We Have a Backyard!?!

Living on the side of a mountain isn't generally conducive to lots of flat areas.  It was just something we had to 'give up' when we chose to buy the land we did.  We even had a few 'extra' hills behind the garage left over from construction excavation.  The kids spent many hours playing and digging and sledding on said hills.  Upon the course of some dirt work we were having done recently, the excavator asked if we wanted him to push the dirt hills over/down the hill to create a little flat area- NONE of us (the excavator included) realized how big the area would be!

It's a.m.a.z.i.n.g (!) even without lush grass or a great patio... those will eventually come...

As luck would have it (really, it was a blessing, not luck), when I was at Costco a few days before we received the gift of a backyard *grin*, I saw that the display model of their awesome play set was for sale- I've been eyeing their play sets for years, but never able to justify the cost- it was already 'on sale', but I asked if, since it was the display model, it would have an additional discount- I ended up getting it for almost half off!  Turns out, it being a display model was actually an added bonus because while almost every online review was overwhelmingly positive, there was a consistent complaint about the massive amount of time and energy it took to assemble- especially the corkscrew slide.. win, win, win, PHEW!  And now, we have a great place to put it!

Jace is FOUR!

The beauty of my position at work is that I set my own schedule- it works wonderfully for our family.  Unfortunately, due to a 'clerical error' on my part, I mistakenly scheduled myself to work on Jace's  birthday this year... so I decided that we would just celebrate the day before (Sunday) and he would be none the wiser *grin*  Who wouldn't want to celebrate early anyway, right?

Patience is low on the list of attributes for most kids and Jace is no exception... and being the last of kids in our family to have a birthday during 'birthday season' is especially trying.  Every time I made a cake or cupcakes (or even cookies for that matter), he pulled up a stool to watch and ask repeatedly, "it's for my birfday?"  So on Sunday morning when he sleepily came down stairs rubbing his tired eyes and saw me in cake mode, he asked {again} the age old question- and was overjoyed that this time I answered, "YES!"

He wanted pancakes (specifically basketball pancakes{?}) for breakfast- 

Of course we had to have a little practice for blowing out candles later in the day... they are panCAKES after all!

For months he had wanted a 'Paw Patrol' cake, so it was surprising when on his 'birthday' *wink* he suddenly and emphatically decided on a basketball cake instead!  We ended up adding a little Paw Patrol and matchbox car flair too, why not?

He counted the candles, "one, two, fwee, SIX!" - and when asked, "how old are you Jace?", his reply: "SIXTEEN!"

Aunt Kim came over and brought three of her 'surprise' litter of puppies... they're so snuggly and cute!

Mimi and Papa got him a set of emergency vehicles- with no on/off switch for their sirens *ahem*

What more could this boy want than a humongous fire truck??  When I brought it out all wrapped, he exclaimed, "Is dat fo ME??"  I had him convinced it was a light saber before he unwrapped it *grin*

Jace is still our '0-to-60 boy'- he can go from super happy to royally upset and back to happy in no time flat- whatever he's feeling, everyone around him knows- fortunately, he is a joy and makes us all laugh most of the time.  He gives the best hugs, wrapping his arms around your neck and just squeezing with everything he's got.  He loves to gives kisses and declare "I got you!" which is funny to me since he would NOT give kisses as a baby/toddler.  He demands to say the prayer pretty much anytime there's an opportunity- we can't really tell if he's asking for blessings or giving thanks, but consistently he mentions snow, going sledding, the fire station and either waffles or pancakes during his prayers.  He loves all vehicles, especially emergency vehicles, sports and playing outside.  We're still working on pooping in the toilet, but are making progress (ie: I'M on a schedule).

Jace's favorites at age Four: Favorite Color: um, onjuh {Orange}... it's true, he wants the orange bowl, orange cup, orange flashlight... 
Favorite Restaurant: um, Don-ode's {McDonalds}
Favorite Food: um, waffles
Favorite Drink: um, wad-oh {water}
Favorite thing to do: um, fwain fwacks {train tracks}
Best Friend: um, Jake {Christensen}
Favorite Movie: um, Mee-ins!! {Minions}
Favorite TV Show: um, Ein-signs {Little Einstein's}
Favorite Toy: um, fwain fwacks {train tracks}
Favorite Animal: um a monkey
Favorite Book: Paw Troll {Paw Patrol Pups to the Rescue}
What he wants to be when he grows up: um, in a boat {?}

Play day!

Hailee's last day of school was play day and Jace was all too eager to participate also... 

 The highlight was the bouncy house/obstacle course/slide at the end- Jace managed to sneak away from our station several times for a few extra turns on it... =/ stinker!

Double Digit Dallin (He's 10!)

On to the next birthday!  My sweet Dal-Pal is TEN!  His actual birthday was jam packed with extra-curricular activities that made for a very fun day for him- I just had to roll with the punches *grin*  Rather than a special big birthday breakfast, it was 'donuts with dad' day at school so I didn't really have to be super efficient and productive at 0'dark-thirty (happy birthday to ME!)... His birthday coincidentally fell on National Donut Day this year (the first Friday in June) so lucky him, he got more than a few donuts!

A week and a half before his big day, I got an email inviting him and Bryson to a special Math is Cool tournament ON his birthday.  Knowing Dallins love for all things numbers, I asked if he wanted to have his birthday party on his actual birthday or put it off a week and go to the tourney- he was incredulous that I would even ask, OF COURSE he wanted to go to the tournament!

Since he'd be tied up with the competition until fairly late at night, we let him open his presents before school... Gifts are always a little challenging to get for Dallin because he doesn't ask for much- he did specify that he'd like a pair of batting gloves, but didn't know what else he wanted... can I just preface this next part by admitting how terrible I am?!?  Since I'd gotten a really good deal on tablets for Eli and Bryson, I went ahead and got one for Dallin too- when Bryson opened his on his birthday, I clearly explained to Dallin that Bryson's tablet was not working well which was why we gave him a new one, ie: don't expect to get one for your birthday Dallin- 

So for Dallin, I took his new tablet out of the box, wrapped it separately and hid it under the couch.  Inside the empty tablet box, I put a note that said, "Ha-Ha, you wish!" and wrapped it up... awful, I KNOW!  He opened up his batting gloves first and was super excited.  He then opened the empty tablet box- and just didn't quite know how to respond to the note- kinda puzzled, but smiling, because it was supposed to be funny- he was SO relieved when I pulled that wrapped tablet out from under the couch!  What a good sport, sorry for the therapy you'll need as an adult Dallin *sigh*

I cleared my schedule to be able to ride the bus up with the kids to the math competition and Nathan joined us with Eli later.  I brought cupcakes for all the kids so they sang happy birthday (to YOU!) and of course he was embarrassed:

Dallin really wanted to invite his entire baseball team (+ 2 other friends) and have a baseball themed party- since he really never asks for anything like that, I just went with it- At the last minute, we had to swap the day of his party to a Wednesday because the Friday I had initially scheduled ended up with a tournament baseball game scheduled on it... good thing I'm flexible!

The invite:



His birthday banner:

And this is what fourteen people in my car looks like! 

...it was only from the bus stop to my house, but it was the longest, loudest drive ever *grin*

Inspired by the clone trooper balloon battle we did for Eli's party, I drew stitches on white balloons to make them baseballs and let the boys have at them- they loved it:

I had a few activities planned, but the boys just entertained themselves!  

 They played foursquare, played with Lego's, had epic battles outside, jumped on the trampoline, played hide n seek- I was genuinely impressed with how well they played- no contention, no hurt feelings, they just had fun- a really nice group of boys- which made it fun for me too *grin*

The cake:

Boys gotta be silly:

I managed to get one semi un-silly picture:

Bryson really wanted to light the candles for Dallin:

When the parents picked their kids up, I couldn't help but gush about how great the boys were!  And, aside from the disaster my own Jace made with Lego's, my house was not a mess either- an added bonus.

Dallin is so easy to parent- for the most part, he is just laid back and low maintenance.  He loves to play and loves to learn.  In addition to numbers, he has also always been drawn to baseball.  He has great appetite and eats most anything- the only thing he complains about is Aloha Island Grill (which everyone else loves) or bell peppers- He LOVES cheeseburgers and can easily down two full sized burgers, no problem.

Dallin at age 10-
Favorite Color: Orange
Favorite Restaurant: D'lish
Favorite Food: Cheeseburgers
Favorite Drink: Sprite
Favorite thing to do: Play baseball
Best Friend: Easton Crites
Favorite Movie: Star Wars: The Force Awakens
Favorite TV Show: Phineas & Ferb
Favorite Toy: Baseball
Favorite Animal: Puppy
Favorite Book: Harry Potter
What he wants to be when he grows up: "I don't know, a dentist?"

It's A Start

I try not to think about landscaping.  It's frankly overwhelming and going to take a crazy long time to get it done and I'm really not sure it'll ever be done and just *sigh* I love where I live, but I also love park-like yards.  The two just don't jive right now.  We're on an approximately 20 year landscaping plan... on which we've made exactly ZERO progress since we've moved in.  BUT, we've now officially started.  It's especially daunting because there are so many steps before we can even really begin to landscape, one of those pre-steps was a retaining wall.  This morning was met with shock and awe and being late to school as the kids watched the giant rock placing crane truck pull up perilously close to the house and start the process!

They had legit front row seats *grin*

It was c.r.a.z.y how close the huge truck was to the deck...

the driver is apparently the worlds best backwards driver because he was haulin' as he backed up without a care in the world, as if he had a mile to spare... I was more than a little nervous as I watched!

After 2 loads of rock, the crew had to call it a day as the rain made it too muddy to drive the truck off the driveway anymore- BUT, it's tangible progress!  YAY!

Math Just Got Even Cooler

When given the choice between competing in a new Math is Cool tournament or having his birthday party ON his birthday, Dallin instantly chose to go to the tourney :)

He and Bryson both attended- I rode the bus up with the team to help with crowd control- and as an added bonus, I got to help grade the tests... my inner math nerd loved it!

During the team competitions which parents are allowed to attend, Nathan and I texted back and forth as he was watching Dallin and I was with Bryson, we were both excited about how well Dallin and Bryson were performing- so happy to see how confident (and correct!) they were in answering for their team!

After the team round, we gathered for the awards ceremony-

Loved the sign that Dallin's teammate made:

"Freeman 4th/5th/6th Math is Cool Scottie Mathletes.  Scottie Power"

And just WOW!  The Freeman Teams R.E.P.R.E.S.E.N.T.E.D!  All 6 teams placed in the top 6!

Dallin's team took 2nd amongst the 4th grade teams:

Bryson's team took 3rd among the 6th grade teams:

Dallin took 2nd place individually:

Bryson was elated to take 4th place individually:

My super excited Mathletes (and photobomber extraordinaire):

May in Review

Hailee painting the birdhouse one of her friends gave her for her birthday:

We're having some 'dirt work' done and Jace was eager to watch the backhoe- he had the best seat in the house *grin*

I have no idea how or where or even when he got the present goose egg in the middle of his forehead:

 He is insisting that "Mimi did it"- except he hasn't seen Mimi in over a week =\

She dressed up as a queen!!!!

Generally she's a king or soldier or guard or the like, but today, she proudly announced that she was the queen... and then quickly confirmed with me that queens can have swords, right??

Bryson and Dallin had their band concert:

Freeman got a new band teacher this year and he is awesome!  Super high energy, which of course the kids love, but still really pushes the kids and makes it fun.  He let each grade choose one song to perform, which were totally the highlights of the concert- Dallin's 4th grade class played a riveting rendition of "Uptown Funk" on their recorders and Bryson's 6th grade band played "Rolling in the Deep".  Bryson has picked up playing the baritone sax and really loves it.

If it's after 1pm and he's in the car, it's more than likely that Jace will fall asleep-

honestly, he gets it from me- If only I could capitalize on the opportunity!

Dallin's Math is Cool teams plaque was placed in the display case at the school:

And of course, Memorial Day weekend brings our annual Cotton Cookie Campout!  The weather wasn't all that great this year, and frankly, we've got lots to do to get ready for the reunion this summer, so we stayed home and had our Cotton Cookie CampFIRE instead... except, it was kinda windy, so we stayed inside and just gorged on cookies *wink*