New Beginnings

Well, well, well. This transition was going to be so big. In my mind at least. But, as with most things, it has been what most change is, manageable. I usually thing change is good, that is what the experts will tell you. Most of the time that is true after you get used to it. This has been no different. The excitement leading up to the BIG DAY (1st day of Kindergarten for Nick) was alot of fun. Talk of the old stuff, the stuff he "used" to do and talk of the new things to come. He was excited and a bit nervous, but by the time we got that back pack on his back and those new TIE shoes on his feet, he was out the door in a flash. I pretty much saw my future flash before my eyes. The way a kid feels so free as they run out of the house, away from the same ol' same ol' and off to new adventures, even if it is just hanging out in someone else's basement for a while!! I remember that feeling and I see Nick liking the idea of that freedom already. Where has the time go? Have I cherished all the time I have had with him enough?? One will never know. Seeing him stand at the bus stop and gaze up at the "big boys" (2nd graders!) and just look so proud is a moment I won't soon forget. He loves the bus, he loves his teacher and he is having so much fun. I haven't heard much on actual learning, but I am sure that is happening too!! It was a big day, but it has turned in to a routine like most other things and now it is just school. He is such a good little dude, and I kinda miss his longing to just be with me. Bigger things await him and me and I will try to be there, every step of the way.

Getting ready!!!

"light sabers"

Fathers Day crab legs and steak

Milwaukee zoo with Latus boys

Whoa, this summer is flying by. And even though I try to relish everyday with whatever comes it's way, it is still zooming. We have had such a great time splashing around in many forms of water fun. We still have our big rectangle blow up pool in the backyard, that STILL makes for at least an hour of good physical fun. The boys are very daring this year, running and jumping in, jumping off of the sides, having Star Wars battles. It is very fun to watch them play together, and even fight too.

We are getting ready to go to Michigan once again. And by "getting ready" I mean, that I am running around crazy time packing for the boys and me, buying car friendly activities and books, finding good snacks/candy treats, remembering every teeny tiny item that one might ask for as we drive 13 hours to heavenly Crystal Lake. Then Andy rolls in and packs his 4 shirts, 2 shorts, some undies and a swimsuit and asks me why I am so stressed out about this????!!! Ahh, men. So, I am done w/ the packing part for clothes anyway. The car activity center is almost done. Some MadLibs, markers, paper and even scissors. Those boys love to cut!!! I can find just about any type of paper product cut up all over the table and they look up at me with that "aren't you so proud of me?" look as I am looking for one of my many lists....

The spring/summer has been great. Owen has been pretty healthy. He officially has asthma, sinusitus and excema. All very mild, but they all can cause their issues. We have several meds to chew up each day, an inhaler every day and special soaps and lotions. He also gets to do "nasal irrigation" at bathtime to clear those sinuses!! That is a fun one. I should get video, he is quite a trooper. He has actually settled in nicely to being a typical three year old. All of my worries about him being a convict at some point have been put on the back burner till maybe 6. He is more calm and able to explain himself or just do things for himself. I think that was a major problem for us--we were trying to do too much for him or limit him too much = CONTROL--heard of it?? Yeah, it is not good when you get a feisty 1, 2, or 3 year old in competition for control....We are all learning and making progress. Amen.

Nick is awesome. SO ready for Kindergarten, although it will tear my heart out to see him go. EVERYDAY!!!!??? ALL DAY?????!!!!! No more "mommy days" to run around and do field trips, or just do nothing....Oh well. As I bought his SCHOOL SUPPLIES the other day, it hit me, that although I may feel (almost) 25, and look (almost) 25, I am NOT 25. I am 37 with 2 growing children. Not even infants anymore. They are boys, they are mine and I love my life. Amen.

Wintertime fun

The past couple of months has been a bit of a blur. With the holiday rush and the sicknesses around here I feel like I missed something. We are currently experiencing better health, sort of, and now it is the intermittent bad weather that gets us stuck at home. And by "stuck" I mean all sorts of fun in and out of the house. I really do love winter, just not the cold and certainly not the 5 pounds I gain by eating junky, yummy food! We finally got a real snow storm and the boys had a blast as usual. Lots of snowmen, snowball fights and sledding was had. It was so pretty after it all ended and we celebrated with hot cocoa and make your own playdoh type cookies. The neighbor girl spent the day with us and had fun too. The boys are really growing up. I let them play outside with Kate (8) for an hour with out me....which is big time nice for me!!! They missed me I am sure, but I did not see/hear from them for ONE HOUR!!! I saw them out the window and heard screams of joy, but they stayed out and got along fine without me. amazing transition, as they all are, even when you don't realize it!! I have been having fun watching some of my good friends go through new infant concerns lately and I am realizing that Andy and I really enjoy this stage. Still demanding for sure, but less so each day--besides refereeing once in a while!!! These are your run of the mill typical boys--wrestling, Light Saber fighting, "karate" etc. It can be exhausting as you wonder if you can just go ahead and get rid of the thousands of toys lying around that don't get played with much anymore!! The boys both got their adenoids out and Nick got ear tubes put in. It went very smoothly and they quite enjoyed a few days of non-stop pudding, jello, ice cream, popsicles and movies!! It was a lazy weekend for us! So, just thought I would update this, haven't in awhile and I figured my ONE reader might like to hear about the shenanigans!!!