What a difference a year makes

The kids played their first soccer games of the season yesterday. This is the second year for both of them. Now they are both the oldest of their age group with a little experience behind them. They both did great yesterday.

The set up is a little different this year. The entire team is split up into 2 teams and they play on 2 fields 4 against 4. The fields are smaller. We were a little hesitant with this new set up. No goalies, smaller goals, no throw ins - they kick the ball in from the sidelines.

I'm am getting to like this plan for the younger kids though. There seemed to be less bunch ball around all 14 or so players on both teams. Stronger players don't seem to take over the entire game and everyone gets a chance.

Bubs definitely had fun and was on the top of his game! He scored an amazing 3 goals. He was super excited!

Made my day

Happy Friday. Bubs woke up early this morning, but then fell asleep in my bed while I was in the shower. He started waking up once I used the blow dryer but he remained cozy on my pillow. I was done getting ready & walked out of the bedroom - he said the words that made my day. I smile now thinking of how sweet he sounded.

"Mommy, you look pretty."

Three Word Thursday

Breaks. My. Heart.

To see my kids cry. Why do kids have to be so mean?

We had a great morning & once again got out of the house on time. (Yay!!) I dropped Bubs off at his EDCC building while K walked in hers. She was all smiles! We all were. But everything changed when I walked through her EDCC doors. I heard sobbing & then looked up to see her with tears down her face. She had tried to join a pair of kids playing on the floor and apparently they told her she could not play with them. I couldn't get a whole lot of info out of her, but I tried to comfort her. I told K that, yes, what they did was not nice. We should make sure never to treat anyone else like that. We know how it feels. There were plenty of other things to do, was it possible to do something else? "No" she said :( I wiped her tears & gave her a bunch of big hugs. The teacher started talking to her, distracting her. I asked her for a smile - she tried. And then I had to leave. Thinking about it now, saddens me! I know she was probably fine a little while later. But it really breaks my heart - I can't wait to see her when I get home. More hugs are waiting!!

Off to a great start!

2nd day of school today. This morning was a breeze! Kids were all up once again before I had to wake them. K got dressed before I asked her. Bubs ate, got dressed, & then asked if he could do "homework!"

Last year - when K sat down at the table to do her homework, I gave Bubs a journal to write in & draw a picture. It started out with "My name is B..., I am 4 years old, I was born on ....etc." Each topic would have his own drawing to match. I would write the words out & he would copy them. That has become his "homework." Last night we added - "I am in Kindergarten. My teacher is Mrs. Peterson."

On our way to EDCC this morning, Bubs was a little upset and said "I want to see Mrs. Peterson." I said - "Oh, you will, in one hour EDCC will take you there." That was sweet. I hope that excitement continues throughout the school year!

First Day of School!

K is off to 2nd grade today and Bubs is off to Kindergarten. My "baby" is now in school! I have 2 school age kids. Where did the last 5 years go!? The more I think about it the more I find it hard to believe. My recollections of school really begin in 2nd grade - and thats where K is. My my teachers, my friends, my love for math, my projects - let it all begin...

Here's the poem that I got from Bubs' Kindergarten teacher.

The First Day
I gave you a little wink and smile
As you entered my room today.
For I know how hard it is to leave
And know your child must stay.
You've been with him for five years now
And have been a loving guide,
But now, alas, the time has come
To leave him at my side.
Just know that as you drive away
And tears down your cheeks may flow
I'll love him as I would my own
And help him learn and grow.
For as a parent, I too know
How quickly the years do pass
And that one day soon it will be my turn
To take my child to class.
So please put your mind at ease
And cry those tears no more
For I will love him and take him in
When you leave him at my door.

Best wishes to my kids for a great school year!

And here's a little proof that they survived their first day! Coming home...

Congratulations to my brother & his wife!!

On their new baby girl!

Casey Ann

7lbs 11 oz

20" long

Born this morning, 8.22.09

http://www.flickr.com/photos/caseyshull/

Proud Parents, excited child!

It was not a smooth registration process at our local elementary school. In two years, this was the worst. I waited an hour in line, luckily with a book in hand to pass the time! At the end we got Bubs & K's teacher assignments. There isn't just one family with our last name - there's happens to be another student, Jared that they wanted to give me paperwork on. I said no, that he wasn't my child. They corrected it & gave me 2 pieces of paperwork. With K's they gave me an envelope with her name on it. That sidetracked me - I was wondering what it was - homework before school started?

Not sure who the teachers were for either kid, so headed home to look them up in last years yearbook. On the way, double checked the paperwork & noticed that I had one for K & one for Andrew Morrison. WHAT? I had to turn the car around, find parking again, cut back in the exit & get the one for Bubs. I did that & was happily surprised - he had the same teacher K did in Kindergarten. That will make for an easier year to have 2 kids in school. We like her & are comfortable with her, her classroom, & her assignments. And Bubs should also be familiar with her face, so he won't be walking into a classroom of a complete stranger!

When I got home, I couldn't wait to open the envelope. I started reading & then started reading it outloud to P & then yelled for K to come! She was selected to attend a 2/3 grade class called Academic Odyssey. Her 1st grade teacher, Mrs. Brown recommended her for this special 2nd grade class. She was so excited - jumping up and down. She really felt special! I'm not sure any of us really get what its all about yet. We'll find out Sept 3rd for Open House!

I was reassured that this class was a good opportunity for K this morning. At EDCC, the teacher asked me what 2nd grade teacher K got.
Me - O'Reilly?
Teacher - Oh, thats the same as Carson.
Me - So, is this a good thing then?
Teacher - Definitely. That class is hand picked. Now that I see who is in that class, I know why.

I never feel like I'm doing enough or pushing K & Bubs enough in the learning environment. I feel like I'm always running out of time to teach them & show them new things. This class placement makes me feel like we are doing something right! Good luck K! Keep up the good work. Mom & dad are so proud of you. :)

Is he serious?

I tried to wake Bubs up for EDCC this morning. He was all warm and cozy in his bed. He didn't want to get out. He said he was all "cuddly."

Bubs - I want to be all cud-dul-ee. When its a stay home day, can I stay in bed and be cud-dul-ee?

Me - Of course you can. I would love for you to sleep in & stay in bed! (Instead of get up at the break of dawn - 6:30!)

Three Word Thursday

Starting. Something. New.


I thought this was a great idea when I saw it on a blog from an old friend from Heidelberg High. http://samanthaleelee.blogspot.com/

I could do that. Just think of 3 words for the day. Might get me writing at least once a week. We'll see how it goes. I now find myself trying to sum everything up into 3 words. Funny how much thought I put into the "perfect" 3 words. I had one completely different idea today, up until the last moment & then went with these. I felt like I should explain what I was doing.


Might as well go with 3 more words - random thought that P might find funny, if not now, maybe in the future.

Yummy. Butter. Puffcorn.

My work got a sampling of the Butter Puffcorns from Frito Lay and absolutely fell in love with them. They wanted more so I asked P where we could buy them. He said everywhere. So off I went. Pick up a few things at Walmart, check out the chip aisle - No Puffcorn's. OK, I'd better get back to work, but let me swing by Lucky's first. No Butter flavored, just cheese. Aaaghhh - P, what did you mean everywhere? I can't find it anywhere. He said it looks like they staled out of the stores. It's a new product that hasn't caught on yet. So my co-workers mean business & call Frito Lay's 800 line. They get a list where they can find bags - a place called "Bottom's Up Liquor" in Oakland, or a couple other mom & pop shops 15+ miles from here. They don't go that distance for them, but we just got word that TODAY is the day, they have been put in a store near us! For just $2 a bag, my co-workers would buy out the case. So, if you have an urge for Butter Flavored popcorn - this is the snack for you!! Oven Baked, no hulls or hard kernals. They melt in your mouth. Enjoy.

My little girl...

isn't so little anymore. I guess I have to admit that she is growing up - she is 7 now. She won't let me dress her at all! If I pick anything, she picks something else. Its been over 6 months now at least that she hasn't been interested in Princesses. That was tough for me! My little "Princess" doesn't want anything to do with princesses! How could that be?

And now, the other day she told me she was no longer into skirts or dresses. That seems to have caused a problem for us, finding outfits to wear everyday. With the hot weather, her only options are are capri's, pants & leggings. She keeps wearing all the capris & I keep on washing them. We found short shorts in her drawers that she tried to put on - she used them under dresses. I put a stop to that - I never felt they were appropriate to wear by themselves to school. Other than that, she had skorts - but she considers them a skirt! So here it is, the end of summer, & I'm searching stores for Bermuda type shorts. If anyone finds shorts on clearance anywhere - let me know! We went to Old Navy yesterday & everything was back to school & fall/winter! Unfortunately (or should I say FORTUNATELY) we probably have many more weeks of warm weather! Lets see what 2nd grade has in store for this former "Princess!" I'm sure it will bring some more changes...

Knowledge of the day

Bubs - Mom, I know what school is all about...
Me - Oh, yeah?
Bubs - It's for learn-ing!
Me - Yes it is.

And now I think our son is ready for Kindergarten!

1st Camping Trip

“That wasn’t fun!” were Bubs’ comments about going down the little rapids. He didn’t think there was enough excitement going over the rocks with “Auntie” Bobbie in an inner tube.

But, it all changed to…
“That was awesome!” – when they both started a little further down the river & fell out of the raft! Bobbie didn’t think it was so fun though. She quickly managed to grab onto Bub’s life vest!

Luckily, mommy didn’t see any of it! She was around the bend with K, behind a Big Rock waiting with a water camera, ready to take their photo.

The kids experienced their first camping trip this past weekend. It was just me with 7 others (4 adults, 3 kids) I believe they had a great time and made new friends. My kids enjoyed sleeping in a tent & being dirty all weekend long! K’s highlight was jumping in the river Saturday night with her clothes on. Why not? They were getting ready for bed, lets get crazy.

We all found ourselves having fun in the great outdoors without video games, computers, no cell phone reception – it was great. (I did let them watch a movie before bed on the portable DVD player, though.) It was a way for all of us to relax before bed.

Thank you Navarro’s for booking the 2 best campsites! And thank you Bobbie for bringing all the camping stuff and letting us join you!

Note to Bobbie: Bub’s was so tired last night. He followed me around the house. At first he was crying, and then bawling. Lots of tears and gasping for air. It was cute in a way, but also so sad to watch. He was crying for Cody. He loved Cody; he wanted to live with Cody. He was afraid that he was never again going to see Cody. He missed Cody. He wants a Star Wars book just like Cody. He wants everything like Cody!! Your son had quite an impact on Bubs! Must have been that 40 minutes or so bonding time at your house. He woke up this morning asked when he can have a sleepover with Cody. We’ll definitely have to get together again sometime soon!

Monsters vs. Aliens Cake

I haven't seen the movie, but P took the kids when it came out. Here's the B.O.B. cake I made for Bubs. It turned out to be a big hit!!!