Simple Gestures

I have been trying to be more patient and make simple gestures that will bring smiles to the boys' faces.  Like tonight, Aidan was sleeping, and Robby was sleeping, but Jacob was still awake.  So I told him to follow me outside and I let him chase fireflies for a little bit.  Not very long...long enough to catch one and oooh and ahh over it before gently letting it go.  Jacob was so very excited.  And it really didn't take any effort on my part to bring the delighted smile to his little face.  My mind is like a camera...I can still enjoy the moment, but it is forever en grained in my minds eye.

Earlier in the day I had taken Robby and Aidan on an errand with me.  I let Aidan carry my back pack on his back for me.  He was so proud to be helping Mommy.  Once again no effort on my part.  But he was very excited to tell Jacob about it when he got home.

It's hard to resist the impulse to buy things for your kids or take them to public attractions and spend oodles of money to make them happy.  That's what parents want, right?  To make their children happy?  I fall prey to this all of the time.  Always going, doing, buying, making, sweating, crying...etc...to make the kids  happy.  I will continue on a daily basis to just simply sit back and enjoy the little things...

                             ...the little things that bring such big smiles.

Farewell T-Ball

After all of the excitement at the start of T-ball, it ended with a kind of a sigh of relief.  Turns out that Jacob doesn't really like the game of baseball.  Coach tried to put Jake on third base but Jacob asked to go to the outfield.  In the outfield, he chased butterflies and played in the dirt and generally had a great time - completely ignoring the game.  Generally safe in T-ball when you are in the outfield, but not safe once you get out of T-ball.  I think you really should watch the batter...and the ball.

So, we had the last game today and Jacob has decided that he doesn't want to continue baseball next year.  Alan and I are letting him choose a different sport next year.  Right now, he is leaning toward Soccer.  We will see how he feels when we get to the sign up point next year.  It's his choice.  We aren't pushing any of our kids towards any sport in particular, but we are encouraging them to participate in one.  Jacob really, really needs the outlet.  Aidan really needs the exercise, lol.  Alexia needs something to help with coordination.  She has mentioned Dance a few times.  We shall see. 

                             ....Farewell T-Ball, hello new adventures.

Taking refuge

From the heat, that is.  It was almost 100 degrees outside with the heat index...I was afraid to look at our thermostat.  So the boys and I each took a bath/shower and when we were all bathed, we headed to the mall.  We stayed there for a good 3 hours.  We walked around.  We played in the play area.  We talked.  The boys led the way and we window shopped in stores.  Alan even met us for a little while.  It was fun.  The best part is that is started storming while we were there. 

                         ....Relief at last. 

My Philosophy on Housecleaning

 MY PHILOSOPHY OF HOUSECLEANING!
I don't do windows because .

I love birds

And don't want one to run into a clean window

And get hurt.

I don't wax floors because .

I am terrified a guest

Will slip and get hurt

Then I'll feel terrible

( plus they may sue me.)



I don't mind the dust bunnies because .

They are very good company,

I have named most of them,

And they agree with everything I say.



I don't disturb cobwebs because .

I want every creature

To have a home of their own.



I don't Spring Clean because .

I love all the seasons

And don't want the others

To get jealous.



I don't pull weeds

In the garden because .

I don't want to get

In God's way,

HE is an excellent designer!



I don't put things away because .

My husband

Will never be able

To find them again.



I don't do gourmet meals

When I entertain

Because

I don't want my guests

To stress out over what

To make when

They invite me

Over for dinner.

 

I don't iron because ...

I choose to believe them

When they say "Permanent Press".

 


I don't stress much on anything because ...



"A Type" personalities

Die young

And I want to stick around

And become a wrinkled up crusty ol' woman!!!!



 

 

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Smiles on a String

At a local grocery story here, there is an elderly lady that always either stands by the door passing out helium balloons, or wanders the store looking for the children she missed when she went to get more balloons.   My kids always tremble with excitement when we are walking into the store and the first thing they do is look around for "The Balloon Lady."  If she isn't at the door, my kids know that she will find them.  It's usually in the frozen section when my children's' faces light up in delight as "The Balloon Lady" approaches them quietly offering a Balloon.  She never says a word.  She always has a small, kind smile on her face.  My kids all thank her and she nods her head and does a little bow.  "The Balloon Lady" is a very special part of my children's' lives. 

                     ....I prefer to call her an Angel with Smiles on a string.

It is too soon

I'm pretty sure that in the fall, I will be sending not two, but three of my children to school each day.  When I sit and think about it, I get really sad about it. 

I took Aidan for Preschool Screening.  Alexia's speech therapist said to do it now, or Robby would pick up the articulation errors that Alexia passed on to Aidan.  Aidan will be re screened for articulation delays because the standardized tests they use are basically for language development.  The speech therapist agreed with me that the tests they use are not very good.  She is sure Aidan will qualify for speech.  Meanwhile, Aidan also scored below average in two other areas.  Social and Cognitive.  This is where I really wonder about their tests.  Social, I expected.  But not Cognitive.  I know it is partly because Aidan is shy.  He did what Alan and I expected him to do - sit there and smile at the people testing him.  He knows his shapes and colors and what biggest and smallest is, etc.  But when they asked him to put things in order, he just played.  I don't really blame him.  So anyway, I fully expect to get a letter soon saying he qualifies for preschool.  I know it is better for him to solve the articulation problems now that later.  I'm still sad, though.

On another note, I found it amusing that complete strangers were coming up to Aidan before they even knew his last name and saying "You are Jacob Blahblah's brother!  Without a doubt!"  LOL The other half of the people were like "You are Alexia's Mommy!"  Our family already has a legacy at this school, and we have only been there for one school year. 

                              ....is that good or bad?

A Family Good Time

So, this past weekend we were out of town.  We drove the wonderful roads to my MIL's house.  It was Grandad's 80th Birthday Celebration.  I think most of the family made it.  My husband has a HUGE family.  People gal ore.  The kids had a blast.  I think the entire event was very successful.  My MIL and FIL did a good job arranging it all.  One of Alan's Aunts and her family helped out with getting stuff and setting up stuff, also. 

It is always pretty exhausting for me to be in someone else's house.  Whoever is the youngest child at the time goes bananas.  Robby didn't let me down.  Not sleeping, crawling for all of the stairs, finding little things to stick in his mouth, etc. etc. etc.  You know, all the fun things babies/toddlers do to keep their Mommies active.  Wouldn't want me to be able to relax and sit for a while.  That just wouldn't be cool in a toddlers book.  Thankfully there were always an extra pair of arms to help hold him or watch after him so I could try to help out a little.

Seriously though, poor Robby is still trying to cut his bottom two teeth.  It's been a month.  They get right *there, then recede.  I feel so sorry for him.  He's so miserable.  He does seem to be doing better right now.  He's resting comfortably without the aid of Motrin. 

There was a huge shadow on my weekend.  When the celebration ended, Alan and I packed up our vehicle and drove away...without Alexia.  I miss her so much.  Grandma rarely gets to see the kids so we are giving her some one on one time with Alexia, and then when her time is over, one on one time with Jacob.  It will do the kids and the Grandparents good.  I keep telling myself that...

                ...but there is someone missing from every minute of my days.

 

Movie Reviews

"Over the Hedge"

I give it an "eh."  Alexia and Jacob opted out of seeing it.  Aidan thought parts of it were funny, but otherwise asked to go home most of the movie. 

I thought it had a solid plot, but the character attachment just wasn't there.

 

"Cars"

Must see!  Pixar has done it again.  I laughed.  I cried.  A sure sign of a good movie.  Aidan and Jacob were on the edge their seats - even when they weren't fighting over the popcorn.

June 6th

It came and went.  Nothing really negative happened here at home.  In fact, it was a very nice day.  I was able to see some old friends from High School.  Then, in the evening, we had a little BBQ with another family to celebrate Robby's First Birthday.  I can't believe my baby turned one!  And on 06/06/06 no less, lol.  I'm glad that is not his permanent birthday.  I'm too superstitious for that one!

Robby is an amazing little boy.  He has very little hair and no teeth, but yet he gets around very well.  Nothing stops him!  He goes, goes, goes.  He keeps me very busy.  Happy Belated Birthday, sweet baby boy!