@ the ghost ranch

There are friends, there are good friends, and then there are forever friends.    You know those people that God puts in your life forever and ever. You can't remember a time when you didn't know them.  Your kids think they are cousins. 

The Currys are our forever friends.  Matt and I grew up next door to each other.  Our mothers spent hours gossiping and chatting in each other kitchens.  We spent hours riding bikes and playing Ditch 'Em. We all grew up together beating a path between our two houses.  Then Matt happened to marry a fabulous girl (Cyndy) who I love like a sister.  And then the kids came.  The Currys and the Callahans have matched sets. Three for each of us (boy, boy, girl), same ages and everything.  I love these Curry kids.

A couple of weeks ago, Matt's parents weren't home so we pretended like it was 1993 and threw a party at their house!

 Patrick and Chase- These two are so much alike it is scary.  They are both incredibly eloquent and silly.

 Oh and the middle boys.  Keith and Ryder.  Oh the middle boys (i said that already didn't i?).

The middle two never slow down long enough for a picture.

And then there's our girls....

These girls rock ALL of our worlds.  It would not be the same without them.  Emmy and LoLo!

What a fun time we had at the Ranch.  My kids are still talking about it (mostly about all of the bad words Matt taught them).  Next time we will make sure there is adult supervision....

Bring in 'da funk

I've been in a mood lately.  The last few days have just left me feeling blah.  I could pretend that my life is all cookie dough and champagne but it ain't.  I have my moments... many many moments.   

Today I was trying to shake off the cobwebs and the headache and the blahs.  So I decided to clean.  Such a dumb idea.  Cleaning a house that is full of children and activity is like opening Pandora's super grubby box. 

I bent down in front of Keith's bedroom to pick up (another) Lego and was confronted with a whole new world of grime.  Don't these kids ever wash their hands?  My house needs 3 coats of black paint.  They put their feet on the walls!  They run their hands along the walls!  Lauren decorates (stickers, pens, crayons, markers) everything I own!  And they pee on the floor and steal things off my desk.  And the junk ALL OVER THE HOUSE (don't get me started on Patrick's room!).  GAH!

I know right?  What do I have to complain about?  Nothing. So I choose happiness and contentment.  I choose joy and satisfaction.  I choose Excedrin Tension Headache.  And I get over myself. 

Feeling funky isn't bad.  Feel it, that's ok. Taking up permanent residence in the funk is dangerous.  Brush your teeth and say a prayer.  You are the light of someone's life.  Smile and be the light.

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.

A Dragon! A Dragon!

I swear I saw a DRAGON!

Pete's Dragon?  Hello!?!?!

Patrick is dragon OBsessed.  I will admit to having a bit of a thing for dragons after reading (and watching) Game of Thrones (Books one and two! How did you spend YOUR summer vacation?)  He's read every dragon related kids' e-book that the county library owns.  So even though I was pushing hard for Harry Potter, he asked for a dragon birthday party.  Then he asked for a gods and goddesses party and I told him I would blend it together.

So here's my take on the Dragon Party but first understand a few things.... 1) Game of Thrones features dragon eggs, a dragon mother (who is human), and violence.  I focused on dragon eggs.  2) The gods and goddesses let the dragons come out to play for Patrick's party.  They also sent ambrosia and nectar of the gods (at Patrick's request).  3) All Most of the crafting and cooking resources are on my Pinterest board. 4) I managed to do a HORRIBLE job taking pictures of the party stuff.  Off my game I suppose.  5) Finally, have you ever noticed that dragon's seem to be super cutesy or dungeons and dragons strange?  I was TRYING to find something in between....  Here are our featured dragons:

The blue dragon is Saphira from the Eragon series. She was featured on the Evite.  The Green Dragon was part of the blue/green/red backdrop.

Favors

I made dragon eggs with old Easter eggs, hot glue, and paint.  I filled the eggs with a little dragon from Michaels.
The kids also got a dragon's tooth and hand sanitizer from Bath and Body Works.
I printed directly on brown paper bags and added a glittery clothespin.

Decor
More eggs.  I made the big paper mache eggs myself (balloons, newspaper, flour, water).  I only point out that I made it by myself because my boys refused to get their hands dirty. The gold eggs are really hot because they are about to hatch (BEWARE!).

I also made Dragon Blood (glycerine and glitter) and Dragon Kibble (puppy chow).

 No pics of the food but I made:
Dragon Dip (french dip sandwiches)
Vegan Dragon Chow (Salad)
Ambrosia (that's what the gods and godesses eat Mom!)
Dragon Scales (Tortilla chips)
Dragon brains (Guacamole)
Nectar of the gods

And for the cake.  As you know, Kevin and I are cake partners.  This is our 5th cake... Kevin promises that he will continue to implement my vision and step up to whatever catastrophe challenge I dream up.  Patrick wanted an almond cake (um, ok? what 8 year old wants an almond cake? mine!).  So we made him a dragon almond cake.  I didn't scratch bake this cake (yeah, I know).  Instead I did the amped up white cake mix (extra egg, double the amount of oil and swap for melted butter, sub milk for water) with almond extract.  I love this cake!!!!

Kevin insisted that he had to do the construction and frosting.  He was pretty proud of himself and I was pretty impressed too.  Of course, that is our routine... I dream it and bake it and he constructs it and frosts it.  The hardest part of this cake?  The stupid fruit roll-ups for the wings and fire.  I don't buy fruit roll-ups but these were impossible all around! 

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

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.