It’s another night of Little League, but the real story here is Ben’s socks. I convinced him not to wear them to school, but he put them on the minute he got home. They seemed like the perfect accessory for tball – Wade’s bourbon socks – pulled all the way up.
Month: May 2023
Another night I don’t have to cook dinner. A win for me!
Today’s project was to take a gifted basketball goal and combine it with ours (and our broken backboard) to create a perfect one.
Today was gorgeous so we spent the evening outside.
I found camped out by the snack drawer for his iPad time today. I can see the logic.
We have had some major events at our house recently. Ben has finally decided to give up his sippy cups. When he made that announcement the rest of the family jumped on it and we said a quick goodbye to them. Thankfully Ben hasn’t expressed any regret but his milk consumption has gone down significantly.
The other major change is we sold Ben’s learning tower. We bought it when we moved into this house and it has been wonderful. It added an extra seat to our kitchen island. The best part was its stability. Ben has always been a climber and it was pretty impossible to tip. The last month or so, Ben has refused to use his tower and instead been using one of the stools. I rarely have all four kids around the island at the same time so it hasn’t been an issue.
One of Teague’s favorite places to be is snuggling with monkey (or with KitKat).
Typical scene as we dry Kailtyn’s hair, which just keeps getting longer.
Ben amused himself all morning by making videos of himself and then rewatching them.
It was so nice to have a holiday today. Here’s our day in pictures.
Alex was bored this afternoon so he offered to help me cook dinner. Taquitos for everyone!
Trampoline fun.
You might ask why Ben is holding an ice pack to his tongue. Let me tell you why. It’s Sunday morning and inevitably somebody needed something ironed. I set up the ironing board and iron in the living room and was doing a few touch ups. I walked away for a minute and heard a scream. I turned around to find Ben yelling and dancing around. He quickly explained that he LICKED THE IRON and now his tongue hurt. As I was laughing (because…he LICKED AN IRON), I suggested an ice pack might help.
We still aren’t sure why he decided licking the iron was something he wanted to try, but it seems like a very typical Ben thing to do.
Sunday lineup.
Ben decided to pose for another photoshoot this morning – in the middle of morning chores. Ben only has four chores and one of them is emptying all of the small trashcans in the house. He decided Wade’s new office trashcan provided the perfect prop.
Alex decided to join Ben in the “small” chairs while having a popsicle.
We had a few friends over tonight for dinner and a movie. The younger kids watched a movie inside and the big kids/adults watched a movie outside on the big screen.
Kaitlyn was having quite a bit of fun with her job of plumping the couch cushions.
Time to plant the garden.
A few nights ago, Kaitlyn and Teague’s school had a Gallery Night. Both of them had artwork on display. Only Kaitlyn wanted to go with Wade and I, but we enjoyed the artwork, ice cream, and book fair while the other kids stayed home together.
Alex made a deal with Wade. If he fills the container with weeds then he can have a day of unlimited electronics time. He was determined today to fill it and he did!
There is a new ice cream shop on the Common and we couldn’t wait to try it out.
There is a new ice cream shop on the Common and we couldn’t wait to try it out.
Ben and I visited a local nursery today and this giant squirrel was Ben’s favorite part.
Ben decided a few weeks ago to write to Santa Clause. I have no idea why he decided May would be a good time to write, but he vividly remembered that both he and Kaitlyn got a response in December. He drew pictures and asked me to write words. I was so glad that the request was somewhat reasonable – a picture of Santa with Rudolph. I was also somewhat hoping that he wouldn’t demand the letter be mailed. However, later that day, Ben brought me an envelope already addressed. I love his determination and helped him put it in the mailbox.
Now I had to figure out a way to make Santa reply. During the December month, the USPS takes care of the replies for me. I didn’t even begin to think they would respond in May. I had Wade grab the envelope from the mailbox on his way to church that evening while I decided how best to “reply.”
Ben asked daily if there was a letter in the mailbox for him. I finally found a perfect picture and had it printed. I found blank letterhead and printed a letter. Then I decided a letter from the North Pole needed a Christmas stamp.
This is the one year I bought “winter” stamps instead of Christmas stamps so I didn’t have the right thing. I went to the post office, where everyone knows Ben. The lady told me they return their holiday stamps after Christmas. But she did give me her cell phone number and told me she might have some at home. I checked in with her the next day and she had checked her house and with all her friends, but no luck. I posted on our local Facebook free site and had a stamp within 30 minutes.
Ben asked today about a reply and I told him we should check the mail. He carried his letter and picture around all day long!
Family game night – charades.
Family game night – charades.
Family game night – charades.
Today was Ben’s last day of preschool. I find it hilarious that they end almost a month before the big kids get out, but that’s the way it is. We took some pictures before school and then it was time for a quick nap before the graduation ceremony and party!
Here is a comparison of the first day and last day of school:
These two boys weren’t quite as excited as you might expect for Ben’s graduation, but they hung in there and clapped when appropriate.
Enjoying the evening at Ben’s graduation ceremony.
Preschool is over! (And over forever for the Burch family.)
Ben started the day with kindergarten screening for next year. We went to the elementary school where he played games with several teachers. Then he got to hug a stuffed Waddles and sign his name to a certificate.
Then we drove straight to a local trail for a hike. Ben spent the day gathering some favorite rocks to bring home.
Alex liked last night’s dinner so much he decided to make more tonight for LEFTOVER night.
Deep regrets about choosing an orange for his morning fruit?
Kaitlyn has always loved these “I am” books and now she can read them to herself. She’s got quite a few but she added even more to her birthday list.
It was a gorgeous day so Ben and I did a little hiking.
Ben was in rare form tonight. He was rather excited to go for the ball and I loved catching it in pictures.
Alex was doing some interpretive dance for us tonight – or he was just spinning really fast until he couldn’t stand up straight.
Sneaky nap struck again.
These two were given the job of marking the yard for Pepper’s new wireless fence.
Tball night!
Kaitlyn showed up downstairs ready for soccer and today she was my child with a “look!” Watching her team has become a lot of fun. They’ve been playing together for years and have a lot of fun together. The parents also all know each other and have fun cheering on all of the girls.
Kaitlyn was trying her best to put her arms around the big boys’ shoulders. She’s a little too short and they weren’t really into it, but we all got some laughs out of it. Ben was much more interested in his stick than taking a picture today.
This year we were a little more prepared for FunFair. We started planning earlier. We had more volunteers. Then a week before we realized it was going to rain on Saturday. That has obviously happened in years past, but not often. It means most of our activities have to move inside or be under tents. It also means our attendance is unpredictable. We did our best in planning ahead and adjusting as needed.
We had about an hour of overcast weather. Then it started pouring. I was impressed by the people that ran between the building and the tents. I was more impressed by the people that stood in line to ride the ponies in the rain or throw a ball for the dunk tank in the rain. Wade was a true hero and parked cars in the rain for the entire day. Most everyone else was under a tent or at least able to trade out or go home after an hour or two.
My favorite take home was definitely the pretend mustaches. Ben seemed to really love his too. I found him wearing it in his sleep when I went to check on him before I went to bed.
Alex volunteered all day and even found some of his friends doing the same thing.
Teague’s job today was to watch Ben. Being a good sport, that means he was also the assistant in the magic show.
Kaitlyn helped out with the Cheer demonstration/performance during the FunFair today.
This pictures was featured on the elementary school website with the caption, “2pm…this incoming Kindy student wins for most cotton candy eaten in one day.”
This is the second year I have been co-treasurer for our elementary school Parent-Teacher group (PTG). For the most part, it isn’t a lot of work. I write a lot of checks, visit the bank quite a bit, and deal with a few things here and there. The entire board works really well together and we all work hard when we have an event. FunFair is one of our bigger events and my entire family gets roped into helping. FunFair is tomorrow.
Last night most of my family did some form of baking. I made a chocolate cake and Granny’s coffee cake for Musical cakes. Kaitlyn made a red velvet cake for Musical cakes. For the bake sale, we made monster cookies (me), chocolate chip cinnamon crinkles (Teague), rice krispies with m&ms (me), and chocolate dipped pretzels (Alex).
Today, the board and a few volunteers met at the school at 4pm to begin setup. Before too long, Wade showed up with all the kids and most everyone went straight to work. (The exception being Ben.)