Busy Busy Busy

That is the story of my life right now! It's amazing how busy we get when school starts. I'm so grateful for our wonderful (relaxing) summer, but I totally was NOT prepared for how busy this year was going to be. So, for our Grandmas and Grandpas out there, I apologize! =)
Let me catch you up to what's been going on. You'll still have to wait for pictures... I will get those posted ASAP.
Well, as you know, Ashton is in second grade. So far, I've been very happy with how this year has been going for him. We're really proud of him. He had a hard 1st grade year, but I think he's gotten the hang of the whole school thing. He's been learning so much and I can tell he really enjoys it. I have finally come up with a reward system that (thankfully) has really helped him. It's a poster board with a toy/game he really wants at the top. He chose a Shrek video game for this time. I drew a road up to the "prize" and stuck Velcro on each square. His teacher and I have a system where I am able to know what kind of day he had (without going in and talking to her every day). If he has a good day, he gets to move a car up the road toward his "prize"! He has one more spot, and then he gets it! I'm excited to see how his day was today. I only let him play video games on Friday, so today would be the ideal day to get it! Some days his teacher will send a note home with him. Yesterday, his note said "150% improvement!" I let him move up three spaces! Once he gets his prize, he starts back at the bottom with a new prize up top! It has been really, really great for him. Kudos to me!!! =)

Ashton is also in soccer right now and honestly, I think he's getting tired of it. We may not play next year. So, there's nothing exciting to tell about that. They've won maybe 1 game... if that...
BUT... he has also started piano! And he is REALLY good. I had him taking guitar lessons last year, cuz he asked for them, but his teacher was young and guitar is not an instrument I'm familiar with, so it was hard to practice with him. I told him it would be better to take piano first, then he'll be able to play any other instrument. His teacher is young, but very very good! I'm so impressed with her and how much Ashton likes her. She kinda looks like Zoe Deschanel This was his second week, and he's playing songs! I'll have to get him on video and post it for you.
Tyler is in kindergarten this year. He likes it, but some days are harder than others. His teacher is really good, and I'm glad she has the patience to deal with him! He is just a very impulsive little guy, and he doesn't really ever think about what he's doing. We're also doing the reward chart with him, which seems to be helping. He loves reading and doing homework with me. He's a really smart kid and is starting to read, which surprises me cuz Ashton didn't start reading until first grade. He can also do some pretty difficult math problems. So, I'm excited to see how this year goes.
Tyler isn't in any extra activities right now. We may wait another year for him. He loves hanging out at home and building neat spaceships with LEGOs. He also likes writing stories. It's funny....I can't ever read his stories cuz he leaves out most of the vowels and there are no spaces! But, once he reads it to me, I can usually figure it out. His last story was about Ashton turning into a monster and chasing him! (it's cuz Ashton's such a bully to him...)
Lochlin and I just hang out while the boys are at school. I'm working in the child care at a gym for a few hours a week, and I get to bring him, so we play with all the other kids. It's good for him to be around other children. With being the youngest, I think he thinks he always gets to have his way. Yeah....he's learning real quick that's not how it goes! I've seen him throw many tantrums, which is new for me-Ashton and Tyler never did that. They don't last very long, but they crack me up! =) Maybe I'll get a video of that too!!! It's pretty funny!
We recently took Lochlin out of his crib and moved him to a toddler bed. He did OK for the first few days, but now he's getting up like 3-4 times at night. He goes back to sleep really easily, but I feel like I have a newborn again! I think it's just a phase....hopefully he'll be sleeping through the night again real soon!
Brady and I are doing about the same. Because I work at the gym, I get a free membership, so I've been going at least 4 times a week. I've lost 16 pounds! The trick is KEEPING IT OFF! I really like the classes at this gym. The instructors are very good. Other than that, I just have to keep up with the kiddos. Ashton has like an hour and a half of homework each night, which means so do I! He's getting to where I don't have to sit down with him and do it. I'll be in the same room as him in case he needs help, but sometimes he needs help focusing.
Anyway...that's about it! We're just busy, busy, busy! Like I said, I'll post pictures as soon as I start taking some. I've been slacking off on the picture-taking. Check back next week...I'll at least have some current pictures of the boys up for ya.