NEWS FLASH

Today Marshall Elementary hosted The Storybook Character Parade. Julie make an appearance as Abraham Lincoln. She made her hat, carefully assembled her outfit, and boasted a bowtie made by Jesse. (Okay, Lincoln's not a fictional character, but he was featured in a book she read recently, and he inspired her.) David was invited by the kindergarden teachers to appear as one of the 101 Dalmations, so we put spots on a white church shirt, and Jesse used duct tape and construction paper to make him doggie ears.

Happy Birthday, David!!!

David turns six years old today. Some things haven't changed: he is still my fun-loving, class clown, and he loves to build, just like his Daddy. Yet, he has definitely grown, even in just the last few months: he is a big kindergartener, now, and he can ride his bike without training wheels super-fast! He is growing up, rising to the new occasions and responsibilities being presented to him. I love him and am glad he is my eldest son. Happy Birthday, Dave!!! (I'm done with the cheese now - let's party!)

President of Upstairs

Julie ran an election for "President of the Upstairs." She wrote speeches for the contenders.

Anastasia (Julie): Good evening, gentlemen and ladies. If I became prezident of our upstairs. I will make sure everything is okay. I'll make sure rooms are clean. I'll make sure beds are made. And that no crayons and pens and food or drink is up there. At 7:30 be always get ready for bed. I'll be sure every one is in bed every night. This is the list: PJs, teeth, song, scirptures, prayer, love u forever, bed. I'll be great! Please vote for me! every thing will be neat. I'll help you get the boys to bed. Tuck them in and all that. Then I'll tuck myself in. mabie read the 3 boys a story! thank you for listening! And good night! bye

Cain (David): (Cain talked; Anastasia wrote.) Hello my name is Cain. I will be the best! If you choose me everything will be perfect! I will rock! We'll have lots a parties! I am the best to pick! Thanks! Come again!

Obama (Josh): Hi I am Barock Obama. I am best. [Part I couldn't read - DLC] Bye.

McCain and Obama should hire Julie as a speechwriter. Who can argue with her logic or resist her power of persuasion?

Back To School

Julie and David started school . Julie is a veteran; David is a greenie. Julie has name-recognition; David has big shoes to fill. Julie and David enjoy school.

Okay. Okay!!! They started three weeks ago, but I have had writer's block. And our computer is rejecting all video creation programs (both Roxio and WinDVD have quit working), so I couldn't put together a cute flick about the start of school and our fabulous Labor Day fun (see the slideshow tomorrow).

You Know You Have a Problem When . . .

your children fight at the church about their make-believe game, "Church."

Julie and David like to clean the church during our assigned month. Usually they straighten the hymnals and dust the pews in the chapel while I supervise, but Saturday I used "The Pig" (the industrial-strength vacuum) to clean the chapel, which takes longer, so I sent the kids to wipe down window sills in the rooms around the church. I hadn't seen them for a while, so I stopped the vacuum and went to the Primary room (the most likely place) to find them. They were pretending to hold Primary, and the usual argument of who is in charge of the game ensued. (Julie usually claims David needs to play her way and quits playing if David suggests a variation.) I found it quite hilarious that they were fighting at church over "Church."

NEWS FLASH

David lost his first tooth Thursday, April 10th. He was wiggling it while waiting in the car to pick up Julie from school and shouted to Mom that his tooth had come out. Mom quickly unbuckled her seat belt, climbed to the back of the car, and relieved to not have to stop any bleeding, wrapped the tooth in a tissue to take home. The Tooth Fairy traded David his tooth for a dollar after David went to sleep. Don't spend it all in one place, Dave!

Cannon On the Right

While Julie was creating mass support for Hillary Clinton (see previous post), David stayed true to his parents' (okay, really his mother's) political ideals. Not a book, but a great bid for support.

NEWS FLASH

David and Julie entered a contest at Lockheed Martin. Children of employees were challenged to design products that Lockheed would make in the future. This is David's Missile Pen.



He also built a prototype. I wonder what kind of explosive he would use. . . . (Mommy's temper might work.)

Julie designed a flying car, so that "when we are late, we can just get in the car and fly there fast!" (We really aren't late that often, I just use that as a - threat? - to get the kids in the car more quickly.)

"Quote of the Week"

The weather here has been beautiful, so Jesse, the boys and I ate lunch on the porch one day. David brought his bike onto the porch and proceeded to ride to the end and then right off the end of the porch, a good 6-inch drop. He has quick reflexes and jumped clear of danger; then he started to laugh. He told us, "I was thinking in my head that looked like fun, so I thought I'd do it." The irony: just before David's daring deed, Jesse had quietly suggested we put a ramp at the end of the porch that the kids could jump their bikes off of. Obviously, Jesse and David share a desire for - for lack of a better word - adventure.

David Turns Five

Hear ye; hear ye! David is now five years old. He is officially ready to start school next year. He can play with "big boy" toys: goodbye toy trains; hello ACTION FIGURES!

He partied hard with his friends on October 20th then partied hard with his family on the 24th. With his friends he played games, ate hot dogs, decorated cupcakes, and opened presents. With his family he biked by the Trinity River, ate pizza at Cici's Buffet, ate cake with green icing, and opened presents. His family gave him Tinker Toys and Lincoln Logs and Legos, so David has been building for the last two weeks. He builds cars, robots, drum beaters (with his dad), boats, and space ships. He is amazing!!!

Middle Child

David likes to find humor in everything, even in getting into trouble. One day he was in the bathroom playing in the sink, and I was giving him a lecture with an extra serious face. He had been playing with a pour spout that had been cut out of a half-gallon milk carton; he proceeded to put the spout in his mouth and stick his tongue through it. I couldn't help myself: I burst out laughing. So much for my serious lecture!

David loves all things fun! If he isn't having fun, he lets you know. He used to enjoy playing with trains; now he prefers to build bridges for the trains out of legos to elevate the tracks. He likes to build models with Daddy and make houses out of lincoln logs or couch pillows. He loves to play in our sandbox outside and to ride his bike really, really fast. He loves to tell the knock-knock jokes we have taught him - all two of them! over and over again!

My favorite thing about David is his sweetness. He always compliments Mommy or Julie when we are dressed up and "so beautiful." He loves his baby brother; he helps James be happy if Mommy needs an extra minute or two to finish something. If I remember to ask him to be a helper, he follows directions more quickly than if I command him brusquely.