homework (for parents or the kids?)

I'm not even in school and I've had it with homework! Last week Coby had to do a report on China and he had to cite two sources on the report. Seriously! Was my six year old really expected to do this or were Darren and I supposed to? I really wasn't sure. This was in addition to reading the books they send home daily, memorizing sight words and his Friday homework assignment. Coby is in Kindergarten! Enough said.

Connor had an igloo project due on top of his other assignments. They include memorizing multiplication facts, math homework, studying spelling words and a book report that is due every Friday. Luckily I have an amazing mother-in-law who did most of the igloo project for us. Shhhh...don't tell. His teacher did say to make it a family project and we took full advantage of that statement. My MIL made an igloo shaped out of cake and all we had to do was add a few marshmallows to it. Thank you GramPat! The igloo had to be hollow, dome shaped, have an entrance tunnel and could not be built out of legos. Those were the guidelines and the hollow part made it a bit tricky, but I think we (and by we I mean GramPat) did a great job. It is for a science grade and also a contest. Connor hopes to get at the very least third place. Why oh why does he have to have such aspirations? Life was so much simpler back when he didn't care about his school work (kidding...only kidding)!

I don't remember having this much homework as a child and I think I turned out alright. Don't you? Never mind don't answer that! I miss the days when kids could just enjoy being kids. It seems those days are a thing of the past.

snowed (iced) in and lovin' every minute

YIPPEE! We finally got enough ice (and a tiny bit of snow toward the end) to call off school for a few days. We've been playing play-doh, legos, cars, Wii bowling (I finally beat all the boys including Darren), reading, watching several Extreme Home Makeovers that I've had saved on the DVR for a lazy day and drinking hot chocolate to stay warm. But nothing beats getting outside for some sledding and snow ball fights!

i love this man

Darren and Cale a little over a year ago. I think my "baby" is growing up. :(

Last night Darren woke me up to tell me that Cale was sick and he needed my help. You see I am not that mother that actually hears when her kids need her at night. Terrible, isn't it? I have always been a very heavy sleeper and Darren has always been a light sleeper. He always knows when the boys need us and if I am needed, he wakes me up. Usually I hear him and fall back to sleep, so then he has to come back and wake me up again.

OK, back to last night...

Darren told me he needed help, Cale is sick, etc. I fell back asleep. Darren came back again. I finally got the message and got up. Darren put Cale in the tub and I proceeded to change his bedding and throw the sheets in the wash. While Darren got Cale a clean pair of pj's, I made Cale a pallet on our bathroom floor (just like I did one month ago when he had the stomach virus...how many times can a little guy get this?).

We got Cale all comfy and went back to bed. I woke up five or six times during the night and each and every time I could see Darren in the bathroom with Cale who was getting sick every time I woke up. Darren was holding a pan for Cale and rubbing his back. I never knew he was getting sick so I wasn't there for Cale, but Darren was. I'm so thankful to have a husband that is there for the boys when I'm not. I'm even more thankful that Cale was all better this morning. He woke up and went straight into the kitchen looking for breakfast...I'm starving he said. I'm glad it was short lived and can only hope it will be for the rest of us if/when we get it. It's inevitable I'm afraid.

hangin' with the boys

It was a beautiful day today...like upper 70's beautiful. So the boys and I spent the afternoon outside. We had a ball. I am so thankful that I get to stay at home with my boys each and every day (well, most days I am glad!). Coby realized that he loves photographing me so any photos that include me were taken by Coby. They were the first pics he's ever taken. It was pretty cute to watch him walk around the yard with my camera around his neck. I think we could use a professional photog in the family. With Coby's love of art, I could see him developing a passion for it. Time will tell.

No pics of Cale...he was napping. But he got plenty of outdoor play in before and after his much needed nap. Too nice not to be outside today!

what every boy needs

The boys got this awesome swing set for their birthdays this year! They are lucky little boys, but I think I'm the luckiest of all as I am going to have three tired boys at the end of the day. Plus, I might have a minute of peace and quiet while they are outside playing on it! Truth be told though...I love to swing too. It is so relaxing. Yep, I am the happiest of all about the new swing set.

precious moments

Tonight while taking a bath with Cale (yes, again...I love bubble baths in the winter and Cale always seems to find me and begs to hop in) I learned that I have giant feet. But wait, that's not all. It seems that I also have scratchy, giant legs too! Thanks Cale, that's just what I wanted to hear. Just when I had decided that he wouldn't be bathing with me anymore he said something so sweet.

Cale asked: What is this?

Me: What is it (not sure what he was trying to ask me)?

Cale: These are precious moments.

Wow! And that came from a two year old. They are precious moments indeed. I think I'll let Cale climb in the tub with me again tomorrow. I just hope he'll quit pointing out all my giant parts. Kinda hurts a girl's feelings, you know?

Cale talk

I asked Cale to get undressed for his bath the other day and he still had his shoes on. For some reason he has not mastered the art of taking off shoes. So, he looked at me and said, "I don't have a clue how to take my shoes off."

Me: What did you say?

Cale: I don't have a CLUE (as he rolled his eyes)!

Then, two days later he and I were enjoying a bubble bath and he looked at me and said that daddy was sick.

Me: Daddy is sick? What is wrong with him?

Cale: He is sick of working! (Probably true but I have never heard Darren say that)

Just had to get these written down while I still remember them as this blog is my way of keeping track of the cute things the boys say or do.

happy b-day Coby

I can't believe my little guy is SIX, but it's true, he is. I did not plan a party for him this year, but we had an impromptu dinner with Nina, Aunt Emily, Uncle J, Lincoln and Lauren. We went to Freddy's Frozen Custard because that where the birthday boy wanted to go. Afterward, we went to Nina and Poppy's house for cake. It was my first attempt at making a birthday cake and I was very insecure about taking it over since I had only planned on Darren, the boys and myself enjoying it during a low key evening at home. Coby just had to have strawberry so I winged it and it was surprisingly good.

The boys, Nina and Darren played Wii bowling. It was a fun and relaxing way to spend a Friday night. In fact, Coby told me after we got home that it was the greatest day of his life and that was before opening his gifts! Sadly, I didn't have time to wrap his gifts until well after 9 pm so he opened them after baths were taken. Then he told us, "Gee, you gave me just what I wanted! It's my lucky birthday!"



Happy birthday Coby Lane! You bring so much joy into our lives.

learning

While working with Coby on beginning sounds of words he told me

"Mommy I wish that I could open up my brain and put all the books in it. Then, I would be berry, berry smart!"

Oh how I wish it was that simple...especially on the days when I am working with him and he is just not getting it!

goodbye 2008

As I woke up this morning to a new year I couldn't help but reflect on 2008 a bit. It was a good year for our family. I wasn't necessarily ready to bid it adieu but at the same time I am looking forward to see what God has in store for 2009.

Here are a just few of the things that I will remember about 2008:

~we sold our house

~we moved into a brand new house that is a perfect fit for our family

~Darren had his gallbladder removed and it was uneventful (yay!)

~unlike last year, Darren didn't get shot at while on duty (now that is a good year indeed)

~Darren worked day shift which I never would've dreamed he'd do (I'm loving it.)

~Coby started Kindergarten

~Connor went to third grade and loves going to school

~Cale continued to plug along happily

~Most importantly, 2008 was a year that God was hard at work in me. I won't go into detail, but he has shown me things that I never did see before and I will never be the same. He gave me perspective. I needed that. I truly appreciate my life this year in ways that I never have until now. I am a lucky, lucky girl!

Hello 2009!