Today's Lesson

Living in the upper valley provides some great opportunities for Colby's school to take advantage of. Tom and I are fortunate with our time to be able to learn and then teach a science lesson to Colby's class once a month.  (Yes, me teaching science! I realize this is hilarious seeing that the only science I took in college was oceanography which consisted of a lot of hanging out at the beach.) Nevertheless, it's a great opportunity to get in the classroom and see the mind of 5 and 6 year olds working.  Clearly, coming to class and teaching has shown us in a new light to Colby.  The last time we taught he came home that afternoon and set up his own presentation for us.

 

He took his lesson very seriously and explained how a castle works and how you protect yourself when under attack. (very important life lessons, much more interesting then the lesson we taught on ecosystems) 

 

He even asked questions that we needed to raise our hands for to answer.  In the above photo Colby is calling on Tom to get his answer after I failed to provide the right number of ladders needed to escape off the top of the castle. (the answer is 2)

I love how his mind works and how he translates it into his play.  I also like that he sees me as more then the person that cooks, cleans and drives him everywhere.

Introducing Cal Kitty

It's been some time since we said goodbye to our beloved cat Isis.  (Stupid terrorist group had to name themselves after the best cat ever) We have missed having a pet around but the break has been good....not having to make arrangements when we go out of town, worrying about shutting the door before the cat tries to get outside and cleaning the litter box.

The timing was right for a cat but not a permanent one.  Enter Cal Kitty....

 

 

 

This pretty little guy is my parents cat.  He originally was my sister's cat when she lived in California (hence the name) and then made his way to Maine where he resides with them.  My parents have a big trip coming up and we have a pet free house; this was a no brainer.  He has been with us for almost 2 weeks and will stay about another month.  He has settled in very nicely and everyone is happy to have him around, especially Colby.  He loves animals but has a soft spot for cats.  They already knew each other but Colby has taken this time with Cal to get more familiar with him. Colby decided to start with drawing Cal's portrait.  He took his time and Cal was a very good model.   

 









 

I think they will both enjoy their time together.   It will be a fun month. 



Starting Lists...

It's only October but thoughts of Christmas have started to creep into this house. I'm certainly not complaining, I love Christmas and don't mind it sneaking into our lives early. One big bold clear way this is happening is through the number of catalogs that have come in the mail.  I often recycle them before they make it in the house but a few have snuck in under the radar.  Colby and Lincoln love looking through them over and over again.  Colby has started to circle some items he thinks he may want.  At one point Tom saw him circle a princess dress-up collection and he asked if he really wanted it.  Colby just laughed at him and informed him he had circled it for his friend Harper.  He then wrote her name down beside it so as not to confuse anyone else.  I loved that he wasn't just thinking about himself as he looked through the catalogs.  He even picked out some items that he thought his brother might like too. 

 

 

 

The lists will change as the catalogs get recycled over the next couple of months but the ideas they give me will help me give the big man in red some hints! 

 



The Fall Bucket List (thanks to pinterest)

Living in New England in the fall provides you with endless activities and seasonal rites of passage. Combine this with the time sucking vortex of Pinterest and you have yourself a fall bucket list you can complete.  I've printed the damn thing off and hung it on my fridge to encourage myself to think about all the great fall things we can do as a family. 

As I've said before, leaves are my favorite toy in the fall.  You rake them up, jump in them, throw them in the air and then dispose of them.  Also, we don't go to the apple orchard once, we go several times! You go once to get apples to bake pies and the rest of the times you go to wander aimlessly to kill an hour and to enjoy the weather.  (I also volunteered on both boys school visits to apple orchards so we really got our fix this year.)

 Another two fabulous fall things and two more checks off the damn fall bucket list was visiting a pumpkin patch and finding our way through a corn maze.  Well the good old Upper Valley region rocks because this could be done at a wonderful farm just a few miles away.  Even in a soggy drizzle  we survived an amazing corn maze that the boys lead us through and picked our weight in pumpkins.  It is neat to show the boys a pumpkin patch instead of just picking pumpkins out from a pile.





pumpkin patch selfie

 

The bucket list also had some less than adventurous activities on it that could make you feel better about checking more things off the list. For example, drinking pumpkin coffee, drinking apple cider, making a fall mantel and getting cozy all are pretty lame activities but nonetheless got checked off our family fall bucket list. 

Back to real items! Going for a hike and making s'mores are some other pretty easy things to do during this time of year.  Hiking in the fall provides such a different point of view from any other time of year and you don't sweat to death because it is so chilly out.

The fall bucket list continues and we still have plenty of time in the season to check more things off. Up next carving pumpkins....

Sometimes it's expensive to be right...

Katie R.

Saturday night a few weeks ago the adults were watching 2 tvs, yes 2 tvs in the living room so we could watch Ohio State and Notre Dame.  

A suggestion was made that the kids watch a movie but with having 2 of the tvs already in the living room, I suggested they take a computer downstairs. My husband was worried they would break the computer, our 6 year old computer that only works 1/2 of the time.  Instead he suggests the kids watch tv in our room because it's a bigger tv (another time I will explain why we had a 50 inch television in our tiny bedroom).

I told my husband I didn't think it was a great idea but in an attempt to not be the nagging wife and uncool mom I said ok.  

So it started cute like this:

Then Wes found this:

And then this happened:

We will never know the true story of how it happened, meaning whether Wes acted on his own or with the support of his cohorts, but we do know that Wes was able to break the inside of the television.

I was right and we are now minus one television.  Sometimes it's expensive being right.

It is Fall

We may only be a few days into the new season but that hasn't stopped my boys from participating in one of their favorite fall activities. 

 

 

 

In just a few more days the leaves that have fallen have quadrupled! The boys absolutely love leaf jumping and the best thing about leaves is that the leaves are free and they disappear and don't need to be stored somewhere during the winter!

 

Happy Fall Everyone!

 



Chatty Cathy

My lunch date 5 days a week!

With his older brother in kindergarten, Lincoln and I enjoy quiet lunches together most days.  Anyone that knows Linc understands that he is one of the slowest eaters in the world.  He is content to take his time and will eat everything on his plate.  I try my best to sit and chat with him and not go off and get the four thousand things I could get done before he finishes his applesauce. He's pretty cute and chatty so he's got that going for him.  We are only 3 weeks into our lunch dates for 2, let's see how long I can last before I leave him sitting at the table alone.

Education on The Force

May the force be with you...

Wanting to be Luke Skywalker and a storm trooper for Halloween meant my boys had been exposed to enough Star Wars knowledge that it was time...

Thanks to Aunt Jeanne and Uncle Ryan the boys own all 6 episodes and we decided that the time was right to start introducing them to movies of the characters that they love.  We have done A New Hope and The Empire Strikes Back and they have loved them.  It's fun to watch them take it in for the first time.  Colby already knew that Darth Vader was Luke's father but it still was great to watch his reaction as it all goes down in the movie.  This only solidified the boys' choice in their Halloween costumes so as it gets closer look for pics of Luke and a storm trooper.  May the force be with you...

Back To School

My absence is due to this..

Finally these boys are back in school.  Lincoln is in his pre-school program (that I love so much) and Colby has started Kindergarten.  Lincoln picked up where he left of last year and didn't miss a beat.  Colby had to transition to quite a few changes, new school, bus rides, hot lunch, new teacher and an all day schedule but has risen to the occasion. 

I drove him the first day to school and offered to drive him the second day but he insisted on taking the bus because it was one of his favorite parts of the first day taking the bus home.  He has loved his hot lunch too, I asked if he ate his salad one day and he said "yes, did you know salads have vegetables in it? It was so good!" And I was so concerned that he wouldn't use the bathroom at school but when I asked if he used it the first day he said yes he did both. I was shocked and asked really to which I got " yes, I peed and pooped! That's how Colby rolls!" He comes home happy and tired and I couldn't be more excited about how it has gone so far.  Stay tuned for the stories he comes home with...

Ready for Kindergarten

Tom and I were sitting on the couch after putting the boys down for bed the other night.  We had our feet up, TV on and both had tablets on our laps and were unwinding from the day.  We heard the familiar sound of a door knob turning and waited to see who it was.  Of course, it was Colby. As he heads into the bathroom he informs it is for poop but that he can handle it.  Tom and I exchange glances, thinking that this could be interesting.  (Any mom can relate to the wiping issues of a child and we have told Colby this is something he needs to be better about before he starts school because it is not the teachers job to deal with that.) After some time in the bathroom I called out to Colby to see if he needed anything but he informed us he was fine.  Eventually he came out of the bathroom and with a satisfied look on his face declared that he was now ready for Kindergarten and then went back to bed.  Tom and I contained our laughter until he was back in his room.  Who needs school supplies, this kid can wipe his butt so bring on the school year!

Enjoying the last few weeks of summer!

A Love Letter

Their is no easy way to put it...Colby is growing up.  He has continued to grow into this incredibly sweet and kind little man.  As much as I would love to take all the credit so much of it is because of the wonderful preschool program he has been a part of these last 3 years. 

I vividly remember a conversation with my girlfriends 3 years ago in regards to preschool programs.  Most of my friends had been looking around, considering and signing their kids up and I was firm in my stance that Colby wasn't ready for a program yet. I was socializing him, we got out and about and heck he wasn't even talking yet.  My girlfriends and I discussed the pro's and con's of it and we finished our play date and went on our ways.  That very night I relieved the conversation in my head and made a complete 180. I admit it, my mind was completely changed. Colby, my first child, could benefit from 2 days of social interaction, classroom rules and other authoritative adults. I did my research, called a program I was interested in, visited the classroom and had Colby signed up within 2 weeks of that conversation with my girlfriends. 

Colby's preschool program was a great fit for everyone from the start.  Colby had a very difficult time at drop off at the beginning and Vicki, Eileen and Laurel always had a great approach to soothe him and to send me on my way.  I was grateful to know they could handle it and didn't need me (or want me) to linger to make the separation more difficult.  I remember the first time Vicki told me at pick-up that Colby was "un-corporative" that day.   What a great way to say he was bad!  If anyone else had told me my kid was bad I would have been offended but coming from this program it was just another day to learn and become better. 

The next year, with the same teachers, Colby attended 3 days a week.  His confidence grew and his comfort with the teachers was more present.  One day at pick-up I was having a word with a teacher and Colby was pulling on my arm to leave and Eileen just said calmly, "Colby, please don't pull on mom's hand while she is talking" and he did just that (as if that is all it took in my house to make him stop doing something).

His third and final year he attended 4 days a week and enjoyed more attention from a very small class of 6 boys.  I think the small class helped create a tight knit group of students and teachers.  (It also made for the parents to become friends too, a fabulous bonus) Anytime Colby was tired, grumpy or not happy about something all it took was a hug from Laurel to make anything seem better.  She, as well as Eileen and Vicki were always so good about getting down to their level to help them work on expressing their feelings or to get to the route of the problem.

At the end of the school year it was difficult to imagine these women, that have shaped Colby in so many ways, wouldn't be a part of his everyday life anymore. Luckily they have a summer program that I signed Colby up for so it didn't feel like goodbye...yet. Well, last week was goodbye. On Friday I had Colby go give big hugs to the three women in his life that want nothing but the best for him.  I couldn't look any of them in the eye, afraid I would completely break down myself.  I hurried both Colby and Lincoln out and loaded them into the van.  I go to drive away and Colby says, "goodbye school, I'm going to miss you school" to which I say how sweet that is through my tears streaming down my face behind my sunglasses. 

I know, Lincoln will be at that pre-school for 2 more years so I shouldn't be so sad.  But when the experience for Colby and me was so wonderful and provided him so much confidence I can't help but pause and be extremely grateful for the past 3 years and what they have meant to me. 

At his pre-K graduation

Colby heads to Kindergarten in just a few weeks and we couldn't be more excited.  He is ready thanks to Laurel, Eileen and Vicki! With love, a very grateful Katie.

I have officially accepted I am "good enough"...

Katie R.

About a month ago as I struggled to find some fruit for lunch boxes, I finally found some raisins I was pretty sure were still edible, so I threw them in and said “good enough”.  A few moments later the kids were cleaning up and I said  “that’s good enough guys”.  Later that night, I had almost finished the laundry and was too tired to put it all away and I sighed and said “good enough.”

Maybe it’s because for the first time since the kids have been born I am working almost full-time.  Or maybe it’s because with weddings and events every single details matters.  Or maybe it’s because I have now been a parent for 5 years.  I’m not certain what the reason is but on the night that I muttered “good enough” at least 3 times, I really started thinking about being a “good enough” being enough. 

I will admit at first I was pretty horrified with the idea.  I had spent 5 years trying really hard to be a great parent and having it all together, or at least trying to look like I had it all together.  And although I failed 99% of the time, I it was something I really worked hard on.

But as I lay in bed thinking about being a “good enough”, I started to realize that I am really ok with that.  And I have to say the rest of the summer has been much better because of my realization.

For example, with Andrew we were so strict with bed and naptime and it was exhausting.  Wes decided this summer he wanted to take naps and fall asleep in our room at night, partly because there is an air conditioner in the room and partly because he’s a pain, and finally I just thought “why do I care?”  He falls asleep with no problem and we just move him if he’s in our way.  He goes to sleep which means I can get caught up on work and get things ready for the next day and that is good enough for me.

Along with the bed times which have been easier this summer than any other year, I realize that there are things I just don’t care about that I have been worrying about for years.  I used to know how much TV they watched or iPad they played and feel guilty if they spent too much time in front of TV/ipad, well being a “good enough” parent means I don’t stress it.  Part of the reason is the kids were in camp ½ the day and they also love being outside, but if they want to come in and watch TV for a while that is fine with me.  And if there is a day when they just want to veg and watch TV, again, the good enough parent is cool with that.

Being “good enough” has not only been for parenting, it’s pretty much my new mantra.  For example, when friends came over, even good friends, I would clean the house for hours to get ready.  Now of course I just make sure it “good enough” and by good enough I mean that there will be laundry by the washer, the toy room may not be cleaned and I will do my best to make sure the kitchen doesn’t have dirty dishes, but no promises. 

This doesn’t mean I don’t care about my house, my kids or my job, it just means I’ve realized the kind of parent that I am and I’m finally ok with it.  So when I see on Pinterest, 4,700 things to do with your kids this summer, I pretty much now accept that I am going to do none of them.  And we may not make gourmet meals, but we have dinner at the pool 4 nights a week, so they’re getting exercise and dinner which in my book is a win.

Once my events and wedding are over in a few weeks and school starts will I go back to trying more?  I can’t answer that but one thing I am certain of is that being a “good enough” parent has made this a pretty good summer.  In fact as I finish writing this I’m done with work, Joe’s on his way home to pick me up and my kids are at an amusement park with their grandparents 2 ½ hours away so we are headed out for happy hour drinks and appetizers... good enough for me.

Flexible Boy

Last week the family and I were over at the other Katie's house. All the adults were outside enjoying the company and the kids, being well past all of their bedtimes, were chillin in front of the TV watching some kid appropriate television. Attempting to be good parents Joe peeked in on them and reported that some were sitting on the couch, some on a chair and Lincoln was laying on the floor with his legs in the air.  To some that may seem odd but the group of parents just laughed it off because that is just what Lincoln does. He is one of the most flexible children I know.  It amazes all of us, he is a solid boy but loves to stretch and twist himself into all types of positions and then proceeds to stay like that for periods of time.

 He will hold these positions while watching TV, taking a break from a game (like Candy Land) or when he is playing quietly with his toys. It makes my legs feel numb just looking at him!  Ah...to be young! 

Close Quarters

Spending several weeks on vacations have made the boys closer than ever.  They have always been pals but have become more inseparable because they have had to share close quarters with each other.  Once returning home they decided to continue this closeness and share a bedroom together.  This required a couple of changes to happen, we had to move Colby's full bed downstairs to the guest room and move the furniture in Lincoln's room into Colby's room.  They were, and are, ecstatic with the changes and seem to have no regrets about the decision.

As with any big move, respecting each other's space becomes a factor. For example, Colby has always called out to check  if he can get out of his room in the morning (even with a clock in his room) or called out to us in the night if he needs to use the bathroom (which he has been told he can just go). I was concerned that with his brother in the room with him he would continue to do this and wake Lincoln up even though I had made it very clear that he does not need to call out in the night.

We are two nights into this experiment and so far things have gone well.  Bedtimes have gone alright, Tom and I expected the talking and giggling and the boys finally fell asleep fairly quickly. The first morning I woke up to Colby in my face saying "Mom, do you think it's alright to flush the toilet or do you think it will wake Lincoln up?" I was quite startled but very proud (and tired) all at the same time.  And then last night, again being very startled at first hearing someone in the hallway, Colby got out of his room to use the bathroom.  After telling him for a year he finally does these things on his own so as not to disturb his brother.  He's such a good kid that in the future when he smacks Lincoln in the night to wake him up I'll have a hard time believing his brother but that's what being brothers is all about.

S'mores

Please excuse my absence for the last few weeks. As always the summer is spent relaxing...which means packing, cooking and doing laundry to go away on vacation. I did this in back to back weeks, it was lovely and wonderful but it took its toll on me and the boys.  I could have posted much sooner but Tom and I have started to watch the show Game of Thrones on demand and we are binge watchers so that has also weighed heavily on my absence.  My apologies, so without further ado, let me continue to fill you in on my life....

For the past three years a great group of friends have decided to vacation together.  Of course fabulous times are always had by all but what really caught my attention this year when I downloaded the pictures was the growth in the boys.  They look the same and yet the have grown so much.  The first year we went on vacation Lincoln still had his pacifier and we stuck him in a chair so as not to get too close to the flames when we did s'mores.



2012

2012

And the next year Lincoln upgraded his seat to a tricycle! Colby continued to rock the sideways bite is his own style. 

2013

2013

And this past year we let the kids have a bit more freedom, even getting a good laugh when Tom's marshmallows caught on fire! Again, the changes are subtle but they are maturing into amazing little men.

2014

2014

2014

Vacationing with great friends is a perk to the summer and having wonderful photos to look back on remind me of what fabulous summers the boys and I have.  I'm not ready to let go of summer yet so don't get any ideas New England!

Cousin Love

Happy belated 4th of July.  I hope you and you families had long, wonderful weekends. Tom, the kids and I loaded up the big tan van and headed to Maine with plans to see a wide range of family.

*I did not bring my camera to Maine. I could say that I wanted to really be in the moments and take them all it but the truth is I just forgot it. 

We set up home base at my parents house and had a great dinner Thursday night in and old mill in my hometown that was renovated into a restaurant. It was great to start the trip out with a quiet family dinner, just the 4 of us, for an easy transition into the busy weekend. We, like most of New England, had a rainy 4th but were still able to visit with almost all of Tom's extended family.  It's great to catch up with cousins that we don't see enough of.  Even trapped inside from the rain the kids enjoyed each other's company and the cousins got a chance to laugh together and tell some old stories. The following morning we celebrated the baptism of two of the cousins children (2nd cousins I think, I get so confused with the correct terminology) It was windy from the storm passing out but lovely and was nice to celebrate with the two beautiful little girls. 

The following day, Sunday, we headed out to visit some of my cousins that were vacationing in Maine. Another cousin (and her family) my Aunt, and my sister got the opportunity to all catch up, spend time with one another and see all of our children together. It had been too long since we had seen each other, I hadn't even met one cousin's husband (who was super nice & sweet).  Colby & Lincoln hit it off immediately with their 2nd cousins (or whatever relation they are) and ran around and acted as if parents did not exist. It was wonderful.

2nd Cousins enjoying birthday cupcakes
Photo from my phone (only one I took)
 

I was grateful to get such a great visit in with everyone.  We left and headed for home from there.  The entire car ride home I reminisced about all the great memories I have had with my cousins; 4th of July's in DC, skiing at Sunday River, hot summers on Sebago lake, holding my first baby, Sarah, in my arms, weddings and all the times in the middle.  It was great to make more memories with all of our cousins with promises made to not go as long the next time.

ABC's

It's summertime! Glorious, warm and lazy days have arrived.  We are taking the days in stride, sleeping late, eating fresh fruits and vegetables (from other people's gardens), having water fights and relaxing as much as possible. This is what summer is all about, right? For the most part yes. Colby starts kindergarten in the fall and to help keep what he has learned in preschool fresh in his mind I attempt to make fun activities for him to encourage this. Granted, I'm no homeschool expert, we do our fair share of counting rocks and worms but sometimes nothing beats old fashion flash cards with the ABC's on them.

Flashcards, clothespins and twine hung from the living room across the kitchen was all that was needed to make an ABC adventure.  (Oh, and a dog we were dog sitting for too) I'm sure the clothespins help some motor skills too but I was just looking to prolong the activity and make it fun for both Colby and Lincoln.  If they had a question or got stuck they ran down the hall to Lincoln's room to see the stickers of letters on his bedroom wall.

Colby confidently hung his letters in a row and was quite proud of himself.  Lincoln, like any younger brother, had to do it himself after Colby had completed it. They celebrated each others completion like a victory in a sporting event, running around, clapping and giving pretend trophies. I never said my boys weren't hambones!   It was fun for all and consumed a good morning but tomorrow we will probably put the flashcards away and have a good old water fight! It is summer after all!

The Worst Check-up Ever...

Katie R.

Want to feel like a better parent?  Read this.  I think this may rank as one of the worst check-ups ever, primarily because it's the appointment that will never end.  Seriously it's been a week of constant reminders and there is no end in sight.

Let's start from the beginning.  First, Wes went to drs appointment after a morning at camp and no nap. Worst scheduling my a mother ever.  Then, Andrew went to Daddy's office while Wes went to the doctor, and being daddy's boy that went over like a lead balloon. So we started out the appointment crying.  

Then he refused to get on the scale.  Throwing himself around, crying, screaming and basically doing anything to mortify me.  Eventually, I had to get weighed with him and then put him down to be weighed.  Awesome.  I basically trapped him against the wall to get his height and then the poor nurse fled the room as fast as her feet would take her.

A knock on the door and I look up to see a nurse holding a book for Wes to which he promptly screams "no".  I look again and the nurse is someone I had a drink with the previous weekend and this was the first time she has met my child.  Amazing first impression.

She leaves and the doctor then takes a 1/2 hour to get in the room.  This is how he finds Wes.  Yes he is eating a snack under the chair at the hospital.  Quite possibly the dirtiest place on earth.  He wasn't crying and I didn't care.  (please note the shorts int he photo, those come into play later).  And yes he has on a pink pull-up because we had to borrow it from a friend before the appointment

Wes did not cry for the doctor but he was as defiant as he could be.  He refused to talk but when he did, he ensured that he said something that would make me want to crawl in a hole.  For example, when Dr. Sam asked if he could say over 100 words I said yes and then Wes said "Dr. Sam do you want to play construction vehicles games on Mommy's iphone".  When Dr. Sam asked Wes if he could look in his ear to see what is there Wes said "there is poop in there".  When Dr. Sam said can you name body parts Wes said "just my stinky toes".

Finally when we could take no more the appointment came to a close.  Dr. Sam is amazing and funny and happy the whole time.  I can't get out the door fast enough and Dr. Sam says "By the way I think we are neighbors"  Oh My God.  Sure enough he and his wife moved in about 4 houses from us.  He probably is putting up a for sale sign right now.

As we pulled out of the parking garage this happened.  At 4 o'clock of course the worst time of the day.

It's over right?  Oh not so fast.  I get home and the phone rings.  Remember the shorts that were on the floor, apparently we left them there.  I say no problem my husband works there he can pick them up tomorrow.  

Did that happen?  Of course not.  Look what came in the mail today.

Not only do we probably need to find a new dr we can probably never take a walk in our neighborhood.

See don't you feel like a good parent?

Trip to the ER

It was going to happen eventually, the fall, the scream and the cut that means we are taking our first trip to the emergency room.

We were visiting family at the beach and had just come in from a great day in the sun.  Tom went to put the beach toys away and I marched the boys straight to the shower to hose off.  I stepped in first to get the water on and then I told Colby to come in and he took one step, slipped and hit chin first on the shower floor. I scooped him up and covered his chin immediately. Amazingly their wasn't much blood but when I finally looked I saw that the cut was deep.  I called to Tom and he instantly agreed we needed to go to the emergency room. We left Lincoln with his grandfather and a sandy Colby, Mom and Dad headed for the closest ER.  Luckily we were in Maine and I knew the location of the closest ER so we weren't driving blind following a gps to the nearest facility. I now will proceed with the bragging portion of this blog.  After the initial scream and cry of the fall/cut Colby did not cry at all. The entire car ride he sat with his wet facecloth held to his chin and then once arriving at the ER he answered questions the nurses and doctors asked him without hesitation.  In the picture above he has a cotton ball with lidocaine on it to numb the cut. We had to sit there for about twenty minutes to make sure that it had kicked in.  We told Colby he would need stiches and he seemed alright about it. (Thank you Doc McStuffins from Disney) The doctor was wonderful (she has two kids the same age as Colby and Lincoln) and knew how to handle the situation.  As she kept him talking she shoved the needle all around his cut. He mentioned that it stung a little but he wasn't bothered with her continuing to shove the needle in. Then she proceeded to stich up his little chin. 4 stiches latter and he was up for ice cream so off we headed to the nearest scoop shop for a treat for my little rock star. He could have asked for the moon and I would have promised it to him but all he wanted was some ice cream. 

Weeks later and the stiches have dissolved and all that remains is a little scar and a story to tell the rest of his life.  He was so brave! Tom and I couldn't be prouder and happier to have that under our belts.

Merry Christmas

We are fortunate to have wonderful friends and family. So fortunate that the boys get treated quite well at Christmas time and at their birthdays (which both fall somewhat close to Christmas).  Because the toys tend to build up, I have, for the past two years put toys away unwrapped but unopened.  The boys are usually overwhelmed with everything and don't realize I've stashed them away.

Fast forward six months and Colby and Lincoln have finished their preschool programs for the year and the summer is upon us. That means a lot of together time looking for things to do.  I went to the stash and pulled out a gem.  Several sets of legos and lego sheets to build roads/towns/houses on.  They would have loved playing with it at Christmastime but to pull it out as an end of year treat just made the day/week!

Lots and lots of little legos to step on but the joy and hours it consumes makes it worth the pain in the feet!  I still have a few more things packed away that will be perfect for a rainy summer day.

Staking Claim

Nothing like taking ownership of books..

These are a few of my books from growing up, I'm lucky my parents saved them because they are some of my favorites. 

As the youngest of three girls it was important to try to stake claim on the books you liked most. 

Clearly as my mother put all of our names in this book I took measures into my own hands to indicate whose book it really was. I'll have to keep an eye on these books to see which one of my boys stakes his claim and writes his name on it! 

Life Lessons from the Neighbor Cat

I think that the cat next door, Smoke, realizes that this house is missing our Isis Kitty. He comes over to visit anytime we are outside.  We are happy to pat him as he lounges around us as the boys play. Yesterday the boys were at the water table and I was just enjoying the sunshine as Smoke sat at my feet. I noticed the cat creep into a pouncing position.  I thought Smoke was about to pounce on a grasshopper but when he jumped and came out with a mouse in his mouth I was surprised.  He took it over to the bottom of the slide and let it run around a bit as he kept pawing at it.  I tried to encourage the boys to move to the deck so as to give the cat some space. (I wasn't sure what his plan was and I was hoping he would just walk away with it in his mouth.) The boys wanted nothing to do with giving Smoke some space. Colby actually wanted to watch from the top of the slide. "Don't worry mom, the mouse is already dead" he reminded me! So I let him go to the top of the slide to let him watch.

  He continues to narrate for me as Smoke continues to play/eat/maul the mouse, "Mom, Smoke eat the head off!" I would think this would disturb my boys but they saw it (and explained to me as such) as food for Smoke that he caught on his own.  They seemed fine with it after the cat devoured the mouse in about 6 bites.  It was disgusting to me but the boys just went back to playing at the water table after it was all over.  I did tell them to give the cat space after that because I thought he would throw it back up but he lingered for another hour and seemed fine. 

I appreciated the rodent control and the circle of life lesson the neighbor cat taught us that day.  Thanks Smoke!