School Picture

Logan brought home his school pictures yesterday. I kept myself from crying, but it was hard. No matter how I try to prevent it he keeps growing, physically and mentally. Sniff, I now understand bitter sweet. My little man, truly he is like miniature man.

Independent

Castle came home from school on Monday, was in the house three minutes when he declared he was going to Kim's house to get a haircut. He did just that. He walked across the street, let himself into her house and told her to cut his hair. Never mind she was in the middle of packing her house to move away from abuse like this. She, of course dropped everything and obliged him. I think I saw a tear escape her eye though she kept a brave face.

As Kim was cutting his beautiful blonde locks, he kept telling her, "Shorter, cut more.". It was sad to watch the hair fall to the ground.

The whole time Kim was cutting Castle had a huge smile on his face. He was very excited to look like his dad. Or was it to look like Logan, or maybe Micah. It varied as the hair was hitting the floor.

Thank you Kim for cutting my hair and always having suckers!

I now present you with Castle, "Big Boy" Huggard!

Now the boys look like carbon copies. It is so strange to look at them now. They are growing up! It makes me sad, especially since Logan promised he wouldn't!

Logan Makes Auntie Dena Cool

Logan and Castle went on a play date with their beloved Auntie Dena. They hung out watched movies and went to the park. When they were leaving the park Logan turned to Dena and told her that all the people at the park thought she was cool. Being the cool cat she is Dena asked him what he meant. He explained to her that because she was there with him people probably thought she was his mom. As he is very talented and was performing some very cool tricks, this in turn made her cool. Ahhh we have such a humble child on our hands.

HAIRCUT!

Before

For the past week and a half Castle has been asking for his hair to be cut. I tried to talk him out of it. Delicately trying to convince him that he does not want his hair to be cut and that a hair cut was a bad idea. He was not falling for it, he repeatly told me he wanted his hair cut like Logan and Daddy. We made a hair appointment with "My Kim", Castle's Kim. I am not sure which one of us was more upset about the hair cut Kim or I.

"My Kim" cut off about three inches. Castle didn't blink an eye. He convinced "My Kim" to give him licorice and candy throughout the entire procedure.

"My Kim" combed his hair with no tears, he never lets me do that. He even got a hair wash out of it.

After

Thank you "My Kim", I Love You

Educating the Kids

“Steve” and I have been working on a few social issues with Logan. There are a few kids at school that, among other things, tell Logan to share his snacks with them. We have been trying to explain that he does not have to share, and we don’t want him to share. Every child brings their own snacks, and no one is going without something to eat. This morning Logan asked if he can give one of his Yogo’s to a classmate. I told him no he can’t share the snack. That he should tell the child to ask his mother to buy him the treat for his snack. He explained that he has been telling the kid this but he doesn’t listen. I decided to back up and try another tactic. I suggested he tell the child he can have one of his snacks if the child pays him a dollar first. We role played this for a minute until Logan was able to combat the objections likely to come at him, no sharing unless he is holding the green. Feeling triumphant I walked away to finish getting the kids ready for school. Castle walked up to me and gave me a Yogo – I took it and told him thank you. He said “Give me a dollar.”. And I am always accusing my children of not listening. I guess I stand corrected.

Kids Say the Sweetest Things

On our way home from school today Logan informed me, "You make it hard to be cool.".

Homework

This morning Logan woke up early and found his homework he asked "Steve" if he could work on it. Since "Steve" was still resting his eyes he told him to go ahead. A short while later "Steve" woke up and found that Logan had completed all but one page of his homework. When asked how he knew what to do Logan replied "I read the instructions.". Apparently he didn't make many mistakes. I am so proud of my little man.

Apples and Ketchup

Logan, Castle and I went out for a nice lunch at McDonald's. Castle decided it would be yummy to dip his apples in his ketchup. I figured if I told him he could, he wouldn't like it and stop. I was wrong. "It no yucky mommy.". I guess I will now have to order a side of ketchup with our apples.

My Handsome Boys

I don't often get both of the boys to sit still and smile for a picture, so I considered myself lucky when they stood still.

It started off as an Innocent Walk to the Park

It was such a nice day, you know the warm days that hit in the middle of the winter, they aren't really warm, they just seem warm compared to the frigid air we become accustomed to during the winter months. Logan, castle and I decided to take a walk to the park. Logan decided it ride his scooter, of course Castle wanted to follow suit. Off we headed to the park, helmets on scooters ready. Castle is getting better on his scooter, it only took about 15 minutes for us to make it from our house to the park entrance, about 100 feet. Castle fell, and bonked his head, he sniffled for just a second and then he kept on riding, I didn't make a big deal about it since he didn't cry. After a few minutes I noticed that he had a big bleeding knot on his head. Poor kid, but you would never have known, he didn't fuss, how was I supposed to know? Logan was such a good sport, he was riding ahead and coming back, riding ahead, coming back, enjoying the outdoors. Castle finally tired of trying to ride his scooter and he put it in the wagon and pulled his scooter to the park.

Castle's Update

We recently went to the Orthopedic surgeon for Castle's his year follow up as it has been about 13 months since Castle broke his legs. Castle was much more cooperative with the X-Rays than he was last year, he stood very still, the tech let him hold on to Doggie. Nice for him to have the culprit for the broken legs in his follow up X-Ray.

Dr. Stotts had very good feedback regarding Castle and his progress. After the cast came off his legs measured 3mm difference in length. This year there was only 1mm difference and he said he could not tell which leg had been broken! That was such happy news, we were told that when a bone is broken it is not uncommon for that limb to grow longer than the other one because of the extra blood that flows to repair the break. We will bring him back in a year and likely not again.

Castle had to have some gloves because that is what happens when you wait for the doctor.

Dentist

Castle and Logan went to the dentist recently. I was watching them and realized that if the dentist had, video games, cool tree huts with a toy kitchen, televisions in the ceiling, cute little hygienists and a toy prize when I was done, I would not have been so afraid to go to the dentist. Logan loves to go, as soon as we pull in the parking lot he is struggling with staying by me, he wants to run to the tree hut in the dentist office so he can play video games.

At first Castle wasn't too keen on the idea of letting anyone look in his mouth, this was not the first time the hygienist has dealt with a um, difficult patient. She was phenomenal, as you can see Castle was smiling by the time it was all over. She was even able to get X-Rays. I asked her if we could convince them to take one adult patient, "Steve" makes faces like Castle when he has to go to the dentist.

Christmas

With Castle on two legs running around like a crazy man Christmas was much more lively this year than last. Logan opened gifts faster than he could register what the gifts were. Castle was the opposite of Logan, we had to make him open his gifts, he would open one and play with it for a while reluctantly putting it aside to open another. Santa brought Logan exactly what he asked for, "Pit Beast with Luke and the Bone" from Star Wars. He gave Castle a shot gun, I have to assume that is what he wanted as I was not privy to what he had asked for.

Logan an ornament for us in school.
It is adorable.

Grandma Shar and Grandpa Danny came over to celebrate with us. The boys, including Rosco and Jasper love it when they visit. It is the only time they get to get on the couch, though "Steve" always threatens that it is the last time they will get on the couch. We hung out and played with toys for a while before they had to leave and visit other family members. They should move to Herriman.

We played with our new toys for a while and then it was off to Great Grandpa and Grandma Plott's house. It was a ma-lay of kids, adults, appetizers and fun. Most of the family members who attend we only see once year at Grandpa Plott's house so it is nice to go visit with them.

After Great Grandpa and Grandma's house, we went to Papa and Pepi's house. Aunt Sarah, Aunt Suzie, Aunt Amber, Uncle Jake, Aunt Di, Uncle Don, Uncle Billy, Cousin Alex and Cousin Jack. It was such a great time.

We only get to see Aunt Sara once a year, but I am certain this is where Castle gets his pouty face. You know the one - lower lip stuck out further than his nose, eye brows curved, up puppy dog eyes.

Uncle Billy - for a man who tries to put up a tough front he is such a softy.

"Steve" got arrested, I am sure he was framed.

A happy ending to a great holiday.

Roast Beast

Christmas Eve was a lot of fun we went to Grandma Denise's house and she fed us homemade roast beef. Castle was having a hard time not getting everything he wanted. He did one of his best, I'm sticking my lip out pretending not to look at you but making sure you see that I am so very very very very sad. He is soo cute.

We ate until we had to unbutton our pants. Dinner was delicious!! I can think of no better place to be on Christmas Eve. Thank you Grandma and Grandpa.

Santa Again, They Must Have Been Good This Year

Castle's day care had a surprise visitor. Santa, came to talk to the boys and girls about their Christmas wishes. He even had a little gift for Logan. Castle was a new kid this time, he got on Santa's lap and would not stop talking he was using his hands to make sure he was getting his point across. It was fun to have the boys so excited, no cast for Castle and both of them old enough to enjoy it.

Logan's Birthday Weekend

Caci, Mia, Colton, Meghan, JT, "Steve",
Jaxson, Micah, Logan, Alex
Colton, Lanissa and Sena

Logan turned six this year. It seemed as though his birthday lasted for a week. It started a week earlier at Grandma Shar's house and just kept on going. "Steve", Castle, Logan and I had a small family get together on Friday. Saturday was the kids celebration at Jungle Jim's. Everyone seemed to enjoy themselves. Logan ran, jumped and played until his face was purple.

This should have been a themed birthday, Logan's Star Wars collection exploded. He has some very generous friends.

On Sunday we had Papa, Pepi, Alex, Jack, Uncle Billy, Aunt Amber, Aunt Suzie, Aunt Sarah and Uncle Jake over for dinner and brownies, cuz as you know Logan does not eat cake. Logan thought it would be fun to act like a waiter. He spent 30 minutes deciding what outfit to wear for the evening. He had a very particular look he was going for. After careful deliberation he dressed in mostly black with a tie. He very carefully wrote three menus for the evening, listing the food and beverage choices for everyone. What a thoughtful host.

All in all I think Logan had a memorable birthday weekend. He is very lucky to have such wonderful people who love him. Thank you all.