Model Cars

June 17, 2011 - As a summer project to keep little hands and minds busy, we bought a couple of model cars for the boys to put together. This was just a simple start to see how they would do. They are eager to do more cars and ramp them up a little with paint and glue. These were just snap together simple cars.

Proud Mama - my precious treasures

Here are some pictures over the last month of my precious little treasures. They are so much fun and huge little blessings.

Here is my "little girl": 

 

 

 

 

So unamused!

Here are my three amigos:

And one amigo with his sister:

Then here are 3 of my water bugs:

Water bugs with their cousins:

Growing boys...

We are thrilled to no longer be dealing with diapers and sleepless nights. Woo hoo!!! But I am sad how fast these munchkins grow. We are never happy are we?!

My two oldest boys have started losing teeth. The second oldest boy lost his first one before his older brother. So our eldest son lost his first tooth Sept 21, 2010 and now has another couple loosed. Then the next oldest lost his first tooth August 3, 2010 and several days later lost another one. He is waiting for more to fall out. They are both waiting for more to fall out - money maker! They love it when their dad and I don't communicate and they profit from both of us. I put money down for their tooth, then their dad comes in and puts money down for a tooth. Neither of us knowing what the other did but hearing the next day about how much they made on their teeth. Punks!

This is my eldest after his first tooth - we had to help him smile to show the tooth:

This is his younger brother - please don't be grossed out by the yellow teeth - he was eating when it happened (plus he went to the dentist afterwards for his regular cleaning):

Movie Review: "Nancy Drew" (2007)

Yes, I am reviewing an older movie that I saw several weeks ago. I was thinking through the different movies we had seen in the last month or so remembering this one.

"Nancy Drew" (2007) is a family movie based on the popular Nancy Drew books. I've actually never read the Nancy Drew books since mysteries aren't really my preference in movies or books. But our family enjoyed this movie. I had inquired of my Nancy Drew buffs in my brother's house, and they also said it was a nice movie but cautioned me to the single mother and the possibility of explaining that situation to our 10yo dd. Outside of that it was nice and refreshing to see Nancy Drew remain true to her "old-fashioned" ways and not bow to the peer pressures in her new school.

I really enjoyed her new partner, "Corky", played by Josh Flitter. He was also great in "The Greatest Game Ever Played". He is pinchable cute and offers great humor to the movie. I was hopeful she would still remain true to "Ned", played by Max Thieriot, her quiet boy friend from her old hometown. He was more her type although Corky was fun and totally into the mysteries. But could you really see Corky and Nancy Drew together outside of friends?

This movie was family-clean and appropriate minus the single-parenting. It was a nice introduction to our daughter of Nancy Drew. Maybe she will pick up a Nancy Drew book and have a read.

New Haircuts

Well two of the boys got haircuts this weekend. Our 2yo has only had little trims but he got a good buzz Saturday. While I was at it, I went ahead and buzzed the 3yo too.

I mean, who couldn't love that face!? :-)

First week of school - done!

Well, we made it through the first week of school with no blood shed, not too many tears, and an overall good week. There was only low grumbling from our 10yo dd who was warned to be positive with the young ones who may like school. Our 5yo ds did really well and had more staying power and stamina than the 5th grader! The 3yo ds wanted to "do school" and got in the thick of things quite well.

My only concern and eye-opener was how much one on one time was needed for the Kindergartener and Preschoolers. It should be an interesting year. We only hope we have the endurance to run this race!

:-)

First Day of School

Today was our first day of school at home and with our virtual school. It is 5yo ds first day of Kindergarten, 10yto dd first day of 5th grade and 3yo ds first day of "wannabe a Kindergartener and do school". We got started at 8:30am and stopped at 10:15am for a breakfast break. (Our kids don't like to eat real early but prefer a midmorning breakfast.) Then 5yo ds wrapped up his day around 12:30pm. He was still going strong when the 3yo ds and 10yo dd were ready to pack up and be done. Hmmm. I told him he was done with his assignments but I think he would have done more. But I didn't want to push him too much for fear he might not want to do it again tomorrow and beyond. It is almost 3pm and I am still working with 10yo dd on her school assignments, although she did take a lunch break for about 30-45 minutes. She also largely participated with 5yo ds quite interested in what he is doing and learning...no worries.

5yo ds told me he really liked school and 3yo ds said he liked school too. They were looking forward to tomorrow. YEAH! I just hope it lasts for awhile. 10yo dd was grumping getting started as usual. Bummer! I am hopeful she will enjoy this year more with her brothers "doing school" alongside her.

Since I took today off of school and I am still helping with school at 3pm, it looks like we will have our hands full this year. Although we would be done sooner if they weren't distracting one another and "chasing rabbits". However, "chasing rabbits" isn't all bad and do provide spontaneous educational moments.

So we shall see how tomorrow goes for day number 2!

Toddlers, Pre-Schoolers and Grade Schoolers

By the end of this evening, I was at my last breath of patience. Over the last several days I've listened to the almost 2yo whine and cry continuously with no idea why; the 3yo whine and cry about being left out, left alone, or just not getting his way; the 4yo has been tame; and the typical school struggles with the 9yo...carelessness, doesn't pay attention, attention span of a gnat, etc. Now let me hasten to say this is all part of the territory of their ages and their other wonderful qualities far outweigh these temporary troublesome ones. So a calm deep breath, good nite's sleep and fresh new day makes all the difference.

As I drift off to sleep, I am reminded of their sweet or cute antics too.

The 3yo has been growing a drawl like you wouldn't believe...single syllables words are turning into 2-3 syllables...nap = nay-ap, have = hay-ave and so on. You get the picture. But what is funny is he doesn't really get out much or interact with much of anyone, so where did the drawl come from? Do I talk like that? If I do, please slap me! He has also been growing his own way of talking..."Ok, Mom, here's the deal..." How many 3yo's say that? And, "Actually Mom, ..."

Our almost 2yo is coming up on his 2nd birthday in a few weeks and I think the terrible twos are hitting him hard. Ever since I returned from Lotusphere and his grandpa left he has been a whiney bag grump with the strongest will I've seen in him yet. But again, his charm and good nature over-shadows his present disposition. He has a face for every moment, quick as a whip, and really does have a sweet side.

And I have to add that our 3yo is just about potty-trained! Yip-pee (no pun intended!) I am one child away from being diaper free! They all four sleep through the night. I think I have just about arrived...until the next crisis of raising children.

But like I tell everyone I meet that gawk at me wide-eyed and slack-jawed, these kids are fun good kids. I can take them out in public, sit with them in a church service, and let them go with another trusted adult without cringing. I wouldn't trade them for anything!