Summer Check List

 

We are in summer mode here at the Griffin residence.

 

Summer Haircut and Buzz.....CHECK

Tank tops and shorts....... CHECK

Endless supply of otter pops........CHECK

Bob Marley Radio on Pandora.....CHECK

 

Freckled noses...CHECK

A collections of potato bugs....CHECK

Cousins playing every day.....CHECK

 Baseball games....CHECK

Chillin' with my sis every day....CHECK

 

Jack's rosy cheeks......CHECK

 

 and CHECK!

Summer is a beautiful thing, I tell you!  If the temps could remain in the 70's for the next 3 months that would be grand.  The longer I can put off donning my maternity swimming suit the better!

ALL ABOUT MAX

 It's high time Max gets the spotlight on the blog.  Life as a little brother includes lots of attending big brothers various activities.  It's a whole other thing when your brother is a newly diagnosed diabetic.  As hard as I try to give them equal attention, I can't help but feel that Max has been getting the shaft lately.  Usually this is when he decides to be extra naughty.  Things are beginning to settle down, and I am planning on utilizing the next 3 months without a new baby or school to really focus on Max.  He is such a sensitive, funny, unique, loving, passionate, and stubborn little boy.  I am constantly entertained by him.

 His favorite foods lately have been dino nuggets, chocolate milk, frosted mini wheats (strawberry variety), toast with jam, popsicles, ham and cheese subway sandwiches, and bananas.  I'm pretty sure we have all the food groups covered...right?  I think he is eating a chip in this picture.

 He gets in a mood every once in awhile when he loves to smile for the camera.  Very rarely, he will respond when you call him Max.  He changes characters multiple times during the day, depending on his mood.  He ranges from Darth Maul, The Emperor, Jango Fett, Leonardo, Peacock (villain in Kung Fu Panda 2), red power ranger, Buzz Lightyear, Ewok, Simon (Alvin and the Chipmunks), and Nigel.  Always in character, he never forgets to take his pretend glasses or mask off before bed, and always puts his swords behind him when he's finished fighting.

 He is constantly in his swimming suit or his pajama bottoms.  That way he thinks he doesn't have to wear underwear.  He loves going commando.

 He adores his cousins.  Jack is the one he sees most often.  They love to dig in the dirt together.

 Jack doesn't even mind being splashed directly in the face by him.  

 Max plays hard most of the day but he saves me in the afternoon by watching episode after episode of Max and Ruby.  We have 42 different episodes on the DVR and he knows the title of every single one.  

Max loves Hank!  He has learned so much about diabetes just by observing.  When he is extra tired he will come to me and say "Mom, I feel low.  I think I need juice or fruit snacks."  He races to find Hank's glucose tester whenever Hank needs it and is always very concerned if Hank cries after a shot.  Every night he tells me he needs his night time snack like Hank before bed.  When we get in the car he asks me if I remembered Hank's diabetes bag.  

I can't forget to include Max's current playlist.  It is random at best and totally my child!  

OMG (Usher)

DJ Caught Us Falling in Love Again (Usher)

Smooth Criminal, Beat It, Billie Jean ( Michael Jackson)

Christmas Sarajevo (Trans Siberian Orchestra)

Teach Me How To Jimmer 

Do the John Wall (Troop 41)

When you see me cruising down the street, guaranteed we are listening to one of these songs.  He loves music so much.  Not only does he memorize the words but he also memorizes the beats. 

Max is very motivated by our sticker chart.  He gets stickers for helping mom, being nice to Hank, and putting his clothes in the laundry.  He knows he gets a sticker off if he hits or kicks and I really think I've seen an improvement in his behavior because of it.  It could also be because my baby is nearly four years old!  How is that possible?  I love my little boy so very much.  I can't imagine life without him.

Farewell Kindergarten

I have been extremely nostalgic, melancholy, and emotional the past week.  The end of the school year is an obvious reminder that my kids are getting older and time is moving on at a rapid pace.  This particular school year has been a traumatic one with Hank.  From a leukemia misdiagnosis, to HUS, to type 1 diabetes, and over 2 weeks spent in Primary Children's Hospital, he has been through so much.  I look at the pictures of the first day of school and it just kills me.  

We had no clue what the future had in store.  Bottom line, he is one tough kid and he is stronger because of everything he has been through.  Our entire family is stronger.  

He reluctantly indulged  me with a picture after his graduation.  He felt bad for his pregnant, crying mother.

Hank and I have become so attached to his teacher, Mrs. Christensen.  She has been perfect for him this year.  He was sad telling her bye.  After she told me she was pregnant with twins, she said if one of them is a boy she wants to name him Hank.  She put together a slide show with pictures throughout the year.  I couldn't stop crying, it was totally embarrassing.  I'll blame pregnancy.

Hank had a sweet graduation cap but he ripped it off as fast as he could after the ceremony.  His trusty cheering squad was there to greet him after he was awarded the best speller.

 My boys looked extra cool in their Shaun White gear.  I tried so hard to get a good picture of them in non-jersey clothes.  Hank was a little irritable after the ceremony and pictures were the last thing he wanted.

 Max's expression says it all....STOP TAKING PICTURES MOM!

 I couldn't even get a smile out of Hank with his best friend Boston.  He told me later he was sad because he was going to miss him.  I assured him we would be seeing Boston all summer long!

 Luckily I snapped this cute picture earlier in the week during field day.  I think these two will be friends for a long time.  Boston is such a great friend.

Hank made so many great friends this year.  It has been so fun getting to know his buddies.  I need to stop dwelling on the fact my baby is growing up and enjoy every minute I have with him.  We have so much to be grateful for and so much to look forward to.  This summer is going to be awesome.  

I know I promised to dedicate an entire post to Leonardo and I'm working on it...here is the teaser.

 Leonardo decided to take a nap after his bath and was so incredibly tired he couldn't possible put any clothes on.  He just curled up in his bed, buck naked, no big deal.  That's what turtles do apparently.  He was not happy when I woke him up but he had to laugh when he realized he fell asleep nakey!  I could write a book about this kid.  He is hilarious.

Hank Dominates!

Hank had his final soccer game last Saturday while I was out of town.  Luckily I had a guest photographer (Sarah) to capture the action...and there was plenty of that!  Sarah, Brett, Jack, Dyson, Kunz, Grandma Jackie, Grandma Jeri, Scott, Max and Randy were all there cheering  him on.  He was pumped!

He didn't stop running the entire game and kept focused on the prize.

The end result was a whooping 3 GOALS for Hank-man!

My little MVP. I am so sad I missed it.

He had such a darling little team this year.  They played all fall and spring together and only lost a couple games.  Although Hank excelled in soccer I think he'll hang up his cleats next season so he can play flag football instead.  I can't wait for baseball season to start next week.

I can't forget to mention Jack's slight obsession with his uncle Randy as of late.  He wanted nothing more than to be cuddled and held by him.  Finally when the game was over, he got his wish.  

 

Prior to his epic soccer game, Hank had another belt test.

He practiced so hard and definitely earned his new belt.  Not only did I miss his last soccer game and taekwondo test, but I missed the walk-a-thon at his school.  Randy was a good sport and volunteered to count the kids laps.  He told me Hank didn't stop running the entire time and got the most laps of anyone in his class.  He even had time to test his blood, drink some juice and keep running.  What a great kid!  My next post will be dedicated to Mino/ Leonardo/Nigel, who seems to be the forgotten child as of late on my blog.  He is such a good sport going to all of Hank's events.  It will be his turn soon! 

A Kid-less Weekend

I've been planning on going to my best friends wedding for almost 6 months now. We have had some life changing events in our family over the course of those months, so leaving has given me a tremendous amount of anxiety.  Hank has become extremely attached to me, not that I'm complaining, and I have become quite a control freak regarding his diabetes care.  My plane ticket was purchased and I knew I needed to detach myself and trust Randy to take over for 3 days.  This was the scene the day before I left... Hank was rocking a sweet hair style for his school's crazy hair day, and Max had the random idea to wear his buzzlightyear costume the entire day.

 I reluctantly left my boys Friday morning and kissed them good bye as they slept comfortably in their beds.  My heart ached the entire way to the airport but I was confident Randy would handle everything perfectly...which he did!

 Dara and her family live in Springfield, Missouri and even though we've been friends for nearly 13 years, I have yet to meet her mom, brother, and fiance.  We all got to know each other over a delicious Mexican feast.  Crusher and I needed some rest and relaxation after an extremely turbulent plane ride!

 Myself, Dara, and her dad Scott are on the left and her fiance Mark, and her mom Debbie are on the right.

 We never miss a beat no matter how long it's been since we've seen each other.  It's such a special friendship which I value so very much.  We stayed up most of the night chatting away about our crazy lives.  The next day was spent primping and preparing for the main event.  

 The wedding ceremony took place in a beautiful park and the weather most definitely cooperated.  Oh yes and the end of the world didn't happen!  This darling little girl, Greta, stole the show as the flower girl.

 Dara's brother Chad walked her down the aisle.  I think I need to adopt him as my honorary brother.

 The ceremony was beautiful.  This picture seems surreal to me.  I'm pregnant with my third child and Dara's in a wedding dress!  We've certainly come a long way from our carefree days in Hawaii!

After the wedding we had delicious food and lots of dancing.  I still got moves at 6 months pregnant...hahaha.  Debbie, Dara, Crusher and  I were all feeling the exhaustion when we took this picture at the end of the night. 

Even though it was a short trip, I am so glad I decided to cut the cord from my children and be with my best friend on her special day.  It was just what I needed.  I couldn't wait to get back to my little family Sunday night.  Not only did I dodge the end of the world, but I also just missed the devastating tornado that hit Missouri hours after my plane departed.  The trip was meant to be!  A HUGE thank you to Randy for holding down the fort while I was gone.  I didn't have to worry one second about the boys. Hank made me promise him I would never leave again though!

Weekend Perfection

The weather was nothing short of a dream this weekend.  My entire family has the sunburn to prove it.  After a never ending winter it felt amazing to bask in the sun and enjoy the most beautiful time of year.

  Rick was in town so Hank had extra motivation to score a goal at his soccer game on Saturday.  He wanted it so bad...and two minutes into the game he had already scored two goals.  When he puts his mind to something...watch out!

Randy motivated the team with a pregame cheer.

 Hank had one thing on his mind straight out of the gates!

 Parker and Hank

 Hank, #7, couldn't be touched on his way to making his 2nd goal.

 The boys LOVE to spend time with their Uncle Rick when he is in town.  He is a kid at heart and his nephews can't seem to get enough!

 Max loved chillin' on the deck with his dad, pretty much all day yesterday.  He ate about 10 popcicles.  

 We hosted a few parties over the weekend with the Griffin clan and kept ourselves entertained with a game of pickle, one on one basketball (I even played), croquet, and listening to classic tunes into the night.  

 Hank didn't slow down the entire weekend.  Thankfully his blood sugar cooperated with all our craziness.

It was everything a weekend should be.  The best part of the weekend was the Mexican crew that showed up Saturday morning to make our yard beautiful.  My lawn is perfectly edged and my bark is freshly replaced with not a weed in sight.  I love Randy's willingness to find these great men work!  I am so ready for school to be out and summer to begin.  Bring it on!!!

Taekwondo through the Years

 Feast your eyes on some truly awesome action shots of Hank. 

 This picture was taken in the spring of 2009.  Hank was barely 4 years old and just beginning his taekwondo journey.  Look at that sweet little face, so young, so pure.  My heart aches a bit when I look at this picture.

This is his latest picture and you can see his focus and concentration has reached a new level.  Not to mention his axe kick is getting higher by the day!  Look at those feet...I swear they are the same size as mine.  I'm pretty sure he is thinking of kicking diabetes' ass in this picture. 

I don't have the energy to blog about my birthday or mother's day and since I lost my camera, I have no pictures.  Just take my word for it, I was surrounded by so much love and support it overwhelmed me.  I am so blessed to be a mother to my amazing boys.  I have such a beautiful life and I am grateful every moment for the inspired people that help me along the way.  I am planning on getting a new camera today so I can better recap our lives!