Nativity

For Christmas this year we went to California to be with family.  It was nice to be able to see family and watch the boys play with their cousins.  All the kids have grown so much since we lived in California.  My favorite part of the trip was watching the kids participate in the Nativity.  Each Christmas Eve the Peterson family does a nativity play.  This year was a hit.  All the kids enjoyed it and looked awesome.  I hope it is something they remember.

Trey was Joseph this year and only found it a little awkward! 

Makai was a Sheppard, but really wanted a gift the the wisemen.  

Kyle was a wiseman

Tyler was Nephi and loved it.  Kory was a wiseman too--I think.

One thing for sure...all the kids were great and the costumes were awesome.

Makai's 5

We still can't believe that Makai is 5!  He grew so fast.  We enjoy the boy he is.  He lives for Lego's!!  In fact, on multiple occasions he has said, "Mom, if the brothers die can I have all their stuff...like their legos?"  I then try to tell him we love them more than their stuff, but he isn't convinced.  We spent his birthday this year driving to California for the Christmas break.  Therefore he got to open his presents a day early.  Meaning, his legos a day early.  He was so excited for his birthday we had to make a chain about a month before so he could take a link off everyday.  I got so tired of him asking if it was his birthday yet.  Of course, the process has already begun again.  Poor kid doesn't have a concept of time.

He enjoys playing by himself with legos and would do it all day if I let him.  He usually has a lego guy with him wherever we go.  Sometimes I can convince him to leave it in the car, but usually not.  He has lost a few and it always leads to major tears, but those little guys are hard to find in stores when he puts them down.

He is learning to read, but it is a slow process.  He is pretty good at math and can do basic addition and subtraction.  I think he is happy he hasn't started school yet, but he will be ready by August for sure.  If I can get him to leave his lego guys home.

He hates shoes.  If he can he takes his shoes off anywhere we go.  He says they make his feet hot.  When we get to church, his shoes come off.  In the car, his shoes comes off, the second he gets home his shoes come off.  In fact, once while at the movies he was wearing flip flops.  After the movie we all left the theater.  After a while I looked down at his feet and noticed he only had one flip flop.  I asked him where his other one was and he said, "In the movie.  I couldn't find it."  He had no problem walking around with one.  Thankfully, they were still cleaning up and we were able to find it. I am hoping to get him to be able to keep his shoes on before school starts.  It won't be easy after summer. We are trying with church--primary!  This also helps with, Truth/Lie.  After church I will ask him if he kept his shoes on during primary.  Once he lied to me and told me he did when I knew he didn't.  Finally I told him it was more disappointing that he lied than that he took his shoes off.  Now he will tell me the truth that he did take them off.  Hey, at least he is getting some lesson out of it.  

He asks 'Why?' A LOT!  After everything actually.  Example:
Me:  "Makai it is time for bed?"
Makai; "Why?"
Me:  "Because it is late and we need to rest our bodies?"
Makai:  "Why?"
Me:  "Because we need rest so we an do what we need to tomorrow."
Makai:  "Why?"
..."Why?..."Why?"...
Me: "Goodnite Makai!"

This took place last night at 11:00pm!!  He hates to go to sleep!  He stays up the latest of any of the boys.  Of course he sleeps in too.

Makai loves people too.  He has no problem talking to anyone.  Checkout clerk, doctor, dentist, random stranger.  He will say things like, "Excuse me.  Do you like my lego?"  To a random person at any store.  I love this about him.

We love Makai.  He is my buddy.  I will miss him next year when he goes to school, but am so thankful for his sweet personality.

Band

Music is something all our boys enjoy.  Tyler and Kyle are both in band this year and enjoy it.  Tyler still plays the french horn and Kyle has decided to play the tuba.  Tonight was their concert.  They both did a good job.  Kyle's personality fits the tuba.  I will say Tyler's band was good, except the trumpets were horrible, but not as horrible as the oboe player who just squeaked through every song--and rather loudly I might add!  I love the oboe--one of my favorite instruments, but that kid needs some one on one help.  It was too bad it made the rest of the band sound not as good.  Tyler however--he was great!;)

TUBA!!

French Horn