The Starting of School Tradition

Growing up my family always had a tradition at the beginning of a new school year. One person would sit in the "special" chair and everybody would think of a memory they had from the year of school that person was going into. Then they would give a piece of advice. After everybody did this, they would get a Father's blessing. Then a candy bar card or a cake or something super awesome.

Kyler went first. Most advice was be nice, go poop in the toilet, meet friends, listen to your teachers, etc. Ryan gave him a nice blessing (of which I don't really remember anything that was said - on my behalf, it was like 4 days ago so I'm justified in not remembering). Kyler's candy bar card said:

Kyler - Don't be a "sour patch kid" be a "starburst" instead. Don't "rolo"ver on your friends. Continue to smile and bring "almond joy" to the "milky way" Oops, we mean Elementary. Love Mom and Dad.

Taegen went next. Most of his advice was be nice, don't pick your nose, meet friends, listen to your teachers, etc. Ryan gave him a nice blessing (of which I don't really remember anything that was said - on my behalf, it was like 4 days ago so I'm justified in not remembering). (I feel like I just wrote this paragraph somewhere...de ja vu?)Taegen's candy bar card said:

Taegen - A summer full of "swedish fish" +ing and now back to school.Don't pick your nose with your "butterfinger" or everyone will "snicker" at you. If you get shot with a "Musket.teers" will flow down your cheek, but your still our "starburst". Love Mom and Dad.

What can I say. Ryan and I think we are pretty funny. Poor Strider didn't get anything...I didn't even think of getting him a sympathy candy bar, but no worries...the boys shared.

First day of School

Don't be fooled by the smile on Taeg's face. He has been ecstatic to start school. All the neighborhood kids have been in school and he asks me 30 times a day if they are home yet. He was more than ready to start. We got to school around 12:25 and met the teachers. He didn't know any kids and it was new teachers. He was playing with dinosaurs and I asked if he wanted to introduce Kyler to his teachers. He said no. I said ok, we'll go home. He gave me a kiss and said bye. As we're walking out. He runs over and says he wants to show Kyler to his teachers. So we did. Then it all went down hill. He had a death grip on my arm with both of his hands. Tears were flowing...I mean, flowing down his face. Around 12:40 all the other parents had left and they were getting ready to start. We went to the carpet and sat next to Taegen. If I moved an inch away from him he would gasp and pull me back. Finally around 12:50, I really HAD to go because Kyler's bus was coming soon. The aide helped me pry his arms off of me and he was SCREAMING and KICKING. Literally, SCREAMING AND KICKING as I left with the teacher holding him on her lap so he couldn't chase me down. Poor kid. When I went to pick him up they told me he cried for a few minutes and then was fine. Taegen is extremely quiet around people he doesn't know. I am hoping he will make a few friends in his class. There are only a few boys but lots of girls. He told me that he wanted to go to school today...so keep your fingers crossed that it's a tear free, kick free, scream free drop-off.

I am such a mean mom for leaving my baby so upset but...come on kid, I have another one to get on the bus. :) :) Love you Taegs.

4 years old and growing strong.

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

4 years old and growing strong.

The boys' had their 4 year well check-up last week. That's always fun. They tested their eyes and ears and then the usually check-up things. The eye chart was awesome. Kyler stood their with one eye covered but he wouldn't have known what the shapes were anyways. So, that was pointless. Taegen was a little nervous with the eye chart. The ear testing went much better. Taegen didn't hear anything the first two rounds. Then we told him to give me five every time he heard a noise. Passed with flying colors. Kyler just kept giving me five regardless of hearing noises or not. They also got some shots. Taegen always makes Kyler go first for anything. So Taegen told Kyler to go first. Kyler cried a little but poor little Taegen was curled up in the corner with his hands in his mouth and tears streaming down his face. So, when it was his turn he seriously screamed and kicked and everything. It took three of us to hold him down for his shots. Then it was over and he told EVERYONE for the next 5 days that he had shots. Kyler's leg really hurt him all day after the shots. He couldn't even walk on it. He would limp for a few steps and then just cry while holding his leg. It was sad BUT...we all survived and here are their stats.

Taegen:
Weight - 40 pounds - 81%
Height - 41.5 inches - 77%
BMI - 16 - 72%
B/P - 104/70

Kyler:
Weight - 33 pounds - 24%
Height - 37 inches - 2%
BMI - 17 - 85%
B/P 78/58

So there you have it. Kyler made it on the charts for both height and weight and he has a higher BMI than Taegen...go figure. Oh how I wish my BMI was 16 or 17.

Soccer Mom

Soccer Mom

Okay so the boys are in Soccer this year. It is awesome. They had their first game last Saturday and it was freaking awesome. They play 3 on 3. Taegen actually did really well. He followed the ball. Kicked it and would chase it. Ryan told Taegen to kick the ball away from the other team. Taegen said "Dad can I tell you something? I did that 2 times." Also, every time I would cheer for Taegen he would stop, turn, smile and wave at me. It made me happy.

Kyler pretty much stayed at the center field. He would stand there, then sit down. Occasionally, he would walk over to me and sit down and say "done". It was awesome. Ryan would pick him up and move him to the ball and then...Kyler would just stand in that spot. It was funny. There was one time that he actually kicked the ball and then ran and followed it with the crowd. It lasted for about 30 seconds but...it was at least 30 seconds. It was so fun to watch them. Ryan is the assistant coach so they really enjoy that too. I love being a "soccer mom". I think it's so cute to see my little boys out there with their over sized jerseys. Kyler shin guards cover his entire leg. It's hard for him to walk in them but they are the smallest size I could find. They are just growing up so fast and as sad as it is to see them getting all old and stuff, it is really fun too.

Taegen has excellent form and look how high he can kick that leg.Trying to tell Kyler (again) to run and chase the ball.
Kyler kicking the ball in.
Getting their game faces on.
Daddy and Kyler boy heading to their first game.

Birthday Celebration #1

Thursday, April 8, 2010

Birthday Celebration #1

The boys were incredibly lucky this year and got to have many birthday celebrations. Since my mom and Hayes left on the 31st and the boys' birthday isn't until April 1st -we had to celebrate early. So, we went to Monkey Joe's. It's a big-bounce-houses-toy-jumping-thing playground. Sounds fun huh? Taegen once again LOVED it. I swear there isn't much that Taeg's doesn't love. Kyler LOVED it too. He was doing great climbing up all the ladders and such. Strider LOVED it too but couldn't do a lot of stuff on his own. I tell you what, it was a good thing Hayes' was with us. Taegen and Hayes and Kyler would race up and down the courses. Hayes' would help Kyler or Strider if they got stuck. He is a GREAT uncle. Kyler, Hayes and Taegen climbing.
Kyler climbing on up.
My Strider boo.
Hayes and Taegen "posing" for the camera. Cute boys.

After Monkey Joe's we came home and opened presents from grandma and grandpa Stapp.



Seriously, aren't they the cutest.

Birthday Celebration #3

Birthday Celebration #3

Since Nellie and Landon were here we decided to go to Texas Roadhouse (Thanks Scott and Shirley). It was technically the day after their birthday BUT we were still celebrating SO the boys got to get on the saddle and have everybody in the restaurant give them a big YEEHAW. They liked it, maybe even loved it. What 4 year old wouldn't want to get on a big horse saddle surrounded by loads of people. I mean, come on.

Sunday, April 11, 2010

Birthday Celebration #2

So the boys' had their 4th birthday on April Fools day. We met some friends at the zoo and had cupcakes there. They splash park was open so the boys had to go play in the water. Good times.



Then that night we had a special birthday dinner of corn dogs (Taeg's favorite) and tater tots (Kyler's favorite). Then we opened presents. Taegen got a new big bike. Kyler got some fun therapy toys...scissors, fuzzy balls with tweezers, bendy straws. (In our defense, we had intended to paint Taegen's old bike and add a horn and stuff for Kyler BUT the physical therapist said that he really needs to master the tricycle before he rides an upright bike - so he got some fun little toys instead of a big boy bike). They both got a marble works set and they got soccer balls. They had a great day. I love them each so much. They are quite different but totally complement each other. At the end of the day they are each other's best friend.

Taeg's Special Pre-school Day

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

I have to say that I love Taegen's hair long BUT he was constantly moving it out of his eyes. I've asked him tons of times if he wants it cut and he always says adamantly "NO" but not today, so I jumped at the chance...and welcome Summer hair.
Before...
After...

I must say that I think he is pretty stinking cute either way.

Taeg's Special Pre-school Day

Taegen birthday was over Spring break so he got to celebrate his birthday at pre-school when he got back. We made ice cream cone cupcakes and had hugg's for drinks. Everybody sang to him and he even got to blow out a candle. He loved it. Strider and I stayed for playtime after they sang to him. Taegen is a great big brother.
I am going to brag about Taegen for a bit. He is amazing. He is such a great kid. He seriously LOVES his brothers. He watches out for Kyler and Strider ALL the time. He genuinely cares about them. I think he gets that something is different about Kyler but he doesn't know what and he doesn't care. He loves him.

• He loves the Wii and is surprisingly good at it.
  
• He doesn't take naps anymore and hasn't for a few months.
  
• His bests friends are Connor and Bronson from pre-school.
  
• He is very observant. I got new glasses a few months ago. Nobody noticed except Taegen. Everytime I wore them for the first month he would say "mom, I like your new glasses." or "you look beautiful in your new glasses mom".
  
• He is extremely sweet. He says "I love you" all the time. He tells his family and his friends. Sometimes his "older" friends think it's gross but he doesn't care, he still tells them he loves them. He is one of the younger kids on the street but all the kids come over to play with him. They are so great with him.
  
• He can ride a big bike but still needs training wheels.
  
• He loves basketball.
  
• He is playing soccer right now and loves it.
  
• He loves playing games. Memory, wii or hide and seek are his favorites right now.
• He loves to pretend to be a puppy. He will bring me a ball (in his mouth) and I will play fetch with him. He begs, sits, lays, rolls over and speaks. Kyler and Strider also love this new game.
  
• He sleeps on the top bunk in their bedroom. He only gets to play the wii if he stays in his bed all night and it totally works. He stays in his bed pretty much every night.
• He LOVES his daddy.
• He always tells me I look beautiful.
  
• He dresses himself.
  
• He hates eating off of plastic plates. He wants a glass plate and glass cup.
  
• He LOVES to say the prayer and says it almost every meal. He says great prayers.
  
• He loves pre-school. Whenever I pick him up from school he looks at me and smiles and says "i have a surprise for you." Then when we get home he opens his backpack to show me his surprise.
  
• He loves to have painted toenails.
  
• He loves to climb trees and throw sticks and rocks.
  
• He always wants to ride his bike in the road because that's what the big kids do.
• He always wants me or Ryan to sit by him if he's watching a movie.
• He loves coloring and drawing and cutting.

He is a keeper and we totally love him to death. I really think that his age right now has been my favorite age so far. He just says and does the cutest things and yet he is old enough to listen and obey. I am loving him.