"It's Halloween!" That's what came out of Nathan's mouth first thing this morning, at the top of his lungs. Oh, he's so excited he can barely contain himself. He has checked on his costume three times today to make sure it is all there. This year he is going to be the mighty Wolverine. I told Nathan that he could decide what Brandon was going to be this year, as long as it was something we had around the house. We have tons of dress up clothes and costumes. So, after a week of sorting through all of the costumes, Nathan finally decided that Brandon should be a cowboy with a badge. "A Sheriff? A cowboy sheriff?" I said. "No mommy. A cowboy (a small pause) with a badge!" Excuse me.
Today at school Nathan's class is having a Fall Party. He came home yesterday talking as fast as he could about having cookies and Kool-aid, lemon flavored Kool-aid. I'm not sure what else they are going to do. When his teacher said cookies and Kool-aid, his brain probably shut down after that. Cookies and Kool-aid, that's a lot of sugar. I bet she's going to give that to the kids right before she sends them home. Thanks a lot Ms. George!
Friday, October 31, 2008
Monday, October 27, 2008
Ordinary days
I never want to turn into one of those parents who squanders away the ordinary days. But honestly, sometimes I do. I can get wrapped up in what needs to be done, what just can't wait, rush rush rush.
When the boys grow up I want them to remember the ordinary days as being extraordinary. I love splashing in mud puddles, chasing butterflies around the backyard and watching the kids eyes light up with every shooting star they see. Their innocence and simple pleasures amaze me and remind me this is their only childhood. It's my responsibility to make it extraordinary.
Stop and smell the flowers. Dance with the one you love. Savor every moment.
When the boys grow up I want them to remember the ordinary days as being extraordinary. I love splashing in mud puddles, chasing butterflies around the backyard and watching the kids eyes light up with every shooting star they see. Their innocence and simple pleasures amaze me and remind me this is their only childhood. It's my responsibility to make it extraordinary.
Stop and smell the flowers. Dance with the one you love. Savor every moment.
Saturday, October 25, 2008
Superman symbols do not belong there
This morning as I stood in the kitchen enjoying my coffee and surveying the mess of little toy soldiers on the floor, I gasped in horror! What is that on my butcher block? The same butcher block that my dad made me almost ten years ago. The same butcher block that has graced two apartments and one house. Is that what I think it is? Yep, Superman symbols in crayon and pencil, all over the front of my butcher block. "NATHAN GREGORY HARVEY!"
His eyes are wide with horror, he knows exactly what I've seen. "Yes mommy?" "How did THAT get on my butcher block?" "I don't know, maybe Brandon did it?" Really, blaming your baby brother who can't write yet is your defense? I don't think so. "Go to your room, sit on your bed, and don't touch any of your toys!" I called my dad to ask what I can do to get it off of the wood without hurting it. I can tell he is trying not to laugh too hard as I'm in my state of panic. Steal wool or a little bleach should do the trick he informs me. I get my scouring pad and gently scrub my treasured block of wood. Sigh of relief, it comes off just fine. I grab the olive oil and rub it into the wood like it's a potion to make all the boo-boos feel better. I notice the crack from putting it too close to the vent in my first apartment. I see the few nicks it received from moving it into the first apartment Brian and I shared. It's wobbly leg is from me trying to move it around the kitchen in our house to find its perfect resting place while we are here. These are just a few of the battle scars, little notches of our history, that will remind me of all the great happenings in our life. I grab Nathan, give him a kiss, and explain that we only color on paper. Next time I'm admiring my big block of precious memories, I'll think of the superman symbols and Nathan's big blue eyes saying "oh crap! she saw what I did!"
His eyes are wide with horror, he knows exactly what I've seen. "Yes mommy?" "How did THAT get on my butcher block?" "I don't know, maybe Brandon did it?" Really, blaming your baby brother who can't write yet is your defense? I don't think so. "Go to your room, sit on your bed, and don't touch any of your toys!" I called my dad to ask what I can do to get it off of the wood without hurting it. I can tell he is trying not to laugh too hard as I'm in my state of panic. Steal wool or a little bleach should do the trick he informs me. I get my scouring pad and gently scrub my treasured block of wood. Sigh of relief, it comes off just fine. I grab the olive oil and rub it into the wood like it's a potion to make all the boo-boos feel better. I notice the crack from putting it too close to the vent in my first apartment. I see the few nicks it received from moving it into the first apartment Brian and I shared. It's wobbly leg is from me trying to move it around the kitchen in our house to find its perfect resting place while we are here. These are just a few of the battle scars, little notches of our history, that will remind me of all the great happenings in our life. I grab Nathan, give him a kiss, and explain that we only color on paper. Next time I'm admiring my big block of precious memories, I'll think of the superman symbols and Nathan's big blue eyes saying "oh crap! she saw what I did!"
Friday, October 24, 2008
Little quirks
If Brandon doesn't get to talk on the phone to who ever I'm speaking to, he will scream, until his face turns purple.
Little green army men, no matter how strong Nathan believes they are, do not win the battle with the garbage disposal.
No matter how much Brandon loves Elmo, if the toy moves by itself and talks, he will scream, until his face turns purple.
My children do not understand what "wait one minute please" means.
My kids are stuck on loud 90% of the time.
Even though Nathan and Brandon love each other very much, they will fight like they are each others worst enemy.
Brandon has my dads laugh.
Nathan laughs like Brian.
Bath time is just as fun as a trip to an amusement park for Brandon.
My boys love everyone.
Kisses are wet and hugs are huge.
Nathan loves to make Brandon scream.
Nathan loves to scare me...seriously it doesn't take much, a simple "boo" will do the trick.
Popcorn is to be crammed into your mouth, not eaten one at a time.
"Yesterday, last night, tomorrow" according to Nathan, could actually mean months ago.
My boys have huge hearts, wild imaginations, big voices and sweet smiles. I wouldn't change a single thing about them.
Little green army men, no matter how strong Nathan believes they are, do not win the battle with the garbage disposal.
No matter how much Brandon loves Elmo, if the toy moves by itself and talks, he will scream, until his face turns purple.
My children do not understand what "wait one minute please" means.
My kids are stuck on loud 90% of the time.
Even though Nathan and Brandon love each other very much, they will fight like they are each others worst enemy.
Brandon has my dads laugh.
Nathan laughs like Brian.
Bath time is just as fun as a trip to an amusement park for Brandon.
My boys love everyone.
Kisses are wet and hugs are huge.
Nathan loves to make Brandon scream.
Nathan loves to scare me...seriously it doesn't take much, a simple "boo" will do the trick.
Popcorn is to be crammed into your mouth, not eaten one at a time.
"Yesterday, last night, tomorrow" according to Nathan, could actually mean months ago.
My boys have huge hearts, wild imaginations, big voices and sweet smiles. I wouldn't change a single thing about them.
Thursday, October 23, 2008
A no melt down day
Maybe I shouldn't say that yet since the day isn't over, I'll just cross my fingers and hope for the best.
After Brian left for work this afternoon, I packed up the kids, my coupons, and my ever growing shopping list and headed for the grocery stores. Yes, that's right, I said stores. I hardly ever go grocery shopping with both boys by myself. I usually go "all my byself" (as Nathan says) after the boys are in bed and Brian is home from work. But today, we needed food and I just couldn't put it off until tonight. If Brandon doesn't have milk to drink, then no one is going to have a pleasant evening. So, off we went. Our first stop was Aldi's, a discount-no frills store that has great prices and pretty good produce. The boys charmed some candy out of a sweet lady. She totally fell in love with Nathan's blue eyes and Brandon's chunky cheeks. (Who doesn't?!) We finally made it out of there, no screaming, no fits, just some smiles. Thank goodness for sweet lady's with chocolate stashes in their purse's. I was starting to see the screams forming in Brandon's eyes. We get the car packed up, and headed over to Kroger's to finish out my list. I pull out a box of crackers from my huge bag and let Brandon munch on them while I played ISpy with Nathan as we looked for our groceries. To my surprise, we made it out of there pretty quick. Still no tears, no fits and no screaming! The reason why I normally don't go shopping with the boys is, Brandon screams at the top of his lungs if he doesn't get to eat everything he sees and Nathan gets cranky and impatient after 20 minutes and sometimes decides to just not listen. It is stressful and frustrating and usually someone ends up in tears. That someone is sometimes me! But today was a great day! No tears, no screams and no defiant children. That doesn't happen very often. Sigh!
Side note....
Mr. Vince Heichelbech, pay my friend for the pictures he took of you and your bride!
After Brian left for work this afternoon, I packed up the kids, my coupons, and my ever growing shopping list and headed for the grocery stores. Yes, that's right, I said stores. I hardly ever go grocery shopping with both boys by myself. I usually go "all my byself" (as Nathan says) after the boys are in bed and Brian is home from work. But today, we needed food and I just couldn't put it off until tonight. If Brandon doesn't have milk to drink, then no one is going to have a pleasant evening. So, off we went. Our first stop was Aldi's, a discount-no frills store that has great prices and pretty good produce. The boys charmed some candy out of a sweet lady. She totally fell in love with Nathan's blue eyes and Brandon's chunky cheeks. (Who doesn't?!) We finally made it out of there, no screaming, no fits, just some smiles. Thank goodness for sweet lady's with chocolate stashes in their purse's. I was starting to see the screams forming in Brandon's eyes. We get the car packed up, and headed over to Kroger's to finish out my list. I pull out a box of crackers from my huge bag and let Brandon munch on them while I played ISpy with Nathan as we looked for our groceries. To my surprise, we made it out of there pretty quick. Still no tears, no fits and no screaming! The reason why I normally don't go shopping with the boys is, Brandon screams at the top of his lungs if he doesn't get to eat everything he sees and Nathan gets cranky and impatient after 20 minutes and sometimes decides to just not listen. It is stressful and frustrating and usually someone ends up in tears. That someone is sometimes me! But today was a great day! No tears, no screams and no defiant children. That doesn't happen very often. Sigh!
Side note....
Mr. Vince Heichelbech, pay my friend for the pictures he took of you and your bride!
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Zoo and School
Yesterday, Brian and I took the kids to the zoo. We love the zoo. Especially when it starts getting cool out. Hardly anyone was there, which always makes it nice, and the animals were pretty active. Plus, they had all of their Halloween decorations out. Nathan got a kick out of that, Brandon did too as long as we stayed at a distance. The kids and I got to ride the carousel. Nathan loves their carousel, instead of horses to ride, they have all different types of zoo animals. At first Brandon was excited, but once we got on I guess he thought the animals were going to eat him so he hung to my hip and tried to climb inside my skin. We've never been so close!
We also got to pet the sharks, play on the playground and chase the birds. It was a great time.
Then, last night, I got to go to our first parent-teacher conference at Nathan's school. I was so excited. I don't really know why, it's just Kindergarten, and I knew that he was doing just fine. But hearing someone else say great things about my little man was priceless! His teacher, Ms. George, say that Nathan is a "hoot" and is so much fun to have in class. He listens really well (I'm glad he listens well for someone) and is doing great. He has mastered all of his letters, numbers, sight words (is, the, like) and letter sounds. Then she told me that he kissed one of the little girls on the cheek the other day! Wha? She said he just couldn't control his emotions any longer and just had to kiss her. She laughed the entire time she told me the story but my jaw was on the floor. I don't want him kissing little girls! So, we had a talk when I got home...no kissing girls, we save kisses for family only! Oh, why does he have to grow up? It was hard enough to let him go to school and now he is kissing girls. Next he isn't going to let me kiss him in front of his friends.
Do you hear that? That's the sound of my heart breaking!
We also got to pet the sharks, play on the playground and chase the birds. It was a great time.
Then, last night, I got to go to our first parent-teacher conference at Nathan's school. I was so excited. I don't really know why, it's just Kindergarten, and I knew that he was doing just fine. But hearing someone else say great things about my little man was priceless! His teacher, Ms. George, say that Nathan is a "hoot" and is so much fun to have in class. He listens really well (I'm glad he listens well for someone) and is doing great. He has mastered all of his letters, numbers, sight words (is, the, like) and letter sounds. Then she told me that he kissed one of the little girls on the cheek the other day! Wha? She said he just couldn't control his emotions any longer and just had to kiss her. She laughed the entire time she told me the story but my jaw was on the floor. I don't want him kissing little girls! So, we had a talk when I got home...no kissing girls, we save kisses for family only! Oh, why does he have to grow up? It was hard enough to let him go to school and now he is kissing girls. Next he isn't going to let me kiss him in front of his friends.
Do you hear that? That's the sound of my heart breaking!
Saturday, October 18, 2008
A Fall Day
What a crafty day it has been. Fall always makes we want to do crafts. So, Nathan and I tye-dyed some shirts orange and painted pumpkin faces on them. We played outside in the few leaves that have fallen. We brought some of those leaves inside to color. I have read the same three books to Brandon about a hundred times today. His top three choices are Baby's Alphabet, Peter Cottontail, and Dr. Seuss's ABC's. "Big A, Little a, what begins with A? Aunt Annie's Alligator, A..a...A." That will forever be stuck in my head! I fixed Nathan's "Super Nathan" cape, I had to buy new ties for around the neck. He has worn that cape for the past three years and it is starting to look like it too. We have also made pancakes, smoothies, and tonight after Brandon goes to bed we are going to bake Halloween cookies. In a few minutes, I'm going to bundle the kids up and we are going to walk around the neighborhood and look at all of the Halloween decorations. I love the fall. I love Halloween. I love having kids to share it all with.
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