Thursday, May 28, 2009
I can't believe he's TWELVE.
Of course, I also can't believe what a slacker I've been about blogging lately. I'm sure I'll have lots more to say when the school year and spring sports season finally wrap up around here.
In the meantime, happy, happy birthday to my second born.
When we discovered we were expecting him, his big sister was barely 10 months old. We were a bit shocked, but had such a sense of peace and delight about a best friend to join our firstborn.
Thanks to modern science, we were given THREE due dates for the little guy. Typical of his personality, he showed up at the last minute...on the evening of his last due date. I couldn't have asked for a better labor and delivery, and still remember our surprise and delight when my husband announced that we had a son.
He was a laid back, go with the flow, baby; a mellow, sunshiny toddler, and an inquisitive but quiet child. As a 'tween (with his sister off at high school) he's beginning to stretch his wings and figure out who he is--not always the most pleasant process for his parents, but still important.
He loves soccer, his guitar, books, video games, and, hopefully us. He often shocks me with his spontaneous and unexpected sweetness--kissing me in front of his friends, announcing that he didn't want to go out for dinner on his birthday because Mom's cooking was better than any restaurant. He recently began playing with my Canon Rebel and is showing an eye that makes his shutterbug aunties (Alicia and Sally) proud.
I'm awfully proud of him, too.
Happy Birthday, EJ. I love you.
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Wordless Wednesday: Elementary School Talent Show
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Things that make you go hmm....
I have to say that I really liked this.
This year I asked the fam to skip the cards, etc. All I wanted was a clean garage. And really, I meant it.
I was doubly surprised when my tupperware cabinet (a disaster prone area) was also cleaned out and the kids and dh assembled the goods for my favorite breakfast (NOT served in bed, thank you very much--besides, I got up REALLY early for an 8am soccer match).
My mom and her dh came over later for home cooked Mexican and by my mom's request, my famous carrot cake.
My mother's day was truly blessed. It's nice to know that our choices bucked the norm....and I LOVE the fact that my garage is all clean.
This year I asked the fam to skip the cards, etc. All I wanted was a clean garage. And really, I meant it.
I was doubly surprised when my tupperware cabinet (a disaster prone area) was also cleaned out and the kids and dh assembled the goods for my favorite breakfast (NOT served in bed, thank you very much--besides, I got up REALLY early for an 8am soccer match).
My mom and her dh came over later for home cooked Mexican and by my mom's request, my famous carrot cake.
My mother's day was truly blessed. It's nice to know that our choices bucked the norm....and I LOVE the fact that my garage is all clean.
Hope your day was wonderful, too.
Thursday, May 07, 2009
From my Mothers' Day Card
Dictated by my four year old to his preschool teacher. His fill in the blank responses are in bold. My comments are in italics.
She is about 18 years old. Oh, charming child. She has red hair and pink eyes. Hmmm....
My favorite food my mom makes me is macaroni. From the box, natch.
The nicest thing my mom does for me is helps me tie my shoes. He doesn't have a pair of tied shoes right now?! Of course, he told me later that I'm also nice when I let him play on the computer.
She is prettiest when she goes out to eat (looking like a princess).
I know my mom loves me because she hugs and kisses me.
I love her too!
MY MOM
My mom's name is Heather. What, not "Mom, I'm hungry?"
She is about 18 years old. Oh, charming child.
My favorite food my mom makes me is macaroni. From the box, natch.
The nicest thing my mom does for me is helps me tie my shoes. He doesn't have a pair of tied shoes right now?! Of course, he told me later that I'm also nice when I let him play on the computer.
She is prettiest when she goes out to eat (looking like a princess).
I know my mom loves me because she hugs and kisses me.
I love her too!
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Battle of the Books
Quite possibly one of the most fun academic competitions I've ever had the honor to witness, the Battle of the Books requires each team to read (and recall in detail) each book from the Sunshine State Readers List and be able to answer (often ridiculously picky) questions about them.
This was our school's second year in the competition, and our kids DOUBLED both their scores and their rankings from last year, and beat out the second and third place finishers in head to head matches.
Playoffs or not, I'm officially an Orlando Magic fan, as they donated funds and merchandise that rocked the house. Ditto for Follett and Rainbow Books. The entry fee for the match was minimal and the kids got lunch, tshirts, generous goody bags, and books for their school library. The winning teams got all that plus trophies, more books, and bookstore gift cards. Needless to say, our team is pumped and excited about how to improve next year's results (even taking notes at lunch about what they needed to study).
Only two more weeks and next year's list will be released....
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Kinda Wordless Wednesday
Spoiler alert: My Moffitt checkup was a-okay. All clear for another four months. Whew. Still processing and will write more later.
When I was visiting Meredith, she dropped the gentle hint that my most middle of children might not be getting equal blog time :-). So, today is ALL about the princess :-).
After gymnastics, we did a quick change, grabbed her favorite drive thru meal and headed out to the third grade Art Gala. Without siblings. AND her Daddy showed up for the whole thing. (No small feat when he works 75 miles from the school!) Needless to say, her artwork was gorgeous.
When I was visiting Meredith, she dropped the gentle hint that my most middle of children might not be getting equal blog time :-). So, today is ALL about the princess :-).
She entered her school's "Read like a Rock Star" contest today for a chance to win extra books from the book fair. Any guesses as to which "star" she chose to be?
I took her to gymnastics today, where we found out for the first time in TWO YEARS that her Spring Festival would not conflict with an older sibling's soccer schedule. Her first comment, "Mom, you have to make J and R come and watch me this time." Nope, no middle-child syndrome/long-suffering soccer sibling here.
After gymnastics, we did a quick change, grabbed her favorite drive thru meal and headed out to the third grade Art Gala. Without siblings. AND her Daddy showed up for the whole thing. (No small feat when he works 75 miles from the school!) Needless to say, her artwork was gorgeous.Afterwards was ice cream while Mom and Dad grabbed dinner. Middle child heaven, or what?
Saturday, March 28, 2009
More Photo Friday--Miss K's Big Day
She got me!
The family ALL had the day off yesterday (!!), so we drove out to the nature coast for Miss K's 2nd birthday party. When I saw Meredith gathering people for cake, this is what I expected, not this:
Miss K and I share a birthday--in fact, she was the best thing about my 35th birthday!
What you can't see here is me restraining my Little Guy from licking my cupcakes....but you can see what a great friend I have in Meredith!
Hmmm...WHO would do something like this to his mother's birthday cake??
The culprit with his mad anagram skilz--he knew it wasn't gramatically correct, but was pleased enough with himself to ask his sister to take a photo :-).
Name:
