Henrys Commentary on Frogs

You may have seen this on my facebook page or on a mass email that Joe sent out but I couldn't resist, it's too cute not to share.


We went on a walk this evening and while out we discovered that the frogs are indeed still out (we were wondering just yesterday if frogs hibernate). Anyway, we decided to hunt frogs. Henry spend at least an hour chasing several different frogs. When they got tired enough they let him catch them. This is his commentary upon catching one that his gleefully named "Silly Billy". I hope you enjoy the video as much as we do!

We Have Teeth

Yesterday Henry told me he saw a tooth in Amelia's mouth. I checked and sure enough there was a small tooth protruding through her gum on the bottom. She's getting to be such a big girl!!

Personality

As many of you are keenly aware, I am seriously disappointed in the preschool options available where we now live. I shouldn't be shocked, I guess. Everything is inferior after you have learned the "Challenger way". Everyday when I pick up Henry from preschool I have to tell myself, this is better for him then sitting at home with Amelia and I and it's better for me to have a short break each day. Then we go home and do a few minutes of accelerated learning on our own.

Henry can read whole Step1 books with some help and lots of pushing (his attention span is really where we struggle with reading). Henry can do basic math (addition and subtraction). Henry loves, loves, loves science projects.

Anyway... I digress.

I am shocked at what he is learning by going to preschool in a more socially enabled environment. Henry is learning how to role play and for the first time in his life he actually plays with his toys - something he has never done without prompting from a friend. Because he is encouraged to play with a purpose at school (part of the curriculum is learning through play or other interaction) he is excited about playing with his toys in a meaningful way.

Why am I excited about this?

His personality is beginning to shine more than ever. I am excited to see him assign character to his toys or to take on a character of his own each day when he plays. His voices are hilarious. His animation is adorable. I can see that this experience, while it is frustrating for a mom who wants a brilliant son, is perfect for Henry. It is helping him to develop into a more independent child. It is encouraging him to be more social (if that's possible) and establishing his perfect little personality.

So, here's to an imperfect preschool program that is encouraging my son to develop more wholly.

Friendly Visit

Our friends came to visit. Here are some of the fun things we did while they were here.

Joe and Henry playing with the shark Joe and Kevin caught on a fishing trip.

Joe and Kevin caught this shark on their fishing trip.

Muscle man!

On a small hike at the natural springs.

The boys at the natural springs.

Isn't she gorgeous?!!

Kevin and Tori have an amazing camera. This alligator picture was taken at the St. Augustine Alligator Farm. A very cool place to visit if you want to see and learn about American alligators and other similar creatures.

Henry watching alligators at the farm, which is actually a zoo, not a farm.

Henry at the Alligator Farm.

Joe and the kids at the St. Augustine lighthouse, unfortunately the kids weren't allowed to go to the top which was a huge disappointment.

Outside River Grille, one of our favorite restaurants, located on the Tomoka River, down the street from our house.

Joe and Henry floating the spring river.

@ the spring.

@ the spring.

@ the spring.

The gang at Magic Kingdom.

Minnie lovin' Amelia. Henry and Pluto, his favorite non-planet.

My fabulous family.

Beach bums.

Beach bums.

Joe and Henry boogie boarding.

Drip castles.

I wonder if I can fit my foot and my fist in my mouth at the same time?

the girls. Not proud of how old I look, I'll be honest.

August & September in Picture

 

Amelia @ the beach. She is growing and changing very quickly now. She is no longer content to sleep in her car seat while we play, instead, she joins us in the water and in the sand.

On the Halifax River, down the street from our house.

Sunset on the river.

Playing on the underside of the bridge over the river.

Several weeks ago we took away Amelia's binki because it had become a nuisance in the night. She now soothes herself with two fingers... just like I did when I was young.

First day of school.

Henry LOVES Amelia, but remains unable to be gentle with her.

Amelia eating carrots for the first time. She was not impressed.

 

Isn't she beautiful?!!

Amelia loves jumping! She will jump in this until she falls asleep, waking up for moments at a time to jump some more.

Utah!

After two months of living in Florida I needed a break. So Joe insisted, without any resistance from me, that I return to Utah with the kids.

I will admit, I was too busy having fun and catching up with people... I forgot to take many pictures until the last day. Oops. Here are the few that I did capture:

Amelia sitting for the first time in my sister's Bumbo chair. What a great invention!

Henry and his Uncle Peter who he adores, at the Tree House Museum in Ogden, a fabulous children's museum. I wish I had taken a picture of Henry and Grandpa later that day at the park. Grandpa is a great storyteller and Henry was his captive audience and apprentice in the art of storytelling. 

Grandma and Amelia on our last day in Utah.

My mom wanted pictures of the Grandkids while we were in Utah. Pictures of seven kids under the age of six is impossible. In this picture someone had just declared that fruit snacks would be awarded to the willing participants. Henry doesn't like fruit snacks.

Another of my favorite pictures. Sadly, I didn't take any good ones of the group. Hopefully someone else did.

Henry's birthday was soon after returning to Florida so we had a family birthday party in Utah before leaving town.

Henry trying out his new Superman/Batman cape.

After an extremely busy visit, Henry passed out before we even got through the security line. He woke up to walk through the metal detector, went back to sleep, woke up to board the plane and went back to sleep. Then we waited on the tarmac for an hour and half so he woke up minutes before we were in the air.

The plane ride home.

This might not mean anything to the rest of you, but this is the reason why going home often is important to me; my kids bonding with extended family. Most of my childhood my cousins were my best friends, the same is currently true for Henry. I hope that my children can maintain friendships with family even in our absence. This is an impromptu dance session between Henry and his 16 month old cousin after the adults finished watching Fame.