This morning was our annual Fall Festival, complete with parade. B went with the cub scouts and Jbird walked with his Kindergarten class. This is the second year that all Kindergarteners are invited to walk in the parade....they are trying to promote all kids graduating. So, sponsors paid for all the K kids to have shirts....made me sad when I saw the shirt....

Class of 2025??? I had never even given thought to when my boys would graduate, but if anyone wants to mark their calendar, it will be 2022, 2025 and 2028. Seems so far away. Jbird said he was excited and nervous, 'that he had never been in a parade before and he gets to walk down the middle of the street.' He was so cute, hugging his friends, holding their hands at one point. I have had parents come up to me and tell me they love watching him on the playground. He is so social and is always the leader with the soccer boys. Every day, I hear a different kid yelling his name across the playground, telling him bye.

It was hard to catch B because when they passed us it was crazy....

JB enjoyed the parade. It lasted 1 hour and 40 minutes....way too long in my opinion. However, I did enjoy the brisket that was cooked all night over an open flame!

Gearing up for soccer games tomorrow.

Could not resist taking this picture....this is one tired little boy. It just relaxes me to see all that hot water cascading down his back. Wish I was small enough to fall asleep and have someone carry me to bed.

Of course here is the littlest one, wide awake because he took a nap today.

Our days seem so busy right now. That is why I so appreciate that my boys are not into an indoor sport...we get a winter break from Nov - March. So looking forward to that!

Off to help with homework!

A few days ago I was treated to a backyard surprise. The boys had some friends over and they made a band, complete with a stage. I was quite impressed...they even used my yellow curling ribbon to hold up the tarp that served as the curtain. They used the 'porch' of their playhouse/lego house. Jbird was on the drums and loved the improvising of the drum sticks...plastic garden tools. Sometimes their creativity blows me away...just wish their cleaning up skills did too - we are still finding yellow curling ribbon outside!

I am tired of fighting with Jbird over his clothes. The other day was picture day and out of a shelf full of clothes, he did not like any of them. So he and I went through what was on his shelf. He kept the clothes he liked and put them into 3 stacks...church, school and weekend clothes. Pretty clever I thought and he came up with it all by himself. Then today he and I spent the morning looking for clothes. We were not terribly successful but we do have about 3 pair of shorts and 5 shirts to add to the mix. I love that he is finally starting to coordinate his clothes.

Went to McDonald's recently..I was craving one of their milkshakes (that I discovered when Jbird had his tonsils out). I pulled up to the drive thru and I guess Mickey D's is trying to get 'healthier'. Listed on their drive thru menu was the calorie counts of their food. Well, 550 calories for a small milkshake was enough for me to change my mind!

Got a music box key in the mail today. Yes, had to order one online because someone locked my music box and no one seemed to know where the key was!

Two soccer games tomorrow....let's hope for a more even match up with B tomorrow. A rather quiet week!

The last week has been a whirlwind...which I knew it would be. Our big fundraiser Fun Run at the school was on Tuesday and all last week was spirit week. One day was Crazy Hair day...which the kids loved. I was hoping that Jbird would participate, because I had all kinds of fun things I would love to try with his hair. However, He was not interested, but here is a picture of the other two. With hair so short, there are not many options except color! B's was a dark red but JB's was a lighter red that I actually kind of liked!

The last day of spirit week was Walk to School Day. We had about 130 kids show up with their parents to walk the 2 blocks to school. It was a really fun time - a beautiful fall morning. Then the Fun Run. Money is still coming in but pretty sure we raised over $11K. Pretty good for a second annual event.

This past weekend B had an overnight scout event. The boys filled some rank requirements and got in on some carpentry, cooking and learning more about the flags. I was not able to stay overnight but B did. As I was going to pick him up, he got stung by a wasp...on the bridge of the nose. Seems like a really odd place to get stung. It scared him but other than puffy eyes the next morning, he was fine.

On Sunday they both had soccer games! B's team got blown out of the water. It is interesting to see how the teams are always distributed. The boys the next town over are consistently bigger and better. When they played 6 boys and we played 7 it was pretty even, but as soon as they equaled the numbers, it was lop-sided again. B played goalie the second half. He did really pretty good. Was surprised at times as to how agressive he was.

JB is doing well. Enjoys school. I am going in tomorrow to observe the school therapy. Trying to get all three of his therapists on the same page so they are all complementing each other.

Off to get ready for a cub scout Pack meeting!

Just a shout out....I am alive!

A crazy, busy last 5 days or so.

Hope to get a post up in the next day or two with some pictures!

Just would hate for my family to worry :-)

We still periodically play musical beds around here. Never know where anyone will land for the night. It is funny to watch, sometimes they all want to be by themselves and other times they don't want to be alone. I took a shower the other night and as I got in the shower, they were not yet asleep. When I came out, this is what I found.

I think a highlight of Jbird's day is pulling everything out of his backpack and showing me everything he did at school. He has really taken an interest in coloring and how well he is able to stay in the lines. We have some pictures of B's hanging up downstairs in frames. Jbird has started getting thumbtacks and putting his pictures up on the wall. Guess it is time to get some more frames! Here are two pictures that he was really proud of.

We discovered a wasp nest above (6-8 feet) our door recently. I got some of the wasp spray and I think no less than 30 fell. We have had to spray it a second time too. I would think with the nights getting colder, they would start disappearing. This is the time of year when all the flies try to get inside and it drives me crazy.

Next week is the big school fundraiser (Fun Run) that I am coordinating again. Hoping the smoke clears so it is all safe for the kids to run outside. Lots of little things still to do, but fortunately I am list maker, so hopefully nothing gets forgotten.

Yesterday was the first soccer games. Both teams won. Jbird's team has two ringers on it. I think we scored 8 goals and pretty sure they were all made by the same two boys. I felt bad for the other team, since in the past we were the ones getting slaughtered. I talked with the coach afterward and told her that we might need to think of an alternative for future games. Both of these boys sat out the same quarter (the 3rd) and that quarter was a really close quarter with neither team scoring. Jbird is proving to take after his brother. When B was younger his tendency was to run back to defend and Jbird is doing the same thing. It is so funny - the ball will come his direction and he will run backwards to defend if needed.

B won his game. He scored the first goal of the season. Starting with 3rd grade, they now have goalies and play off-sides. B does not yet have the off-sides down. He got called several times for it. He missed several other goals when the ball hit the post and bounced out.

A few pictures from the day.

Jbird is in the red shorts....

This is a picture B must have taken...I kind of like it....JB is in the back. (A friend suggested after seeing pictures of JB in the dentist chair that I start calling him Joe Cool...just might do it! Probably less confusing that JB and J/Jbird)

A picture of B in full swing kick

One thing I have been doing for B this school year is putting a joke in his lunchbox every day. He is at that age where he enjoys it. I think our favorite joke thus far....Why did the bacon laugh? Because the egg cracked a yolk.

Enjoy your day!

Well, JB is loving school.  He was extremely quiet the first day, but that was it.  Every day when I go to pick him up, they are on the playground and there is always time to talk with the teachers.  It is amazing how this little guy can get his point across with so few words.  The first day of school, at snack time, the teachers put out a sentence strip.  The idea is for JB to point to each word as he says "I want some more of ....".  He did great pointing to each word and saying the word.  The second day, they sat down for snack and he gave his teacher a disapproving/confused look.  She looked at him and said 'what' and then he proceeded to tap the table as if the sentence strip were there.  She just started laughing and said 'of course, I forgot the sentence strip'.  He nodded his head.

They are also amazed at his athletic ability.  The way he hits and throws a ball.  Will be interesting to watch as he gets older.  He did surprise me the other day at the store.  We were in the produce section and he said 'banana'.  As clear as day.  It for the longest time was 'blah blah'.  Then it became 'nana'.  Was a pleasant surprise, especially since it is not a word we 'work' on.

B has his mouth appliance in.  He was uncomfortable the first 2 days and still gets frustrated when food sticks in it.  The orthodontist suggested I buy a Water Pik.  My response..."Have you ever had a water pik in a bathroom that three boys share?"  I can just imagine 'water' fights!  Maybe I can keep it out of reach, but if it is out of reach, then it is not easily accessible for B.  Maybe it will never occur to them.  I wish I could say that they would keep their hands off of it.

A quiet Saturday.  Nothing on the calendar.  Tomorrow is church and 2 soccer games!  Will be interesting to see how Jbird's team does.

Here is the first day of school picture that JB wanted to take....look at that smile.

The bus arrives, notice the smile that is quickly growing....

Big steps for a big boy

I was glad to see seatbelts on this bus.

I drove up to the school so I could get a picture of him getting off the bus. I pick him up at school everyday with the other boys, so I will never see him get off the bus. He was looking at me and his teachers and back at me. I love the 'what are you doing here mom' look.

He had a great first day! I worked out, got a haircut and sat in my car reading a magazine and listening to music for 30 minutes!!!!

Just a few random things....

A very quiet weekend.  Celebrated JRs birthday.  One of his friends has been staying a few days with us and the boys have been loving it.  The smoke lingers, so stayed inside most of the weekend.

B gets his 'orthodontic appliance' put in this week.  He went last week to have the impression done and did not like it one bit.  Poor kid had tears rolling down his cheeks.  I could hear the commotion down the hall and went to check on him. He was trying to be so brave but was not enjoying it.

JB starts school on Wednesday.  Not sure when will be his first day riding the bus...need to hook up with the bus barn first.  That means I get back in the gym groove this week.

I am continually amazed at how dirty J-bird's clothes get.  Probably 1/3 of his shirts need to thrown away, but he is not liking that.  I have told him he can wear them around the house, but not to school.  So thankful for my 'spray and wash'.

Some of the buttons on my blog have disappeared and trying to figure out how to fix that.  Another reason I am slower on posting, having to jump through some more hoops to figure it out.

Off to clean out the fridge for dinner.

Wednesday was the first day of school for the older two boys. They both had really good days and enjoy their teachers. Jbird was wiped out in the afternoon - full on tantrums. This all day stuff will take some getting use to for him. I have been very surprised that he wants me hanging around on the playground and right outside his classroom when the bell rings in the afternoon. I can do that. Their school is two buildings, separated by a 'state highway'. So, B loves the fact that he crosses the street (where the cross guard is) and heads to Jbird's school at the end of the day.

Recent forest fires are causing havoc. Yesterday the kids did not go outside to play because of the air quality. Soccer practice was cancelled. I think there are 3 or 4 within a 30 mile radius of us. This is when we all start wishing for a little mountain snow! Quiet holiday weekend. Nothing planned at this point. JR's birthday is Sunday!

Guess what JB did today......

His first dentist visit. You can just tell by the foot on the knee that he was totally kicking back, taking it all in.

Both the dentist and dental hygienist commented on what amazingly strong teeth he has. Apparently enamel on baby teeth is very thin but his teeth were incredible. She kept asking me if I lived in the city limits (because they don't have fluoride in our water). When I told her yes, she was baffled as to why he had such strong teeth without fluoride in the water.  He did not care for the fluoride they put on at the end, otherwise he was an incredible trooper.

B took some pictures while we were waiting....

He is such a goof ball...everyone in the office was cracking up at my kids.

B thought it would be fun to have JB roll around on the floor so he could get some more pictures...only my boys!

The middle child obviously does not have strong, healthy teeth. Cavity number 3!

School starts tomorrow. JB and I have a low key rest of the week! Looking forward to some one on one time with him while older boys are at school. Jbird had his first soccer practice today and enjoyed it!

On Saturday I took the boys to a local fundraiser called Digger Days. It was everything boy!!!! They each got the opportunity to get in a real piece of machinery and work it.

There was lots and lots of sand piles to dig in.

One of the mining companies let the kids mine for garnets.  They even managed to find some and bring them home.

Lots of trucks, cranes, tractors to climb up in and play with controls, honk horns, etc.

A crowd favorite....Tow Mater.....It is rigged with all kinds of animal sounds.

Overall, a fun Saturday. I forgot sunscreen because it was a last minute decision to go. Thankfully I was the only one that got burned. So thankful my boys have at least of JR's coloring.

We recently attended a birthday party up at 'our' pool. Some of the local families that have been going all summer were there. Got a few action shots of B shooting baskets.

Last few days of summer are very low key. Next week the routines start...getting up early...sticking to my cleaning schedule....working out again...looking forward to some structure.  Hoping to put in place some structure at home with JB, so I am intentional about working on some things from therapy.

We found out the boys' teachers. I am not familiar with either of them, but of course hear good things. Any time we talk about their teachers, JB pipes up with 'my tee-er'. He is as excited as them to start. He will start the Tuesday after Labor Day. Tuesday through Friday 12:30-3:10. The bus will pick him up and I can just see his proud little face the first time he climbs those steps and looks out at the window at me. I wish I was on the other end, watching him get off the bus, but either way, he will love it. The older boys are a little jealous that he gets to ride the bus and they do not.

JR works for a property management company. Over the last couple of years they have expanded into other things. They manage about 50 luxury homes right now and they are wanting to offer luxury rental cars for those renting their properties. They will rent the suburbans for a week at a time and have 5 suburbans. They need someone on the airport end to pick up the rental, check it out, wash and vacuum it and then leave it for the next renter. The owner has asked if I would be interested. As long as I have the car ready for the next renter, I wash (drive through car wash) and vacuum them when it works for me. He is fine with me having the boys with me. The best part, they will pay for a 2 hour block of time for each car but ideally it will take 30-45 minutes. Does not sound bad. Up to 10 hours a week and I can take the kids. Will call him back next week but will probably jump on board. He is anticipating having all the cars rented out year round. An easy way to fund my travels for next summer!

B has been complaining of a sore throat and headaches.  Jbird has finally quit asking for his pain meds.  I am feeling good, although JR feels like he is getting sick.  Praying for continued health for all of us.  Don't want any sickness at the beginning of a school year.

Off to unwind!

Life is returning to normal.

Other than an 'every once in a while' complaint of Jbird, he is just about 100%.  He had a birthday party today at the pool and was keeping up with all the kids.  He still is particular about what he wants to try to eat.  I tried hard to get him to try a biscuit, but wanted the stand-by of either oatmeal or pancake.

Both of JB's therapists have commented on his recent improvements.  One of them said you can see the coordination starting to come.  It is still so interesting to watch, he can repeat a sound perfectly then when he adds it to another sound, it all falls apart.  One therapist expects that he will digress a little when he starts school.  I guess usually the first week or two kids tend to shut down until they get it all figured out in their new environment.  I also inquired about problems as they learn to read.  I am told that about half the apraxic kids end up with reading problems (dyslexia, etc).  So something we will be watch pretty closely in another year or so when some pre-reading skills should start surfacing.  Right now he is so proud of himself that he is now coordinated enough to hold up (correctly) 3 fingers.  When you ask him how old he is, you can see the smoke coming out of his ears as he struggles to get all of his fingers where he needs them.  So cute.

B  - I am getting ready to send my third grader off to school and he cannot tie his shoes.  He desperately needs new tennis shoes and I have been holding out, telling him he needs to learn to tie his shoes.  Not sure who will win this one.  In some things he is a self-defeatist and this is one of them.  At least he knows how to tell time, which a lot of kids don't, living in a digital clock world.

"It is the way we have always done things".  A phrase I am coming to loathe.  I am involved in a couple of different organizations.  There are changes happening in two of them.  Changes that I am behind.  Changes that others think need to happen, I was just the one to step up and take the challenge.  I am convinced that is part of why I ended up sick last weekend.  Some of the 'ol timers' not sure and hesitant about this change. Just some of the stress of what I dealt with last week.  However, I am going to continue to plug away and make minor, positive changes anywhere I can.  By the end of September, I should know how both of them are playing out!  One more month...I can do it.

JR is very, very busy.  Trying to get in as much work as he can before the snow flies.  Soccer starts next week for the boys on Tuesday and school on Wed.  Hoping for a quiet, quiet weekend.

I have spent the better part of three days in bed.  I went to bed Friday night telling the boys if I were not here when they woke up that I was at the hospital.  I hurt bad.  Woke up feeling considerably better Saturday morning.  Played it safe and stuck close to bed.

We are all up this morning and moving slow.  Need to run in to town for JB's therapy and have to get a few groceries.  Can already tell it will be a slower recovery than I want.  But my kids rock and in times like this I am very thankful how independent they are.

Jbird is still asking for his pain meds.  Wondering if the doc will send in another prescription 10 days post surgery.  I have one more day of meds and think I need to refill my prescription or it might come back.

Just wanted to send a quick hello!

This momma is sick.  I am not one to get sick but it has got me this time.  Even through my pregnancies I never recalled a day in bed...a full day in bed.  Doc thinks it might be strep...got me started on meds.

JR is out of town hiking until Sunday and my kids ROCK.  Granted they have sat in front of the tv all day but I periodically hear them helping each other out, getting drinks, cutting pizza.  I bought a pizza that hopefully they will eat on all weekend.  They have the run of the lower level.

Fortunately Jbird is feeling better.  Taking his meds regularly and eaten stuff today. 

Just laying in bed this weekend.....Thankful my sister handed down a laptop so I can atleast have some mindless entertainment when I am awake.

Since I did not get a lot of pictures of JB on his birthday, I saw the opportunity recently. It is fun to open presents on your birthday, but it is also fun when a late package arrives. Thanks to Aunt Patti, I got to take some more pictures. He loved all the tissue paper and color.

He loves to wind up bath toys and I don't believe he has ever played with any.

Jbird is doing a little better. Monday we went to the pool and he laid in the shade for 2 hours, did not speak and just had a distant stare. Tuesday we went to the park and he laid on a blanket for 2 hours with his head in my lap. Still some pain, for the most part not taking his meds, but he did eat half a pancake today. The most food he has had in 3 days I think. He is down about 5 pounds. Of course watching him for dehydration. Every time I start to get really concerned, he will rally and drink half a cup of something. At least this morning he is sitting on the couch playing a little with a toy.

JB has been making strides on the potting training. He is initiating some of it on his own. The other day I heard a 6 word sentence..."B dahn here, mom nee you"

The other day, the straw finally broke. One of my boys was asked to do a chore and his immediate response was 'I can't I am playing the Wii". That night the tv got put in a closet and the next day Directv was suspended. (The 2 year contract just came up so I have been waiting for this.) How nice it has been the last couple of days not to have the distraction and other things that come along with the tv. Not sure how long it will be in the closet, but I do hope that Directv never comes back!

Jbird had a pretty good weekend. He is now asking for his medicine - yea! One of my most precious memories from his surgery was on Friday, I believe, we were hanging at home. The boys were just getting going and it was nice and cool out. I wanted to go for a walk. I asked Jbird if he wanted to go and he said yes. I got the stroller out and we made a 5 minute lap. He said he wanted to keep going, so we did...and we did...and we did. I think we made 5 laps. Not really talking, just both enjoying being outside. It was teh perfect temperature with a slight breeze.  Probably the last time I will ever push him in a stroller again.

His snoring has stopped and his voice is not so nasal. He actually is a little more soft spoken with a slight slur due to the pain. At times I have a hard time understanding him. I have heard, probably 8 times today, "mom - didn't I ask you something a while ago."

The boys have been wanting me to sleep in their room the last couple of nights. Coming from an 8 year old, I jump at that.  Last night the three boys and I were all in a full size bed...not the most comfortable thing.

I recently helped put together the local soccer teams for the fall season. We were one coach short for K-1st grade. I found a gal that has lots of experience playing but needs a committed asst. coach since she has a baby. So, I am donning a new hat this fall and going to be an asst. soccer coach. Maybe by the time JB turns 5, I will feel totally equipped to be THE coach for his team. Should be lots of fun.

Last week I took the boys to a dollar store. They think it is the greatest. We were buying a few things for a friends' birthday, just odds and ends. JB decided that it was his birthday, so he would find something, put it in his arms and say 'me buthday'. He probably had 5 or 6 things that he struggled to carry but was determined to make it out of the store with everything.  Then his brothers kept wanting this or that for their brother's birthday. We left that dollar store with about 4 times the stuff we went in there for.

We recently discovered some batting cages. Had to take the boys. They enjoyed it a lot! Once B got the swing, literally, of it, he did well. Jbird started out 3 for 3. JB was just hilarious...that little head rolling around in that huge ol' helmet.