How many gifts do I get

On the drive home from school John David told me he had a question..."how many gifts do we get from the Wise Men?" I aksed him to clarify himself...he then asked "do I get 3 gifts since there are 3 kings?" I told him that it is one gift per person. He was not too thrilled with that answer, but I'm pretty sure he will be one of the few in his school that celebrate this holiday. Or at least that is the way it was when I grew up.
Later in the afternoon I started thinking, I wasn't sure if he figured that out on his own or if he had helped. I called my sister and verified that she does 3 small gifts...so who knows Ethan could have clued him in. I guess in time we will find out where that question cam from.

book worm

It has been totally amazing to see John David's reading skills improve by leaps and bounds. He is very excited and eager to read to anyone who is willing to listen to him. His vocabulary is increasing as well. We have recently discovered one down side to the reading....we can't spell things out we don't him to know. He just puts the letter togethers and tells us the word. Then he just laughs and gets so excited that he knows what we are talking about.
Last week there was a book fair at his school. Everyday he kept asking when we could go buy some books.
On wednesday he woke up at 5:30 am, got dressed and came in our room to ask if he could go to the book fair with daddy. So we sent him back to bed, and when I went in to wake him, he woke up and came down to eat breakfast, and was ready to go quickly. JP took him to the book fair, and all the books he wanted were hardback so JP tried to limit his books. Apparently John David gave daddy the sad boy look, and two minutes later John David was excited to get his books. John David needs to remember that look he gave his dad, as it might come in handy again in the future.

Pigeon Books

John David just discovered Mo Willems and the pigeon books. He thinks they are soooo funny, and he loves reading to his brothers and sister, and anyone else who sets foot in our house. Sometimes he can't even make it through the book without laughing either...despite that he pretty much knows them by memory now, since he brings one home every week. His school library has four of the books, and he just rotates through them. He is definitely enjoying reading now, because he will even pick up a book without being asked to read. He really enjoys reading to his siblings, and discovers he can read more books everyday as his reading improves. It is really exciting to see his reading, and vocabulary grow on a daily basis.

I already told you yesterday.

My house is full of little helpers. They help make the mess and the help clean up the mess. Carlos has been helping unload the clean dishes from the dishwasher, and now John David is helping. Carlos would just take everything out and put it on the counter, and he would throw all the utensils in the correct drawer for me. I would then go back and sort out the utensils and place in their appropriate places. John David can actually put up the utensils, and some of the other things...so that is pretty cool. Yesterday John David said he had an idea...he said that I need to put all the forks together, all the spoons together and all the knives together. He said that way it would be easier to put up. He does not know that when I am loading the dishes I am just putting things in there quickly, and don't really think about that. This morning when he was unloading he was quick to tell me with his little six year old attitude "I already told you yesterday," and I said I know. So today I have actually been sorting out the utensils for him. He will be so proud of me when he helps unload the dishwasher. Who ever thought I would be following the instructions of a six year for loading the dishwasher...but I don't want to loose my helper.

Happy 6th Birthday John David!

It is definitely hard to believe that he is 6 years old! Time has definitely flown by. He had a great day today. He went to camp this mirning, and was excited to be in the 6/7 year old group. They sang to him at the end of camp...so that made him excited. We then had Ethan over for the afternoon to play and they got to watch a Power Ranger movie. For dinner he requested pancakes...so we had breakfast for dinner and chocolate cake. He got soccer shorts and a ball, a razor scooter, pixos, a bug net, clothes, shoes, and money. It was good to see him enjoy his day!

growing friendships

This past week has been great to observe John David grow his frienship with Isai. This little boy was in his kinder class. They went to soccer camp together and we did the carpool thing with his family. They were both excited to be at soccer camp together, and the morning that I woke him up and told him we were taking Isai to camp he was so excited...he was also excited to hear that Isai would be bringing him home. Eventhough camp is over at noon, he did not come home until five from Isai's house. He came home and talked about all the fun things he did with Isai. The next day Isai came to our house, and all the boys including Sammy and Carlos were excited to have a new playmate. It is interesting to see how he interacts with his friends vs his brothers. The boys played on the waterslide outside and air hockey inside. Before we took Isai home we went to Sonic and got slushes, and drove with the windows down. Everyone was tired after that long day.

he'll

John David has really made a lot of progress in his reading skills this last month. He is getting better at sounding out words he does not know or recognize. A couple of weeks ago he was reading the book "if you take mouse to the movies," and that is when I realized all the rules of the english language are finally coming together in his little head. When he got to the word "he'll" he said hell...I was proud of him for sorta sounding out the word correctly...but then I had to explain contractions to him. SO now when he sees "he'll" he says "he will." John David enjoys reading the little books that Carlos and Emma play with and I'm sure his progress will be huge over the summer and in 1st grade.

I want my yearbook

When John David got off the bus yesterday, I noticed he had a sticker on his shirt. It said "I want my yearbook." I waited to see if he said anything. He eventually told me that the sticker was to remind him to buy a yearbook. He then gave me the yearbook sales pitch. He was sure to mention that it would have his picture and all his friends. But then he told me that it really had pictures of everyone in the entire school. He ended by asking for $25 dollars. I told him that was a lot of money, and we already had pictures of his classmates. His final statement was that he lots of dollars in his wallet and I could use those if I didn't have enough. I told him we probably were not going to get a yearbook this year, but maybe when he got older, and that was pretty much the end of the conversation. He didn't bring it up after that.
It is amazing what kids listen to and can remember to recite. I felt like I was at the door with a salesman...he definitely knew his stuff.

Go Gators

This morning I packed up the kids and we went to see John David at his track and field day. Everyone had a good time munching on lots of snacks and sno cones. John David and his classmates had a good time. It was obvious which activitities he preferred over others, but he definitely had fun. The favs were hula hoops, parachute, obstacle course, and both the fish and sand relay. He will definitely be tired when he comes home from school today.

April Showers

This month John David has developed a love for taking showers...which is great for me. He will actually go up turn on the shower, shampoo and scrub all by himself. He has definitely grown into a big boy. Tonight JP thought he was upstairs in the bathroom, and a few minutes later when he checked on him, he was already getting out of the shower. He is so self sufficient, which is great...one less to worry about when it comes to baths. Sammy will also shower with John David, but still needs a little assistance. I guess time will only tell what his next big boy thing will be.

It's Kinder Rodeo time!

On friday John David had a rodeo at his school. Parents got to go watch the Hoe Down....or in other words we got to see them sing and dance. It was very cute and hillarous to see 20 kids trying to sing and dance in a circle. Most of them were all into it and very excited, others were just standing around. John David was very excited...his big higlight was wearing his boots, hat, vest and scarf. Here is a clip I took at home.

Cowboy in trainig

John David's school has a kindergarten rodeo in April. He is learning all about Texas, and even some songs he sings around the house. I have heard him sing "deep in the heart of Texas", and he even knows the chicken dance. Very cute to see him concentrate on the different motions, and still have fun. The most exciting thing so far has to be the boots and cowboy hat. I bought a pair of boots online , and they arrived today...so he is wearing those around the house. They are little, cute and pointey. He even asked me about the heel...they are a tad big, but he will definitely get some good use out of them. He wore them anytime he got a chance today. When we were little my abuelito Pepe bought my brother a cowboy hat. My mom gave me that hat last night, so John David was also very eager to wear the hat today as well. Make sure to check out the March pictures...you don't want to miss John David in his cowboy gear with his scooby doo pj's.

Student Led Conference

Yesterday we had a conference at John David's school. When we got to his class, there was a list of activities we had to complete with him. JP and I worked our way through the list. It was great to see him count by 5's and 10's, and to read books in his class. He also sorted rocks, and talked about all his centers. He is a bit more quiet and reserved at school than he is at home. JP and I enjoyed spending those 45 minutes with him in his class, and seeing how much he had learned.

Superstar of the week

John Davis is the Superstar of the Week this week in his Kindergarten class. It all started with us having to make a poster for him to share with his friends. Then a parent goes in and reads a book to the class. Despite JP's fabulous story voices, he wanted his mommy. Last night he picked his book, and we packed it in his backpack.
This morning he was up early on his own, and he laid down in bed for me. He was sooo excited about today. He kept telling me that today was a special day. As he was getting ready to leave he asked if I could eat lunch with him. I told him it all depended at what time Abuelita arrived to watch the babies. As soon as my mom arrived I was out the door with Sammy. By the time we got to the cafeteria he was done eating. He was excited to see me, and came right to me. Then as he sat back down, one of his classmates said I told you your mom would come. It was apparent that he had been waiting for his mommy.
We then went to his classroom and everyone sat down in their places. John David told Sammy to sit next to him. It was very cute to see them together. After I was done...his classmates had some questions and comments to share.
After we left I was feeling guilty for not getting there early enough to eat with him. Later in the afternoon that feeling went away. As soon as I picked him up from school he thanked me for going to his school today, in a very sweet voice. He said that it was very nice of me to go.

100th day of Kindergarten

Thursday was John David's 100th day of school. He was sooo excited about going to school. On wednesday he decorated a crown to wear for the 100th day. Then on wednesday after school we got his 100 sponges ready to take to school the next day. That night I was asking him what shirt he was going to wear for his 100th day of school. He told me that he did not have a shirt with a 100. I told him he could wear any shirt and and he had plenty of 100 things at school. He said I could make him a shirt. So needless to say I ended up making him a shirt.
Thursday he wore the shirt and JP said he showed the shirt his teacher right away. I added a picture of him with his teacher and some of his classmates so check that out. Thursday night he wanted to keep the crown in his room. First of all he put a sticker on each one of his stuffed animals and then we put it on the bear so it would stay safe. When I checked on him an hour later, I found him asleep with his head propped up on his arm with part of his crown on his head. The other part of the crown was under his head. When he asked about his crown today I told him we would have to fix it.

I'm glad you told me to go to soccer.

I forgot to mention that on Tuesaday, John David started a soccer clinic at his school. It will be for the next five tuesdays after school for an hour. The clinic is to teach skills. He did a similar clinic with basketball in November, and he enjoyed it. At the end of basketball the coach mentioned that there would be a soccer clinic in the spring. John David said he wanted to do it. On Monday night John David said he didn't want to do it. I knew he would enjoy it, so I registered him anyways.
When I picked him up on Tuesday, he was soo excited after the clinic. He said "I'm glad you told me to go to soccer." I asked him why and he told me that he got a medal for being a good listener, and that his friend Andrew was there. Andrew is in his class, and when he did the basketball there was no one from his class, so I know that he is excited to have someone he knows there with him.

I'm coming home in that car tomorrow.

When John David came home and saw his carseat in the dining room, he asked why his carseat was out. I explained that I had to replace the harness. He said that I had to get it back in the car today. I asked why and he replied (don't forget to add the John David attitude when you read this), "because I am coming home in that car tomorrow, in my carseat." I said "yes, I know. the carseats will back in the car by the time I pick you up from school.

That's awesome

This is one of John David's new phrases. He is allowed to say this one as much as he wants. The big "no no" of the moment is "shut up." He even told his grandma today that she is not suppose to say that. He has enjoyed being home from school, but I think he is ready to go back.
He enjoyed opening all of his presents at Christmas and helping his younger siblings as well. He says his favorite present is his Scooby Doo video. In actuality the presents that got his best reaction was the pair of crocs he received from two his aunts. He got mammoth crocs for now, and mickey crocs for the warmer months. He just had the biggest smile, and went into his silly laugh both times. Both pairs have been worn several times already.

I got a medal today

John David came home very excited today, and was ready to call daddy to share the news. At his basketball class...he was one of the people that got a medal today. He was very ecstatic and said that it was because he was good, and he didn't even complain when he was the shark. He put the medal in a ziploc baggy and asked where he could put it in a safe place. I actually took the medal out and hung it up on one of the walls, he was beaming from ear to ear. It was the first thing he showed JP when he came home.

they were kicking my little brother out

On friday we went to my sister's house for her birthday. She was very ambitious this year and decided to cook. She proved that she can cook...she made some good mole chilaquiles. The boys were excited about going over and playing with their cousins. My sister had some other friends over with their kids. At one point Sammy came and got me...when I went down Ethan and Evan told me that John David was crying. When I asked him what was wrong he said the big kids were throwing the ball too high. The big kids would be Ethan and Evan (Evan just turned six in October and Ethan will be six in December...so not too much bigger than John David.) I told him they were his age...he was quick to remind me that Evan is six. Then I told him they are all in kindergarten so that makes the same age. He then drank some Caprisun and continued to play. About ten minutes later...Keaton (Evan's 4 year old brother) comes and tells me to come down. Once again John David is crying. I tried to calm him down to determine what was wrong, but couldn't get much from him. All I could get from him and Sammy is that the big kids were winning.
JP came down and talked to John David and learned why he was upset. He said they were trying to kick his little brother out. He was referring to Carlos who had ventured downstairs to play with the big boys since Gavin had gone to bed. I was touched to learn that John David was being a fabulous big brother and watching out for his little brother.