What they wonder about...

Zachary is fascinated by people from other countries. Today preschool discussed Mexico. He has been talking about it all day! He has told me all about the weather in "mexican" and what they were. He is very interested in learning about China. Whenever we have what he calls "china-food" it starts a whole new series of questions. What do the people look like, how do we get there, do they live in houses...it makes me wonder what he is thinking. You can almost see the wheels turning in his head sorting out all of this information. Later this week he will be learning about Japan and he is so excited about that. I love this age of learning and discovering!

I am my child's advocate.

I have some pretty great kids. For all of the craziness I know how lucky I am. As a parent I think we constantly worry about doing the right thing for our kids. I had a simple thought last night...there is no right or wrong way to do this. No one has the perfect answer and even those that seem like they do probably don't. I am my child's advocate, no one is going to do that for me and while some decisions come easier than others, even the toughest ones will work out in the end.

That said, we have been struggling to find the right mix to help Logan deal with his ADD. I have not said much about it, just processing a lot internally I guess. It took over a year to diagnose and now we are 8 months in, trying to find the right balance for treatment. I feel responsible for each little struggle he goes through and an amazing amount of pride for each hurdle he overcomes. What a different a year makes. He is doing so much better in school this year and I am so proud of him.

Looking at Zachary and wondering what life has in store for him too. He and Logan are such different individuals. I imagine Zach will find fun and excitement where ever he goes in life.

Much can be learned from a conversation we had this morning:
Zach: Mom, we're not going to live with you when we grow up.
Mom: Oh? where will you live?
Zach: Well, we will be superheros so we will have our own base.

Yes, yes you will bud.

Rollin with It

Well summer is winding down and I am not yet ready for Logan to return to school. I wish we were a bit more structured in the summer but otherwise it has been fun so far and really I only have myself to blame for that lack of structure. Been doing lots of "stay-cation" type trips and it is so fun to discover new places with the boys as well as visiting old favorites.

We have finally come to a turning point with all of the investigating into whether or not Logan has a learning disability and the good news is that not only does he not have one, according to the testing he has done this summer he is right where he needs to be as far as grade level and abilities. The tough part is that he is just over the threshhold for ADHA. He isn't that super hyper kid that you see in the classroom bouncing off the walls but he is lacking the ability to pay attention. And it just about broke my heart to listen to the therapist decribe the struggles she observed in him during her classroom visit in June. So the next step is the possibility of medication and also a support group our doctor offers for the kids. It will be good for him to understand he is not alone in these feelings. I have been against medication from the beginning, but at this point we have done everything physically possible to help him, we owe it to him to give this a try.

Countdown to FUN!

Still working out the kinks of being home. "What's the big deal?" you ask??? I dunno. I guess I just wonder if I am doing all that I could be doing for my kids my husband and our home. I often find myself worrying that I somehow fall short in this area. There really is no way to judge success by anything other than failure and by then, isn't it too late?? And I miss working. At least part of me does. I always said my career was what I did NOT who I was but maybe I was kidding myself. So much of what I did really defined me as a person.

But that said, I still LOVE being home. Helping Logan as he is struggling with school and being able to be there for all the little moments that shape him on a daily basis, nothing is better than that. AND I have the joy of spending the days with Zach, teaching him his ABC's and counting. It is so fun.

So, that leaves us with the adventure. :) Logan has been playing flag football again and loving it. He wants to play tackle next year. Not sure I am ready for that. His nickname is the Bus. Zachary decided yesterday that his nickname should be "Meat" So now I have my two boys, Meat & Bus. (Please insert eye roll here)

More to come I am sure. Getting ready for a summer of adventure!!

Love Your Life

Everyday is still an adjustment sometimes. I love being home but it is strange. I get tired of doing the same things day after day. But on the other hand I love taking Logan to and from school everyday. I love doing little things with Zach that I would miss if I was working. Logan has told me that "You better not get a job!" He really likes me staying home.

And I do too.

the Challenge

I am so enjoying this opportunity to finally stay home with the boys and just be a Mom. It is hard and I miss working but I love this life. So many things I have wanted to do but never had the time before.

We have had a great summer. Despite the challenges of unemployment I know the rest of the year will be great too!!

Summer Fun!

Love those boys!

Dirty Words...

Logan learned a new word this year as a first grader. Lets just say "B-hole" rather than spell it out. He has been in trouble enough times to know not to say it. But alas this seems to be a popular word among first graders. So he slipped a few weeks ago and called Zach a B-hole. Well, Zach, being his typical 2 year old self began repeating this beautiful word.
Finally I told Logan that if he said it again of if I heard Zach say it again, Logan would be the one getting his mouth washed out with soap.

Sure enough, I am checking out at the grocery store and Zach begins to chant b-hole b-hole b-hole. Thank goodness we are the only ones that can decipher it....for now.
Of course I caved and did not use soap on either boy.

However I think Logan did learn his lesson this morning. As they were eating breakfast, Logan was behaving like his usual grumpy morning self and Zach turned to him and said, "you a buh-ol, Lolo!" Hard not to laugh. And of course the more you tell a two year old not to say something the more they do it, right?

So all said and done, as we are leaving the house Logan turns to me and says, "Zach hurt my feelings when he called me a B-hole" And yep, I said it...I said, "well then you shouldn't be teaching him those bad words." HA! Yep, I am that mom.

The Play

Logan was in what he calls a "play" last night. All of the first graders performed some songs for the parents. He even had a solo part. And yes I teared up a little. He is growing so fast!!! I can't believe he will be in 2nd grade next year. I am so proud of him and everything he does.

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

The morning began with a trip to the airport. We dropped Rob off at 8:15am and he will be gone for a week. A great opportunity for him to learn and interact with the best of his company. Then began the drive to my mom's. Only about an hour and 45 minute trip, but we stopped on the way to play at a park and then bathrooms break at McDonalds.

We picked up a few cookies from McD's for the road and we were on our way. Then it happened, about 5 miles from my mom's house Zach puked. It was just like a volcano erupting. Just kept coming and coming.

So flew to mom's house, stripped him down, plopped him in the tub and cleaned out the car.

After that was pretty smooth sailing. But I swear where ever we go we bring a reign of chaos with us. I think people might even avoid us when possible :)

Zach is fine today, its as if it never happened!

Oh the CHAOS!

Just a brief glimpse into my daily life...
This morning as I struggle to get the boys into their coats, the dog locked in her crate and search for my phone I had just about reached the end of my rope. And then I notice Logan is sticking tiny stickers to the wall below the liquor cabinet. WHY?? I had to laugh, why would he do this? I helped him take them off while explaining how displeased his father would be with it, which is apparently why he was doing it...thought it would be funny. And while he and I were picking off the stickers (seriously there were about a dozen of them) I turned my head in time to see Zachary opening up hershey kisses, biting off the tops and then leaving them on the table! No wonder he was so quiet.

These are the moments that crack me up.

The good life...

Kids are growing so fast. Zachary now says "Aye LLLll yu maa-maa" which of course means I love you Momma. :) Logan is having a little trouble with reading as in he doesn't want to do it. Which is baffling to me. He loved it a few short months ago. So we struggle with that a little bit. Just one more hurdle to conquer I guess.

Rob is working like a dog and coming home only to fall into bed. I so wish he would find another job. We will keep our fingers crossed for him.

All in all life is good. Just the daily small struggles to make you appreciate the big picture.

Blessings...

So many reasons to be thankful. Sometimes it is overwhelming to me how fortunate we are. My boys are such blessings. I truly believe I was put here on earth to be a mom. They are my joy.

Happy New Year!

The holidays were great! All the kids are happy and healthy and we are too. Can't ask for more than that! Got some cute pics over the holidays too. Logan received karate lessons and a karate uniform from Santa tha he just loved.

Zachary's favorite gift from santa was a mini-vacuum. I am hopeful that when he turns ten he will do my housekeeping! :)

They have such fun together. Of course Zach thinks his big bro hung the moon!

Will post better pics once I get a chance!

How cool is this?

He loves the hat, thinks its so cool...but won't wear it unless he's playing in the backyard.

I think it is awesome too! Did I mention I made this myself?? Funny how he hates being in the spotlight. Funny little guy

More fun...

This time of the year is always tough. I find myself wishing more than ever that I could stay home with the boys. I feel homesick when I am at work. :) Of course there are days when going to work saves my sanity, but overall I wish I was home.

Logan had a taste of deer hunting on Saturday night. Cailin tried but she was turned off by just sitting there I think. Logan tells me he and his dad heard a deer nearby when they were leaving the coop. But they never actually saw a deer. Bummer. I can't imagine what would have transpired if they had seen one! He was really excited about going hunting though! Too cute. He is his Grandpa's little buddy for sure!

The end of a season....

The football season is finally over. I had so much fun as Logan's coach and would definitely do it again, but I have to admit I am glad we are done. No more Sunday afternoons monopolized by somewhere we HAVE to be. I treasure our Sundays we spend together as a family just kicking around the house. I sure am going to miss those boys though! Logan has me playing our two man version of flag football in the back yard as often as we can. Hard to do lately now that the sun is going down earlier...that and this week it is just me and the kids. Rob is at my folks house hunting for the week. So far all has gone well, of course it is only Weds! I met with Logan's teacher yesterday and we need to be working on his fine motor skills as he is having a hard time writing. He can do it but it is taking him longer than it should to write things out. Both the boys are at such fun ages. Logan is trying to read every word he sees and wants to read his books while I read mine so he can practice his reading. Zach is discovering new words every day...it is so fun to watch him master different words. He is just starting to recognize colors which I think is AWESOME! Such a smartie!

Halloween 2008

It was great! Logan and Zach both had fun trick or treating. I thought Zach would be scared of the strangers and such but he had a ball. He would let go of my hand and take off across someone's yard as fast as he could to get to the candy! It was so cute! See below for a picture of his treat pail...He barely went down the whole block but he still raked in a good haul!

He went as Zorro this year....Logan quit letting me select his costume at age two so I figure this was my last year to dress Zach up.

Logan was Obi Wan this year. I made/modified both boys costumes....I think they turned out pretty cool if I do say so. And of course Pickle has to get into almost every shot. If she's not careful she will wind up wearing a costume next year! It was a perfect night. We had a bonfire in the drive way (portable fire pit....not a ghetto fire) and the neighbors came over for spiced cider. Perfect weather too!

Campfires!

I admit, when my husband suggested a bonfire last Saturday I was less than enthused. That usually means we all smell like smoke, the kids stay up too late and I am stuck with the clean up afterward. But this time was different. I was so happy, he actually had ideas for things the kids could do (see the apple bobbing pics below) and neat ideas for cooking over the fire too! When the kids were done bobbing for apples he baked them over the fire and filled them with cinnamon & sugar. Then he roasted cornish hens on a spit. The kids had a blast and we finally had some long overdue family time together! It did get a little cold for the kids so eventually the kids & I went back in the house. This worked well, they got into their PJs and we watched a movie (Zach went to bed long before that!)

Sometimes I find myself wishing Rob would get more involved with what the kids are doing and show more interest. Then he goes and does something thoughtful with them. Maybe I am just crazily over involved or too much of a kid myself, or maybe it is just how guys are. I don't know. What I do know is I am one of the luckiest people on earth.

Look out Jack Hanna!

Here Logan edu-tains us with an informative presentation on snakes. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NvjxABaC5H8

I took this video over the summer. At the time his dream was to be a snake "strangler" someday! (snake wrangler) By now he has moved on to something else I am sure, at last check it was football player and hunterman.