A New Deal

I just made a new deal with Johnny.

John's school has this color and sticks system for behavior at school. I think it's for first graders only. There are 4 colors: blue-excellent (no reminders) green-good
(one reminder) red-not so good ( 2 or more reminders) orange-yikes! (have a talk with mom). You start your day in blue and if you have a reminder from any teacher or school adult to be quiet, stand still, listen, talk out of turn, etc, you move your stick to the next cup/color.

John has gotten only 2 green days the past 4 months. Which he admitted one time being silly in line and the next was Robert's fault for messing with him. I actually believe this as Robert has behavioral issues and John was adamant he tried to ignore him. I just think it's amazing that after 79 days of school he is always in the blue. In fact, October, November, December, were all blue. The two green days, which Mrs. Soucy assured me still mean he had a fantastic rule-following day, were in first 2 weeks of school. I like knowing how many reminders he's had in the school day. I like it that his teachers care about it. I like it that he isn't too much trouble at school. He is a good student. I'm proud of that.

So, I made John a deal that if he had 100% blue days the next 6 months of school, I would buy him an Xbox. He has to pay for half. He has to save his money, at the same time as continuing to get excellent behavior days. I think he got a good deal. His dad will probably roll his eyes at it. But I'm the one who has to hear about the Xbox everyday. Several times a day. This is a good way to shut him up about it.

Also, I will not buy games. He may have to save for those as well. Or save for a game fly subscription.

Go John! Blue days! blue days! blue days!!

A little slice of Jake at 4 years old...

4 years old.

Full of energy.

Tiny guy.

Loves a cuddle.

No fear.

Has a lisp.

Loves to wrestle rough with his daddy.

Holds grudges. But as of winter 2011 I think this stage is fading.

Gives silent treatment/cold shoulder. But as of winter 2011 this stage is fading away...yay

Loves to be a helper. Mom's little sidekick.

Has a super duper loud deep throated yell. I mean a serious yell.

Has a nice singing voice.

Eats everything. Loves food!

Loves Superheroes, especially Batman.

Loves playing video games.

Copies his big brother all day.

Loves sports.

His eyes disappear when he smiles big.

Loves to have special time with mom while John is at school.

A little slice of John at 6 years old

6 years old.

Full of energy.

Super funny. A laugh a minute.

Tender at heart.

Very affectionate.

Does a perfect Cart-wheel and other random flips and flops and summer-salts.

A climber. Hence, the broken arm.

Naturally athletic. Runs fast. Throws fast long spirals. Rides a razor scooter like he's 10 yrs old.

Full of compliments for others. (Especially Mom:) Loves to comment on how beautiful girls are and their hair and nail color, etc.

In love with his brother. Very protective of him.

Has a little OCD. (we'll discuss this one later.)

Loves to write his name over and over and over!

Loves to draw pictures of football players and skateboarders.

Loves to rockout. Guns n' Roses is his favorite band.

Loves Kindergarden and his teacher Mrs. Espy!

Learning math and reading and doing great.

Loves to dance to Lady Gaga. Quite the breakdancer.

Natural drummer. Natural rhythm.

Obsessed with Star Wars/Lego/Wii Star Wars Lego Complete Saga. New obsession is Madden Football.

Bites his nails to the knuckel. (It's winter 2011/2012 and he no longer bites the nails!! YAY!)

Loves scary movies.

No fear.

Loves sour food and candy.

Adores his kitty, "Mcqueen" and kitty, "Padme." He is very sweet and gentle to them. He confides in them.

Loves to wrestle rough with his Daddy.

Does not go to sleep early. Does not sleep in. He's not a fan of sleeping.

Had acid reflux the first 8 months of his life. He cried in pain for 8 months. And so did I. My poor baby.

A Holly Jolly Christmas 2012

 

A Holly Jolly Christmas 2012! 

 

Jake, John, and "Joey," our Shelf Elf, in front of our Christmas tree,

 wearing the Santa Jammie's from Nana Pam and Zaydeh Abe. Every year they send matching Christmas Jammie's to all the grandkids. Sweetest gift ever. The boys love it every year.

 Joey our Elf on the Shelf

Meet "Joey" our Shelf Elf. He arrived at our door step on December 1st, 2012. Santa Claus sent him from The North Pole to John and Jake. We read his story and placed him on the mantel. Jake decided on his name: "Joey" -after his favorite friend at Kindergarten. In typical John fashion, he didn't mind Jake naming him, he said, "Sure! I don't care. Whatever Jake wants."

 This is Joey on the morning of the 22nd, atop Grammy's swine. The boys (and Reese!) were so excited he made it to Eugene! Welcome, Joey!

 

 

 The first full-day at Grammy's and Grandpa's was spent just chilling out with Farkas'

John & Tate -total buds-hanging out...wait for it....

 

 

...There's that famous Tate Farkas "smile"

 

 

Tinsel Town at Grammy & Grandpa's house

 

O Christmas Tree

 

Day 2 at Grammy's-Joey had lots of places to play and hide.

 Day 3 he was swinging from the chandelier.

 

 

December 23rd, spent with the Wilson side at Uncle Roger and Aunt Sharon's home in Jefferson, OR.

Aunt Nancy, Evan, & Megan-the food was plentiful and delish!

 

 

The kids had so much fun playing together...

 

And the "big kids" too :)

 

 

John was very sweet with the little guys.

Aiden acting shy with Johnny

 

 

Look at Isaac eyeing John- sweet boys!

 

 

Bodie is the sweetest

 

 

Bodie with his Great Aunt Shirley

 

 

Jake & Reese holding the  pretty horses, Tate smiling big

 

 

 

All The Wilson Ladies~Elizabeth, Aunt Pam, Amy, Aunt Nancy, Aunt Sharon, Mom,

Aunt Shirley holding Ava, Me, Reese, Emma, Megan~I'm certain My Grandma Wilson is smiling down on all of us from heaven. She is right there.

We have a good time.

The night of the 23rd, we spent at Farkas' house eating appetizers and having a dance party. I have video of all the kids + Megan doing Gangam Style. It's hilarious. I need permission from Megan to post that one:)

 

 

Christmas Eve ~

The Girls baked Christmas cookies and candy at Megan's while The Boys went bowling. We took lots of pictures...the boys did not:)

We baked Apricot Bars (my annual Christmas dessert), Eskimo Balls (my childhood favorite!) Macaroon Hershey Kiss Cookies, Chocolate Cookie Bars, Sugar Cookies, and a couple more I'm forgetting. The girls decorated sugar cones as Christmas Trees. We danced in the living room to Christmas music while the cookies baked. And Champagne. Lots of Bubbly. The girls had Sparkling Chardonnay Grape Juice.

 

The girls worked hard on their Christmas Trees

 

 

Farkas Family's lovely bright red decor, love it!

 

 

The boys are back....

Anahkin & Me, my oldest nephew, he's a giant man now.

 

When the boys were done bowling we all hung out at Farkas Force Five's house. The Boys played FB and ran around outside, it got muddy. Fun.

 

 

 

Christmas Eve Night, -back to GRAM Central Station-

Tracking Mr. C. on the Internet, Reese says, "He just left Paris!"

 

Eat eat eat? Check. Drink drink drink? Check. Be Merry? Check. Track Santa? Check. Feed Reindeer? Check. Time for Christmas Carols on the front porch. More like "Just Dance Christmas Edition."  SO FUN. We are loud. I'm sure the neighbors were thrilled! MERRY CHRISTMAS!

 

 

 

Cousin Pictures...it's late, we have partied for 2 days straight. We are ready for SANTA!!

 

 

 

 Grammy & Grandpa let their grand kids open the gift from them very late on Christmas Eve Night!

Jake got Leonardo TMNT Guy & a DINO LEGO! He was EXCITED!

 

John got 2 things he had on his Christmas wish list!

A Darth Vader alarm clock and Boba Fett LEGO watch. He was so surprised and happy. He used his alarm clock on January 2nd to wake up for school. I found him holding it at 7:28am waiting for it to go off at 7:30am. He has an internal clock, so I guess I'll set it for earlier! :)

 

Tate got Iron Man. Do you think he was excited? I can't tell.

 

 

 CHRISTMAS MORNING!!!

Wilson Force 5 spent the night at Farkas Force Five's house. We spent the night at Grammy's and Grandpa's. Santa delivered all the presents to Grammy's house. We woke up to ding-dong! ding-dong! ding-dong! The crew came over around 7am. Let the mayhem begin...again! Where's the coffee and carolans?

 

 

The kids on Christmas morning...

 

I wanted to steal Emma's new UGGS. We are the same size!!

 

 

 

Me & my girls happy happy happy

 

 

"Now give Emma a kiss" (this is my favorite picture ever- look at Emma- what funny girl!)

 

 

Now act...mean?

 

 

Now act...sleepy?

 

 

Now act excited! LOL

 

Mimosas, Cream Cheese Eggs, Chocolate Croissants, Almond Croissants, Cinnamon Rolls, Sausage, and Coffee with Irish Cream...ahhh, Christmas Morning.

 

The boys building new LEGOS together. Will is an expert. I swear he built Jake's big DINO LEGO box in about 20 minutes. They had plenty to build. Batman, Wolverine, DINO, Lord of the Rings, Hobbit, & Star Wars, Superheroes LEGOS! It was the year of the LEGO.

 

This picture makes me so happy.

 

 

Uncle Josh helped build Jake's LOTR LEGO. He's an expert too. He hasn't lost his touch.

 

 

 

 Grandma & Grandpa, a.k.a. GGma & GGpa, arrive with Leslie and Taylor

 

 

I caught Tay in a non-smiling moment. He was joyous I swear.

 

Taylor deserves the award for the BEST GREAT COUSIN EVER. He played all day with the kids and was the last to leave. He even watched late night Christmas movies with my boys until 930pm. All the kids are obsessed with him.

Ava with the love of her life. -look in the background- E is delivering me a "Holly Jolly" Cocktail :)

 

Peek-a-Boo Bodie!

 

Playing Will's new Xbox- Madden Football-the boys are in heaven.

 

 

Jake playing with his new Angry Birds game from Aunt Leslie, Uncle Chuck and Taylor. He loves it and plays it every day. John got Doctor Dreadful's Aliens Alien Autopsy Game. He had it on his wish list and was super surprised to get it. The boys love it.

 

 

For Christmas Dinner we had ah-mazing dishes. Three crazy good potatoe dishes, mom's carrots, and the best beef brisket ever. Zach and Uri injected to huge slabs of beef with a few bottles of sauce. So tasty!

It was a long few days...Ava was non-stop with no naps. She was a trooper but finally passed out Christmas night all cuddled up in her new blanket.

 

Tatey & Jakey enjoying sharing Tate's new Kurio Tablet

 

My favorites. Notice the "ole" sign in the background. It used to spell NOEL...until Uncle Harry got to it.

 

 More of my favorites!! OLE!

 

 

 

 Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!