Raleigh Update

Raleigh is really growing up. Yesterday he had the Schaat boys over, Henry and Holden, who are 3rd and 6th graders. On several occasions he reminded them that they needed to say “thank you” and while having a good time and laughing a lot, he acted pretty mature for a 1st grader. He finally decided to take the time to learn to tie his shoes this week, because (he said) his kindergarten teacher said they needed to be able to do that in the 1st grade. He was also playing catch with Ty last night, and figured out how to catch the football on the run, with only the porch light on. I seriously didn’t recognize the kid—he was catching it so well, even diving to try to catch it. Then he’d get up and want more.

Our neighbor Pat Wright saw us out walking around the block after church today and came over to tell me how impressed she has been with Raleigh as she has worked with him in the primary the last few weeks. She said he is just so pleasant, focused, and that he really thinks deeply about gospel questions. He is a very good example to the other kids.

Raleigh has started playing a lot of h-o-r-s-e on the driveway with his dad; Ty is good about dealing with Raleigh’s temper when he loses. I think it’s pretty funny that Raleigh fully expects to be able to beat Ty. (Ty does play left-handed, but still!) But enough about basketball, it’s SOCCER SEASON! Raleigh has had a couple of soccer practices and has his first game on Tuesday night. His coach is Brian Rocknack, who is a really good coach and has a son named Austin on the team. His friends Logan Taggart, Landon Merzlack, and Eli Ames are on the team. He’s excited for school to start on the 31st. His teacher is Mrs. Bird and Logan is in his class. Not sure about other friends yet. We know Brennan, Landon, Taryn, Drew, and Ryker are in other classes. A couple nights ago I took Raleigh to Sports Authority to get his soccer shoes. Ty was home with the girls, and it’s always nice when I get to take the kids on errands one-on-one. No stories from the trip to the store—it was just fun to spend time with Ral. (The picture above is with Eli and Ryker at the Arctic Circle Chukar's night. Ral is holding the ball he pitched.)

Raleigh is an inquisitive kid, (sometimes to my dismay!), and he’s particularly interested in current events and politics. A few weeks ago CNN was reporting on Obama’s report card at 200 days into his administration. Raleigh was glued to the tv and then followed me downstairs to watch me vote on the desktop computer. Then he told me to vote on my laptop; he was very adamant that I HURRY UP and do it because Wolf Blitzer was counting down the time until the voting closed. He is inquisitive and engaged in the things that he does.

I think participating in the swim club at Apple this summer was good for him. It has given him a lot of confidence. He passed the swim test at Apple, and when we go to the Rupert pool he takes pride in doing the swim test (a full lap) so that he can has the okay to swim in the deep end.

Raleigh is also very open to trying new things. From the hot air balloon ride in July to throwing out the first pitch at the Chukars game last week, he doesn’t shy away from opportunities that require some courage. He was nervous about the hot air balloon ride, but he trusted that everything would be fine and not once did he complain or hesitate once he decided he wanted to come with me. He NEVER hesitated when Gretchen and Dave gave him the chance to throw out the first pitch, and I for one would have been a little nervous. What did he do? He stepped up there are threw a strike! The catcher never even had to move his glove. I was so proud of the way he carried himself as he walked out onto the field and did his thing. There wasn’t any nervousness or neediness. Just a happy kid who was about to do something really cool. If there ever was a picture of somebody savoring the moment, it was Raleigh out on that mound.

Raleigh loves his garden. He checks on it multiple times a day and often comes running in the house to tell us, “Mom/Dad, you GOTTA see this!” He’s pretty excited about the pumpkins and zucchini right now. When his friends come over it’s the first thing he shows them. We don’t live on a farm, but I’m glad he’s at least getting the gardening experience here in suburban Idaho Falls. And thank goodness we can spend time on our grandpas’ farms in Paul and Menan.

As for other hobbies/games, Raleigh still loves Halo 2 on the X-Box but is limited to 1-2 days/month. We should probably eliminate it altogether as we’ve noticed Raleigh usually has a nightmare after playing Halo. Hmmmm, aren’t we great parents? He likes it when his neighbor Nathan Webber comes over to play video games with him. Raleigh also enjoys those mystical (to me) little Bakugan toys. Somehow he has acquired 4 of them from his friends.