When the boys started getting really into folding paper airplanes we anticipated a new mania: Origami. Alicia picked up Origami Fun Kit for Beginners and the kids have been folding since. I tried to label their latest creations in this photo. They have since made others. [As with most pics, click for the bigger version.]

We woke this morning after a tiring night of dancing, to hear quite a commotion downstairs. The boys had woken up well before us and were collaborating on a “catcher” track. Ben explains it is called catcher because someone has to be at the end to catch the cars. It really is incredible how they pass off the cars between the catcher and the “starter” (my term) to send it around again. With the added horsepower of another car accelerator, which I sodered together yesterday, I suppose they found new inspiration. The neatest thing about the whole thing was that even after we brought Ethan down into the mix they managed to play very well together without any major conflicts. Since we were a little late with breakfast, they had relocated the snack jar and almost polished it off, a small price to pay for a little extra sleep.

So today I got off a little early due the holiday. We took an excursion to Costco and on the way back got Sonic slushies. We even made it through a drive through bank teller in time to trade Ben’s tooth fairy dollar for an authentic, year 2000 Sacagewea dollar. The rest of the trip home Ben explained to Gordon how excited Gordon should be to have been born in the year 2000. After all, Gordon did have a dollar released in his birth year. “You should just be sooo excited, Gordon.” Ben repeated.

I snapped this pic of Ben after we made it home and after he managed to get his Groucho glasses on that he “earned” by playing games at Dylan’s birthday party the other day. I wonder what Sacagewea would have thought of slushies, or Groucho Marx.

Ben keeps on losing those teeth. I should think he would have lost them all by now. When this one came out he reminded me that earlier in the day he and Mom had consulted the “eight ball” which, when asked, “Will Benjamin’s tooth come out today?” replied, “It is certain.”

As you can see from Ben’s note, he was concerned Mom wouldn’t get a chance to see the tooth before the tooth fairy took it away. I’m sure he’s just playing along, but ya just never know.

“Dear tooth fary, please show the tooth under my bed to my mom before you leave. Love Ben. P.S. Now can you give me a Sagagweyea dollar?”

“Dear Benjamin, Your Mom saw the tooth. It’s a very nice tooth. I don’t have Sacagawea dollars in Fairy land, but you can exchange this dollar for one at your bank. Love Toothfairy”

It doesn’t take many years to appreciate cookie dough. Ethan learned quickly this was a good thing. When he found out he could have an entire beater blade full of the stuff he couldn’t believe it. It didn’t take him long to polish it. [For some reason he does the same thing with chicken wings.]

Alicia did a great Family Home Evening about the creation. She’s been working on family home evening packets with a group of moms. They are pretty great. I’ll have to post one. I ran into this great quote from President Hinckley:

A nation will rise no higher than the strength of its homes. If you want to reform a nation, you begin with families, with parents who teach their children principles and values that are positive and affirmative and will lead them to worthwhile endeavors. That is the basic failure that has taken place in America. And we are making a tremendous effort to bring about greater solidarity in families. Parents have no greater responsibility in this world than the bringing up of their children in the right way, and they will have no greater satisfaction as the years pass than to see those children grow in integrity and honesty and make something of their lives, adding to society because they are a part of it.

We were hoping to have our friends over for FHE but Rachelle had to work late. Tomorrow Rachelle’s friend, Eleisha, is getting baptised. She is really nice. We are going to go. More on that later.

“Gordon, what did you learn about today in primary?”

“Ears.”

We are pretty sure he is an elephant, but could be a mouse. Gordon was really turning heads today in the halls on his way to take his birthday “coupon” to the Bishop for a treat. Gordon was so meticulous in making his selection ultimately deciding on the Butterfinger, a good choice.

It was a hot one today, Summer is really on the way. Looking forward to the monsoons that hit around the 4th of July. Hometeachers stopped by, Charles and Brett. They always bring great lessons. Charles had the boys fill their socks with rocks in the other room and walk into the front room, despite the discomfort. When they arrived at their destination they got a treat. We then had a lesson on adversity. We all had to repeat that word together to learn how to say it. We talked about how life is tough, but keeping your eyes fixed on the goal makes the pain easier to endure. Such a simple lesson, but so much pure truth in it.

The boys and I were lifting weights the other day. During the lesson I asked them what it felt like to lift those weights. “It hurt.” We talked about how passing through trial strengthens us–makes our spiritual muscles stronger. They seemed to get it.

It was a nice Sabbath. I got to read the first chapter in the New Testament reader. We recently finished some other Bible stories books that the kids absolutely loved. Probably because they were all written from the first-person of a child. Even Gordon was transfixed by them.

Today we also did some more “making friends” role play between Nick and Ben. It’s fun to watch and really great to see Nick’s confidence growing, although he is still “scared” by groups at school. We have set a goal to do some making friends practice every day and invite different friends over to … uh … practice on, I suppose.

My heart really goes out to all kids facing school. Being in that school social situation is one of–if not the most–challenging experience most of us will ever face in our lives. Some do experience war, plagues, and pestilence, but most of us just have those tough school years to deal with. Kids feelings are so vulnerable and their social skills so undeveloped. That combination causes more than just this mom and dad to worry for them. Words cannot express my gratitude for my parents being there for us. Can you imagine trying to raise children without any example or guide? A lot of people are trying. I hope their travels bring them to the Gospel in some way. It really does make all the difference in the world. The other day we were talking with a teacher and she commented that she can actually pick out the kids with faithful families at home. If only there were more of them, for the kids sake.

Once you go to Chuck-E-Cheese’s, you always go to Chuck-E-Cheese’s. There is no escaping it. Who could want more than state-of-the-art automatronics, skee-ball, race car video games (Gordon’s favorite), gobs of tickets and, of course, wack-a-mole.

After looking forward to leaving all day, Gordon fell asleep in the car. No worries though. He woke up fine when we arrived. As we entered Ethan’s attention was quickly redirected from the two A-10 Warthogs flying overhead (pointing is a new development) to the Cheese wonderland. His eyes about popped out of his head.

It seemed a little weird having just celebrated Ethan’s birthday, but I’m sure we’ll get used to it. Hope they do. We also ran into the Pritt’s, friends from the neighborhood. Their daughter also was celebrating her birthday. So many birthday’s in May.

Gordon was totally thrilled with his presents. Last night Alicia and I put together the volcano mountain, he was thrilled this morning. Alicia bought it for three dollars on Ebay plus shipping, no kidding. A few parts needed hot gluing and one piece will need a bit of soddering eventually, but fine otherwise. Alicia and I had to grin when Gordon shouted, “I can’t hear you” and talked loud over his new CD player with Veggie Tales booming. [Thanks Grandma and Grandpa Walker.] He still carries his 10 dollars and card around with him from Grandma and Grandpa Muhlestein. He thinks he is rich and tells us so. He was really happy with everything he got, but mostly he just feels so special and important. You can tell. He knows today is his day.

Every second Sunday a bunch of us get together in the park here in Mesquite Ranch to, well, mostly just shoot the breeze and eat. The kids usually find something fun to do. I bring chess and occasionally take them on. This time Caden Hall brought the stomp rocket. I had to get the kids to line up at first since they wanted to do it. Temps were in the mid 90s so umbrellas were common. A lot of our friends are in the air force stationed at Davis-Mothan Air Force Base. They have been coming and going on missions. One copilot, Jerry, a recent move-in and friend, wasn’t there. When I asked his lieutenant where he was he told me how he’d been assigned to a mission to Germany to fix a plane that they later flew to Iraq. He should be back soon. Must be so hard on the families. Gotta appreciate their sacrifice, no matter what your feelings are on the war.

Most know Ben is a quite a socialite. It is fun to watch him play t-ball: 1) hit the ball; 2) run hard to second base, (yea, a double!); 3) make polite conversation with the second baseman; 4) round third base and 5) home! Of course, the best part of t-ball is 6, the post-game snacks (with Gordon).

Just got back from 2.5 hours of baseball. Ben’s and Nick’s games were back to back at the same field, Cottonwood Elementary. It was a scorcher. During Nick’s game he hit a great one but slowed down on the way to first and got out. We ended up losing by one point, but they did really well. The other team was really good. The parents on our side really cheered when our team made a great play to get a boy coming home out after a grounder hit with bases loaded and full count. The pitcher picked it up and made it to the catcher at home just in time to stop the run and get the third out. You’d of thought the Sidewinders were playing from our reaction. It was an awesome play. The boys just knew they did something good, I don’t even think they realize just how cool it was. Way to go guys!