First cousin sleepover

On Tuesday we met Laurie and the kids at the California Science Center by USC. The kids all seemed to enjoy it and it was the Brooks' first time there. We watched the diver in the aquarium tank clean and explain the different sea life at the center as well as look at eels, starfish, and jellyfish. The kids enjoyed the science area where they made a craft and dressed up as Astronauts. It's such a neat place and all for free!

We planned for us to meet up there as kind of a half way point and for us to take Clayton home for a cousin sleepover. He stayed with us for two days and everyone did pretty well. We went swimming, to a show at the library, went to McDonalds to play at their huge indoor play ground, and the park. It's just the start of a fun and busy week for us.

Superheroes

The boys have been playing with our new superhero toys and I love it! It still brings me great joy to see Ethan play toys by himself. He has really started to develop more of an imagination and make believe play. We have been doing a sticker chart for a few weeks and it has worked wonders. I have a polite little boy who say Please and thank you a lot more and always wants to help me out.

I want to be a grown up

While doing workbooks with Ethan I complemented him on his great work and told him how smart he is. He says, "I know, that's because I don't want to go to Kindergarten. I want to be a grown up now. I don't want to get shots and wipe myself all the time." So funny, his preschool teacher told the kids they would have to get shots before Kindergarten and Ethan doesn't like to wipe himself after going to the bathroom though he does and knows how. On occasion he tries to get me to help him and I tell him I can't because I won't be at Kindergarten and he needs to do it. It's cute that his biggest worry in life right now is getting shots and taking care of business in the bathroom.

In other new, this week continues to be fun. Yesterday we went to Skirball, a recreation of Noah's ark with a friend in the ward and then went straight to a birthday party of another friend. This morning we are having one of Ethan's preschool friends over for a BBQ and water fun with water balloons and the water worm. Another added bonus has been the mild weather this week.

For the love of the game

For Tanner's nap and bedtime tonight he wanted to wear his baseball hat. We made him take it off but let him keep it in his crib. Well, I guess he has a true love for the game! He also found a winter mitten today and ran around wearing it as if it were his baseball glove.

Today was our first official day with no school and it went well. For Ethan's last day of school yesterday I took the boys to Target to get a slurpee and let Ethan spend his remaining gift card money from our book reading contest. He got Ironman with a really cool ship and a Captain America. Today and yesterday he played so well with them. This morning we worked on reading, writing and math and plan to continue every morning this summer. We went swimming and played outside. I think this will be a great summer.

Last day of preschool

Today was Ethan's last day of preschool. Time really flies - I remember his first day as if it were yesterday. He has really matured this year, learned a lot, made best friends and is only just beginning the next chapter of many more school years to come.

Father's day!

Jared with the boys after being on call for 30 hours. What a guy! When Jared walked in the boys bombarded him with cards and gifts and talked his ear off. After Jared rested for a few hours we had a nice dinner, watched Mary Poppins and played some baseball around the house. I am so grateful on a daily basis for the father Jared is to the boys and amazing husband he is to me. We love our daddy!

Preschool Party

This morning Tanner and I went to Ethan's preschool party. We had breakfast, the kids sang several super cute songs, we made picture frames and bookmarks with the kids and finished the morning off with the kids receiving their preschool certificate. Ethan also received another certificate for reading over 4,000 minutes this year. Our little boy is growing up!

Preschool open house

Tonight we went to Ethan's preschool open house. It was neat to see several journals they worked on throughout the year and to see the improvement in his writing skills and art work. It's been fun watching Ethan grow over the year and mature. We will miss Nestle and Mrs. Glucksman!

Ethan's first camp out

This weekend Ethan and Papa went to Papa's Fathers and Sons campout. It was Ethan's first time camping and he had a great time. We were glad he got to go with Papa and have this experience since Jared had to work and couldn't take him. They left Friday evening and got back Saturday afternoon. Dad said Ethan was the first to sleep at 9:30pm and was the last one up at 7am.  Ethan got to shoot a rifle for the first time, play tug of war, and explore the great outdoors with Papa. Papa said Ethan liked to go for a piggy back ride and pretend like Papa was his horse. Dad is a good sport! This is just the first of many more fathers and sons to come!

Ethan

Ethan: Mom, if I feel like I'm in danger should I pray or take three deep breaths?
Me: You should pray.
Ethan: Well, what about three deep breaths?
Me: Both are a good idea but pray first.

In church we talked about prayer and how we can always talk to Heavenly Father in any situation. The other day Ethan told me his preschool teacher told the class if they get upset they should stop and think about it and take three deep breaths. I guess both of these things were on his mind. I thought it was a cute question.

In other news we got into Emelita Elementary for the Fall! This is such a huge blessing as we were the first person drawn in the lottery. We have some friends that attend Emelita so it's a good option for us since our local elementary school is not. It was the first of many lotteries/schools that will be doing a drawing with our name in it. School this year gets out June 19th and starts early on August 14th. LA also has Kindergarten go all day instead of half days like we did growing up. It will be a long day though I know Ethan will be fine. I will probably have a harder time having him gone for so long than he will. He is really growing up!

Pleasant Evenings

The summer heat has started though the evenings are still pleasant. The boys love riding their bikes, visiting the neighbors' animals and playing with the girls next door most days. Tonight we lost track of time and didn't even know it was bedtime and the boys were as dirty as could be with no dinner. We love the extra light in the evenings.

We have been swimming often at some friends' pools to keep cool. I think we will be doing that a lot this summer! This evening we took our first trip of many to Yogurtland which is always a nice treat on a warm day.