Isaac's First Sport

Isaac started soccer Friday. He has been so excited about getting to play sports. It was so adorable to watch him trying to play with all his heart! I was so proud of him. He is the youngest player on the team. There are two four year olds, two five year olds and two six year olds. There is a big difference in size, speed and ability. I was really worried that when he got out there with these other kids that knew what they were doing and had some speed behind it, he would give up. BOY WAS I WRONG!!!

He got out there and gave it his all. He never got possession of the ball, because the bigger, faster kids always had it, but he never gave up. He went out there and chased the ball. He ran as fast as he could. He listened to his coach and he tried! I always knew he was going to be very athletic, and he proved it.

I am just so glad that after everything he has been through, he has finally found something that comes easily to him. He does not have to work quite as hard at this as he does with most things he has done. It gives me a sense of relief and I just can't explain how happy and proud it makes me.

I know these pictures are hard to see, but these are from his first practice. Of course there will be lots of pictures of Caleb and Isaac both, playing their games. These pictures should come out better than Caleb's basketball pictures since it will be light and outside! Look for pictures this weekend (first game is Saturday, weather permitting).

Last Game

Caleb had his last basketball game of the season on Saturday. He did not make any baskets all season, but things changed. Since it was the last game, the teams worked together to make sure that everyone who had not made a basket throughout the season, made one in this game. The teams backed off several times to give him the oppurtunity to make a shot. He tried several times, and missed, but FINALLY, he made one!!! Then his confidence soared and he ended up making 3 baskets by the end of the day.

I told Paul early in the season that at the last game, he would begin to like the game. Sure enough, he asked if he could keep playing. I wish there was a way I could get him to this point in the first game! He started soccer Saturday also, and he has played two seasons before, but he still started off acting like he could not do it. I try to encourage, but he ignores me!!!

I am SO proud of you Caleb. You did a great job on your basketball game and I know you will on your soccer games as well. I hope you remember how much you liked soccer, early in the season, instead of later!

Routine?

Usually, our afternoon routine is that I pick Isaac up from school and then we go to get Caleb. On Thursdays though, Isaac has therapy from 2 to 4. Today, when we got to Caleb's school to pick him up, Bryce kept asking where Isaac was (nevermind he went with me to drop him off at therapy!!). I kept telling him he was at therapy and he finally quit asking. He got quiet for a few minutes and then he started saying something in an argueing voice. I turned the radio off so I could hear what he was saying, then tried to hide my urge to die laughing. This is his conversation - with himself:
"You stupid" looking out the window
"No I not" looking at Isaac's seat
"You stupid" looking out the window
"No I not" looking at Isaac's seat
"You stupid" looking out the window
"No I not" looking at Isaac's seat
At this point I turn around in disbelief just in time to see him start beating his head (it looked like the king kong chest beat, but on his head instead of chest). What is so hilarious about this is that it has gotten to where as soon as we get into the caar when we pick Isaac up, the two of them always immediately start argueing, over nothing. It is like it has become part of the routine. I guess this just proves that it is routine to him. And since Isaac was not there to argue with, he decided he would argue with himself!!!!

Post for Previous Audio

That was Caleb's pre-k class on the local radio station. I just ran across the tape that I had recorded it on and wanted to get it on the computer before tape players went completely out of our time. I thought it was so cute, and listen to those southern accents!! This was done on November 11, 2003. The recording is not very good, but it was not a perfectly clear station and that is just what it sounds like when you record from the radio!!

Caleb's Class on the Radio

Bunko

12 ladies from my Sunday School class have started playing Bunko once a month. Before tonight, I had no idea what Bunko was, but I am always for a night out!!! We had our first meeting tonight. We just met at one of the ladies house and talked about how we were going to play, where we are going to meet, what are we going to eat, etc.

I got a quick example of how to play the game. It seems like it will be fun, once I learn how to play. Most of the women have played - I think only one other lady has not - so we can learn together! I think it will be great. We are meeting once a month - rotating houses. When you host at your house, you fix dinner and buy the gifts. I am hosting in December. I asked for a month way way off so that we could move and get unpacked and decorated before I have a house full of women.

I am so excited about having one night a month OUT!!! I am not going to know what to do!!

Dear Aunt Heather:

I know you are very busy. It is awesome everything you are able to do. Unfortunately, my mommy can't sew!! I just thought I would remind you about it, in case you ever had free time (hahaha). I love you and miss you!

Photos

Our yard always has more "white" then any of the others around us. Here is an example. This is our yard....












this is our neighbors yard...













another neighbors yard. I don't get it!!












Isaac shooting his rocket with Daddy


















Bryce bundled up to go out in the cold.

BOYS

Last night, about an hour after the boys were put to bed, and after removing all of the light bulbs in their bedroom because they would not quit turning on the light and playing, Isaac comes out to the living room. "Caleb peed on my bed." "WHAT!!!" I said jumping up.

I went to their bedroom and sure enough his bed was wet.
"Why did you pee on his bed, Caleb?"
"I didn't."
"How did his bed get wet?"
"I don't know but my underwear are dry."
Let me pause here to tell you that I would assume that his underwear would be dry. I would assume that he pulled them down to do this.
"Well, Isaac's wearing a pull-up so I don't think he could have done it."
"I did it."

I walk out to compose myself before I do something I would regret shortly after I did it. I go tell Paul that yes he really did pee on the bed. I ask Paul what punishment fits that crime. His reply - "I don't know (while laughing - good thing the boys were in the other room!!)."

I made Caleb change Isaac's sheet. Right before I took out their light bulbs, I was listening at their door and heard Caleb "Noone can ever touch my beautiful blanket, but me!!!" So when he was done changing the sheet, I made him give Isaac his blanket. I did not have an extra one, so I told Caleb he would not have one to sleep with, and left (remember that the house is COLD).

I went in about an hour later to cover him up with a sheet. He was inside his pillowcase, curled up and covered with all of his stuffed animals. We are still considering a punishment that fits this crime!! One thing we are going to make him do is write "I will not disrespect my family members" at least 50 times. He is going to have to do this in neat handwriting. I remember growing up Mom and Dad used to make us write letters to the person that we were fighting with (or whatever we were doing), apologizing and saying why we should not do this. I think it might be time to start that punishment now!!

Sometimes You Feel Like a Nut

Do you ever see your kids (or any kids) do something and think to yourself "that looks like fun, I bet I can still do that." Do you ever get reminded shortly after you begin doing that fun-looking thing that you are no longer a kid, and some things should be left to kids? I get reminded of that frequently!!

I Am On A Blogging Role...

Two funny stories from today - then I am done for the day!!

Bryce will not keep his hands out of the front of his pants. I am constantly getting on to him about that so today, after about the 500th time of getting on to him, I told him that if he did not keep his hands off of it, it was going to fall off. Paul had to pipe in and tell him he would then look like me. Well, Caleb is too smart. Later this evening, when I said it again, he said "yeah Mommy would not keep her hands off her private and it fell off," giggling the while he was trying to talk. We just can't say anything around him!!!!

Everynight as part of the tuck in ritual for Bryce lately, I have been teaching him different kisses. We started with the Eskimo kiss, then the butterfly kiss, then HE made up the "Elmo Kiss" (don't know why it is called that). The "Elmo Kiss" is where you give an Eskimo kiss and a regular kiss at the same time (he has an imagination). Well tonight, I asked what kind of kiss he wanted and he said a fish kiss. I have not taught him this one so I can only imagine he was making it up because we had just said goodnight to Fireman (the fish) and blew kisses at him. I made fish lips and went to kiss him and he started giggling uncontrollably. Then he tried to make fish lips and made me giggle uncontrollably!

Dear Aunt Heather:

Mommy is freezing me out of the house. I could REALLY, REALLY use a nice warm fireman quilt to keep me warm at night. It would go great with the fireman room Mommy finally got done for me!! I love you and will keep watch in the mail! Thank you. BryBry

Mongo vs Simon

Grace aka Mongo













Simon











We have has Simon for about 7 years now. We got him when we were living on campus in college in married student housing (no - we were not supposed to have animals - but no ever noticed the screaming bird or cat in the windowsills). He has always been a very lazy but affectionate cat.

We adopted Grace from the Humane Society last spring. Her name was Tara when we got her. After much thought we decided to change her name. I left coming up with a name to Paul. At first he wanted to name her Mongo (from the cartoon Heathcliff) which was fitting because she has always been overweight. He decided that that sounded like a boy name so we went with Grace (there is nothing graceful about this cat though).

We had her declawed when we adopted her. When I went to the vet to pick her up the vet went on and on about the amount of fat he had to cut through to spay her. I told him that I had already gotten her some light catfood. Little did I know....

So we put her on light catfood, but we had a feeder out so they could eat when they wanted. Simon just grazes, a few bites here, a few bites there. Well, we soon realized that Simon was not getting to eat at all because Grace believes it is out, it must be eaten. So, we did away with the feeder. I went and got a bowl for each of them and we started measuring out food. I would put Grace's food in the utility room and Simon's in the kitchen. Then the trouble began.

Grace would scarf her food down, then run off Simon from his bowl and eat his. When she was done there, she would run the dog off from his food and eat it. It got to where the only animal eating was Grace and she needed it the least! So, we now have to lock Grace up and let the other animals eat until they walk away. Then we pick their food up and put it away before we let her out.

When someone walks in the kitchen, she follows - meowing. If you have food, she is jumping up trying to take the food from you. It is really funny! She looks like a dog begging for food!

This would be why her name is Mongo!!

and poor Simon

For those of you that try to check out Caleb's blog, you may have noticed that he does not post much and that he does not email. Well, Caleb found out very quickly that if you don't know how to type well, then tying gets old, fast. When it takes you almost an hour to type one sentence - I can imagine how discouraging that can be. Today I got online and looked for a website that would teach him how to type. I found this one: http://www.nimblefingers.com/index_1.html that seemed pretty good. I had to show Caleb how to hold his fingers on the keyboard, but he has been working on it today. He still has a long way to go, but over time he will get it!

Someone Stop the Voices

"Mommy, can I have more drink?"



















"more drink, more drink, more drink, more drink, more drink, more drink, more drink, more drink...." (this is literally what he sounds like!!)

"moooooorrrrrrrrrrreeeeeeee!" (as he hits himself on the head)
















I hear all three boys asking for "more" in my sleep!!!! Make the voices stop!!!

I know - someday I will wish I had them here asking me for more - but today is not the day!!

My Miserable Family

My family is not liking me much lately. Our electric and gas bills have been high lately, so I decided that we were turning down the heater. Of course, I chose the week we have a major cold front and ice, but oh well, we need to start sometime. Our thermostat has been on about 78 up until the middle of last week. I turned it down to 65. After much battling with finding it turned back up we somewhat compromised on 68 - 70. The kids don't seem to care much, but Paul (who would prefer it to be over 100 degrees than have it in the 60's even, is not liking it too much. He is not the only one - the animals are hating it too! That is how spoiled our animals are! This was the scene today:

This is Simon laying against Paul. Paul would not let me put him in the picture, but the cat is sleeping under the blanket. Paul cannot move because "I don't want to disturb the cat." That is never a concern when I am snuggling with you Dear!!








This is Grace (the camera is not adding weight to her - she really is that fat!!). She is very pushy and always takes over the dogs bed. You would think the dog would not put up with it, but I guess when the cat is fatter than the dog....









I am sticking to my guns!! The thermostat is not getting turned up!!!!

Fireman

This is how obsessed Bryce is with fire whatever. Paul bought him a fish. He went to the pet store with Paul to pick it out. He chose a bright red fish with black rocks. We asked him what he was going to name the fish...you guessed it - Fireman. Sorry the picture is so dark, but this was the best we could get. Paul is going to draw a background (a firehouse or something) and then maybe you will be able to see Fireman better.

Friday on our way out to run errands, we went to McDonalds for breakfast. We were sitting in the corner eating when Bryce spotted a firetruck pulling in. He starts jumping up and down and asking if it was his buddies. About the time I was going to say I don't know, he saw Ronnie (one of his buds) walking in. Ronnie spotted Bryce (the screaming may have helped) and came over to say hello to him. After Ronnie met the entire family, Bryce started asking where Daniel was. He was in the firetruck so Ronnie called him and he came in. While we were dumping trash, I turned around to see Daniel carrying Bryce to the firetruck. All of the boys got to get in the firetruck and visit for a few minutes (then we had to go - it was COLD). It is so funny the way Bryce is so addicted to firemen and firetrucks, but it is also kind of scary! It is an honorable profession - but a scary one too!

Poor Sick Baby

These were taken last Monday, when Bryce was at his worse. Any time you saw Bryce Monday, this is what he looked like. This shows how sick he is: not only does he have very rosey cheeks, if you know Bryce, you know NOTHING ever slows him down. He can't stop moving to save his life.

The rest of the week, he looked like this from about 4pm on every night. I don't know why kids always run fever at night! It is my theory that it is because that is when the doctors office are not open. Isaac always spikes high fevers when he is sick, but it is always when the dr office is closed. I guess that is why he has been to the ER twice with fevers close to 105. This is the first time Bryce has had fevers over 104. We will have to wait and see if he will be a spiker or if it is just part of this virus. THE POOR BABY!!!

BORING

The family is completely bored now. We like to go, so it is no fun when we have weather like this!! It is nice to look at, but...

Isaac is dying to go play some soccer. We went Thursday and got his soccer ball, shinguards and shoes. I have never seen him this excited about anything! He has asked about 100 times this weekend if he could go to the park and practice. His coach called us yesterday to let us know that he is on a team and discuss practices. Our first game is March 4, not a whole lot of time! I guess it is good that they do not take score or have refs for this age!! I hope he kicks butt at the game. He has been through so much...

Caleb is also excited about soccer. He still has one more game of basketball next weekend. I am not sure if they are going to make up the game they missed this weekend because of the weather. If we do that might interfere with soccer games! We took him Friday to get his shoes and shinguards, we however forgot the shinguards. Hopefully the kids will be at school Tuesday and Bryce at Mothers Day Out, so I can run in and get his shinguards without the fight!!

Bryce is also excited about soccer. Sadly, he cannot play and I feel this will not fair well when the season starts! We will get two months of listening to him scream in his stroller or wagon at the games or two months of chasing him off the field while his brothers are playing - we will see!!

I guess I am a true "soccer-mom" with my big suburban taxi-ing around the kids to their various games, schools and other activities. I need to take Moms idea of painting my suburban yellow and black and painting "Mom's Taxi Service." As busy as we are now, I still have another child that has not even started on his activities (unless you count the frequent fire station visits!).

Wondering Minds

I wanted to put this on the blog a couple of weeks ago, but kept forgetting. We were on our way to basketball or something one day and Caleb asks:
"Are there 50 suns for 50 states?"
"No, there is only one sun for the whole world."
"Well that can't work....."
You can see where this conversation went, and if you know Caleb, you know how he can drag out a conversation!!

Catch Up

I have not blogged in a few days due to the craziness of having 2 sick kids home all week. We finally got them over the viruses, and now all three of them have awful coughs and snotty noses. WHAT AM I GOING TO DO WITH THEM?!?!

We went and did grocery shopping, etc. yesterday so that we would be ready if things got as bad as the media made it sound like it would. When we woke up this morning it was white (mainly from sleet though). It has been cold (I know family - not as cold as the rest of you!!) so we pretty much stayed inside. Maybe tomorrow I will venture out and take some pictures for the blog.

The boys were upset because everything has been cancelled this weekend. No basketball, church, nothing. We bought some books for the boys yesterday and also went to the library. Caleb is reading 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. He also got some Hardy Boys books and some R.L. Stine books. He is getting really good at reading and he comprehends what he reads very well! I am very impressed with him! He takes after his Daddy though with the smarts. I love to read, but with Math and Science, stuff like that - that is all Daddy!

Prayer In School

Caleb was upset this afternoon after school. He came into the kitchen before basketball practice and said that he was not allowed to pray at school. I asked what he was talking about. Apparantly, before their Valentine party he said a silent prayer before they had their ice cream sundaes. After he said a silent prayer, he asked his teacher if he could say a prayer - out loud. He was told he is not allowed to pray at school. I talked to him on the way to basketball and told him how proud I was of him for trying to pray. I also told him to stand up for what he believes in. I said that if he was told he could not pray, to bow his head and pray, but not to let someone tell him what he can and cannot believe in. He is not forcing anyone to join in, but if he feels like praying, he should not be told he can't.
They should of at least informed him that he could pray silently, but not out loud. I can not guarantee that they did not tell him that, but as upset as he was, I am fairly certain they didn't.
I am just so tired of our kids being told what they can and cannot believe in. Instead of just saying "no, you can't pray," why can't they give the children another option.

A "Virus"

Sunday, Bryce was fine all day until about 5pm. He came in whining and I went to pick him up and he was very hot. I checked his temperature and it was 101.9 degrees. Less than an hour later is was 103 degrees. I gave him some medicine and he laid down and watched tv for a while. He got up about 4:30am Monday but was back to sleep shortly after. He slept ALL DAY! I am not exaggerating about that. He woke up long enough to have the dr check him out and went back to sleep. He slept while we were at the store and then came home and slept in the rocking chair all day (and still slept all night). His fever was above 103 all day, and just wore him out.
The doctor said she could not find anything, and to just keep an eye on him. Today he was fine most of the day. He played and took it easy. This afternoon though he got really fussy again. I took his temperature and it was 104.2 degrees.
Isaac came home from therapy today with a fever. He has acted fine all day though. I don't know what this "virus" is, but it sucks!

The Butt...

I am beginning to think that I am the butt of some cosmic joke!! How could someone as girlie as I am end up in a house full of boys? I am having a hard time with the boys lately - just being boys, I suppose. Last night they all went to bed with shampoo in their hair. I know I am an awful mom!! Caleb was in the shower. I heard the other two in the bathroom and went to check on them. Caleb was still in the shower, Isaac was dumping the second bottle of shampoo in the floor of the bathtub, and Bryce had a wet towel he was trying to put in the sink, but instead he had water going all over the floor (from the towel). As if this was not enough, Isaac's Leapster was on the sink, covered in soap suds, and all three of the boys had soap in their hair (Caleb was the only one in the shower though!) I was so mad, I had to put the boys to bed, soap and all!! I could not even clean the bathroom (and I still have not been able to go in and completely clean it) because I was so angry.

After that last thing last night, I wake up to the boys fighting. I got them to school and when I picked them up this afternoon, they immediately started in on fighting again!

I am sorry Mom and Dad for all of the fighting I was a part of when we were growing up!!!! I can do more that imagine.... I also am a true believer that you get what you give!!!!!!!!!! I love you both!!!!

The Kiss

I got a friend, Jennifer, started on blogging. She also set up a blog for her 6 year old daughter, Holly. Well, Jennifer called me today and told me I needed to read Holly's blog. This is an excerpt from it:
My friends are the best....Nikki #1 (My Big Sis!), Tuckir (my boyfriend), also Caleb (he's my boyfriend too!) I will probably marry one of them. I liked when Caleb kissed me at his birthday party.

I just found out about this kiss like last month. I have not said anything to Caleb about it, but he has not said anything to me about it either!! One of these days I will have to ask him about it and see what his response is.

More Fire Pics

This helmet weighs about as much as he does!! He has to hold it to keep from falling over.

Fire Station Photos

They give Bryce his own helmet!









Teaching him how to jump in puddles of soap











Checking all the valves









Jumping in puddles and splashing the Captain













Washing the fire trucks






"See that man in the white shirt (the captain)? He wears a white shirt because he really likes getting wet!" the fireman tells Bryce as he points the hose towards the Captain.











Washing the truck












washing the other truck




Bryce decided the truck needed to be dried now - with 2 paper towels
(they did not go very far)











helping clean the floor of the fire house













scrubbign the floor with the same paper towels - someone needs to be paying this boy!








scrubbing the fire truck - yes, still the same 2 paper towels









"Open this door!"










Getting cleaned off after falling in the soap










Time for a drive








Bryce's head is peaking over the top of the door (bottom of window)














On his own











Not for long though!











Looking at the lights on top of the fire truck (he turned them on himself)









Learning how to use the wrench that they use to take the valve off of hydrants












All valves open (and water coming out the bottom)












Squeeging the floor






He does not look the same with his uniform on!! (Never mind shortly after he goes for a ride with him by himself)










Looking behind doors










"Yucky water"







"I'm not getting wet!"











"The rake is stuck!"










Going on first ride (of this trip) - with no Mommy this time











Leaving - first ride
Isn't that truck shiney and clean!








coming back - first ride





pulling in










getting back -- second ride (different truck)
another pretty clean one!






Bryce learning how to scare everyone to death









Bryce and one of his new buddies











Bryce and all of his new buddies






One of the fireman was opening a valve for Bryce. Bryce stepped back just in time, because the fireman had water shoot out of the valve and all over him!!









Fireman puddle jumping








The fireman go for a walk













This is what happens when you play with fireman









Close up of what happens when you play with firemen (no he did not fight a gire, just looks like it!)







Bryce's gift from the firemen











What happens when a 2 year old does not take a nap before playing with firemen for an hour and a half!! (we were not even off the street the fire station is on when I took this photo!!)