I so wish that the Pinewood Derby this year would've turned out a little better for you guys. Knowing nothing about making derby cars, I passed on that task to your father to help you. Your cars turned out cute, and the stickers were fun, but next year will we know, won't we.
We will know that the more slender and smooth and little the car, the better. We will know that the stickers (which I said less is best, but they ignored me), only slow down cars, and that weights are a must.
We will know this because Keaton, your car (far left) only once crossed the finish line, and while Sam (2nd from the left), yours did cross, you never did better than 3rd place in a race.
I am proud that you boys were both such good sports about the whole thing, saying that we would learn from this for next year. I feel somewhat responsible, should have read up on it a little better, and helped you make a fast car. But I also want you to learn as well. Keaton, your car earned the "Turtle Award" because it never did quite finish the race, and that was pretty cool.
Jack was more concerned about "Bishop" when he walked into the room, and he kept running over to get hugs from him. I think Bishop Batty likes him too. I love you boys. You are pretty handsome scouts.
Love,
Mom
Dear Kids,
This year for swimming lessons, I decided to do a little bit more private lessons up in Elk Ridge that I heard such good things about. Nobody was lying when they were saying how stunning the scenery is up there. The Fitzgerald's yard really is stunning. Megan and Rachel Fitzgerald were so sweet and kind. I was impressed the way they taught your classes, and made them fun.
The only real drawbacks were the hornets. This beautiful yard was covered with them, even from where were sitting on the patio. In just the first 2 days of lessons, 6 people were stung, including Jack (so sad! 2 bites on his forehead). Thankfully, they seemed to die down after that. Even with the hornets, I think I made the best decision to take you guys here. You all passed your levels, which is something, especially you boys, haven't been able to do in a few years at the other lessons.
Emmi, you surprised us all and not only passed off level 2, but also level 3 as well! You are a very strong swimmer, and I was so proud of you. Keaton, you have the most beautiful dives, and I was amazed at how good you are now with your other strokes. Sam, you also learned how to dive this year, and I was proud to see you were the only one to really dive and not do a belly flop. Megan was so pleased with you, and you were so unbelievably close to passing off 2 levels as well.
We are already talking about coming back next year. We will be able to put Jack in as well, and I can't wait to see how he does. I hope he is as good a swimmer as the rest of you.
Love,
Mom
Dear Kids,
I have to document our little vacation to Scofield. Your papa's boss and family kindly let us borrow their cabin for a week, and we sure made the most of it. It was in a beautiful place surrounded by trees, very quiet and relaxing.
We went up on Monday with Grandma and Grandpa B, Uncle J, and their dog, Baby, and didn't come home until Saturday. We watched movies, ate lots of food, read lots of books, took rides on the 4-wheelers, played ping pong, got in the hot tub, played games, did a puzzle, to name a few. I paid a babysitter to let Birdie out of her cage a few times a day, so we left her home.
On Wednesday, we were excited to have Aunt Midgie, Uncle Rob, and baby Eddie join us. Then on Thursday, we got the Ames'. It was more the merrier, and the cabin had plenty of room for all of us. We were lucky to have Uncle Jeff come up since he has a fishing license and was able to take you fishing and even shooting with Papa.
I loved roasting marshmallows, long late-night talks after the kids had gone to bed, playing Mexican Train with dominoes, and who could forget Jack out of the blue calling Uncle Jeff, Ralph? ha ha ha! I hope you will remember the "forest fairy" and how Grandma B and Uncle J made little sacks with your names on them for you to leave out every night. Then, she would fill them with surprises for you to play with in the morning. It was very sweet, and you kids thought it was so cool. You have been blessed with such great families on both sides. They love you so much, as do I.
Love,
Mom
Dear Sam,
I just have to tell you how proud I am of you today. Today was your first time up to scout camp, and you went with the wolf den up to Camp Jeremiah Johnson. You had been saving your allowance for weeks, and took $35 up to get some fun souveniers at their store.
I was hoping that you wouldn't spend it all, but it was your hard earned money, and you got to make that decision. This afternoon, you came home with only $1 left, and a sack full of treasures. You were very excited about what you bought.
Soon after you arrived home, Brea Sutton, your friend Luke's mom called me. She told me that you had bought Luke a couple of things at the camp store since he didn't have any money. She mainly called to ask if she needed to pay Sam back, but after talking to you, it was as I expected, you bought them as a gift and with no thought of payment. Brea went on to tell me that Luke was up crying last night because Brea had no money to send with him for the store, and he was very disappointed. She said that Luke came home so happy with the things you had bought for him, and she told me to tell you thank you.
I know that Luke didn't ask for you to buy him anything, and you looked at how much money you had and that you had plenty to share. I am so proud of you, of your thoughtfulness, and I know Luke appreciates it too. Thank you for being such a good boy. You are a good example to your mama as well. I love you son.
Love,
Mom
Dear Jack,
One day when you are older, you will ask me why you weren't in very many pictures with your siblings when you were 2. That is because you are so darn stubborn. You always refuse to get in with a group of people, no matter where it is, and I don't know why. You will totally pose for the camera when it is just you. So what is up? It you just weren't so darn cute.... We had to force you to get these pictures.. ha ha ha.
You are mister talkative right now, and love playing with your siblings. If they happen to go play somewhere else, you will often ask me, "Mama, where is my kids?" You know all the neighbor kids by name, and they seem to like you too. You and Emmi found all 4 of the Mister Potato Head dolls that we own, and you like to carry those around the house with you, and yes, even cry to take them with us in the car.
You love Birdie, and like to call her "Birdie bear" like I do. If she is outside, you are there with her, or opening the door for her to come in, even when I would like her outside. She is the first thing you talk about in the morning, and the last thing at night.
This week we go up to Primary Children's for a consultation to get your tonsils out. It is pretty bad. Your dad took you in to the doctor last week for an ear infection after we had already made the appointment to Primary Children's, and on the paper he brought home, the diagnoses said 1) Ear infection, and 2) HUGE tonsils.. Ha ha.. We know they are. You snore almost as good as your dad still. Last week your brothers decided to draw with marker on your face after you fell asleep. (Darn you Uncle J and your ideas!) I had to take a picture of it, but you seemed pretty oblivious. We are lucky it came right off before you saw it and got mad.
You gave me a scare yesterday, waking up with a huge rash. After a call to Grandma B and a visit to our friend/nurse Carolyn, we decided that you are allergic to the amoxicillin that you are on for your ear infection. Sadly, we had to leave you home with Papa while I took the kids swimming with the Thomson cousins. You broke my heart with your "Pwease Mom!" when you heard that you weren't able to come with. You are my little buddy, and I love you so much.
Love,
Mom
