New book

Daddy and John went to the library tonight to pick up some more books. John found a new series he likes and he is currently on book three. Daddy took John tonight to get the next book and to take a look at some new books. John came home and showed me his latest library books. 

I read the cover and said "John you don't like anything in this book." He said "Let's take a look. Mom, is a mystery! And there are gadgets you can build!" Yup, the perfect book for my little man. 

Legos

The last Sunday of February, Daddy and I had to spend some time at the dealership counting inventory. Since the dealership was closed we brought the kids along to hang out while we counted. The kids were so good. On our way home that night I promised to buy them something as a reward for their good behavior. John picked a Level Pack for his Lego Dimensions game. Gillian wanted a new Lego set. 

This past weekend she started her new set. 

I helped only to sort the pieces and if she had a question. But besides that she built the whole thing by herself. I am so proud. This is the first set she made without any help. 

Early morning

This Saturday, Daddy had to work. He and I got up early to get the day started. We were in the kitchen when John came downstairs. It was 6:15. We looked at him and sent him back upstairs. I said "It's too early for you to be up!" He reluctantly went back upstairs. Daddy left for work and it was probably another 20 minutes before John joined me again. He said "What? I can't sleep!" He then asked me "Can I build something out of the boxes in the garage?" Last week at school his class got to build things out of cardboard boxes, string, toilet paper rolls and etc. John loved it. And wanted to build again. Daddy and I will always encourage the kids to use their imaginations. I said "Yes." And he ran into the garage. He occupied himself for a half hour.  

He ended up building a house for his stuffed animals. When Gillian woke up she wanted to help too. John was patient but it don't take long before they both had enough. 

K-cups

On Sunday morning, we asked the kids to fill up our K-cup holder. It took them no time to fill the holder. When they were done, they started stacking the extra cups. 

John created a little pyramid and Gillian insisted on making one just like it. John patiently walked her through each step. 

She was so proud of her accomplishment. But when I asked for another picture, she accidentally knocked over her pyramid. I thought she would get mad, but she calmly started building again. The kids played with the K-cups for a half hour before they got bored. 

John's camp 2015

John has spent the past two summers at Briar Hill Camp in Freehold.  I'm so glad that I found this place.  This camp has all activities on the property, so I don't have to worry about traveling for trips.  They have instructional swim in the morning and free swim in the afternoon, plus they get to use the spray ground during the day too.  They bring in inflatables, rides, special shows and events all summer long.  Plus the big kids get to choose a weekly elective  Briar Hill also has a photographer on staff, so the parents get to see some of the fun things they do all week long.  Here are some of the photos of John from this summer.

Adventure with Uncle T

Once again, since school was closed on Friday, I asked Uncle T if he would be interested in watching John for me.  Uncle T said "Just John?  During the day?"  I answered yes to both of his questions and he said "Okay, dress him warm.  We have work to do!" 

Uncle T came to pick up John on Friday morning.  Uncle T already had a truckload of split firewood.  They were going to bring it to Mr. Matt's house.  I headed to work and the boys headed over to Mr. Matt's house.  Miss Brittany texted me to let me know that John was hard at work stacking firewood.  When Mr. Matt got to the office, he also told me that John was working hard (for like 20 minutes).  He also said that he asked Johnny "I heard you are going on a trip."  John put up his little finger (as if to tell Mr. Matt to wait a second), then he responded "Nineteen days!"  Mr. Matt then said "How about I take Aunt Missy's ticket and it would be you, me, and Uncle T in Disney?"  John again raised his little finger to Mr. Matt, thought about it for a second and said "Well I'd have to write Mickey a letter and I don't think he knows you!"

The boys ran a few errands and then headed to the dealership so Uncle T could pick up his paycheck.  When I saw John, he came running over to me.  I asked how his morning was going.  He said "Great!"  I asked him if Uncle T fed him breakfast.  John said "I got a sandwich and milk!"  I asked where they were going next.  Uncle T said "Maybe to get some lunch.  And then to get wood.  John how much wood do we need?"  John said "We need eight pieces for a birdhouse!"  And off they went onto their next stop. 

Later I received a picture message from Uncle T. 

 

That's John in a Dizzy Dragon.  It could only mean one thing!  The boys stopped at iPlay America.  Aunt Missy was a little surprised to see John by himself on the ride.  Uncle T said "John wanted to ride solo.  He's a big boy now!"  John went on a few rides and got to play some games too. 

 

After iPlay, they got something to eat and then went to Uncle T's house to build a birdhouse.  Uncle T got two kits to build two birdhouses.  Uncle T used a tack nailer to help move the process along.  They made the first birdhouse and John convinced Uncle T to use a hammer instead.  Uncle T told me "After my thumb got hit a couple of times, I asked him if we could do it my way."  And they finished the second birdhouse with the nail gun. 

 

 

John had a great day with his Uncle!  Thanks Uncle T!  



Legos

John started building one of his new Lego sets on Sunday. He has been working in the living room on the coffee table. All the little pieces have been very tempting to Gillian. Any chance she gets, she touches the pieces or the Lego men. Which always ends up with John saying "No Gill! Mom, Gill is touching my Legos!" John finally completed his set today. He brought the vehicle downstairs to show Daddy. While John was distracted, Gillian took the Lego guy out of the vehicle. John yelled at her "Gill!" Daddy said "Gillian, you know you have your own Legos." Gillian didn't know that we kept the Legos that Gillian bought for her big brother when she was born. They are Toy Story and Cars Dupleo Legos. We showed the bin and she went right to work building. John started to help her, but Daddy stopped him. "John, you don't like it when Gillian plays with your Legos, then you shouldn't play with her Legos." John left Gillian alone. She built a little castle while he played with his new Legos. Great night with my little builders. 

Astronauts and Computers

I woke John up this morning. I said to him, it's a school day. He said "I know! I just don't wanna go to school. I don't like doing all that work!" I said you need to go to school. Remember you told me one time that you wanted to be an astronaut. It takes a lot of school to be an astronaut. "Yea. I know. That's too hard. I don't wanna be an astronaut." I said ok then what do you want to be? "I just wanna be a disco dancer!" I was not expecting that comment, but I explained to him that he still needed to learn how to read and write. That way he could read the contracts so he could dance on TV. My plan backfired. He says "Fine. Then I won't do anything!" I explained to him that he needed to go to school so one day he could have a job to make money. That seemed to make sense to him, because he got into the car and said "I'm not mad at you anymore!"

Today in the car on our way to school, John asked me "What's the tallest building in the world?" I told him I wasn't sure, but when we get home from school we should ask Daddy. I told him, Daddy can look it up on the computer. He said "Ok! I'll remember." Gillian says, "I have a computer!" Gillian has a LeapFrog laptop. It plays music and when you hit the letter keys it tells you an animal that starts with that letter. So Gillian says "I have a computer!" John looks at her with a straight face and says "Ok, what's the tallest building in the world?"