And Then School Started

The summer was long and short.  I clearly remember the very last day of school, since it was just yesterday, saying to the handful of teachers I followed out the front door, "I can't wait until September 8!"

Which was totally just yesterday.  -ish.

Anyway, on September 8, these fools started school.

Henry, George, Jake

Jake is starting 4th grade, which is obviously as hilarious to him as it is to me.  He's not almost 10.  He's my baby that is now 100 lbs.  In a size 5 1/2 shoe.  Who is starting to smell stinky.  See?  He and I are doubled over in laughter.

Henry is starting 3rd grade, which is clearly unbelievable to him, too.  It's inconceivable that he's almost 8.  Don't even try telling me he's going to learn cursive.  And be part of organized sports at school.  No.  No way.  Not happening.

And on September 8, George wasn't starting school.  But try telling him that.  It didn't go over well...

Instead, he started today.

THREE BACKPACKS!!!!!

Today, I packed three backpacks.  It was amazing.  I will make three lunches every morning.  I will!  Because I am making three.  All three. 

Did you hear me say three???

First Day

When we got to school, of course he took the obligatory photo in front of the handmade school sign. 

Because...who doesn't want a picture in front of the handmade school sign?

Blue Eyes

His brothers bolted to their friends.  So I took him by the hand to line up.  Then tried to take a million pictures, of which none turned out.  No kisses.  No smiles.  All business.  Then I snuck this one of ol' blue eyes.

I Got This

His teacher led the line inside, and he followed the girl in front of him to the double doors.  I called his name and he turned around.  Typical George.  The eyebrow.  Just like his dad.  I sent this picture to my mom and she spotted it right away.

I spent the day working at home, but thought about George ALL DAY.  Surely he peed in his pants.  I bet he got tired or bored and started whining & crying.  Which little kid did he pick a fight with...

Pickup

"Mom! I had a cupcake because today was my friend's birthday!"

Now, that's the best first day ever.

Growing Like Weeds

The days are long, but the years are short. 

I am living this cliche.  I think it happened somewhere during the holidays.  Visiting with friends and family you haven't seen in a while who all say:  "Wow, your boys are getting so big!"  "Oh my gosh, Jake is so tall now."  "Henry's catching up to his older brother!"  "George sure isn't a baby anymore." 

Then in mid-January, we started back up at the community center.  We hadn't been there since last spring, but this mom needed after school sports classes for some energetic boys.  It just so happened that their favorite counselor is scheduled to work the nights we're there.  They've known him since Jake was 3, Henry 2 and before George was a thought.  The look on his face when he saw the boys again was utter shock.  It was then I realized they really are growing up.

Literally.  Jake is now less than a foot shorter than that counselor. !!!

These weeds are growing in many other ways, too....

Someone's potty trained.  Halle-frickin-lujah.

I am not a master in potty training.  I actually hate it.  Diapers are a pain in the neck, but oh so convenient.  It's a beautiful thing when you don't have to navigate public bathrooms with a child who touches everything on, around or near a toilet when peeing.  Not to mention the standoff I had with my oldest when trying to potty train him at 2-1/2 or 3 years old because everyone said I should.  It was hell.  So I gave up, let it go, and made sure he could do it by the time Kindergarten came around.  And he did it.  In one weekend.

I have no idea how Henry did it.  Poor middle child.

But George?  I think he could have done it for months already.  He only needed some underwear of his own to get him going.  He started the first week of January and just did it.  Only one accident last week...he was having too much fun playing with his toys downstairs, so he forgot and soaked his pants.  Won't do that again!  Lately, even his overnight pull-up is dry in the morning.

Finally.  After 9 years of diapers, we are almost done.

Then there's this kid.  Henry has a lot of scratches on his face at all times.  He's the lover.  He needs to kiss, hug and be close to someone every minute of his life.  Unfortunately, that person is usually George.  And George lets Henry know he doesn't like it.  But Henry doesn't listen.  His heart won't let him.  So George pushes and pushes and pushes away until he scratches.  Poor Henry.  It's not good.  That scratch on his cheek is a scar.  But it's hard to blame George when I see him being suffocated.  By love.  Oh my heart!

But those scratches under his nose?  Not from George.  See, Henry is also curious.  You can warn him, beg him, even tell him directly not to do something, but he will do it.  He has to figure it out for himself.  When Henry wandered upstairs to find a band-aid (also not George related), he was gone for a long time.  Then he came back downstairs with those marks on his face.

Me: Hey!  What happened to your lip?  What are those marks?
Henry: Oh nothing.  I bumped into something.
Me: What?  When?  Just now?
Henry: Yeah!  It's fine.  It doesn't hurt.
Me: I don't understand.  What did you bump into?
Henry: Nothing!  It's fine!  Really!!!
Me: (getting up from the couch)  Show me.

He leads me to the bathroom, pulls out the toothbrush drawer and picks up Steve's razor.  My eyes get really big.  He shows and tells me how he went up his cheek, down his other cheek and then (in a fast voice) "went side-to-side" on his upper lip.  Aaaaaah!  Did it hurt?  "Yeah."  Are you ever going to do that again?  "No!!!"

And this kid.  The eldest.  His behavior's been off lately.  So over the holidays, I googled "9-year old behavior".  He's almost 9.  Actually, in two weeks he's 9.  Wait, one week from today.  Jesus Christ, he's almost 9.  I have a 9-year old.  What the hell happened???

So when I googled, the responses were "pre-teen" this and "pre-teen" that.  Wait, whaaaa???  Pre-teen is 9?  Well, yeah, the pre-teen age group is 9-12, especially when referring to behavior.  So we have a pre-teen.  Jesus *%^#*$^ Christ!!!!  A pre-teen!!!!  I'm not ready.

But he is.

Before the school winter break was over, I went to a brunch at a friend's house.  She lives in the neighborhood, but a few good, long blocks away.  As soon as I got there, I realized I forgot something at home.  An ingredient for the sparkly drink.  It wasn't worth leaving the party to get it.  But I felt bad for forgetting.  So I texted Steve: "get Jake to bring it over!"

It was perfect.  He was home.  I was there.  We both had our phones.  We knew how long it would take him.  Jake could walk from home to me and back while Steve and I texted his departure and arrival.  And...his route would be the same as the walk to and from school.  No brainer.  My palms were sweating. 

He showed up at the door with delivery in hand.  In the other hand was a post-it note with my brunch friend's address and Steve's phone number.  I gave him a huge hug and tried to lean in for a kiss.  Nope.  He just said, "Ok, ok, I gotta go, I only have 10 minutes to get home." 

That's my pre-teen boy!!!

Merry Christmas Card

Every year, I get a Christmas picture of the boys taken at the Superstore.  I don't take it seriously.  They might wear red, I try to brush their hair and they pick whatever props they want. 

I expect the shots to be terrible, and I pick the best of the worst.   It goes in the Christmas card. 

Except this year.  I forgot to make the appointment until it was too late.  So I searched for a family picture on the computer.  AND COULDN'T FIND ONE.

Ok, I found one.  From Easter.  I don't even have the same haircut. 

So instead, I did this.

It says: "Wishing you moments of peace in your house, too"

I think Jake hates it.  But our friends and family love it.  And so do I!!!

(proven here and here)

Here's to a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. 

During which time, I might know a mother who runs to the Superstore for a belated Christmas picture that could look terrible.  ;)

Halloween...And Then Some

I've decided to get into the mode of posting less more often instead of a lot less often.  I'm short on time.  Like everyone.  So if I put it out there, maybe I'll do it. 

After this one.

My "blogiversary" came and went.  November 1st.  Three years!  I did a Halloween recap then, and again, and again, so I must do one now.  No matter how late is is...

George and I visited Henry's classroom Halloween party.  This black cat got to pose with The Hulk...aka his 3rd costume choice in the week leading up to the big event.  Argh!!

After school, we ran home to decorate.  I just can't get it together to decorate even one day in advance.  It's last minute every single year.  But the joy of kids getting older, means they pitch in.  Jake did the caution tape and I took care of the faux-pumpkins.  (For a full explanation, visit this link, we will never carve again!!!)

Recurring themes:  Zombie (this year there were two), Rain (at least it's not snow) and CANDY (more than ever).  We have the kids pour all the loot onto the table for a picture right after trick-or-treating.  This makes for no individual stashes.  I can't believe they haven't caught onto my trick yet. 

And because it's been two weeks since Halloween, here's some other random things going on in our terribly busy lives:

Winter Is Coming

Winter gear goes on sale incredibly early.  I gave him the chance to pick out his own hat.  I think he loves it.

This came home in Jake's backpack.  His class was taking a trip to the "Century Schoolhouse" here in Toronto, and he was actually excited about it!  I was skeptical.  I know my resistant-to-any-kind-of-change child, but he really wanted to participate.  So we headed to Value Village and Dollarama.  He picked it all out.

And then this happened. 

He settled down, went off to school and met up with his classmates who looked just as crazy cute.  A friend of mine called it "adorkable".  Yes.  Every 3rd grade child must go through the rite of passage.

Then he came home and told us how he got "punished" and had to hold a log for 2 minutes.  A classmate got her hair pinned to the wall and another had to stand on his tippy toes and hold his nose to the wall for a minute.  Awful field trip that it was.

"Henry, you're gonna hate it next year."

Since we're going with a Jake theme here, I have to mention how insanely into football he is right now.  I admit, we've been brainwashing him with my beloved Green Bay Packers from very young.  But he not only watches it, he plays it.  Daily.  At school.  Begs us to go outside and "throw the football around."  His brothers, too.  I love it. 

(And we loved watching the Packers dismantle the Bears on Sunday Night Football.  All three boys may have been a little tired at school the next day...)


And on this active note:

Random iPad Picture

We're neck deep in the electronics war.  Our kids have taken over the iPad.  And an old laptop.  Yesterday, Jake found my old iPhone. 

It's still the kid phase.  Facebook, Instagram and Twitter accounts aren't in our near future.  But usage is getting out of hand.  Our general family belief is: everything in moderation.  So we're doing our best to limit the time spent on electronics, taking turns, managing the games. 

But some days, that iPad just seems to disappear.  Nobody can find it!  Hmmm...let's go play football, instead ;)

Someone's Seven

Suddenly, I found myself picking up a child at school today for a birthday lunch. 

Birth

We walked to Pizza Pizza.  He wouldn't hold my hand until we crossed the street.  And then he forgot to let go for a while.

6 months

He had to go to the bathroom SO BAD.  He wanted to go on a tree in the park, but we made a pitstop at a coffee shop instead.

1 year

We went to Pizza Pizza because he got a Birthday coupon in the mail for a free slice and soda.  He reeeeeally wanted bacon, but he had to choose between cheese or pepperoni.  He chose cheese.  And a root beer. 

2 years

His birthday fell on a Friday, so a bunch of 6th graders from his school were at the pizza place, too.  That was sooooo cool. 

3 years

Cool enough that he didn't feel like talking to me, just looking at the big kids. 

4 years

He did say he couldn't remember if he had math that morning, he wasn't sure if he had gym that afternoon and he really wanted to get back in time for lunch recess. 

5 years

We went back to school.  I walked on the sidewalk.  He walked on everything but. 

6 years

He wouldn't stop talking.  All about random things that I couldn't follow.  I don't think he even knew what he was talking about after a while.

7 years

The second we got back to school, he wrapped his arms around my waist and said "Love you, mom."  Then he walked up to the front entrance, in through the doors and disappeared up the stairs. 

He didn't look back even once. 

Christmas Is For Kids

I didn't get it before.  Then I had kids.  And now I do.  But it's not just for them...it's about, around, inside, throughout, important, meaningful and magical because of them. 

So why not let them do it their way?  Exactly.

Let me present our Christmas decorations as put up by the kids with daddy supervising...

This picture showed up on my phone while out having coffee with friends.  It made me smile...because they're not fighting!

I had no say in anything and I love it all. 

Tree in the Livingroom

First Christmas in the new/old house.  Where to put the tree?  We considered the basement, but this spot in the livingroom won out because we'd actually see it. 

When you walk in the house, this is the view.  I love that it fits next to the niche.

That's Jolly.  He's our Elf On The Shelf.  This is his 3rd season with us.  Every November, we have a discussion about whether he's going to come back for another Christmas.  The boys hope he will and are amazed that he does. 

At the time of these pictures, he found a spot under the star Jake made.  Today he's in the plant.

Jolly's View

 We haven't really figured out how to decorate the rest of the house. 

 

Like that little photobomber?  He likes the snowflake pillows.  Mostly on the floor.

To keep it real, here's the rest of the area.  Christmas bin still out.  Boxes of Christmas cards waiting to be written.  Random Christmas candle holders.  And chocolate advent calendars.  They were free at Loblaw's.  I may or may not have bought them anyway because that's the kind of Christmas we have here...kid and chocolate driven. 

I did have a hand in one thing, though...

New door = no holes.  I just couldn't bring myself to put a nail in it.  Not this year.  Maybe not next year.  Ever? 

So long as Dollarama bows and 3M command strips exist, I may never need to. 

It's the best $2.00 I've spent this holiday so far.  Unless you count the money spent on ingredients for brown sugar cookies...

I am not a baker.  Or a cook.  My kitchen magic consists mostly of grilled cheese, guacamole and quesadillas.  Oh, can I make a mean quesadilla...

But there is no such thing as a Christmas Quesadilla.  Nor were there pre-made sugar cookies at the grocery store that day.  So now I can add a fourth item to my list of things I can make from scratch.  If scratch includes bread and tortillas.

Still with me?

Good.  Cause these are some damn good cookies.

If you consider good meaning let's start decorating well after bedtime.  At least these kids do.

Every personality came out in the decorating.

This was an unplanned candy cane.  He's my lucky kid. 

This was the world's most scrutinized-over candy cane.  He's my tunnel vision kid.

This cookie was not finished until it had the exact amount of stars on it as predetermined by its creator.  He's the my-way-or-the-highway kid. 

Some call it toddler.  I know toddlers.  This is George. 

In the end, overdue bedtime or not, they all had fun decorating the cookies.  And fun is what happens at Christmas. 

Because in this house...Christmas really is for kids. 

Being Thankful

My American roots were showing this week.  Something about that big turkey-related holiday.  I can try to be as Canadian as I want, but I can't not celebrate American Thanksgiving. 

Cayuga Lake

This is our 6th year celebrating it in upstate New York, where my aunt and uncle live.  My mom, dad, brother, sister-in-law and sister all caravan here from the Midwest.  We rent a house on the lake, so it's a true getaway for everyone. 

Freezing Cold Hike

This is the first year it snowed while we're here.  Thank god I packed the boots. 

Taughannock Falls

But it didn't matter. Middle child couldn't feel his feet midway through the hike.

Kid Table

It's the first year the cousins sat together unattended for more than 5 seconds. 

Family

And the first time all adults were in the picture together.  Thank you, middle child. 

And thank you, family, for making it another memorable turkey day.