Catch up--Visit from family

What a week.  It has been busy, emotional, and I am so glad it is over, in some ways at least. 

On Monday, my husband's mom, his brother's wife and their niece came to visit.  It was very short, but very much enjoyed. 

My husband and his mom, Mary

My two sons, Kraig and Christopher, with their Mimi

The boys (and Molly) with Mary

The boys and me with Mary

Mary and I

It was a nice visit, short, but nice.  It was good to see them. 

Blowing Bubbles

I got this in my email  a couple of weeks ago...I have seen it before, but it is still amazingly awesome.  I love dolphins anyway...so this is just pretty cool.

http://wimp.com/dolphinbubbles/

End of Summer...

The children's group at church had an End of Summer party at one of the sprinkler parks...we got there early, so Kraig played on the playscape first.

He had sat on this turtle, but there was a "bug" on it (aka...a FLY)...so when I asked him to get on it again so I could take a picture, he refused.  At least he stood by it, but that was short lived too.

His arms got tired.....I was holding him up, but his arms got tired....?

He climbed this ladder I don't know how many times....on the other side, there was a pole (like a fireman pole), so he would climb up the ladder, make his "call" (ie engine 51, structure fire, time out 3:56)...then go down the pole....he watches Emergency on tv EVERY day....

And then as everyone got there....they went to the water park.

This isn't a very good pic....but thought the shadows were kinda cool.

They had popsicles near the end.

This little critter was on my leg before it was here on the sidewalk...scared the ba-jeesies outta me!

And then I caught sight of this hottie smiling at me....;-)

August Happy's

I mentioned a few posts ago about Kraig's first day of school, and how difficult it was for him....and for me.  Well, what he didn't know was that his sister was coming to take him for a sister-brother date on Friday, the day after.  We did tell him the night before that she was coming, but not what they were going to do.  That part remained a surprise until they arrived at their destination.

He was surprised.  And had a great time.  She took him to Paint A Piece, which is a ceramic store, basically.  They have pre-fired ceramic pieces--you pick the piece you want, paint it, then they glaze and fire it again, and then you pick it up a few days later.  Pretty cool.  I love ceramics...of course I love the process from beginning to end, but it is quite messy until you get to the painting part.

Painting....

Nina helped some...

Guess what that expression means.....

Awwwww....

Before

After....

I think he did a GREAT job....!!!

My Poor Neglected Blog

I have been a slacker blogger.....such is my life. I will get back to it....PROMISE!

In the meatime, here is a pic of my husband, his mom, and our two sons.  She came to visit last week.....(the little girl is the niece of his brother and wife).

Good Wednesday Morning

And it IS a good morning!  A bit of a roller coaster yesterday, but going to sleep and waking up in my husband's arms makes all things look and feel and BE better.

Family visiting so not sure if I'll get to the blog hops today...I will try!

Have a GREAT day everyone!!!

First day of school

Kraig had his first "official" day of Kindergarten on the 12th...and it was as hard as I expected it to be.  For few weeks leading up to school starting, we started trying to prepare him for it. He had a few varied responses, especially as he got more frustrated with us asking.  He started with just simple "no's" and then one day he told Chris "why don't you go to school?".  It was so freaking funny.  He told me he didn't see the point...he is 5, right?

When the morning finally came, he started with the meltdowns about 8am...he went from "I will miss you" at the house

to "Will you walk inside with me" in the car to "Will you stay with me for a little while" in the parking lot

to "Please don't leave" when we were in the classroom.  Broke my heart.  When we got inside, he would not let go of me...he was holding my hand, but I had to write, so then he held my other hand....then my arm, then my bag.  I finally got him to use both hands to color the picture and I left.

The good thing is not only are Melody and Sidney in his class again this year (they have been in his class the last 2 years), Sidney is also sitting directly across from him. 

At the parent meeting on Friday afternoon....I found out that the mom of the little boy that sits next to him is a police officer, and the aunt of another student in his class is an EMT.  A dream class for Kraig...he is all about emergency services....fireman are his favorite, but police and ambulance are not far behind.

Friday the 13th

Anyone out there superstitious about Friday the 13th?  I'm not...I personally think weird stuff can and does happen any day of the week. 

I have made a decision regarding my blog....it started as a way to communicate what's going on in our lives with distant friends and family.  In recent months, I have found new avenues to do that, and to make new friends as well.  I would also like for it to be a place where I can share my thoughts and feelings about different things, to hopefully share what works, what doesn't and connect with people.  I also am not going to let other people control and dictate what I say.  This is my blog, about my family.  I created it, I am the author of it...and I will do with it what I want.  (It will remain family friendly, however, and I am not going to share private details that wouldn't normally be shared nor will I discuss anything that I have agreed not to share.)

I wish I was here....Multnomah Falls, Portland, OR.  It's beautiful.

Thursday blog hops later on today, and then Friday's (maybe I'll get them up before Friday is over..wish me luck!).

Sucky days

I got my Wednesday blog hop post ready...ie I have the buttons and topics copied/pasted....just have to add my answers....I will hopefully get to that this evening.  We shall see...still have to do today's as well.

Yesterday was a sucky day (more on that later)...and today hasn't started any better.  I overslept; my alarm went off, but when I snoozed it, I mistakenly turned it off.  My  mom thought I was up, my husband thought my alarm was set...so I got up about 45 minutes past my usual time.  I still got ready in time...just didn't have the extra minutes I like.  And I thankfully did not have to fix my lunch today (I have a workshop to attend)...so I won't go hungry.   

I took Kraig to his first day of Kindergarten today.  It was as hard for me as it was for him.  He had a good 6-8 mini meltdowns during the hour before we left until we were on our way to the school.  He went from "I'm gonna miss you" to "will you walk in with me" to "will you stay for a little while" to "please don't leave" and kept hold of my hand, my finger, my arm..whatever part I wasn't using.  As I left, he was not actively crying, but I could still hear him sniffling.  My baby...

I did get a few pictures...I will post them later.

The reason today was so hard for Kraig is that he has pervasive development disorder (PDD), in the autistic spectrum.  One of his challenges is transitioning...he does not like change.  He takes a very very long time to adjust to new schedules and routines and what many mistake for shyness is really just his reluctance to new people.  It takes months before he will respond to new people at church, at school, anywhere...and he regresses alot.  The less frequent he sees someone, the longer it takes. 

The reason it was hard for me....he's my youngest.  He's it.  The last one.  And the fact that I should have been taking two to kindergarten today does not lighten my mood any. 

So, yes, today was hard.  And this stagger day thing they do for kindergarten I am sure has it's reasons, but it is truly not a benefit for him.  What we did today....we will do again on Monday. It will get easier each day....but it breaks my heart every time.

blog hops later...tootles folks!

Kraigisms

The Kraigism page has been updated....so please go read the clever things my 5 year old says.  As my husband often asks...he is 5, right?

I am too tired to do a real post tonight...spent most of my evening signing my life away on first day of school paperwork....I did get the Monday blog hops done...maybe tomorrow I can post something insightful!

In the meantime...peace out folks!  g'nite!!!

Just another manic monday...

Remember that song?  I do...and most of my Mondays feel just like that.  Shoot, most of my days feel like that, but 'manic tuesday' or 'manic wednesday' just doesn't have the same ring. 

Anyway...just a quick good morning to everyone.  I dropped my son off at school this morning, his first day of high school.  Yes, I was a little sad.  My big boy (he stands almost 2 heads taller than me) is growing up.  And I will admit I am a little worried.  Christopher has always struggled with school...he manages, and I fight to get him the help he needs.  But high school is a whole different ball game.  But I am ready...already got my emails ready to send to his teachers and guidance counselor, already planning a meeting with them...prepared to bring out the monster mom!

I'm gonna try to link up the rest of my blog hops at lunch and then work on Monday's tonight when I get home. 

Have a good day ya'll!!!

Not enough hours....

Well...I didn't get to the blog hop OR the newsletter...so tomorrow is going to start very early for me!

But I will be caught up by the time I go to bed tomorrow night!

Busy Saturday...

It's 620p and I am just now getting down to the business of blogging.   It's been a good day though...got a few things done, took a nap, made dinner with my husband, and still have some things to do--but what's left is mostly computer stuff (blog stuff, church newsletter, etc.) 

First order of business for the day was Kids Workshop at Home Depot.  If you don't already know....Home Depot hosts a *FREE* workshop once a month in which they provide a kit to make whatever the featured item is...usually seasonal.  (FYI..for my C'ville friends, it's the first Sat of each month from 9-12 for kids aged ? - 8, I think).  Each child gets an apron, a certificate, a tac pin and the completed project. 

Here is Kraig's finished item from today:

He refused to put the apron back on.  Said it was too hot.  Yes, I tried.

My husband LOVES IHop....we eat there alot as a family and for date night...

this week, date night was a challenge for a few reasons...so we decided to do date night at home and googled the IHop pancake recipe.  We found it! 

So we made pancakes together for dinner....they were awesome!  I recommend them to anyone!

We found it here. (you have to scroll down past the bogus stuff to get to the recipe...)

And in other news.....the streets of C'ville are no longer safe to drive.  Memphis and surrounding areas probably have some more time before they become infiltrated. 

Yes, my friends, it is true. 

MY DAUGHTER GOT HER DRIVER'S LICENSE THIS WEEK!!!!

She is beyond excited....So much so, she had to come show us.

Or show off....who takes a GOOD picture on their license?

Only my daughter....she is so freaking photogenic...BEAUTIFUL--yes she is!

Now to finish the Friday Blog Hops...and get to work on Saturday's!

Bittersweet Day

It's been awhile it seems since I've posted a "real" post....in all my blog hops and then my blog overhaul and of course the busyness of my life in general...I just haven't had time  I intended to post this yesterday...but just did not happen. 

It finally hit me on the way to work yesterday morning....and I was pretty much a wreck the rest of the day.  I registered Christopher and Kraig for school yesterday.  Christopher will begin his first year of high school next week.  9th grade.  A freshman.  Geez...where does the time  go. 

Seems like I was just bringing him home from the hospital the other day.  This photo was taken the day we came home; he was born October 3, 1995.  (FYI...he was not asleep.  I was not present for the photo, but my husband and my mom were...and he had just finished crying and started again just after.  Photographer had great timing.)

And taking him to his first day of school.....(he was not happy). 

This was taken just last month....

And now...he is not only taller than me...he is also taller than Chris...

My babies are growing up!!!!

Kraig....he has come so far...and yet still has so much to accomplish.  Every day is a miracle to me.  He is such a joy to our family and brings much laughter to our home.  It wasn't so very long ago that he joined our family....

This was taken a few hours after he was born on November 4, 2004.  As you can tell, he had a bit of a rough start.  He was born the second of identical twin boys, at 25 weeks gestation, the surviving twin of twin to twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS).

After 11 weeks and 1 day (or 79 days according to the doctors, as they count by days)...he came home on  January 21st, 2005.

His first day of preschool last year.  (He actually attended most of the year before; I can't seem to locate those pictures.)  This is from the book his teacher made..she made one for each of students.

And this is Kraig just a couple of weeks ago.....

As overjoyed as I am at my children growing up and progressing...it is these "milestone moments" that make me acutely aware that one of my children is not here.  I should have been registering 2 boys for kindergarten yesterday...not one.  Kyle is never far from my thoughts  nor does he ever leave my heart, but days like yesterday bring the emotions simmering to the surface.  You can read their birth story here....

Off to catch up on my blog hops....!

Choose your friends with caution;

Plan your path with purpose;

Frame your life with faith.

Happy Sunday All!!!

I have finally finished the blog transfers! Whew..what a job that has been! Now I can just tweak the way they look...but I finally got everything moved to where I want it!

Check back later for the blog hop posts...I have 3 days worth to catch up on!

Till later.....

Mich