Bath-Time Shenanigans

 

Boys, Boys, Boys

My house has totally been taken over by boys... and I'm good with it!  We dribble the soccer ball around the kitchen island, we play catch in the foyer, I'm constantly bandaging skinned knees, we watch the Rangers every night, and I spend most of my evenings chasing somebody around something to clean off something.  Could be pretty much anything that pops into your mind.  My boys are messy, stinky, dirty, loud, wild, and positively my most favorite people on earth.  They snuggle and give good kisses, are sensitive yet tough, loving and affectionate, and I couldn't imagine life any better.  Well, sometimes I imagine quiet... but as my mom always has told me, "You spend so much time wishing for peace and quiet and then when your kids grow up and leave, you finally get your wish.  Then you wish for the loud and wild and crazy again because everything is so dog-gone quiet."  Or something like that...   I remind myself of this often!  Ha!

Sunday afternoon Richard decided to get some last minute really good (and cheap) tickets to see the Rangers with just Grady.  I love that we both have dates with just Grady, and when Cole gets older we'll do this as well.  Not to mention G loves the one-on-one Daddy time like nothing else!

 At the very beginning of the game, it started to rain and luckily Daddy thought to bring ponchos -

 lil man is still smiling!

Most likely he is still smiling because he got three treats that day...

 They played in the Kidzone three times...

 They were on row two in left field!  Even though you are in the outfield, the view is great! 

 I don't think they could've had a better time! 

I think I've mentioned on here a few times before about how daring (and smart) Cole is...  Well, his tricks never cease to amaze me.  The other night, he spent 20 minutes dragging a foam booster seat around the house so that he could get higher and reach things.  He fell over again and again, but that didn't stop him.  Later on, he gave up the booster seat and went for the large cooler.  He crawled right up on that thing and stood up!  Lil stinker!

 In between climbing, he emptied the Tupperware cabinet.  Thanks buddy. 

     Who can get mad with a face like that?!?

First Day Hooray - Kindergarten!!!

Well, today was the B-I-G day -- Grady's first day of Kindergarten!  

We woke up extra early so that we could make it to the donut shop and still be at school early.  Grady was all smiles and very excited about his day.  He even held this sign for me without complaint! 

 

Grady wanted to make sure that I got pictures of his backpack for this year and his Ninjago lunch box!  Silly boy!

A super sweet parent took some pictures and emailed them to me at school today... so thoughtful!

He just loved it.  When he came to my room after school, he talked and talked and talked about what happened, except he was a little vague on the specifics.  A man in the making I tell you...

This was the trip home...

I interviewed him this afternoon, and this was all I got...

Mom:  How was your day?
G:  Good
Mom:  What did you do?

G:   Nothing

Mom:  Seriously...?  Tell me a few things.

G:  I helped somebody swing, Mrs. Burson read Clifford's 1st Day, and the Kissing Hand.  Oh yeah, we had three recesses.  

Mom:  What did you have in your lunch box?

G:  A peanut butter and jelly sandwich, a pickle, a cookie, and berries

Mom:  Where did you go for specials?

G:  Science - I saw Sophia's mom.  We looked at animals.

Mom:  What was the hardest part of today?

G:  I don't remember.

Mom:  Did you make any friends?

G:  No.

Mom:  Who did you sit by?  

G:  Charlie and Tess.

Mom:  Tell me about Mrs. Burson

G:  You know her.

Mom:  I know, but what did you think?

G:  She's pretty and she talked a lot.  

Mom:  Did you get in trouble today?

G:  Nope

Mom:  What was your favorite part of today?
G:  All of it!

A little funny... There is a world language program that just started up at my school in some of the Kinder classrooms today.  When I asked G about lunch he told me that there was a weird man teacher.  I told him yes, he only speaks Spanish.  Grady then told me that he talked to him with some weird words and that he didn't understand him.  So he just said "yes" because he thought the man that could only speak Spanish might be able to understand a simple word like "yes" -- LOL

I think it was a huge success! 

Some Thoughts and Weekend FUN!

Well, it is the day before school with kiddos starts, and Grady's first day of Kindergarten.  I have mixed emotions on this... 

I love my precious boys and the simplicity of us being at home together.  I love snuggles and laughter and watching them play together.  I love sleeping in until 8:00, I love cooking/preparing 3 healthy meals a day.  I love meeting Daddy for lunch and time for relaxed errands. I love the occasional afternoon nap and staying up late.  I love playing outside, or planning other fun activities and play-dates with friends.  I love wearing no make-up.  I love that my house is clean and organized, and being able to get lots of things crossed off the "to-do" list.  I love vacations.  I love that when we're tired we can take it easy and not be rushing to get from one thing to the next.  Summer life is good...

I also love the 23 smiles on sweet faces each morning coming in the classroom.  I love that the kids tell me I'm pretty and think I'm the "best teacher they've ever had" keeping in mind that they've had only one other one.  I love it when the skills we've been working on finally "click" and that sweet kiddo finally learns to read, or add, or share.  I love the smell of sharpened pencils and the laminating machine- really, I do.  I love my team, and the laughter we share each and every day.  I love making a difference.  

I guess what I'm saying is that most days I LOVE both of my jobs, and I feel very blessed to be able to say this.  I can't imagine leaving my kiddos each day to go to something that I hated...  This is going to be a great school year, I just know it!

 Weekend Fun

Friday afternoon was finally Meet the Teacher.  Grady has been sooooo excited!  Richard took Grady and Cole up to school and Grady got to see his classroom, put away school supplies and give Mrs. Burson a giant hug!  She is as sweet as she is pretty and I just know Grady is going to learn so much in her class this year!   

After Meet the Teacher,  all four of us went to a Rangers game.  The seats were great!  This is the first game this year we took Cole to, and he was so good.  The Rangers won 8-0... it was a fun game, with awesome fireworks afterwards as well!

   
Saturday morning, Grady had soccer practice and then a soccer swim party.  Our coach has his own pool company... so you can imagine how awesome his pool is.  The kids had so much fun!

Saturday afternoon, we rested.  This week was a crazy week and we all needed naps.  Keeping with our resting theme... we went out to eat at Red, Hot and Blue.  It was yummy!

 I think somebody liked his blackberry cobbler...

Happy night-before-the-first-day-of-school everybody!  Hope you have a super year!!!         

So long, Farewell...

So long, farewell summer vacation!  We are so sad to see you go...  I started back to work on Friday.  This was the kiddos first day back, although really just Cole.  Grady's first day won't be until next week.

After a long work day, I didn't feel like cooking, cleaning or pretty much anything except for dinner out with an adult beverage and Snuffers... funny how Michelle and Tiffany and I all had the same idea.  HA!  Dinner out with 6 children (5 boys and 1 sweet girl) is always interesting!

Saturday morning, Grady had soccer practice.  He is doing really well and has been having a great time!  He was thrilled to make a goal from a corner kick!

Cole has really been into playing with his barn and farm animals!  He knows the horse, pig and cow.  He's also getting a kick out of the sounds... he's got "oink" down pretty good!  He also enjoys attempting to stand on top of it... because just playing with it isn't enough.  He's such a climber!   

Saturday afternoon we went to Southlake to do a little back-to-school shopping.  We also happened to have a little ice cream!  Check out chocolate-face and blue-face!

Sunday night Daddy put together Grady's new book shelf-desk for his room.  He really needed a work space for Lego's and other small pieces that Cole could not mess with.  We'll see how long it takes him to figure this one out! 

While it stinks to have to say goodbye to summer vacation, it also means we get to move on to lots of new and exciting things like Kindergarten, cooler weather, football and FALL!  These three make anything fun!

A Week in Review...

Things have been crazy busy since we got back Friday night from Utah.  Being gone for ten days was awesome... but there are lots of things that had to happen this week when we got back, before I go back to work -- sniff-sniff -- Friday.  :(

Friday night we got back home and as soon as we stuffed the kids with dinner and bathed them, I cleaned out the fridge and then went to the grocery store to refill it with our normal "stuff" and also lots of school lunch-box type items for Grady!  First time to do that...  I now know why parents send pre-packaged, processed food to school with their kiddos - it's way cheaper and easier... and it's what the kids want.  Sigh.. I am going to do healthy for as much as I can, but there are going to be some pre-packaged days too!   Not to mention, G is really excited to buy lunch from the cafeteria... odd child. 

Saturday, Richard and I went to a wedding for one of my teammates sons, who also used to dog sit for us.  Can't believe he's getting married!  It was a beautiful wedding, and we had a reeaaalllly good time being grown-ups.  I hadn't danced like that in years and with Richard since our honeymoon I don't think!  Good times!

 Have I mentioned how much I LOVE these ladies?!?  

 Lookin' pretty good for two old folks!

Sunday we went to Sam's to load up for the next couple of months(Is this what all teachers do, or just me?)- which used to be fun before we had kids.  Now it's a beating... and I have good kids... thank goodness.  

Sunday night our hot water heater went out.  Joy.  At least the kids got a bath before all the hot water was gone.  Richard and I both took cold showers.  Not worth it... at least is is summer!  Here is the pretty new one... LOTS of money later.  Grrrr

 

Monday we hung out around the house to be here if/when the hot water heater people could come.  Whew... they made it and job done.  I celebrated by eating some cookies and drinking a big glass of wine running the dishwasher, doing 3 loads of laundry and taking a hot shower.  I know, hold your excitement in.  

Tuesday was a really fun day.  We went to a local water park with the Vaughn's for the first time this summer and the kids had a ball!  Cole wore a life-vest and it didn't seem to bother him too much.  Grady was the required 48 inches so he got to go and the BIG slides with Brody.  Those boys must have ridden the slides 30 times!  G also dove off the diving board a few times, although he will tell you he did a flip!  Sadly, no pictures.  Something about expensive cameras not being water proof and watching the 16 month old like a hawk...  The kids played from 11-2:30 and were exhausted!  

Tuesday night Grady spent the night with Brody, which was his first legit sleep over (except for when I had Cole and was in the hospital).  He has been talking all day about how much fun he had - thanks to Michelle and Justin for being great hosts and taking such good care of my baby!  She even asked him if he wanted to call home before bed and he said -nope.  Big boy!  He was pretty nervous beforehand so I'm glad I didn't get the 1 am call to come get him - ha!  

Wednesday after a small grocery trip, Grady spent his piggy-bank money at Target.

This is his money from the last two years he has been saving.  $15.19 to be exact.  This included mostly any change he finds laying around the house which we let him keep and money he finds on the street... and a $1 tip for washing golf balls in Utah!

Also, after an oil change and dinner at Chuy's, we decided to get Cole's very first hair cut.  Sniff-sniff.  It was time though... his curls were not so curly anymore and he just looked like an adorable rag-a-muffin. 

 "Funny" story - we took G to a fancy kids hair cut place to have his first cut.  He sat in an airplane, watched Elmo and screamed the whole 15 minutes.  We took Cole to Sport Clips(where Daddy and G go), an adult hair cut place, he sat on my lap and watched the Rangers and didn't make a peep.  Hmmmm

Before - curly mullet

 After - spiky, big-boy hair!

 He looks precious, but he's not my baby anymore...

Well, today is my last day of summer vacation.  I celebrated by waiting for the city to come "approve" our hot water heater installation, dropping off clothes at the dry cleaner, and picking up shot records at the Dr. office (which I had to pay $5 for?!?)!  Ha!  Actually,we also met Daddy for one last weekly lunch at Palio's (which we have done every week all summer and LOVE) and are now taking some long afternoon naps.  I might just skip the chores, and nap myself!

Have I mentioned before how much I love summer vacation and my boys?!?  RIP - Summer 2012  :)