Long time coming....

I have got to figure out how to work blogging in with everything else. Maybe after Dec when the DNP thing is over there will be more time. I have 20 minutes....

Lots has happened because it has been such a long time since the last post. Big life things too. The kind of things you want to protect your kids from forever but can't.

Our neighbors moved- they were almost a carbon copy of our family- boy who was 6 and girl who was 4. Ava and Alex were close- loved and fought like sisters. Xander, although the same age, was more advanced in almost everyway than Andrew, so they were just buds. Andrew was very attached to their dogs since Bobby won't let him have one (YET). We spent A TON of time with them over the summer- we joined their pool, daily lunch picnics, and stuck them in the gym child watch together. Alex has suffered far more from the loss- many afternoons just bawling when she realized they weren't there to play with as usual when she jumped out of the car. It was exactly as I lecture in class about loss and how kids view it at this age- a temporary thing. They kept asking when they would be back to live in their white house. Finally about 2 weeks later, Alex asked if they were gone "FOREVER". And it has been pretty quiet since then. By the way- she's not supposed to understand the concept of forever at her age! It was just sad to see her heartbreak!

Our neighbor down the street died- older man, failing health, brain sharp as a tack. The day before he passed away Alex started asking a lot of questions about death/dying to Bobby and I. Bobby said he thought she was genuinely worried she was going to die as a young child. This was really freaky because I was lecturing on death and dying in class and read a story to my students about a girl who knew she was going to die- told her mom- her mom said no way- and then she was murdered later that afternoon. Welp, we came to find out that Mr. Price had died the next day, so I felt better- she's just in tuned with the world!

We had to get reauthorization for Andrew's therapy. Very stressful for the mom. We have done this before and got denied, so I totally expected the same. Andrew couldn't understand why we couldn't visit his friends (therapists) while we had to wait for their answer. Can't explain insurance to a 6 yr old. But...for some strange reason...they said yes!!! Sope, we are back to running around with our heads cut off.

We are also preparing for my trip to Honduras. We finally told the kids and they are doing well. Not sure they understand it is only 2 weeks away. They went with me to make kits for the moms we will see while we are there- diaper, onesie, plastic pants- and they had a blast and were proud that they were getting to help. They are also looking forward to their grandparent's visit while I am away.

Otherwise, we have had some awesome family moments you want to cherish forever. Those that probably aren't going to be as funny in writing, but will at least spark me to remember them. Last night I was cooking a yummy dinner- Caribbean Kielbasa. The kids came down the stairs and stopped in front of the kitchen at the turn- what are you cooking? that smells disgusting!. They would then run in the kitchen with their noses covered, say look at us, and then let go of their noses and say that smells disgusting and run out of the room. They did this 10 times before dinner- each a little different- one time with hats over their faces like gas masks. Needless to say, they just had hot dogs for dinner!

The picture above was last summer, but one of my all time favorites. He really does love her unconditionally! Okay, bedtime....

Back to the Real World

Where did summer go? It zoomed by and we were back to business this week.

We started the whirlwind week with a trip to Canton, OH to the NFL Football Hall of Fame. We dropped the kids off with the West VA grandparents, and left the next AM with John and another Redskins fan. There are lots of funny moments due to John's new Garman, but we did make it there finally! The reason we were there: Art Monk and Darrel Green- Bobby's 2 favorite Skins- were being inducted. We also got to go into the HOF and see the memorabilia and busts of all the past inductees. Then, back to WV to pick up the kids and hurry home to get ready for school the next morning.

So, Monday the kids started back to school. Summer enrichment, camp sort of, but for all the kids know it is back to school. Andrew proudly told the world he was going to the Elementary- Montessori 1st grade- and he did wonderful! Alex started Extended Day- Montessori Pre K and K- basically no naps. I know she is ready for no naps because on napping days she is up until 9, but she quickly turns terror at 5pm without a nap. I met her teacher as I walked in and she politely informed me that she had to send Alex upstairs to nap because she wasn't listening after lunch. She thought that they were just all so excited to see each other that they were talkative, but she needed to start the ground rules from day one. AMEN SISTER! Alex didn't have to miss Extended Day anymore the rest of the week.

On Monday we also added 5 additional members to our family- Painted Lady Butterflies. We bought the net and order the caterpillars and then forgot all about them! Too much going on for sure. Sope, I nursed several crippled butterflies back to health this week and then we sent them on their short life journey this evening (they only live 2-4 weeks).

With all the madness, we were all, however, looking forward to "stay home day" as the kids call the weekends. It started with the Olympics opening ceremony Friday night. The kids got early baths and brought their pillows downstairs to watch the "parade." Only problem was that the parade they were waiting for was hours away! Andrew loved the drums- as did I. We looked down on the floor and he was playing them too! About 30 minutes into the ceremony Andrew was sound asleep on the floor. Alex just loved cheering for anything that everyone else cheered for! After she finally realized that there were no costumes like the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade, she fell asleep as well. We woke them both up to show them the USA parade in with the flag- they peeked up and then went back to sleep, so we carried them up to their beds.

The weekend has been fun and restful- playing outside, trip to the pool, playing at the park and bike rides along with snuggly mornings and introducing different sports and countries to the kids (other than soccer, football, baseball and basketball). Alex fell in love with synchronized diving tonight while Andrew got to cheer on USA basketball today with dad. Laundry is done, the house is clean, and lunches are packed- back to the real world again!

Summer of Luv

Many times I have often said that I needed to write things down so that I didn't forget, but I never did and most of them are forgotten I am sure. And as for this blog....all I have to say is Jenny made me do it! She is the smartest person I know :) So this is the beginning......... 6 years into becoming a mom, since I am sure that most of this will be about the kids with a little bit of me & Bobby. Better late than never!

So, the summer of luv. My new job has afforded me the pleasure of staying home with the kids this summer. If I had forgotten at any point what my title was, I am happily reminded 100000 times a day- Mom. I am probably going to miss it being said sooo much when we head back to work/school next week. I have also found a substitute for the word no. I got tired of saying no almost as many times as they said my name, so now when I catch them doing something I don't want them to do I say "blah, blah, blah". The kids just crack up laughing. I am sure this will too will wear off, but it got me through the summer!

What have we done during our summer of luv? The best bang for the buck has been join the pool! 2 hours of play and the kids are so tired they are woofing down dinner and asleep by 8pm. They are both jumping off the side of the pool, blowing bubbles, going under, and swimming with floatie help. We will have to do swimming lessons over the winter to get ready for next year. Free movies every week has been awesome as well- especially when Doogal broke so they showed Kung Fu Panda instead! There there was fishing, trips to the zoo, library story time, parks and lots more fun. We also had a trip up to PA- National Aquarium, Crayola Factory, Sesame Place, Philly, and the National Zoo. The kids sleeping in the same bed was the best part- they acted exactly like siblings should- giggling, not sleeping, getting into trouble. Bobby and I couldn't help but laugh ourselves!

So Monday it is back to the grind! Back to packing lunches and baths every night, hustling to take them before work and pick them up after work. I will loose my tan and buff body (trips to the YMCA will surely cease) and we will just have to cram all the fun stuff on the weekends!

Maybe one day I will figure out how to add pictures.....