Getting Better

Well, this is the first time in a while when we have done posts so close together. Hopefully this is a sign that we are getting better.

This week has been a busy one as usual. Chris has a Court of Honor with the Scouts and Peter and Joe went with him. Joe was excited because the last time he went to a Scout activity with his Dad thhe had refreshments at the end. Chris was a little surprised (he had already told Joe he didn't think there would be refreshments) when there was a small refreshment afterwards. Joe is going to think that his Dad gets refreshments every week at Scouts. This coming week Chris has a day hike on Saturday at Stephen F. Austin State Park which is about an hour from here. It should be a fun activity and Chris is going to check out the park for us. Hopefully it turns out nice because it would be an easy place to take the kids and have a good time.

Peter has really taken off with his reading. This week he read several books all by himself and has been kicking butt on his scripture study. He reads more than some adults do and it makes you realize that we don't really have an excuse not to read when a 7 year old can do it. We figure if the kid can read scriptures it should really help his overall reading level. He really likes to read, although he is less enthusiastic to write. He still does it, reading just comes easier.

Sam has been the opposite, less eager to read but he likes to write. Peter's example has helped Sam to have more desire. Sam also was a little sick and was "milking" it a little. Poor kid looked pretty pathetic some nights. He says next time he wants to go to Scouts with his Dad. He normally only likes to trace letters, but this week he is trying to do his own letters. Peter will sometimes write longer papers and so Sam didn't want to do that. I was able to convince him to give it a trial for a week. He also likes to draw something after he does his letters.

Joe is getting more and more interest in school. We do a little preschool period in homeschool and he does well until there is talk of toys. He mostly really likes to count with everyone. On Saturday, he really surprised us when he got up and dressed himself completely. That is the first time he did it without any help. He is trying to stop sucking his thumb and I think we will have an easier time breaking the nighttime habit, but the day habit may be difficult.

Will continues to be fascinated with all power cords. We have to be careful when anything it plugged in and he is near. He always wants to plug things in and he will go from socket to socket plugging them in to different sockets. It has made us extra vigilant with making sure nothing dangerous is close enough for him to plug in. He had a little bit of a cold this week (Sam had it too) but thankfully it has passed. Now we can only hope that none of the rest of us get sick too.

The kids LOVE Legos and we sometimes have a problem because they get them everywhere. Last week when we were frustrated with them (none of their Lego guys has hands and some were missing arms) we decided to go through the entire stash and separate the men and all of their stuff out (we put them in a separate plastic bag). Turns out to have been an awesome thing to do. This week when they played they rarely made a mess. So that was a nice change. Part of it is their Lego guys all become characters from Star Wars (especially since Chris bought the Lego Star Wars game).

I had my first official appointment with the midwife (before it was just a consultation). I have been really impressed with her and it turned out to be a good visit. I am going to start doing pregnancy Yoga and Pilates to help me stay in better shape and prepare for the birth. Home school went better this week and for two of the days I didn't really have any problems at all. Little by little it is becoming easier. I also have been busy changing our landscaping. We are trying to remove some of the heavy vegetation that was here from the previous owners and plant some more productive (aka fruit) trees and bushes. This next week while Chris is gone at his hike, I hope to be able to get out and plant some flowers with the kids where I took some things out. I should be getting some fruit trees and bushes in the coming months once things warm up a little more.

Will turns 2 on Monday and we are going to have a little party with him then.