Literary Luncheon

Jared's third grade teacher holds a literary luncheon for the kids who reach the reading goal for the trimester. The parents bring in their kids' favorite foods, we eat by candlelight, and then the awards are given out. Jared got a special award (free dinner at a restaurant) for doubling his minutes. After the awards, the kids played chess with their parents! Was a fun lunch!
The High Five...

Teaching Mom to play chess!!!!!

Jared

Jared at 8 years old. This is my favorite picture of him.

Guitar lessons

Jared asked me to add these pictures! When we were at Kelvin and Leila's, Kelvin got out his guitar and accompanied Jared on the piano. Then he very graciously gave Jared a lesson and let him play to his heart's content! Jared was enthralled. He's been asking for lessons for a long time...we've told him after he takes more piano lessons (which he does love) and gets a better understanding of music, then we'll let him get a guitar. He definitely loves music!!

Puppy Love

I think the title says it all.......

Cookie Dough Buzz

So I made a big batch of chocolate chip cookies....Jared enjoyed a big bowl of cookie dough along w/ a big glass of milk before bed. Needless to say, he wasn't feeling very well....he was telling me about how his tummy hurt, and then said in all seriousness, "but I don't think I have any brain damage, Mom!"

The Lake with Kelvin and Leila

We sure enjoyed the day. It was overcast the whole time, so in spite of the heat, it was very comfortable. The breeze was blowing, as well, so the bugs weren't biting. Uncle Kelvin and the boys had mud baths out there, and had a blast!

The kids wanted to try their hand at fishing again!

Piper was perfect the whole time. I'm not even sure she knows how to cry! :)

Reading in Bed...one of the Great Joys of Summer Vacation!

Well, here are our two boys, at 10:20 p.m., reading up in J's bed! It may LOOK light in there, but it was completely dark, save the glow of the flashlight..(the light is just from my camera's flash). I soon went to bed....I have no idea how long they stayed up reading before Trent headed off to his room!

Jared's birthday party

There's a big cheesy grin from the birthday boy!
Jared had his cousins in for his birthday party Sunday night. His choice of meal: hamburgers, hot dogs, cookie salad, and a cake from the local grocery store. He had his heart set on one that they make, but guess what, they don't make it anymore in their bakery! So he settled for an Oreo one instead! He got a lot of fun presents, but mainly, he got a skateboard! He was HOPING for one and has been asking for a long time! He's the only boy that hasn't had a broken bone....let's keep it that way!!

I love the serious eyebrows....ever since he was a baby, he's really "worked" his eyebrows and has always had a face full of expression.
Kendra made him this card. It is a volcano w/ a pull tab that when you pull it up, it says "Happy Birthday!" The girls often bring home made cards or little gifts that are so fun to receive...lots of thought and time have been put into them!

Jared is turning 8!

What a sweetie.

Here are some pictures we took of Jared today before his birthday party. Can't believe he is already 8!!! (or will be on the 22nd). He has the honor of sharing his big day w/ Grandpa Howard. We wish we could spend the day together! Happy Birthday Grandpa!!!

Interests:

animals...any kind, any type! I would not be surprised if he goes into some career where he'd be working w/ animals.

piano!!!! He started taking lessons in October, and is loving it! I never have to tell him to practice, in fact, I have to tell him to get off the piano and do whatever it is he is supposed to be doing!

computer of course! Games are always a fun way to unwind!

sandbox...he spends a lot of time out there imagining things and playing.

art: He love to create, whether it is in artwork or writing stories. He has trouble verbalizing things, even to us, but when it comes to writing, it just flows out of him. He says he's going to be an artist when he grows up!

Last but not least: Chloe...one of the main reasons we got our dog is b/c of him. He "needed" a dog, and she has been so good for him. He loves her to pieces. He's the only one of the five of us who has never shown any frustration w/ her...and he is 100% devoted to her.

Personality:

He's still very shy, but has come out of his shell a lot this year. He is making great progress in "being brave" and in participating in more activities w/ other kids. He's found some buddies at school, now, so that makes going to school fun for him. He plays farm baseball, and for Jared, that takes a lot of courage to go out there and play. He's also a real laid-back kid.

Stats:

Height :55 1/4"

Weight: 76 lbs.

Clothes size: 10-12

Shoe size: 5 1/2

And here he was at 9 months old....look at all that hair! He'd already had a major haircut.

Dog Kisses

Jared is not one who likes human kisses. Especially "squishy" kisses. That's what he calls my kisses that squish into his cheek. He doesn't mind "raindrop" kisses, however. That's what he calls soft little kisses that are more like pecks. And he ONLY accepts kisses from Mom!
HOWEVER, when it comes to dog kisses, that's an entirely different story. He LOVES Chloe's kisses, however disgusting that may seem to you and me! He invites her to lick his face and nibble his nose! And she's happy to oblige, especially when he arrives home from school, or if he has food on his face!