September 5

Here are the highlights from last week:

Family:

• We decided to put in a lawn. With REAL grass. That may not seem like a big deal for those who have water come out of the sky and in the air all the time but it is a HUGE deal for us! It means less dirt, weeds, and a play area for us.
• Underfoot, Hurricane, and I went to 1/2 day at Underfoot's school and participated in art, music, Spanish, and P.E. In art, they mixed the primary colors to make secondary colors by blowing the water colors around with straws. They learned colors in Spanish, bounced balls in P.E., and threw bean bags in music. Hurricane loved being with Underfoot, and Underfoot would ask each team if his brother could participate.

Sweetheart

• He started on Thursday night with a jack hammer to break up the soil to sift it through a sifter to get out the rocks. He worked on it Friday, Saturday, Monday, Tuesday, and finished today around 11 am with all the hammering, digging, and sifting. He had help on all but 2 days. We were all VERY GRATEFUL for the help. He is exhausted.
• Sweetheart is very excited about the grass.
• Sweetheart is SUPER supportive about my training for the triathlon. He says I'm happier, kinder, and more productive. He must like me that way instead of grouchy and frazzled which happens.

Underfoot

• Underfoot has been quite a good helper with our family project. He has tried to shovel dirt, carry rocks, and be supportive of his Dad. My Dad said to me once if you play with the big boys you need to take what the big boys dish out. Underfoot tried so hard to keep up with the big boys, but they didn't want him to get hurt. So it all came to an end when he came outside and asked, "Dad could I be helpful to you and not interrupt your work and stay inside?" We found it darling with his eagerness to work.
• Underfoot is learning to read. He is sounding out more and more words. We are so happy for him. It is still very hard, and he likes the encouragement.
• I observed Underfoot being very helpful in his class. He wanted to help Hurricane in everything that happened there, help other children when they couldn't open their snacks, and watch out for others on the play ground. He has a tender heart and wants everyone to be happy.
• Underfoot learned to dive to the bottom of the pool. He tried to teach another child how to do it later in the week.
  

Hurricane

• Hurricane continues to be a Hurricane. He has learned how to draw his own bubble bath. If we can't find him, he is in the tub some times. He LOVES the water and loves to be wet. He doesn't like wet clothes.
• He has used the potty on his own often. If he is encouraged to use the potty, all progress ceases. He is going to do this at his own pace and in his own time. I think I just need to take away all the pull ups and tell him there is only underwear and he needs to use the potty. He did it for one day and only had 2 accidents. That's amazing for a boy who wouldn't use the potty once the day before. He is the captain of that ship.

I keep busy with training, cleaning house, cooking delicious food, and being the organizer general around here. We have 3 jobs to do after school each day. The earlier they get done the happier all 3 of us at home are.

 Be well in all the good you do.