James is now 3

Happy Birthday to James!!

Our sweet boy with blonde curly locks is one year older full of spunk! We made "pinkalicious" cupcakes today while Benjamin and James recited the story from memory (with very few prompts!) So glad that he is potty trained now and we seem to officially be out of diapers! YEAH!! School starts up this week. Brandon is starting to get a little concerned about what he and James are going to do to keep each other busy, with all the other kids gone to school and mom at work during the day.

Benjamin Smarty Pants

The past few weeks Valynn has been trying to "prep" Benjamin on his pre-kindergarten assessment, asking questions like, "What is this number?", or "Write your name". Yesterday, the conversation went like this:
V- "Benjamin, what sound does a "B" make"
B- (after a very slight pause) "Bzzzzz"

Valynn just about corrected him, thinking that he had mis-understood her question, when we both realized that his interpretation of her question was absolutely appropriate! We had a good chuckle.

He'll be an awesome kindergarten-er!

Update on Brandon (from the wife's point of view)

Brandon: Working at Pet Urgent Care as a vet tech and frustrated with how poorly managed the facility seems to be. Glad to have a job though to bring in extra income! Set up a server to allow he and Papa and Boo (and others) to play in the same world of "Mine Craft". Stays home with Benjamin (5) and James (2) for some boy time after he takes the girls to school. They enjoy some "man time" with all the girls away from home for a few hours each weekday. Met with his doctor a few weeks back. Doctor upped his thyroid medications and ordered an over-night oximeter test done. We were surprised to get calls for home health care companies willing to rent us "home oxygen therapy" as a result of his test (We're thinking the test was not correct.... it did come off his finger during the night-- do they just take an average as the result?!? Or is there really a problem?) Doing well with not drinking caffeine anymore. Still loves the carbonation when he can get it, but not a fan of "diet" soda. Learning to like Crystal Light. Although he wishes they still made the grapefruit flavor. Follows his ADD-like tendencies when he finds interesting things on You Tube or Facebook. Stays up until all hours of the night bouncing from one interesting finding to another. Serves as a stake high councilman representing our ward. HATES speaking though-- it gives him anxiety.