My Boy

Tyler doesn't have a lot of playdates.  Ever now and again but he generally doesn't ask to have friends over.  I'm not sure why.  My guess is because he's happiest at home with his family.  He's happy to play with Hailey, for the most part, they've figured each other out.  Tyler prefers the safety and comforts of home.  He's happiest when we are all together. 

This week is conference week which means half days.  Somehow it worked out that Tyler had 3 playdates in a row (2 at our house).  This afternoon while Will was still over I could see Tyler starting to fade, a little retreat evidenced by puppy dog eyes that looked my way occasionally.  And when the playdate was over I could tell he needed some quiet time.  We found some drawing he and Hailey could work on and he was happy for a few minutes.  And then he started to look sad.  I asked if he was ok and he asked if I could sit next to him.  He needed my presence, my closeness.  He needed a recharge and then he was fine.  I love that about him.  Tyler and I share that special bond, it's different than my bond with Hailey.  Tyler needs moments, minutes, time close if not touching.  Often a 3 minute snuggle will do.  He sits on my lap after dinner like clockwork.  And I can feel the connection with him.  It's almost an energy transfer that picks his spirits up, sort of a sigh that lets all his stress and concerns out.  I'm sure it won't last forever, and likely the days are numbered at this point, but I'm holding on tight.  I wouldn't change those moments for the world.

I love so many things about my boy but I super love that his heart needs me.  I love that most of his frustrations, bad moods, and infrequent anger can usually be solved with a hug and a few minutes of mommy time.  If only it were so easy with Hailey.  She needs space, lots of space, and words can't be spoken.  That is a little hard my heart.

jump rope

Tyler's class started a jump rope unit in PE a few weeks ago.  It has started a jump rope frenzy here at home.  Tyler has gone from not being able to jump rope to jump roping 100 times without "messing up", jumping one legged, skip jump roping, and the list goes on.  It has actually been a nice change and fun energy burning activity during this never ending winter of ours.  And as you will see below, the kids get quite a workout.

He's a little hot by the time they get done.

flips

Now that we've changed Tyler's room around he has a straight shot from the hall, through the door to his bed.  The kids have been putting this new set up to good use.  They use the hall as a running start for their flips.

Bigger Bike

This fall Hailey learned how to ride her bike without training wheels.  She is so excited to do lots of bike riding this summer!  She especially wants to try riding her bike to school one day when the weather gets warmer and the sun is shining (that is going to happen right??).  You can imagine how thrilled she was a few weeks back when we discovered she is now tall enough for one of her "bigger" bikes.  That's right, she's moving up in the bike world.  And the bigger tires means she can go faster and is better able to keep up with her brother!  Dave took Hailey for her first bike ride on the Burke Gillman trail.  She was very proud.......rightly so. 

Addy

Addy is one of Hailey's good friends from school last year.  They also played soccer together last fall.  And though they aren't in school together this year, their still friends.  They haven't seen much of eachother this year but Addy was able to come over for a playdate a few weeks ago and the girls picked up right where they left off.  So curious how this relationship will grow and or change next year when they both are in Kindergarten at Totem Falls.

Officer Dave

I'm going to write all these next few posts as if they just happened.  In reality a lot of this stuff happened a number of weeks ago. 

Hailey's school class was learning about community helpers last month.  She was so excited to have Dave visit her class as Officer Quiggle.  I think Dave enjoys these opportunities to visit the kids classes.  I've been helping out in Hailey class quite a bit the last few months but I think this was Dave's first time in.  It's nice to be able to place a face with all the names she comes home talking about.  And of course Hailey was so proud to have her dad in class.

2012 Pinewood Derby

It just goes to show you that you don't need to have any skills with tools to finish. Thanks to Grandpa Carl for perfect wheel placement. Tyler took 3rd place in his Den and moves on to the Pack finals!

Missing My Family

Several years ago my brothers and I began a tradition that I hope continues into the adult lives of our sons, and their sons, and so on. A few days of sun, fun, baseball and just brotherly bonding in Arizona has become something I look forward to very much. I am so excited for the days when our sons are old enough (must be over 21!) to take part. Along on the trip are a whole host of guys from Dan's Fire Department including some father/son combos that give me that glimpse into the future.
But with the trip there is a price on my heart which is the ache I feel not bring with Val, Ty and Hailey. It should be impossible for my heart to grow fonder but as the saying goes the longer I away the more I love and miss them all. Then, there's the flying. Since becoming a father I am terrified of flying and count the minutes till I touch ground and can talk to or hug my family. That part seems to get harder every year.
So, Val, Ty and Hailey, I love you all and miss you already. Hug each other and throw in an extra goodnight kiss for me each night. I can't wait to be back with you!

Dad

Sick

We've been struck down by sickness again!  Though this time it's not the stomach flu, thankfully.  Saturday Hailey woke up with a cough and shortly thereafter came down with fever which hovered around 102 degrees.  She's been sad and lethargic the last few days and her fever just finally broke this morning.  Here cough is terrible sounding. 

 Hailey fell asleep while Dave was reading to her.  Second time in her life she's fallen asleep on Dave....she's such an independent girl.

 It was so nice to see her spunk return today.  And it was excellent timing because Tyler came home from school yesterday complaining that her felt awful.  He did a little homework and then fell fast asleep on the couch. 

Tyler had a cough yesterday as well and fever by the time he took his nap. He woke this morning with a 103 degree fever and said he felt dizzy and horrible. He obviously stayed home from school.  The kids relaxed and watched some Tv this morning.  By 9ish Hailey was becoming more of herself and was being pretty funny.  She manged to coax a few laughs out of Tyler and after a little medicine and some time laughing with Hailey he came back to life for a while.

The kids made big muscles out of squishy balls.  We also did a "wizards brewing potion" that both kids really liked.  Basically the same as the volcano eruption but there was food color and glitter involved :).  It was fun to watch through the clear glass jar.

love the look on Tyler's face

We also did some reading and math and the kids played around on the computer.  By 3ish, Tyler was starting to slow down again.  He fell asleep in the bath.....not to worry, I was right there watching and then took a nap after he was dried off.  I woke him after about an hour because last night (after the afternoon nap) he could fall asleep.  He basically spent the rest of the evening drifting in and out, laying around being miserable.  Hi temp was back to 103 and finally I let him go to sleep for good about 6:30.  I'm hoping his fever will be gone in the morning.  Next we have to fight these nasty sounding coughs!

running in the snow

Last Wednesday the view out our windows looked something like this at about 9AM.

By 11AM it looked more like this.  And though there wasn't major snow accumulation the snow was still falling from the sky.  This is significant because Raven Racers is on Wednesday and Tyler's running recess is at 11:50.  And on the drive back from picking Hailey up from school at 11:30....the older kids were out running.  Raven Racers endure the snow!!

Tyler said it was cold and he hated his pants getting wet but he still ran 11 laps.  That's my boy :)

they get a dot for each lap to report to their teacher

He is getting quite a collection of feet.  One for each 25 laps.  He's actually received another since I've taken this picture.  I love this program at Ty's school.  It is such fun for those kids who like to run!!  And for those who don't like running, well, they don't run :).

Ty's foot collection.....laps to date....226

It's the little things

Hailey knows how to make me happy :)

The rearranged room

Tyler's room has been driving me nuts for quite some time.  Recently it started driving Dave a little crazy.  So we knew it was time for a change.  The problem?  Tyler's room was a constant disaster.  Even after he cleaned it, it was still messy.  The biggest problem was all the legos.  He has drawers to put them in but no real space to work on things he's building or places to put things he's made.  So we contemplated for a long time what was really needed.  The ideal room.  Finally we came to the conclusion we just needed to start somewhere and work from there.  So we found a Lshaped desk that would give him lots of working space and all his lego drawers will fit underneath.  Before we could do anything we had to totally clear out his old room.  Which meant moving all of this lego stuff.

We had to rearrange all the rest of his furniture to make room for the desk and new bookcase.  Then we got to work putting everything back together.

We ended up moving his bed so it's mostly against the wall instead of out toward the center of his room.  This has given him a bunch more floor space.  He absolutely loves his new room. 

The question is whether he'll be able to keep his legos under control.  The top shelf on his desk is already completely filled with creations.

4Q12X

February's family post can be found here