Jakie Is A Cub Scout!

Today was Jakie's first opportunity to attend Cub Scouts officially.  I just love his sweet enthusiasm and his willingness to try new things.  He went without any fear of making friends, any worry of being rejected and zero worry about being away from mom and dad.  He went in there and just made a few buddies, had a few snacks and set a few goals for beads and badges he intends to earn this year.  I love it.  Rick and I laugh that we don't have shy children.  They would be lost in this family!  Cant wait to see what he is able to do this year as a cub.  I love ya Jake.  Stay sweet and excited about things in life.  Everyone will love to be around you if you do.

Happy Birthday Jacob!! Twice.

It would seem that our little NOW 8 year old is a smart little stinker.  He got 2 parties this year because we had to do his party early for friends so that people could come.   He begged us to do a friend party after us closing on our house on his b day last year.  We had a super modest family get together for him last year and the few years prior so we decided he could have 5 friends join him at a fun place for a birthday celebration.  Jake chose Chuck-e-Cheese as the site for his birthday "Blow Out".  I ordered pizzas, drinks, and tokens for each kid and decorated the tables with balloons and table covers.  Jake was on overload with his friends from school as they ran around Chuck-e-Cheese with total abandon.  Jake got to be the center of attention for 2 hours as he played and socialized with his all boy group.  Each of the kids (Luke, Braxton, Linus, Roman, Kyle and his brother Ricky) brought fun gifts for Jacob that showed everything a little 8 year old is into (beyblades, ninjago, legos, etc).  Jake's head was spinning as he opened each one and his profuse thank yous and hugs made everyone smile.  We did cupcakes and presents and Aunt Katie and Grandma got to join the fun.  Ricky loved having them to watch him play games and win.  The whole afternoon was pulled together by Jakie's long dreamed about turn in the official ticket blaster machine that allows a kid to get in and try to catch as many tickets as they can.  Jake put on a coat so he could have more places for them to land and dove around furiously in search of the coveted red ticket that is worth 1000 tokens.  he got about 2500 tokens worth of tickets for which he got to get a great dollar store (smirking) Nerf gun.  I guess the experience was what was worth it all right?  

 

We followed his chuck-e-cheese party done on Dec 1st with a small family party on his actual birthday that included just Mom, Dad, Ricky, Aunt Katie, Grandma Shumway and later that evening Uncle Cam and his girlfriend Kara.  It was simple but we did another cake, made his requested meal of Chicken drumsticks and macaroni and cheese.  We opened the last few family gifts that the Hutchins side of the family sent for him and opened a few that The Shumway side had saved as well.  Jake loved all of his gifts and felt so special.  I wouldn't do 2 parties every year but they were modest and he loved them.  It was fun to witness his sweet smile and genuine thank yous.  Love you baby!  Happy 8th B-Day.  It is a wonderful day every year!

 

 

Halloween 2012

Happy Halloween Everyone!  Ours has been a full day of costume changes, friends and CANDY.  We started out in the morning with a fun parade around the Elementary School for Jacob.  Ricky insisted on dressing up too so we got him all suited up into his Shark costume (really a killer whale, but he would not hear of it).  Jacob went to school as a super awesome (have to add that part) Ninja.  He couldn't wear his mask or swords but he felt cool anyway.   I bribed Ricky with a lolly pop so that he would sit next to me and watch all of the cute kids in their costumes come down the hall in their classes.  Ricky yelled words of encouragement at Jakie when he came by and Rick enjoyed showing Jakie his awesome costume as well.  We went home and Ricky wouldn't change so I gave my little shark some lunch and got him into bed for his nap and prepared for our evenings events.  Doug and Laura Klarman and their kids were coming for dinner and trick or treating.  We ate soup and salad after a full evenings of the kids scoring bags and bags of candy.  We did a fun Halloween movie montage and then it was off for teeth to be brushed and two exhausted little boys to get into bed.  Rick and I enjoyed our favorites from their trick or treat bags and headed up to bed ourselves.  It was a fun day!

 

 

 

The Great Pumpkin Patch

Looks like Its that time of year again. We had so much fun going down to the local pumpkin patch (2 min from our house) to pick our perfect pumpkins for decorating.  The day was cold and overcast but we didn't mind.  It could have been snowing right?  The little pumpkin patch was so cute and had lots to do.  there were a few farm animals for petting, corn launchers (target practice), pretty flowered areas and a great corn maze for the boys to try.  We love the setting in South Jordan with the mountains in the background and I couldn't wait to get a few good shots of the boys.  That is often easier said than done, but I think I managed a few.  We managed to find a few fun shaped pumpkins that met our desired specs and wheeled them up to check out.  I would rather buy them at a farm than super market any time!  It was a great afternoon just playing with our boys.  We followed our purchases with a fun night of pumpkin carving as a family.  Check out our handy work below: 

 

Rick Is On The News!!

Rick got onto the news today!! The local news stations were doing stories on the University Of Utah's new intraoperative MRI (AMAZING) and how it will effect patients and their outcomes. Rick was asked to speak about what it is, how it is set up, etc. He did great and I might add that I thought he was very handsome. He will hate that I added the last line, but it is true:) Great Job Rick.  Every one is super proud of you. (Here are a few photos taken as he interviewed and links to check them out.)

 

 

 

Temper Tantrums? We Dont Allow No Stinking Tantrums!

Caution!! Major naughty behavior past this point:)  The other day was one for the books!   Ricky is usually such a jovial little guy but occasionally we will have a day like we did Tuesday.  The morning was normal and Ricky & I played very nice.  We had a great breakfast followed by a show or two.  Mommy cleaned as Ricky played in his room with his toys and it was all peaceful and quiet.  Jacob was at school so Ricky was the lone kid, but he really did great as usual.  About 1pm it was time for Ricky's nap so I coaxed him into my bed and we settled in for a great snooze.  He usually will go right down without much coaxing but he fought it for about 1/2 hour this time.  Finally mommy put her foot down and he realized fighting was futile.  He cried himself to sleep but he went to sleep.  Mommy won!  The nap lasted almost 2 & 1/2 hours as I had to wake him up and load him into the car to go get Jake from school.  I am not sure what the heck happened between that bed and the car but when he woke up he did it with a vengeance!  He wined for an hour before I had had enough and sent him up to his room.  He was grumpy and groggy but he realized that a night in his room was no fun either.  He tempered himself and was allowed to come downstairs and did fine till daddy got home.  Rick pulled in and came right in to change.  He knocked off early so he could come home to play outside with the boys before he headed off for scouts.  Ricky pouted as Rick changed but when he saw that Rick wanted to go out side with him and Jacob he was excited.  His bad mood subsided and enthusiasm took its place.  I started dinner and quitely listened to my show on talk radio until the door opened and Rick came in looking frazzled.  I could hear that Ricky had started up again and Rick was looking for some help.  Aparently Ricky was loosing it because Rick was not letting him spray our garden hose at people.  I realized that Ricky was just DONE and told him to send him in.  I figured it would be what it usually is when there is bad behavior.  They come in, they wine, mommy claps her hands and looks them in they eyes.  I detail their miserable night if they do not get up immediately and punish according to their reactions.  For whatever reason today I walked over towards the door irritated at Ricky's crying but stopped cold as Rick closed the door.   I dont know what I was thinking at first but I was not in my normal take charge mode. I thik I actually realized that I had never actually seen my kids have fits like the one  Ricky was having.  Both kids have tried but I can honnestly say they have never gotten past picture one below without being picked up and taken to a room where they can whine in private.  For some reason this time  I actually started to chuckle instead.  Can you blame me?  This is what I saw in exactly the sequence I saw it.  I am so glad that my camera was right next to me because they still laugh.  Enjoy the show:

Rick had just stepped inside with Ricky and closed the door when Ricky went straight to the ground face and chest first.  The crying was rediculous!

Here he decideds to flop up and down in a worm like motion for about a minute.

Total exhaustion that over comes him and I think he may be sleeping?

Nope, the beast returns and he assumes the barking dog position and "howels" and caughs.

Here we go!  Now the tantrum really gets good.  We get the uncontrolled arching of the back and the flopping all at once. 

We are entering the high pitched portion of the show here.  He is just unconsollable.

Despair sets in here and I can only make out the words "no, no, no.  I dont want it".  "No Fair!"

This is exactly the moment that he gathers himself in to console himself and realizes that he has been being filmed the whole time.  He crouches in protest and tells me "stop it mommy".

Here I am laughing uncontrollably saying' "are you my little baby throwing a fit" in a mocking tone.

"Stop it mommy", he says.  No more pictures!

Here he screams "no more mommy!!"

Okay, I think we have reached the end of mommys rope here.   I can only take so much.  Once the snot bubbles form in the nose I am no longer interested in indulging.  Right about this exact moment I look him in the eye and tell him that if he yells again I am going to spank his rear.  He pauses one moment to think about how serious mommy is.  Realizing that I am ready to swat his rear he brings it down a notch.

I ask him if a big boy would act like this and he is immediately shamed.  I am holding in a huge laugh because it is such a samed look.

"Mommy, I am so sorry.  I will not cry and yell anymore.  I just want to be a good boy " he says.

 

He looks at me for a moment and seeing that I am un convinced I hear these words and see this face: "See mommy, I am not going to cry.  I have a good boy smile".  "Kiss Kiss"??

He had to sit in time out for an extra 5 minutes before whatever mood he was in disappeared.  I think he realized that he was going no where with his fit.  Glad I saw it through once but I can safely say it will be the last time it ever gets past picture 2.  Gotta love him for trying:) 

Friendship at Jakies Elementary School

Jacobs class at school has been learning about Friendship and practicing a program for weeks.  Each grade did a singing program that featured songs on the topic.  It was so adorable to see the three 1st grade classes sing songs together with such animation and enthusiasm.  The song line up was just adorable. After the performance we got to go back to the classroom for a short open house where Mrs Cannon had each child in their seats and parents could meet their friends.  Below I got a photo of Jacob with his BFF Jordan and his little group of buddies from class.  His newest buddy Braxton on the right of Jacob (facing you).  All of these boys are adorable and I am so glad that he has a core group of friends to identify with and play with. I am also grateful I like their moms:)  
The list of hits included these:
You've got a friend in me, Thank You For Being A Friend (yes the theme song from Golden Girls), Wonderful World, I Love You Theres No Doubt About It and Lets Get Together.  It was adorable to see their gestures and funny faces singing so sincerely.  I LOVED IT!  Wish we had a video recorder!!!