First Day of School 2013

Kevin and I were at WalMart (on a protein shake mission) and I told him I need to find another small ice block for lunches.  "The two we have aren't enough?"  Yeah I forgot we had three kids in school too.

Patrick- 4th grade

He was really nervous but his best little friend, Erin is in his class and he's already made lots of new friends.  Including 39 other Raven friends  in his classroom (seriously 40 kids in a class, I bow down to these teachers).  He started cross country yesterday (begrudgingly) and really liked it.  He turns 9 on Monday and he told me last night that he is really going to enjoy 4th grade.  Hooray! 


Keith- 1st grade

Keith wears his worry in such a different way than his brother.   He was definitely a little nervous but  there is nothing like knowing your brother is there with you.  Keith has been full of energy when he gets home.  I thought he would want a nap, shows what I know!  Everything in first grade is VERY exciting.

Lauren- Preschool

This one has been ready.  Before we took her to school yesterday she was already proclaiming that she likes it.  I'm sure she's making an impression. I still find it hard to believe that she spends the day away from me.  It is so weird.

ACK!

Look at my face!

I'm not ready.  The kids have clothes, the boys' hair has been trimmed, the school supplies were purchased and organized weeks ago.... but I'M NOT READY.  I continue to refer to the first day of school as something that will happen at some point in the (distant?) future. 

Big changes for us this year (dig hole, stick head in).  Patrick is an upper grader, Keith is at school all day, and Lauren jets off to the preparatory academy (aka Preschool).  Don't let summer end yet!

We had an amazing summer, including our first family trip since Hawaii four years ago.  We spent a week at the beach and it was so much fun.  Can we go back?

Today when I thought about Lauren eating lunch out of her coveted lunch box without me there, I had flurries in my belly.  When Keith came in for yet another reassuring hug, my heart skipped.  When Patrick worried about the new year, I teared up. 

People keep reminding me that with Lauren at school, I have time.  Well, I don't really know what that means or what to do about that.  It isn't real.

I pray that my children will be lead by the ways of our God and not by the ways of this world.  I pray that they grow and learn and achieve to their full potential.  I pray that there will always be trials to make them better and stronger (I force myself to pray that most days).  I pray that Kevin and I will be strong role models for grace, love, compassion, leadership, integrity, and humor.  And I pray that whatever this new year brings that we grow in our love for one another and our family bond tightens against the icky stuff in this world. 

OK NOW I'M READY!

Backflips and Summer League

There is so much that I could say about the Patrick's swim season.  He's amazing and I am proud sum it up the best.
He's been in the pool Monday through Friday for two hours for swimming and water polo. 

All of his hard work paid off at the Summer Rec League Championships today.

That's a second place finish from the outside lane.  He improved every week and in total took 9 seconds off of his time from the beginning of the season.   He also made it to the finals in breaststroke.  Next year he will dominate in butterfly.

On top of all that he loved playing water polo this summer.  He even scored a whole bunch of goals. 

And read several books and made lots of new friends in between.   One swim season down, many many more to go.

Especially considering that his little sister is half fish.  Last week she taught herself how to do a backflip.  This video is on the big step but she taught herself how to do one off the wall too. She's swimming and she's ready to compete.

On a whim

We don't have a lot of opportunities to pack up the SUV and head to the beach on a whim.  Ok, I can't remember the last time we did that.... But yesterday we did it.  I punched Little Miss Planner Mom in the face and we hit the road with no real plans.  It was fabulous.  I think we are on Day 17 of triple digit heat so we headed to Monterey and highs of 63.

The kids were so excited to go to the aquarium.  Patrick set his alarm for 5:00 am. We spent the whole morning at the aquarium and explored Monterey in the afternoon. 

Taking Lauren to the beach for the first time was the highlight of my day.  Kevin made sure that we went back to the beach we took Patrick to for his first trip.  The boys had fun chasing waves (Keith was soaked) and Lauren loved the sand and water (of course).  I was staying dry and enjoying my family.  At least until Kevin wanted to take a picture of me with the kids. 

 REAL LIFE.  An armful of discarded sweatshirts, Lauren by the armpit, dragging the boys in, and boom I'm soaked.  This is my motherhood.  Wet and wild.  I love it.

Since the planner mom was knocked out, we were short towels and blankets and other things I would usually bring.  We did have extra clothes for most people but sizing was an issue and Keith will forever remember wearing my clothes home.  good times/great memories.

Almost

Since Memorial Day Keith has been quizzing me each day about his status.  "Am I a first grader now?"  We are now one step closer to his dream of being in the first grade!  Today was his Kindergarten performance and I didn't cry! 

That's because I cried when he brought this home last week.  He volunteered for a (small) solo part in the performance.  "I don't know but I've been told!"

I wasn't sure why it was emotional for me (still is) until I finally realized what it meant, this kid who used to ask his brother to speak on his behalf volunteered to talk in front of everyone!  I am so proud of him.  His confidence isn't always the best so it is awesome to see him volunteer and perform. 

Also, he is just a really great kid.  Today was our annual meeting for his Individual Education Plan for Speech and he has just come so far.  It is easy to loss sight of the growth when you are entrenched in the dailiness of life.

He has worked really hard this year on speech and in school so it is great to see his team give him praise.  His speech teacher thinks that he might be done after next year. 

I am so proud of him and his hard work.  And I love the fact that he is a true original (he has a drum and he can hear the beat).

 His memory book.  We are so blessed to have an amazing Kinder Team!  One more Callahan kid to go!  And she is READY.

He's going to miss his BFF Cameron this summer.

This is for the 2 year olds, This is for the hustlers

Or hustlas if you are Snoop.  Point being, there's not a lick of difference between a 2 year old and hustler.  They are cunning, smart, and scary.

That's pretty much the whole reason my 2 year still used a pacifier up until this week (true confessions).  I'm scared of her....  I need my nap break to work and breathe and not wipe tiny butts.  I need her asleep all night long so I can drink wine, work, and actually have an adult conversation.

Several months ago we put a moratorium on the pacifier venturing out of the crib (or the house).  In extreme situations I let her have it but 98% of the time it stayed in the crib.  Except when she used her little hustler ways and appeared in the family room sucking on the thing.  So I started clipping pacifiers that made an appearance outside of her room.  Between the clipping and pacifier vortex, we were down to one pacifier.

When she took her single pacifier to Grandma and Grandpa's house last weekend I thought about warning her that it was the last one..... I didn't and it didn't come back.  Sunday night at bedtime she begged to call Grandma and get her pacifier back.  I suddenly grew a backbone and said no.  It. Has. Been. A. Long. Week.

Cold turkey.

No naps, save this one (the shop 'til you drop nap, not the most effective nap but a tried and true strategy)....

Naps have become a parade of excuses: I have to pee, I have to poop, I have an owie, I need some water, I not sleeping.

Yesterday she sat in her room talking to herself and when I opened the door she grinned at me and said, "I talking to myself." little hustler.  So she got up and did this...

Lots of whining and squealing in the afternoon.  She's not sleeping as long at night either.  This morning my early morning time is being interrupted by requests for milk.  Toddlers should not be allowed to wake at 6:00 am.  Oh well, this too shall pass.

But hopefully not too fast.




 

Things she says.

A few months ago my toddler was all but mute.

Now she's gone from mute to the great communicator.   Right now I can hear her talking to her baby dolls in bed, this has been going on for an hour.  Here are a few of her oft-used phrases.

1) No cart Mom!  No pants Mom!  with violent finger wag (she prefers walking and skirts/tutus)

2) Really, Mom?  Really?

3) What we doing here?

4) I need to tell you someting. 

5) Turn Raffi youder pease Mom.

6) I YIKE it!  MMM dis good.  (she is generally very positive about food)

Big Girl Bed...Begrudgingly

Begrudgingly on all of our parts.  I'm pretty sure she would have slept in her crib until she turned 16 but she loves her new bed.

First night in the big girl bed!

 This crib (pictured as a toddler bed) was purchased almost nine years ago when I was pregnant with Patrick.  At that time Sacramento had one of the few local all inclusive baby stores, it was called Goore's.  The vibe was so much better than Babies R Us and even though the prices were a little high it was worth it.  We shopped for a crib, had an argument about color, form, and function.  Realized that we both wanted the same crib.  Returned to Goore's to buy it.    We are funny like that.

Both boys slept in this crib.  You can see Keith's chew marks.  This crib moved 3 times with us!  It was one of the best investments we made.  Stylish and solid and still in use.

Patrick and Keith both eventually climbed out of the crib.  Lauren only did it for a week or so and then stopped.  Until this week.... she's struggled with nap for a few weeks.  She talks, she destroys, she cries, she talks some more, and strips off her clothes (and her baby doll too).  Let's be real: I need naptime BAD.  So when she was yelling for me for half an hour the other day (Mom!  Where are you!?!?) I finally answered her call.
"Hi Mama!  Dis my horse."
My girl was riding the crib rail.  Her father and I decided that this was much worse than climbing out and on Friday the crib was converted into a toddler bed.  The fact that this conversion happened during naptime should tell you how my life has been progressing lately.

That night, she went to bed without her usually soliloquy.  The next day, nap FAIL.  Last night she slept great.  Today we fought for an hour and forty-five minutes.  I think she is asleep now (after getting up 4 times, slamming her finger in the sliding glass door, begging and pleading (by both of us)).
Today I realized that I have been out of diapers for a week.  What is happening to my life?  Wah and Yay.

And so it begins.....

My little baby is turning 2 in just three days.  Last week, when left in the care of her father for an hour, she learned how to climb out of her crib.  Now I'm not blaming my husband but she didn't do it on my watch!


The tide started turning about a week before.  She (in truly spectacular Lauren style) climbed into her crib several times.... to retrieve her pacifiers.  My original plan was to keep her in the crib until Kindergarten.  It looks like that isn't going to happen.


She is growing up.  She even demands to use the toilet.  Not a lot of talking from my little, just a lot of demands.  And so it begins.

Homework Confessions

Welcome to the fourth week of school.  For my third grader (who was brought to tears on a regular basis by second grade homework), it is a breeze.  Time consuming (30 minutes plus math facts plus reading), but he hearts his binder and works independently 98% of the time. 

For my Kindergartener, the 10 (pshaw) minutes of homework is like nothing that can be described in the English language.  I've worked in his class so I know he isn't at the bottom but somewhere in the middle lurks my boy.  He knows all of his phonics, recognizes letters and numbers, and can add simple numbers.  His motors skills are ATROCIOUS (he can't hold a pencil, he can't cut with scissors, he can't write his name....the kindergarten way).   I know that he's a boy and these skills will come and all that but it is still crazy intense.  And I know that I am a crazy intense mom.  His 10 minutes (again PSHAW!) of homework this week: Writing the numbers 1-2-3 five times, Writing the sight words (is-I-See) five times, Naming the five senses, Reviewing the three letters he wasn't able to identify or create the correct sound for, Writing his name the kindergarten way (because he writes in ALL CAPS).  Last week it was about the same.  AND. IT. WAS. PAINFUL. 

Here's the thing, I push my kids pretty hard and turn 10 minutes of homework into 40 minutes of homework BUT by the end of last week Keith was writing his name correctly.  HUGE.  I was just about ready to give up and back off and find another hobby.  And then he conquered it.   He really is a rockstar (with a healthy pre-paid therapy account, thanks to me).  He even got the Character Counts award for responsibility and a lollipop to go along with it because candy also counts.

And then there is LoLos.  Most days she is content to park herself at (or on) the table with her brother and scribble in her notebook.  Some days, she is in need of the newly minted time-out (lauren style).

In my world there isn't anything that is harder than watching my children struggle.  I want it to be easy!  It isn't.  It is easy for Patrick right now but I know that I will have my own (count to ten and breathe) moments with him.  I hate that I can't just feed them the knowledge, skills, and everything they need like I feed them dinner.  But the struggle makes their success so much sweeter.  Keith's development in four short weeks has been AMAZING.  Patrick's level of focus and responsibility has improved so much.  I am lucky to have these kids and I hope that I am doing enough things right to make up for my mistakes.

Summer Milestones

We are in the final Iowa countdown and things are changing on a daily basis. 

First, Keith learned how to swim.

Then, he lost (swallowed) his first tooth.

Now there seems to be a last minute balding epidemic.





Who knows what will happen today!

16 months old!

23.9 lbs and 31 inches.  She is a wonder.  Here are a few recent milestones:

Opening doors.  HEY NOW!

Sleeping through the night. YEEHAW!

Coloring and crayon eating.

Climbing. 

Signing: Cookie, More, Water, Thank you, Please, Milk

Accessorizing.  She picks out her shoes every day.

The most helpful baby EVER.  Don't get me wrong, she's a total mess maker but she loves helping out and seems to have an intrinsic understanding of how to help out.

Not a lot of words but she knows what she wants and she can tell you to get it!

Also, I know it isn't politically correct to say this but I love this girl SO much more now that she is sleeping in her own bed all night! 

Keith: Halloween 2011 

Last night Keith and I were snuggling on the coach playing his Leapster and I had a realization, he FINALLY knows his letters!  He's on the tip of the reading iceberg!  He's identifying letters more and more.  Unlike Patrick, he can also memorize books.  His most recent book is Go, Dog, Go.  "Do you like my hat?" 

267 Days and 22 Hours until Kindergarten!

Next to last monthly baby post!!! 11 months

Lauren is 11 months old.  It makes me want to cry and cheer all at the same time.  She is an amazing baby and today was one of those special baby days.    Just look at her!

Today was her very first day going to the gym daycare.  She did great.  I was a wreck....
Today was also her first attempt at jumping out of her crib.  She stuck the landing (with her bottom).
Today she crouched down next to Keith and gave him a huge kiss on the cheek (sound effects and everything).
Today she made me sing rock-a-bye baby 63 times to her Baby GaGa.
Today she laid her head on my shoulder again and again and each time was like a special gift just for me.
Today she proved that she is a delight.  I laugh out loud at her personality all day.  Love her.

One of her favorite hobbies is "whatever Keith is doing."  He's such a sweet brother.  She loves sitting on his Star Wars blanket with him.

She's all about the accessories.  Sunglasses, hats, headbands, purses, necklaces.... She knows how to tell you what she wants and she knows how to wear it!

She started squawking and screeching when she wants something.  We are working on "please" and "thank you."  She knows how to sign "please" it is just easier to squawk.

She loves dancing, singing, and clapping. 

She loves seeing Kevin walk through the door from work and isn't satisfied until he has picked her up and loved her several times.

She gives high fives and loves kissing.

She still only has two teeth.   She still isn't sleeping through the night.

She is wearing 12-18 month clothes and frequently picks out her own dresses (and definitely her own accessories for the day).  

She lights up our house.  The boys can hardly contain themselves when she sleeps later than they do.  In fact their favorite way to start the morning is with her giving them a nice smack on the face to wake them up!  Oh, she has a fast and heavy slapping hand!  That's my girl!

Big news

Huge news! 
Patrick got glasses!

Finally!

Isn't he handsome and grown up?{sniff}

Baby Gate FAIL

GAH!  throws up hands.