) So our patience and efforts in helping him get down on his knees finally paid off.
Though his favorite thing to do is still to stand. And grab the glasses off my face. He’s getting pretty quick at that!
The most exciting thing that has happend this summer so far is that Samuel has potty trained. Well, I shouldn’t say potty trained because sometimes he doesn’t use the potty. I’ll explain.
Funny Samuel
When we went camping the end of May I decided that this would be a good chance for Samuel to learn how to get close to nature. So I took off the diaper, and let him “go commando”. This is something that my Aunt Joanna did for her kids on the farm. Teach them how to go while running around outside playing. “Go on that rock,” is what she said to her kids, and it worked remarkably well. I just forgot to include that part of the instructions because Samuel decided to be like the dog and mark his territory everywhere.
So now that he has potty trained, I now have to remind him that if he’s in the backyard playing, that he needs to come inside to go pee. In fact yesterday after dinner, Samuel finished his dinner then went outside. The rest of us were finishing up. One of the kids got up to clear their plate and went to the window to see where Samuel was. “He’s got his pants down again. Oh! He’s popping!” I sent Dave out to help Samuel. When Samuel came back inside I quietly and gently pulled him inside and told him that he really needs to be inside when he has to go pee or poop. “Understand?” He said yes. I asked him “Where do you go to pee and poop? “Inside.”
We’ll see if he actually remembers and follows instructions.
Julles told us that Springville was opening a new firestation, so we went over to check it out. Not many
Dad pointing out some of the controls to Ben and James
people for the ceremony (complete with a printed program – only in Utah), but more people drizzled in with the rain. I found the EMT explanation quite interesting, but the boys were much more interested in the big trucks.
But the LifeFlight that landed and their tour was very interesting. Not that there was much to tour through, just their pointing and showing….
Watching the copter land was quite noisy! And dusty!
The boys kept asking silly questions. But I thought it was interesting that the flight nurse had to have a certain amount of years as an ICU nurse, ER nurse and take flight school classes. (Makes sense.)
Here's cousin Ryan with Aunt June, checking out the helicopter
One of the funnest things for the boys was to go and be able to sit on one of the original firetrucks, now on
Here's cousin Ryan sitting in the original fire engine (with random girl)
display. It was used until 1975, and still was fully functional at the time of decommission. That wasn’t impressive to the kids. What was really cool was that they were able to ring the bell from the inside of the truck that made it ring on the outside. Anthony immediately went to work trying to figure out how pulling a cord from the inside would make the bell ring on the outside. He figured it out pretty quickly!
Wish I had brought my better camera, but the phone camera will just have to do sometimes!
Look out - Anthony's at the wheel!
What really made me laugh was that they began serving cookies/cake/punch at the Open House by 9:30 am. Talk about needing to help people that go into sugar shock!!! I told my boys, NO SUGAR because they had not eaten breakfast yet. Apparantly I didn’t get the memo to Dave. He let them have cookies and punch when I was off helping someone else. Sigh.
Smiling Benjamin! He's so calm...(sometimes)James and Samuel James behind the wheel
Provo’s Freedom Festival always hold a flag retirement ceremony. I thought this would be very educational for the boys to go see. I thought it would be a good FHE activity. I had them wear their scout uniforms (as did I and many others, even though they didn’t participate). June also came with her kids. Dave ended up having to do some work, so he wasn’t able to join us this time around.
It was a good opportunity to talk to my boys about respect, honor and service to our country. I had to keep explaining it over and over to Anthony. He kept asking why we were burning the flag. It is a rather difficult concept to grasp for a 7 year old.
Some Marines were also there and I made sure my boys noticed how well they dressed, and walked in formation. It was not too hot of an evening, but the heat from the fire at times was a bit much.
Scouts saluting the flagBenjamin showing his respect for the flag. Ryan did too, but it was getting kind of long.
While at the music store to pick up some music Benjamin saw some little violins hanging on the wall. We said with the most fasinating tone of voice, as if mesmerized by the sight, “Oh mom, I want to play one of those.” It’s been a month since then and I’ve now got him started with violin lessons with Meika. Fortunately the Lewis’ had a little violin that Amanda had outgrown, so we traded for a 1/2 size violin that has been in my closet that is a family violin. When James practices piano, Benjamin likes to get out the violin and practice. Still the basics, and he’s only 5, but still it is fun to see him do this!
Yesterday a whole slew of us went to Springville City Art Days, braving the rains and thunder. Each of the kids were allowed ONE ride (at $5 a ride)! Anthony, James, Savannah went on the Spaceship 2000. “That was the best ride!”
Coming off the ride - "That was so totally awesome!"
