First Day of School 2011

Ahhhhh, where did the summer go?! It seems as if time is REALLY flying by so quickly and our schedules are so busy that we don't even realize it until it's gone! 

So here we are, the first day of school! New school clothes and supplies, hours of paper work filled out, payments made for most fee's... and most importantly, prayers offered up in each one of their behalf's for a successful, safe, Christ-like example- school year. 

A senior, freshman, and two pre-schoolers... where has the time gone and look at how much time there still is!

As a child reaches the teenage years, (and in this day and age not even easing into the second digit) they tend to develop a shortage in the electrodes of their brain. And trust me, I am not even KIDDING. Yes, I remember bits and pieces of my teenage years, and I won't even go there. A once photo happy teenage girl has turned ANTI-pictures (unless she is with her friends.. and YES I have seen those!!) 

Brandy: "You don't HAVE to take all these pictures of me an my boyfriend. They will take plenty in the ball room." (with rolling eyes and that neck rolling "thing" they do...) lol 

So, when I proclaimed my excitement to take 1st day of school as a Senior and Freshman photo's MAN OH MAN did I have instant resistance! It was so sad. AND- I will have you know that YES I DID use the "when you have children of your own you will understand" ploy, but it again, failed. So, in my own little attempt (and searching through my brain for crafty idea's for their photo books) I decided to take multiple photo's of them walking into the school... Which will be a great "slide show flip book" --HA! And again, mom prevails! WOOHOO! (lol)

As the big kiddo's attend high school, my toddlers attend Mother's Day Out twice a week. This year makes Kien's 3rd, and Gabriel's 2nd. It's great for them, and I absolutely LOVE LOVE LOVE their teachers as do they! (you will find that most of my blogs will be hefty on Friday's -hopefully)

Here is my wonderful little blessing -my precious moment- making a precious pose as we are working our way into the school.

 Gabriel walks very SLOWLY, because it is coming back to him that mom is now going to drop him off. He isn't a big fan of it, but he goes anyway. :) YAY!

 You can definitely determine which child is the happiest to be here! LOL!

Oh, yes. The traditional "my turn to press the elevator button" is back in action. Kien's classroom is upstairs again this year, so he gets to push it going up!

The backpacks I had last year were the little ones which were much easier for the boys to carry. Gabe's had wheels on them so he was able to pull it .However, their folders were too big for them, therefore ruining them with wear and tear. It was not an easy task to find the larger backpacks on wheels unless I purchased them online. So, I let them pick out their own themes. Kien chose Cars, which I am surprised because he likes Iron Man. Gabe of course chose Toy Story.
Here is Kien's name plate where he is to leave his backpack each day.

Gabe's turn to push the button to go down. :)

The concerned look on his face was exactly that, CONCERNED. He knew his time was getting closer, but I have to say after a whine and a small cry (30 seconds after I was out of sight) he was just fine! :) YAY!!

 Gabe let me take a photo of him by his name plate!

Once I left, he just stood there quietly, not knowing what he wanted to do, but eased into listening to a story being read to another student who, too, was being calmed down. The teachers are so awesome! :)

I went home, cleaned out the boys' room and worked on a few loads of laundry. When it was time to pick them up, I found Gabriel sitting finishing up his snack. He got up very quickly and came to me once he saw me. :)

Kien was working on a project when I popped in to pick him up. It's so encouraging to see him patiently sitting in class doing his work, because he does NOT sit still at home! lol

Along with the traditional "elevator" experience, we also have a "bench and chair" sitting as well. This is located right outside Gabe's classroom. :)

All in all, I think this program is the BEST ever! I highly recommend Mother's Day Out for SAHM's so there can be some "down time" to regain sanity from our every day -crazy but wonderful- life!

Ok, so I have decided...

...that trying to play catch up is really a huge set back from the latest and greatest stories.. SO- instead of holding everyone back, I will blog as we live, and still try to catch up from months ago! Ha!

A day at the Park... and a moment of PANIC!

I will begin with the PANIC part first. So Greg decides to take all the boys to the park for a little fun. Great idea! Mom gets a break! YAY! :) 

WARNING: These photo's included only reflect a reenactment of the events that actually took place. Every bit of the story is TRUE. 

Ha ha! When Greg called me from the park to tell me the story, I told him to take photo's because THIS was a great story! 

So while at the park, they walked down the paved trail toward the middle of the park just to check things out.  On their journey back to the play area, Greg, ahead of the group had looked back only to see Gabriel not walking in the same direction. Seconds later, Jeremy screams, "GABRIEL NOOOOOOOO!" Greg at the point figured out that Gabe was headed straight into the drain culvert. I don't think he remembers that he ran in track and in a superhuman sprint he ran to catch Gabe before he went in. Oh, but Gabriel is determined and we are about to find out why! By the time Greg got over to the drain, all he saw was Gabe's feet sticking out and I can just imagine the thoughts that went through his head. Yes, every parent thinks the worst case scenario,  it's the human condition! Thank God (literally) that he wasn't in any danger, but when he backed out his little feet, he had something in his hand. Boy was he PROUD of his new found fortune. A FOOTBALL!!! 

Leave it to an innocent -curious- child, to be so determined and not even know the dangers that could possibly lurk in the midst. Really, it was a heart stopping moment, but good thing it wasn't serious. 

A disappointing part to the story was, on their way to leave the park a couple of kids came up to them and asked if they had just found that football. Apparently they had lost it earlier. OR maybe they weren't brave enough to go into the culvert. Either way, Greg did do the right thing and gave it back to the boys. :) 

Here are the photo's to the story.  

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Here are a few randoms of the visit to the park. Kien has grown to enjoy finding sticks and twigs to use them as a sword. Hmmmm, I wonder who the in the world had a part in that one.... JEREMYYYYYY.. lol

Kien was pretending to be a firefighter! Riding down the pole!! GO KIEN!!

Ok, so this is TOTALLY worth giving props to the photographer (Daddy) for taking such great shots! Gabriel is 2. He throws things. For some reason, he likes to throw anything you find on the ground that remotely resembles dirt. Well, here is some mulch for ya Gabe! The photos look like he is trying to pull a Harry Potter! hahahaha AWESOME!

And, LAST but not LEAST I have to share this ADORABLE photo of Kien after we put this puzzle together.   He's so smart! He figured out about 50% of the puzzle with no promptings! He even said he enjoys putting puzzles together with me. Awwwww... *HEART*

Potty Training... OH JOY!

Yes, it is exactly what you are thinking.. A WHOLE ROLL of toilet paper. When I walked back into the bathroom, I gathered as much toilet tissue that was NOT wet, and as I lifted it up to put in the trash, I looked back into the toilet with horror and saw a FULL ROLL just thrown in (and completely soaked). UGH! Seriously?! SOOOOO GLAD HE DIDN'T TRY TO FLUSH!!! LOL!

Kien Graduates to a BIG BOY Bed!

Kien made an amazing transition from the crib to his toddler bed. He tested us to begin with getting out of bed, but that didn't last long at all. Of course, the video monitor helped out tremendously with being consistent  with him when he did try to get out of bed or playing in bed. 

Gabriel is almost 2, and will be growing out of the crib soon himself, so, instead of looking to purchase a toddler bed, (then knowing we would need to then seek a bunk bed later on) I decided to by-pass the 2nd toddler bed altogether and just purchase the bunk bed.

I found this on Craigslist, and it is in excellent condition, minus the heart and the letter "G" carved into the side. AND-- this bunk bed also turns into individual beds, so when the boys have their own rooms later on, we will not need to make another purchase! 

After having Greg remove the 2nd row seats in the van, Brandy was home with the boys while they napped as I drove over to Flower Mound. It fit like a charm! And, the couple I met were very sweet. When I returned home, Brandy helped unload everything at the front door to make it easier to put together when the boys woke up. Once the nap time was over, we put the boys in their seats with a snack and Brandy and I put the bed together all on our own. 

Mind you, before this monstrosity was put together, the boys room was roomy and had plenty of space to play. Because we are not ready for Gabe to sleep on the bunk bed, we still needed to keep the crib in the room along with the changing table (that comes in handy since Gabe still is in diapers) which took some time to really think how to put this room together and STILL have room. (Play area is in the huge Family Room). I also have two dressers and a rocking chair (which I LOVE LOVE LOVE). Leave it to a pack rat to pull it off! Haha! 

Here are some photo's of my master plan to keep everything in the room temporarily. Once Gabriel Graduates to the bottom bunk, there will be TONS of space! I will then be able to convert the changing table for craft storage, the crib to be donated (because although I would love to have a little girl, I don't see that happening anytime in the future) and the closet will be remodeled with shelving. 

Kien LOVES his new bed! Gabe hasn't shown any interest in sleeping on the bottom bunk as of yet either. 

I felt it necessary that Kien chose where he wanted to sleep --secretly knowing he would chose the top bunk-- and let him try it to see how he liked it. HE LOVED IT!! I had to capture this as Kien's first night in a real BIG BOY bed! He even chose the new sheet set! Transformers! My precious boy is growing up so quickly!

I have to add that he has been very responsible about not jumping or crawling on the rails. He also knows that if he stands up too close to the edge he will be bopped by the ceiling fan!

Lunch With Greg...

Most days, Greg has to take a short lunch break because of his position at work requires him to be there. So, because I cannot drive 30 miles south with two toddlers who nap at approximately 1PM every day to eat with him, he sends me photo's of his lunch on occasion. 

Just thought I'd share! (LOL)

Subway

 Boston Market! (Our favorite spot)

"Goodnight Moon" Where's the mouse?!

I explained in February 20th's post that Gabe loves Goodnight Moon. I also noted that Kien and Gabriel both on separate occasions enjoyed just looking for the mouse on every page. Well, Greg took a video of Gabe and I searching for the mouse on each of the colored pages! Now, there are two pages where the mouse is up on the mitten rack and on the top of the book shelf as if it was going to jump down. Gabriel says some mixture of sound and words that only he in his mind understands, and we can only try to make it out. My guess is him trying to say, "He's going to jump down." but it sounds like he says, "behdeh behdeh behdeh behdeh dow." He also points out that the mouse is going to eat the "mush" and on the last page of the story book the mouse is in the window looking at the "stars." His pronunciation is becoming clear with some words, the rest we just have to guess. Ha!  

JROTC 2nd Semester

Brandy signed up for JROTC after a few recruiters visited the school to give information about joining the military after high school. Of course this was a huge decision, and the thoughts that came flooding in had to be captured and put in control! I was not expecting her to go in this direction, but after a "microwave prayer" I did receive a sense of peace and sat down and talked to her about it.

We felt that maybe it was a door that God had opened for her. It's high school, it's not a career decision. So, she joined. Parent night was awesome, we met Major Gross and Sargent Reimheild and both are such fantastic people. Here is Brandy, and no I don't believe that the young man next to her was staring her down. (LOL)

 During the parent meeting, Kien and Gabriel became a bit "antsy" so I took them into the hallway to let them have some time outside of the stroller. Brandy came to check on us, as Greg sat in on the meeting. Look at how beautiful she is! :)

 

Brandy was standing at the table outside of the lecture hall to help answer any questions regarding parent sign up.

As we were leaving, we stopped at one of the showcases in the hallway wall. Look what we found! Brandy with her Varsity Swim gang! She is no longer in Swim this year because she has too much on her plate as it is. Unfortunately, she will have to take a summer school class to make up a half a credit because of too many PE/Performing Arts classes.

Wildlife in our Backyard!

It is not uncommon to see these little fur balls around our neighborhood. As a matter of fact, in the few years that I have lived here, bunnies have been more prominent than the squirrels I remember growing up in the north. Every time I visit home in Omaha Nebraksa, I actually look forward to seeing them. Yes, I do sit by the huge windows in my parents living room and just watch the squirrels at play.

Back on topic, we see these cute little bunnies every day. Either hopping along in someone elses yard, or right here in our own. Having children, and their sheer excitement for wildlife, they end up not sitting long in one spot. Before I beckoned the family to come see, I snapped a few shots so I could at least tell a story about it :)

As soon as I put my hands on the door knob, this little guy was OUT OF THERE! :) They must have a keen sense of hearing! :) Mid hop!

Another Food Coma

Yes, you know what I am talking about. You know that meal when you are suddenly hit with the mac truck of sleepiness? Ok, so maybe the truth is that they missed out on nap time, so therefore they were very tired going into dinnertime... Either way you look at it, it's adorable! :)

Helmet? A sign of what is to come?!

Ok, I am all about the ATV's and off roading.  I am in full support of motocross etc... Let's face it. Greg has had a great love for motorcycles for many many MANY years, obviously. When one learns how to stunt a motorcycle just because they are bored with it's regular -two wheels on the ground- purpose, it's a sure sign to be passed down.

This lovely blue ATV helmet purchased years ago along with the trailblazer and 2 mini 4 wheelers for my then 10 and 7 year old and myself was sitting HIGH up in the garage on a shelf that my husband and I installed together. (thought I would throw that needless information in so people know I am NOT challenged when it comes to manual labor! lol) Oh, yes, Kien was eye ballin' that baby. He even worked up the nerve enough to ask to try it on. OH NO HE DIDN'T! But- oh yes he did, and yes, we did. He loved it and not to mention how ADORABLE it looks on him. I can't wait. Oh, but yet I can, because I am NOT looking forward to the future bumps, bruises and PRAYING STARTING NOW of the possible breaks. Am I getting ahead of myself here?!

BWW

Buffalo Wild Wings is a common place we like to eat dinner at because of their tasty wings. Gabe and Kien like the Mac n cheese as well as mommy's potato wedges. :) 

Did I also mention that Gabe and Kien like the BWW hats? :)

This was fun also! :)



Jeremy is giving Kien a lift so he can also put his head through the poster board! :)



We also like to play the Buzztime playmaker game. Trivia mostly, and each of us have won a time or two! :)