Sniper Sounds Assault

When I had my boy, I was like, "My boy isn't going to play with guns. He's going to play with other toys that are non-violent. Why introduce him to something so violent at such a young age?"

Yeah, sure.

It didn't matter what I thought. He made guns out of anything and everything. His finger. His fork. A stick. His... well, I won't get graphic. He went to his cousins' house and the first toy he went to play with was a gun. He loves going to California and staying in the "Gun House." (A home we stayed at with our good friends that have a little boy with every Nerf GUN EVER made.) Honestly, what little boy do you know that doesn't love to shoot guns? Even big boys, like my Sugar, like playing guns. It's just a natural law. ALL boys make guns out of anything and everything.

So, this game was an automatic (semi automatic) hit - A REAL blast. (Ha ha, pardon the puns.)

A few letters and sounds that we can practice.

First I had Jack help me match the letter to the correct animal that begins with that sound. 

Mm - Monkey. Pp - Penguin.  Ee - Elephant. You get it. 

He did great, but quickly got tired of this because he wanted to use his gun to "SHOOT THESE GUYS!"

One of his sniper stations. 

I was envisioning American Gladiators when I thought of this activity.

American Gladiators - Point Blank Range

There were three different sniper stations to shoot from.

This was A LOT of fun. He had such a good time.

It's amazing what a good preschool teacher can do for my sweet boy. 

He is actually enjoying learning now!

This game was really engaging for my little boy (and would be for even big boys. Heck, even girls too.) I can see this evolving into targets with sight words, numbers, math facts. etc on them. Great way to review any sort of skill!  

Look at that aim!

Halloween at Hogwarts

I have never read these books.

Gasp! I know. Crazy.

So, basically I was clueless walking through this sweet Hogwarts/Paradise Rec Center.

But, I was super impressed and almost persuaded to begin the series. The settings, the characters, the magic, the mystery. But honestly, I just don't have 7 years of my life that I can set aside to read these monstrous books. (I'm the slowest, worst reader - said the teacher!) I'm embarrassed, but honest.

Like I said though, I was tempted.

The different teams? Groups? Classes?

The red head dude, Harry Potter, and the chick with a weird H name. 

This lady.

This photo frame.

Afton's best friend from Preschool Payton! 

She misses her so much. 

Our First Halloween experience of the month!

Success.

You are BOOtiful.

Afton has a bit of confidence. (You may be laughing to yourself if you know her at all, thinking how sarcastic this sounds.) With all of her sass, it's hard to believe that the above statement is VERY much true. She is NOT at all as confident or self assured as a little girl needs to be during this day and age. Little girls... no little kids can be mean. She is continually worried about what others will think about in her class if she wears a certain outfit, certain shoes, or doesn't do something well.

I need this to stop. Immediately. Jack and I talk with her everyday after school and remind her that she is important, smart, special, and kind. Jack tells her to "be tough like me." I need to be building her up everyday, even more so!

For FHE I decided we needed to talk about what it means to be BOOtiful on the INSIDE and out.

We discussed ways to treat others that will make us feel good inside. We discussed how we feel when we see someone in need, and how we must react - always helping and serving. We discussed how important it is to be proud of ourselves for the good things we do each day. We discussed why we should pray for chances to feel BOOtiful on the INSIDE.

I have been reading the book "Little Girls Can Be Mean." I'm hoping that I can help her be ready to deal with all the negative issues that are on the playground each day. I also pray that she will NEVER be the mean girl. According to her teacher, she isn't, and I'm glad to hear that. "She is always helpful, kind, and sweet. I'm so glad she's joined our class."

I hope that Afton and Jack will always remember to be BOOtiful/handsome on the INSIDE and out.

Gilcrease Orchard

My best friend Sara invited us to go and play at the orchard with her and her cute boy Chase. We love to play with them any chance we get. My sisters in law tagged along too, so that was even more fun for us! We went to Gilcrease Orchard. Yes, there are real things that can actually grow in Las Vegas other than Casinos and Hookers. 

There were tons and tons of rows to go digging through to try and find yummy vegetables to pick. However, we didn't have much luck, since a lot of the stuff had already been picked over by the previous frequent visitors. That was okay though, we didn't let it get us down. Jack found the absolute SADDEST looking zucchini I have ever seen in my life, but he was proud of his find none the less. (How did I not get a picture?) He was okay with not buying it, thankfully. In retrospect, I should have bought it. It would have probably cost $0.07. My bad Jack boy.

There were still plenty of pumpkins available. I was in search for a MINI pumpkin for Afton, but I didn't see any. (They were there, but just at the complete opposite end of the orchard and we didn't walk that far.)

We took lots of pictures. (Amazing photographs by my sister in law JULIE! Instagram pics by me, because you know I can't resist!)

We picked out pumpkins.

"This is the one mom. He is perfect." 

(I love that it has a little baby butt crack! Hee heee hee.)

We went through the hay maze.

We picked apples.

We ate delicious apple cider donuts!

We went on a hayride.

"Oh please don't tell me it is going to go around again!" 

(Some one got a little motion sickness.)

We had fun!

"Mom, I have my license."

Today I picked up Afton from school and she quickly informed me, "Mom, I have my license. I'm going to drive the Acadia tomorrow. You can sleep in."

Her kindergarten teacher laughed out loud and said, "Oh my. I am sure you're looking forward to her teenage years. She got her Locomotor License in P.E. today. That means she is ready!"

I laughed. Ms. Higley laughed. Afton was confused. "I really can mom. I got my license."

We traveled down to the park and I wanted her to show me these sweet skills she has in order to get her LICENSE!

Locomotor License

Running, walking, skipping, galloping, leaping, sliding, hopping, and jumping.

"Walking."

"Skipping."

"Leaping."

"Galloping, I think."

"Jumping. I'm pretty graceful, don't you agree?"

"Sliding."

"These really are NOT the proper shoes for these skills. Oh well."

"Running."

I was impressed! But hate to break it to you little girl, you won't be getting the keys to the Acadia tomorrow morning. Nice try!

"Can I do my letters?"

So, if you know my boy and my daily worries and concerns with my boy, you'll understand why I was shocked to hear this question come out of his mouth today.

(Let me preface by saying that my boy is very smart, but has NEVER showed any interest in learning. At ALL. I've been worried about him, which is extremely silly and ridiculous, because he is only 4, and a boy. BUT I'm silly and ridiculous. I have insane high expectations, and I need to chill. I'm working on that!)

When he asked to work on his letters this morning, I jumped at the opportunity. Literally. I jumped off the chair, and busted out my preschool box! I knew this moment would surely pass by if I hesitated at all.

"Mom, I am going to sort them by color first. What the crap, there is a brown cotton candy (fuzzy ball), but no brown letters. UHHHHHH?"

"OK, Now I will match my letters. Is this a Y?"

"No, it's a W like in WESTRA."

"Oh yeah, I knew that."

"I am getting so stinking good at this."

"I have an idea. I am going to throw these balls at you and Jocelyn. I'll shout out the colors of the balls as I thrown them, that way I am still learning something. Ok, ready?"

"BUTTLOAD of colors. I can't say all of them that fast."

He has learned so much since he has started preschool. His confidence, excitement for learning, and desire to know more makes me ecstatic. I hope I had a little to do with it, but I doubt it.