Busy, busy bumble bee

I love having a purposeful day. Yesterday was one of those days. Bright and early I woke up before children stirred in their warm blankets. I packed a field trip brown paper bag lunch for Nathan and an extra one for Brandon even though he couldn't go. They decorated their bags the night before with stickers and markers. Nathan even swiped Samson on the butt with a green marker. He looked like he belonged on the Fruit Stripes bubble gum wrapper.
I let the dogs out before their bladders burst then got all fancied up for an interview. Painted my face and put on something other than raggedy jeans and a stained t-shirt. I woke the boys up, got them dressed and packed Nathan's book bag. Brian finally got up to finish the morning off with toaster strudels and o.j. I bounded out the door after many hugs and kisses. I haven't had a ''morning drive to work'' in a very long time. One forgets how frustrating traffic can be when the only place you go in the morning is less than a mile from your home. I arrived to my future place of employment and met my future boss (hopefully), went through a very good interview and walked out of there with a little spring in my step.
Next on my list...field trip. I met up with Nathan's class at the Children's Museum and played for the next four hours. I love watching kids explore and discover. What is better than watching a child's imagination flourish?
After watching the kids load back onto cold yellow school buses, I headed home to my other two guys. Stopped to get us some Korean food, dropped it off at home so Brian could get it ready for the boys, and picked up Nathan from school. After dinner, Nathan, Brandon and I snuggled on the couch for a quick little power nap and then we were refreshed for the rest of the evening to play, read and watch cartoons.
Yesterday was a great day. Plus the kids were on their best behavior all day long! What else could I have asked for?

No...

Lately our home has been full of No's.
No! I don't want to go to bed.
No! I don't want to eat that.
No! I don't want to listen because I'm tired and hungry.
No. No. No!
My patience has been tested. Tested hard. Tested to the point I left the house as soon as Brian got home, walked around Kroger's for an hour only to return home with a gallon of milk.
Brandon is full throttle into his terrible two's even though he is almost three. And Nathan thinks that he is old enough to do whatever tickles his fancy.
There is light at the end of the tunnel. I haven't seen it yet, but I know it's there. I see the glimmer of compliance in Brandon's eyes every once in awhile. And Nathan figured out the other night that he actually does need me. You know for bedtime stories and root beer floats.

Shake it like you mean it baby!

My Nathan is a born entertainer. He loves to perform and last night he gave the performance of a lifetime. I laughed so hard my ribs hurt, I smiled so much my cheeks were sore and of course, I cried because my baby is growing up and I still haven't figured out how to make him stop.

Last night was his first ever school program.

After the introductions were done, the lights went dark and the kids sang Louis Armstrong's "What a Wonderful World" while pictures they drew were projected onto a large screen. I'm so thankful the lights were out because I cried so hard. I love that song and hearing little voices sing it tugs at the heart strings. Then they "juggled" scarfs to circus music. Nathan was so serious. And after he caught each one he would look up to see if we were watching. They twirled ribbons to some an Asian themed music which was really pretty. And then, the best was saved for the very last. The kids put on cowboy hats and danced to "Cotton Eye Joe." Oh my goodness, that whole gymnasium erupted into laughter. Those little bodies shimmy shakin' to the music was so hilarious. Hula hoops were brought out to swing around necks and waist. I've never seen Nathan's little hips move so fast in my life. I've never seen any one's hips move that fast, not even hula dancers! They even got to do some free style dancing of their very own. Nathan has been waiting for that all week. He loves to dance so he made up some break dancing/West side Story snapping fingers/river dance routine. Oh my. I can't even describe how funny it was. Brian and I laughed so hard we both had tears streaming down our faces. All my mom could do was say "that's my boy!" And my dad had the hardest time taking picture's because he was laughing so hard he was shaking the camera. After they were finished and the applause died down, Brandon yells out "Yea Bubba!" Nathan had the biggest smile on his face I've ever seen. That was the best night ever!

How do you feel today?

A little silly?

Or do you have an attitude?

Ice cream as big as your head

Nana and Papaw treated the boys and I to a wonderful afternoon a few days ago. To celebrate a whole week of good school behavior we spent the afternoon eating, playing and going out for ice cream. Nathan got a root beer float that was seriously as big as his head and he inhaled it faster than I could tell him to slow down. I looked at it when he first got it, turned my head to get Brandon settled with his ice cream, looked back at Nathan and it was gone. His eyes were glazed over from all the sugar and a big smile was smeared across his face. Brandon took a little longer to eat his but he finished every single bite. He got one scoop of strawberry ice cream in a dish. He used his spoon, a straw and then decided it was best to just pick up the dish and slurp it up. It was way too much ice cream for one little boy, but he was determined and finished it all. After he was done he rubbed his belly, moaned and smiled like he was in heaven. After the ice cream was devoured we headed over to the other side of the parlor, looked at Christmas decorations, the boys talked us into getting them some rock candy and little wooden tops. It was a great time. My parents and I laughed so hard watching the kids eat/inhale their treats. I don't know who had more fun, the boys or us.

Here again

Our computer is acting up again, that's why I haven't been able to post anything lately. So, while it's working (for the moment) this is what we've been up to.

Halloween was a blast. Nathan was a special ops Army soldier and Brandon was a magician. Nathan was so serious and Brandon wouldn't smile because of his painted on mustache.

Nathan has had some trouble at school. His little motor mouth is the trouble. Talking and laughing and joking around seems to be more important than learning right now. So, he's been grounded and almost didn't get to go trick-or-treating. Oh the horror!

Brandon had the croup a couple of weeks ago. He woke up one night with a cough that sounded like a seal barking and he was clawing at his mouth because he couldn't breath. I wrapped him up and was going to take him to the ER but once the cool night air hit him, he was just fine. We went to the dr's office the next day for some medicine and he's right as rain now.

Brian has completely healed from having his appendix taken out and is back to work putting all those bad guys in jail.

And I'm the proud owner of a few more gray hairs. Lucky me.

That's been our life.

Oct 7th, D-day for Daddy

Brian turned 37 today.
No balloons or fancy parties. Just cinnamon rolls and handmade cards from the boys.
Brian doesn't like any fuss or attention directed toward him. If he could sleep all day long and not have anyone mention his birthday, that would be just fine.
But the boys could not let that happen. Brandon sang Happy Birthday over and over. Nathan kissed him and told him that he doesn't look old. He received phone calls and cards. His mom made him a great dinner and Kelila flashed her gorgeous smile at him. The guys that he works with even decided to have "man night" tonight in his honor.
Turning 37 isn't so bad, now is it honey? At least you don't look old!