September 17th - really??? Where have I been for blogworld in the last twenty-odd days? Well, probably...
taking C to school - making lunches - taking R to preschool - sorting through all the paperwork in the backpack - finding show and tell items at the eleventh hour because we changed our mind - soccer pictures - haircuts for the boys - cooking dinner - taking R to musicplay class - soccer practice - helping C's teacher - fieldtrips - driving to swim lessons - soccer games - lunch at school with C - memorizing aerobic routines
Whew! On Friday evenings, I collapse and think, what an incredibly busy week. I've been hanging on for the ride. Good thing there isn't that much on the schedule for next week. Ha. Ha. Ha. It is amazing that every week fills up so quickly. I remember my Mom telling me when the boys were babies that once they reach school, the time truly flies by. I am beginning to understand. Before I know it, it will be Christmas, then summer, then I'll be sitting at a high school baseball game cheering on my boys wondering how on earth I got there.
I must say that as busy as it is, I LOVE it. When I remember back to the dreams I had as a girl about what my life would be like when I grew up, this is exactly what I dreamed of. Of course, I thought I'd be living in a suburb of a large city with Target, TJ Maxx, Nordstrom, etc at my convenience, but that is stating the obvious. I have a wonderful husband who provides for my family, loves us so much and loves the time he spends with us. I love the privilege I have of staying at home with my family, being able to help out at school and be present and involved in the lives of my children. I am truly blessed beyond measure.
I just hope that I have the energy to enjoy all of it.
PS - Since I am a non-commenter, this is a shout out for some of you. Janelle - I am right there with you - hence the infrequency of posting. Alana - the multitude of paperwork in kindergarten - oh my goodness! I, too, am paralyzed by it. I am creating a 3-ring binder of C's work. Jen - I will never, ever forget Janelle's comment at C's birthday party! That memory is etched in our brains forever! The local magazine just ran an article on C's bug birthday party - I will try to remember to send you a copy - there are great pics of all your big kids. You all know that we would absolutely love if you came again. Can we coordinate our crazy schedules and plan a big kid and mommy sleepover? Love you all! And to Big Mama - I have to agree about the 7 for All Mankind jeans - my favorite pair EVER. Unfortunately, I wore a hole in the right knee. I am on the hunt for a replacement pair, although I have heard from a dear friend that Rock and Republic jeans are also great. Jennifer - love that Campbell is doing so well in soccer - maybe we'll play at adjacent fields some Saturday - would love to see you grab Warner running down the field - much like me grabbing R last year. How did Ace Hardware's team get such a great sponsor? Sports bags for the whole team? I am so jealous!
Monday, September 17, 2007
Sunday, August 26, 2007
We love Kindergarten
Well, the first week of kindergarten is behind us. And it was a huge success! C absolutely loves school. Let me break down our week for you.
The first day was quite emotional for me. We had everything laid out the night before. When I woke C up, I started tearing up just looking at him asleep in his bed, realizing that his whole world was about to change. At breakfast, I could not stop looking at and kissing on my big boy! He put his tennis shoes on (can you believe that for the first day, he was scheduled for P.E., so he had to wear tennis shoes!! A great first day outfit and he couldn't wear the cool flip flops), tied them up, took some pics and hopped in the car. We walked him in and he sat right down at his table and was ready to go. I had to keep going over to him and asking Do you remember where your snack is? I put your nap mat in your cubbie. Do you know how much I love you? He was excited and ready to get this school thing started, so I kissed him and walked out the door. P was a rock during all of this. Nostalgic, but holding strong. I seemed to hold it together pretty well until I went to a First Morning Coffee at church and our children's minister prayed for our kindergarteners. He asked that the Lord would walk with our children and keep them close to Him. That did me in. I just thought of our Almighty Lord holding my C in the palm of His hand, loving and protecting him on this first day of school and knowing that the all-powerful King of Kings loves my child like He does touched me to the core.
I picked C up, waiting in the school patiently for the bell to ring, and he had had a great day, although he looked so tired to me. What a long day. He had friends to eat lunch with and play with at recess. The rest of the week was great as well. He loves his teacher, loves his time on the computers, loves recess, library, music (shout out to Alana and Kindermusik), and art. Every day when I picked him up from school, he was happy and had stories to tell. R and I had a great week together, although he so missed his brother! When we picked him up from school, R would jump into a monologue describing everything we did that day. He was always excited to pick C up from school - Me can't wait to see C!
C had to take a family picture in to school on Wednesday. I asked him after school what they had to do with the pictures.
C: We had to talk into a microphone.
Me: How cool is that? What did you say?
C: I told them that daddy was a baseball coach. And that he is a professional baseball player.
P: Wow!
Me: What did you tell them about me?
C: I told them that you don't have any work and that you used to work in a bank. And guess what? That makes 5 mommies - 4 plus you is 5 that work in a bank!
This made us laugh so hard. The week before, we went to the bank and he deposited his piggy bank money into his own savings account. We were looking at the vault and I was explaining what it was. I told him that I had been in a vault, that when I was an auditor, in my early staff days, I had some banks as clients and I had to go into the vault and count some of the money. I've never actually worked at a bank.
Speaking of not having any work, my teaching aerobics at the university went great. I lectured this week and we'll start working out in another week. The girls in my classes seem great - very excited and fun. Turns out I like to lecture. Who knew? Maybe I won't be out of work for long.
The first day was quite emotional for me. We had everything laid out the night before. When I woke C up, I started tearing up just looking at him asleep in his bed, realizing that his whole world was about to change. At breakfast, I could not stop looking at and kissing on my big boy! He put his tennis shoes on (can you believe that for the first day, he was scheduled for P.E., so he had to wear tennis shoes!! A great first day outfit and he couldn't wear the cool flip flops), tied them up, took some pics and hopped in the car. We walked him in and he sat right down at his table and was ready to go. I had to keep going over to him and asking Do you remember where your snack is? I put your nap mat in your cubbie. Do you know how much I love you? He was excited and ready to get this school thing started, so I kissed him and walked out the door. P was a rock during all of this. Nostalgic, but holding strong. I seemed to hold it together pretty well until I went to a First Morning Coffee at church and our children's minister prayed for our kindergarteners. He asked that the Lord would walk with our children and keep them close to Him. That did me in. I just thought of our Almighty Lord holding my C in the palm of His hand, loving and protecting him on this first day of school and knowing that the all-powerful King of Kings loves my child like He does touched me to the core.
I picked C up, waiting in the school patiently for the bell to ring, and he had had a great day, although he looked so tired to me. What a long day. He had friends to eat lunch with and play with at recess. The rest of the week was great as well. He loves his teacher, loves his time on the computers, loves recess, library, music (shout out to Alana and Kindermusik), and art. Every day when I picked him up from school, he was happy and had stories to tell. R and I had a great week together, although he so missed his brother! When we picked him up from school, R would jump into a monologue describing everything we did that day. He was always excited to pick C up from school - Me can't wait to see C!
C had to take a family picture in to school on Wednesday. I asked him after school what they had to do with the pictures.
C: We had to talk into a microphone.
Me: How cool is that? What did you say?
C: I told them that daddy was a baseball coach. And that he is a professional baseball player.
P: Wow!
Me: What did you tell them about me?
C: I told them that you don't have any work and that you used to work in a bank. And guess what? That makes 5 mommies - 4 plus you is 5 that work in a bank!
This made us laugh so hard. The week before, we went to the bank and he deposited his piggy bank money into his own savings account. We were looking at the vault and I was explaining what it was. I told him that I had been in a vault, that when I was an auditor, in my early staff days, I had some banks as clients and I had to go into the vault and count some of the money. I've never actually worked at a bank.
Speaking of not having any work, my teaching aerobics at the university went great. I lectured this week and we'll start working out in another week. The girls in my classes seem great - very excited and fun. Turns out I like to lecture. Who knew? Maybe I won't be out of work for long.
Thursday, August 16, 2007
Ready to Go
This is it. We are ready. Kindergarten, here we come. We have all our supplies, and I have labeled each crayon, marker, glue stick, etc with C's name as instructed. We have our school clothes, we have a new backpack and lunch bag with C's name embroidered on. We know our teacher is Mrs. Wood. C can read and tie his shoes. He can count to 100 by ones, twos, fives, or tens. P shared a special day of fishing with C yesterday. They discussed character, making good choices and being a leader. A real man-to-man talk. School starts on Monday and we are ready to go.
Except maybe I'm not. I am trying to be ready. I know he will absolutely love kindergarten. But, I will miss him. I have spent more time with C during the last 5 1/2 years than anyone else. And I like to be with him.
We went to open house tonight. Our prayers have been answered. C's teacher seems wonderful. I loved her classroom. C is at a table with another boy and two girls. He already knows three children in his class. His teacher welcomes parents helping in the class, which I have always looked forward to. After the open house, we walked to the playground for a few minutes. Kid were calling his name right and left. Kids from baseball camp, basketball camp, preschool.
When we got in the car to go home, C stated I want kindergarten to start right now.
He's ready.
Except maybe I'm not. I am trying to be ready. I know he will absolutely love kindergarten. But, I will miss him. I have spent more time with C during the last 5 1/2 years than anyone else. And I like to be with him.
We went to open house tonight. Our prayers have been answered. C's teacher seems wonderful. I loved her classroom. C is at a table with another boy and two girls. He already knows three children in his class. His teacher welcomes parents helping in the class, which I have always looked forward to. After the open house, we walked to the playground for a few minutes. Kid were calling his name right and left. Kids from baseball camp, basketball camp, preschool.
When we got in the car to go home, C stated I want kindergarten to start right now.
He's ready.
Wednesday, August 1, 2007
Possible Friends
Ok. Ever since my friend, Alana introduced me to Big Mama, her postings have become some of my daily readings. I have to admit, it was easy to get hooked. I wouldn't say that I consider her a celebrity or anything, and I do not feel I am star struck, but Big Mama is funny. And relevant. And I have felt that on more than one occasion, I can relate.
Well, I do not want to be a stalker, but I am feeling like the more I get to know Big Mama (well, the persona she provides on her blog), the more I feel like we could be friends. We have a lot in common. For instance,
Well, I do not want to be a stalker, but I am feeling like the more I get to know Big Mama (well, the persona she provides on her blog), the more I feel like we could be friends. We have a lot in common. For instance,
- Her husband is named "P". So is mine.
- Her childhood home is very similar to mine. Including pretty much the same floorplan.
- We both saw our ob/gyn on the same day for our annual exams.
- She was reluctant to tell acquaintances she sees on a regular basis about her blog. I have to admit, I felt the same hesitancy.
- She cried after leaving the hospital after having her baby. Janelle can vouch for me on this. I drove by the hospital en route to the pediatrician for R's 2 day check up and started to feel sad looking at the window of the room that was R's first home. I still remember which windows were my rooms for both boys and the room numbers.
- Her husband loves shark week. P LOVES shark week. It is always a big deal in our house. Now, since C is the future biologist and knows all the animals, he gets right in on it. This boy knows his sharks. In fact, at the lakehouse, that was one of the games the boys and I played:
Me: Oh no - here comes a shark!
C: What kind is it, Mommy?
Me: Um. A hammerhead.
C: No. You already said that one. It is a thresher or zambizi shark (as the boys all run to shore).
I hate to spark your interest in Big Mama in case upon reading her blog, you realize how little entertainment value my blog holds. But, I am confident that my readers are here because they love and miss me and want to stay updated on our lives.
Friday, July 27, 2007
Priceless
Dinner for four at Firehouse Subs - $25
Shopping trip to Target - $50 (less a return of $16)
Tickets to baseball game at new stadium - $24 (actually free to us because we had a connection)
Watching the man you love watch baseball with his son - priceless
During our baseball season this spring, C caught on. He knew the calls and sometimes called them before the umpire did. He was hooked. Watching him play T-ball this summer, I realized that he was one of the only boys on his team that played defense. He would get the ball and throw it home, or run to home plate to catch the ball before the runner got there. He is developing a love of his daddy's sport. Tonight, he was watching the game intensely, talking about it with his daddy. I ate it up.
And R had a good time, too. We went to the potty several times. Went to get a balloon. Tried to track down the mascot (I think he might be an illusion). We snacked, we danced, we watched people, we chatted with the trash guy.
It was a great ending to a fun, relaxing, kid-friendly week. I am determined to enjoy every minute until school starts and the craziness surrounds us again. Only three more weeks. If they fly by like this week did, it will be here before I unpack my Target sale items.
Shopping trip to Target - $50 (less a return of $16)
Tickets to baseball game at new stadium - $24 (actually free to us because we had a connection)
Watching the man you love watch baseball with his son - priceless
During our baseball season this spring, C caught on. He knew the calls and sometimes called them before the umpire did. He was hooked. Watching him play T-ball this summer, I realized that he was one of the only boys on his team that played defense. He would get the ball and throw it home, or run to home plate to catch the ball before the runner got there. He is developing a love of his daddy's sport. Tonight, he was watching the game intensely, talking about it with his daddy. I ate it up.
And R had a good time, too. We went to the potty several times. Went to get a balloon. Tried to track down the mascot (I think he might be an illusion). We snacked, we danced, we watched people, we chatted with the trash guy.
It was a great ending to a fun, relaxing, kid-friendly week. I am determined to enjoy every minute until school starts and the craziness surrounds us again. Only three more weeks. If they fly by like this week did, it will be here before I unpack my Target sale items.
Monday, July 23, 2007
Sweet Summertime
Today felt like summer. Finally. We slept in. The boys swam and played outside. We had lunch al fresco. We played games, we played trains. We made treats. It was fun, unstructured and unscheduled. It was summer.
Tonight after the boys' bath, I was waiting for R to get out of the tub, holding his towel for him. He greeted me with Hello, what is your name? I told him mommy and asked about his. He said his name and then told me all about himself. He has a sister named Courtney (not a true statement), and brother named C (true) and another brother named Potty (not true). He also remembered another sister named Window (not true). With the exception of C, all the siblings are younger than R. There are 14 beds in his room and he gave me the tour of his room with the 14 beds. He then told me that in C's room, there are 15 beds. Apparently we are living in a much larger house than I have perceived. It is no wonder I needed a vacation. I have been taking care of 3 additional children under age 3 that I didn't even realize were here. I guess it's easy to lose a few in the large bedrooms with 14-15 beds.
Tonight after the boys' bath, I was waiting for R to get out of the tub, holding his towel for him. He greeted me with Hello, what is your name? I told him mommy and asked about his. He said his name and then told me all about himself. He has a sister named Courtney (not a true statement), and brother named C (true) and another brother named Potty (not true). He also remembered another sister named Window (not true). With the exception of C, all the siblings are younger than R. There are 14 beds in his room and he gave me the tour of his room with the 14 beds. He then told me that in C's room, there are 15 beds. Apparently we are living in a much larger house than I have perceived. It is no wonder I needed a vacation. I have been taking care of 3 additional children under age 3 that I didn't even realize were here. I guess it's easy to lose a few in the large bedrooms with 14-15 beds.
Saturday, July 21, 2007
On the Road
I just realized that my last post was June 28th. Just slipped this in before I went an entire month without posting. My goal is to treat my readers to quality posts, rather than quantity posts. In reality, I would love to post more frequently - I just haven't been able to work it into my regular routine. Not that we have one of those in the summer, but anyway.
I love vacation! I always forget how wonderful it truly is until I am in the middle of it. We started by going to my sister's house in Illinois. She and her husband have a 20-month old daughter. She is the sweetest! I have fallen in love with her. She has the most beautiful red hair and big, bright blue eyes. She thought the boys were the best and especially took to C. The boys were like big brothers to her. They were very patient and loving to her. My sister's city has an amazing community pool. I was so envious. It had a baby pool area with slides and fountains, then a huge family pool with buckets and sprinklers and slides for the little ones connected to a huge pool with lanes. Then, walk around the corner and there is a huge lazy river with another pool and two water slides. We had such a great time. One time, I was going down the blue slide with R in a double tube and at the end, he totally fell off and went under water. I got him up quick and the lifguard was there within a second. R was fine and wanted to go again immediately. I love his willingness to try it again. The boys (and their parents) had a fantastic day at the pool. The next day we all headed to Michigan. We had rented a lakehouse with all my family - my parents, my brother and his family from Malibu, and my sister and her family. We were all there to celebrate my parents' 40th wedding anniversary.
Let me just say that my parents are amazing. They worked tirelessly raising three children and now are enjoying their retirement together. They raised children who are successful, but more importantly, are all children of God. Sometimes I see them holding hands. My mom will relax on the sofa with her feet in my dad's lap. My dad still gives my mom backrubs. They are best friends. I am so grateful for all they have done and given for all of us children. We are so blessed to have these parents! Happy anniversary, Mom and Dad - I hope you enjoyed the week as much as we did.
We stayed in the lakehouse and swam, canoed, fished, made a campfire, played games, cooked, walked and talked, talked talked. My brother's boys are beautiful. His oldest is R's age - all the boys were best buddies. Their youngest is just 5 months old and such a cuddle bug. I got to love on him a bunch! Our family is crazy - with 8 adults and 5 children 5 years and younger, there are always at least 4 conversations going on at once - it was never quiet. The boys had the time of their lives jumping off the dock and playing on the beach. They never tired of playing outside. They also loved fishing with their dad and grandpa. We created some special memories on this trip. I appreciate all my family sacrificed to make this trip happen. I love them so much and treasure the moments we have together.
We then headed to St Louis for a few days of family time before going home. We went to the zoo the first day. Let me tell you that the St Louis zoo is arguably one of the finest zoos in this country - we have been to many. We have been to this one several times. Unfortunately, we have learned that we all have a zoo quota - there is a limit as to how much zoo you can handle in one summer. After visiting the Memphis zoo in May (also a good one), and the Little Rock zoo in June, I think we were harder to impress. Oh look - the lesser kudu. Wow. There's an elephant - is it Asian or African? Although the hippos are always a hit - watching them underwater as they swim and of course, my boys want to spend most of their time in the reptile house. Once while we were standing at the River's Edge, some lady wondered aloud what animal that was in front of us. C in a somewhat bored voice, that's a capybara. Yes, we know. We've seen them all summer. We did enjoy it in the 96 degree heat and saw the animals in a quick 3 hours.
The next day we visited the Magic House. We had not decided if we were going there or the City Museum. Rumor had it that City Museum was the "It" attraction for children 3 and 5. But in the end, we realized how much cash we had spent thus far in gas (upwards of $3.39 a gallon) and decided that since the Magic House would cost less $$, we would opt for that. My boys loved it!!! We took a break for lunch and came back for more. I had read on Janelle and Michelle's blogs that their family enjoys this place (yes, I read and enjoy your blogs - just have a hard time commenting - my log in won't work and I haven't worked it out). Our family also gives it our stamp of approval. It was great to see C and R wanting to be together - waiting for each other, looking for each other - wanting to experience it all as a team. I realized just how much they love each other and depend on each other to be there. What will R do with C in kindergarten next year? He'll probably spend his mornings bringing tissue to his mommy...
All said, we had a wonderful trip. P and I celebrated our anniversary while in St Louis. 14 years. P picked up dinner for us that we ate in the hotel room after the boys fell asleep. We had a wonderful day with the boys at the museum and swimming in the hotel pool. We didn't need a fancy dinner out or a date. We've done that. This year, we celebrated with the people we love most - the people who know us the best and still love us.
I love vacation! I always forget how wonderful it truly is until I am in the middle of it. We started by going to my sister's house in Illinois. She and her husband have a 20-month old daughter. She is the sweetest! I have fallen in love with her. She has the most beautiful red hair and big, bright blue eyes. She thought the boys were the best and especially took to C. The boys were like big brothers to her. They were very patient and loving to her. My sister's city has an amazing community pool. I was so envious. It had a baby pool area with slides and fountains, then a huge family pool with buckets and sprinklers and slides for the little ones connected to a huge pool with lanes. Then, walk around the corner and there is a huge lazy river with another pool and two water slides. We had such a great time. One time, I was going down the blue slide with R in a double tube and at the end, he totally fell off and went under water. I got him up quick and the lifguard was there within a second. R was fine and wanted to go again immediately. I love his willingness to try it again. The boys (and their parents) had a fantastic day at the pool. The next day we all headed to Michigan. We had rented a lakehouse with all my family - my parents, my brother and his family from Malibu, and my sister and her family. We were all there to celebrate my parents' 40th wedding anniversary.
Let me just say that my parents are amazing. They worked tirelessly raising three children and now are enjoying their retirement together. They raised children who are successful, but more importantly, are all children of God. Sometimes I see them holding hands. My mom will relax on the sofa with her feet in my dad's lap. My dad still gives my mom backrubs. They are best friends. I am so grateful for all they have done and given for all of us children. We are so blessed to have these parents! Happy anniversary, Mom and Dad - I hope you enjoyed the week as much as we did.
We stayed in the lakehouse and swam, canoed, fished, made a campfire, played games, cooked, walked and talked, talked talked. My brother's boys are beautiful. His oldest is R's age - all the boys were best buddies. Their youngest is just 5 months old and such a cuddle bug. I got to love on him a bunch! Our family is crazy - with 8 adults and 5 children 5 years and younger, there are always at least 4 conversations going on at once - it was never quiet. The boys had the time of their lives jumping off the dock and playing on the beach. They never tired of playing outside. They also loved fishing with their dad and grandpa. We created some special memories on this trip. I appreciate all my family sacrificed to make this trip happen. I love them so much and treasure the moments we have together.
We then headed to St Louis for a few days of family time before going home. We went to the zoo the first day. Let me tell you that the St Louis zoo is arguably one of the finest zoos in this country - we have been to many. We have been to this one several times. Unfortunately, we have learned that we all have a zoo quota - there is a limit as to how much zoo you can handle in one summer. After visiting the Memphis zoo in May (also a good one), and the Little Rock zoo in June, I think we were harder to impress. Oh look - the lesser kudu. Wow. There's an elephant - is it Asian or African? Although the hippos are always a hit - watching them underwater as they swim and of course, my boys want to spend most of their time in the reptile house. Once while we were standing at the River's Edge, some lady wondered aloud what animal that was in front of us. C in a somewhat bored voice, that's a capybara. Yes, we know. We've seen them all summer. We did enjoy it in the 96 degree heat and saw the animals in a quick 3 hours.
The next day we visited the Magic House. We had not decided if we were going there or the City Museum. Rumor had it that City Museum was the "It" attraction for children 3 and 5. But in the end, we realized how much cash we had spent thus far in gas (upwards of $3.39 a gallon) and decided that since the Magic House would cost less $$, we would opt for that. My boys loved it!!! We took a break for lunch and came back for more. I had read on Janelle and Michelle's blogs that their family enjoys this place (yes, I read and enjoy your blogs - just have a hard time commenting - my log in won't work and I haven't worked it out). Our family also gives it our stamp of approval. It was great to see C and R wanting to be together - waiting for each other, looking for each other - wanting to experience it all as a team. I realized just how much they love each other and depend on each other to be there. What will R do with C in kindergarten next year? He'll probably spend his mornings bringing tissue to his mommy...
All said, we had a wonderful trip. P and I celebrated our anniversary while in St Louis. 14 years. P picked up dinner for us that we ate in the hotel room after the boys fell asleep. We had a wonderful day with the boys at the museum and swimming in the hotel pool. We didn't need a fancy dinner out or a date. We've done that. This year, we celebrated with the people we love most - the people who know us the best and still love us.
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