James at 4

James just had a birthday and it's definitely one I couldn't wait to celebrate. Terrible three's are over! He's fantastic four now! 

With his penchant for bad guys, we settled on a pirate birthday party. I love organizing and planning these parties (thank you, Pinterest!)  and since he picked his theme a couple months ago… It wasn't too hard. I do wonderful copying ideas, and tweaking them to fit our needs, I'm just not creative enough to come up with most of these on my own.

James even looked through Pinterest with me one night to decide what he wanted his cake to look like. This was the best shot I could get of him with his cake:

Ironically, I got the party mostly set up on time, but we forgot to send out all of the invitations on time. Yeesh. Still, most of his buddies came, along with all local cousins.

Everyone seemed to really enjoy walking the plank, and hooking pretzels. 

Evelyn and Aubrey waited until the boys had cleared out to try their turns at walking the planks. Smart girls.

Coming up with silly pirate names for the food was half the fun for Paul and I beforehand:

But, the big hit was the treasure map and once that was out, they didn't want to play any other games. I loved that they were using their imaginations and playing well, so I just 'forgot' about the other games and let them have fun:

James is so shy, that even at his birthday party he didn't want many pictures taken of himself. 

So, on to the birthday questionnaire!

How old are you? 4

What makes you happy? Cuddling

What is your favorite thing to eat? Cake!

What is your least favorite thing to eat? Pepperoni

What are your favorite things to do? Play Star Wars Angry Birds

What is your favorite scripture story? Ammon

What is your favorite movie? Star Wars

What is your favorite color? Blue

What is your favorite song? Frozen, 'In Summer'

What is your favorite book? Hop on Pop

What is your favorite sport? Air hockey

What is your favorite animal? Turtles

What are you really good at? Air hockey

Who is your best friend? Kayden

What do you and your mother do together? Cuddle up

What do you and your dad do together? He shows me his race car game & he takes me to stuff on daddy dates

Where is your favorite place to go? Roos N More

What do you want to be when you grow up? A superhero

Desert Gardening

I've decided to try a bit of gardening this year. I don't know how, so I've been directing loads of questions to my mom, the employees in the gardening sections at Lowe's, Home Depot and, well, maybe a few during Relief Society...but I was still listening to the lesson also!

Living in the desert, we don't have grass and I'm desperately craving some green and flowers to liven up our yard. The kids have been wonderful about helping me: digging in the dirt and watering plants are now ranked as some of their favorite activities! 

James and Evy even found another favorite thing about gardening:

Running beneath the recently watered flowers made a fantastic little game for them!

They were soaked and happy.

I love this time of year in Vegas. Gorgeous sunny days that just beg for park trips, and cool breezes that blow the scent of jasmine through the front door. 

Alec took the gardening a bit more seriously, and insisted on picking out his own flower. His favorite color is orange, so of course he was drawn to any orange flower. But, when he realized this beauty called the 'star of Bethlehem' he was certain it was the one!

Ah, the feel of dirt on our fingers!

It got better!!

We decided put Alec back into his assigned public school, which has an incredibly strict 'hands off policy'. After we explained what he's gone through, they've even got him meeting with a counselor to work through the frustration and anger that accompany being bullied.

His first day was Monday and he was so excited/nervous!

This was the most I could get him to sit still for a picture. His teacher came out to greet us and she was wonderful! She appears very organized and caring which will be great for him.

After school, he was all smiles & happy stories, "no one hit or kicked me the entire day!" What a change! At Somerset NLV, he didn't want to go, always came home rather 'down in the dumps', and had always been hurt physically at some point in the day.

SO many positives now: he has normal homework, so I don't feel like I have to supplement! His teacher tested him, so he's working at his correct level now-yay (fourth grade)! 

Another big advantage to having him go to the local school is that it's in bikeriding/walking distance. So, Alec has really enjoyed being able to ride his bike and I'm enjoying getting a little bit extra running time in.

I can tell it's better, because I don't have a sinking feeling in my stomach when I drop him off. What a wonderful change!

This has been a huge burden on our family and looking back now, I can't figure out why we didn't just pull him out sooner. I believe we felt so invested in the school, because we had wanted him there so badly, put so much time and money into it, and had such high expectations. I definitely feel like it was a 'parent fail' on our part as we should have just pulled him out sooner. 

This has humbled us a lot, but I feel like we have learned a lot from this situation. It was a good way to realize that we should trust our own personal revelation, more than the professional administrators at the school who continually promised us that things were getting better. I'm grateful I was able to volunteer so regularly, so I could see what was really happening at the school-not just the bits Alec reported (he told me, maybe, 1/10th of the violence that was being permitted). I feel like it was a good learning experience for Alec, who now really appreciates a fantastic, dedicated teacher and a wonderful school where his safety is important.

Apart from talking in class, (which his teacher reports at the normal level for a 6-year old boy) he's not having any problems! When I went into his class Wednesday, I was shocked at how much calmer & organized the entire school was! This was definitely the right decision. Lesson learned the hard way.

Day of looove

We love Valentine's Day at our house! Paul and I prefer spending the evening with the kiddos, as we have some fun traditions. The boys made cards for each other earlier in the week: 

We ALWAYS order Chinese takeout. A few years ago I was too tired to cook, and since Paul loves Chinese food (I'm not a fan), I thought he'd be cool with takeout as a surprise. The boys thought it was wonderful, so once a year we eat Chinese takeout.

This year we talked my brother's family into coming, along with my mom and grandma. 

Kaelyn and Evelyn tucking in:

We played several games:

Then decorated cookies for each other:

Making cards, then cookies for each other always makes for a sweet holiday! They get so excited to show each other what they've created. I love it. Serving each other happily!

100 days and a photobomb

Alec's class celebrated their 100th day of school on Tuesday. Here in Vegas they make fruit loop necklaces, group small things into various-sized piles to add and multiply to 100 (he brought 100 Lego pieces), then make cute crowns. I wasn't there, but a friend texted me this cute picture:

Alec is adjusting to his new teacher, Mrs Scott. She uses a lot of positive reinforcement, which is key with Alec, so he was pretty proud of the ring pop he brought home after school Friday. I'm not thrilled that it's sugar, so maybe I'll donate some dollar store knick knacks.

James began reading some Dr Seuss this week-'Hop on Pop'. 

He couldn't stop laughing at the cat picture. I'm worried it translates into more terrorizing poor Monty.

Evy's had another ear infection, but seems better already. She's so funny, talking more everyday. She loves dress up; putting on my necklaces or hats.

Especially when she can use them to stall bedtime.

She's not a fan of getting her hair done, so for church this morning I did it whilst she ate breakfast in her booster seat:

This was James, photo bombing me in sacrament meeting. He thought he was hilarious...he was right. I laughed.

Here's what I wanted to remember:

It's getting better

It has been a really rough week for us. James has been an absolute beast. Last Sunday I had to carry him football-hold style out of sacrament, never to return. I then carried him screaming to Sunbeams. Constant tantrums this week! His Uncle Christopher had to carry him kicking & scratching to preschool on Tuesday (okay, that was kinda funny, because I only heard about it & Christopher called me-desperate to just bring James back home). Ugh. I have no idea what's going on with him lately. All I know is our sweet, cuddly James is now angry all the time. I remember Alec acting up a lot during the home stretch to his fourth birthday, so maybe this is the same situation?

Then there's Alec's school situation. We have fasted and prayed multiple times, with no clear answer. His class has several severe behavior issues. 3 boys with blatant anger-management issues & several violent ones. (Alec's been stabbed with a pencil in the chest, knocked down & kicked several times & constantly bullied). Unfortunately, Alec, at least at this stage in his life, is a complete follower. As a result he's become angry & violent (hmm, maybe that's where James is getting it?). Alec has regressed behaviorally in class & academically. I feel sick to my stomach sending him to school. Bear in mind this is a charter school, that should be safer & more controlled than a public school. So frustrating. So, they forced his teacher to resign Thursday morning. I feel sick about it. Friday whilst I was in class, one boy got into a huge fight in the bathroom with an older student & two others got into a fistfight in class. So, we're debating between homeschooling & putting him back into his assigned public school.

Friday night Paul and I took it to the temple. I was SO uptight and stressed about the situation, which is only making it more difficult to make the correct decision. The amazing peace that washed over and relaxed me halfway through the session was amazing. I cried through a lot of the session, but felt so much calmer after. Thank goodness for the opportunity to attend the temple. We've got some guidance now, so on to happier topics!

Today is my birthday. The boys spoilt me this morning with cards & colored pictures.

Alec built me a 'paperweight spaceship' from Legos. 

James created a cute Mr Potato Head & proudly showed me the secret stash stored for me "...to make more, mommy!" 

They sang & hugged & kissed me. 

Paul even brought me breakfast in bed!

Which Evy begged for. Immediately.

I loved every second of it! 

ALL my siblings called and sang to me. 

My mom made me my favorite: eggplant Parmesan for dinner, and strawberry pie for dessert.

I'm stuffed for tomorrow even! Too bad the Broncos weren't having as good a day. Not that we're into American football, but I grew up in Colorado, so it was disappointing to hear how horribly they lost.

Olive's Restaurant

Paul and I  get out for date nights at least twice a month. This one was a bit more special because we'd asked our friends, The Muckleroy's to go out with us. Martin's a VIP at several casinoes, so they invited us to dine at Olive's, a beautiful restaurant at the back of the Bellagio fountains. You can't beat that view!

Isn't Hilary gorgeous? Superwoman is an amazing baker, decorater, lawyer, and (most importantly) wife and mom! 

She persuaded me into running races back in 2009 and now leaves me in the dust. I have been slacking HUGELY at running, so at our next race, she'll be running the 10K, whilst I plod behind doing a 5K (I take huge breaks from running between pregnancies). I'm grateful she's motivating me back into it.

James's haircut

Well, all boys do it, so I wasn't terribly bothered when James came down from his afternoon nap with a chunk of hair missing. Right in the front of his head.

The lowest I was willing to go was a 1/4".

Ah, baldy.

Legoland

Whew! All Paul and I can say is, "no more amusement parks for at least two years!" Last year we took the kids to Disneyland,  and said, "not again for long time!" However, Legoland was having a fantastic deal that we felt we couldn't pass up. They had a marathon mile race, that only cost $25 per child and included a free T-shirt, 50% off 2 adult tickets, and free child park hopper pass (the hopper passes are $110 normally). So, we went for it. Paul took the Friday off work, and we stomached the six-hour drive.

Saturday morning, we got the kids dressed and ready, ate breakfast at the hotel, and headed over to Legoland. Maybe because I was a bit frantic about trying to get everyone's bibs, T-shirts, and tickets sorted, James had an epic meltdown. The full three-year-old special. Kicking and flailing (mainly his older brother). 

In the end we decided it was best if I ran the race with Alec (and Evelyn in the stroller), and Paul took James to the car to sit it out. 

Alec ran his best, and was so proud to receive his medal at the end. He wore it all day...and all Sunday...

After a quick trip back to the hotel to shower and change, we headed back to the park. Having never been there before, we just kind of wandered aimlessly. 

Apparently Alec flies like his mother drives.

Jamie, looking less than impressed:

James showing his sweet dance moves to Yoda:

As everyone grew hot and tired in the afternoon, we headed indoors to the aquarium. 

Alec was absolutely fascinated by the touching areas-we had to drag him from the starfish, shrimps and abalones. He asked loads of questions and rapidly answered those asked by the employees, "Of course I know the difference! Venom has to get in your blood. Poison you just drink."

Evelyn darted all over, eagerly flattening her face against all the glass surfaces to stare at different creatures. 

James was quite shy and enjoyed watching Alec touch animals, but buried his head when asked if he'd like a try.

We hit a few more attractions, before being told the park was closing.

Look! Proof the boys didn't fight the entire trip:

James has requested we change his middle name to 'Bond'. We're considering it.

Paul had to do this one twice (once with each boy). I don't think he minded.

Alec and I headed to a roller coaster.

5pm!! It closed at 5pm!! We didn't bother to check (at those prices, we assumed it was like Disneyland & open until midnight!) closing time. It ended up being good though. 

They had an Egyptian area. I HAD to take a photo even if the rides were closed by the time we found it. I may have teared up. A little. James trying to 'walk like an Egyptian' totally cheered me up though.

Posing whilst waiting for the shuttle:

We found an amazing 'quick wood fired pizza' place that made them to order and they had pesto for our reflux-riddled Alec!!! SO wonderful. 

James out-ate Alec and I. 

Seriously, if you are in Carlsbad, eat at Blaze Pizza. Just do it.

We headed back to the hotel for bathing and (what else?) some new Legos. No, we didn't spend a penny in the park (I brought lunch and snacks). I'd actually bought these previously on clearance at the grocery store. I'm just cheap like that. 

Pizza and legos make for some calm, happy kiddos! Bedtime went smoothly and we drove home Sunday! 

In completely related news, we've cancelled our planned trip to the Grand Canyon this summer and agreed to stick with beach weekends at my grandma's or day trips. Keep it simple and fun!