The Grumbles Family: School is almost out!!!!

I feel the kids and I have already 'checked out' and we still have four and half days left of school. My brain is not working anymore. Trying to get Taylor to do the last homework assignments this week for the year was as bad as nails against a chalkboard while slamming your head into a wall over and over. IT WAS HORRIBLE! Tears, threats, groundings, privileges taken away, and bribes. It was ridiculous. That boy hates doing homework almost as much as I hate having to make him do it! HAHA Reaganne has left her brain somewhere and can't find it...haha! We are all exhausted and tired. Each morning it just gets harder and harder to get up. I am so ready for the Summer, even though I am terrified of having all four crazy kids home all day long. Thank goodness for swimming lessons twice a week for the entire Summer and many days at the pool. We had Parent/Teacher conferences this past week and Randy came too. It was so good to see the progress both the kids are making. Reaganne scored one of the highest scores in Math for her Class. Taylor is reading at 4th grade level. They both have different areas to work on this Summer, but at least one of them is looking forward to practicing. (Reaganne loves to learn, bless her heart) She will make a great Teacher and Mommy one day! Taylor and I will have to work out some reward system to get this work done over the Summer. haha
Reaganne is growing up too fast, she is wearing my shoes and almost as tall as me. She is one of the sweetest little girls I have ever known. She has really blossomed this past year. She is such an amazing sister and I know she hates being the only girl sometimes, but she truly was meant to be our only princess. I enjoy so much talking with her and how open she is with me and how a hug and kiss can turn any frown upside down. She is very patient with her brothers and is always willing to help out around the house. I am looking forward to making more time for "Girl Time" throughout the Summer.
Taylor is just plain and simple too smart for his own good!!! He is the most stubborn child I have ever met. However, he is the most sensitive child I have ever met. ;) He has a big heart, but likes to hide it as much as he can. He LOVES to ask for stuff all the time, everything is a battle with Taylor and he LOVES to talk back. I am constantly telling him, "Taylor, just remember the louder I yell, and the harder I punish, it just means I LOVE YOU that much more!" haha He is so smart and creative. He has an amazing imagination, whether it is Lego building or creative writing. He loves to write books and draw pictures to go with them. He builds some amazing Lego models from scratch and he can conquer any Wii game in a very short amount of time. He has enjoyed playing catch with Dad in the backyard and has gotten pretty good. He LOVES to 'negotiate a deal' on everything he does. ie. "If I clean the den for you, will I get a Dollar? If I catch the ball 5 times, will I get a Braum's ice cream?" He keeps me laughing and yelling all the time. Taylor is a sweet boy with a hard shell, and I wouldn't want him any other way! ;)
James is almost done with his Pre-K 3/4 year old school year! He is growing so fast! He is doing great with his Speech Therapy. He is making progress every day. He LOVES to TALK. A lot of the time, we are saying, "James, please be quiet! Calm down!" Haha Really he LOVES to tell us about everything and wants to do anything outside that involves running and playing. James loves to collect his favorite toys and put them on my work desk or Daddy's 'white care'. He loves to go for rides in the 'white car'! He is the most affectionate and loving little boy too. I love my James, and all the hugs he randomly comes and gives me!
Kenneth was truly sent to me by Heavenly Father as my last child to keep me laughing and on my toes and to keep me from crying I have four kids that make my head spin. ;) He is such an amazing miracle. He was walking at 11 months (technically 9 months like Taylor did) and all over the place. I cannot keep him gated in any room in this house, he finds a way to move the furniture or break out. He makes the cutest crinkly face when he smiles and just laughs all the time. He has the best expressive eyebrows I have ever seen in a baby. He truly takes my breathe away every morning I go to wake him up. You would never know he was two months early. He is so healthy and happy!

Randy, Randy, Randy! He is such an amazing DAD! He is patient and caring. He helps me see things from a different view which helps me be a better Mom. He is very supportive of me and all that I choose to do and challenge myself with. And of course, he could never live without me!! ;) I think more and more he realizes my plate is pretty full and he is constantly there to help me when I need it, but I have to remember to ask, not assume he knows what I need. Now, if we could just go on a Date Night, that would be Heaven. I think we both could use a couple of hours away! ;)