My son....the non intentional comedian....

This morning, while getting ready for church, Kraig asked if it was Fast Sunday today....he was told no.  To which he responded, so it's a slow Sunday. 

What's funny is he wasn't even trying to be funny...he was serious. 


When I posted the above conversation on my facebook....this was a comment from one of the leaders:

"he was so adorable in primary. He was the mystery spotlight and each clue given he would give a thumbs up and and say "yes, that's me." When we announced his name you would have thought he had won a million dollars. he thanked us and then said. "ya, I know I'm cool."

He never ceases to amaze me....

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....!!!

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.

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!!!

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....!

Sprinkler Park at Johnson Park

I think I have mentioned Kraig loves the sprinkler park at Johnson Park.  We took  him yesterday....just to get out of the house and cool off a bit.  He had a good time.  Unfortunately, half of the water features weren't working, so even though the park was not really that crowded, it seemed to be because everyone descended on the ones that were.  We didn't stay long...but long enough for him to get drenched!

Random July pics

Here are just a few pics taken during the month as the situation called for...

Kraig...lounging as usual....and protected as well.

Chris is a very hands on Dad, and Kraig is a "participation required" child....

No idea....

And this event had to be documented on film...Christopher is reading of his own accord.  The fact that it is a book by/about Michael Orr (sp?) ...(subject of the Blind Side for those that live under a rock)....had absolutely EVERYTHING to do with it!