Notes from Serenity

Tuesday, August 28, 2012

Happy Birthday Patrick

Dear Patrick,
There is something about you being 8 that makes me think that this is an absolutely picture perfect time in your life. The other night I was listening to you explain something to Daddy (in your long-winded way.... that you totally get from Dad) and all I could think was where is the stage for this boy. You are a performer at heart.

This year is such a big year because you are becoming so much more mature. But I love 8 because your heart is still innocent and pure. If I could buy millions of Legos to keep you busy for the years to come I would. But that's the thing about growing up, it's inevitable. No matter how much I long to keep you in this world of a little boy, you have to grow up. Unless you are Peter Pan and that's just not really a possibility at this point in your life because Neverland is too far away and I can't go there because I did grow up so you have to stay here.

As you grow up I want to remind you that you thank God for the gifts in your life every day. I want you to remember that today you have more than most kids in the world could ever dream. I want you to know that even if you don't have every toy, gadget, or hot thing, you have lots of people who love you and care about you (FOREVER). And you have a brother and a sister who look at you with stars in their eyes.

I know that I am a crazy mama and I am possibly the meanest mom on the block but I love you with every inch of my being. We can always laugh together. We can always have sushi together. We can always watch Giada together. We can always read quietly together. I promise to always make time for you and do my best to show you that you are a very special boy. I love you!
Mama Lou

Tuesday, August 21, 2012

First Day of School. YAY!

These are mine. Patrick 3rd grade, Keith Kinder (pm), Lauren Mommy School

Patrick woke up asking for one more day of summer. He's ready, he's just looking for a few more hours to read and play Legos. We got up and moving without a hitch. I'm glad I made them all start adjusting to the school schedule last week!

Patrick and Mrs. Campbell


I love the first day of school. This was the most confident Patrick has ever been (even though he was still nervous).

My tears started at approximately 8:45 am. I don't know why... tradition. School starts and I cry. Then Keith decided to test my patience between 11:00 am and 11:30 am. The good news is I was ready to drop him off at Kindergarten at 11:45! No problem.

He would have been happy to be there all day.

Keith and Mrs. Bletscher

This is the moment he has been waiting for! He had a great day and loves Mrs. Bletscher. He's so lucky that he already knows a few of the boys in his class. The best part of the day was Mrs. Bletscher using him as the example for the discipline policy. All I heard was then I got a red card and then I got a purple card. My heart dropped. He was of course the perfectly behaved child (ALL GREEN!).

The best part of Patrick's day was learning about his binder/planner. Good times, he is clearly my kid. He told me that when he grows up he's going to have a big desk with lots of binders.

AM Mommy School Day 2. These two are 2 peas.

Sunday, August 19, 2012

Instagram Summer Week 10

Saturday- Day 64

Date Night! yay!

Sunday- Day 65

What? I stole my brother's LeapPad?

Monday- Day 66

All arms and legs

Tuesday- Day 67

Lego relocation program...To Patrick's room!

Wednesday- Day 68

Soaking in the last days

Thursday- Day 69

Lists on top of lists

Friday- Day 70

Special treat! Jumping on Mom and Dad's bed.

Saturday- Day 71

Finally taught him pencil grip!

Sunday- Day 72

It's a wrap!

Monday, August 13, 2012

Instagram Summer Week 9

Day 57- Saturday

Saturday Morning Cartoons

Day 58- Sunday

A sneak peek: New Laundry Room

Day 59- Monday

Take my picture!

Day 60- Tuesday

End of Summer Waffles: Homemade blueberry syrup and peach compote

Day 61-Wednesday

Before and After: Mama chops off 5 inches of hair

Day 62- Thursday

Jamba style

Day 63- Friday

Lunch with Grandma

Friday, August 10, 2012

On the status of my motherhood.

When I look back on this time in my life there are a lot of things I won't remember. Details grow cold, memories are limited, and present day takes over. Soon my babies won't be babies and I will forget how much work it is to get them in and out of the care (19 times in the Fresno heat). I will forget what it is like to have to wipe bottoms and remind people which shoe goes on which foot. I may even forget how to do all things while holding a small child on my hip. But I won't forget the screen shot of this feeling. It is both overwhelming and grand. So overwhelming and grand that for the first time in years I sleep. My children cured my insomnia. I dream of every day mom things with a twist. So ordinary and real that I sometimes can't distinguish between my dreams and reality. I am living the dream.

Here's a little tidbit of the dream. This time when my toddler unrolls 75% of a new toilet paper roll, this time is fleeting (and trumped by the time my toddler put all of her brothers Star Wars fighter pods in the toilet).

The good news is that I am finally catching on. I wake up early. I have a 30 minute lunch break. I finally take all three kids out in public and run errands all day. I dress the part. I let them yell and scream and jump on their bed. I plan and prepare. I give them real responsibilities. And I make time to love them.

Last week as I watched all three of my children riveted by the tortilla bowl infomercial another light bulb went off. No more yelling, no more repeating myself. If I want them to do something, I deliver it in my best infomercial Billy Mays voice. And guess what? It totally works. And it is sort of hilarious.