reading

i get a little stressed about reading when it comes to luke. i try to tell myself to just sit back and watch him grow, at his pace..... BUT there are days that he LOVES to read and days that it is a chore to get him to read. for a while i know it was his eyes--he was struggling just a smidge to see smaller print, enough that it gave him small headaches. but now, even after getting glasses, we still have days he uses every excuse in the book (no pun intended) to get out of reading.

i am not a comparing type of mom. i know both of my boys are extremely intelligent, kind, caring, have a good moral compass and will be successful men. i know each of them have their own strengths and limitations. i don't compare jack and luke's reading but i do stress that luke does not enjoy it as much..... or might not enjoy it as much. i can't imagine not being totally in love with reading. 

last night he threw a HUGE tantrum and refused to read.............. but then tonight he read a chapter in a 2nd grade reading level chapter book (VERY well i might add). he is young--i can't even say i remember what jack was reading at this age or how he was reading. i just know it was about this time that he started to bloom and fell in love with reading.

our goal: help luke love reading--whatever he wants to read.

buddy bench

there is alot of discussion lately about the "buddy bench"--a young man was inspired to put a bench outside at his school--on the playground. when someone is sad, lonely or wants to talk, they go sit on the bench. whens someone sees someone else sitting on the bench, they go over to play, talk or help. additionally if 2 are there, they can talk to each other.

Luke and I had a discussion about the "Buddy Bench"--he said the best part would be making a new friend and making someone elses day. He wants it to be called a friend bench I my son's HUGE heart!

where are the boys :)

jack--front row, left side, white helmet, brown pants
luke--orange jersey

baked fajitas???

1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into strips
2 Tbsp vegetable oil
2 tsp chili powder
1 1/2 tsp cumin
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp dried oregano
1/4 tsp seasoned salt
1 (15 oz) can diced tomatoes with green chilies (Rotel)
1 medium onion, sliced
1/2 red bell pepper, cut into strips
1/2 green bell pepper, cut into strips
Directions:
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Place chicken strips in a greased 13×9 baking dish.
In a small bowl combine the oil, chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, dried oregano, and salt.
Drizzle the spice mixture over the chicken and stir to coat.
Next add the tomatoes, peppers, and onions to the dish and stir to combine.
Bake uncovered for 20-25 minutes or until #chicken is cooked through and the #vegetables are done.