quotes of the week!

1. Grant is starting to say more words and has a new obsession with trains. He is really good at saying "Choo Choo!" Derek noticed his increase in speech and stated, "Mom, Grant speaks human now!" 2. Wayne brought home some freshly picked cotton and the boys have spent all evening picking out the seeds. They are planning on stuffing it in their pillow pets and dogs that are falling apart and losing their fluff. I commented on how hard they were working and Derek says, "Yes, we aren't even getting tired!" (It's been close to 2 hours) Joseph's reply, "Yeah, it's called stamina!"

summer update

Sorry it's been SOOO long since we've given you an update! We have had a busy, but FUN summer! The Grantser is still the funniest, cutest thing EVER! He is starting to say new words. He loves to point to pictures of Jesus and the Temple and he'll actually say JESUS and POPO for temple. We just discovered that he LOVES plums too. He is constantly going to the fridge and asking for an apple because he thinks every round fruit is an apple. He also loves to dance. Today the boys were banging on their "drums" (pots and pans) when I went to put Grant down for a nap. I laid him down in his crib and he was smiling and dancing to their music. This afternoon I figured since the boys were so excited about music I would give them a little lesson on rhythm. I taught them quarter, half, and whole note and then we played some music. Then they said they wanted to learn piano, so they each took turn having a lesson, and Joseph was so excited he wanted to do a second lesson. They both did GREAT! Their reading skills are also coming along great. They practice every night at scripture study. We read out of the Children's Scriptures that have pictures. They totally are understanding the stories. It's awesome! Joseph is excited to meet his teacher tomorrow for 1st grade! He starts school on Monday. Derek is going to do a "Smash Kids" program one day a week at the stake center. They do music, science, crafts, and cooking. That boy is SOOOO smart! When he starts kindergarten next year, well....we'll just see. We were playing golf the other day, you know the game with Rook cards. Anyway, he looks at my cards, then looks at his and say, mom we have the same amount of points! I had an 8 and a 3, he had a 7 and a 4. It took me a second to figure out that he was right and I was shocked that he had just done that in his head! The boys are still obsessed with Star Wars. They are still saving their money to buy parts to make a "REAL" R2D2. Joseph is learning really well the difference between good and evil. He pointed out something really good the other day. We were reading a book on dependability and Joseph says, " Mom just because that man is not dependable doesn't mean he is evil." I thought that was pretty good for him to recognize that!

May 11th Quotes/stories of the week: 1. The boys are continuing to love swim team, but Grant is really jealous. He walks along the edge of the pool and occasionally tries to push me in! 2. Grant’s hair IS getting lighter. I call it GOLD. Believe it or not Derek does NOT start kindergarten this year. He doesn’t turn 5 until September. He will just have to sit at home and read chapter books I’m actually glad I get to keep him home another year because he is very helpful around the house and helps Grant stay entertained as well. 3. This week there was a crazy thunderstorm and Joseph came home and said, “Mom it rained HARD today, we were in art class and everyone was FREAKING OUT!” It was kind of funny to hear him talk like that! 4. So Joseph has been obsessed with “non-fiction”. He is so proud that he always picks out non-fiction books at the library. The other day he came home from school and we had some family videos on. He says, “Mom, this REALLY happened. It’s non-fiction.” It was so cute. 5. For FHE on Monday we were talking about families being sealed for eternity. Somehow Wayne mentioned that his Grandma Nichols was still alive, but that Grandpa Nichols had gone to heaven a few years ago. A little while later we look at Joseph and he has tears in his eyes and is getting emotional. We asked him what was wrong and he says, “ I REALLY miss Grandpa Nichols.” (He died when Wayne was in high school.) We explained to him that is why we are so happy that we can be together forever in heaven. His response was, “ I REALLY hope Grandma Nichols has a friend.” We tried to explain that she actually did remarry someone, but for time only… Who knew FHE could get so deep with a 6 yr old? 6. So we’ve discovered that Grant LOVES avocados. When you put them on his tray his starts giggling! It’s so funny! 7. Yesterday I donated my hair. It is about shoulder length now. Today I showed Joseph my donated hair braids because I realized he hadn’t seen them yet. He says, “What’s that?” I said, “my hair! Didn’t you notice I got a haircut?” Joseph: “NO! I didn’t know they did that to you!” Seriously Jo! I chop 11 inches off my hair and you don’t even notice???

funny stories/quotes update

1. Amy: Derek, I have just a couple bites of sweet potatoes left do you want them? Derek (very sweet and sincere): No thanks, but they were REALLY good! Thank you so much for making them! Amy: I LOVE you Derek! (seriously, he’s so awesome!) 2. So the boys did a little 1 mile fun run that our stake put on. Afterward, this was the boys’ conversation in the car… Joseph: When I was running Satan tried to tell me to give up, but I didn’t want to give up so I kept going. Derek: Ooohhhh, you didn’t want to listen to Satan Jo??? Joseph: Nope, I wanted to finish the race! 3. So, the boys are obsessed with Star Wars! Joseph is saving his money to build a REAL R2D2. Derek wants an R4D17. The other day I put my hair up to go swimming and Joseph told me I looked like Padme Amidala (Anakin’s wife, not sure how much you know about star wars) This year we are planning a star wars theme for Halloween. I think Grant will be Yoda or R2D2… 4.Wayne’s been planting lots of stuff in the backyard and the berries are starting to produce well! Derek has his own blueberry bush and occasionally will sit outside and guard it from the birds! 5.The boys have both started swim team. Derek is excited about getting his pictures taken and earning ribbons and a trophy. He’s already planning on beating Joseph, but he has his work cut out for him! 6.Grant is walking all over the place. He loves to sing along with the primary songs in the car and he loves to do the “trumpet” on “Here’s a Ball for Baby.” Joseph and Derek are both really good with him. He makes things pretty fun around here! 7.Joseph and Derek both figured out how to do flips on the tramp. Grant also loves to walk around on the trampoline. 8.Both Joseph and Derek have become REALLY good readers! Grant likes to read too, but he thinks he has to touch every page because his favorite books have things like “soft duck” or “bumpy frog” 9. Amy: Goodnight my little Padowans! Derek: We are still Younglings mom!

Grant walking

Rhino Grant

GoGo Jo