Bloody Smile

Only a minute or two after sending him downstairs to put something away, I heard something between a gasp and a shriek. Sounds of this nature aren't unusual around here, so like a good mother, I paid it no mind. In the seconds following, I heard Ryder rush up the stairs and in an excited voice called, Mom! I looked at him and his mouth was gaping wide open.

--now had it not been for the happy tone in his voice, I would have started the 'ol inward debate between calling 911 or throwing him in the car myself to rush him to the ER.--

But alas, upon further examination through the blood streaming out of his mouth, I realize he's showing me he lost a tooth! Oh, so this is exciting--not scary!  (He's already lost his bottom front four, but for some reason, this one seemed like a big deal--plus, he's been working on it for awhile).

Stopping the bleeding

So then I do what any good mother would do. I sit him on the bathroom counter and tell him to wait while I go get my phone to take a picture (because I find the fact that he looks like an extra off of the Walking Dead somewhat entertaining). I mean, is it normal for teeth falling out to bleed that much?

Anyhow, after getting the bleeding under control we were left with, what I consider, one of the cutest Jack-o-latern grins I've ever seen.

Ta Da!

He's just getting so big. His legs are so long. The other day he injured himself while sitting down because his knee came up and hit him in the jaw. And in a little more than a month he'll turn 7! Thankfully--for the most part--he's growing in sweetness as well. So if that's the case, I guess I'll let him get older.

Speaking of sweet things--will someone please text me tonight to remind me that the Tooth Fairy is supposed to be making an appearance...

Ryder Completes Kindegarten!

My Ryder is done with Kindergarten! Well, he will be tomorrow. I feel like the last week of school can be easily compared to the final mile of a marathon. Just die, I say! I can't take one more time change or themed dress-up day! 

If not for nothing, it does make for some great pictures. 

In mid-May, Ryder's Kindergarten class had a day where they showed off there animal dioramas (a final project of sorts) and performed for us a few songs. 

Here he is with a couple of this friends from class. 

Here he is with his diorama. He picked a komodo dragon, which I thought was quite clever.

And here he is singing us a few songs. He's the cute tall one in the back. 

On the second to last week of school, each day they had a theme. Can you tell what the first one was?

Cowboy Day! For these photos he said, Mom! Instead of "cheese", I'm gonna say, "yeehaw!"

One of the other days that they got to dress up for what Hawaiian Day. We own one article Hawaiian apparel and it just happens to be an adult man's size shirt, so that is what he wore. We also thought the mohawk and the cowabunga sign gave him a nice surfer vibe that really pulled the look together.

Their elementary school also did a 5k that week! They take of about a mile for the Kindergarteners, but I was very impressed with how well Ryder did. I couldn't help envisioning him on the side of the trail somewhere crying and whining about how tired he was...hmmm, I wonder why? (It's because that's probably what I would do.)

There is something about crossing a finish line--no matter the age or the distance--that makes me ridiculously emotional. 

This week we did a "Bubble Day" that included blowing bubbles, chewing bubble gum and othere water activities. He had a "Feild Day" where they had a bunch of relays and races, and to top it all off? A dance festival. Why not? Who doesn't love a good dance festival? 

I can't believe how fast these last nine months have gone. If Ryder's school years continue to go by this fast, I'm in serious trouble.

But in the end, I ooze pride for this boy and I love him with all my heart and I always will. 

Five is a Big Deal

I feel like somebody up in heaven snuck over to the VCR of My Life's Movie and pushed the fast forward button. For example: I'd like to tell you about Ryder's birthday that happened yesterday, but when I look at the calendar it says it was almost four weeks ago...!!! It's all a mean trick, I tell ya.

Anyhow, back to my boy's birthday. He did it. He turned FIVE! Five is a big one. Five is half a decade. Five is when they could actually go to Kindgarten (thankfully, I avoided that one by the skin of my teeth) Five is the age in which I have memories that I can remember to this day (scary thought--I've always been a parent who takes great comfort in realizing "oh good, my kid will probably never remember____" Unfortunately with Ryder, now all I can do is hope :)

Again, back to the boy. (I'm easily sidetracked today) So keep in mind Ryder's birthday came about three weeks after Hazel was born so when I asked him if he wanted a party with friends or a day to call his own with family, you can probably imagined I was doing cartwheels in my head when he chose a day with family. (I may or may not have thrown in going to a movie and McDonalds to seal the deal). Most of the kids his age have parties so I was worried he would think his birthday was totally lame, but I think we pulled it off!

Well, I had fun anyways...

Ryder's bedroom door decor

Dunkin' Donuts: the breakfast of birthday champions. His chair had 5 balloons! 

 Ryder had to find his birthday presents hidden around the house

With Penny's help, of course (she would give him hints)

 Someone was really excited about one particular  present

Who's birthday was it again?

Penny and Ryder at Micky D's

 Me with my big boy...I love that face, I love him

 And of course, the birthday cake!

Dear Ryder,

You are sweet and good. I feel so blessed that you are mine. Besides being such a help to me, your dad and your sisters, you are such an important part of this family and I don't know what I'd do without you. Love you forever. ~Mom

JUST ME AND MY DAD

One of Phil and Ryder's favorite books to read together is "Just Me and My Dad" by Mercer Mayer from The Little Critter Series. In short it tells a story from a sons perspective about a camping trip with his dad.

So when the ward was having a father and son camp out, there was a father/son duo in this house very excited to go.

Fortunately, the book was a very good informant for Ryder on how a father/son camping trip should work.

Daddy drove the car because Ryder was too little.

Ryder helped setting up the tent.

They ate their picnic dinner from mommy (that's me).

They roasted marshmallows by the fire.

Ryder got to run around with a flashlight in the dark with a bunch of other little tykes.

They read stories.

And they got to sleep in a tent together all night long.

The next morning they even went on a little hike.

However, thanks to the book, Phil did have to do some smart talking when they didn't go on a canoe ride and that they got to watch people fish instead of went fishing themselves :)

With this walking around, I just might have to tag along next time!