As you are well aware school has started back. I am looking forward to a fantastic year, especially after Friday. I pick up Thing 1 from the dear friend that takes care of him after school the days that hubs works, and she tells me she was told to give me a message. This of course makes me nervous. She then informs me that the teacher said to let me know that a little boy got upset in class and Thing 1 comforted him. This of course made me proud as punch. I then ask him what happened. He tells me that a little boy spilled his drink today in class and most of the kids laughed at the poor fella. Thing 1 then says that he got the little boy napkins to wipe it up, and he didn't laugh at him.
I really think I could have cried. As i matter of fact I think I did just a smidge. I explained to Thing 1 that this is how I expected him to treat his classmates and that I was over the moon proud of him. All I got was a thank you. He is a child of few words apparently.
It made me feel rather proud to know that maybe JUST MAYBE he actually pays attention to the things I tell him. As a mom I stress over pretty much anything kid related. One of my biggest social fears for them (yes my fears are broken down categorically) is that one of my kids will be "the bully". Thankfully it seems that one of the boys is on the track not to be that way. Thank goodness.
Maybe after 7 years I am starting to figure this being a mama stuff out. 7 Down umpteen more to go.
Monday, August 29, 2011
Thursday, August 25, 2011
First day of school
The day has finally arrived. The day parents dream about, and children dread. It is the first day of the new school year. After a short lived summer spending every waking moment together, my boys finally get to spend their days apart.
This is a bittersweet day for most of us moms. I am sure some dads to but especially moms, ya know with carrying them for 9 glorious months and all.
This morning Thing 1 and I were the only ones that had to leave the house. Thing 2 is having a daddy day. So I wake up at 4:30-seriously, 4:30. This is simply because I got the grand idea to let Thing 2 sleep in my bed last night. So I was woken up at 4:30 to the sound of "STOP IT BUBBA". Apparently Justin was dreaming, maybe now people will believe when I say they fight in their sleep. So I drift back to sleep and arise at 615. This is before the alarm went off, go me. I get ready, and while this is taking place Thing 2 decided he needed to eat, so he stumbles into the kitchen, and greets me with "Mama I need food". I reply, "Good morning sunshine". He then wakes up his brother. Tristan springs out of bed, then jumps in the shower just to wake up a bit. He then sits down to eat his requested breakfast, a soy butter and honey sandwich on toast. He eats maybe half of it. The kid is not a breakfast eater. So he proceeds to finish getting ready, while complaining about his neck. Bless his heart, he slept wrong the night before last and has a bit of a crick in his neck. Nothing time won't heal.
So we are ready to walk out the door. The required first day of school pictures were taken, and kisses were given to hubs and Thing 2. As we are walking out the front door he stops, looks at me and says, Mama, you are going to walk in with me aren't you. Without skipping a beat, I said you bet your buns I am. And we were on our merry little way.
Upon arriving at the school, ya know the whole 2 mile drive, we walk into total chaos. Finally we manage to make it to his room, and he puts his stuff down, and gets right to work. It's hard to believe my little bitty baby boy, is now a little bitty second grader. Ya know he is a little bit of a runt, compared to some of the others.
He will continue to grow and grow and learn more as the year goes on. I will continue to be amazed at how much he has changed in the last 7 years. Thus is life I suppose.
This is a bittersweet day for most of us moms. I am sure some dads to but especially moms, ya know with carrying them for 9 glorious months and all.
This morning Thing 1 and I were the only ones that had to leave the house. Thing 2 is having a daddy day. So I wake up at 4:30-seriously, 4:30. This is simply because I got the grand idea to let Thing 2 sleep in my bed last night. So I was woken up at 4:30 to the sound of "STOP IT BUBBA". Apparently Justin was dreaming, maybe now people will believe when I say they fight in their sleep. So I drift back to sleep and arise at 615. This is before the alarm went off, go me. I get ready, and while this is taking place Thing 2 decided he needed to eat, so he stumbles into the kitchen, and greets me with "Mama I need food". I reply, "Good morning sunshine". He then wakes up his brother. Tristan springs out of bed, then jumps in the shower just to wake up a bit. He then sits down to eat his requested breakfast, a soy butter and honey sandwich on toast. He eats maybe half of it. The kid is not a breakfast eater. So he proceeds to finish getting ready, while complaining about his neck. Bless his heart, he slept wrong the night before last and has a bit of a crick in his neck. Nothing time won't heal.
So we are ready to walk out the door. The required first day of school pictures were taken, and kisses were given to hubs and Thing 2. As we are walking out the front door he stops, looks at me and says, Mama, you are going to walk in with me aren't you. Without skipping a beat, I said you bet your buns I am. And we were on our merry little way.
Upon arriving at the school, ya know the whole 2 mile drive, we walk into total chaos. Finally we manage to make it to his room, and he puts his stuff down, and gets right to work. It's hard to believe my little bitty baby boy, is now a little bitty second grader. Ya know he is a little bit of a runt, compared to some of the others.
He will continue to grow and grow and learn more as the year goes on. I will continue to be amazed at how much he has changed in the last 7 years. Thus is life I suppose.
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Thing 1
We had open house last night at Thing 1's school. I have been very nervous about this year, not sure why but I have been. Last year was a wonderful year and I don't think things could have gone any better. We get to the school and we see one of his friend's mom who is a teacher at the school, first thing, and she walks with us to the Yellow hall. The school color codes their halls, Second grade is Yellow. I think she and I both had the same thought, please let Tristan and Sarah be in the same class; well they aren't. However he does have a super nice teacher this year that is very excited to have him as a student. There are several of his little friends in the class with him. After we left I felt a lot better about the school year.
We arrive home and I had already made the executive decision that I was not cooking supper last night. So we load up in the jeep for a trip to a local pizza place. On the way both boys are asking to stop back by Granny's house on the way home. I inform them that Granny is not at home tonight. Well of course that leads to, Where is she? This is asked by both kids and the hubs. I then explain that she had gone to South Carolina. This results in a Why from the peanut gallery. So I explain that a friend lost his brother in a 4 wheeler accident, and she had gone to the funeral home. Nothing else was said. I look in the back seat to see what the boys were doing and I notice Thing 1 is sitting with his hands folded, eyes closed and his mouth is moving. Thing 2 was trying to copy him. I watched for just a minute then I asked him what he was doing. He opens his eyes and looks at me and says, I was praying Mama, praying that the boy that died has a good life with Jesus, and praying that his family will be ok without him. Let's not forget that the kid is 7. I am a firm believer in prayer, I also believe that the prayers of kids are sometimes heard a little more clearly because they are often the most sincere. I text Granny and let her know what he had done. Of course that kind of text warrants a phone call. Mostly to which I say, I guess he does pay attention in church more than I realized.
I realized last night that this little person, who loves to fight with his brother, not eat his veggies, and definitely not clean his room has become such an amazingly kind hearted person, who really does care about others. It is amazing to see the transformation in him as he goes from little baby, to wide open toddler, to this little man. I am very lucky to be his mom and am so thankful that the good Lord trusted me with him.
We arrive home and I had already made the executive decision that I was not cooking supper last night. So we load up in the jeep for a trip to a local pizza place. On the way both boys are asking to stop back by Granny's house on the way home. I inform them that Granny is not at home tonight. Well of course that leads to, Where is she? This is asked by both kids and the hubs. I then explain that she had gone to South Carolina. This results in a Why from the peanut gallery. So I explain that a friend lost his brother in a 4 wheeler accident, and she had gone to the funeral home. Nothing else was said. I look in the back seat to see what the boys were doing and I notice Thing 1 is sitting with his hands folded, eyes closed and his mouth is moving. Thing 2 was trying to copy him. I watched for just a minute then I asked him what he was doing. He opens his eyes and looks at me and says, I was praying Mama, praying that the boy that died has a good life with Jesus, and praying that his family will be ok without him. Let's not forget that the kid is 7. I am a firm believer in prayer, I also believe that the prayers of kids are sometimes heard a little more clearly because they are often the most sincere. I text Granny and let her know what he had done. Of course that kind of text warrants a phone call. Mostly to which I say, I guess he does pay attention in church more than I realized.
I realized last night that this little person, who loves to fight with his brother, not eat his veggies, and definitely not clean his room has become such an amazingly kind hearted person, who really does care about others. It is amazing to see the transformation in him as he goes from little baby, to wide open toddler, to this little man. I am very lucky to be his mom and am so thankful that the good Lord trusted me with him.
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
I am "THAT MOM"
After a few chats with various other moms, and my own mom I have settled into the fact that I am "that mom". This is not a bad thing, I don't think. As Thing 1 and I were buying school supplies I bought extra, like enough extra for about 3-5 other kids. Kleenex were on the list, we simply could have gotten the 1 box and been done of it, but noooooooo we buy the 6 pack. All of the extra supplies and abundance of tissues are packed into a bag to take to open house tonight. Thing 1's stash is sitting on my bed at home.
I have never been a person to do things to excess until my kid started school. Now it's extra school supplies, extra stuff for parties, making sure someone is always on a field trip (the saint that does this is usually Granny, or as she is known at school Tristan's Grandma), paying ahead for school lunches in the cafeteria (at one point the child had a $50 credit in pre-k) I buy Valentine's cards in December, each teacher gets a gift at Christmas and at the end of the year, along with a thank you note. Need I continue?
We are off to open house tonight for Thing 1 to find out who his teacher is, and see who all is in his class. It's also my time to scare the mess out of his teacher with the whole peanut allergy talk. Let's cross our fingers for another good year.
I have never been a person to do things to excess until my kid started school. Now it's extra school supplies, extra stuff for parties, making sure someone is always on a field trip (the saint that does this is usually Granny, or as she is known at school Tristan's Grandma), paying ahead for school lunches in the cafeteria (at one point the child had a $50 credit in pre-k) I buy Valentine's cards in December, each teacher gets a gift at Christmas and at the end of the year, along with a thank you note. Need I continue?
We are off to open house tonight for Thing 1 to find out who his teacher is, and see who all is in his class. It's also my time to scare the mess out of his teacher with the whole peanut allergy talk. Let's cross our fingers for another good year.
Friday, August 19, 2011
Ahhhh
Well it's finally the weekend. It has been a long week. I suppose this is simply because it's the last full week of summer vacation. (Insert Hallelujah Chorus here).
My husband made the comment last night that the boys have been fighting a lot more here lately. My response (well the one out loud anyway) was simply that they need a break from each other. In my head however it was snarkishly where have you been the last 3 years. These two have been together basically nonstop since June 11. There is only so much brotherly love to go around. I figure once school gets started back, I will have about a week of semi serenity. The boys may actually miss each other a little bit, maybe just a smidge if I am lucky. Then normalcy returns and I am once again a referee.
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Status on Facebook
There is a status currently going around Facebook speaking about Law Enforcement officers, it says
Monday, August 15, 2011
Errands in the rain
Thing 1, Thing 2 and I were flying solo most of the weekend. Hubs had to work day shift. I usually try to take advantage of these weekends and get my errands taken care of. Ya know the stuff that has to be done, but the husband doesn't want to go along with. This weekend's plans were, breakfast out, then walmart, the local wireless store, the post office, the dollar store, and then finally the grocery store.
I had fully prepared myself for the events of the day, the night before. Simply because we were in the midst of a mini monsoon, a welcomed sight might I add. I had everyone tucked in bed and asleep before 930 Friday night. Yes 930 on a Friday night, no I am not a 95 year old grandma, I am a tired working mom. So I wake up at around 530 when I hear my husband's voice on the phone with someone. I realize he is chatting with the person that worked night shift, finding out about the night's happenings. So, hubs is handling that, I in the mean time become wide awake. Did I mention it is 530 in the morning, the flippin sun isn't even up yet. As to not waste production time, I get out of bed, and begin washing a load of clothes. Then realizing that the sun is still not up, and literally neither are my chickens (the rooster has not crowed at this point), the bright idea hits me, to crawl back into bed and READ!!! I had started Rereading a book while on vacation and wanted to finish it. So I lay in bed reading and sniffling, and reading and sniffling. I think I left out the part where the book is a tear jerker.
I manage to finish my book, feeling accomplished because it is now day light. The wild ones finally begin stirring. I can't wait any longer, I am hungry. I awake the sleeping dragons, get them ready and we head out. It is now 730 in the morning. We head out to meet hubs for breakfast at a local diner. It was a nice family time.
Then it was off to run, run run. I think I may have also left out the part that it had rained about 2 inches overnight, and was still drizzling at this point. We make the first stop at walmart. I have my plans mapped out for the day, as to be more eco friendly because I drive a gas hog. Some groceries were bought, ya know the canned stuff, cause lets face it some of the stuff is cheaper there. The things and I manage to make it out of there, with neither of them getting their tails tore up (big accomplishment let me tell ya) and with out me feeling like I needed a nerve pill.
After a quick stop at the post office, which for some reason had my kids in awe, to the point that Thing 2 asked if he could stay. We literally were there less than 5 minutes, nothing interesting happened to provoke his interest.
Next stop, the local Dollar General. This was a fairly quick trip, for the stuff that is cheaper there than Walmart, and it shares the parking lot with the grocery store. We breeze through this stop, after the boys have to make their bathroom inspection of course. I was pleased I made it to stop 3 before that happened.
Then comes the grocery store. I only needed meats by this point. Everything else was handled already. The kids and I are scouring the meat section, then the dairy section, and we are done. I managed to make it less than a 30 minute stop. I think I set a record for myself. I also managed to save a little over $50 in the process. So we head home. The bottom falls out about 5 minutes after I get everything in the house. Talk about timing.
I realize once everything is up that I forgot produce. Can't make the kids eat them if I don't have them. So after waiting out the mini monsoon, we venture back out to the produce stand, and finally out to lunch. Just the 3 of us. This is a rarity. Generally if I have both of them I will not attempt to sit down and enjoy a meal. I will be honest, there is no enjoying to it.
After all was said and done, we made it back home, the boys asked if they were done riding. They were happy to pile up and rest while I piddled around the house. We managed after the events of the day to be in bed by 9 that night. Maybe I am turning into a 90 year old grandma.
I had fully prepared myself for the events of the day, the night before. Simply because we were in the midst of a mini monsoon, a welcomed sight might I add. I had everyone tucked in bed and asleep before 930 Friday night. Yes 930 on a Friday night, no I am not a 95 year old grandma, I am a tired working mom. So I wake up at around 530 when I hear my husband's voice on the phone with someone. I realize he is chatting with the person that worked night shift, finding out about the night's happenings. So, hubs is handling that, I in the mean time become wide awake. Did I mention it is 530 in the morning, the flippin sun isn't even up yet. As to not waste production time, I get out of bed, and begin washing a load of clothes. Then realizing that the sun is still not up, and literally neither are my chickens (the rooster has not crowed at this point), the bright idea hits me, to crawl back into bed and READ!!! I had started Rereading a book while on vacation and wanted to finish it. So I lay in bed reading and sniffling, and reading and sniffling. I think I left out the part where the book is a tear jerker.
I manage to finish my book, feeling accomplished because it is now day light. The wild ones finally begin stirring. I can't wait any longer, I am hungry. I awake the sleeping dragons, get them ready and we head out. It is now 730 in the morning. We head out to meet hubs for breakfast at a local diner. It was a nice family time.
Then it was off to run, run run. I think I may have also left out the part that it had rained about 2 inches overnight, and was still drizzling at this point. We make the first stop at walmart. I have my plans mapped out for the day, as to be more eco friendly because I drive a gas hog. Some groceries were bought, ya know the canned stuff, cause lets face it some of the stuff is cheaper there. The things and I manage to make it out of there, with neither of them getting their tails tore up (big accomplishment let me tell ya) and with out me feeling like I needed a nerve pill.
After a quick stop at the post office, which for some reason had my kids in awe, to the point that Thing 2 asked if he could stay. We literally were there less than 5 minutes, nothing interesting happened to provoke his interest.
Next stop, the local Dollar General. This was a fairly quick trip, for the stuff that is cheaper there than Walmart, and it shares the parking lot with the grocery store. We breeze through this stop, after the boys have to make their bathroom inspection of course. I was pleased I made it to stop 3 before that happened.
Then comes the grocery store. I only needed meats by this point. Everything else was handled already. The kids and I are scouring the meat section, then the dairy section, and we are done. I managed to make it less than a 30 minute stop. I think I set a record for myself. I also managed to save a little over $50 in the process. So we head home. The bottom falls out about 5 minutes after I get everything in the house. Talk about timing.
I realize once everything is up that I forgot produce. Can't make the kids eat them if I don't have them. So after waiting out the mini monsoon, we venture back out to the produce stand, and finally out to lunch. Just the 3 of us. This is a rarity. Generally if I have both of them I will not attempt to sit down and enjoy a meal. I will be honest, there is no enjoying to it.
After all was said and done, we made it back home, the boys asked if they were done riding. They were happy to pile up and rest while I piddled around the house. We managed after the events of the day to be in bed by 9 that night. Maybe I am turning into a 90 year old grandma.
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Home Sweet Home
The family made it back from vacation. If I didn't believe it before I do now. Life is not about the desitination it is about the journey. What may have sparked this sudden belief, you may be curious to know. Well, let's just say that we, as in the caravan I was traveling with, turned a 6 hour drive home into a 16 hour tour of the North Carolina coastline, and several counties that I honestly had never heard of. We had a good trip, made some memories, had some laughs, a little wine, and a lot of sun.
One of the things about our vacations that have become a very popular tradition is our annual oysterfest. We bring back tons of fresh seafood from the beach. Sunday ater we get back on Saturday, we have a group of friends over to the house, and we steam oysters, boil shrimp and pan sear scallops. We also either have chicken nuggets or hot dogs for the kids. I think I may have the only kid that actually eats oysters. Well, Thing 2 will eat one, and then he is happy.
This tradition continued Sunday night. I filled up the swimming pool, and the 6 little boys running around laughing, splashing, and screaming. The adults were all gathered around, broken off into little groups, talking, and laughing. A good time was had by all. By and large we had everything washed up when we got home, thanks to the house having a washer and dryer. So all the settleing left to do is finish washing up sheets and such.
I do believe that we have started a family tradition, we have already started planning next year's trip. My mother in law said yesterday maybe one year, Maw and Granny both can go with us. Thing 2 informed her she would have to drive her car, cause ours is full. Gotta love that silly little boy.
One of the things about our vacations that have become a very popular tradition is our annual oysterfest. We bring back tons of fresh seafood from the beach. Sunday ater we get back on Saturday, we have a group of friends over to the house, and we steam oysters, boil shrimp and pan sear scallops. We also either have chicken nuggets or hot dogs for the kids. I think I may have the only kid that actually eats oysters. Well, Thing 2 will eat one, and then he is happy.
This tradition continued Sunday night. I filled up the swimming pool, and the 6 little boys running around laughing, splashing, and screaming. The adults were all gathered around, broken off into little groups, talking, and laughing. A good time was had by all. By and large we had everything washed up when we got home, thanks to the house having a washer and dryer. So all the settleing left to do is finish washing up sheets and such.
I do believe that we have started a family tradition, we have already started planning next year's trip. My mother in law said yesterday maybe one year, Maw and Granny both can go with us. Thing 2 informed her she would have to drive her car, cause ours is full. Gotta love that silly little boy.
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Chunky little legs and sand do not mix
While we are on one of our many memory making adventures, I have discovered that little boys with chunky legs ( that would be Thing 2) and sand do not mix. He is having a serious battle with sand rash. This particular battle required a trip to a surf shop and make a purchase of rash guards. The poor kid had to walk up the beach in nothing but a towel, and water shoes and nothing even close to a smile.
The kiddos spent the day sunnin it up on the beach, boogie boarding, floating in the rafts that the older boys bought. This mama actually got to sit on the beach and soak up some sun. That was a first for me, and also the big advantage of having 4 teenage boys with you, that love playing with their younger cousins. The main reason is that they know that my kiddos are as they described it, chick magnets.
While sitting back watching the wild ones playing on the beach I noticed just how much those two little heart stealers have grown. Thing 1 has always been a self described surf rat so his love of the water is not surprising. However Thing 2 has up until this year been an avid disliker of the ocean. The very first time we brought him to the beach he crawled back in our jeep--here you can drive out on the sand-- and sat literally all day while we played. The second trip he actually played a little bit but still was not fond of the crashing waves and the fish touching his feet. This year, he has spent every minute available in the water. Watching this change makes me realize my baby is in fact not a baby anymore.
More memories will be made tomorrow and I feel sure more water splashing and sand digging will occur. But for now, the kiddos are snuggled in on the couches sleeping peacefully with bellies full and tired limbs. That makes this woman very happy.
The kiddos spent the day sunnin it up on the beach, boogie boarding, floating in the rafts that the older boys bought. This mama actually got to sit on the beach and soak up some sun. That was a first for me, and also the big advantage of having 4 teenage boys with you, that love playing with their younger cousins. The main reason is that they know that my kiddos are as they described it, chick magnets.
While sitting back watching the wild ones playing on the beach I noticed just how much those two little heart stealers have grown. Thing 1 has always been a self described surf rat so his love of the water is not surprising. However Thing 2 has up until this year been an avid disliker of the ocean. The very first time we brought him to the beach he crawled back in our jeep--here you can drive out on the sand-- and sat literally all day while we played. The second trip he actually played a little bit but still was not fond of the crashing waves and the fish touching his feet. This year, he has spent every minute available in the water. Watching this change makes me realize my baby is in fact not a baby anymore.
More memories will be made tomorrow and I feel sure more water splashing and sand digging will occur. But for now, the kiddos are snuggled in on the couches sleeping peacefully with bellies full and tired limbs. That makes this woman very happy.
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