Sending Valentines

I found a small package of blank Valentines at Michael's a few weeks ago and thought they would be good for a rainy day. Turns out they were good for a 'drive mommy crazy' day.

Crazy Hair Day

Last week the boys had crazy hair day at school. They wanted their hair to be colored and Halloween is the only time of year you can find the colored hair spray in stores.

Back to School

AJ and JM started back to school at the end of August. JM was so excited to finally be going with AJ everyday. I was so excited to have a little quiet. Yeah, that didn't happen. It's like someone flipped a switch on Grasshopper and he's making up for JM being gone all day. Hopefully, we'll be able to settle into a routine soon.
Here they are on JM's first day which happened to be AJ's 3rd day. It was also yellow day at school so they wore yellow shirts. JM has been doing GREAT at school. He's getting good reviews from his teachers and they said he's like a little sponge just soaking everything up.

Faces Need

...paint. Grasshopper happily watched and didn't mind at all that he wasn't offered a chance to get painted on as well. I didn't figure he would hold still long enough anyway.

JM Has Parts Removed

JM has always been a heavy breather from the moment he was born. I would be nursing him in public and people would ask if he was okay because it sounded like he was drowning. He seems to always have a snotty nose as well. When we took him in for his well child check up after his birthday I asked the dr. about his adenoids. The dr. referred us to a ENT.
The ENT confirmed what we were pretty sure needed to happen- adenoid surgery. Since he's never had a sore throat they decided to not mess with his tonsils and just take out the adenoids. The surgery was set for a week away. We stocked up on popsicles.
I took him to the hospital early on that Friday and during our time there read a whole C.S. Lewis novel. He was a trooper and had the nurses all wrapped around his finger. Amy Chicken was there through the whole thing. She also had her adenoids removed and I didn't even know chickens have adenoids.
Off to surgery in a wagon....I want someone to pull me around in a wagon.Back from surgery still loopy on drugs...makes Sesame Street that much more entertaining. All ready to go home.

Kinghts Who Say 'Nee!'

AJ and JM have a couple of swords and shields from our Fall Festival at church. Last weekend we decided to see how well they would do facing off in the yard. This was just before the sadness occurred.
JM was very aggressive in his attacks and AJ played it safe, relying on his shield to do most of the work.





And in the end, JM chased AJ around the yard. Not much of a surprise.

Outdoor Fun

Yesterday was a beautiful day outside. There was no wind and a lovely 60 degrees. It was partly cloudy and perfect for playing outside. We spent most of it outside running around and playing. I'm loving the new telephoto lens Nathan got me for Christmas.

Advice Gone Awry

This past summer I went to my 10 year high school reunion. It was awesome to catch up with people that I hadn't seen since graduation. Among the most amusing things to announce was that I had four children. I can't tell you how fun it was to watch peoples' faces when I told them that.
During one of my conversations I mentioned all the trouble we'd had with crayons in our house and that I was seriously considering getting rid of them. Ken, a graphic designer, pleaded the crayons case and said that maybe my kids would grow up to be designers and I shouldn't stifle their creativity.
I decided to give the crayons a second chance. It was okay for awhile, paper and coloring books have always been in large supply here. But, alas, Ken's advice has gone awry. I now have a beautiful mural in my living room. Three purple stick figures who owe their very existence to Ken and to one handy little man named JM and the fact that JM gets up at 5:30am to do his wall art.
Thanks Ken. I owe ya one. :) And no, I haven't gotten rid of the crayons.

JM's Birthday Party

Last week JM turned 5!!! Can you believe it?? I sure can't. He's getting so big. Next year he'll be in kindergarten! Goodness.
We celebrated his birthday at a local restaurant that he likes after church last Sunday. Uncle Peter was in town from Ohio and made it that much more special. He asked for a Batman cake and batman toys. Target had a great Black Friday sale on the Batcave so he was really happy.Happy Birthday Little Man! We love you very much!

The End of An Era

Seven years ago this month I set up my first crib. AJ's due date was right around the corner and I couldn't wait for him to come. By this time I was off work because of pre-term labor and we filled our days with getting ready and putting a birthday hat on my belly. Auntie kept telling him to come out so she could kiss his face off. That's why I think he was late. He was worried about Auntie.
Since that time I have had a crib up in out house. When AJ outgrew his it was time to get it ready for JM. JM demolished that crib by knocking it over frequently. We bought a new one for Little Peanut and before she was out of it Grasshopper had arrived and had his own.
Last night we took Grasshopper's crib apart. Yesterday he wanted his blanket so he climbed into his crib and back out again. That's the sign, no more crib, it's time for a big boy bed. It was the end of an era here. Very sad. My babies are getting so big.
Here's a few pictures from the years. I searched and searched but couldn't find the picture of Little Peanut in her crib. So here are the boys. AJ almost seven years ago. JM. Grasshopper. Happy to be in his big boy bed. He did a good job staying in it too! It makes me a little sad to not have a baby in a crib. Now, when we don't have any more diapers I'll throw a PARTY!!!

Playing

Here's a photo of AJ. I messed around with it some on photoshop and cropped it. I'm still figuring out how to do some things.
Here's one of both of the boys.

Soccer

This year JM is finally old enough to play soccer, much to his delight. He plays with lots of enthusiasm. Both of the boys are on navy teams but they are in different age groups. Thankfully this morning they both had a game at the same time.
Here are the highlights.
We need to work on what it means to be a goalie. His team dominated today so those who played goalie really didn't have a lot to do.
Here's Mr. Enthusiastic!

Play Group

Not long after we moved her a fellow mom at church told me about a group of moms here in town called Crayola Moms. They have a website and organize activities for themselves and their kids. The moms come from all different backgrounds and all different ages but all have their kids in common. I've enjoyed getting to know these women very much.
Earlier this year we did a secret sister thing for 7 weeks and then all went out to dinner for the reveal. We had a blast. We're getting ready to start it again for the month of October. On Tuesday we had a fall kickoff get together at one of the moms house. My kids had fun getting out of our house and playing outside with other kids.
The water was frigid but she insisted. I found it hilarious that she was the only girl in a pool full of boys.

Field Trip

Since we are homeschooling AJ this year we decided that it was important to us to join the local homeschool association. So far we're very pleased with it. They have more activities a year than you can shake a stick at, from preschool outings/playgroups music classes, p.e. classes to high school science fairs/historian clubs and even a graduation ceremony complete with yearbooks. AJ is in the first grade this year and we had our first field trip yesterday. He's gone on field trips before but with so many others at home I haven't had an opportunity to go with him.
Yesterday we went to a local fire station. Since it's all homeschoolers I got to take JM as well. Little Peanut and Grasshopper went to a sitter. The weather was beautiful, sunny skies and a cool breeze. We got a tour of the fire station and a tour of all the tools on the fire truck.
The sun was just a little bright.
One of the fire fighters demonstrated how they put on all their gear and what they sound like when they are breathing with their air masks on. They do sound just like Darth Vader. After putting everything on slowly and talking about each piece he gave a us a speed demonstration. These firefighters are required to be completely dressed in under 60 seconds. They wouldn't put their air tanks and helmets on until they get to the scene but he did for us. And I videoed it. hehe. (stupid computer...I can't turn my video right side up. please don't get a crick in you neck!)
Afterwards the kids all got firehats and books. What a fun first field trip. I'm looking forward to more.