Faith Wilder Olivia Alan- August 2010

My baby started preschool yesterday. There were no tears shed- either by her or by me- but I am pretty sure I was the one closest. She was so excited! She had been talking for days about getting to wear her new dress, new panties, new socks, and new shoes and going to the red school. She woke up and wanted to go immediately. Unfortunately preschool doesn't start at 7AM- we had to wait until 9AM with her asking every five minutes if it was time to go yet. When we got there she walkedright in, signed in (moved her clothespin from her name to the bucket), gave us a quick hug, and ran straight to the paint easel. No looking back for that girl. Brian had a chance to watch her for part of the time from afar and saw her riding the trike and trying to jump rope with her teachers. When we picked her up she was full of excitement and details about her day. We took her for her special lunch at the Merc to debrief and she was so tired she practically fell asleep in her Mac and Cheese. When I woke up this morning to take Tanner to pre-K she was very sad that it wasn't a preschool day for her and says she can't wait until she gets to go again tomorrow.

She continues to be a lover of art- coloring, playdoh, painting, etc... She has taken to wanting me

to draw very specific things for her, most recently a baby giraffe. Uh..... if anyone has ever seen my artistic side you know that a baby giraffe is not in my repetoire. She also likes to draw flowers and people. She loves Legos (also wanting to build baby giraffes) and is really very creative. It looks like she is going to be left handed- she definitely favors that side when drawing or writing. She throws the same with both hands- not particularly well with either one! But, really, despite our best efforts to include her in all the sports the boys do, throwing and catching is not her favorite thing to do and she often wanders off to do something else so it is not like she has had a ton of practice!

She is much more girly than I had anticipated. I don't

get where they get it from- it must be in the blood- but this girl is getting into Princess stuff- despite the fact that the only princess thing she has ever owned is her princess towel! She already picked out her Halloween costume at a garage sale last weekend: a princess dress. Now she wants a tiara and princess shoes to go with it. She likes to read the Pinklicicious books and play house and horsies (also not my forte) and she has about a million stuffed animals which she calls her "guys". She loves to sing. The other day we watched her surreptitiously as she sat at the table coloring and singing some sort of jazz version of Twinkle, Twinkle. It was completely made up in the moment and was hysterical to listen to her do it. As soon as she noticed us listening, though, she stopped. No repeat performance. She loves music and, of course, wants an iPod like her brothers have.

She loves Jake and still calls him her "Jakey" and has to get a hug and kiss each day before he leaves for school or football practice. She and Tanner are two peas in a pod. On good days they can play together for long stretches- acting out Lion King, doing playdoh, etc.. but on bad days they argue like an old married couple. In any case, she is a very lucky little girl to have two such doting big brothers.

She is definitely 3. She is in a whiny stage and we are working really hard at recognizing what a whine is and then turning those words into a nicer tone of voice. She gets tired and cranky if she doesn't nap, but if she naps more than half an hour she can't get to sleep at night. It's a little tricky these days! She still has crazy hair- all curls that tend to grow out instead of down. They get snarled minutes after they are brushed and she ends up looking a bit like a ragamuffin a lot of days. She is just such a funny girl- I literally want to love her up. When she woke up her first day of preschool she gave me a big hug and I said, "Faith, you need to stop growing! How did you get old enough to go to preschool?" and she said, "Mommy, I can't stop growing. I want to be big like you!". I know it's going to happen but, in the words of Trace Adkins - I'm gonna miss this....

Tanner Jackson Alan (August 2010)

Tanner is very excited to be in pre-kindergarten this year. And be sure if you see him not to call it "preschool". That would not be accurate. He is in PRE KINDERGARTEN and is VERY proud of that fact. His little sister is in preschool- that's for babies. He's in the big kid class now!

He started today. He, too, had picked out a first day of school outfit that consisted of a t-shirt and gym shorts. In his case the gym shorts were too big and had to be folded over to avoid showing his little booty to his classmates. He is a bit more apt to pick out "fancy" clothes than his big brother is, and will sometimes even ask me if he can "dress up" on any given day. Still, when we took our annual trek to Target to pick out BTS clothes, he ended up with the typical uniform of my boys. He was very excited for school to start again. I think he really missed it over the summer. He has three teachers this year due to his large class size and he loves them all, though he says Miss Rachel is his favorite. We didn't know how he would react at drop off today- last year he cried quite a bit and though he was enthusiastic this year, we worried when push came to shove that he would be emotional. But, nope. He did great. Signed his name (traced it, actually) and walked right in to the art table.

After school we picked him up and took him to his First Day of School Lunch at the Merc. Just the three of us. Good times. I love when we get that "two on one" time. Getting him to tell us about school is like pulling teeth, often getting "I don't know" to all of our questions. Today he was a little more forthcoming: He played with Gus outside on the bikes, he made a picture frame that is blue with decorations, and he read a book about dinosaurs jumping on the bed. He was tuckered out at the end of the day and fell asleep immediately.

Tanner is so funny these days. Still my little love. Still loves to cuddle and snuggle and tell me how much he loves me and how I am the "best mommy ever". And, yes, I eat it up. He has been really into building with Legos lately and everyday at Miss Wendy's shows me his latest creations. Last week it was an entire zoo with all type of animals in cages. He still plays so well with Faith. Those two are so close. One of Brian and I's greatest hopes is that their special relationship continues into adolescence and adulthood. Ever since Las Vegas he has been really into The Lion King. He and Faith want to watch it all the time and I often let them because they are so cute acting out all of the scenes. They assign parts to each other and then literally act out every scene as it is happening. He also has taken to acting the part of a "skater dude" and puts up his peace fingers and says things like, "Peace y'all, Dude!" and "Peace y'all, Woman!". I can't help but crack up.

While he still gets naughty when he is overtired and can try our patience with his acting out, he is really well behaved and so, so, so polite and respectful. He's the one that when I serve dinner will say, "Thank you, Mom, for this great dinner!" and things like that. He is starting to perceive inequity in every situation and sees unfairness everywhere he looks. "But why does JAKE get to stay up later than me?" and "I NEVER get to do XYZ!!". My poor middle child.

This little guy has my heart on a string. Mama's Boy, for sure.

Football Opening Weekend

When we got back from our Tahoe vacation, we had missed the Football Team Parent Meeting, and really didn't get to de-brief the information with any of the other families. The coach sent us the docs in an email with the practice schedule, fundraising info, league philosophy and the field parking rules. We read thru them all and kind of laughed off the latter as there were diagrams and overflow lots that were serviced with shuttles, we just figured it was just being overly hyped and it wouldn't be that big a deal once we got started on the season.

Well the first game of the season was this weekend and boy were we wrong. Game days are run run like a well olied machine, with overflow parking lots (which we parked in....the correct one based on our field designation for Saturday) and the shuttle bus (which we rode to the field and back with about 20 other people each way). The parking lot at the field was so full that there were cars lining the medians, all of the side streets as well as the cemetary parking lot up on the bluff that overlooks the field. There was also a line of tow trucks about ten deep towing cars that were parked where they weren't supposed to be, so off the the proper overflow lot we went.

Come to find out that team come from 1-2 hours away to play games at this field (we have a road trip to Mountain Home in a couple of weeks which is three hours round trip ourselves) so it would have made a little more sense. Also, if we had stopped and done the math we would have known as well; there are 16 fields that each host one game per hour for seven hours on Saturdays. So, there are roughly 112 games going on at this field over the course of a Saturday. Add in concession staff, parents, siblings, cheerleaders and this little park is a madhouse on game day.

However, as I said before it is VERY well run and we had a great time both soaking in the atmosphere and watching Jake's game. They won 12-6 and Jake did great. He made a few tackles, broke up a few passes and saved a touchdown by chasing a breakaway ALLLLLL the way down the field and getting the guy before he could get into the endzone. He never gave up, did what he was supposed to do and was where he was supposed to be. The most important this was he had a blast. He loves his team and coaches and really has fun playing.

Jake- August 2010

Jake started 2nd grade this week. I thought it might be time for a kid update.... Tanner and Faith will get their own posts on their first day of pre-K and preschool (respectively).

My eldest son is turning into a football freak. Besides playing and loving Optimist Youth and watching games with Brian often (who knew that preseason football was so big???) he also is going to do a Fantasy league- the draft is this Friday. Boise State starts the year ranked #3 in the nation and a huge game is coming up against Virgina Tech next week, which we will all be glued to on ABC. It is hard not to get sucked into Football Fever here with the blue and orange adorning every car and body in the Boise area. We also are planning on several Capitol High games this fall. Fun, fun, fun!!!

Jake came home from his first day of school full of excitement about his teacher, Mr. Conant. He is a very well liked and well respected teacher at Hidden Springs and we were excited that Jake was in his class. Jake loves that he is in class with his best friend, Tyler, and a couple of his new football buddies. Mr. Conant definitely makes school fun and the year is sure to be a good one. He is excited to learn multiplication and to continue writing stories in writers workshop. My only goal for him this year is that he continue to enjoy school, work hard when he is there, and respect his teachers/classmates. So many parents here are so concerned about "challenge" for their kids, but both Brian and I feel that right now the challenge level is just fine- he is learning, he is happy, and he is well liked by the adults/kids. I'll take that combination for as long as we can get it!

He is riding his scooter to school with friends this year. No more family walks to school in the AM. Yes, it is a little sad, but it was time. He meets two of his buddies at the Merc next door and rides with them, then meets them at the end of the day and rides home. How did he get old enough to do this??? I have to admit, I wanted to follow him the first day to be sure he stopped at the intersections and looked both ways. Letting go is hard to do.

Picking out school supplies this year was pretty funny because my "too cool for school" guy had to have everything in BLACK. Black notebooks, black folders, black pencil sharpener, etc... His first day of school outfit was, once again, exercise shorts and a skateboard t-shirt. I am afraid he will never be the "plaid shorts and nice collared shirt" kind of guy and only wears that type of thing for VERY special occasions and only when Brian and I insist.

Besides football Jake also continues to love basketball and baseball and has started being more interested in building with Legos (mostly due to Tanner and Faith's involvement in this) and also in making "experiments". His latest was in trying to create a slingshot out of a rubber band bracelet, playdoh, and popsicle sticks. He still likes skateboarding and riding his bike and claims he wants to be in the X Games someday- even though "dare devil" has never been his middle name! He is excited to take snowboarding lessons this winter, too.

He is still challenging to us, emotionally. He is so sensitive and gets over tired so easily. He can still throw massive tantrums that outshine those of his brother and sister by the nth degree. He is much better at bedtime but still needs about a thousand lights on and the door wide open or he is terrified. (Hmmmm- as I type that I realize that my family might very well have described me that exact way, too, well past adolescence! Uh-oh.) Still, he is such a love, so sensitive to other people's needs, and even though he won't let me hold his hand at school any more (sob, sob), he loves to cuddle up with me when we are at home, we still sing songs together each night, and he hasn't started showing any signs of "body embarassment" yet.

He will be 7 1/2 years old Sept. 17th and, in short, I am so proud of him and challenged by him everyday.

End of Summer Blues (Brothers)

Our Hidden Springs "End of Summer" concert was last night at the Village Green. Our cellophane wrapped sandwiches, made by Fred Meyer, were put to shame by our neighbors spreads of kabobs and homemade salads, but we enjoyed our bottle of wine and the music and the fact that the kids are mostly old enough to play alone while we relax and talk to friends. There was a bouncy house and a balloon animal guy to keep them entertained, as well as plenty of friends to toss the football around with. The music was good- Blues Brothers- and the kids all danced and played until after 9. It was kind of a "last hurrah" as my work gets crazy tomorrow and the kids start school this week.

Football Jamboree 2010

Jake started football a few weeks ago. This will be his first year of flag football as seven is the first year you can sign up to play. It's thru the Optimist Club here, which is less intense than Pop Warner (which we would have had in CA), but waaay more intense than the Y-leagues and LIttle League we have played so far. They have had two weeks of practices, four days a week + games. Once school starts they go down to three practices, one scrimmage and one game. It's a seven week league (plus two weeks of training camp) so it's a commitment to say the least.

Marisa had her trepidations about it at first, the coach is a tough guy with a flat-top haircut that makes the kids do pushups and windsprints if they jump offsides etc. I tried to explain that it would be good for him in the long run and I think she's starting to see it.

Jake had his opening day today, at the BSU Broncos stadium. They took photos and played a short game against another team. It was packed, there are 76 flag teams and double that for tackle teams and they all were there today. They lost their short game but I think they will make fast progress now that they've seen what it's like.

Jake started the season as cornerback on defense, so we have been working on that. His coaches are really impressed with his ability to catch and throw as well and his knowledge of the game. They would have started him on offense if he were a little bigger. Most of the offensive guys played last year and are in third grade this year, so they are a little bigger and faster. They are switching after the second game, so Jake will get to play on offense after a few weeks.

The games are on Saturdays at the football complex down the hill from our house. It's so crazy there during games that they have two satellite parking lots down the street and run shuttles back and forth. We're also looking to get back into going to some Capital High Football games again this season. They start next week, so fall is coming on fast.

Jake is excited for the start of football in general and the first game next week. He has loved football so far and is really looking forward to the season.

Tahoe Top Ten

Our family vacation to Tahoe was a whirlwind of activity. Here are some of the highlights:

10.Paddle boarding

We rented a paddle board at the public beach at Tahoe Donner one day. I watched Brian attempt it first and he made it look a lot harder than it is. Turned out it was not user error in his case but too heavy of a body on too light of a (waterlogged) board. Still, I was not prepared for how easy it is and how relaxing. I would have liked to stay out on it for hours, but sadly we had only rented it for one hour and everyone wanted a go at it. I hear there are yoga classes that take place on these boards now. Guess what I will be googling next...

9. Squaw Valley Mini Golf

We went to Squaw earlier in the week to do the Astro Jump thing and listen to live music for Blues Night and while we were there the kids were enthralled with the mini-golf course that winds through the village. So, on our second to last night in Tahoe we surprised the kids and took them back to Squaw for some mini-golf. They were so excited. I thought they would tire of it after a few holes, especially Faith, but they played all 18 holes, running from one green to the next together while Brian and I took turns watching them and window shopping. Tanner's playing looked a lot like hockey and Faith didn't quite get which way the putter should be held but they all had a great time. Afterwards we let the boys stay for a few minutes of the outdoor movie (Transformers) while I took an hysterical Faith back to the car. She was sobbing because she had seen a little dinosaur in a store that she wanted. After finally crying herself out on my lap in the front seat of the Suburban (saying, "I want the dinosaur! He was so little and cute!" about 100 times) we rejoined the boys and took off before Transformers caused any nightmares.

8. Scheels Sporting Goods

One of the coolest stores I've ever been in. Seriously. It is huge and has stuff for the kids to do

throughout: a ferris wheel in the center of the store, interactive football/baseball/basketball game, full size race cars to play in, a jungle gym/slide thingy, and more. Brian and Jake had been there alone earlier in the week and they convinced me to go back again with the Tanner and Faith along. Luckily we got out of there without losing the shirt off our backs- just got some new shoes for the three kids a backpack for Brian and a summer hat for me. It is

definitely a destination in and of itself!

7. Disco Fever

Probably the most fun I had all trip was when we went down to the Clubhouse where the

playground/pool is located. We had planned to just be there while Mom and Suzie were prepping dinner, but then realized that there was going to be a 70's cover band playing that evening, along with a jumpy house, cotton candy/face painting, etc.... So we called back up the house and had Mom and Suzie put away the dinner for another night and ordered pizza and snacks at the little restaurant there instead. Everyone danced- Faith and I started out dancing to "My Girl" and "Joy to the World", then went back to get everyone else. That's when the real fun began: Watching the four kids dance to Brick House and dancing ourselves through several great songs from the 70's. Good times with good friends. Nothing better.

6. Sand Harbor Beach

The last afternoon in Tahoe we went to Sand

Harbor beach. It was a beautiful beach in and of itself- a long expanse of sand that looked more like an ocean beach than a lake. We chose to go to the cove since it was shallow and surrounded

by boulders and a great place for the kids to play and swim. After watching some teenagers jump off a large boulder several hundred yards away, Brian decided to give it a try. The kids and Mom and I watched as he swam out, climbed the rocks, and jumped. After swimming back he convinced me to do it with him. The picture is one that a fellow jumper took of us before we jumped. Never underestimate the power of a good adrenaline rush. I need to do stuff like that

more often! Too fun. The kids made sand castles and Jake swam, while Mom and I enjoyed a glass of wine. Mom treated us all to dinner at the little outside cafe at the beach, followed by ice cream cones for everyone. It was the perfect way to end our vacation.

4. Rafting the Truckee River

Rafting the river is somewhat of a tradition in our family. Brian and I

went several years in arow before we had kids, took Jake when he was a year old, Tanner when he was about 18 months, and finally we were able to take Faith. We did the Truckee Rafting Company and Faith was so excited that we got to ride on a bus to the start of the trip. Seriously, I think that may have been her favorite part of the day! Mom joined us and all in all it was a mellow ride down the river. The kids took turns "helping" Brian and I paddle and we even got to stop for ice cream at one bend in the river where a very savvy Ice Cream Truck Man had set up shop. The end of the ride got a little squirrelly and Tanner was scared (as was Mom) but all arrived safely and we headed to a shady table at River Ranch for drinks and nachos. Everyone slept well that afternoon during "Family Nap" (see #1 below).

3. Pony Rides

We took Jake to Alpine Meadows Ranch to ride a horse when he was about Faith's age so this year we took Tanner and Faith. It is a nice little stable and they put the kids on the horses then let the parents lead them around this pretty forest/meadow area. It was Tanner's first horse ride and Faith's second. Tanner was a little nervous at first but ended up really enjoying it. Faith, of course, loved the horse and was very confident- even though her horse was an actual horse, and a pretty big one, too, not a pony!

2. Bingo Night

Lots of people came out for Monday Night Bingo at the Donner Clubhouse. We ordered food there, let the kids play on the playground, and played 90 minutes of Bingo. Faith tired of it pretty quickly but Tanner and Jake were gung-ho. Tanner is pretty psyched that he can recognize the numbers and letters easily now and Jake really wanted to win a prize, of course. It is kind of addicting- even Brian and I got in to it!

1. Family Naps and Reading Time

Each day had a nap involved in some way, shape, or form. Most days it was Family Nap in the back bedroom with the kids on the floor and Brian and I on the bed. You know that peaceful feeling in a warm room in the middle of the day with the sunshine streaming in and nothing you need to do or worry about? Yeah... that's what Family Nap was like (well, after we got through Jake's few minute fit that accompanied our announcement of Family Nap each day...). The kids were so tired after the long drive, being out in the sun, all the activity, staying up later than normal, etc... One day we just put them all in the car and they slept while we drove and listened to music. Whatever it takes, right? We also got lots of reading time in, which was great! I have read like crazy this summer but my "books I want to read" are still piling up! And they keep publishing new ones each day :) We are both definitely in the "summer reading" mode- nothing too serious or time consuming or thought provoking- just plain old entertainment.