Bits of Adam

Adam's Fort

Eli and Adam have a tree house...though Eli claims it is his tree house, not Adam's. And I am sure you can guess who gets to make ALL the rules about that tree house. Eli. Eli is in charge of the tree house and anything that goes on at the tree house, including who may come up to the tree house. Lately, we have had issues with littles being bossed around by bigger littles. Eli is tired of a certain neighbor taking over and "ruling", "ruining", or "stealing" his ideas, his fun, or whatever it is he wants to do. And, Adam, being the good sport that he is, doesn't usually mind letting big brother be commander in chief and usually he doesn't mind giving other in charge neighbor time too. Till lately. I think he needed a break from being under someone, whether it was Eli or the other in charge neighbor. He was given a bit of wood (under the envious eye of Eli) from a moving neighbor and went right to work building his own place. A fort right in the front yard. (A rather smart place where the mommy police can see what was going on and give some protection.) He was soon joined by his little friend (who also has a big brother) and they finished the job together.

Adam's "in charge" signs...

After the fort was done, Adam went to work to erect a flag he had made and tied to a very long stick he'd had around all summer. It took a bit of work, but it finally stood in the corner of the yard for a day or two, then he moved it over to the fort where it remained...

...until big brother convinced little brother that they could share the tree house again and that it would be a good idea to use that wood up at the tree house.

So, the neighborhood crew got very busy and quickly moved the wood up yonder hill to the tree house and there all the wood would still be, except that other in charge neighbor came and demanded that the black boards belonged to them and just about caused war until other neighbor was peacefully given the boards they claimed after a little mommy talk with Eli who decided he was very willing to keep some peace rather than fight over a piece of wood.

(Thank you for your help with that Eli. It showed that you have grown a lot.)

I hope Eli will realize one day, just how kind his little brother has been to him.

All that is left of Adam's fort... the pictures and the memory.

It was a great little fort. Good job Adam! You are a good builder.

Bubble Bath

Adam loves to take a bath now and then, especially a bubble bath.
And most especially a bubble bath when daddy goes overboard on the soap.
This is Adam fun at it's best.

Hmmm. Maybe I need a bubble bath. It's been a while since I had one.

Biker Boy

Eli has been faithfully and enthusiastically riding his bike to school every day rain, shine, wind, downpour, dark, cold, alone if need be...He loves it. He started riding so he could earn an award at school. He had to do it for 30 days. He finished his task today. He says he wants to keep it up all year. Except, he told me today, when it is pouring rain. He doesn't like that so much.

Good job ELi!

Signs

Someone has been putting signs around my house.

She says "in case someone comes to visit, they can know where they are".

I love kid stuff. It's sweet.

School Busses and Kindergarten

Do you know anyone that gets to ride one of these to school?
Well, if you know my kids, you do. Pretty cool.
I don't know how they do it in the states these days,
but these even come with Seat Belts that the kids must wear.
Eli had never ridden a school bus, till we came here.
I don't think any of mine know how nice they have it. They really like the Bus.

Today I wanted to share with you Kindergarten and the first sweet days of school
as kindergartners through Adam (a little late) and Mary Alice.

First, two years ago on the first day of school,
Adam was ready for Kindergarten and for his first bus ride to school.

Thankfully, we had a super big brother by his side to make sure he got there ok.

The smaller bus stop crew two years ago.

Boarding. This bus driver is my favorite.

After a successful first day, the best treat of all was
riding home on a DOUBLE DECKER bus.
The prize of my boys. Their favorite seats? The front row, of course.

Sweet.

This year, it was Mary Alice's turn.

She was ready.

Happy to see her friend, Lauren, who started kindergarten too.

A much bigger bus stop crowd.

Notice the rain boots, a must have for school (and everywhere here).

Sweet.
I love these kids. They grow up way too fast.

Tour bus/school bus line at school.

Adam's Baptism

On August 22, Adam was Baptized.
We were thankful to have Uncle Brian here for this special day.
I think Adam was really looking forward to being baptized in the fjord,
but that plan was tossed out when it was pouring rain.
Of course the rain stopped when it was time for the baptisms.
My thoughts on that one...they were going to get wet anyway.
It's not the place that counts, though. But the spirit, authority and preparation.
It was a very special day. We love you, Adam. Keep up the good work.

I am sorry that the only picture we have of all of us caught Adam somewhere else.