The Fearsome Pirate Frank

I have just not been into blogging lately.  I guess my plate has just gotten a little to full to fit everything I want on it!
We had the pleasure of watching Micah in his Middle school play tonight.  He's taking advanced drama this year and really enjoying it.  There are some good kids in his class too that I hope he can continue to develop friendships with.  Jacob REALLY liked the play and was feeling starstruck with the kids in the play, it was pretty cute.

Micah had about 3 different roles, his biggest was "Pirate #1"  I can't wait to see where this kid goes in life!

Is anyone still here?

I guess things have been busy lately and i just haven't been to keep up with life!  I am going to be blogging again, and the order they come in will most likely be pretty random!  I have a kid in jr. high this year and he's loving it.  He'll be 12 in less than 2 weeks and he is so ready to be out of primary.  He got all A's and is still playing the piano (level 4) and taking violin lessons from my mom.

 The first day of school we dropped him off and this is the best picture I could get of him.  We also heard the "F" word within about 3 seconds of him getting out of the car, here we go.

 Jacob is in fifth grade this year and in the best class.  His teacher is amazing and helping him come right out of his shell.  He's in band and chorus, he had his play tonight which he had the lead role in, he ran for student body (didn't get elected) and he'll be starting basketball in about a week!  He also, like Micah, got all A's on his report card.

 So far all of my boys have had the same teacher for 2nd grade, we like her, Ben is doing great.  He is loving gymnastics and doing really well at it and in school, all A's as well.

 Peyton is sure something, I don't even know what to saw about her.  She is stubborn and strong willled and funny and she really knows exactly what she wants.  She is still shy but not as much as she used to be, sometimes she doesn't turn away from people when they talk to her, and sometimes she even smiles.  She is also in gymnastics but I'm not sure she loves it like Ben does.

 This is Jacob with his campaign poster.

I had this little chest at my grandma's and she gave it to me, I changes the pulls and used it to organize my small pieces of upholstery fabric. It's right by my sewing machine.

 I love how the fabric looks in the drawers.  It makes me want to sew.

 This drawer also has the regular fabric scraps I just can't part with.

 My boys all love each other very much, they hang out together even in a stinky bathroom while one of them is pooping.

 I have a date every few weeks with my little girl.  Her date place of choice is a frozen yogurt place near our house.  She likes spinning on the stools.

We got a very sweet and cute dog and then 4 months later, got rid of a very cute and sweet dog that loves to dig and chew.

Star testing results, yes Ty, I'm posting them, sorry!

When I told Tyler that I wanted the boys Star testing results so I could scan them he immediately gave me "the look". The look that says it all. He said, "You're not going to blog them." It wasn't a question as much as it was counsel. I said that of course I wasn't going to blog them, which translates to...I was going to blog them but now I wont because you said that but maybe I still will but later. Got it?

So, it rubbed Tyler the wrong way to hear me tell people how well our boys did on the Star testing. He is very aware of bragging. I don't think we should brag, but I do think it's good for the kids to hear how happy we are with their success. We make a big deal when the kids aren't making good choices, so why not make an even bigger deal when they do something great? Anyway, the first week of school they had a rally and honored the kids that got perfect Star testing scores, so, in my mind, I got license to blog it! I am not bragging, I am just saying that my kids did well in something and I'm proud of their progress and efforts...WAY TO GO BOYS!

We received Jacob's results several days before Micah's and we were blown away by the fact that he scored a perfect 600 in math! Both of our kids have always tested well, scoring in advanced every time, but a perfect score? Wow! I can tell you truthfully that I am not tooting my own horn here. I take zero credit for their math success, I am terrible at math. They must have gotten Tyler's math genes and great teachers.

Many days later we were blown away yet again to find that Micah also got a perfect 600. I was especially surprised at this because he always complains about math and says how hard it is. I am now expecting great things from these kids, when I go back to school they'll have to help me with my math!

One last thing I had to add, both boys wanted to know what they scored in the other category, the exact number, just so they could see who was smartest! I didn't let them look.

And the new student body V.P. is...

Micah Laing!

By some wonderful fluke he ran unopposed. I guess all the other kids thought there was no way they could beat him, jk. It was a huge blessing though. I think this will be really good for him. He gets to do the announcements every morning. Yesterday he did the flag solute, birthdays and a school reminder that they are all super heroes (I think that is their theme this year). His brothers said he did a good job, I wish I could have heard him. He also told me that he can't go anywhere without people saying things like, "Hey V.P.!"

On another topic, Micah has been paying attention to my obsession with Pinterest and wants in on the fun. He came up with this idea and asked me to post it and pin it...

Here is what you do. Get some googly eyes and some everyday school supplies and a pipe cleaner. Glue on the googly eyes, cut the pipe cleaner to your preferred arm, leg or eyebrow length and glue those on. We used hot glue because it adheres and dries quickly but you could really use any glue, maybe even the glue from your soon to be new "friend"! I thought this was a bad idea but all three boys played with them for awhile, what do I know?

I'm Late!

I know that school has already been back in session for a few weeks but I've been busy! So, I am now teaching preschool to Ben and he is a great student. We have school at least 3 times a week, sometimes more. He has fun and really enjoys learning.

Micah just got a new teacher today, they sent his old teacher to another school. His new teacher is the same one he had last year and he's very happy about that and so am I!

My 2nd and 4th graders...I can't believe I have an upper grader now!

Jake has the same teacher as Micah had 2 years ago and we like her too! SHHHH, don't tell anyone, but at the first awards assembly Jacob is getting Sparthenian of the Month and Star Reader!

She has been teaching for a very long time, some of my friends went to the same school and had her. She must be older than she looks!

He's pretty cool.


Oh yes, and for those of you wondering, my nephew's name is Dustin Jay!

Father Son Night

February 5 was Father Son night at the boys school. I'm not exactly sure what they did, but I know they played wii bowling and had snacks. It was a hit and the picture, I thought, turned out very cute. I love my guys! It will be even more fun when Benji can join the rest of the boys.

Happy 8th Birthday Micah!!!

Micah is going to be baptized next month and he is very excited. He has also wanted a suit coat for a long time now and thanks to Colton McFarland and his growth spurt, we now have one! I love hand me downs! Micah is such a smart boy and is doing really well in school. I help in his class every Tuesday morning teaching language and it has been a joy getting to know all the kids in Micah's class. He is in the top group in his class and is continuing to excel in reading. He is an amazing brother to all of his siblings and is the most responsible kid I know. He wants to do what is right and wants others to do the same. Being honest is important to him. Micah is still advancing in Karate and doing very well at the piano. We love you Micah, Happy Birthday honey!



October 12

When it rains it pours!

This morning had to be one of the most disastrous mornings we've had here in the Laing home. It wasn't one of those bad mood yelling type of mornings, so that was good. We were all able to keep our cool, part of that due to the fact that my dear sweet husband went to work later than usual and took the boys to school for me. Yes, they usually ride their bikes, but there was just not enough time for that this morning. Last night we stayed a wee bit too late at Tyler's parents, we were playing scrabble with Dad and Brent. That being said, I let the boys sleep in a little, only about 15 minutes extra. I went in and woke them and then decided to go through their bags as I had not yet done that since they got home from school Friday, big mistake. That is when I discovered his unfinished line a day and 5 a day, I was upset about this, then I discovered something even worse... Yep, staring into space. That does sound like my son. In his defense, the work they are doing right now is a bit like preschool-kindergarten stuff. There was color by number and cut and color and match the color word to the color kind of thing. I don't know if he's getting bored or if he's tired or what. This is a whole new set of challenges than I faced with Micah. Any advice???
So after getting Jacob going on his work with Tyler's help, I fed Peyton, made lunch and then Ben walked in, he had wet his bed (of course). It has been weeks since that happened. Micah couldn't find his shoes...Anyway, now it's over and all is well. Ty got them to school just in time and now I know to check the backpack everyday!

Micah's test results

Towards the end of the school year last year Micah took the Star test (Standardized Testing and Reporting) that everyone takes in school. Well, a few weeks ago they sent us his test result and he scored very high, advanced in both sections of the test. He is such a good student and always strives to do what is right. He is a very quirky kid and we enjoy him a lot. He is a wonderful big brother to all of his siblings and he is very helpful. Micah we love you! Keep doing well in school and choosing the right!

Back to school

Starting with a hearty breakfast, their favorite, sunnyside eggs and toast with milk.

Jacob, 1st grade Mrs. Frankfort
Micah, 3rd grade Mr. Walker
My big boys (Jacob picked his clothes out and I could not persuede him to wear anything else.)
This is where he hangs his bag when he comes in every morning. It is also where Micah hung his bag when he was in the same class with the same teacher 2 years earlier.
Jacob at his desk...ok, I'm leaving you, all day, wow. I'll miss you Jakie.
Micah in line in front of his class with Jared a friend from his sunday school class, they are in the same class at school this year!

They both said they had a great day. Micah was excited about earning Walker bucks that they can use to buy candy from their teacher. He said that he was glad school was back in and that he wished it were a year long school. Let's hope that feeling lasts! Jacob liked school too and playing with a new friend from his sunday school class that is also in his class at school. He doesn't remember his name, but I am so glad he found a friend. He also told me that he ate his sandwich faster than he ever eats it at home. The sandwich thing was a worry of mine. Jacob hates sandwiches, but that is really the easiest thing to make for a sack lunch, he is doing ok with it though. Looking forward to the rest of the year and the learning it will bring!

Twas the night before.....

The first day of school!

Making lunches.
Packing it up.
Father's Blessings.
Even Ben gets a blessing, thanks daddy.
This is the spot this year for all of the wonderful blessings.
Hugs after.
Daddy and his boys.