Autism Awareness Run

Last Saturday we went to Autism Awareness Run at Veteran's Memorial Park.  We got to be a part of team Luke!

On the way there, Trevor offered to help Scott stretch out and warm up before his 5K.  Some of it went something like this:
"Dad, I can help you get ready for the race.  We can do some lunges and some cherry pickers, and some squats.  Some of it might pain you.... but it will help you more than it hurts you."

Such wisdom from that boy!  I could use that reminder fairly often.

I am still stunned from what fruit is coming from a twice a week track practice.  I never expected him to enjoy those hard practices so much.  He definitely requires some prodding from his coaches to get up and go sometimes, but I think it's mostly because he is just 7.  And, I know for myself, that running with friends is a completely different task than running alone.

So, Trevor and Joel's kids' race course was pretty short, but they ran their legs off!  I was so excited to see them both really push themselves hard.

Here's the video:

 

Cousins

We got to visit little Miss Addelynn this week.  She is the cutest, busiest, sweetheart!  Trevor was a bit smitten with her-- and who wouldn't be?!. 

He read a book to her for the five seconds she would listen, then followed her around and around and around.

Criminey!

Numbers 2, 3 and 4 on this list are way to familiar for me.

Art homeschool

Joel and I tried some cartooning with another video (this one by Bruce Blitz) from the library.  I remember his videos from when I was younger.

With a little help from the pause button, Joel followed the directions so well!  Here is his Frankenstein.

Later we helped Trevor with his dissolving experiment.  I had Trevor start without me and all of a sudden we had two scientists  in the kitchen.  Here is Joel stirring and timing his solution.  I love his excitement about this.

Easter

The week before Easter we got to spend time with my mom and dad.  We made a little easter hunt for them.  We made them a little bookmark from this picture.  Trevor likes to write cartoon bubbles that he thinks are called "voicemails."  He accidentally wrote "Grandma and Grandma."  : )  Joel is now beginning to write  and I'm so proud of him for his efforts on "you."  He is learning so so much just by being around Trevor's home schooling.  He is writing and reading very simple things.  I'm excited to do Kindergarten with him next year. 

We painted eggs with Aunt Zeesa.

I cracked 5 of the 12 before we even got started. Oops. 

Then, the next weekend Papa and Wendy came down to visit, jump, and get a breakfast burrito lesson from Trevor.  This trampoline is a major workout.

We spent Good Friday talking about Jesus and watching The Bible DVDs about Jesus's love, his life, his death and his resurrection. This really made the story come alive for Joel.  Of course, no movie  is going to be as perfect as God's word, and I have a lot of problems with some of the old testament portrayals, but I think the gospel was pretty well done.


After teaching a big happy group of 4-6 year olds about Jesus, the boys got to do an Easter Egg hunt with some friends.  

 

There was some chocolate bunny eating.

 

Then we skipped off to hike Tablerock and eat at the Ram. We were repeating what we did last year for Easter.

Joel seems to have some kind of God given endurace that just doesn't quit and he'd run all the way up if he didn't have to wait for me. Scott would have run up with him if he hadn't already done 20 before church.   On the way back down Scott and I realized this might be the last year that we can keep up with running back down with the boys.  Last year I was a bit panicked when I didn't see Joel until we got to the parking lot.

Scott is showing Trevor the trail they took the previous weekend.  

Miles and miles of trails! 

This picture makes my heart swell.  This is probably the first time they've struck such a grown-up pose together.

 My "what-if's" sometimes ruin it for me, but he's a great climber. . 

This year our service at the Ram was amazing.  And by amazing I mean it did not take forever to get our food and there were no mistakes which is the usual experience.  I highly recommend the gigantic Turkey Cobb Burger.

Joel's favorite place

He likes the bike park.

And his new bike.

Random Questions

Last night Joel and I talked while I rubbed his little feet after our now-traditional Easter hike to Tablerock.  He practically skips up the whole way with some amazing God-given endurance.

So he says, "How old are you and dad?"
"Guess. "
"17?"
"A little older."
"18?"
"Olde?"r."
"19"
"Older."
 "20"
"No, higher."
"21"
"22"
"23"
"24"
"25?"
"26?"
"27?"
"28?"
"That's close enough, Joel."

River adventures.

We live close to this:

And we don't have nearly enough of these adventures with our bird books and toy binoculars.

Right now the water creeps higher and higher.  So, we talk about water safety a LOT.

We jump over little parts as much as we can.

And, Joel finds it more secure to crawl.

Art Lesson

I found a video at the library called "Pirate Drawing Adventure."  It was perfect for a little break from the normal school routine.  Trevor is never afraid of trying to draw anything, but it helped both the boys think about the shapes and lines in a new way. 

Do not try this at home

I don't know why they were... but it looks dangerous.

Running into a punch

Here's how teeth pulling works when I'm gone.

Disney Swim

We went to Disneyland about 20 months ago.  All of the fun video was taken at the pool and I just now got that edited since it was on Scott's computer.

Enjoy : )

http://youtu.be/_7_7TOenGZA

Football

Friday Night Flag Football has been our very funny, very sweet neighbor's business the last couple of years and we just signed the boys up for it this spring.  The games are right around the corner from our house (score!) and the atmosphere is so much fun.  They bring in food trucks, bounce houses, and it's a smooth running operation.

Our coaches are encouraging and awesome.  I am so thankful for their leadership.  I'm so so so so grateful for Scott who practices with them.

Last Friday Trevor turned on his defense and pulled a flag or two.  That was awesome!  And, he was again a very good thespian on the fake play.  He's learning to stay focused from play to play.  As long as the playground and the snack tent stay out of focus and he knows it's a real game, we're good. 

Defense!

This coach knows how to use repetition to get plan across. : )

Trevor with the fake.

Trevor and Joel have football practice on the same night.  That's a big piece of convenience pie for me!  Last week I looked away from Joel while Trevor was practicing for about two minutes and this is where Joel went:

And this is him coming half way down. *sigh*  It's a bigger tree than it looks in the picture.

Spring Track and Field

Trevor's first track meet of the season was last weekend.  He chose to compete in the long jump and the 50m.  Practice is a different story, but he is very focused and serious at the track meet. 

Thursday's practice was at the same time as a high school track meet and I find myself getting verclempt  for perfect strangers at their hard work as they run their tails off around the track.  There is something so exciting about it!  That and horse races.  And the opening of football games. 

The latest

 

Two out of four loose teeth have been cashed in and leave the cutest little gaps.  *sniff*

We bought a popcorn maker and you should have heard the squeals of delight that machine delivered!  I already don't love the machine.  For some reason it makes my popcorn taste chewy.  I smell a science project on popcorn coming soon!  

Joel likes to draw while I teach Trevor sometimes.  He drew the above this week and I asked him what he drew.  He just pointed at me.  I was a little concerned because he gave me crazy wild eyes and what looked like two little bodies right in front of me.  I asked, "What am I doing?"  He told me it was golf. : )  The axe in my hand is actually a golf club and that isn't blood dripping down-- it's arrows.  The arrows show the golf clubs swing down to the balls on tees.  The boys have a hard time not making a schematic of all of their drawings.

This is the Kindergarten division of The Dolphins at their first Friday Night Flag.   Joel was pretty sick that day.  It wasn't pretty.  He was in a stupor for most of the game.  Pobrecito!

It was so much fun to watch Trevor.

Football + Food = Fun.  Simple as that.