April was a big month for Erik. He has decided that now he is 6 and can do a lot more than when he was 5, since he's a big boy now. He has started getting himself ready in the mornings, even most Sunday's, without being asked to.
The biggest achievement though is last Saturday he told his Dad at breakfast that he was trying a new flavor of yogurt, since he is 6 and trying new things. That's a big deal for the boy who up to a couple months ago would only eat 5 things; yeah 5 things to choose from for meals! Anyways, he followed his declaration of trying new things with "I have an idea! I will ride my bike without training wheels!" So that afternoon they took the training wheels off at the church parking lot (the closest large flat area to our house, as we live in the foothills).
It did not take him long to go "straight". He's been riding a bike since he was 2 (just with training wheels) so I think it's more a matter of confidence & mind. He has ridden since several times and is enjoying it. He has worked on corners & u-turns now. If only he would stop using the brakes when he's doing well and using his feet when he gets worried about slowing or stopping. I know it will come with time and before the summer is over he'll be a pro.
Cameron wasn't sure what to think of the whole thing and sitting on grass. But even he got in on the action.
Later Spencer discovered the reason Erik didn't sit on his bike "properly" was not because of anything Erik was really doing, but because the seat was crooked. The poor boy! It would be hard to learn how to ride with a crooked seat. LOL :)
Cameron has been mastering the art of standing. He is good enough at it, even without something to hold on to, that he is beginning to try walking. He also loves to play with doors, open/close etc.And Mom print this out -- you were right! I found one of the walking toys at Walmart on discount/clearance for $10. So I figured at that price I would get it. Cameron loved it right away! It is the favorite toy in the house, even for Erik. That seems to be the only problem with it. :)
As for Spencer & I, besides keeping up with the boys & our individual hobbies, we have been planning and getting ready for our first garden. In March we rented a chipper to take care of ALL the plant/limb debris Spencer had been making/accumulating. This was the chipper:
We have used the mulch in the flower beds that go most of the way around the house, and in other various spots throughout the landscape. We're still not sure if we came out even $ wise, but it was an experience for all, including the neighbors who were so curious. :)Then this month we bought straw for the garden. It was nice and clean, but forgot that what is on a hog farm smells like hogs. At least it wasn't too strong of an odor and I believe it's all aired out now.
Erik had fun jumping in and sliding on the straw while Spencer worked at getting it spread over the cardboard walkways.
Cameron enjoyed watching. Oh how he wants to be running with big brother. But he did get to handle the tools.
He now has 7 teeth in, with the 8th one trying to break through. Usually they can't be seen as he's teething because that tongue is always going over the teeth. Kinda cute :)Several couple's in our church decided to have a get together. Thanks to the white elephant portion of the party we now have a new water nozzle for the hose.
One of the ladies at the party wanted it to leave hanging from her gas tank as she drove around town. Spencer almost lost his white elephant prize. Oh well, since it drills holes in the mulch, dirt, and plants he brought home a nice watering wand the other night. I'm thrilled with it.Here's a couple of cute pics of the growing baby. His favorite packable toy has been one of the kitchen spoons.
Cameron got into a box that I was trying to unpack but couldn't figure out where to put things. He found this Flag and became satisfied with his search through the box. He loved waving it around. Within seconds I had to find a place for it because it was a hot commodity between the boys. :)Life is good. We are staying busy and yet there's such a calmness here. I love where we live! The other day I looked out my kitchen window to realize the scrub jay was napping in our tree and got this picture.
Then before the storm came I got to see the most beautiful colored clouds coming over the snow covered mountain behind us. Breathtaking! We are happy to be living here and grateful the boys get to be close to the things we love about nature even though it's not the home state or neighborhoods/cities we grew up in. They still have pine trees, wild & farm animals, fields, flowers and a down home/small town experience around them. I'm very grateful to the Lord for it all.
