We had an abnormally cold winter this season. It took a bit longer for the spring thaw to come. It wasn't until the end of June that we were finally able to put away the winter clothes because it had warmed up.
We still try and get out and explore and enjoy nature.
Maya is always trying on everyone's clothes and shoes.
Finally able to go for a walk where the temperature is enjoyable.
Lots of snuggles. They get cold, but still refuse to put on actual clothes in the house.
These boys are best buddies and worst enemies. It's exhausting to referee them constantly.
Malachi had his 5th birthday!! We let him pick out a gift as well as get a surprise gift. He was so excited.
He chose a birthday dinner of hot dogs and chicken nuggets. I actually made homemade chicken nuggets. It was a bit of work and now that all is said and done I should have just warmed up frozen ones.
He chose a "cookie cake" for his birthday treat. It's basically a giant chocolate chip cookie. And he picked out candles where the flame is colored like the candle stick. It was a good day.
Maya's birthday came 3 days later. She got leftover cookie cake as her treat. I took her to the store and let her pick out a gift. That way she could get what she wanted. She's funny with toys. She's never been very interested in them so this way I knew she would like what she got.
I guess it's really cool to wear all the underwear you own at once.
Adrian got to go to a dermatology conference in West Palm Beach. Funny it was right back to where we used to live. He and his fellow residents rented these little scooters and took a tour around town. He said it so much fun.
While he was gone to Florida we got blasted with a winter storm here in New York. It literally took me hours to dig us out. The kids love snow and enjoyed another snow day.
Levi's always doing goofy things and making us laugh.
Adrian wanted to camp out with the kids in the backyard. They were so excited. They pulled out their mummy and bags and survived the night even though the temperature got right near freezing. Maya slept in the cozy house with me. She hasn't mastered sleeping in a bag yet.
Adrian has started his hunt for a done with training job. We honestly just pulled out a map and looked at places we would geographically like to live. We're looking in Colorado and Arizona the most. We would go back to Southern Utah in a heartbeat, but they are oversaturated with dermatologists as it is. And I don't want to go back to Northern Utah. Idaho was an option, but their public schools are one of the worst in the country. That's how we've settled on CO and AZ. I'd heard good things about Colorado Springs. Lots of outdoor recreation and a good LDS community. We looked into all the dermatology practices in the city only one had DO doctors. Adrian just cold called them and they said they were interested in getting to know him and the main doctor in charge wanted to meet Adrian at the dermatology conference in West Palm. Adrian's program director knew this doctor from Colorado Springs and was able to introduce Adrian to him in West Palm. In the end, Dr Anderson from Colorado invited Adrian to Colorado Springs for a week to shadow him and show Adrian his practice to see if Adrian was interested in joining his practice. It was all really quick. Adrian called me Monday morning saying he was flying out that afternoon to go to Colorado Springs. Adrian was there for a week all expenses paid. He was very impressed with Dr Anderson and his practice and will seriously consider getting a job there once residency is done. Adrian ultimately wants to start his own practice, but with the school debt we have he can't start a practice right off the bat.
Adrian got to see the city and surrounding areas while in Colorado Springs. Here's a picture of the Garden of the Gods he took while he was there.
Levi being creative.
I've started taking the kids to the free Home Depot kids workshops. They love building the projects and enjoy having a new toy every month.
Maya sporting Levi's ball cap.
We sure love these kids. They bring so much love and joy into our lives.
Levi at school with his 1st grade class.
Levi's best friend Rosalie.
Maya was being babysat and they sent me picture saying they couldn't get her to get out of the basket.
Maya loves getting her picture taken. She's always telling me to take pictures of her.
This picture breaks my mommy heart. Levi struggling with his homework. Long story short, Levi was getting to a point where he didn't want to go to school anymore. I talked with his teacher and she said they had increased the amount of work in the classroom and he was struggling to keep up and he could tell his peers were exceeding him. We concluded that he was struggling with writing and fine motor skills were hard for him. We had him tested through the school to see if he qualified to receive OT through school. Tests indicated he is below average with his fine motor skills, but not delayed and he cannot receive help through the school. He had a great teacher and modified his work for him so he could succeed. We're still in the process of figuring out how to help in the classroom. Honestly, we do want to help strengthen his fine motor skills, but we also don't his self esteem to suffer and want to focus on his strengths.
Beautiful Maya all dressed up for church.
With warm days came more time outside playing.
The boys like to take pictures. I always find random pictures on my phone.
Another fun Home Depot project.
Levi had his 7th birthday. I can't believe how fast time is going by. He wanted a shark cake. This was the best I could do. He also got to take a treat into school to share with his classmates and we went out to dinner to celebrate.
Sliding down the stairs. They don't mind that they are wood stairs and hurt to slide down.
Waiting for the Memorial Day parade to start.
Me and Maya.
Adrian had another conference trip to Las Vegas. He had an afternoon to spare and went for a hike with a colleague.
Meanwhile, while he was gone we got a huge rainstorm here in NY. It rained to hard the streets were flooded. There were so many stalled cars everywhere. I tried to make it to the grocery store and every route I tried was blocked by stalled cars. I eventually gave up and headed back home.
Warm weather brought the slip'n'slide.
Fun day at school for Levi.
When I put Maya down for naps I would always do Malachi's reading lessons with him. Sitting down from the rush of the morning would make me drowsy every single day. Malachi hardly ever napped, so this pic is rare.
Climbing at the Long Island Children's Museum.
Maya in bed.
The kids love having a fire and roasting smores. They call having a fire "camping".
Adrian got out of work one day and found that someone had parked over the line and so close to him. He really struggled to get his car moved so he could go on his way.
Fun pictures.
Last day of 1st grade with his friend Rosalie. The last day was only 1 hour long.
March 2018:
Adrian:
Rotations are hard to enjoy. Can't wait to be done with residency. Tired of being told how and what to do. Wants to be own boss. Rejected post training jobs in North Dakota and Pueblo Colorado. Still Elders Quorum President now that High Priests have combined. Gave a talk in Stake Conference.
Tammy:
Trying to lose weight by eating better and exercising. Seems to be working. Teaching Preschool once a month. Kid routine.
Levi:
Has lots of friends at school. His reading in improving. Found him a book series that makes him excited to read. Dislikes doing homework. Quick with math. Likes Spiderman.
Malachi:
Reading lessons going well. Enjoys reading and coloring. Preschool going well. Got a bunch of warts and molloscum. Registered for Kindergarten. He's neat and organized. Likes ghostbusters and superman.
Maya:
Increase in vocabulary. She's loud and crazy like the boys. Climbs a lot. More than the boys every did. Enjoys nursery now at church. Likes to color. Good eater. Won't keep ties in her hair, always pulls them out everyday. Good sleeper. Loves her teddy bear and stuffed animals. Starting to actually sit and watch tv. Good at going up and down stairs. Loves to play, always initiates a game to play. Likes to play with Levi. Copies things we do, such as cleaning and wiping things. Tattles when she feels she doesn't get her way. She'll even tattle to Adrian about something I did. It's quite cute.
