Some Catching Up

First off, let me apologize for the length of time between posts here. We're busy, but we're always busy. And now that the kids are getting older (especially Wesley) I'm not as comfortable sharing so much of their lives here. I mean, I know I don't exactly have a large blog audience, but I'm trying to be more sensitive about what I share here and on Facebook.

But I'm not ready to abandon it completely! 

The first day of school was this last Wednesday - third and fifth grade this year. Let me repeat that - THIRD and FIFTH grade! I can't believe it. I'm feeling more emotional about school this year. It's Wesley's last year in elementary school and in some ways I feel like it's his last year of really being a kid. I want him to enjoy this year, but I also want it to be preparation of what's to come.

Ryan being in third grade is a little difficult for me too. He's on the upper elementary lunch schedule. His recess is with the big kids. And since we know all the teachers in the school, I know this is probably going to be his most fun year - everyone (kids and parents alike) loves the third grade teacher. The fourth and fifth grade teachers are good, don't get me wrong, but third grade is fun.

Both boys were looking toward to going back to school. They couldn't wait to get back to their friends and routines. The first morning, they didn't even look back as they hopped out of the car at drop off. I barely even got a "Bye, Mom." And while I want my kids to be confident and to love school, I have to admit that it hurt a little bit.

To make things even worse, that night at dinner Ryan said, "Mom, do you know Wesley and and I will only be at the same school three more years after this? I'll be in 6th grade when he's in 8th, and then my first two years of high school will be his last two years there." 

Could someone please hand me that box of tissues?

So anyway......

We got through the first week (actually three days) of school just fine. The guys have said school is "awesome" and "fantastic" this year. But back to school time means Wesley's birthday is creeping up on us. We celebrated with some of his buddies last night. Wesley wanted to go bowling so off to the alley we went. He and his friends had one lane, while me & Duane, Ryan and his friend (we let him take a buddy along in hopes he'd leave the bigger kids alone) number bowled on another lane. It was great! Completely low stress and we just got pizza there. Probably my favorite birthday outing to date.

After bowling for awhile we came home and had cake, then Ryan's friend left and another one of Wesley's buddies arrived and the "sleepover" portion of the night began. Although I don't think anyone actually slept much.

We had informed Ryan that he had to leave the older kids alone (and vice versa) so we did have a pouty eight year old to deal with. Lucy, Ryan and I watched tv upstairs for awhile, but Ryan pretty much fought back tears the whole time, saying things like, "They sound like they are having so much fun" and "Someday Wesley's going to feel as sad as I do about missing out." Poor guy. 

Things got a little better when Duane took him into the basement to play video games - until about 12:30 AM!!!! 

Like I said, no one really slept much. In fact, I'm pretty sure the guys played video games and drank soda ALL night. Sounds like a heck of a party to me!