This week's Happenings

Wow, the weather has been gorgeous around here.  BUT..... the cedar pollen levels have been the highest in recorded history.  That being said, I have had to hide indoors for the past week.  So it was a good time to work on my newest pet project, decorated sugar cookies!  I volunteered to make some "girly" cookies for a friend's baby shower.  Little did I know that they were expecting close to 60 people.  On the positive side of things, it was fun trying out my new hobby and making some beautiful cookies.  On the down side, boy does it take a lot of (uninterrupted) time.  I think they came out pretty great, but there are a few things I'd like to iron out.  My friend Janet also brought a gorgeous cake to the shower.  I'll have to pick her brain for baking tips!  But the most important thing is that the shower was a celebration of a beautiful gift from God, baby Lucy.  I was so happy to share in my friend Sarah's joy of her baby girl, who she has waited for over the course of five difficult years.  Praise God!

Another happening in the Vaughn house has been the institution of a new reward system that we started to get the boys more motivated toward positive behaviors.  We got two clear jars and started rewarding the boys with marbles for good behavior.  Its been most helpful with Evan, had been pretty oppositional in the last few months.  He can now be excited about his positive behaviors and feel good about the progress he has made.  We rewarded the first round of marbles with lego kits.  Gee, I wonder how many of those we will go through in the next 15 years!!??

Evan has taken to photography ever since Benjamin gave him his old camera (we gave Benjamin one of our old cameras).  He is so cute going around snapping shots of all of us and saying "good one!".  He sure does take a lot of good ones ;)

Poor Sawyer has been sick for what seems like about a week.  Unfortunately, like his other colds, this one went to his chest and he has needed breathing treatments.  The positive news is that his illness seems to bring out nurturing behaviors from his brothers.  Benjamin soothed him in his crib, and Evan made him a "get well card".  The little guy was so miserable.

Lance also got to take part in Benjamin's Kindergarten class project when he joined another dad in helping the kids design and build a model rocket to play in.  This complements what they have been learning recently about the solar system.  I was actually there at the same time helping with an art project.  If I hadn't been so focused on the kids, I might have thought to take a picture of Lance!  Well, I guess he could also have taken a picture of me ;)  Anyway, the man in these pictures is the father of Cade, one of Benjamin's best pals.  We share a lot in common with this family, as they also have three boys about the same ages as all of ours!

Wow, as I've written this post I'm impressed with all that we did this week.  We are going to have to rest for a few days since we also have a lot on the horizon.  I will leave with a picture of the week.  Here are my precious boys wearing the necklaces that Benjamin got at the grocery store with his saved up money.  So sweet that Benjamin got one for Evan!