Sunshine School

In an attempt to get our 5 shy sunbeams to interact instead of cry in a class setting, five of us mothers have started a rotating preschool. One of the mothers named it (Sunshine School) and wrote up a schedule and mini-curriculum for the next four months. Each mother will take a week (Monday mornings) to pick up all the kids, teach, play, hand out a snack and return them home. I was all for it but had my concerns about the first few times simply because we never did get Nathan to go to nursery easily until Hyrum joined him for a couple of months. Then it was time for him to go to Sunbeams and he was ok with that until he found out that Hyrum couldn't go with him. The fit that he threw that first week was unreal! Much worse at a near 4 years old than it had been when he was 2.

The night before preschool I brought the whole family into the prepping of preschool. Levi took the reverse psychology role and kept telling him that he was to young for school, that he would cry and he even bet him that he wouldn't go the next morning. That turned out to be the trick to getting him there.

When he woke up Monday morning he was groggy and whiney and as soon as I mentioned preschool he dramatically collapsed to the floor and started crying. I sat on the floor next to him, rubbed his back and said, "I guess Levi was right, you're to little to go to preschool". He paused for a minute then sat up and stated matter of factly, "No I'm Not!"

He willingly got dressed and packed his backpack with the bare necessities (blankie, Lambie and kleenex) and was ready 15 minutes early. I didn't want him to back out during the wait so I suggested we take videos to show Levi that he really was going to school. About 9 videos later it was time to go.

As soon as the teacher knocked on the door he opened it and marched out without me. He didn't even give me a goodbye hug or look back. He appeared so independent that I wondered what had happened to my separation anxiety driven child. That reverse psychology babble can be powerful, on the few occasions that it works.

Hyrum was sad to be left behind so we put on his jacket and backpack and went to get groceries in our free time. He was so determined to figure out his zipper that he refused to look at me for a picture.

Derby Time

I groan every time one of my boys walks in with that rectangle box containing a block of pine that is supposed to be transformed into a vehicle worthy of racing. We have the tools for the project but it's the battle of technique and design that always get in the way of this being a fun experience. LeRoy seems to think that telling a ten year old to pick up a tool and cut a piece of wood is like telling them to slice through butter so when they get tired of shaving away a sliver at a time the project turns from one of possible fun to just plain frustration.

This year we did it different.

The box sat on the kitchen island for a full 2 weeks. The night before the race Justin mentioned that he needed to get his car done. He drew the shape that he wanted and then sat in near tears at the time it would take to shave his block of wood into his dream car. The next morning, to avoid a meltdown, we made a phone call to our home teacher who teaches shop at the high school and poof, a car was born in the 20 second cut of a band saw. The cut was so smooth that Justin didn't even have to sand it down. At 4:15 he sprayed a light coat of black paint onto his wood and then dug through all my old scrapbook stuff to find some stickers. At 5:00 he carefully placed his stickers, shoved the little nails through each tire, attached the tires to the frame and by 6:00 he had it all detailed so that it would not lean to the left or right and was ready for the races . . . a full hour early! It was the smoothest pinewood derby prep ever.

After each boy registered and received their Pinewood Pro Derby License they began a very long night of cheers, jeers, a few tears and finally awards. Justin took 4th place out of 14 cars. Way to go Justin!

Oh, and he also received his Webelos rank, which I will admit had not one thing to do with his parents help. His leaders walked him all the way through this one. I felt a little guilty as he pinned the mothers pin on my jacket wondering if I should hand it over as a leaders pin instead. And, I didn't realize how tall he is getting until I saw the pictures of him standing next to me.

Legal Driver

For the last 2 months she has been an illegal driver in the emergencies of pick ups and drop offs. But now Erika can drive day and night and without a 21 year old licensed driver in the passenger seat. This will come in handy for our long drive to Texas in the summer.

When she first started driving I was a bit concerned about her gusto confidence that seemed a bit inattentive at times. Then we (Erika and I) were in a small fender bender that was the result of only a brief moment of distraction on the other drivers part. She seemed to learn from that experience that it doesn't take much to lose focus and even a small, slow speed accident can cause major damage. Since then she has calmed down and been a bit more cautious. So, even with all the teasing she is currently getting about people moving now that she has her license, I am comfortable sending her around town. Not quite to Idaho Falls by herself yet but that will come with more time, experience and probably necessity.

Afterschool Snack

Levi's Birthday List

He must think 18 is special or something because this list is longer and more detailed than any Christmas list he's ever given me! My favorite is the "pyramid of fresh chalupas (stacked at least 10 high)". That I can do. The money lists at the bottom . . . hmmm . . . how many Monopoly games could I find at DI?



As I sat at my computer this morning I was a little confused at the website staring me in the face. And then I realized it was for Affliction clothing. Levi is so great at leaving subtle hints.