Can He Letter in That?

Wesley had a birthday party to go to today - without Ryan. I am totally OK (and actually sometimes prefer) when the boys have separate play time with their friends or parties when the other brother isn't invited. It gives them a break from each other, helps establish their own unique friendships, and, perhaps most importantly, I don't have to worry about them fighting with each other and embarrassing me under someone else's watch.

Unfortunately, Ryan does not share my enthusiasm when only one brother is invited somewhere. Especially when that brother is not him.

Duane and I decided to treat Ryan to a little something special while Wesley was off at the party. The three of us went to play mini-golf. As pulled into the mini-golf place, Ryan exclaimed, "I love putt-putt! It's my favorite sport!"

I'm not sure he'll be winning in medals or varsity letters in it, but he did have a pretty good time.

Yes, he needs to work on his form a bit, but he gets a lot more exercise the way he does it

The perfect putter holder

"Hey, Mommy! We should take a selfie!"

"Now a silly one!"

That is definitely what I'd call a hazard on the course

Before you think I am mocking Ryan's skills too much, I should give him full credit and say that he did get a hole in one. "Did you see that, Mom? It went into the little house, then through the tunnel, then bounced off the wall, then I got a goal!"

Hole in one = goal in our book. Of course, that could explain why we don't keep score.

Better Luck Next Time

Duane and I are planning on giving our old car to our "niece" Taryn to use as her college car. My mom and stepdad our giving us their old car, so it's kind of like a game of musical chairs. Duane and I can't find the title to the Hyundai, so we figured we'd just get a copy of it when we went to sign the thing over to Taryn. No problem.

So this morning I picked Taryn up around 9:00. We drove to the title agency and stood in line, patiently waiting our turn. The line moved quickly and the gentlemen that helped us was very kind. However, he had to inform me that there was a lien on the car from the bank that originally had the loan. Let me put this to you another way: there was a lien on the car we paid off more than five years ago, from a bank that no longer exists (they were purchased by another bank) in my name from my previous marriage. WHAT???

"You'll have to contact the bank that bought the old bank and get a letter from them stating that they no longer hold an interest on the car. It's fairly common, but it may take up to two weeks.  You could try to get one from the branch of the bank across the street though."

We went to the bank across the street and waited in line to talk to the teller, only to be told she couldn't help us and we'd need to take a seat and wait to talk to the banker. Did I mention Wesley and Ryan were with us? Joy.

We waited some more and were eventually helped by a very nice banker who assured us it would be no problem to get the letter - in 2-3 buisness days. I guess it's better than two weeks. But guess what I get to spend next Saturday doing instead of watching my kids' first soccer game of the season.? I suppose it serves me right for losing the darn title in the first place.

So Taryn has to wait another week to take possession of her college beater-mobile. The bad part? I asked Duane not to drive it anymore since he already cleaned it inside and out so it looks as good as it can for it's new owner. 

The Words of a Wise Woman

We listen to a lot of 80s and 90s music in the car. Yes, I know that means my kids think we are listening to oldies. Kind of like how the supermarket has suddenly started playing great music. Anyhow, the radio wasn't even on when this story took place, but I felt I had to preface it. And yes, I have had a lot of caffeine today.

We were driving around today when Ryan spoke up. "You know, Mom, I think that song is right. Girl really do just want to have fun."

Spoken by the prophet Cyndi Lauper.

Three Little Monkeys

I can't tell you how much I adore these three! The little sibs unite!

Happy Labor Day

Labor Day means Flea Market Day!!!  We picked up Taryn from school and headed up to Duane's home town for a couple of hours.

Our arrival. As you can see, Ryan was thrilled beyond belief to spend time at the flea market. And Wesley was busy flirting and hanging on Taryn.

Wesley suiting up for the velcro wall

Here he goes!

And he's stuck! I kind of wish a) there was one of these for grown ups near by and b) I had one at home to stick the kids on when they get out of hand.

Ryan's attitude improved after getting a sno-cone as big as his head.

I couldn't believe my luck in finding this lunch box. I had JUST been telling Taryn about my quest for one when we stumbled upon it. She must be my good luck charm.  This one was in great condition inside and out.

AND IT HAD THE THERMOS!!!!!

 I have wanted one of those lunch boxes for ages. I had one just like it as a kid. Duane bought it for me right away and on the way home he told me that he has been searching for one for years on ebay for me. All the ones he found were either WAY too expensive, or rusted, or didn't have the thermos.  I packed my lunch in it for work tomorrow. Can't wait to carry it.

Wesley and his new girlfriend

Taryn gave me a cat that Cheryl made for me - it's a flat Sanders and I love it!

It has a place of honor in the house.

After the flea market, Duane and I cleaned up and out Ryan's room. We got rid of two trash bags full of stuff, and then rearranged the furniture. I'm really happy with the results, but who knows how long it will last. Wesley's room is on the agenda for next weekend!

Not Me Monday

Welcome to Not Me! Monday! This blog carnival was created by MckMama.

I did not have to define "stripper" for my nine year old. And I certainly didn't have to use more than one definition because he questions about the word in more than one context.

I did not have to get after one of my boys about not turning their homework in on only the fifth day of school. It's way too early to fight those battles.

I know I didn't completely overreact to to cookies that didn't turn out right. And there's no way my super hubby made me a brand new batch. 

There is no way that the one time Duane and I overslept in years was the day that we were supposed to be at church early. And there's no way the main road on the way there wound up being closed, forcing us to take a detour through an unfamiliar residential area. 

One More Birthday Celebration

Today we had our "family party" to celebrate Wesley's birthday. It was wonderful and, even though I stress out sometimes, I know I am blessed to have such a fabulous family nearby.

Lots of pictures to capture the day - and as usual, I borrowed a few from Aunt Susan (thanks, Sus!)

Wesley chose "Mixels" to be featured on his cake

Getting ready to light the candles

 

Aunt Paula and Wesley. She even braved her allergy to our cats to come celebrate

I cannot tell you how much I adore this picture!  Five of my favorite guys in the whole world on one couch

Wesley with Grandma and Grandpa P.

Wesley with Aunt Susan

Telling Grandma W. all about the (many) Mixels

Wesley and Grandma H.

Ryan waited patiently while Wesley opened gifts.

Well.....mostly patiently

A very cute meowing card from Aunt Carol

Ryan somehow sprouted a tail

Wesley with his new ukelele

I love this picture because he has his tongue sticking out in concentration. His daddy does the same thing.

Wesley looks like all leg in this one

Smiling with Aunt Cathy

Ryan climbed Uncle Kirk

Aunt Susan playing a round of Uno with all the boys

Happy Ninth Birthday

Wesley celebrated his ninth birthday yesterday!  I thought the day was pretty low key, but I think it was just the right pace for Wesley.

I woke him up by singing "Happy Birthday" to him. "Say how old I am, Mom. Say it!" he begged. 

He enjoyed his birthday breakfast of rainbow pancakes.

I cannot bring myself to eat any of these. Logically, I know they are just regular pancakes with food coloring, but they look a bit too much like playdough for my taste

During breakfast, Ryan complained about going to school, stating that since it was Wesley's birthday they should be able to stay home.

"But I want to go to school today," Wesley insisted. "Going to school on your birthday is awesome!"

Apparently the whole class sang to him and the other boy that shares Wesley's birthday, as well the entire lunchroom singing to them during lunch.

Wesley opted to forgo a big party this year, and just invited two of his classmates, and his cousin over for a birthday backyard camp out. No big fancy dinner, or birthday cake either, Wesley wanted to cook hotdogs and 'smores over the firepit. That's my kind of birthday party!

The birthday dinner spread

Deluxe accommodations for the boys

My s'more looks like it's mad at me

Everything went really smoothly, which is easy for me to say, because Duane handled it all, while I did the grocery shopping and then went to our room to read.  Duane even slept outside in a reclining chair so he would be readily available for the kids if they needed him

They didn't need him. They went out to the tent around 10:30, but didn't actually try to go to sleep until about 1:00 in the morning. They were busy doing "night raids" in the yard. And they were up at 6:40 this morning!!!!!

We did donut kabobs for breakfast. I was both impressed and horrified by how much food the six kids (Wesley and his guests, plus Ryan and Sho) put away. 40 Timbits, a plate of bacon, strawberries and some leftover rainbow pancakes disappeared in a flash. It was like a school of piranhas!

The morning was spent playing video games and packing up to go home. Luckily, Wesley's lack of sleep crankiness didn't really hit until everyone was leaving. As I type this, he is sitting locked in his room (of his own accord), listening to his new iPod. I don't think those earbuds have come out in almost 2 hours. Between the lack of sleep and the new tunes, it's like he morphed from an 8 year old to a surly teenager overnight.   I have a feeling he'll revert back to his toddler years and take a nap later today though. 

It was the perfect celebration for him.

Bedtime Fort

This is how we have found Ryan when we go to bed the past couple of nights.

 What? You don't see him? Well, let me pull the covers aside just a bit....

And the kid actually sleeps like that! Of course, it means it's pretty easy for him to make his bed in the morning too.

Breakfast Reading

Since school started I have banned television in the morning before school. I noticed last year that the boys were more likely to be wound up and hyper if they watched tv while eating their breakfast, so I just took it out of the equation. The up side of this is that fact the boys will often do some reading before leaving for school.

The downside, is that they inevitably want to read the same book. This morning we had a big fight break out over who got to read the new Captain Underpants first. It's still better than tv, right? Right?

Ryan's Soccer Team

Ryan had his first soccer practice of the season the other night. We've had to wait a couple of weeks because Ryan's coach is in the reserves. Let me tell you, it was pure torture for Ryan to watch Wesley practice every week. He was chomping at the bit to get out there.

We know we lucked out with Wesley's team this year, but we lucked out with Ryan's just as much. Ryan has three classmates on his team, which means we have tons of parent friends on the sidelines and practice is fun for everyone.

Speaking of soccer fun for everyone, tonight was a scrimmage practice for Wesley's team. It's not a real practice and it's not required, but whoever can show up does and they scrimmage each other. Wesley's awesome coach allowed Ryan to play as long as he could keep up with the bigger kids and we "signed off" in case of any injury. Ryan did get knocked around a few times, but each time he got back up. He came to sidelines and cried for a minute or two on two separate occasions, but then he willingly went back in and continued to play hard. The assistant coach called him, "the toughest youngster in the world."

The other great thing about the scrimmage practice was the confidence it brought out in Wesley. For the past couple of years Wesley has been really good at being near the ball, but not really going after it. Tonight I saw him make contact with the ball more than I ever have before. He smiled and laughed and you could just see him becoming more comfortable. He even scored his first goal tonight!

As we were leaving the field Wesley called to the coach, "If you are doing this next week, I will so be there! Soccer is the only sport for me!" 

Like I said, we've got a great season ahead.

Not Me Monday

Welcome to Not Me! Monday! This blog carnival was created by MckMama.

I did not get a little teary dropping the kids off on the first day of school, only to remember that one of by BFFs is dropping her little girl off for college this week! And there's no way that realization made my drop off a bit easier.

I am not tempted to insist that my friend's daughter take a selfie on the first day of her college classes for her "first day of school" picture for her mom to post on Facebook.

I am not mildly annoyed that my mom STILL makes better chocolate chip cookies than I do! :-)

Duane did not have to tell me not to smother my friend's daughter who just moved to town to go to college and remind me that she'll call if she needs us. I couldn't be THAT excited that she's here.