Wrapped Up

***Warning Grandparent brag post***

As of 2:40pm today, another year of school is all wrapped up. Excited, emotional, anxious, and all the rest that another year has passed.

Ethan finished preschool last Tuesday. He loved it! There was not a single day in the last year that his folder came home with anything but green on it (green- good, yellow- a few issues, red- bad!) Ethan has really taken to drawing and coloring this year. (something Andrew still doesn't like to do). It is fun to see how Ethan is developing different strengths. I love to see his crazy pictures and notes he draws! We have enrolled him in Pre-K at Gum Springs (Andrew's school), and while I have mixed feelings about starting there so young, I am looking forward to one school and one schedule. (We didn't exactly have much choice, but as my wise sister-in-law said--"you do your best with what you have, and let the rest go"--I'm trying) He is most excited that he will get to eat lunch at Andrew's school!

 Ethan checking out his Preschool Scrapbook His teachers made.

Andrew just finished up First Grade, and really came into his own this year. I had Andrew pegged as a English Major/ Lawyer Type (probably because he started out as such a great reader), but that has definitely changed this year. While he is still proficient at English, and reading way beyond his years, his math skills have excelled leaps and bounds. I was informed a couple of weeks ago that they nicknamed him Math Machine in class.They have a math fact program at school that is suppose to be a series of timed fact tests for all of elementary school, from addition and subtraction to fractions, percentages, and conversions, etc. (Andrew says there are 62 levels)--today he passed the test on the last level. (Wonder what he'll do for the next 4 years??!!)  I guess he takes after Byron! (again!) The achievement he is most proud of this year is receiving the Presidential Physical Fitness Award.( It came with a T-shirt--what's not to like?!--and he can run really fast don't you know??)  I must admit I am very grateful for a child who is so intelligent, ambitious, and motivated. Let's hope we can keep him on that track all the way through Med school (just kiddin'--he still wants to be an astronaut--we just want to retire in style!!)

Andrew with his teacher Ms. Colvin

Okay enough bragging, but I needed a journal entry, and the grandparents come here for this stuff-- not the useless ramblings in my brain!

So.. off for another summer!

And a parting thought. As I walked the dogs this morning I walked past a house in the neighborhood with signs and balloons and writing on the car windows. Their son was graduating from High School this week. And it struck me-- in 11 very short years this will be us. How quickly those 18 years of anticipation come and go. I'd better enjoy the short time I have in the throes of it all.

Question of the Day

If I dip carrots in leftover frosting, does it still count as a healthy snack??

Sunday Afternoon

Someone stole my spot.

 

 

 

Three hours later....someone else stole my spot.

And then they all decided that Mom just wasn't necessary today!  

Embarrassment

Walking across the parking lot, she stops, cold in her tracks, and lets loose a blood curdling scream. It's as if she has been bitten by an unknown creature lurking behind us. A panicked mother, I stop and ask, "Ava, what on earth is the matter?" She points down, and there around her ankles are her shorts!

Yeah, I guess I'd cry too if I was constantly being depantsed!

Full Circle

Why is it that once you start having kids, everyone keeps asking when the next one is coming along? Admittedly, I am guilty of this, especially if the couple has cute offspring, I too am amused at the thought of more of them running around!

Now that Ava is almost two the nagging has started. When is the next one coming? Come on people. I already have 3 kids-- isn't that plenty? Ava has cost enough for three more kids, and has garnered the nickname Diva Princess. Two boys and a girl-- I feel pretty satisfied.

So, I'll share with you how my philosophy on childbearing has changed over my few years of mothering.

Before I had kids, I wanted 2.
After Andrew, I wanted 3 or 4.
After Ethan, I wanted 5 or 6.
After Ava, I wanted 2.

( Let me clarify--in case Ava reads this someday-- I would NEVER give her back, but three has been a breaking point for us.)


I could have 57 more babies (and probably feed them all-- at the same time), but kids are a lifetime commitment.  And I think I'm pretty heavily committed.

So, here's to one of you popping out 5 more kids! (somebody has to!)

THAT Mom

Note to self: Never say, (even if not out loud) "I will never do...(fill in the blank)...I can't believe they...(fill in the blank)...my kids would never...(fill in the blank)...I'm so glad that I don't have to deal with..(fill in the blank.)

I Promise, it will always come back to bite you in the butt! Examples?? (Just a few of the 500+ I can think of off the top of my head) I will never let my kid suck on a bottle until they are two. Been there, done that! I can't believe they let their kids run around the store like that. Been there, done that! My kids would never be caught outside naked. Been there, done that--too many times (including once I looked out the window, horrified that both my boys were jumping on the trampoline stark naked!) I'm so glad I don't have to deal with a kid who's allergic to food- that would be the worst. Been there, obviously done that!

And the latest? "I would never be one of those Moms who goes ballistic at a sports game. I mean come on! They are little kids and who really cares?.......................

Been there, done that.

I have now joined the ranks of the scorned mothers that everyone points at and whispers behind your back-- swearing they will never be like you. I did the unthinkable. And truthfully, I didn't see much wrong with what I did. I simply reacted like any other loving, red-blooded, passionate, fiery tempered, proud, involved mother would have done.

Andrew had a soccer game the other night. His coach had left him sitting on the sidelines (except for playing goalie) until the last quarter of the game. He got restless, and as any six year old would do, stopped paying attention to the game. When he was called in to play, he jumped to his feet, ran onto the field, and began kicking the ball. Only one problem. They switch sides of the field halfway through the game and Andrew was blissfully unaware! Long story short--he was playing for the other team.

I, sitting quietly in the grass, having barely made a peep the entire game, (I was painting my toenails) became extremely agitated that Andrew was not responding to the pleading of his coach and all the other parents. So....I got up, marched my barefoot, wet toenails onto the field, got in Andrew's face and loudly declared, "Your goal is THAT WAY. Pay attention!!" Then I promptly exited the field and went back to painting my toenails.

"No she did not!" Yeah, that's probably what you are saying. Yes, I did. I simply saw a problem--and fixed it. The assistant coach's wife could barely stop laughing as she declared she should have had her video camera to get that on tape!

So, I guess I've earned the title and have now been blessed to be able to identify with those other mothers I shunned in the past. Funny how that happens--when you swear it won't. You think I'd learn after so many times. But I haven't.

And just in case you are wondering...

"I would never be one of those soccer moms with 3 kids that gets a...hhhmmmhmmm--chest enhancement!" (please work...please work--fingers crossed)

Investigative Reporting

Colonel Mustard did some accidental investigative reporting this week.

Wanna know how Walmart gets their bathrooms so shiny and clean?  Apparently, they scrub the toilet bowls, and then proceed to use that brush, (yes the one that was just immersed in toilet water) to scrub the sinks AND the counters.

Aren't you glad I told you that? Now go clean your bathrooms, cause heaven knows what your four year old deems as acceptable cleaning practices. (Hopefully, it's a little better than the guy at Walmart.)

Ungrateful (A Poem)

Oh turtle,
So ungrateful,
for the selfless act I performed,
on your behalf.


You crawled,
ever so slowly,
across the busy roadway,
in my path.


I felt, 
A need to help,
Despite the scoffs of onlookers,
and dangers.


You snapped,
at me so angrily,
and scratched my helping hand,
with your claw.

Oh turtle,
So ungrateful, 
I saved you from certain death,
And set you free.

By Kristin (aka- turtle savior!)

(And I might add that he was a pretty big turtle and he smelled like sewage, and I had to wash my hands 27 times--and people really thught I was psycho--but all that just didn't fit into my poem, and it's a work of art don't you know, so I created this run-on sentence at the end to tell the rest of the story. Take that stupid turtle!)