My Birthday Drawing

For my birthday, I asked Cole to draw a picture of us.

His explanation: We have lollipop heads and our sticks are going into the ground so we don't fall over. The dots and border are just designs, while the dots with lines going through them are fireworks. I love it!

His drawings are always very involved and have lots of designs and details. Here is a delivery truck (with packages inside, a headlight, and engine under the cab).

And here's an oldie but goodie from 2006 that I just scanned. In case it is hard to read the caption (it seems Color Wonder markers fade), it is titled "Mommy and Daddy Holding Hands."

The First Day of Preschool

What grown up boys!

Fighting over who gets to open the gate (a daily ritual)

I can't believe summer is over (even though it is still 95 degrees here). The boys started their new school schedule a couple weeks ago. Cole now goes five mornings a week, and Jay goes two.

It has been a hard adjustment for Cole. He hates to lose his free weekday mornings, and I can't blame him. I'm not sure I like him gone every morning. It makes me realize how fast he is growing up. Next year he'll be in full-day kindergarten. I don't know if my heart can take it!

He is also taking Mad Science class after school one day a week (he has decided he wants to be a scientist when he grows up because then he'll know how everything works). He was nervous about the class, but now he loves it. The kids learn a new concept each week (today was how eyes help us see) and get to keep fun toys relevant to the lessons.

Jay has had no trouble adjusting. He's been ready for a regular classroom for years! Last year, he would run into Cole's classroom, sit down at the table, and start whatever project the teachers had laid out. He gets so excited when he realizes it's his day to go. The only downside to his enthusiasm is that he never wants to leave. Quite a few times I've carried him out kicking and screaming!

His teachers have started encouraging him to use the potty. They tell me he tries several times a day by himself. He loves the little stall in the classroom and the small, kid-size potty. All the practice is actually working! Tonight he took off his diaper by himself and went. I'm so thrilled! I can't wait to be completely done with diapers. I shudder to think of the corner of the landfill we have filled with them.

The new school schedule means I have two mornings a week with no kids. Those three hours go by so fast! I plan to use them to exercise, but it's such a struggle. I really want to come home, make a nice pot of coffee, and read a magazine in peace. Hopefully I can get into a good routine.

"Mommy, Stop Taking My Picture!"

Try Not to Laugh

I gave Cole a time-out in my bedroom because I was giving Jay a bath and couldn't leave the area. When the four minutes were over, I found Cole wearing a neglige and a big goofy grin. It was so hard to keep a straight face, but the offense was serious (biting!), so I had to try to retain some composure. If only taking a picture would not have undermined the discipline!

Note to myself: Keep the time-out pillow far away from my pajama drawer!

A Week in the Life

Day One

Adventure Boy gave himself three boo-boos that will never heal because he keeps picking at them. When I get him up from his nap, his face is a bloody mess and he's chanting, "Me no pick. Me no pick. Me no pick." I know you picked, buddy. You can't fool me, yet.

I love these cute band-aids. I just didn't expect to use the entire box in one week.

Day Two

Rob was a whiz at Mock Trial and debate. He endlessly woos me with stories of his verbal prowess ((swoon)). I fully blame him for the following story.

Sunday afternoon, I wanted us all to eat in the dining room because we never eat lunch as a family. Cole wanted to eat in front of the TV. He spent a good 15 minutes outlining the reasons he should be allowed:

1. We ate with daddy yesterday.
2. I'll eat all my lunch.
3. It's my turn to decide.
4. I haven't watched a show in a really, really, really long time.
5. You know how you want time to yourself sometimes? I want time to myself too.

Rob, appreciating his effort and logic, would have caved. I held strong and only promised a show after lunch.




Day ThreeMe: They use chlorine to clean things, right?

Rob: Yeah.

Me: So, wouldn't swimming count as a bath for the boys?

Rob: I really don't think the Mother of the Year would ask that.



Day Four
Update to Chatterbox:

Jay says "la-la good-bye" for lullaby.

Cole says "Gril" for girl and "chicken" for kitchen.

Potty Talk You Don't Want to Hear

"Mommy, I had an accident!"

followed by...

"I made a pee moustache!"

[crazy laughter from the bathroom]