"Goodbye Sucks"

Tonight after I tucked my girls into their beds, I snuck into my boy's room to tell him good night. I sang him his song and kissed him on the cheek and told him the same thing I do every night.

"Sweet dreams my handsome boy. I love you. I miss you already," to which he usually responds repeating it back to me, "Sweet dreams mommy. I love you. I miss you already." But, tonight was different.

Tonight he didn't say those things back to me. Tonight he broke into tears. He cried, sobbed, like this for a good 30 minutes and during those minutes we discussed many of the things that have been weighing on his sweet, tender mind.

First - "How will Aunt Allison get me a pet if we're moving away? I've been waiting a whole year for this because she gave Afton Red Fred when she turned six. And now, it's just not fair. How will anyone know how to get me a present, especially one to help my new pet stay alive?" Being highly upset about this, he went on to the next issue that's been bothering him.

Second - "I am turning 6 and I'm not even going to have any friends to come to my birthday party. I know I said I wanted to go to Legoland, and I still do, but I just really want to have friends at my party too. Like you usually do for me mommy." I continued to comfort him and told him that this was going to be his first birthday party where he's completely in charge. Choosing whatever rides, activities, anything he wants, all at Legoland, because honestly, he's right. He won't have any friends where we're moving. Not yet.

Third - "I'm not good at making friends. Remember in kindergarten when I cried everyday for the first week, (it was actually the 2nd and 3rd week he cried - did great the 1st week) because no one would talk to me? Remember how that boy made fun of my teeth? He made me really sad. And, I'm not as smart as the other kids and what about my teacher. You always say I need to focus, and I just don't know if I can." I told my boy that every kid is the new kid the first week of school, and everyone has these same fears, doubts, concerns. I told him that he is smart, kind, silly, and loving, and that every one will want to be his friend. But it helps to have that Westra smile on your face to make friends easily. Most importantly, I told him that we love him, no matter what. As long as he does his best, that's all that matters. We will always be there for him, and so will his new friends, just like the new ones he made this past year in kindergarten.

Fourth - "I think that if I had my own pet, it would help me not be so sad because I'd feel like I'd always have a friend every time we move. You know. Like your friends tonight. Ms. Bojorquez and Ms. Salerno always want to play with you, and I want friends like that. I know that I have Afton and Jocelyn, but, they don't always play with me because I'm a boy. And it's not fair. But a snake or a dog will always play with me. They wouldn't care that I'm a boy."

My heart could barely take anymore. I had been in his room for what felt like an eternity, because my poor boys heart was distraught in so many ways. I laid there listening to my sweet boy, share his feelings, hoping for me to give the perfect answers, to help ease his worried mind. I tried my best to comfort him and tell him that everything will be alright, but sadly, that's not always the case.

I reminded him that although life is not always fair, we are blessed throughout it with opportunities to learn and grow. That along the way, we will be able to meet new people, who can become some of our very best friends, that we can cherish throughout our lives. Who make every moment you have with them better and memories that will always be sweet. That we will experience new challenges everyday, that will only make us stronger, if we choose to learn from them, and embrace our mistakes. I reminded that we can't always be good at everything, and not to worry about what others are so great at, but to focus on the great things he himself can do, and wants to do. To challenge himself and not settle for just mediocrity, to which he replied, "Me-dee-awcru-whaty?" I told him that he is our special boy, and that we will always be here for him, loving him, supporting him, being his biggest fans, no matter what. I even told him how lucky his sisters were to have such a caring and strong brother like him. And I told him that we will never, ever, EVER, own a snake in our house. Ever.

Tonight, my boy touched on all the things I'm concerned about as we prepare to move, (except for the pets thing), as well. My Sugar came in while we were talking, and shared with Jack that even he's afraid to make new friends, to try a new job, and to start over. But he said would be brave, and most importantly, he'd smile through it all.

My almost 6 year old boy recognized tonight that we have been quite blessed with our lives here in Las Vegas. Although these good things brought him concern, worry, and fear for his/our future, in that they might be lacking wherever we end up, he at least recognized them, and I could not be more proud of him for that.

I'm thankful for the good people we have in our lives who have shown us love, support, and constant kindness.

I hope my children will make the sort of happy memories, that I've made with such an amazing group of friends. I love you all! We all do.

Steph Judd (Clark's mom and saving grace), Michelle Mull (the kindest person I'll ever meet), Rami Ostler (Mia's mom and example of all things good in the world), my handsome Sugar, Tracy Barkhuff (the most dedicated/passionate teacher around), my loving Mommy, Janine Salerno (a best friend who can always find the good in anything and anyone), Pete (her hilarious husband), Cecilia Bojorquez (a best friend who pushed me to be better everyday in teaching and in life), and Tony (her supportive, golf-loving husband just like my Sugar.)

My three favorite students of all time - Mia, Karen, & Clark - with my best teacher friends of all time - Salerno & Bojorquez. 

"Daddy cookies"

She was missing him.
So was I.
She said, "I ont sum cookies. Sum cookies for Daddy."

She knows he loves Reese's Pieces. She knows that she loves cookies. So, we made it happen.

There might even be enough left when he gets home in 2 days!

TWO days!

Cousins Camp - Cinema Edition

My sister-in-law, my mom, and my brother watched our babes while we went our fabulous graduation vacation to Dominican Republic back in April! 9 total days with 3 extra kids, so they had a lot to take care of for a very long period of time.

While we were living it up on the beach!

TAKE ME BACK!!!!!

When my brother called with a sob story about needing a vacation with his wife, I knew exactly what he was getting to, even though he didn't want to just come out and say it. During this long conversation he said things like, "But you're moving, so you'll be busy packing," and, "Your husband is gone with officer's training," and, "It's during the summer so you'll have them all day," etc.  He basically reminded me of all the challenges I'd be facing, while he was hoping to be able to take his sweet wife on a romantic, much-needed, and deserved, getaway because of blah, blah, blah (I stopped listening, because I knew my answer would already be, "Yes, I'll do it.") I had to return the favor, of course. I wanted to return the favor. Plus, I knew my babies would go crazy once they found out there would be a 2nd round of Cousins Camp, at our house this time. But most importantly, I knew that it was a great opportunity to spend some quality time with my nieces and nephews before we move.

So, here it is. Cousins Camp - Round 2 - Cinema Edition.

Movie 1 - Mr. Peabody & Sherman

We visited the Luxor Hotel on the strip because of 2 reasons. First, my boy had asked about "That giant pyramid place," as we were on the freeway passing along the Strip a few days earlier. 

He was the whole inspiration for this Cinema theme, that popped into my mind 2 hours before the cousins arrived, because I was feeling guilty that I had not planned anything fun. 

Second, there is a scene in that movie where they go back in time to learn about King Tut. We had a fun, quick, little adventure (because they charge for parking now if you're there longer than an hour, and I'm cheap.) While walking through the hotel, my mom had to explain to one amazed couple, that all of these children were not all mine. That only 3 out of the 7 were mine. She was pleased to hear that. (Silly lady has probably never visited Utah.) 

They weren't the only ones who whispered as we walked by.

Little perverts kept trying to look up his "underpants."

  We rode the tram and that is always an enjoyable, free ride!

 Movie 2 - Free Willy

My pool has been acting up ever since my Sugar left, so I basically was having a panic attack days prior to the start of Round 2. I totally invited myself, along with 7 kids, and my mom over to a swim play date at our friend Diana's home. (I secured that play date quick! The pool was going to be my saving grace.) Diana is the sweetest, and happily allowed us to come. We even got to play with her sweet grandchildren, Luke and Bella that day too. It was a lot of fun. 

So glad that this plan worked out!

Jack shoved his arm into the giant shark's mouth to grab something that got thrown in there on accident. His shirt got caught and it was as if he was really being eaten by a shark. (Especially if you have ever heard him tell his Lemon Shark - Boogie Boarding encounter before.) Diana was quick to rescue my Shark Boy and provide him with a giant band aid. They sat and chatted for like 15 minutes. It was the cutest.

My boy said, "It was so nice to sit and talk with her. She's pretty nice and I like her pool. Even though the shark tried to eat my arm off. She has the best band aids."

He still likes to check out his shark bite and see how it is healing.

The lifeguards - Kelly, Grandma Jones, Renee, Diana & me

I picked a few older movies because I was pretty sure that The Jones children hadn't seen them. It was perfect because it saved me from hearing them fight over what movie we should watch, because they all have different tastes. But also because it was already assigned, they got excited about it! They loved Free Willy. Jack said, "I only cried 3 times mom." Love him. 

Movie 3 - The Sandlot

My babies love, love, love this movie. And who doesn't? 

It is full of great quotes and lessons to be learned!

We played our family favorite, water balloon baseball. I had intentions of making s'mores. but it just didn't happen. I decided that Sonic Shakes would have to work instead. 

My genius idea of sleeping on the trampoline was loads of fun, and was supposed to be compared to the tree house sleepover.  

~Cousins Camp - Round 2 - Night 3 ~ Sleep on the trampoline. Finally in place at 9:41 pm. Sprinklers go off at 10 pm. Brooke is pissed and comes in and passes out on the couch. Jack gets completely soaked, and sleeps right through it. Some one sets off fireworks. Honestly, it's July 15th. James gets a cicada bug that dive bombs 2 inches from his face and landed on the trampoline at 10:27 pm. He's given up and in on the recliner by 10:45. I go out to sleep at 11:00, and it's still 102°, so I'm going to die of heat, if not sleep deprivation first. Andrew and Afton sleep out there until, well, 5:50 am. The lovely roof workers on the house behind us were just a bit too loud for them to continue their slumber. The sun is still not peeked from behind Sunrise Mountain, but it's lit up the sky. Jack is still asleep @ 6:56 am. I came in to find out I have a bug in my hair and a dead one in my mouth.~

"Did you know that sprinklers went off and a fireworks show did too and I still didn't wake up? Crazy, huh mom? That was a fun night." ~ Jack

These are the lovely little reminders of that fun night. I am covered in bug bites! Covered!!!!!!!

Movie #4 - Kung Fu Panda 3

I knew it would be fun to go visit Chinatown, and that the Jones children had probably never been down there. It was fun to watch their faces as we walked through the mall, past all of the restaurants, and just enjoyed people watching. They loved the buildings and said, "It does look like the movie. These buildings are so cool."

I said you have $5 to spend. They chose these little gems!

"This little guy looks like me. Except a creepier version of me."

A nice employee watched us like a hawk as we went up and down the aisles of the store. She was terrified as to what we would break. I was a bit too. :) 

Couldn't do Boba because I didn't know if it was gluten free, so this joint worked out just fine. Plus, "They have games for us to play after we eat our delicious treat. Are you freaking serious? How could I forget?" ~ Jack

Movie #5 - The Jungle Book

Our last day with the cousins was Sunday, so we really couldn't go venturing out. Taking them all to church was enough activity for me in the first place. 

But as I scrolled through Instagram, while the babies slept and the big kids played, I saw it was National Ice Cream Day. We had to celebrate that right? 

So instead of our nightly popcorn treat, we had Jungle Book Sundaes on Sunday. 

They were a big hit!

Overall, the time we spent together was fun! I am so thankful that my mom was here and able to help me. We definitely missed my Sugar, but we all survived, with only a few tantrums, hurt feelings, and fights. That's all that matters.

There were some other fun times that didn't fit with the theme, but too cute not post!

"Go James. Go James." 

He may have forgotten his basketball shoes and his jersey, but this little cheerleader didn't mind.

Bath time happened every night, except the first. I was proud of that! 

BUBBLES!

James was a huge help with the babies! 

Afton did Brooke's makeup. Wow. 

Who knows when Cousins Camp - Round 3 will take place, but at least we will have these fun memories to cherish!