7 Years

The boys turned 7. It is both hard to believe that they're that old, and simultaneously hard to believe they're not at least 17 by now. And they are constantly getting on each others' nerves. A recent exchange...

Jack: I want a brother!

Henry: You have a brother!

Jack: A brother who doesn't hit me.

Steve: Sorry, they don't make brothers like that.

Opening birthday cards (Henry left, Jack right), with Henry's new m&m's pillow and Jack's new seal puppet in the middle: 

Opening more presents from Mom and Dad:

Henry opening his Pokemon satchel:

Jack and his RC drone:

In lieu of the birthday party, we paid for the boys to try all of the carnival games they have been begging to play every time we go to the boardwalk. It was one of my more brilliant ideas. It got Steve and me out of having to throw a party for a bunch of hyper 6 and 7 year-olds while simultaneously proving what Steve and I had always told the boys... that most carnival games are intentionally rigged and nearly impossible. 

They did well but, alas, did not get the top of the jungle climb. Jack could probably figure it out given enough time (and lots of $) but we only paid for two chances on each game.

Birthday cake at Cruz Kitchen and Taps (the boys really like the salmon there):

Henry was asking some questions about when he and Jack were born, but couldn't seem to come up with the word "born," and I loved his substitute phrasing. He asked what things were like "when we first met the world." 

We were happy to have Grandma Loveridge come to visit. They boys felt it was very important to show her one of their favorite games: Donkey Kong Country on Super Nintendo. 

Three generations (boys wearing their new shirts from Grandma):

Grandma graciously took a picture of us also:

I took the boys to Olive Garden (since we ended up in the vicinity when they were hungry while running errands) and Henry quickly found out that the menu tablets have games on them:

The boys saw their second ever movie in a theater:

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem was a good movie choice for them. The action sequences were fantastic, and of course what animation is capable of these days is amazing. I was a little disappointed that the dialog wasn't as clever as it could have been, but it was still fun to watch with kids.

Jack and Steve at our local burger joint:

Ugh, Dad!

Henry tries pop rocks for the first time:

"I can hear them in my brain!" Henry exclaimed. 

Jack with his pop rocks:

The boys started first grade. They are in the same class, like they were in kindergarten. I think being in the same class has worked out well for them so far. Having the same teacher means having the same assignments and expectations, and me and Steve not having to deal with the inevitable whining that one of them has more homework or a meaner teacher than the other. 

First day of school:

Jack loves wearing hats, but unfortunately has one of those old-school teachers who does not allow him to wear his hat in the classroom. The irrational expectations of authority figures are an important thing to get used to in life, I suppose.

Their classroom is not exactly evenly split between boys and girls:

The boys' teacher loves to take pictures in the classroom to share in a parent-only portal. It's been kinda fun to see bits of their day.

Jack on bring-a-toy-from-home day with his Buzz Lightyear toy:

Henry and Ikea Monkey:

Jack in the school library:

Henry with his calendar:

Jack (before the teacher cracked down on his hat) with his assignment, "I am special because..." which he completed with "I can play soccer:"

Henry with his assignment, which also says "I am special because I can play soccer:"

The boys don't sit at the same table, so I thought it was interesting that they picked the same thing to write.

My parents came up for a late summer visit.

Grandpa reads:

Got a picture of them with the grandkids too:

Grandma, card shark:

The boys really look forward to Grandma's visits since she's more willing to play games with them than their tired parents. The catch is that Grandma is great at games and plays to win.

The boys now learn new card games at their school aftercare program and will teach them to any adult who sits still long enough to be ambushed. 

Relaxing time:

Suave Henry in a racing-themed coffee shop (we went to Sacramento briefly to visit friends who came in from Michigan):

Jack leaps into the pool during his swim lesson:

The boys are progressing quickly in their swim lessons. Jack is in the standard small group lessons with three other kids. We put Henry in private one-on-one lessons this session, since it was really bothering him that he was behind Jack in his skills. Henry has been motivated and trying hard, and has made great progress. I expect the boys will be back in the same class next session.

Jack and Henry are usually happy with school and their aftercare program, and seem to generally get along with their peers. But, one afternoon, Jack got his feelings hurt by some of the older kids, and was sitting quietly with a teacher when Steve came to pick him up. 

Steve discovered that Jack was writing his name in the wood chips that cushion the playground:

Life can be rough. Luckily most days aren't lonely wood chip art days.