Baseball!!!!

For those of you that don't already know, mike plays baseball in the challengers division for wiki valley little league. This year, the number he picked was no surprise . 7, "cuz I'm 7" . Most of the kids go with their age, but a couple of parents pick their own favorite number. Every year the kids play they are pleased of the same team as the year previous, so again he is a Cardnial. Good thing he looks so dang cute in red. The best part this year though is the number of new players added to the team that are his age and one from his class at school. Lily was stoked that her friends sister is on Mike's team because she has someone to play with, even though she spend most of her time on the field. Her and Liam play the second inning because Mike is pooped by then. So really it is a great family activity to get us out of our house on a Saturday.

Happy V-Day!!

It was a great day. The thing that brought me to tears though... Mike's Valentines notes. He was so excited when I picked him up from school. The first thing out of his mouth was "A tiny CUPCAKE!!" I believe this was from the typical first grade teacher, he goes in there class for an hour and ten minutes each day at the end of the day.
when we got home he went through the box from his class and was thrilled by all of the little gifts and I went through the ones from the first grade class. I told Darren that 20 kids in the class all happened to have brought the Phineas and Ferb notes or the teacher had them on hand just in case. I thought that was great that he got to be apart of the classes note giving. But the tears came when I noticed that 6 kids in the class (yep, I counted) remembered him when they put there notes together at home. I love that he gets to be a part of this class and I know that all of the kids really enjoy him being in there, but to see that he is remembered outside of school really touched my heart. (Way to make his great day mine, but he is mine and so we share this)

Lily loved her Valentines as well. In prep for today she signed her name to all of her notes last night and I put all of the names on. She wanted an extra one with her name just in case people forgot about her and then thanked herself today for being so thoughtful. Goofy kid.

Darren picked up cards for everyone and an orchid for me. He always does for me and one for me from the kids (why I cant be as thoughtful I don't know, but I appreciate his thoughtfulness.) He got one for each of the kids as well and I was shocked that Liam had any idea what a card was, but he turned it over and pulled the card out and sucked in his air (idk how to describe this but it is hilarious ) It was a winner. Dogs or balls = Liam

I started out this year wanting to be excited for all of the upcoming events of the year. I wanted to do something special for each holiday, but as the excitement builds I lose my momentum is the only way I can describe it. I am trying to be excited and trying to let the little things guide me. It may take a bit. I just have to find the balance.

Let's play catch up

Well, to be totally honest, we have been busy. However, nothing new and exciting (almost). School is going well for the kids, no fights or anything. Mike is working on speaking in complete sentences, such as, "The boy is in the boat." instead of "Boy in boat". He is getting better. On my Birthday my family came over for our traditional "Pizza Birthday Dinner" and Mike announced to everyone walking through the door, "Is Mommy's Birthday!!" Really, I big step. We keep encouraging "is" because this is most often left out, now it is in everything. "Is, watch TV", "Is my lunch". BTW, not questions, just statements. Still pretty good. I swear the kid has grown 6 in this year! We will see next month when he goes in for his annual though. He helps me pack his lunch every day and is not so happy that he doesn't get pizza everyday. I did let him buy his lunch one day when they were having Dominos Pizza. His teacher said He told everyone that day that he was buying lunch with his own money and he is going to have Pizza! She did also said that he was so excited though that after he got through the line and got his tray, it was kinda like, "now what?"

Lily has made it very clear that she is both my perfect angel and little devil. Right when I think things are going well and we have no complaints, BAM! Here comes Hyde. She is really great with everything, helping, loving, playing nice, sharing, getting everyday routines done. But she flips the switch when it comes to cleaning up and eating dinner. I love her, but these grays are really showing. She loves school and has no problem making friends. I love that. Her hair is looking more and more like Rapunzel. It has passed the middle of her back now.

Liam has 2 chipped teeth out of the 7 in his mouth. And that little skin that connects your lip to your gums on the top is now split. He hits his mouth at least once a week. We went to the dentist and they asked if he had ever been before, "Really?! He is 15 months old" (this was 2 months ago) The dentist said that as soon as they start getting teeth, it is never too early. Puh-lease!! Well we have been, so I guess it isn't to early. I stand corrected, however I would not have been there if it hadn't been an emergency. He is talking more though and understands so much it is crazy. I do compare Lily and Liam a lot though. Lily at this age would scream "NO!! I want to stay with Michael!" as we would leave preschool at this age. Liam just screams. The teacher Lily has is the same that Mike did and recalls the same stories.

Quick funny side story though. A few weeks ago I got a speeding ticket. We were in T.O. for a kiddo Dr. appt. and it had been a looong day. On our way home, Liam cried the whole time, Lily and Mike argued about video games and were hitting each other and then crying about it. I had had enough!! I was just driving, nothing more.
I went to change lanes to exit onto Yosemite and looked in my rear view mirror to see flashing lights. I couldn't even hear him tell me to exit the freeway and park till I screamed and the kids went silent for a moment.
Lily asked why we are stopping here and not going home. I said I didn't know.
When I rolled down my window, the officer didn't even ask, all he said was "you were going to fast" and asked for my papers.
Again Lily "what does he want?"
I respond "I was going to fast and now I am in trouble."
Officer came back and said I was going 82 mph and asked it I had looked at my speedometer.
I responded "no, The kids were screaming and I wanted to get home" The were dead silent.... REALLY NOW!!
He was kind and I got a little ticket and he said it looks like I have my hands full. As I started to pull away
Lily asks "Are you speeding now, mommy?"

My birthday weekend my Uncle and his family were here, but not for me. Their kids are growing like weeds!! Chrisma and Lily get along really well and had some fun, but not enough. She and Rajan are so good with my kids, so helpful and keep them occupied so well! It was awesome to shop!

I drove to my sister Samantha's the weekend before Thanksgiving, for my niece's first birthday. It was great. The kids really do a great job in the car, despite the previous story. They had a great time visiting Aunt Samantha, Uncle Mitchell and MaeLynn.

My cousin Taylor was with my grandparents for a couple of days and she came over for 2 of them to hang out and play with the kids. I think it was a good break for them and for her.
(in preping for Thanksgiving, Lily said "Wow, do I have a lot of cousins." She doesn't, only 4, but I have a lot of younger cousins that are my kids age
Then for Thanksgiving we were at Darren's parents with his Aunt, Uncle and cousin, as well as his bother's family. It was a lot of fun for everyone. The kids got along so well!! I can't even begin to tell you what a relief it is when 6 kids can play with minimal squabbling. Then at midnight, my mom-in-law and I were at Kohls, waiting to get in. We were in and out in a half hour with everything we needed!! It was her first "Black Friday" experience and hopefully not her last.

Aside from these little things, we're just hanging out....

Take 3

2 Weeks ago I stepped on Mike's glasses ($290) in the van after he threw them. Not my fault, but I will take the blame since I knew he threw them and still got in the van without looking first. I bent them in the wrong place of course, so off to Costco we go. He got a new pair and I even sprung for the transitions. ($136) They looked super cool as both the regular glasses and the sunglasses. The only problem was that I didn't get them to tight around his ears, so they slipped all the time for the whole week and a half. Friday I couldn't find them before school, so he went without them. Friday afternoon, they were recovered. Friday, late afternoon, they were broken. That's right. Mike snapped them and tried to hide them under one of our big lounge chairs. Smart, but Dad saw the whole thing, not so smart. Yesterday, we went to Costco to order a new frame (same ones, just snap the lens in was my thought) I explained to the girl what happened and she said that they are only covered if it is a manufactures defect, but the super sweet other girl said to give it to us anyway!!!! Can you believe it!? 2 weeks and he will have new glasses again. Love Costco.

First Day of School

Sorry I am a little late with this, but it is still September, so not that late and it is only Lily's second week. ;)

Mike began 1st grade and is loving it. I have to admit that as we head into the later afternoon, I do miss him around and look forward to going to get him. What I do not look forward to, is the ridiculous line of cars parked on the street. If I get there a half hour before school gets out I may get a spot close to the pick up area, but then I get blocked in by all of the people parked on the street. If I get there 15 minutes before school gets out then I have to park almost on the next block and we walk 1/4 of a mile (literally). If I get there right when school gets out (and mike has been waiting 5 min because the SDC's walk to the front of the school 5 min before hand to get on the buses without all of the chaos) and then I have to wait another 10 before I can get a parking spot or drive through the parking lot like a mad women and get yelled at by both parents and parking aids. I do pay attention to the cars that wait an hour in the "parking line". There is a friend that Mike made in the Kindergarten class whose mom is always 3rd or 4th in the line, that I see as I walk with my 2 kids in tote to get Mike and then still parked waiting for her kids on my way back to the car with 3 kids now. And the 3 or 4 cars in front of her haven't moved either. Can you tell this cheeses me off a little.
Any way... Mike is loving 1st grade. In the afternoon, it is one on one in the class and so he gets a lot of undivided attention and really worked. He is quite tired when he gets home and for the first week and a half he was taking naps again or going to bed super early (6:30). He is making lots of new friends and I thought is was super cute when he saw a pic of one of the aids in the class and got excited "Mr. Ryan, Mr. Ryan, in my class!" I do love that there is a male aid in the class, it changes the dynamics of things and I really appreciate how awesome he is with the kids. He is another boys "one on one", but is helpful with everyone.


Lily finally got to start school... Really it was just having to wait till after Labor Day, but for her it felt like months after Mike. She is back in the Peer Partner Program and so glad to be. All of her friends from last year moved on, but she is making new friends. One of the peers in the other class we have known for a while we will call her A. Her sister and Mike were there together and we would always wait together to pick them up. So the girls have gotten to know each other over the years. Last year her friend went there as well, but on different days, this year they get to see each other every Thursday. Lily was thrilled. You really would have no idea they even liked one another because when we see A out in public neither of them will say hi or hardly even look at the other one. It is so goofy, but both teachers said the girls were so excited on the playground when they saw each other. Lily is with all boys, so I do hope they get to play together often.

Groopdealz.com

If you haven't seen this site, you should. Every day the feature a different seller with an amazing deal. Lots of the time it is a craft thing, but most of the time just a unique item great for a gift, decorating or just to keep for yourself.

Here is my link:(i get $5 for every 3 people i get to buy something, and trust me, this goes a long way!!)
http://www.groopdealz.com/index/index/deal/331/ref/51554

I will take a pic of lily wearing our latest purchase!! Too cute!!

Almost to an end!!

I know that most people don't look forward to waking up early and going back to school, so maybe I am a terrible mother, but I can't wait!! It has been a good long summer and the kids are ready (I am ready) to get back some normal routines. We are very much a routine family and need some of that structure back in our lives.

I do feel bad that I didn't do more with the kids this break and Mike did only attend 2 of the 4 weeks of summer school, but the days went by so quick and I am realizing more every day how much more difficult it is for me to do things with all 3 kids, mainly cuz Liam can't do much.

We did start the summer with a bang though. We went to the zoo and hurricane harbor. Hit the park a couple of times (one year old and parks are not a whole lot of fun) and then recently went to chuck e cheese's. The kids did "Grandma's Camp" and attended their first baptism (my nephew Gregory, the first on Darren's side of the cousins to be).

Next year, we are going to hit summer with a PLAN! I see all of these people making "summer bucket list" s and I am going to do the same (just not call it that, I don't like the title) I also think I am going to hold a 6 week craft camp for a little structure in our lives, and some time to interact with their friends and possibly make some new ones.

Now for the funnest part of our summer. Darren has off for the next 3 weeks and we will be going to San Diego for Sea World and the Zoo and then camping with a group of friends. Disneyland will be next week (blackout dates SUCK) then school starts. The only bummer is, school starts, which for me means lots of people wanting haircuts, and me being out of town/time.