After while, Crocogator!

Sunday

We talked to Grandma and Grandpa Jackson, to Aunt Lisa and Aunt Jen, and to Aunt Lisa's boyfriend Kurt. Each of the kids like to do a little song or something. Sam was pretty cute. He would start is song, but after the first line, he would be smiling, or laughing because everyone was watching him, he couldn't get any more out. He tried a bunch of times, and got so frustrated, he ran to his room crying. We all felt sad for him, but he came back out and successfully completed the song, after he had some time to cool down.

The kids have a new game where they jump from the landing on the stairs onto the beanbag chairs they put on the ground. I'd never seen that before, but evidently it is something that they've done several times now. Looks pretty fun but a little risky. I'm surprised Jana lets them do it.

Monday

Jana and the kids went swimming over at the Hicken's pool. Sam wanted to swim without his fish floaty so Jana had to keep a special eye on him. Kaylie wanted to jump into the pool a lot but would then say, "Mommy, I need to splash," and she would lay back in the water and kick her feet as Jana towed her around the pool. Dallin is pretty independent, though I still worry about him in the deep end.

In the afternoon, Dallin and Sam went to the Drapers to play. When Jana picked them up, Dallin asked if our TV can change channels. He wants to watch TV, not just the movies we have. Jana explained that we decided not to have other TV channels at our house. Evidently that was not a satisfying answer because he asked me, when I got home from work, if we could buy a TV that changed channels. Evidently his friend "gets to watch any channel that he wants," (which probably means he can watch PBS and Nickelodeon).

Dallin has been reading 40 minutes a day, 20 in the morning to Mom and 20 in the evening with Dad. If he finishes up this week, he'll be able to get another reward from the library for the summer reading program. I'm really impressed with his ability to read. He's moving on to simple chapter books and has a very good vocabulary.

Wednesday

Jana made zucchini bread this morning (the only proper use of that vegetable, in my mind). After dinner, the tornado sirens started sounding and we went down to the basement to wait out the dangerous part of the storm. Nothing happened, but Dallin was pretty worried. I played blocks with Sam and Kaylie while Dallin read to Jana.

Thursday

On the way out the door this morning. Kaylie said, "See ya later Alligator." I responded, "After while, Crocodile." Then she said, "See ya later, Crocogator!"

Jana borrowed the next book in the "Twilight Series" from Alyson Larsen, who borrowed it from Haley Babcock. And she wonders why she is so tired. When I got home, we ate dinner and then I took the boys swimming. Sam made some progress on his front float and Dallin is starting to get his elbows out when he does the crawl stroke.

When we got home I showered the boys. Right before I handed Sam the soap, I told him not to touch his eyes. After working up a good lather, the first thing he did was wipe the water from his eyes, filling them with soap. He screamed so loud that Dallin started crying that his ears were breaking. I rinsed out Sam's eyes the best I could, but he still needed to be washed, so I had to wash him. For some reason Dallin was completely engrossed in watching Sam scream that he wouldn't wash himself either. We finally got everyone out and we all survived, though none of us can hear quite as well.

Friday

Jana told me today that Kaylie has been a little scared when she goes to bed. She asked Jana if there are any monsters, and Jana reassured her that there weren't any monsters in our house. Later that day, she heard Kaylie talking to her Dora doll, "Don't be scared, there aren't any monsters."

Saturday

I worked on carpets again this morning and finished up around 1:00 in the afternoon. Jana read the last bit with Dallin and then took all of the kids to the library for them to turn in their summer reading program charts. They each got a gift certificate to Country Buffet, at picked out a book. Sammy picked out a "Berenstein Bears Save the Planet" book, which I'm thrilled about, and Dallin picked out a knight chapter book. After the library, they went over to Walmart for the boys to spend some of their allowance. Sam bought an R2D2 and Storm Trooper action figure. Dallin bought a "Mission to Mars" LEGO set. They spent the rest of the day playing with their new toys.

Sammy and I went to the grocery store while Jana napped and Dallin played with his LEGOs. Sam was really cute at the store and is fun to take along. He likes getting the free cookie at the bakery and it keeps him occupied for a while. He likes savoring his food and nibbles around the edge to begin with. He eats his sandwiches the same way, eating the crust first (or the edges on bagels and donuts) before eating the center. Dallin on the other hand, has to be nearly starving before he eats his crusts.

This evening, Dallin and I went to the baptism of Elizabeth Brewer. The talks were short and sweet, just the way I like them, and the spirit was strong. It was a lot of fun to take Dallin. I asked him questions about baptism on the way over to the church and he knows quite a bit. He behaved himself very well the entire time.