Wordless Wednesday- My Sleepy Boys

June 3, 2011

My babies, passed out after a long day.

Just Tark

I've been so behind on blogging lately, every now and then I can find a few minutes to put up some pictures, and give the typical run down, but no real journaling about the boys and how they are doing.  So, I will "try" to play catch up for the first have of this year... Clark first.

 Clark is out of school for the summer! So far he hasn't really noticed.  As much as he loved school, I think he is happy he doesn't have to get up early in the morning anymore (just like his Mama).

He did really well in school this year, learning so much.  I loved when he would come home and I would ask him what he learned at school, and he was would tell me this long long story.  Sometimes I could figure it out, sometimes I couldn't.  One day he took 10 minutes to tell me the story of Goldilocks and the Three Bears, it was the best thing I ever heard (I have never wanted a video camera more in my whole life).
His talking is getting so much better too!  He is still a little hard to understand when he gets too excited (he stopped using his bottom lip a little when he got his stitches and still doesn't from time to time), or he tries to say too long of a sentence/story, but he has come so far from where he was last year at this time.  I wish I knew how well he did in school, but the communication between his teachers and I was not very good (something I am going to work on more next year... being sick so much the first half of the year really put me behind, and out of place).  Anyway, the few times I did talk with them, they would always tell me how well he was doing, you know "no news, is good news".

He is doing really well with his letters and numbers.  He can recognize and say all of the alphabet, and he can spell his name.  In fact he is really into spelling lately, he likes to tell me how everything is spelled (not from memory, but reading it to me).  And he has started trying to write his name, he gets most of the letters down pretty good too.  

Clark loves to sing songs.  Old McDonald, nursery songs, primary songs, songs from the radio, anything. We learn a new song every week.  It is so much fun to hear him singing along to himself when he is playing.  The other day when he was playing video games he was singing,
"do as I'm doing, e-i-e-i-o", a mix of Old McDonald and Do As I'm Doing.
I love it when he sings the theme songs to Star Wars, Indiana Jones and Harry Potter.
He will say, "Mom, we watch Harry Potter, do-do-dododo-do..." and hum me the entire theme song.
Sometimes he will ask me to rub his back while I hum a song for him,
always mostly Harry Potter or Star Wars.
It is my very favorite.

He is quite the bossy pants.  I don't know if he means to be, or its just his nature of being the oldest,
 and pretty spoiled (again, just like his Mama).
Whenever I tell him he is a being a bossy pants, he says "NO, just Tark!"
(Tark is how he says his name.)
If I call him Tuna, or any other sill nickname we have for him, he says "NO, just Tark".
The other night we were watching some Superman cartoons, and he (finally) made the connection that Superman's name is Clark too.  He said, "Oh, Tark, like me. Superman is Tark."  It was so sweet, and I swear I saw a little twinkle in his eye.  I was starting to worry that his growing obsession with Batman would get in the way of his true destiny.  (Kidding, kind-of.)

He is really looking forward to having a baby sister.  He feels my stomach all the time.  Sometimes he likes to push out his stomach and tell me about the baby sister he has in there, silly boy.  I'm never sure how much he really understands, but there is always excitement there.  I am really looking forward to him meeting his baby sister, I know he is going to be a good big brother.

(It's so hard to play catch up when you are so far behind.)

He loves his friends so much.  He is always talking about Porter, and all the things he wants to do with him (play trains, chase, go camping...).  One evening, after having dinner and a play date with our friends, Clark cried the whole way home because he needed his own Thomas to take home (Thomas was the name of one of the boys, a couple years older than him).  I always say that Clark was born in the wrong order, he should've been our baby, with older brothers and sister.
He just loves to be around people.
He is a total video game addict!   From sun up, to sun down, all he wants (and asks me) to do is play video games.  Lego Indiana Jones, and Lego Star Wars are his two favorites.  And he does pretty well on his own, never asks for mine or Jason's help, and he can pass his own levels.

I am having trouble with him understanding things from time to time.  I can say something to him 1,000 times, and he will just look at me like I am speaking a different language.  I don't know if it is a boy/male thing (sometimes Jason can be the same way), or if it is a Clark thing.  It is maddening.  And disipline is still a total disaster.  When I stick him in time out he just cries and cries, apolgizes over and over (he seems really sincere), and panics until I let him out.  The reason for the actual time out NEVER sticks, never, and the lesson is never learned.  It has gotten to the point that I can't even threaten time out with out him freaking out.  Whenever I try to correct him, his face will fall and he begs me to "be happy Mom, happy please", which makes me feel horrible.  

I don't even feel like I am as strict or stern with him as I should be.  

Something, somewhere in our communication is getting jumbled up, and we are not understanding each other.

It is something we are going to work on very hard time summer, along with the potty training.

(Yes, my 4 year old is STILL not potty trained, but we are working on it.)

I am mostly just astounded how much Clark is growing up.  Sure he is getting taller and looking more and more like a little boy, and the young man he will soon grow into.  But he is also getting more mature (Clark has always been a little on the immature side).  He catches onto things so fast, and is so willing to learn.  He sleeps in his own bed, all night now (that took us 4 years to accomplish!).  He wants to do his own things, and he wants to help out.  He wants to be a big kid.

I love to see him grow and learn, even with all the challenges of his -sometimes crazy- personality, he is a delight to be around, and I thank God for him everyday.

Flashback Friday-Family Pictures

These pictures are from when we went home to visit.  LAST YEAR!  

Can you believe it has taken me this long to get them up online.
July 10, 2010

My whole family.  We are a pretty good lookin' bunch, if I must say so myself.
I long for the days that we can all be together, joking around, hanging out.
 I miss them so much!
((It makes me kinda sad that Harry would rather bite his hand than smile for the camera,
I guess some things never change, LOL.))

The Bosko Family
I think it is funny that the boys look so pissed.

The Grandbabies

Clark, Harry, Reese

Me and Jay.

See.... we do like each other sometimes ;)

Another Bosko family picture.

Funny that Harry looks so mad, again.

My brothers and sisters,

BJ, Laura, Me, Emma and Cody.

I've been kinda sad that we won't make it home this year... and next year is not looking too good either.  Even though we are back on the "mainland" (when do I have to stop talking like I am from Hawaii, LOL) it is still as hard as ever to get home, just as expensive and far.  Maybe soon.  Until then I am always hoping, and waiting for visitors.

Wordless Wednesday- Baby Bunny

The little baby bunny that has been living in our back yard.

He is so hard to catch on camera.

Weekend Get-A-Way

The weekend before Memorial Day we decided to take a quick trip up to DC to see our favorite NorVa friends, and visit a few sites.  Its so nice that we live within driving distance of DC.  As much as I complain about being on the east coast -and SO far from home- we really have the best of two worlds here.  I'm going to try and appreciate it more,
for the precious time we have left, because I know there will be a lot of things I miss.

One of the stops we made -and rather unplanned- was to the Pentagon 9-11 Memorial.  I am so glad we did stop, and take a look around.  I was so moved, and touched... it was surprisingly emotional.  We listened to one of the volunteers explain the meaning and significance behind the lay out of the benches, and the grounds.  The thought and heart that the architects put into every little detail is amazing, and a true tribute to the victims of that day.  

Once again, I am so glad we stopped, and I look forward to going back again.

Clark and his little friend Taryn.

The next stop we made was to the Space and Air Museum.

Clark was so excited to go inside, once he spotted the planes through the window, he kept telling us to "hurry up and follow me".  Clark is having a hard time smiling in the picture, because he was in total awe of the rockets and planes hanging from the ceiling.  

For sure the best part of his day.

Harry flying in the plane.

I was surprised he sat for the 20 seconds it took for me to focus and snap the picture, good job baby.

We couldn't get Clark out of the plane, he wanted to stay and explore all the buttons and levers.

I think he has found a new love.

Daddy and the boys.

Once again, I couldn't even get Clark to look at the camera, he was so focused on the rocket.

The boys, outside our next stop, the Native Indian Museum.

The kids were pretty tired (and mostly hungry) by then, so we didn't explore things too much,

but they did have lots of fun running around the giant foyer.

I am thankful we have such good friends that are willing to do the "DC thing" with us when we come out, even though it is hot and and somewhat tiring.  I am also more thankful that they put up with my naughty kids, and let us trash their house every time we stay.  

Thanks for the good food, and fun memories.

The next day, before we drove home, we took a trip up to the Washington DC Temple.

I want so much for the kids to have memories of going to the temple, even though they can't go inside yet.  I really hope in our next area we live a lot closer to a temple, 4 hours is way to far away for me.

Jay and the boys.

I really love this picture with all of my heart, honestly.

If there was any single shot that I could take, that could sum up my days with Clark and Harry, this would be it!  It shows their personalities so much.  Clark with his attitude, bored of having to follow all my dumb directions.  Harry whining at me, for making him sit, and sit next to his brother at that -oh the torture-.  It makes me laugh every time I see it.  

There is a happy, sweet Harry.

Look! We are all looking, and smiling, at the same time!

It is a miracle!  Thank you little babies, for one good picture.

Our little family of five.

I get to say five now, because I am fat enough now that you can see I am pregnant.

(Speaking of that, here is a little public service announcement; if you can't tell I am pregnant, don't tell me that.  Because either you think I am pregnant, or you just think I am fat.  I don't mind looking pregnant.  I do mind if you tell me I don't look pregnant, because I am chubby and it makes me feel fatter.  Also, its not cool to tell me I waddle.  I know I do.  My back HURTS, all the time, I can't help it.  Just tell me I am beautiful, skinny, and I look exactly 6 months pregnant... and I will be happy.  Thanks.)

Isn't Clark's new fake smile simply hilarious.  

We also made a quick stop in Old Town Alexandria, to visit some old friends, and see their fabulous new apartment.  I had forgotten how much I LOVED Old Town.  I am mad at myself for not taking more pictures, but it was hard to chat and catch up, and keep and eye on Clark, and try to take pictures at the same time.  Next time for sure!

Such a nice, relaxing, and fun filled weekend, and we didn't even hit any traffic on the way home... perfect.  Can't wait to do it again, soon.

Flashback Friday-Little Clark

July 30, 2007

I was going through some old pictures online today, and I stumbled across this oldish picture of Clark.

What a chubby little Tuna he was.  What I love the most about this picture is, he still makes this same exact face, although its less chubby.  I love that pouty lip.  He really was such a good baby, always active, but a good good boy.  I am glad I am having another baby, I miss this stage of tininess, before they learn to talk back and yell at me, and the messes aren't quite so big.

I've been having a hard week.  Nothing bad, just a really tired Mommy and very challenging kids.  It's nice to be able to look back and remind myself that not everyday was such a pain in my *ahem- behind.  As hard, messy, and tiring as it can be, I am so glad I made the decision to be a Mom.  I am thankful that we were able to have children.  I am thankful that I am able to stay home with them ...although I am sure if someone would've offered me a job this week -outside the home- I would've taken it in a heartbeat.

I love my boys, and I am so happy we are finally going to have a little girl... 

maybe now I won't feel so out numbered.

Wordless Wednesday-That is sure a funny way to sleep, Harry.

April 28, 2011

Who needs a bed???

Apparently, not Harry.