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.

Guest Post: Hook It Up!

I'm guest posting over on 4mothers1blog again!

It's a follow up to my last post on Jake's "new" room and the pictures he randomly taped to the wall. 

Sometimes inspiration hits at the perfect moment.  And sometimes it works out so well, you need another post to show how you've used it further.  Stay tuned...!

Jake's Room...?!?!

I find being a stay at home mom is rewarding because your boss (kids) are ones you love (mostly) and the work is steady (until they fire you).  As if turning 9 wasn't enough, I feel like my term of employment is ending soon with the oldest.  He's got his own room.

Old Guest Room

Pardon this super old, pre-reno, spring-in-the-window-is-mocking-you picture of the guest room.  This is the tiny 3rd bedroom we have on our 2nd floor.  It's next to the bathroom, to the right at the top of the main staircase.  It's the room my parents stay in when they visit, but otherwise it's empty. 

(I can't believe I didn't have a real "before" picture of this room taken after the reno.  I feel like I've photographed every inch of the finished project to death.  I searched!!  But, to be honest, this room changed the least from before to after the renovation.  A new window, new light fixture and a few throw pillows are all that were different.  There's your visual.) 

Empty, until one night when the 3 boys sleeping in the same room wouldn't fall asleep. 

Me: That's it.  Jake, sleep in the spare room.

Jake: No!  I don't want to!!!

Me: I'm sorry, but you have to do it.  whisper: I think you might like it.

And then he kinda moved in.

While I appreciate all the details you can see in this picture...his toddler bedspread, his old pillow, alarm clock, hats, sports stuff and random picture taped to the wall...something more permanent had to be done. 

So we hit IKEA.

Now, Jake is my son with a mind of his own.  We didn't walk in cold turkey.  That would mean the first item he saw in each department would come home with us.  Oh no.  I had a strategy.  And that strategy was browsing the catalog first.  When I turned the page to a dresser, I pointed one out to him.

Assembling

He loved it.  Then we went to the store and he searched for it.  He helped me put it in the cart, load it into the car and put it together (mostly) until I fired him for slacking.  Actually, he heard the Spongebob opening song on the TV downstairs and disappeared. 

So Far, So Good

It's a nice pop of color in the corner of the room.  And the dimensions are perfect.  Plus, he's a kid and I need furniture that's not precious.  And bedding that's not precious...which he also picked out.

Because those pictures move everyday and I don't want to care where that tape ends up.

Which is my next challenge for this room...!

The Newborn is 9

So, just yesterday my firstborn arrived.  Well, that's what it feels like.  Except yesterday he was 8.  And today he's 9.

Attitude

But I swear this was yesterday. 

Newborn

Because I can remember him creeping.

1 Year Old

And learning to count.

3 Years Old

And cutting his hair too short.

5 Years Old

Or leaving it go too long.

7 Years Old

But now I'll always remember his last night of 8.

8 Years and 364 Days

Those 9 years went by in a flash. 

9 Years Old - No Smiling

So we went out for pizza at lunchtime :)

Happy Birthday, my Jake.  I'm saving my tears for double digits!!

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 ;)

Food, Family and Fun

I've found something so inspiring, I feel like I'm living a lie.  It's a cookbook.  But I can't cook.  So it's perfect.

I'm not into celebrity perfumes, shoes or clothing lines.  So why would I be into this celebrity cookbook?  Just read that cover.

I am toooootally a can't cook.  I don't enjoy cooking.  I like to eat good food.  But there's not much else out there that stresses me out like trying to think of a recipe, prep all the food and then cook everything to deliciousness. 

I would rather put together an IKEA Expedit.  The big one.  By myself. 

So imagine my amazement, standing there in the big chain bookstore, when I decided I should buy this cookbook.  For me.  Steve couldn't believe it either. 

Then I tried it out.

Potatoes, Parsnips, Carrots

Deliciousness

Actually, the real scene was more like this...I had to make them stop to snap a pic.

Super delicious!  And sooooo easy!!!  I even made her burgers to go with the fries.

They are EATING it!

Him TOO!!!

Parsnips were gone first.  Then the potatoes, followed closely by the carrots.  I wouldn't have believe it if I didn't see it myself.

Since the purchase, I've successfully made 5 recipes (2 of them multiple times) on my own.  Which is key, because I'm married to someone who loves to cook.  And yes, that makes me even more of a can't cook. 

But I can still make a cake and brownies!

Birthday Boys

The annual February birthday celebration happened last weekend.  Both boys couldn't have been happier.  Or scored bigger on balloons and presents.

Neither could stay still with their balloon-o-grams from Uncle Joe, Aunty Peggy and cousins Charlie and Ben. 

Every year those bunches bring smiles to their faces that last all day.  And those balloons can last for months. Which is awesome, because the biggest one in the bunch plays music.  (Don't tell him, but Steve said he's going to hide one in Uncle Joe's drywall this summer)

Dreams Come True

The biggest got a diamond hat he's been dying for and wheeled shoes he's been dreaming of.

I Only Need This One

The littlest got a package of 3 trucks and didn't care about any more presents. 

Ahhh...the life of a three year old.

Actually...the life of an 8, 6 and 3 year old!

They were spoiled with Mimi (grandma) time all weekend long.  And loved it.

Bubba was there, too...

More Cooking?

...and he found his love of Kale Chips. 

GONE

I decided to make something healthy after the weekend of treats, snacks and too much vino.  But this can't cook couldn't keep up with the demand for her kale chips!  This is the only picture I have of the "wafers of life".  That was a sober comment made by my father. 

And lastly, a little bit of fun around here.

No More Diapers!?!?

We've started going poo on the toilet.  I'm a big proponent of toilet training late with boys.  It wasn't worth the fight with my eldest, so we waited until he was closing in on 4.  He did it in a weekend.  Same with the middle.  So this attempt is premature with the littlest...but is there anything better in life than flushing clean toilet paper?

Bedhead

Waking up from naptime, I saw this.  Guess who's getting a haircut this weekend?

Brothers

And this: the ongoing saga of 3 boys sleeping in the same room, and me taking pictures of them sleeping.

Priceless.