Harrison's week

This sweet boy lives in the shadow of his older brother. So far in his 6 short years most things have been about his brother. But this year he is in Kinder and is THRIVING. It makes me so happy. He is doing so well in school and LOVES it. In one week he was the shooting star for his class b/c of his kindness and helping others and was one of the few selected for his school for the district art show. I'm so happy for him.

 It's amazing that w/ 4 kids I can see still how truly unique and special each one is. Harrison has always held a special place in my heart.

Harrison's pumpkin is by his head.  And the bottom pic is w/ his art teacher Mr. Preston.

We didn't tell Harrison he was the shooting star for the month.  We just showed up to the rally.  When they called his name the kid next to him patted his shoulder and said, "that's you."  His teacher still had to tell him to go up.  He never did give a big smile.  I don't know if it was just to overwhelming, all the attention in front of the school or what.

Harrison is 6

Harrison turned 6 September 3rd.  We had donuts, eggs, and hot pink breakfast smoothie for breakfast and then Travis and I had lunch with him at school.  

6  things about Harrison

-He loves Kindergarten.

-He is still sensitive

-He loves to be silly

-He is still fairly cuddly.

-He loves to hang w/ Douglas.

-He is generally very agreeable.

Love this little dude!

Beaumont TX

My parents take the older two boys on a trip every summer.  The last 2 years have been to Corpus Christi.  This year they changed it up and went to Beaumont TX.  It's "alligator country".  My mom found a place where you can "swim" w/ the alligators.  It's shallow and the small alligators have their mouths taped.  They went to the beach too.  I'll let the pictures do the talking.

Back to school

Better late than never!

Douglas is in 2nd grade this year.  He doesn't say much but he's enjoying it.  This kid loves to read nonfiction books about anything he's interested in.  (hunting, fishing, alligators, etc)

Harrison is in kindergarten and LOVES it.  All reservations he had about school are LONG gone.  His teacher called last week and said how much she is enjoying getting to know him.  She said he has missed some social centers because he is too busy visiting with friends.  She said he needs to work on his self-confidence on answer questions, thinking he can read and write, etc.  I think part of that comes from seeing Douglas read independently and write a lot and Harrison knows he can't do that yet and that is all he associates with reading and writing.  He doesn't associate the learning phases yet as real reading and writing so he doesn't think he can do it.

Harrison teared up a bit when we dropped him off the first day.

And finally this little bugger started preschool.  It has taken him a couple weeks to warm up, which surprises me.  I asked the teacher about it and she said he is quiet and observant most of the time.  At recess he'll stop playing occasionally and come stand by her like he's making sure she's still there.  Surprises the heck out of me b/c he is so full of energy and laughter.

 Our elementary does a parade a few days before school starts where they drive in the neighborhood w/ decorated cars according to this years theme (Learning is my superpower).  Here is the boys w/ the signs they made for their teachers.

Harrison's Preschool Graduation

Harrison had his preschool graduation today.  I was a little emotional.  I can't believe he'll be in Kindergarten next year.  We have really loved this preschool.  It was so good for him this year.

Harrison's 1st friend party

Harrison's 5th bday was Sept 3rd but we pushed off his party for several things until Sept 28.  It just so happened that Grandma and Grandpa Hill were visiting for Talmage's blessing so they got to be here for the party.  We had been planning on a  "water party" all summer long.  The day of was overcast and we did get a few sprinkles during the party.  When I think about the party it seemed lame but Harrison enjoyed himself and the kids did too so that is all that matters.

 Making snack necklaces with fruit loops and pretzels.

 

Look at that look on Harrison's face.  Pure satisfaction/happiness 

 

I asked Grandma Connie to make this cake a month before H's bday.  She was just told to make a "water" cake.  She did awesome and it tasted awesome. 

 

We were running out of time so I wanted Harrison to hurry and open his presents before his friends left, however, he wanted a picture w/ his friends before doing so. 

 

 

Happy Birthday Harrison!  We love you!

5 years of Harrison

I love Harrison.  He is a special soul.  ;-)  Harrison turned 5 September 3rd.  We celebrated on the 2nd (Labor Day). 

 

 The camera he got for his bday

 

Popping 1 of 5 ballons w/ $1 in each.

Harrison has always been tricky to shop for because there is nothing he's really into.  However, when I was at the hospital w/ Talmage my parents and the boys came up to visit.  My mom let Harrison take pictures w/ her camera and he was in hog heaven.  My mom bought him a cheap camera for his bday but my grandma didn't want her nice Canon powershot camera anymore and gave it to Harrison for his bday.  My mom took her cheap camera back and bought other presents.  I'm super excited for Harrison this year.  I feel like this is his year.  He's doing soccer this year.  It's his first year doing anything.  Douglas isn't doing a sport until January so it's all about Harrison w/ practices and games this Fall.  Also, I switched preschools for him.  He's doing 3 days instead of 2 and I feel like this is more academic.  I'm excited for him. 

Birthday Interview

Favorite color: red

Favorite food: macaroni and cheese

Favorite thing to do: playdough

What do you want to be when you grow up: church worker

Who is your best friend: "John-Luke, I guess"

What do you do really well: play with my toys

Where do you like to go: Grandmas

What do you like to do with your family: play playdough

 

 

First 2 weeks of school

Douglas started Kindergarten 2 weeks ago and Harrison started "big boy" preschool.  We did a mom's joyschool preschool last year for Harrison but this year he goes to the elementary school for his preschool class.

Douglas loves school.  I'm not surprised and I had no worries about him adjusting.  I say this from a teachers prospective, thinking back to my year of teaching, but Douglas is the perfect student.  He wants to please the teacher, he's kind, and he's obedient.  For disclipine their names are clipped to green and they can go down to yellow and red or up to silver, then gold.  Douglas really wanted to be on "golden".  He made it to silver the first week for being polite in the cafeteria at lunch and receiving a super awesome compliment.  He brought home a "happy note" from his teacher.  Last week he made it to gold and he brought home a happy note and treasure box toy (aka happy meal toy).  On his 3rd or 4th day of school he wet his pants in music.  It was his first time to go to music class.  I asked him why he had an accident and he said the music teacher told them "not to talk when he's talking."  Bless his sweet heart, he didn't want to interupt the teacher b/c the teacher told them not to.  We had a talk about that.  Anyways, he's doing well and a couple of the kids from his class are in his soccer team so that's fun to.

Harrison has been loving school too.  I thought he would whine a little the first day but no.   He does a great job telling me about school when I pick him up. 

I'm very glad the boys like school and seem to be doing well.

Harrison is 4

This cute fellow had a birthday today.

Harrison is a mixed bag.  He drives me freaking NUTS!!!  Yet, he has this irresistable, sweet, loving side.  He is my cuddle bug.  He has the cutest little personality.  He has great facial expressions.  His face is very expressionate.  Wide eyed happiness or droopy face sadness.  I call him my bipolar child, although I suppose I should stop. 

He started big boy preschool last week and loves it.  What amazes me is that he tells me all about his day.  I didn't expect for him to tell me anything.    I plan on asking him a questionare tomorrow so it should be interesting to see his answers. 

We love him so much.  He is a joy.

I took him to the store several times and had him show me what he wanted.  Mom and Dean took him on a little date 2 days before his bday to the store and he showed them what he wanted and they bought it and then took him for icecream. 

We continued our tradition of giving them balloons w/ money in it.  Look at his face tensing while he pops them. (4 years old= 4 balloons w/ $1 in each)

His alligator cake.  Harrison isn't really "into" anything so I saw this cake on pinterest and asked him if he wanted it and he said yes. He can be easy to please.

 

Fire house

Harrison's joyschool is studying "community helpers" this month.  2 weeks ago at my house we talked about firemen.  A week later we toured a fire station.  I really liked this tour.  A woman fire fighter led the tour.  She was great w/ the kids.  The kids "drove" the truck and got to put on the mask, helmets, and jacket if they wanted.  She even let a couple mom's try on all the gear.
Douglas didn't have school this day so he got to enjoy the tour too.

I wanted in on the fun too.

Here are the kids at my house for the fire unit. Travis picked up hats from "Firehouse Subs" for the kids to wear and I built a "burning building" for the kids to put out.