March Madness

...unfortunately not speaking of the b-ball type...just our life right now, or mine at least. I am hoping I am making things as fun as possible for the kids...and as normal as possible. Ya see, mom is having housing issues again and as usual, this is a problem for all of us. As the house with the most space, it would seem natural for her to be here but that is not easy either. These are issues for another blog on another day...this is a happy place to talk about my boys; not my mother.

So Brooksy....wow you are getting big! I say that each and every time, but its true! You and I have had one heck of a winter with stomach bugs but you seem to take it all in stride and are the star getting me through the tough times right now. I love to hear you talk. I love having CONVERSATIONS with you! I love sitting with you at lunch. It's nearly as good as having lunch with a girlfriend! We ate at the Corner Bakery together this week and not only did we talk and eat together but we were having fun doing it. I wouldn't have traded it for the world. You proudly climbed the big kid play structure at the gym this week while I looked on and were so happy for me to see you do it. Your little personality is shining through in everything you do. This morning Cole and I had to wake you. You weren't surprised at all when we walked in, you jumped up in bed and surprised us! It is hard to describe how funny you are and how much you are just one more piece in our family's puzzle.

Cole is making amazing strides in Kindergarten. I am so proud of your READING abilities. I love to hear you read books, signs, magazines, anything out loud! Your class has also begun to tackle math and you have a natural talent with numbers. We are keeping a journal that we write in each night. I love to look at the progress you have made in a few short months. I am looking forward to spending next week with you...its Spring Break, and Brooks and I get to spend all day, every day with you. Even after three-quarters of the school year gone, we still miss you during the day and look forward to spending more time with you.

Forgotten February?

Yep February came...and it went. It didn't go unnoticed. Winter was here...mild, but here. School happened. Brooks and I hung out and did our usual routine: gym, lunch, nap, get Cole. There was a playdate or two thrown in there. Craig and I spent the month awaiting our passport renewals so we could plan a 10th Anniversary trip away. By Valentine's day, they were here and our trip was booked. Our trip to Jamaica was fantastic! It was wonderful to spend time with my sweetie. Our boys made it way too easy to leave. As much fun as our bigger adventures may be, it is our ordiinary days that I love more than anything. On Friday there was a Dr. Seuss inspired Read-in at Cole's school. He insisted on wearing his Dr. Seuss hat, bowtie and gloves. His teacher pulled me aside at dismissal and said the teachers were tickled at his cuteness all day. He's such a silly guy...and insisted on wearing the same get up today to the St. Patty's day parade. Brooks sends me into a laughing fit daily with some action or phrase. I'd say the funniest thing for today is him yelling out the door "Cole Harper!!!!" I mean really....when did he learn his brother's full name? and when did he begin to yell it just like I do? LOL!

Spring has sprung?

Not really...but I can dream! Actually it has been a rather mild winter so far, with the high reaching 60 today. Even with the higher temps, we've had a low key month. I have been entertained with brooksie's ever increasing vocabulary and Coles amazing ability to read simple books. One of the highlights of my month is that Cole has finally decided to master nighttime potty training! It has taken a while but what a glorious triumph now that we are there! There have been so many blogtastic moments this month, I am saddened that I have been too lazy to write about them. On the same note, it has been a very somber, reflective month. One that for some reason leaves me very thankful for my family, my friends and for the life that I have. Nothing bad has happened to me per say, just things around me...joepa's passing, a friend of a friend's hubby dying from cancer, nanny having yet another heart procedure, learning that life can be unfair even to people we love so much. Why do bad things happen to good people?

Of Kie-Kies and Lovies: love at first nite-nite

I had a conversation with Cole this week about the blanket that he carried as a baby, the same one he still sleeps with today. we talked about where it came from and how it was his uncle Justin's when he was a little boy. Cole nodded his head and proudly announced that he didn't need kie kie to sleep with him at night anymore. Fast forward a few days to 230 am this morning when a very upset 5 year old enters our bedroom, crying that he cannot find kie kie. Make up your mind kiddo!

Both of my boys have had a comfort item. That thing that they just had to have to play, to eat, to sleep. I remember lugging around Cole's blanket when he was young and being a little disgruntled that everywhere we went kie-kie came too. Wasn't it enough that I had to carry a bag big enough to fit a small child filled with all the necessary items for a baby, 2 jackets, but also a blanket ta boot? We never lost kie-kie, I was too afraid of the consequences, but we left him in familiar places plenty. Thankfully he was always retrievable.

When Brooks became attached to a small piece of fabric also known as a burp cloth, that was okay with me. It was small and most of all replaceable if lost! It was easy to clean and of course, it gave him comfort. What is it about these things that seem to replace us parents at times? I know I am thankful for them. Not only do they provide peace in our house, at least when we can find them, but they are wonderful keepsakes for my boys.

Bring it on 2012!

As quick as the Christmas season came this year, it is already over and we are about to ring in the New Year! Well, at least those who stay up for that sort of thing :) Us? Nope, we're sitting in front of the Virginia vs. Auburn bowl game while a fire is burning in the fireplace and the kids are asleep upstairs. I wouldn't want to be any other place.
Christmas was full of excitement this year. The kids could barely contain themselves on Christmas morning and Cole's expression was priceless when he finally figured out that the plain cardboard box actually held the DS that he had asked Santa for. He hasn't put it down since, unless you count watching someone else play it, a tactic to gain more Mario cart players or courses to play! Brooks is bouncing around from toy to toy and the Elmo Live thinga-ma-jig held his attention for a minute. Oh well...some things ya get right, others ya don't! Overall, it was a fabulous Christmas with family gathering at our house for a meal. Our food was yummy and plentiful and we had seating for just about everyone, which was awesome to me! The only things that could have made it even better is if Nanny had been with us too :) Round 2 of visitors and Christmas brought Grammie and Shane the day after Christmas. We had a lot of fun opening presents, watching U-tube videos together and playing skeeball at Chuck-E-Cheese! Its so fun to let go and be a kid sometimes. Dave, Amy and the kids came for a visit a little later in the week. We took all the kids to one of our favorite parks and we also went to the Air and Space Museum in Chantilly for the first time. Pretty neat stuff...but a very tired crew!
I'd say we had a pretty good Holiday season and an overall great year. I feel truly blessed to belong to such a wonderful family and to have such great friends in my life. The hardest part of the year was saying "good-bye" to my Big little man as he entered into Kindergarten. No longer was he all mine, I suddenly had to share him with others. Of course I know this is just the way things go, but I miss him just the same.

Happy New Year Everyone!

Cookies, Candy and Gingerbread...oh my!

The holidays are upon us and our annual gingerbread house decorating party was a success. Cole is anxiously awaiting Santa's arrival and is still excited about Jingle's location each morning. That little elf hides in the silliest places. Today he was perched above the table in the chandelier so that he could see all the decorating going on. It was wonderful to have friends and family together to do something fun and I hope it continues as a yearly tradition.
Most of our daily activities lately have been in preparation for the holiday in some way. Shopping, cookie making and decorating are a few of the things we have been doing. I helped at cole's school last week during their gingerbread man making party. They are learning about gingerbread men at school and several variations on the story. They made big gingerbread men from paper and hung them in the halls at school. Each day a few sneak into the classroom! Such a cute idea.
Cole and brooks visited Santa on Friday and both were agreeable to getting their picture taken. Cole told Santa he wanted a DS for Christmas and Santa nodded in agreement. I sure hope he plans on getting him one because Cole was pretty sure that his nodding meant yes!

Countdown

I've been very busy lately of all things, making hair bows! My first ever craft fair was this past weekend and I am thankful for it to be over so that we can enjoy the entire holiday season. We made our countdown paper chain last week and Jingles, the elf, showed up. This weekend we decked the halls, both inside and out, and had lots of fun doing it. Brooks loved decorating the tree and loves the entire season. The big item on his wishlist this year is a Ds. We'll see if Santa brings one ;)

Happy Thanksgiving

It's been nearly a month since my last post and its not so much that I haven't had the time (or thought about) writing on the blog, I just plain ole' have been enjoying life with my boys. It is Thanksgiving Day and I am sitting in Grandma and Pap's living room, while the boys watch the Macy's Day Parade, A tradition that I cherish. Brooks exploded as the Sesame Street, Elmo specifically, float appeared on the screen and Cole was amazed at how the Rockettes could swing their legs in unison! It's the little things I am so thankful for this year. New words Brooks is speaking, Cole reading his first book (wow!), home improvements coming together to make our home truly OURS, and the not so little things too...amazing friends, a loving family, and all the blessings one could ever ask for. Happy Thanksgiving everyone.

Happy Halloween

the entire gang went a trick-or-treatin this year. We pulled the boys along in the wagon and headed for busier streets (because ours is a cul-de-sac and NO ONE trick-or-treats on it). It was pretty fun but I still long for the busy, festive streets of our old neighborhood in Del Ray. Wow that was fun...spooky music, people hanging out on porches, and lots and lots of kids in costume. I do think this is the best costume year we've had yet. I loved Brooksy's costume so much he wore it all day! Cole looked incredibly cute at Peter Pan~ I so wish he could have worn it to school. Happy Halloween everyone!

Happy Birthday Baby Boy

Sweet, Intelligent and Independent...those are the words that best describe Brooks at age 2. You don't mind playing on your own, but definitely prefer to play with your big brother. We went to Chik-fila for your birthday tonight where you climbed to the top, with Cole's help, of a gigantic play structure. I was concerned you'd get up there and change your mind, you looked down and laughed and kept going up, up, up! What a big boy you've become. You are a pro at blowing out candles and you have new words daily. "Emmy" was your new word on Monday ....Sunday's was "tackle" (as you tackled Cole!). Tuesdays word was "apple" and I think you were asking for "tea" at dinner tonight. I also loved the squeal of absolute glee when I asked if you wanted a milkshake after dinner. My favorite birthday gift you received were the coolest high top Converse sneakers ever....yours, well that is to be determined but a sock monkey that Pap and Susan got you is becoming a quick favorite.

Top 5 Things I've learned about Kindergarten....so far

1. Your child is not yours anymore....at least not between the hours of 8:30 and 3:20. School policies strictly forbid anyone from being in the school,other than the main lobby, during school hours. Try it and you will pay dearly! Seriously, I have been to Cole's classroom 2x now~ once at orientation and the second time for back to school night. Yes you can volunteer but it must be planned and they practically have to do a background check!

2. You will have more homework and stress about homework than you've ever had in all the years of your own education (all 20 years of it!). Seriously, while as an adult this may sound easy, try learning (or teaching) your five year-old his phone number, address, how to spell and write his full name, the concept of capital and lower case letters, how to stroke letters properly (for those who don't speak teacher talk~ that is how to write a letter in normal language~ all in the first 3 weeks of school. Seriously, it's enough to give me gray hair (I mean more gray hair!)

3. Teachers and parents speak a different language...and there are no interpreters. Stroking, stretching? Sounds like an aerobic activity (and a pornographic one) to me! Little did I know, they have everything to do with teaching your 5 year-old how to read and write.

4. No one, and I mean no one, is exempt from raising money for the school. Nope...not even kindergarteners. Got our first fund raiser today...yeah!

5. There is no grace period. From day one as the parent of a school-aged child, you are expected to know all school lingo, abbreviations, rules, etc. I attended a meeting on Monday regarding becoming a room parent (I'm having a real hard time with the detachment thing....I want my child back!) and there were more acronyms used in the hour long meeting than I have heard in a long time!

The Do-It Yourselfers

So every once in a while I have to hijack the blog to write about plain ole' life. So here we are....deep in the midst of yet another home project. Sometimes I have to ask myself, how did we get here? Again! You see, we seem to have some kind of illness that requires us to be working on something in whichever house we are calling home at the moment. The amazing thing is that as we are in the middle of a project, we vow never to do another big project again...and then...you guessed it, we do! Before we had kids, we would spend our weekends ripping apart kitchens, redoing plumbing, drywall and dabbling in electrical work. You'd think we would have gotten it out of our system. When we bought this house, it was perfectly fine! Not a thing needed fixed or replaced...unless we wanted to. So the first project was a few cabinets in the family room...we had to get the TV off the ground and up on a wall (yes we hired this one out but there was still plenty in this project for us to do!). Next came the kitchen ~ new cabinets, counters and sink. Now its on to the floors, a project that, as always, proves to be harder than we initially thought. Wish us luck or we might kill each other before its all over!!!!

Job well done

The first week of school is over and that meant it was party time! Cole and Emory had the honor of being the flower girl and ring bearer in Justin and Emily's wedding held in Virginia Beach over the weekend (on 9.10.11!). We had planned to leave Thursday evening but the torrential rains (did NOT stop raining for an entire week with 7 inches of rain on Thursday alone!) left flooded roads and heinous traffic so our departure was delayed until Friday morning. The wedding was a blast. We danced to our heart's content while Brooks was in dream land at Scott and Allison's house. Emily was a beautiful bride. Justin was a handsome groom in his black tux with white suspenders and vest. The venue was the Virginia Aquarium and it was way cool to be able to visit the shark tank without a crowd around.

Upon our return home it was back to the groove of things with the first full week of school. We are midway through the week and Brooks and I are finally finding a new groove. I think the trick is to keep ourselves busy :) Cole's teacher, Mrs. Sheaffer has mentioned to me at pick up time that Cole is very well behaved in her class and if he were her child, she would miss him all day (all of this unprompted, she must see the sorrow on my face!). She also commented today that he is an "old soul". So odd since our nickname for him has been Little Man from the time he was a baby.

That's all for now, it's late....

Kindergarten, Here I Come!

Kindergarten, here I come!
I know I'll have lots of fun.
Lots of things to make and do,
Reading, writing, counting, too.
Kindergarten, here I come!
I know I'll have lots of fun.

The day I have looked forward to and dreaded all at the same time is finally here. In the middle of the summer, when you and your brother had me at whit's end, I had to remind myself that these were our last weeks together and very soon you'd be off to school and Brooks and I would be wondering what to do with each other. Oh how we are going to miss you!

You are so excited to start school. I don't even think you'll cry tomorrow when Daddy, Brooks and I walk you to the front door. You'll be armed with your backpack and your lunchbox. Mommy packed you a PB&J cut into a dinosaur shape....I hope you like it. At orientation you met your teachers and said they were both nice. You explored your classroom with lots of anticipation and acted as if all that was new was going to be a breeze. You were timid to introduce yourself to any of your classmates but that will come with time.

I'm proud of you buddy! I'm proud of your confidence. I'm proud of how brave you are to be starting this new, big experience. I'm happy that you are excited. I'm sad to be parting with our past routines. I will miss hanging out with you on the couch in the morning watching cartoons. I will miss my personal shopper during our excursions to Target. I will miss taking you the the park. Alas, I know we will have new routines, better routines. Just remember as you begin this new adventure~ Mommy loves you and oh by the way, I am perfectly fine with your idea from dinner today. You had the biggest smile on your face as you announced that you are moving back home after you finish college. You are always welcome even if Daddy says he is changing the locks!

22 months

At 22 months old littlest man is the entertainer in our family. You told daddy to "go" (while pointing your finger to your door) tonight as he was pestering you at night-night time. You are also extremely possessive of me. When daddy tries to hug me you come running. When you reach me, you throw your arms around me and say "mine". Cole, Daddy and I hang on your every word (come on they are SO cute!). You are independent and accident-proned. As one bruise heals, another takes its place in the exact same spot. You are one tough cookie. I removed a splinter from the palm of your hand tonight and you simply stared in interest at the pair of tweezers. You love your kitty and your assortment of loveys. You pile them all into your shopping cart and push them around the house. You cover them with a blanket and tell them "night-night"! You jump from the side of the pool with no fear and handle being dunked like a champ. All of that being said...you are growing up way too fast. Slow down little man, mommy wants you to be my baby forever.

Denver

We are finally into the month of August and I can say that the entire month of July was a blur of activity. The highlight of our month was our trip to Denver, Colorado with the boys. We spent 9 wonderful days exploring the City and its surroundings including a trip up Pike's Peak and a day of hiking in Rocky Mountain National Park. While visiting Denver our friends, Gabe and Karen (and their sons Colin and Cameron), allowed us to crash the apartment above their garage. It really was the perfect scenario. They lived in a neat planned community called Stapleton that had amazing pools and parks (and architecture!). The boys were in love with the park particularly. Highlights of our trip~

A day in Boulder, CO where we strolled the Pearl Street Mall and had a picnic on the grass. We also saw an absolutely weird street performer put his entire body through a toilet seat!

Altitude sickness at 14K feet! Poor Cole couldn't keep his lunch down when we got to the top of Pike's Peak....or halfway back down. Poor guy :( On the way down, we also got to mine a bag of dirt in search of hidden gems (and gold!).

Crazy white water...everywhere! Every stream, river or trickle of water seemed to have crazy rapids along its length at some point. Although hard to pick a favorite, the stretch of River close to the flagship REI near Downtown Denver was pretty darn cool! There was a large group of kids with inner tubes going down the rapids over and over. Such fun!

Searching for critters and waterfalls in Rocky Mountain National Park. I knew one of the highlights of our trip would be the Nat'l Park, it was one of the main reasons we headed to Colorado! Cole has had a passion about National Parks since we watched a DVD about Yellowstone. The Elk, marmots (groundhog like critters) and deer were really cool. We traveled up the Trail Ridge Road to a Visitor's Center and then back down to hike around Bear Lake and then on to a waterfall. One thing is for sure, our hiking days are just beginning. Both of the boys had a great time, even if Brooks slept in the pack most of the way up!

Free bus rides along the 16th Street Mall in Downtown Denver. A pedestrian friendly, shopping and eating mecca right in Downtown. This City knows how to do it right! Cole loved the free bus rides available from one end of the street to the other. I loved the paving details, planters and the level of activity along the street.

Red Rocks...need I say more? One of our favorite destinations in our entire trip was the amphitheater nestled among amazing and massive red stones. I would have loved to have seen a show there but we'll have to save that for another trip!

Cliff diving monkeys. Yep you read it right! One of our more random dinners was to a Mexican restaurant whose entertainment included a mariachi band and a cliff diving monkey (okay really it was a man in a costume, but it was funny!).

Super fresh brewed beer. I have a much greater appreciation for beer after having learned about the brewing process at the Coors Brewing Company in Golden, Colorado. I cannot believe we dragged our two young kids to a brewery, but even they thought the copper kettles, where they brew the beer, were really cool!

More to come in future posts..............

Photo Book

Click here to view this photo book larger

75 years and 21 months

What a July we've had so far! It's a little more than half over and it has been a whirlwind of activity. From our day to day FREE activities with family and friends to weekends full of fun we've been watching movies, going to the park, visiting the farm animals, attending free kids concerts....phew! One of our biggest events of the month so far is that Nanny turned the big 75! Of course we had to throw her a big shin-dig! Van and Cathy hosted at their house and ALL of the family showed up. It was a great time. We took the opportunity to take lots of photos, something I have been meaning to do more of when Nanny is around.
The second exciting event of our month is coming up in a day~we are headed to Denver with the boys! I am so excited to go on a trip with the family and I am looking forward to having lots of fun with all my boys :)

Happy Fourth!!!

We had a great day celebrating the Fourth, despite not really having any plans! In our usual fashion, we spent the morning at the City of Fairfax parade. Followed by the Old Fashioned Fireman's Day and then back home for some fireworks in the evening with the Ward family. It was pretty close to a perfect day...friends and family.

20 months

wow little guy time is passing so quickly. Its hard for me not to look ahead and think in only 4 months you'll be two! I can only wish that the next four months go slowly but I know better, the summer always goes fast.

Your speech skills have gone berserk over the last few weeks. My favorite word to hear you say is "kitty" which comes out sort of foul beginning with the "t" sound (and almost always draws laughter from your audience) but it is still amazingly cute. You can also say cheese, pap, maw-maw, nanny, cookie and so many more that I can't remember with my end of the day mommy brain.

We've just returned from our first beach trip of the season. After a very long car ride, we arrived in Swansboro, NC to visit Uncle Jussie at his new house. We went to the beach on two consecutive days and you would have thought I brought two different little boys with me. On day one, you had no interest whatsoever to put your feet in the water...all sand for you....on day two, you discovered just how much fun jumping in the waves could be (with mom's help) and I could barely chase you off the beach! I could never trust you alone long enough to run back and grab the camera but I would loved to have had a picture of you laying in the sand and water, rolling in it and pouring it all over yourself. Did that really feel good? You sure made it look fun!

Emmy came with us too and she and Cole had a blast together. Two peas in a pod as usual. They are both great BIG siblings. Always making sure you had something to play with (or was it stealing away the toys?).

Last weekend we went strawberry picking. You were a bigger helper than your brother, who seemed to complain endlessly. You loved to pick and eat the strawberries. I brought them home and made jam. Hopefully you enjoy eating that too.