My Little Graduate

Wesley graduated Kindergarten today. I can't believe a whole school year has gone by!!

I Blame Pinterest

I decided to get a little creative for the end of year teacher gifts this year. Ok, Pinterest inspired me to be a little creative and I figured since I love to bake, baking would be more personal (and less expensive) than buying the teachers gift cards or a little gift that they probably have way too many of anyway.   

So, may I present to you, end of the year gifts for Wesley's teachers.....drum roll, please.

They are filled with lemon-lime sugar cookies for a little taste of summer. Not too bad, huh?  The principal and assistant principal will be getting brownies packed with the same "Thanks for making me one smart cookie" tag. 

I just can't believe Wesley FINISHES Kindergarten tomorrow!

I Love You More

My mom and I went out to eat the other day and the paper band around my napkin said, "I love you more than bacon." Since bacon is Wesley's favorite food, I thought it would be cute to take it to him.  He really liked it, hugged me and told me "And I love you more than Ree" - the Pioneer Woman and one of my favorite bloggers/tv cooks.

Last night Wesley gave me a note that said, "I love you so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so much."  As he handed me the note he said, "I didn't have room to write how much I love you because it's like a thousand hundred times through the universe much." 

That's a lot of love!

Not Me Monday

Welcome to Not Me! Monday! This blog carnival was created by MckMama. You can head over to http://www.mycharmingkids.net/ to read what she and everyone else have not been doing this week.

I did not slap a huge bandage on my arm because I couldn't quit scratching it, even though the bandage kind of made me look like I had just had an IV.

I did not volunteer to take Wesley to his 8:00 AM tee ball practice, sacrificing a day to sleep in just so Duane could. And Duane certainly didn't decline to take me up on it.

There is no way on earth I went to Target and bought exactly what was on the list and nothing extra.

Family Fun Day

Despite temperatures pushing 90 today, Duane and I decided to take the kids to a family event at a park near our house. I am so very glad we did!

Ryan getting the lay of the land....er...park.

He chose to start at the ball track...

...but the super bounce soon caught his eye.

He loved it!

Wesley hung out at the dragon castle instead.

He here comes!

DJ  W.P.

Building a city

Mission complete

Ryan tried the hula hoops for awhile.

A short while

The boys both tried their hand at painting

There was a cool shaved ice truck where you chose and added your own flavoring

Wesley showing off his purple tongue.



Ryan tried a little game of chess before we left



We also did spin art, played with a parachute and watched a puppet show. I call that a successful afternoon!



Ryan P.I.

On the way to school/grandma’s/work today Ryan looked out the window of the minivan and exclaimed, “I see Daddy! That’s his car!” I told Ryan that he saw a car that looked like Daddy’s car, but it could not have been Daddy because he is at work. Ryan was quiet for a moment then asked, “How do you know he’s at work?” I guess suspicious minds start early.

Talent Show

I am so going to play this at his wedding rehersal dinner some day.

Evening at the Park

Tonight was another t-ball/tee ball (which is correct, btw? I use them interchangeably) practice. Don't he and his buddy look awesome?

While they practiced with the team, Ryan and I played on the playground. I shocked the little guy by going up the climbing wall in my flats and long work skirt. "Mommy, are you sure you can do that?" he asked. Ha! I'm not that old yet, kiddo! And just to prove it, I also went down the big slide in my work clothes. Who says I'm not a cool mommy?

He's under there somewhere.

Why does this make me think of the police getting ready to frisk him?

It's a bird! It's a plane!

It's Super Ryan!

After proving that mommies could rock the playground, I let Ryan do his own thing for awhile. And by "do his own thing" I mean follow around two "older" (probably 8) girls on the playground. At first Ryan was content to just play on whatever they were playing on, but then he got brave enough to strike up a conversation. He told them his name and how old he is and how old his brother is and that his brother was wearing an orange shirt and practicing tee ball. He told them that he is going to start preschool and that he is going to Disney World this summer and all about super heroes.

The girls were really good sports about him and when it was time to go they told him, "Bye Ryan. It was nice to meet you." But he wouldn't leave gracefully. Nope, instead of giving them a cool wave and leave them wanting more (or at least thinking what a sweet boy he was) he broke down into tears about leaving his new girlfriends. Not smooth, dude. Not smooth at all.

Super Swimmer

Ryan has been doing wonderfully well in his swim lessons. I predict we'll have a swimmer by the end of the summer. And of course, his new bathing suit provides even more incentive for him to get in the pool.

Aunt Susan and Uncle Kirk hooked Ryan up with this excellent Super Hero Squad ensemble. Let me tell you, Ryan is in love! The night he got the gear, he wanted to wear it in the bathtub and to bed. He could not be more proud - as this picture shows. 

Not Me Monday

Welcome to Not Me! Monday! This blog carnival was created by MckMama. You can head over to http://www.mycharmingkids.net/ to read what she and everyone else have not been doing this week.

I did not sit on the floor and play board games with the boys for 40 minutes, even though I knew it would mean my back would hurt so much when I stood up that I'd barely be able to walk.

I did not allow both boys to sleep in my bed with me when Duane was camping. Who would actually share a bed with two squirming kids when you could have the whole bed to yourself?

I did not buy the boys ice cream and funnel cake for lunch and "make up for it" by making them eat fruit when they got home.

Sunday Short Stories

This was the scene when I got out of the shower this morning - Wesley and Ryan reading a book together.  I guess miracles can happen! Actually, Wesley has been reading to Ryan a lot lately. Ryan has really gotten into the Elephant and Piggie books by Mo Willems and Wesley reads them with a ton of expression.

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We were watching TV tonight and a commercial for one of those tutoring places like Sylvan came on. The voice over on the commercial said, "Is your child happy at school?"  Wesley happily replied, "Yep! I am!"  The commercial continued, "Is the pace in your child's classroom too fast or too slow?" This time Wesley answered, "Nope! It's just right!"  Guess school has been just fine this year!

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Have I mentioned lately how much I love my cat and how patient he is with the kids?  Sanders let Ryan pin him down and pet him for what must have felt like ages.  What a good kitty.

Vet Open House

One of the great things about living in central Ohio is the proximity of the Ohio State University - great hospital, great football and great education. Today was the College of Veterinary Medicine Annual Open House, which was free to the public with the donation of some pet food. Since the college recently did a great vet day at Wesley's school, we decided to go check it out for a little bit.

What a treat it ended up being! There were tons of animal rescue organizations (with animals) there. You could tour the vet facilities, talk to people about the college, pet all kinds of animals and enjoy a special kids area. 

Ryan petting the rats

Hands on with a gecko

The boys both got their face painted - which neither of them have ever done before. I was impressed!

Checking out the chicks - literally

Ryan's dream kitten - little five week old Violet. She kept licking the ice cream he had dripped on his shirt.

She was doing "happy paws" on Ryan's arm here.

Wesley and Violet

Wesley seeing bacon in it's purest form.

What would an Ohio State event be without Buckeye Guy?

Wesley and Brutus

Most Important Lesson

As the school year winds down, I find myself thinking about the things Wesley has learned throughout the year. I know his class has worked on reading and handwriting and math and science. However, I am so happy to know that Wesley has also learned empathy this year at his school. 

Ryan has recently become obsessed with bones and the fact that people and animals have bones and that bones can break.  He and Wesley were having the kind of conversation three year olds and six year olds have with each other and it went pretty much like this.

Ryan: I broke the bones in my back.

Wesley: You did not break the bones in your back.

Ryan: Yes, I did!

Wesley: No, you didn't! If you broke the bones in your back you wouldn't be able to walk.

Ryan: I could walk in a wheelchair.

Wesley: Ryan, you don't walk in a wheelchair. You sit in it and you can move it with your hands or with a little stick and sometimes people push you. 

Ryan: A wheelchair would not be fun.

Wesley: Not really, but lots of kids at my school are in wheelchairs. There is a girl in my class named M. in a wheelchair and she does share time and lunch and homework and is going to be in graduation and everything. Just because you are in a wheelchair doesn't mean you can't go to school and do all kinds of things.

And that right there tells me that Wesley has learned the most important lesson of all at his school this year. I love that kid.

Misses and Kisses

I attended a 7:45 AM staff meeting yesterday morning, so the boys had an overnight with Grandma and Grandpa H. on Wednesday night. When I showed up at Grandma and Grandpa's on Thursday Ryan rushed into my arms and I spent a minute kissing him all over his face.

"I'm not wiping your kisses off today!" he told me.

If that wasn't proof that he missed me, Ryan later told me, "I missed you so much tomorrow."  I knew what he meant, so I said, "I missed you so much tomorrow too."

Ryan was quiet for a beat then said, "I mean yesterday."

Sucker Punch

How is it that my three year old knows exactly what to say to break my heart?  Yesterday as we were getting ready to leave for the day he said, "Fluffy kitten (imaginary cat) is taking time off from work at his library today because he wants to be with us."

OUCH!

And I DO want to be with you, Ryan. But I also want to afford a house and clothes and food. Ugh. Being a parent can be tough sometimes.

The Rules

Ryan was having a particularly cranky morning yesterday, so Wesley decided it was time to impart some brotherly wisdom and share with Ryan the rules of being a big boy. Of course, Wesley couldn't just tell Ryan the rules, he had to write them out. Never mind the fact that Ryan can't read yet.

Translated, the first page of The Rules of Being a Big Boy read like this.

• Listen to your mom
• Listen to your dad
• Do not lock people out

The second page (not photographed) reads:

• Do not bother the cat
• Do not "Waaaaaaaaaaaaa" around Dad

Anyhow, Wesley was working on the RFBABB (Rules for Being a Big Boy) right before it was time for us to leave for school.  I looked at the clock and said, "Wesley, it's time to put your book away and get your shoes on." 

He ignored me.

I repeated, a little louder, "Wesley, put your stuff away and get your shoes on."

"Mo-om," he whined. "I'm still working on my book."

I looked at the first page and asked, "What's the first rule of being a big boy?"

Wesley checked the page, sighed, and read "Listen to your mom."

"Well?" I asked him.

"But Mom, this is a book of rules for Ryan, not for me!" 

Declining Standard

It's really hard to get a decent picture of Wesley and Ryan these days.  Here's my best attempt from Mother's Day

Yeah.....not so good. What's worse is that my definition of what is a "good" picture of my children has been warped so much that I'm actually pretty happy with this one.

Not Me Monday

Welcome to Not Me! Monday! This blog carnival was created by MckMama. You can head over to http://www.mycharmingkids.net/ to read what she and everyone else have not been doing this week.

I have not fallen head over heels in love with a house that we have no chance of buying because our house isn't on the market yet.  And I do not dream about said house. And I do not fear I will cry when it sells.

I did not have a moment of utter and complete panic when Duane and I realized that we each thought the other one had Ryan at the store.

We did not give Ryan a sippy cup to drink out of after he spilled his big boy cup for the third time. And he certainly did not throw a complete tantrum about having to drink out of it.

I was not equally happy and bummed that I had to work on Mother's Day. And my kids fighting had absolutely nothing to do with my conflicted emotions.

Happy Mothers Day

I am typing this as I finish a wonderful breakfast of lavender scones with white chocolate cream and lemon curd while listening to my children fight in the background. I'm pretty sure that within the next 30 minutes, I'm going to end up feeling very thankful that I have to work today so I get away from the bickering. So this isn't going to be your typical Hallmark Mother's Day.

As much as I'd like to pretend that Mother's Day is all about me these days, I know that wouldn't be a very good mother (heck, I'd wouldn't even be a capable mother) without the three wonderful moms I am blessed to have in my life.


My mom is my very best friend.  We talk on the phone several times a day - often about nothing. She is the first person I call when I'm upset, or happy, or bored. She is my shopping partner and my shoulder to cry on. There is absolutely no pretending with my mom; she knows the good, the bad and ugly about me. My mom has always been my cheerleader and support system and I still want to be just like her when I grow up. I am so lucky to be her daughter. 

I was a teenager when my second mom came into my life. Lynne is my stepmom and one of the most gracious people I have ever met. She is the epitome of grace and has a wonderful sense of style.  Lynne is a glass half full kind of person and always knows just what to say to make things better. She is always on the go and there was a time in my life when I was convinced she never slept.  She and my dad are a fantastic couple and I am forever glad she is my other mother.

Finally there is my wonderful mother-in-law, the third mother I am blessed to have in my life. Rosalie is a humble woman whose faith and family mean everything to her. She is always ready with a smile and to give her grandchildren 100% of her attention. She raised four amazing children and I credit her for making Duane the kind of man he is. Rosalie welcomed me into her family with open arms and is such a blessing in all of our lives.

Thank you to all my moms for all you do and for just being the wonderful women you are.