upper school party

since wyatt has moved up to 4th grade, he is now grouped as upper school which consists of 4th-8th graders (yes my baby is now with 8th graders!). last week we attended the traditional back-to-school bash for the group. let me just say it was a very eye-opening experience. gone are the days of wild toddlers running about without a care or purpose bouncing off of each other like they were balls in a pinball game, common boo-boos needing tending to, or little calls to parents to come play or lend a hand on swings or in sandboxes. now are the times of sitting in hot tubs with groups of preteens chatting for hours about LIFE and the worries they face, playing challenging games with their friends to win prized homework passes (wyatt was THRILLED to receive 3), and i am shocked to even say it, but i did see many a classmate with UNDERARM HAIR (thank goodness wyatt is no where near that at least!). talk amongst parents ranged from plans to discuss "the birds and the bees" and what my plan is (uhhhhh...) to their summer experience while their child was away up north at camp (SLEEPAWAY CAMP that is---we have never even done a sleepover, never mind a camp for weeks!!!!). where did talk of potty training and discussions of baby milestones go? where the worry of raising a young child is gone, a sense of sadness of how quickly it has all flew by replaces. though, his eyes still hold the wonder he had as a baby and his smile is still just as a happy. to end the whole affair, i was brought back to realizing that even though he is growing up, he still does need me..."mommy" he asked coming up to me dripping from the pool, "can you come in the bathroom and help me change out of these wet clothes before we leave?" of course.

look who's back...

my sister will be thrilled!

first day!

i really think (HOPE) it is going to be a fabulous year. both the boys have moved up to different levels (owen a 1st grader in the lower elementary 1st-3rd class and wyatt a 4th grader in the upper elementary 4th-5th class). so, though both of them are at the bottom of the feeding chain this year, they are both thrilled to be in their new class. highlights:

for owen:

1. bring with the "nicest two teachers in the world"

2. sitting by friends at lunch (this year not assigned like his k-year)

3. swimming

4. seeing friends

for wyat

1. locker, locker, locker

2. switching classes

3. being able to wear PE uniform twice a week instead of school uniform

4. seeing friends

owen is 7!

owen had a great birthday! i really think he felt totally celebrated. i woke up at 2:09am, just like always, and remembered back to 7 years ago when he was born. he was such a calm, peaceful baby. to this day, he is sensitive, quiet, and stoic, always studying everything and trying to make the best decisions. he loves to cuddle with me and boy can he dance (when noone is looking)! he has the best smile and the most beautiful green eyes (that were so shocking blue until he was 11 months old as we were reminded of last night as we looked through his baby album). he is a great boy and i am so glad he is mine!

birthday breakfast with some characters

to end our nick hotel stay, we had a character breakfast in honor of owen's birthday. while we ate, all the characters came to visit us and then they did a big show. owen was invited up to sing and dance and then when he returned to his seat, he found a lighted cupcake waiting for him. sitting next to me, he looked up and said "this is the BEST birthday EVER!" i hope i never forget the smile on his face.

happy 5th birthday kylie!

hotel drinks

included in our hotel stay, we received a coupon book for v.i.p. florida residents. we were given 400 arcade points, 20% off the kid spa, 10% off restaurants, and many free drinks. at the pool, the kids each for a kids daiquiri and then before bed, we headed down to barney's for hot chocolate! yummy!

the "birthday party"

at nick hotel, sponge bob hosts an awesome birthday party. owen got to sit on stage for the birthday show. then as a group we got to get a professional photo with mr. squarepants and then birthday cupcakes for all! it was awesome! oh and owen got a totally cool scorpion tattoo

arriving at owen's "birthday party"

this year, owen decided for his birthday in lieu of a large blowout party, he wanted us to visit nick hotel for the night. come to find out, the hotel does great (free) things for birthday guests so it was a great plan. todd got a last minute job so we had to leave him (sadly) behind. so i packed up my three kids for a birthday, end-of-summer adventure. here we are arriving at the hotel where owen received his official birthday guest button (which he wore proudly)!

dino-mite

we had an absolutely "pre"historic time at dinosaur world---our big end of the year fun day! the kids got to dig for fossils, uncover dino bones, and even drench sweat just like the dinosaurs did so long ago :0 we had a great time---thanks to laura, suzy, and heather for a fantastic day!

laura ling

okay, current has to be my new favorite television network. it is almost like a youtube video on t.v.. vanguard addresses current global events and issues through young perspectives of their correspondents. laura ling is the lead correspondent and her captivating best coverages kept me up til after 3am last night in the tribute the network ran to both her and euna lee. her piece on ewaste towns in china was so troubling and shocking that something so terrible exists in our world. this piece on protecting forests showed a cute, free side of her that i think she is known for.

on current's website, they have christian lander's (author of the funny, controversial blog stuff white people like ) new pc hookup show. check out the network, website, and the tribute to laura and euna.

playdate

wyatt absolutely LOVES having friends over! he was thrilled for his buddy olivia to come over for a few hours to play! games of tag, taking pictures, singing, and of course playing a few video games! too fun!

rain dance

we have been waiting all summer for the perfect rain to play in. today was the one! it came down fast and filled the driveway with perfect puddles for jumping and flowed down the slide making for slippery fun! then in for a nice warm bath and into p.j.'s in the middle of the day! got to love summer!

spray park

we had a great quick visit to the new spray park in town. best parts---meeting heather and the girls and that it was FREE!! in a world that charges you for EVERYTHING, it is nice once in awhile to come across a good thing that wants nothing in return!

kitchen progress

here is the inside wall. to the left of the brick wall there will be a cabinet and then the stove with hood. to the right, a built in set of cabinets where the walk in pantry used to be...the backside will now be a laundry room where you will enter from the hallway.

the butler's pantry built in is now sanded and primed---ready for paint!

here is the back wall. this picture is deceiving---it may look as though there is a 3ft high pile of junk laying the in front of the door, however it really is just a table close to me with several things on it...we really are not that big of slobs :)

here is the long wall ready for the windows! it is coming along :)

karate CHOP

crocodile dock vbs

some good music for my sis

thought my sister would enjoy some new tunes by newton faulkner!

book of the week (wyatt's version)

Powell's Books - The Willoughbys by Lois Lowry: "Abandoned by their ill-humored parents to the care of an odious nanny, Tim, the twins, Barnaby A and Barnaby B, and their sister, Jane, attempt to fulfill their roles as good old-fashioned children. Following the models set in lauded tales from A Christmas Carol to Mary Poppins, the four Willoughbys hope to attain their proscribed happy ending too, or at least a satisfyingly maudlin one. However, it is an unquestionably ruthless act that sets in motion the transformations that lead to their salvation and to happy endings for not only the four children, but their nanny, an abandoned baby, a candy magnate, and his long-lost son too. Replete with a tongue-in-cheek glossary and bibliography, this hilarious and decidedly old-fashioned parody pays playful homage to classic works of children's literature."

wyatt began reading this book last night. i read the first page and it does draw you in. i hope to read it when he is done...however , i may read it sooner after i just read this review...

"It is like Monty Python for children, with a dark side, so parents and teacher beware!" Children's Literature---ahhh!

water cat

our kitty marlo is like no other...so LOVES water. she loves her weekly bath with the kids..she just lays down in the bath until the water is too high and then she swims around until we take her out for bedtime. too funny!

a stool is a stool is a stool (i wish)

as our kitchen remodel is coming to a close as far as the decision making part is concerned, i have focused my energy to looking at stools. i did not realize that i would come into a stool world filled with much history, controversy, and OPTIONS! i have learned that their is a cult-like following of a certain type (of course ones i love---thus raising prices and availability). so here is the short list (for today). keep in mind we will need 5 total---3 on the long end of the island and 1 on each end. i am thinking i will have two differing types with the 3 center ones being alike and the 2 end ones the same. i want to mix an industrial style, vintage quality to offset the clean, crispness of the kitchen design...bringing in todd's "garage" style to mix with mine. so here we go:

this would be my top choice for the 2 end stools. i so wish todd had a set of stools that came from his garage or his grandfather's, but i feel that this gives that effect...too expensive though.

this highly desired tolix stackable stool has a following reminding much of todd's vw group---thus increasing demand and price.

these crate and barrel tolix style knock-offs are more in our price range, but do not give the same effect. they offer this better option (below), but at double the price.

these above, also from crate and barrel, are an option, but too modern...i need vintage!

so here is a school/medical supply store's swivel stool. sturdy, reasonably priced, and could accomplish my mommy duties of "doctor" and "teacher" while i make dinner??

this one, on auction right now, is a great choice...i am not getting my hopes up though as i know the price is going to jump high over the next few days. also, there is only one...i need 2.

so here, these 3, were found by my friend tracey (who i always know when i put her on a task she will find the BEST option for me). they may be perfect for the center 3 stools for the kids. they would be a safe, classic, vintage option...but they are SO heavy to ship i would think. top runners right now with the first choice on the ends.

i know some old little consignment shop has a great set of stools from an old shop or garage...please keep your eyes out for me...i am on the hunt from my computer!