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Ben got braces today! After some initial apprehension, it all went well. He chose to have red bands and is getting use to the new feel on his teeth. He will have these on for 8 months and they will remove them until all his permanent teeth are in. We will then start phase 2. It is so amazing to me how different braces are today from when I was a kid.(Did I just age myself?)
It is official. We now have a 3rd grader and a kindergartner! We made it through a crazy last week of school full of fun and excitement. There were presentations, picnics, field days, baseball games, parties and fun. When the last day finally came we were all exhausted. We are ready to start the summer routine. PJ's until pool, pool until rest, dinner, outside until dark. It can't get any better!!!!!
We just returned from a visit to Kevin's Dads house on the Mississippi river in Iowa. It was a very busy weekend, but of course, we had a great time. We always have fun fishing(OK not really WE, more Kevin, Gabe and Ben. Ben likes to hire out someone to bait his hook and "watch" his pole. He will of course, reel it in, but again, negotiates for someone to take the fish off!) We also celebrated Grandma Betty's 80th birthday(really late) and enjoyed watching the many barges go by the sun room windows. Of course, no trip to the river would be complete without a dinner at the Marina where the food is as greasy as food gets and the kids can enjoy the rope swing. We are all glad to be back home today!!
This week is the last week of school for both Ben and Gabe. It is suppose to be HOT the whole week-close to 90 every day. Last night, it stayed light out until almost 9:30PM. How are we ever going to convince these boys that summer vacation is still 1 week away?
I do not like the whole chore- allowance thing. My feelings- you are a part of this family, we all have work to do, no one gets paid extra, you do it because you are a part of this family. Besides, I would much rather do it. Partly because I am a perfectionist, and you would not catch me dead vacuuming my dining room table with the swiffer I just used on the floor. (But I did laugh at him) and partly because I usually go back and re-do it anyway. Things I like the kids to do, that they do very well are. Clear everything from the table after dinner. Kevin and I can usually talk about our day, plan the next and catch up while the boys are running items to the sink and fridge. Kevin instituted the "no lazy mans load" rule in our house which means you have to take a couple items at a time so nothing drops. Smart because it gives us more time. My boys are also good at taking their laundry to the laundry room. I do not believe in laundry baskets in the rooms. After showers, you immediately sort your clothes in the laundry room. It saves me so much time (I could do a whole post just about our laundry system) The only items that NEVER seem to make it are socks, they are found everywhere which is why you now get a fine for every sock found! So we have decided we do not pay them for things that they should be doing anyway. I would rather give them 5.00 and tell them to go read a book!!! 
