4th of July Celebration

Our Independence Day celebration started on Friday and continued through late Monday night.  I had to throw in some sweet baseball action shots with my 4th of July post.

For never playing baseball before this season, Hank certainly has some natural talent.

 Like everything in this kids life, he does it 110%.  He loved showing off for his fans.

 Sarah and Brett left Jack in our care while they celebrated their anniversary.  We took all 3 boys to the Lindon Pool.  We got invited by one of Randy's clients to a private pool party.

 Randy and I managed the three of them quite well, I must say.  We totally have this 3 boy thing down.  It didn't hurt that Jack was a perfect little angel.  I made the trek around the lazy river about 25 times but didn't mind one bit since Jack was in a cuddling mood.

My boys love having Jack around.  Jack sat right by Hank and held his hand while he got his shot.  

He settled right into his playpen upstairs, equip with all his blankets and favorite things from home and slept until 8:30 a.m.   He can sleep over anytime if he sleeps that good!

After he woke up he nestled in right next to Hank and watched some Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. 

 We love having little Jack-man around.

 The next day, we took Hank, Max, Dyson, and Colby to Cowabunga Bay for a day of fun.  Hank can't get enough quality time with his cousins.  These boys most definitely have Hank's back when it comes to his diabetes.  They really look out for him.

RATS

 They took turns going back and forth between the lazy river and the slides.

 Max enjoyed the slides with Randy but he preferred the lazy river from hell.  If you have ever been to Cowabunga you know there are about 100 more tubes in the river than there is room for.  So many people, so many nasty people in the same water...really grossed me out.

 Max could have cared less!  Randy and I took turns pushing him around the river all afternoon,

 until he couldn't bare to keep his eyes open any longer...

 He crashed on Randy's arm and then we made an excellent transfer to his tube for a more comfortable nap.

 He was out and didn't even know we spent the next hour looking for Colby!  You may be wondering where the pictures of my hot pregnant body in a swimming suit are.  I guess you will just have to come swimming with me to see my belly in all it's glory.  Let's just say, my days at Cowabunga Bay are done until after Crusher comes.

 The boys went golfing on the 4th and when they returned we had a feast at my parents house.  My dad takes his grilling seriously, unless he has had a few fuzzy navels!

 Max loves to tease me by holding a rock like he's going to throw it at someone or something.  It's really a fun game.

 Good thing he is so damn cute!

  Is he his daddy's boy or what?

 Hank again with his cousins!  I told you he couldn't get enough.  

 I think maybe two or three days have gone by this summer where his cousins have not been around.  I wouldn't have it any other way.

 Hank thinks Isabel is hilarious...which she clearly is.

 After nearly an hour of filling up water balloons Randy agreed to take part in the water fight.

 No one could escape Hank and the hose.

 Except these two little nuts!  I have no idea what they are talking about.

Hank...omg!  He was cracking up over a knock knock joke Randy was telling.  He found it funnier than everyone else.

 Isabel was devastated after "hottie" her water balloon popped.  Hank and Grandpa tried to cheer her up.

 So, this picture was meant to capture just how patriotic we all were in our stripes...however I'm starting to think it may not be the most flattering pattern for my condition.  Holy crap, look at that belly!  Crusher isn't messing around.  I am large and in charge...watch out!  Kate had to leave the party early to take care of Dan who just had his knee replaced.  I think she should consider herself lucky.  I look like I might eat my mom and Sarah for dinner.

 Speaking of dinner, Jeri and Scott grilled up some delicious hamburgers later that night.  The kids were more than anxious to break open the sparklers.

 Max got freaked every time the sparkler got near his hand.

 Hank was less than impressed until...

 his crazy dad showed them how to really have fun with sparklers.  

 Hank and Grandma enjoyed throwing pop-its and watching them come crashing down.

 I'm not sure what it is about the male species and fire.  They were all in on the action.

 Max looks like his arm got blown off...no worries he is just fine.  He had more fun picking out the fireworks than actually watching them.

 Scott maintained control of all these firework crazed boys.

 Hank kept saying he wanted to rewind the day, it was that fun!  I love holidays spent with the people I love the most.  We have taken the entire day trying to recover from our non-stop weekend.  These boys certainly make holidays more exciting!

Last Week's Activites

Summer has been perfect thus far.  I don't want it to end...however I am getting more and more anxious for my sweet little Crusher to arrive.  We still don't have a clue what to name this poor child.  Here is some random events from the past week.  

 We spent the majority of the day at my mom and dad's house on Father's Day.  These boys ADORE their daddy, and with good reason.  He is never too busy or tired to jump on the tramp, climb the dirt hill, go on a 4-wheeler ride, play Star Wars, or play basketball.  I've never met a more patient man.  He has been the perfect partner for me especially this year with all the health problems we've encountered.  I love you Randy.  He loved the gift Hank personally picked out.  A rubber basting brush for the grill.  Just what he needed!

Here is the perfect example of Randy's parenting in action.  Hank had all the neighbor kids over to jump on the tramp and as soon as they spotted Randy, they called him over.  He bounced each one of these kids until they couldn't take it anymore.

 The Lehi Round-up Rodeo was something I wasn't about to miss this year.  Last year we waited too long and couldn't get tickets.  I coordinated the tickets for the entire family and I'm so glad we made it happen.  Lucy, Sarah, Brett, and Jack were also there but missing from this picture.  Hank LOVED it!  He nervously watched every event with so much excitement and anticipation.  My Grandpa Karl would've been so proud.  After the rodeo he asked me, "Mom, how come old guys have the best jokes?".  He was referring to the corny jokes the rodeo clown made throughout the night.  I love that he finds old man humor so funny.  Another reason gramps would be proud.

 Max was a little unsure about the whole thing.  He loved cheering for the calves during the roping portion.  If the cowboys didn't rope them he was beyond happy. 

He was actually more happy eating treats and comparing mouth sizes with me.  I think rodeo's are such an essential part of summer .  We had perfect weather, perfect seats, and perfect company.  We need to hit up another rodeo before the summer is over.

 

Saturday we headed over to Lehi's Grand Parade with my neighbor Carla, her  boys Anthony, Issac, and Servio, and of course Sarah and Jack.  Hank is a bit obsessed with his new friends.  They spend their days jumping on the tramp with the sprinkler, catching grasshoppers, playing basketball, and sliding down their gigantic inflated water slide.  The kids collected massive amounts of candy while I relaxed in a comfy chair in the shade.  

This picture requires no explanation.  This is Leonardo at his finest.  The moment the mask was on, he was in character.  Later that night we ate dinner with our neighbors while the kids ran wild.  Other than some crazy blood sugar readings from Hank, it was a perfect summer day.  I'm not sure what is going on with his diabetes this week.  He has had his lowest low of 42 and his highest high of 402 within the span of 3 days.  As frustrated as I get with this stupid disease, I am grateful everyday I have a child like Hank to handle it.  His friends are so sweet and supportive.  I think the "honeymoon" stage of the disease is nearing the end.  It certainly keeps me on my toes.  Hopefully we can get it figured out soon.  It certainly hasn't stopped Hank from enjoying every summer activity he loves.  He has such a positive attitude. 

Can't wait for another exciting week of summer!

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.