and the potty training journey begins...

And we're off...

I will be completely honest, the kiddo could be completely potty trained, if his mama I  had any commitment and was ready for the horror of the public restroom.  Seriously, for the last week the boy has been all about putting on his "ellerwear" in the morning.  He has only about one accident each morning...and it usually has to do with mama being distracted and a change of scenery ...like going outside.  He announces at times when he is going.  Other times the timer dings or mama reminds. 

Then of course, being he is child #2, he has a brilliant motivator, his big brother.  I had planned to start the potty training adventure after school had started.  Figuring, we could stay home a few mornings and really concentrate on things.  However, with Henry's excitement and the fact that Charley is such a big help, I am getting more and more guilt for not committing now. 

So for Henry this is what is working...first off, he really wants to wear the big boy underwear.  Second, the kid loves candy and it doesn't take much to motivate him.  We started out with a tiny bowl of M&Ms and have now added a few other little things to the mix.  If he goes on the potty he gets 1 or 2 pieces.  Charley gets a piece if he has encouraged, reminded, or helped in any way.  This motivates him to be in there, reading books, reminding him when they are playing, and cheering him on.  AMAZING.

The first Saturday morning we did this I was washing dishes and Ed was working on the computer and you could hear Charley in the bathroom with Henry: "Okay, Henry.  Let's go potty.  Here I will help you get your pants down.  Now sit down and I will show you this book.  Good job, Little Brother!  Now let's wash hands and go get CANDY!"  I yelled to Ed...maybe we should participate in this whole thing.  So we have been more present in the whole thing.  But big brother is who he wants in there and who is giving him the biggest kudos. 

We also have a sticker chart that he can put a sticker on but he is not a kid who is motivated by that.  A simple little minty candy makes him happy. 

So today was our first attempt at leaving the house in "ellerwear."  I am not ready for the public restrooms...it is my biggest deterrent to potty training.  And the fact that I have boys is the biggest blessing because frankly - I can't even imagine how I would stomach this process with girls.  At least with my boys I can somewhat plan around their poops and I have the future of peeing standing up to look forward to.  I have a feeling Henry will transition to standing far faster because he is in awe of Charley and his skill.  Anyways, today I decided to throw the potty seat in the back of the van and away we went.  It worked slick until a little poop showed up and the diaper was put on immediately.  We have not dealt with poop yet because it usually shows up in the afternoon (TMI).  So still a long way to go.  But, for now...we are on our way to an extra 20 some bucks a month in our pocket...well for a few months before baby arrives and diapers become a budget line item again. 


Anyways, for now...I have said it and I will say it again...the year of 2...is my favorite ( and I know that every stage can be a favorite...but really the age of 2 is the best).  The talking, the wonder, the looks, the fine motor development, the excitement, the energy, the naps, the routine...and the little bum that is squatting down racing match box cars or crawling quickly up the stairs - with Batman or Thomas smiling back at me - is my FAVORITE.  My very favorite age.  And I am so glad that I can imagine going through all this one more time.  

My  Hank.  I love you.  I am so proud of you.

I just have to say...

That I will never get enough of my boys at the age of 2 running around in just their little boy underwear. Lighening McQueen, Batman, Bob the Builder, whoever...their little smiling faces stretched across the little bum of my little boys is so adorable.

We are working on potty training...kind of a let's see what Henry can do kind of thing. He has only had one accident each morning, but otherwise does really well. I will make a more official post about all of this soon. But as he plods upstairs to go and pest his older brother, he turns around to tell me his destination, and then off he climbs in his little "ellerwear." This age is full of priceless moments...

Keeping the boys busy this week....

My energy is back and I have been itching to scrub toilets, wipe counter tops, vacuum over and over, pick up bedrooms, do laundry (which means wash, dry, fold and put away in one day), etc. I am finally feeling like our house is back to normal. But to get this done these last few weeks of summer I had to get the boys busy with something that didn't involve jumping on furniture. So this week I set up an office for them. I loved playing office when I was little. And they were very excited to be "just like daddy" all week long. My only dilemma is now how long this "office" will have to occupy space in our house.

I also found that giving them egg cartons with a variety of little doo dads along with some glue....well there you can fill a good 45 minutes. 

The boys were happy and mama was getting things done.  WIN! WIN!

Friday thoughts...on an EARLY Saturday morning

1.  I had an off week of blogging.  Boo.  But my allergies have kicked in and instead of laying there sneezing next to Ed this morning I crept downstairs to the quiet residing downstairs and enjoyed catching up on some blogging...so there will be some posts this weekend and next week.  Nothing beats the quiet of an early morning - even if child number 1 pitter pats down and interrupts a little too early. 

2.  I had my appointment with my cardiologist this week.  Even though my heart has a few little things that make it special - I was told to try and relax and not let the anxiety I have when it feels like it is slowing or skipping beats.   I was assured that the stressful act of birthing this baby number three should not be cause for concern. 

3.  Friday morning was cooler and with a burst of energy I mowed most of our lawn.  Felt good to be more active than I have been.  The best part though was a call from my friend who appreciates the p things in life...popcorn, pizza, etc.  We hit the pizza buffet with our kiddos and returned home with full bellies. 

4.  The baby weight is starting to creep on.  I have held it off this far.  My body has most definitely changed but this week at the cardiologist, when they weighed me, the scale had changed a bit.  Makes sense since my belly is starting to be more real.  Pictures soon.

5.  The other night Ed sadly apologized about not giving me or the baby in the belly the attention that he remembers giving our first.  I said it was okay - that number three for me is different too.  But after he said this I felt the first substantial kick that I thought Ed might be able to feel.  So he gave it a feel and sure enough - that little doodle in there gave a nice sturdy kick to let daddy know that he/she was in there, alive, kickin', and not about to accept any more apologies from daddy about not giving it's mama a little more special attention (just kidding Ed!). 

6.  Summer T-ball ended (pause and do a happy dance - so boring to watch).  Fall Soccer has begun (pause to do a bigger happy dance) because the soccer program we have found for Charley ROCKS!

7.  I can't believe it has been a month since we were here - the cottage.  Our cottage time includes lots of time with friends.  Paul is a family friend that always gives my boys a thrill by finding "sea creatures".  Thanks Paul!

8.  We have a busy Saturday ahead of us and as the clock verges on 8 o'clock I realize that we need to be out of the house in an hour.  I best close down and whip up some pancakes to fill my boys' bellies. 

Happy Weekend Wanderings!

Going for it...

We have been living in our house for almost four years. We are slowly making it more and more ours. Major house projects that we would like to do are on hold, a sacrifice we are making so that I can be home with the boys. We figure we have the rest of our life to have the floors, counter tops, finished basement, etc that we desire. As we skip along in our life we slowly have been investing in pieces of furniture that we hope will last us a looooooong time if not a lifetime.  When we make these purchases we pray that they can survive the years of light sabers, match box cars, and marker use (without the understanding of what expensive furniture means). Last weekend we took a giant step towards getting rid of some of the last of our college type furniture. Ed's tv stand has worked for us for a long time. But the tv we got in the last year was too big for it and we have known it was no longer the look we were going for.

So this we got rid of this:

and this arrived this week:

We love it.  But the darker espresso color matches our darker couch, love seat, chair, ottoman, and coffee table/ ottoman thingy.  So it is a lot of that dark color.  Our curtains are a very bland basic color.  This room needs a little "POP!" of color now.

I knew it was time to give decorating a go.  We haven't done much in this house.  What hangs on the walls are either portraits of the boys or things that we had/ have come across at garage sales.  So I stopped at a store this week when I was blessed with some "me" time.  Stores with the decorating goods aren't places for two little boy side kicks.  And I picked up a few items....what do you think?  Ed is not so sure about the items but I asked him "Are you really qualified to know what looks good?"  I really think he will like what I pick out if he knows others likes it.  I also think he doesn't REALLY care as long as it looks nice and doesn't break the bank. 

1.  Some new throw pillows.  I thought I would bring in some color to make the room "pop".  I thought oranges, reds, teals, greens, would work nicely with the wall and the furniture color.  We have two other pillows that I would like to recover.

2.  These metal flowers will hang near the fire place...I think they tie with the pillows nicely.  It is about 2 feet by 2 feet in size.

3.  The clock is the thing we are not loving the most.  But I like big clocks in other people's houses.  This one had the red, yellow, and espresso color in it. 

4.  The entertainment unit so you can see the three items with the new central piece in the room. 

Like I said a week or so ago...August is a time when I get a bug in my butt to organize, change things in the house, set goals etc. 

What do you think?  I need to find some small things to put in the shelves above the TV.  And above our fireplace I want to find seasonal things I can switch out a bit. 

Links I Love

Yay for Ben and Jerrys....boo on Haagen Dazs, Breyers and Baskin-Robbins! This is scary.

The Necessity of "Me" time.  This is part of my goal for fall. 

More beginning of the year thoughts from a mom taking a break from her teaching career.  Thanks Shell for the tips.

...today's thoughts...

My mom wrote me and my sister an email this week reminding us not to wish away the long summer days, the warm weather, and the other things this season gives us. My sister and I have mentioned looking forward to fall. I know that summer is a wonderful time, long sunshine filled days. Temperatures that are mostly delightful to be outside exploring and adventuring. Without the school year routine we have the freedom to go to the pool or the zoo while leaving the breakfast dishes piled on the counter and the laundry heaped on the floor. In the evening when it is getting long as we wait for the infamous daddy to arrive home we can putter around outside (yesterday each boy enjoyed 10 waterballons for about 2 minutes but the schnibbles floating in the kiddie pool and nets kept them busy for an hour).

However, the more I talk to moms you can tell by their tone, their faces, their energy, their hair (mainly mine..because it is covered in a hat most days), that it is time for a change in routine. This mom describes how all good things must come to an end and the end of summer is welcomed in her house. The lack of routine, the long hot days, the abundant time with family is starting to wear on everyone. She describes using the word NO far to often and the requests that aren't even normal demands her children make.

So even though I am not looking forward to the extremely long winter that stretches out before us with temperatures that keep us in doors and wishing for hot summer days again...I am looking forward to darker evenings so lamps can be lit, piano music can play, cookies can be baked, the crock pot can be simmering, and the boys are tired from a different kind of routine.

 Today we spent the morning at the pool and as I watched the boys I realized that I'm Going to Miss This. Charley was happier than a clam in the water and Henry too was splashing and jumping and totally happy. I sat there and just watched and couldn't believe the happiness that a blue sky summer morning at a sparkling pool can bring to two little boys. And someday I will drop them off with their friends and try and keep busy while they explore a local pool or water park. But watching them lay out on the towels today, side by side with their little buddies, eating gold fish crackers and not worrying about anything in life...I realized that these are some of the best days of my life. And I will look back and miss them. Go here to read a wonderful reminder that all moms parents need to remember.

So we will relish these next two weeks of summer and we will also anticipate the arrival of a new season and a new routine.  One of the wonderful benefits of living in the Midwest is that just as a season is starting to get long - a new season starts to arrive and one's energy is rejuvenated.  Summer days - stretch out these next two weeks and fill them with bliss.  Autumn - we are ready for you to fall upon us with your cooler temps, shorter days, and crunching leaves. 

Birthday treat ideas...

Someone commented that they were interested in some birthday treat ideas...since cupcakes didn't sound like something I supported. And here is why I am against the cupcakes and then I gave you a list of a few ideas...off the top of my head in a five minute period.

Just say no to the cupcake birthday treat....they crumble as the kids take the paper off. The frosting is a disaster. The kids don't know how to always bite into a cupcake without it becoming a disaster and the crumbs get smashed into the carpet because most kids just brush them off the desk/table. The frosting is all over faces and fingers and it takes the kids far longer to eat a cupcake than .....

1. a cookie (you can even get fun decorated ones at the deli)
2. fruit snack type snacks
3. Popsicles ( teachers can take them outside - wonderful)
4. bananas
5. crackers and cheese tray
6. give each kid an entire large carrot peeled. How fun is it to eat a whole carrot like a rabbit. Hilarious!
7. a small bag of m & m's or other candy
8. lollipops they can eat while they do their math sheet or listen to a story
9. Oreo cookies or something like that
10. granola bars of some sort (they often have as much sugar as a cupcake)
11. their very own bottle of water
12. apples
13. mini carrots and dip
14. send along a bag of marshmallows, a bag of m & ms, some raisins, and fruit loops and let the kids make a snack mix.
15. popcorn if the weather is nice and they can go outside - no clean up.
16. pretzels
17. little puddings or fruit cups
18. Anything you can pack in a lunch
19. Donuts are even less messy (donut holes)
20. Any treat that a teacher can take outside (watermelon)
21. Yogurt/ gogurt type things


**And actually freezer type snacks are a bit of a pain because there isn't convenient storage for them. But still favored over cupcakes.

The district I worked in has recently piloted NO birthday treats at the schools. Since they are trying to give healthy examples and eliminate the pressure that some parents were facing spending money on treats. I remember days when I had 3-4 cupcakes delivered from old students who were given the opportunity to pass out treats. Teachers were spending valuable time passing out birthday treats. Instead they have changed the tradition so that the child gets to bring in a special book to read, pick a game to play with the class, and other creative things. The overall response has been very positive. I think they have expanded it to more schools this year. It also helped with all the food allergy situations that have made bringing birthday treats hard.

Anyways, cupcakes are delicious...but save them for a time when the number of adult to child ratio is better. Or have 30 kids over and put them in the room in your house that is the size of a classroom and give them all a cupcake and feel your stress level rise.

I am not alone on this. If you ask most teachers they will say cupcakes are fine because they pick their battles. But most don't appreciate the time and mess they make. And frankly, as a parent, gone are the days of the homemade cupcake option, treats have to be store bought. So cupcakes are a hefty chunk of change.

Again, this is just my opinion... and it is just that. An opinion.


Now let's throw out some more birthday treat ideas!  Do share!  Or if you have a solution to the cupcake fiasco do share!?

mmmm. I think I will make some cupcakes this afternoon!

Just a link I came across today that caused me pause in my day.

As the school year is quickly approaching I have myself wondering what kind of mother I am going to be for Charley's teacher.  Having spent time as the teacher in the classroom I know the wide variety of parents that teachers work with during the entire school year.  DO NOT GET ME WRONG - Teachers appreciate all the help and support that parents and grandparents can give a classroom, but there are also cases where too many emails, phone calls, notes, requests, pop in visits that take 20 minutes of their precious prep time, requests to volunteer for SPECIFIC tasks,...treats etc...can start to hinder their ability to do their job.

  Clover Lane's blog reflected on doing your part but not taking on too much and causing your family or your child's classroom to suffer.  I LOVED her statements about the cupcakes because personally those are the WORST birthday treats a parent can send with their child....well cake is actually the worst because it requires a knife and cutting and fights over who has more frosting.  But the sight of a parent walking towards your classroom with cupcakes has most teachers muttering some choice words under their breath...and I am guessing the custodians are mumbling the same thing. 

Anyways, my mind is working overtime thinking this whole kindergarten experience over and I know that I am going to try and remind myself of all the things I appreciated about the parents I worked with as a teacher.  Here are just a few:

 Communication is good but too much can overwhelm.

Popping in to volunteer - wonderful but give warning, do the task that is asked and follow the directions, and give the teacher a few weeks to get the class comfortable with her and in a groove, before plopping yourself down in there and disrupting things...because children always act differently when their parents are there. 

If your child has an assignment notebook or take home folder that comes home nightly and a project or activity was shared with you by your child and it sounded like it was spectacular or special or made your child's day...write a two sentence note, throw an email, jot a post it.  Teachers love knowing what is working and it inspires them the next day. 

Remember your child's teacher at holidays...a valentine, Christmas card, etc.  No need to spend a lot of money on a gift but just a note that says Merry Christmas.  The magic place that a teacher has in your child's heart is amazing and the love that each teacher has for their students is personal and treasured...even the hard students that test to the limits.  They spend almost 8 hours a day wiping tears, encouraging, instilling confidence, drive, and the love of learning.  Give them thought at those busy times of year.  

Okay, those are just a few thoughts ...do you have any? 

Links I Love - a little late

1.  A few back to school tips here. 

2.  Projects for fall....chocolate playdough and stamp glue.  REALLY interested in the stamp glue!

3.  Ah-Ha Cleaning thoughts.  Something that has been on my mind.  This time of year is always when I try and figure out a new system to keep up with everything.  What is yours? -Thank you  to the blog Small Notebook.

4. And this is also a reminder from Small Notebook...How to Make Things Harder and Do Nothing.  

5.  This Small Notebook blog actually has tons of quick thoughts on decluttering...like here and here.  And short quick thoughts are the way to get motivated about clutter - not long drawn out books that clutter up your to do list because you aren't getting enough time to read the book which is an excuse not to begin the job. 

If you come across a blog you read or a blog you wrote that you think I would LOVE...email me!  I am always looking for links! 

Final Friday Thoughts....I hope...

So I was upstairs cleaning up and I yelled down that the boys should turn off the TV. Charley said he did but that the sound was still on (a common occurrence when the boys turn off the TV). He wandered up to see what I was doing and I happened to be cleaning up books in his room. I asked him to help me since it was his mess and we had done all those fun things this morning. He said no and wandered back downstairs. Instead of getting riled up I let it pass and knew I would keep it in my pocket for later.

Coming downstairs I went to turn off the sound on the TV but found my two boys laying on the couches watching Curious George. He had lied. "No, I didn't lie mom. It was off but then I turned it back on." UGH! SO mad! But as I turned trying not to give him a piece of my mind...there on my porch stood

a lone can of Diet Coke...some would call it Nectar of the Gods.

I paused. I smiled HUGE! And all that was building inside me ready to explode was suddenly gone. Thank you my friend Paula! Thank you for making my day and sharing your stash.  I am sure my boys would thank you too if they realized what they didn't have to listen to.   It is a treat that I don't indulge in too often during my pregnancy but when I do - ahhhh!

Friday Thoughts update...the real truth...

So my blog has come up in conversation lately and I worry that I give this illusion that everything here is all happy, calm, entertaining, healthy, and balanced.  And I want to remind my friends and family that this is only a small snippet of my day.  It is the part that I sit down and reflect on and use to inspire my next days decisions.  It is hard to blog about the hard moments without crossing the line.  It is also my place that I hope my boys will look to for glimpses of who they were, who I was, and the choices and decisions that we made as a family in raising them.  It blows my mind that when we are sitting down to dinner and I have resorted to thawing some of my pesto and throwing it on some pasta and slicing up some tomatoes with some mozzarella cheese....well this is a meal that my boys will remember from their childhood.  

Anyways, getting off the topic.  Honesty....here is an update...

Since I am lacking sleep - which means my mood is set at "fly off the handle" mode by the smallest action...I decided we would get out of the house and go burn some energy.  So I got showered and did my hair - this is huge.  If you ask any of my friends they will tell you that a hat has been seen on my head a majority of this summer because...well let's be honest--  I am lazy and frustrated with my hair right now.  Growing it out from that short cut is a...twitch.  We headed to the open gym at the gymnastics center...but it wasn't all skipping out to the van.  This is how it went:

Henry came to the door with four match box cars in his hands.  I told him he could bring two.  His fit begins.  Charley comes to the door and sees that Henry is going to bring some cars and runs off...I know what he is getting...he is getting the car that Henry had me dig for this morning because it was the exact one he NEEDED (in case you are curious it is the police car with the trunk that opens and it was found in the drawer of over 100 cars - thank you very much).  Of course Charley had to go get that one and then wave it in Henry's face which put Henry into a full blast freak out.  I of course, being the quick the threaten mother, said we weren't going to the gym if we couldn't get out of the door NOW.  Both boys were whining full force.  I took the police car because according to Charley this would be "fair".  Charley and Henry got in the car but at this point Charley realized he now had NO cars.  So the crabbing continued.  A few choice words were being whispered under my breath.  Henry of course didn't get right into his seat...he is at a stage where he likes to wander the van and look in all the nooks and crannies.  I counted to 5 and then walked down the driveway to gather my cool...right after saying loudly, "If you don't get in your carseat we aren't going."  Which then put Charley on high alert that it was time for his freak out to escalate.  As I walked back to the car Henry climbed into his seat but the whining continued.  I got into my seat and heart pounding....HIT THE HORN.  And I held it down for a few seconds.  That got everyone's attention and life moved on. 

So there you have it.  The honest truth that leaving the house these days is not all smiles and smoothness. 

The gymnastics center was bliss.  We then went to a potluck at the park where the boys didn't eat because there were bees or something going on at the kids table. 

Then we ran to Macy's and had 10 minutes to spare before the morning preview special on that fabulous processor was over.  So I grabbed the box and off we went. 

I contemplated living without this beautiful machine...my birthday money was supposed to go towards a sewing machine....but let's be honest.  In the next several months....maybe year...after the morning we had...I figure that finding a space and quiet time to learn to sew is not something that is going to happen.  However, shredding and chopping the hell out of shit might be therapeutic. 

A sewing machine will be mine...at some point.  But for now.  The instruction book for this thing is so impressive and exciting that I might be slicing, dicing, puree-ing, beating, whipping, shredding, and a hole bunch more ALL. WEEKEND. LONG.

It is quiet time in our household.  The boys are settled down in front of Dinosaur Train Underwater Adventure or something...all I know is it is an hour long.  And I am going to ...I don't even know?   Breathe, sigh, and wish that I had stopped for a diet coke...because at the potluck Paula and Sarah G. were drinking one and it looked like heaven.

Happy Friday! 

Friday Thoughts

 

1.  I begin the day extremely tired.  I was up from 2:53 until 5ish.  When I was pregnant with Charley I had no allergies - heaven.  With Henry's I got them a little.  For this little bean they have hit - ANNOYING!

2.  Besides sneezing I laid awake wondering about my heart.  I had to wear a heart monitor a few weeks ago to monitor heart palpitations.  The doctor called (always scary when the actual doctor calls) and she confirmed that I am not imagining things.  My heart is slowing down and skipping beats throughout the day.  It is causing me anxiety and I have an appointment now with a cardiologist next week.  Information will be good.

3.  The last three days have been dreary for a good part of the day.  If it is going to look like it is going to rain - RAIN already. 

4.  We have our compost bin started and I am starting to remember to put my fruits, veggies, and egg shells ...among other things into the bucket sitting in my sink.  I spent some of my time in the wee hours of this morning reading a composting book ...our compost bin looks right and it doesn't stink.  But the flies are a little out of control at this point.  Need to fix that. 

5.  Yesterday I had Taco Bell in the back of my mind all day.  I didn't give in though.  I wonder what is going to be in my head today.  Typically, fast food does not even sound appealing but when it comes to making my meal I just don't want to be involved.

6.  This week when I did laundry I folded it almost right away.  I have three baskets to put away today.  

7.  A while back when I wrote about shredding cheese someone said their Cuisinart food processor did their shredding for them.  This one is on sale at Macy's right now and I have some birthday money.   Making pesto and some other things would also go twice as fast if I could make 11 cups at a time!  Will this shred my cheese - for real?  Do you recommend? 

8.  I am also wondering about back to school clothes shopping?  What are you all buying right now for your kids.  We are set on pants for Charley for the entire year.  Are you getting shorts ..since the school year usually starts out hot...or are you buying for fall and winter?  I don't want to be the only mom not doing back to school shopping but is there really a need right now?  Help!?

9.  Goodness, I have 15 green peppers to dice and looking at the picture of the food processor it looks like that one will actually chop them for me.  My current food processor is small and it would not leave the peppers diced like that...they would be a slightly shredded mashed mess.  Hmmm...feedback ASAP people!

10.  Some Friday Links I Love will be coming later today.

This is linked to Sippy Cups are Not for Starbucks.

Grace in Small Things

1.  Neighborhood friends that come over and putter in our backyard/sandbox/swingset for 2 hours with the boys.  Which means I get the house dusted, dinner made, and laundry folded...and the boys got fresh air and were in heaven.

2.  Fresh tomatoes from the garden, thickly sliced, with a slice of the fancy mozzerella cheese on top...this is our favorite way to enjoy our tomatoes these days.

3.  8pm - boys in bed.  Quiet.

4.  The feeling of these last days of summer.  Relishing the freedom and the weather...yet really anticipating the cool mornings, fall clothes, leaves, apple goodies, and everything else that blows in with the autumn air. 

5.  I AM PREGNANT!  We heard the heartbeat again this week.  The boys were along and smiled.  We will have a third little person that will bring new adventures and personality to our family.  I CAN NOT believe it.  I forget, I remember, the reality settles, and the excitement bubbles.

Morning Cartoons...fan or foe?

Our best mornings are the ones where the boys don't immediately zone out in front of a cartoon. They are alert and fresh and they haven't seen each other or their toys for almost 10 hours or more. The mornings where I respond, "In a little while - go play." When they ask, "Can we watch a cartoon?"  Start the day off waaaaay better.  The little bit of a fuss they give when I respond no is way less extreme...than the fuss they give when I turn off the TV after one cartoon and they want another.  Cartoons for my boys are like a mini snickers candy bar, or a twix bar, or an Oreo cookie...you can't just eat one.  MMmmm...my pregnant self would love to enjoy any of those three treats right now. 

This morning they have constructed bow and arrows out of tinker toys while throwing a surprise something. They now can both hold their own when sharing their ideas on how things should play out during their adventures. I love listening to them.

And later - when things start to get a little tense ...my two little fire fighters can settle down for a little zone out cartoon time.

I have the goal that once school starts we will eliminate the before school morning cartoon from our day. The boys can use the time before Charley heads to school to play, read, and enjoy each other. I know this will be so good for both of them to have this time...and since we are up between 6 and 7 and Charley doesn't go to school until 9...they will have plenty of time with each other.  I think the cartoon time will be more valuable later in the day when they can't get along because of all the excitement from the day.  When mama is trying to make a healthy balanced dinner, or when this pregnant belly is calling for a nap when Henry naps...and therefore Charley gets the luxury of a cartoon or two. 

How do the good mornings begin at your house?

August motivates me...

I can tell Fall is around the corner because this time of year is always motivating to me. I think it is from the years of teaching. I would return from the cottage and rev up to spend hours in my classroom setting up bulletin boards, organizing files, putting names on tags, pouring over teacher manuals, designing the layout of my room, just sitting and staring in awe of the job I got to do, and anticipating the arrival of these little beings who would wander in with new shoes waiting for the fun that I plan. Teaching is one of the few professions that allows for a start and finish.

This will be my 4th school year that has me home in August, instead of dropping off my guys at daycare and heading into the classroom to fall into friendships that a summer apart has no impact on. I find that being home and not having this creative place to venture to leaves me focusing on filling my calendar, organizing and cleaning our house, feeling like redecorating (with no skill to go for it with), setting goals, getting organized with chores, routines, meals, balancing our time, and just feeling refreshed. This year Charley will head off to school and that adds a new dimension to our fall. Some excitement and some sadness that has settled in my gut. It will pass once we are in a routine...but for now I am uneasy about this change.

It is that time of year when the farmer's market offers an abundance of fall, winter, and spring stash.

So the inspiration in the kitchen seems to be the first thing to hit. No, I am not making my own bananas....but last weekend I froze more corn, made pesto to fill our freezer with, and today I made a few batches of twice baked potatoes (otherwise known as potato boats) to pull out on cool nights when we are rushing to soccer. I have a load of green peppers to dice and freeze up for soups and other concoctions.  

My twice baked potatoes involve baking up a load of them in the oven.
Slicing them in half and removing the inside...leaving a little to secure a strong "boat".
Put the insides in my mixer bowl and add (for 4-5 potatoes) 2 pats of butter, some milk, a cup of shredded cheese, a little salt, and some pepper.  This time I added some diced up ham that I had in the freezer.
I mix it all up good and then fill the boats with them.  I sprinkle a little paprika on top to make them look pretty.

I am calling them boats because the boys LOVE them when I call them this.  Then I freeze them in a 9x13 pan and then either move them to zip bags or freeze them in smaller pans in amounts that are good for our family.  When we are ready to eat them I just thaw, reheat in the microwave or oven, and eat!  I am hoping that with the ham in them they can be more of a main dish. 

And so August continues to roll around.  We'll see what I conquer next.

And he's off...

As August saunters along...some days more quickly than others...Charley is gearing up for the big day - the day he takes his first steps down our road to the nearby elementary school to become an official Kindergartner. As a mom, going through this transition/experience for the first time, I wrestle with the dilemma...how big of a deal do I make these next couple weeks. I don't want to build it up too much that I cause him anxiety that he otherwise wouldn't have had. Yet, I don't want to miss out on the opportunity to build the excitement of this HUGE step in life. What to do? What to do?



So I am taking it slow...for both him and me. And a week or so ago we ventured out to buy our school supplies. This was the first time I was on the other side of this extravaganza. I felt it was a little early - but from what people were saying - better to go early than have things hard to find. The kindergarten list was pretty low key. I think it added up to about $30 and I was thrilled that Charley was happy grabbing the items I named off. No longer are the days where children get to pick special pencils that they will keep all to themselves. Everything gets collected and shared - which was the case in my classroom. It really is the way to go for a teacher. Less drama - less time wasted passing out things labeled with individual names.

Anyways, as you can see from the pictures - there was no hesitation from either of my boys to get the school supplies.

Our first step to becoming an official "school calendar living family".

Winner!

Go here to find out who won this fun book!

8 am, pennies, a gym, pizza, friends = success

It has been quite the week.

We have had many moments of this.

Hard intense rain...during the day and in the wee hours of the night.

It has also been filled with hot humid weather.

I have found success in getting us outside at 8am.  

Yes, I have many friends who have kids that sleep in until 8, 9, or even 10. 

But in our house the wake time these days is 6.

So this week by 8 am each day we were outside doing this.

Throw in a handful of these babies and my boys were happy for 2 1/2 hours!

However, by Friday my boys needed to run, jump, and get their wiggles out.  

So we joined some friends at an open gym at a gymnastics center. 

Upon entering and seeing my boys light up I knew they were where they needed to be.

After 2 hours of jumping, balancing, running, spinning, and jumping...did I mention jumping.  Henry's favorite thing these days is jumping so he was happy with the mats and a little something to thrust his body off of.  

Anyways, afterward we went for pizza at a nearby pizza buffet.  5 kids + 2 moms shoved into a corner booth and devoured pizza!  Put that many kids together and throw some cups of fruit punch, pizza, pudding, and the excitement of eating with friends...and you could have disaster.  But Jessie and I were able to enjoy some good chats and the kids ate A LOT.  

I had hopes of getting some things done in the afternoon, but a nap was definitely required for Henry and mama.  But you will be happy to know that all the laundry got sorted, refolded, and put away later that afternoon.  I slept better without the towers of baskets looming over me last night. 

Long weeks that are filled with humidity, rain, and boys filled with energy can be hard but can also be enjoyed to the max...especially when jumping, pizza, and good friends are involved.