Not a very creative title, but I really didn't know how to describe this post. Anyway, Clay needed a haircut. He didn't think he did, but Jathan and I sure thought so. He hadn't had one since before our trip to Indiana this past summer. Jathan thought he was looking a bit like a sheepdog with the hair hanging over his eyes. And I was convinced it was affecting his hearing as it was hanging over his ears. So one evening, the clippers came out. I calmed Clay down when I told him we could do some fun things with his hair to show Daddy when he came home before I cut it all off. So this is what we came up with...
I cut the sides, used a bit of hairspray and gel, and here you have it. Jathan was a bit shocked when he got home. I thought he looked a little scary myself. Five minutes after Jathan was home I sent Clay to the shower and cut the rest.
Ok, so Clay has been 7 years old for two weeks now, but I thought I still should acknowledge the special day. The truth is the birthday is going to be drug out a bit longer still. He wants to have a sleep over for his birthday, and after discussion we agreed that we would let him invite a few boys over to spend the night. Due to soccer (which I need to post about too) we haven't had a free weekend to do the sleepover. So, we will have it Friday night. It should be interesting.
Anyway, we had a little family celebration. We went to a pumpkin patch, then came home and opened the presents he received from us and the rest of the extended family. Legos are hot in our household. Clay and the other kids too, absolutely love building anything and everything with them. So for his birthday he asked for Star Wars Legos. With everyone chipping in, he was able to get a three things. He was THRILLED! The next day he said to me "Mom, I dreamed that for my birthday I would get a hopper jet, an X wing fighter and Darth Vader's jet, then this morning I realized, I'm living my dream!"
Paige and Clay opened a museum yesterday. The museum has a collection of gems, a seagull bone from the coast, an artifact from South Korea (circa 2008) and various other things. There is even a children's play area where the kids can play while their parents do research. (They have thought of everything.) Each of the collections are displayed in a way visitors can get a good look at them, the gems even have a magnifying glass to view at a closer level. There were several visitors yesterday and they are hoping there will be more today, so if you are in the area, stop by.
The end of January the kids helped our dear friends, Joe and Gloria, sow seeds. Joe had surgery for a blocked artery and needed to take it easy, so the kids helped with some of the beginning garden preparations.
I know that the kids had a fun time and I think Joe and Gloria did too.
After all of the work, popsicles were handed out to the workers. And then we enjoyed the nice afternoon.
One the things on my long "to do" list, was to teach the kids to ride their bikes. We tried a while back with no success and since then, it has been pushed to the back of my mind. They really had no desire. Paige had a scooter that she loved riding and Clay would ride his big wheels that he was way too big for. They didn't have any reason to learn. Thankfully that changed a couple of weeks ago. Clay decided it was time to learn, so he began practicing and of course you can't let your little brother learn before you do, so Paige was on her bike without training wheels trying herself. Within a few tries, Paige was riding as if she had been at for years.
And a few days later with some practice times at a nearby parking lot, Clay got the hang of it too.
So now what do we do in our free time? Ride our bikes, of course. Drew has his bike with training wheels and the other two will be on theirs going up and down the sidewalk. Over and over again. Clay is still learning a bit of control.
We have even taken Paige on the river trail by our house and if my calculations are correct she rode over 7 miles that day.
So the scooter and big wheel are now beginning to collect dust in the corner of the garage, because they kids have learned that you can go way faster on the bikes.
So I am happily checking another thing off my "to do" list. I have a little time before I am ready for Drew to take off his training wheels. I would like him to begin looking ahead instead of down at the ground as he rides. A little dangerous, he is. :)
Yesterday, I overheard an argument beginning between the boys in their room. I was in the middle of something and hoping they would work it out between themselves so I wouldn't have to step in. As I am trying to figure out what was going on I here this exchange...
Clay: Well, you called me a name in the first place!
Drew: Well, you called me a name in the other place!
I had to laugh, knowing that Drew probably had no idea what "place" Clay was talking about. I really do wonder myself where this "other place" is that Drew was talking about.
It was a sad day in our home today, when Clay's hermit crab known as "Crazy Crab" (named this because he liked to switch shells frequently), was found dead in his tank earlier this afternoon. A couple of days ago he was seen crawling on one of his tank toys, the next day his shell was left at the top of the tank toy and he was crawling around "naked". It seemed that the shell was stuck. I moved the shell by him trying to get him back in. We left him alone, but he continued to crawl around naked. Today we decided to clean the tank and put in new fibers on the bottom, but it was too late, he was already gone. After tears from Clay, Paige offered to share her crab with him. Clay accepted her offer after his pleas for a puppy were shot down by me. (someday, just not now!!!) So now we are down to two hermit crabs. Atleast, they have more room to roam.
Soccer season is officially over. The awards were on Thursday and we had our first Saturday with no game. I will miss it though. Paige and Clay were on the Aztecs this year. Jathan and a friend of ours coached the kids. Even though it is a league where score is not kept and is suppose to be noncompetitive, we know that we ended the season with one loss, one tie and the rest wins. So we were very happy. (I would say that it was the kids that kept the record, but I think it was mostly dad!)
Jathan before the game with all of the gear for the sidelines.
Paige is right in the middle running after the ball.
Clay is the one with the ball right in front of him.
Some might say that the post game snacks are the best part of the game.
(Thank you John for sharing your pictures with me!)
Today we finally celebrated Clay's birthday at Chuck E. Cheese. Everyone in our house is mostly well, so now was the time. We invited our neighbor, Easton, to join in the celebration.
Football is probably Paige's favorite sport. So she spent some time trying out as quarterback.
I don't think this cage is too bad of a place for the boys. :)
All of the kids had a great time. Jathan and I sacrificed and played some games to earn extra tickets for the kids. Or atleast that is what we told ourselves we were doing. I thought that I was being helpful, until I saw Paige play skeeball and I realized she didn't need my help. Oh well, we had fun. So now the birthday celebrations are over for Clay, alteast until next year. We managed to drag them out for a week and a half, not too bad. Now we can begin preparing for the next birthday in our house. (which is mine!)
I feel that Clay has been a little shafted on his birthday this year. Wedding the day of, sick people all around including him and now having his celebration that was suppose to take place at Chuck E Cheese postponed until further notice. But you know what? He doesn't seem to mind in the least. I guess in his eyes the festivities are just going to last longer this way. Sunday we did do the presents. Here are some pictures of his goodies.
Clay opening his gift from Paige and Drew. Star Wars figures.
The fun thing about Clay is that he gets excited about most anything. More legos!
The gift of all gifts a Transformer. This is what he has been waiting for! The kids with sick Daddy. What a party!
Hopefully I will be able to post some Chuck E Cheese pictures soon!
Hi, my name is Melissa. My husband, Jathan, and I have 4 beautiful children, 2 by birth and 2 by adoption. Jathan is a pastor and I am a stay at home, homeschooling mom.
You will find me writing about my kids, my husband, God, adoption, homeschooling, our travels, life events and everything in between.
