Memorial Day Project

Memorial Day itself was a great day to get something done that we've been talking about doing since Corin got out of school...put both boys in the same bedroom! I wanted this done over the summer so they could get used to it before school starts for Corin (full day Kindergarten) in August and it not be just another something new along with a full day of school. I was originally going to put Corin still on the mattress and boxsprings we got from my Dad on the floor and Declan in the toddler bed we have (when we bought a crib with Corin we purchased on that could be made into a toddler bed) However, I was at WalMart last week and just happened to pass the furniture section heading and saw some bunk beds. They were $159 and could be made into bunk beds or 2 twin beds! Perfect for what he needed and at a price we could afford! We also got comforters and sheets. So, we decided to get them since they will last and work for us later on when the boys get older and I want to make them into bunk beds. I didn't know because sometimes Corin can be a little skiddish about being high up and I thought he'd be scared sleeping high up even though there is a rail and also because he he woke up before Declan him getting down would more likely than not wake up Declan as he was climbing down. We put the boys in the "blue room", since its bigger, which was Declan's "room" along with the computer and my craft supplies. Corin was previously in the "green room" which now everything got moved over to and where the crib will be set up again. It took all day, minus our trip to WalMart and lunch afterwards to get everything done so they had a room to sleep in, but now its done, well mostly just a few decorative elements to do.

Setting up the beds took Shane awhile with 2 boys who wanted to "help"

The blue was a color I chose when I found out I was having another boy for this room and had a crib set that was cars, planes, etc. So I had pulled the blue from the set and then the accent colors were burgandy red and chocolate brown. It was great to find these exact colors that I wanted in comforters at Walmart and for them to be the cheap ones too! Corin wanted the brown one so Declan got the burgandy.

A Mess

Since it was a long day of rearranging rooms we had dessert of Camp Dough Cookies! As a fundraiser for Girls Camp the YW make chocolate chip cookie dough. My mom bought several buckets and gave me one. Declan decided that instead of just picking up the cookie and biting it he dug out the chocolate first which his finger. They were still warm so the chocolate chips were all melty. He said quite a few times as he was eating "A mess"

Handsome Man

looks SO grown up in this outfit. A dear friend of mine was cleaning out her boys closets and called to ask what size Corin wore. She had this (vest and pants) and a few other white shirts that were just his size. I was SO grateful that she thought of me! The tie is one of Shane's that we made work because of course he needed a tie to complete the outfit (as Corin and Shane as well told me)
I don't mind hand-me-downs when they come from friends. I've also gotten hand-me-downs from other friends and they say "go through it and keep what you want and donate what you don't want."

Memorial Day Weekend

Shane's sisters Shanna and Erin with their families came out to visit for the Memorial Day weekend. It was grat having family in town and they boys especially had fun playing with there cousins, who happen to be mostly boys.

However, Delcan was in love with his couse Vivian! He was constantly chasing after her. I thought it was totally cute.

We went to lunch at Golden Corral and Great Grandpa O'Berry came with us. While we were waiting for Patrick to pay, Grandpa sat down on his walker Corin and Amelia came up and stood by him. I just had to snap a picture, even though its not the greatest (Corin looks silly) I'm glad I got one.

Grandpa is in his 90s (I believe 92 (or he might have just turned 93) since Declan was blessed the weekend of Grandpa's 90th birthday party) and he is still witty. I love him! He is such a sweet old man. After lunch we headed back to Patrick's house and Patrick was showing Grandpa all the clocks he has hanging on his walls (Patrick and Grandpa LOVE clocks, especially old, antique, foreign ones) Patrick was showing Grandpa one that has a beehive and the Nauvoo temple on it (I believe its one that Patrick put the pieces in, but the clock mechanics and outside frame are antique) and Patrick says "this is a beehive" and Grandpa replies "Well I didn't know that" Patrick, "you didn't?" Grandpa "Well of course I do. It also was a hair-do women used to have."

Erin's oldest, Miriam is a smarty and knows how to play chess and so she took on Shane.

Corin playing Sorry with his cousins. Marcus and Brandon were SO nice to let Corin play with them even though he didn't know how to play and would go a little fast on counting so he'd miss spaces. They were patient and told him what he could do and would help him fix his mistakes and Corin was calm and listened to them. I think he was glad he could be included in their game.

Sharing

Of course, sharing toys with our brother is a struggle, BUT we can share our pacie (which is more of a "prized possession) with our Cheep-Cheep

And it reminded me of this picture

 9/16/2007

A New Accessory

 Guess we are channeling the Karate Kid. They haven't seen it, but they have watched a little bit of Dancing with the Stars and Ralph Macchio.

A few Corin found a bandana in the basement, so I rolled it and tied it on his head. Of course then Declan wanted one, so I found him one and did the same thing. Ever since then they have wanted them on their heads.

Congrats Graduates!!

This evening was Corin's Preschool Graduation! Yes, it's kind of silly, but totally cute! Honestly, however, I can't believe that in the Fall he'll be going to Kindergarten and full day Kindergarten at that! I did want full day Kindergarten, but at first I was going to have to pay for it (NOT going to happen), however some changes where made in the school district (they closed a school) and because of that some of the students that would normally go to that school will be coming to the one we are going to and they decided to make it all full day Kindergarten. Actually, it seems like that is becoming the norm. I think for Corin its going to be a lot for him, but he'll get used to it. For Preschool it has been a challenging year, at times. He is so high energy and would have problems sitting quietly in circle time, following directions, etc. Because of this I'm worried about full day Kindergarten and getting calls from the school, but we'll deal with them as they come. He'll have structure all day long, so I think that will be the most challenging part for him. He's academic level for a Preschooler is good. Ms. Pam and Ms. Linda were GREAT Preschool teachers and I am grateful he had them. The bar, for me, has already been set high on great teachers for Corin, so we'll see if any can top them. They were so patient with Corin. They dealt with him on an individual level and rewarded him for the positive, good things he did. An example, Ms. Pam would put him in the front of the group during story time so he could be in the group and enjoy the story but not get distracted by the other children.
As I was saying Thank You and Goodbyes Ms. Linda said "He has a big heart" and Ms. Pam said "He's going to go far"

Entering to Pomp and Circumstance

They performed a few songs.

Receiving his "diploma" (it was a certificate and a little canvas bag they had made with their report card, a card they had made with a picture of themselves on the front and a class picture inside where everyone signed their names, and a pencil)

Mother's Day

with a grumpy Corin. He refused to smile and did a good job and not smiling for a picture.

 Then we got Declan involved in trying to get him to smile (he was suppose to be giving Corin hugs)

 Trying really hard not to smile as Shane is being silly trying to get him to smile.

 The best I got



With Boys...

...it seems like anything can be used to have a sword fight....

...even my measuring cups!



Ohh boys!

Fire Station Open House

Every year the Fire Station that is just down the street from us does an open house. It is SO nice of them to open up the Fire Station and trucks for the kids to explore, provide a small lunch (hamburgers and hot dogs, which are donated by a local company, but they grill them), a ride on an antique fire truck, an obstacle course, and this year the backup Flight for Life Helicopter came as well (we live by a big field too so it was the perfect landing zone. They weren't able to go inside, but had fun looking inside and to see a helicopter up close.) Delcan was VERY excited about the "airplane" when he first saw it coming in. He loves pointing out the airplanes when we are outside when he hears them.

It was SUCH a beautful, warm day! Corin had this silly walk where he would sort-of hunch over and stick out his butt and swing his arms!

 

The obstacle course, which we did mulitple times! 

They crawled under smoke (the gray tarp), shot a fire hose and drag a person to safety (made out of fire hose and where in different sizes for different age kiddos)

 

 Exploring the Fire Trucks, which, as well, we did multiple times!

 Ride on the antique Fire truck! Declan was NOT happy when the ride was over and we had to get off.

Watching the helicopter coming in to land.

Told the boys I NEVER wanted them to ride in one of these helicopters!

It was a funfilled afternoon. Declan needed a ride home because he was so tired!

Just Dance!

One more week and Corin will be finished with Preschool! I can't believe that in the Fall he'll be starting Kindergarten, full day Kindergarten at that! CRAZY to think I will be sending my first child off to school! These last 2 weeks at Preschool have been filled with fun activities. Wed, was a Teddy Bear Picnic (just for the kids, so no pictures) where I was told when I picked him up that "We ate snack outside on the picnic tables, came inside to throw away our trash than got to play on the playground" Today, parents were invited to the dance party.