Because My Daughter Is Smarter Than Me

I'll never hear the end of the fact that Ashley had to set up the game Ryan wanted to play with me because I couldn't figure it out. I guess it is true that your kids end up smarter than you eventually. Did I also mention that Little Miss Big Foot wore my shoes to school today? I've only worn the darn things twice so far and she has now claimed them as her own. Just wait until she gets a pair of shoes I like! I have to admit I have good taste. Goodbye cute little wedge sandal shoes. It was fun while it lasted.

Ear Plugs Anyone?

Would it be wrong to build my daughter a sound proof room off of the garage for practicing the new flute she brought home from school today? I'm sure she'll be great! Right?

Hip Hip Hooray!

Ryan had a great day at school today. There was no crying at all this time and he was happy for a change when he got home this afternoon. I think we might make it through this after all.

Mama Dog Misses Her Pups

Don't worry, Daisy. The kids will be home from school soon enough.

All this poor dog has done is mope around the house since the kids went back to school.

That is until Kate came over and spoiled her...lol

It Can Only Get Better From Here

Right?

After a really rough morning, dropping Ryan off at school this morning to give Ashley a break from his heartbreaking tears upon separation from her, things started looking up this afternoon. After emailing back and forth with his kindergarten teacher and the school counselor for the past two days, I feel like I finally have an idea of what is going on during the school day. Yesterday had been the lowest of lows when the Art teacher pulled Ashley out of lunch because Ryan was crying. It made things even worse because he couldn't handle it when she had to leave, upsetting him even more and then upsetting Ashley who had been handling things pretty well up to that point. We've now decided that Ryan is not Ashley's responsibility and that he needs to adjust on his own. (I know - I think a knife just shot through my heart, too). After taking him to school this morning and seeing him cry and try to cling to me, and then having to walk away while he called for me, I didn't know at that point if I was going to get through this. However, I got an email from his teacher this afternoon saying that he did really well this afternoon. The morning was rough for him, but by lunchtime the crying had stopped, he was playing with friends and participating in class. It makes me feel so much better to hear that.

I've learned over the past few days that this time in our lives is all about letting them go a little bit at a time. When we send them off to school, we loose a little bit of that childhood bond each year. I've seen it with Ashley. She's no longer our little girl anymore. She's a little mini adult now. She's independant and doesn't need us as much as she did in the past. Sad, isn't it? But isn't that what we really want in the end? For them to grow up and be able to take care of themselves? I think that may be why I've had such a hard time adjusting to Ryan going to school all day this year. It's not just the fear I see and feel in him - it's my own as well. My fear of losing him. It's just the natural progression of life though, and we have to accept it and move on, supporting them and being here when they need us.

But for now I'm going to hold on to them for as long as I can. That day will come soon enough when they are on their own and don't need us as much as they do now.

Little Helper

Ryan has been busy outside tonight helping his dad mow the lawn. I'm not sure that Bret would call it help though.

Ashley worked on her homework tonight and then high tailed it out of here to go play with her friends before it gets dark.

Body Attack

Will NEVER slack off for two months at the gym EVER again. Ouch! Now I must go find a hot bath...

Back To School

Tomorrow morning should be interesting. Ryan says he is NOT going to school. He says it's too long. Does anyone have any ideas on how to make him more excited about it? I know there are a lot more people who read this blog than those that post, so pleeeaaase send me some suggestions in the comments. Don't be shy. I'm up for hearing anything.

Scooter Gang

Ashley and all of her friends spent the evening outside on their scooters tonight.

All was going well until Ashley tried this...

...Which resulted in this:

Poor kid!

* * * * *

Meanwhile my cute little boy...

... Picked these cute (and not so alive) little dandelions for me.

Very sweet, indeed.

Blog Nazi

Dear Blog Nazi (LOL) Mom,

I realize it has been since YESTERDAY since I updated my blog. I understand that is such a long time for you to go without an update. However, I have been busy today doing absolutely NOTHING. It's been raining outside on and off all day and Emily and I took a total of seven kids (our own including) to see the movie Barynard this afternoon. Since I've returned home I've been picking up the house and doing laundry - all the while trying to keep tabs on my kids and the dog, all of whom I've seemed to have misplaced at the moment. (Where the heck did those kids run off to?) I did manage to get the final set of our vacation photos uploaded to Flickr today, so that will hopefully tide you over until my head stops spinning, I find the dog and kids and have a chance to sit down and write. Until then, happy photo looking.

Your Loving Daughter

Family Time

Tonight after dinner we spent the evening playing with the kids outside. It's actually kind of funny how much patience you find you have for them when you havn't seen them all day.

The boy and his dog.

Ashley on her pogo stick.

Ryan trying his hand at the pogo stick with the help of his sister.

Gift For Mom

When Ryan got home from school today, he had a gift for me. When I emptied his backpack and removed his lunch box to inspect if he had actually eaten anything at school today I got a whopper of a surprise. He had eaten half of his star shaped cheese sandwich and the teddy grahams. It then looked as if he had opened the cup of mandarin oranges, eaten some and then proceeded to put the rest of them (cup still filled with the juice) back into the lunchbox and zipped it back up. Nice.

Now, as we just finished packing his lunch for tomorrow, I tried to make him more excited about it. I asked him if he wanted juice or milk and he told me he wanted Sunny D. He got really excited and said, "I know! We can use my Scobby Doo lunchbox with the thermos! We can put the Sunny D in the thermos." I said, "Why not. I'm not the one who has to clean it up after you tomorrow." Very nice. (He He He)

Normalcy

The kids are home. My clean toilet and bathroom floor have been peed on. Shoes and backpacks are scattered everywhere. Crumbs litter my freshly washed kitchen floor. Ryan says, "Today was tooo long! I don't think I'm going to go back tomorrow." The TV is blaring. Ryan's pulling out all of his toys that I cleaned up. Ahhh. I couldn't be happier.

A Mother's Heartache

Are you ready for a sappy post? Half of the school day has gone by and I miss my kids so much. I just got a call from Ryan's teacher and she said he's having a really rough time today. Today is his first full day of school and she said that he had a good morning, but broke down at lunch time. He misses me and I miss him right back. It's been really hard today. I keep looking at the clock and counting down until they walk through the door. I thought I'd enjoy this time by myself over the next two months, but right now I'd give anything to hear my kids whining or fighting about something. I've been home with Ryan for the past six years and him being gone all day is taking it all out of me. Everyone keeps telling me to just wait until they leave for college. I can't even think about that. I'll probably have to be commited when that happens. I've tried to keep myself busy today - cleaning the house from top to bottom - but that phone call undid me. My mom said that I cried everday for two weeks when I started school. Guess he gets it from me. All of this makes me second guess our decision to send him all day, even though I know it is the best thing for him. Two weeks from now after we've all adjusted, I'll probably reread this post and think I'm crazy. But until then, I'll be counting down the days until Chrismas break. And once Christmas break starts I'll probably be counting down the days until they go back. How in the world did the years fly by so fast?!

Paging Dr. Wetherill

I attempted to perform some minor surgery this afternoon to remove a wooden splinter from our deck out of Ryan's friend's finger. His mom was looking pale so I decided to do it myself. However, I've decided not to give up my day job (ha!) after spending a half an hour trying to dig out the splinter and not being able to reach it. The tears and the "ouches" broke my heart and I couldn't bare it anymore. Dr. Wetherill. Kind of has a ring to it, doesn't it? Not in this lifetime, I'm afraid!

They Survived Their First Day

The kids made it through their first day of school. Once Ryan got to his classroom, things were much better for him. Both kids like their teachers so I'd say it was a successful day. Maybe tomorrow I'll be able to enjoy my free time and not spend it worrying about how Ryan is handling school.

Empty Nest

Today was the first day of school for the kids. Ashley is in 5th grade now and Ryan is starting kindergarten. It went pretty well until the bus arrived. Ryan started getting teary eyed, which lead to my own undoing. I held it back until he was on the bus and driving away and then the waterworks started. My only saving grace was that Ashley was with him on the bus to comfort him. Where did the last 6 years go? Is it really possible for time to fly so quickly? At least I had an extra year with him since we held him back a year. But, oh my gosh - my baby!!! I just have to tell myself that it was just as hard when Ashley went to school and we all got through it. I'm just not as ready as I thought I was for them to grow up so fast.

Waiting for the bus.

On the bus - leaving me!!!

On their way.

Grand Bear Vacation Highlights

A few highlights from our vacation, courtesy of Grant and Jo's camera:

Ashley and Brooke with Grant & Jo Saturday afternoon.

Ryan, Brooke and Mitchell in the tub Saturday night.

Mitchell and Ashley eating breakfast Sunday morning.

Bret, Ashley, Ryan and I at the Enchanted Forest Amusement Park.

Brooke, Grant, Ashley & Bret on one of the rides that takes you up high and then sets you on a free fall.

"Yee Haw!!!" on the kiddie ride that bounces you up and down.

More pictures will be uploaded to Flickr later today.

Grand Bear Lodge - Day Three

Well, we are all back home safe and sound today. We had so much fun and everyone got along great (even us adults...LOL). Last night after dinner we went back to the water park and swam some more. After spending probably too much time in the wave pool, we were all still swaying when we went to bed last night. This morning after we checked out of our villa, we took the kids into the arcade to play some games, stopped at McDonald's for lunch and headed home. We would all love to do this again next year and highly recomend the resort to others. It was very kid friendly and so much fun!

The front of the bear at the entrance to the resort from Saturday's post, in case anyone was wondering.

Ashley and little Mitchell man.

Ryan and Ashley in the villa living room.

Ryan and Brooke in the resort lobby.

Ryan and his winnings in the arcade.

Bret and the kids in the resort lobby after checking out.

Check out Flickr for more pictures.

Grand Bear Lodge - Day Two

Lots more fun was had last night and again today. We played a round of mini golf last night and then came back to the villa and threw the kids into the jacuzzi tub together. This morning we hit the water park and after lunch we went to the amusement park. Do we really have to leave tomorrow?

Our villa.

Bret, Grant and Ashley playing mini golf.

A tub full of tired and dirty kids.

Ashley coming down the water slide.

Ryan on the biggest inflatable water slide ever.

Ashely, Ryan and Brooke on the train that runs through the resort.

Bret, Ashley, Ryan and Brooke in front of the big scary monster at the amusement park.

Ashley and Brooke on one of the rides.

Be sure to check out the rest of the pictures at Flickr.

Grand Bear Lodge - Day One

Grand Bear Lodge has been a lot of fun so far. We checked in today at 11am and got right into our villa (which is gorgeous by the way). Bret, Grant and our kids are taking a quick swim in the water park while the little ones sleep. Keep checking back for updates here and on Flickr.

Not too bad of a car ride.

This is what greeted us from the front entrance. (The rear of the bear.)

Brooke and I.


Bret and Ashley.

Ryan and Brooke.


Our great villa!

Happy Birthday Ryan

A little musical video slide slide show to show just how fast 6 years can fly by. Here's to the greatest 6 years! Happy Birthday, Buddy!

Create your own video for free at http://www.onetruemedia.com/create?&utm_source=otm&utm_medium=embed

Party Family Style

Last night was Ryan's family birthday party. He was so excited when he started opening gifts and found that he had gotten a whole new set of legos.

Ryan blows out the candles on his cake.

More lego figures!!!

He and Mitchell check them out.

Grandpa says no lego building for him tonight!

Looks like Ryan changed his mind.

Me and my favorite niece.

Baby flying through the air!

Grandma Sally and Grandma Jerry

Mitchell and Jo - he prefers not to have his feet on the ground, I'm thinking.

Brooke, our grand slam baseball hitter. I just couldn't seem to strike her out!

For more pictures, head on over to Flickr.