junior jazz

We had another successful junior jazz season...

payton, payton, payton

Where do I even start with an update on Payton?!  This kid is hilarious and still super responsible (when he wants to be), but is also gaining his own crazy personality.  I feel like he's already a teenager, but he's 9.  He's always been an "old soul."  In many ways, he's mature beyond his years, but other times he just enjoys being a silly kid!  Here are some pictures to document what he's been up to.  For school they needed to do a service project.  These boys came up with this great idea to clean up the Carley's basketball court (really, I think Doug must have put them up to it).  Anyway, it was there ploy to play together while acting like they were doing service.  Jaimy actually snapped them posing like they were doing something.  Payton is so lucky to have Chase and Alex as his BFF's.  He loves these boys and they are like the Three Musketeers.  This year they have all loved being in the same class.  Thank goodness their teacher loves them too. 

Payton is very particular about his grooming and clothing.  He doesn't really like to do anything to draw attention to himself.  He likes his hair just right and is frequently seen in the mirror fixing it when I don't do it perfect.  He always wears socks.  Always.  We joke that he must have weird looking feet or something because we never see them.  Ever.  After he gets out of the shower, he puts on underwear and then socks.  He does not like bare feet.  It's torture for him to go swimming.  Bare feet for over an hour, bleck!  Anyway, back to the grooming.  He's had the same hair style his entire life and likes things to stay the same.  He would never entertain the idea of doing something different.  He is my responsible, sweet child that likes order and socks.  Nothing deviating from his comfort zones.  So, when Tim started telling Payton he should cut his hair in a Mohawk, I wasn't the least bit worried.  In fact, I was almost encouraging it.  I'd love for Payton to do something out of his comfort zone.  However, when I showed up at home one night after running a quick errand, I was stunned to see what Tim had done to his hair...

What was more stunning was how much Payton LOVED it!  Oh boy, this little hair issue has been an interesting subject in our house.  I love that Payton tried something new.  I love that he loves it, but did we have to go that drastic?  Could we have blended it a little more?  Made it look a little less obvious?  Now Payton is just getting started and realizing the endless options he has.  We might be in trouble!  Luckily, he's still a great kid.  Here he is at his Utah Program.  He refused to wear a bandana.  Such the rebel (I blame the mohawk)...and his teacher, who is too nice and didn't make him wear one either.  He is such a great student and a great kid.  We are proud of Payton and so happy that he is a great example to his little brothers.

payton

Payton, Payton, Payton...this kid is turning into a little wild one.  He's always been our sweetheart.  He is super responsible, smart, kind and loves to be silly.  Lately, his silliness is peeking to an all time obnoxiousness.  Maybe because he's getting older?!  I don't know, but we love him anyway. 

This year in school they are working on many exciting things.  Mostly exciting for me because I remember doing them myself in fourth grade.  Payton just finished his county float project.  He was so excited because his teacher chose him to pick first, which county he would like to report on.  He quickly snagged, "Salt Lake County" because he knew it would be the "easiest."  That's our Payton!  He is smart, but sometimes too smart for his britches.  He loves to take the easiest, shortest route to do anything.  This guy is learning young how to cut corners and make it through life with the least amount of work.  They also did a spelling bee this year.  He told his teacher he didn't want to participate because he was afraid he would win and make it to the school bee.  I made him participate and luckily for him {pretty sure he did it on purpose} he came in safely at 4th place.  Only the top 2 got to move onto the school bee. 

A couple weeks ago, Payton came to Tim and told him he wanted a Mohawk.  Tim jumped all over it and immediately grabbed the clippers.  Payton is fairly reserved with his clothing and hygiene.  Just like he doesn't want to stand out in school, he definitely doesn't want to stand out anywhere else either.  He prides himself on blending in.  I was running to drop something off at a friend's house and Tim joked that it would be done before I got back.  I wasn't worried at all because I knew my sweet little Payton would never go through with it.  Much to my surprise, he did!  Not only did he go through with it, but he loved it.  He was so excited to show off his new do at school the next day.  He has loved the attention.  It actually does little pretty cute on him.  Even his Grandma Carver says she loves it!

This child of mine is changing and growing up faster than I am prepared to handle.  I pray everyday that I will help nurture him into the person he is supposed to become.  I pray everyday that I will know how to help him grow into a sweet young man.  Right now, I just pray that I can endure this obnoxious, transitional, pre-teen phase he is going through!

school lunch

Parker has been a little homesick this second week of school.  When I told him that I could come to school and eat lunch with him, he was so excited!  It was a double bonus because Payton was chosen to be a lunch worker this week and could not have been happier.

Payton came running in the door from school Monday afternoon and said, "Guess what I got to do today?............I got to be a lunch worker!"  He then went on and on about how awesome it was.  Once he finished glowing about that, he had another huge announcement.  "You're never going to believe what else happened today?.......We got our recorders!"  {That story will have to be an entirely separate post because it's too good not to share.}

Obviously, Payton is L.O.V.I.N.G. 4th grade.  Parker loves school, but it's still just a little long for him.  I've gone to school lunch with him the last 2 days and I think it's more of a treat for me than for my boys.

payday

After a long day of dealing with three wild boys, being pregnant and having a husband out of town.  I went to my bedroom to crash.  As I turned on the lamp, I found this note on my nightstand.  Does it get any better than this?  So, so sweet...and hilarious!  Payton is so analytical.  I wonder how long it took him to determine that I give him snacks 80% of the time?  I've never laughed so hard!  But, I loved that he was willing to give up one his treats for me.  Payton loves candy and doesn't really like to share.  I know what a sacrifice this was for Payton, which makes the treat so special.  I immediately took a picture and sent it to Tim.  It wasn't until the next morning that I noticed he had also left a note and treat on Tim's nightstand (even though he was gone).  What a sweetheart.  These are the payday's that make every other crazy day worth it.








P.S.  You all know how Payton feels about me sharing his notes with the world so keep this just between us!

last week of school

The last week of school there were so many activities going on.  Parker had his Kindergarten graduation...

BFF's - Ryker, Parker & Kyle

Kyle, Ryker, Parker, Evelyn & Alex

Mrs. Jackson & Parker

Does it get any cuter than this?

Parker had the most amazing Kindergarten experience.  He absolutely loved school and did so well.  He had the best class of kids, including so many of his best friends, and he had an incredible teacher.  We couldn't have asked for a better year.  And, we are so excited because Parker's teacher is going to be Payton's teacher next year.

Both Payton and Parker were part of the school Dance Festival.  I couldn't get a great picture, but I love that Payton has to dance at least once a year!  Parker loves dancing and would do it all the time so he thought this was great.

Cooper & Allie - These poor kids were dragged to the school every day for a week!

Grandma Patty & Daddy came to check it out!

BFF's - Chase, Payton & Alex with their High Flying Hawk Awards!

Mrs. Moss & Payton

Too cute!

Payton also had the most incredible year!  His class was fabulous and we absolutely adored his teacher (who also happens to live in our neighborhood so we already knew her...that may have helped).   I loved that she was able to push Payton in a way that made him reach his potential.  He excelled and really thrived in her classroom.

This year was such an amazing experience for both boys that I'm so sad to see it end, but I know that these two are ready for more and we just hope that next year is just as amazing!

tryouts

Based on Payton's experience last year at tryouts, he was so nervous!  Although we reassured him over and over again that he had already made a team, he could not be convinced.  He thought he had made a team last year and didn't.  I made him this really awesome candy bar poster hoping to ease his nerves a little.  I think it worked...he did awesome at tryouts!  He looked so great and ended up making an even better team than he expected.  We are so happy for him and all his hard work! 

soccer season 2010-11

Parker had a good soccer season.  Towards the end, he wasn't sure if he wanted to play soccer anymore.  He was lacking a LOT of passion and spent more time skipping on the field than playing soccer.  However, when it came time to sign up he decided he really wanted to do it again.  We'll give it another year and see.  Parker had times where he was awesome and then other times when he was bored.  Either way, he always had fun playing.  Thanks to Coach Shane for a great year!

Payton had a wild start to the soccer season.  After not making a competition team at tryouts, Payton was so discouraged and not sure he even wanted to play soccer anymore.  He lost a lot of confidence and was sad.  We all were!  However, before the season started we got a call and Payton was asked to play with a comp team for a tournament.  He decided this was his chance to show them what he was made of and he was awesome!  They asked him to be on the team and the rest is history.  By the end of this spring season, Payton had improved so much and regained all his passion for soccer back.  He turned into a great little player this past season.  We are proud of him for never giving up and working hard to improve!

planetarium fieldtrip

Loved the girls turned around flirting talking to the boys!

Crazy kids!!

These boys thought they were so cool with their 3D glasses on.

The whole class watching something fascinating.

On our way home after an exhausting fieldtrip!

I was lucky to be able to join Payton on his field trip to the Hansen Planetarium.  We got to watch an amazing 3D movie, the cheesy rocket movie and walk around the planetarium.  I loved watching Payton with all the kids in his class.  There was lots of giggling by the girls and lots of showing off by the boys.  It was so fun to spend the day with these kids