Scary...

crazy, wild little boy with no fear... BG started gymnastics last week and when we came home LB started doing somersaults off the couch and all over the place. At least he put the cushions on the floor first! He's also trying to 'fly' meaning diving chest first onto the cushions from the couch. So do I take him to the mom n tot 'gymnastics' and try to teach him how to do the stuff correctly or will that just encourage him to try more? LG's trying to do it too, but she can't even get her feet over when she tries to forward roll so I'm not too worried about her yet...

tagged?

OK, this is a new thing for me in the blogging world, but I was tagged by Laundry, Little Boys and Lattes. Here's the rules:

1. Post the rules on your blog
2. Write 6 random things about yourself
3. Tag 6 people at the end of your post

6 random things about me

1. I can't stand purposely misspelled words and sometimes avoid products or places because of it; ie Krispy Kremes or Kut 'n Kurl.

2. I love cooking, eating and working out, but recently the eating has been winning!

3. I like taking random side roads while driving, although not as often with kids in tow.

4. I know how to load a vehicle to it's maximum capacity and still fit 6 people in it.

5. I think I'm funny sometimes and have no problems laughing at myself.

6. I've been accused of sesquipedalianism, although my vocabulary has dwindled significantly in recent years.

I tag:
Galingers on the Go
Displaced Beachbums
Daily Dose of the Dentes
Somero Saga
Chaos in Motion
and I don't know anyone else who hasn't already been tagged!

On August 7, 2006

I was in the hospital for a much more joyous occasion than on August 7th of this year... We welcomed LG and LB to our family and haven't been the same since! I can't believe they are already 2 years old... Only a month late but here's a then and now:









and a 'nice' little poem my sister Melissa wrote for me after they were born:

From two kids to four
just like that,
little twins that
made you fat.
They're bundles of love
sent from heaven above.
One's a girl,
the other's a boy,
two little babies
for twice the joy!

And some personality name games:

Joyful
Outgoing
Smiley
Infectious Laugh
Effervescent

Rough and Ready
Overdrive
Hop, Climb, Jump
Affectionate
NO!

One thing at a time

Since I have a lot to catch up on, I thought I would do it one at a time instead of one huge post... Don't want to overwhelm myself or anyone else! So back to school is next on the agenda:





Here's a couple of pics of the kids getting off the bus. A week into it and they are settling into their classes. BB was reluctant to give his man teacher a chance at first, feeling that he yelled at them all the time. I told him he had to give it a week and see how he thought of it after that. I figured it was just a matter of him having a louder voice than he was used to and seems I was right and he's feeling much better about his teacher now (and may even like him!). I'm not one who jumps in at the slightest hint of 'my child is unhappy therefore I must change everything.' I guess I want my kids to learn to get along with people and it would be a big diservice to BB to not teach him that there are many different people they will come across in life and that he needs to find a hopefully positive way to deal with all of them. Of course, I did do my 'research' first when I found out who he had and heard positive things about his teacher. I know there are a few teachers out there who are just mean or choose to pick on one child and in those cases I would offer some more concrete support to BB than just saying 'give the guy a chance before you decide you don't like him.'

BG is happy so far, although it is a long day for her. Poor girl falls asleep on the bus ride home almost every day. They get on the bus at 8:15 start school at 9:00 finish at 3:25 and are supposed to get home at 4:00 but the bus has been at least 15 minutes late every day! She is enjoying her teacher and friends and class so far and is already 'reading' her sight word books she's bringing home. I attribute that to Starfall.com for the most part, 'cause lazy parent that I am, I surely haven't been working on reading... After a few tears watching her get on the bus the first day (my little girl growing up so fast), I'm glad she's excited about school! LB and LG on the other hand really miss them both and ask for them all day and give them a big hug when they get off the bus. R points at every school bus he sees and asks 'Num? and Ba-belle?'

End of Summer

Melissa figured out my camera issues while she was here, so finally able to get the rest of the summer pictures downloaded and all that. Despite everything else going on, we did get some fun day trips and things like that in this summer.
When John was home we went to the REnaissance Festival in Sterling, New York. Always fun to see the funny people walking around and the interesting exhibits and little money traps set up everywhere. Kids really enjoy it, but I think John likes it most...

We also had a couple of evenings of just sitting by the fire pit, roasting marshmallows and probably the shortest backyard campout ever. Daddy told a scary story and 5 minutes later everyone was inside. Planned outcome??? Perhaps.

A little swimming trip to Remington Pond on post and to the playground there. Rohan kept going over to the boats because he didn't want to actually get in the water to get to the slide. After he saw that the slide led into the water, he lost interest.

We made it to Wescott State Beach a couple of more times, and Elowyn and the big kids and I spent a day in Alexandria Bay and took a short boat tour of a few of the 1000 Islands and Boldt Castle. Beautiful day, unfortunately no pics.

Definetely a lot to do here if we can get outdoors and get going! I look forward to next summer when we'll have a daddy around to do some of it with us...

Remember...

...September 11, 2001. Since I actually looked at the date today, just thought I would send out a reminder to everyone to say a prayer today for all the survivors and families of those lost and those still fighting for the senseless attacks on our nation seven years ago.

quick note

Just a quick note to let everyone know I'll be 'enjoying' some forced peace and quiet the next couple of days while my sister M takes care of the kids and other stuff. Thanks again to everyone for your support and she's got a list of numbers to call 'just in case' of anything! I've been meaning to post the rest of summer pics and first day of school comments, but that will have to wait until later in the week! Have a Blessed week!

Problem solved

My sister, M, called today and I asked her what she was doing next week (I was just assuming she was working so hadn't asked her earlier) and she said she had it off. So I asked if she wanted to come out here for a few days and just like that, she'll be here Friday night until Thursday! Kids taken care of, although I do thank my wonderful friends who were ready to step up to the plate for us! So on that note, I've had reason to really appreciate my friends and family lately and have my own list of great friend qualities as demonstrated by those around me. Trying not to be too sappy here's what I've valued in friendship lately:

1. Asking "what can I do?" and not getting offended when I don't know!
2. Offers and gestures of help and really meaning it even if I don't take you up on it.
3. Watching my kids and not telling me when they're stinkers if it's not necessary.
4. Keeping the 'gossip' and the pity to a minimum.
5. My family giving up their vacations to take care of me and mine.
6. Being kind and not pointing out the truths since I probably already know I've gained weight lately, I'm looking a bit tired and my kids are running around like banshees without shoes!
7. Ignoring the 'spaciness' which is much worse for me lately.
8. Listening to me 'whisper' and only making fun a little bit ;-)
9. Trying to make time for fun despite everything else going on.
10. Encouraging words without going overboard and embarrassing me...
11. The many people praying for me and my family.

And many more little things that make wonderful friends and make me feel so much better just knowing they're my friends. So just in case I forget to say it: Thanks, and I appreciate everything from all of you! I'm still not looking forward to being in isolation for 2-3 days but it's a lot better knowing I have so many great people around to count on...