Mr. Sketch Marker Time!

Huffers Unite!
Yes, the markers we sniffed as kids are back! For only $6 you too can huff your way back to childhood. mmmm...grape!

Nate liked them so much he tried to eat them and then decided to experiment with some body art. Hope he does not get any ideas when he is 18.

Look what I did!

2 white t's from Walmart :$8
1 pack of iron-on printer paper: $7
Creativity: Priceless
All 3: DANGEROUS

hmmm...what to decal next???

Happy Almost Halloween

Yesterday, I decided to try the boy's costumes on them to see where I will need to nip and tuck. They were so funny! Graham kept saying, "You're under arrest! FREEZE!" and blowing his whistle. Blowing and blowing it! The dog was so upset at the whistle and the costumes in general. She would not shut up! Next thing I know, Nate is screaming, "shut up Teetee. Be quiet! Bad dog!" It was chaotic!

A Breakthrough!

This morning while dropping off Graham at daycare, I wanted to talk to the teachers about how Graham was doing at school. The day before he'd told me all about his day, but seemed sad about something. He only gave me a few broken pieces to work with. The teachers said it might have had to do with a craft in discovery and not being able to finish it or thinking he was supposed to share his collage but did not have time???? Not only did it turn out to be nothing big, but the teachers also shared some things of interest to me. They told me he actually read his show and tell to the class. Not only is him sharing with me his day a new thing, but he actually read to the class. Last year, this would never had happened. She showed me a painting Graham did of himself and a worksheet they filled out about themselves. She said that getting him to answer the questions was kind of hard, but he wanted to write them himself. I am sooooo proud of him. Big leaps from last year this time! Maybe he is on the path to opening up. He is so much more expressive now than he was. I told the teacher that he is very reserved and may not talk a lot or even answer their questions, but that I was the same way at school. One of the teachers said that at least he seems to be absorbing it, even if he is on the quiet end. She said we'd probably see more goals being met as the year goes. It is only the 2nd week of school.

(the above pics are the collage we made with his family and favorite things and his show and tell.)

UGHHHHH!

Like pulling teeth! Well, months ago I might have only gotten 1 or 2 details about his day at school. The past week he has been better about it even telling me what other kids did, by name! This is a rare thing for him. I always choked it up to the idea that maybe he was gonna be one of those kids who do not talk about school. I hear I was like that...

Last night he was to "busy" to answer my questions about school. We used to ask him what he did or learned at school and that usually gets an IIIII DONNNNN'TTTT KNOWWWW... Sometimes he actually sings it. I told him last night to at least switch it up on me and give me an "I DON'T REMEMBER". You know, keep things more interesting. I am getting pretty tired of the other. It was pretty clear he did not want to answer, but then I'd have to narrow in and ask more detailed questions. As if him not being about to tell me what an apple was when I'd point to it... and replying, "I don't know!" wasn't clear enough what was going on.

The number 1 reason I thing he just doesn't want to talk is that I could threaten him with time-out and he'd answer me. I found out so much about his day.

He said he was the special helper yesterday. He said he helped clean up the messy room, led the line, and turned the lights off. He said Luke was the calendar helper and that he put an 8 on the calendar. He said they used markers to draw and played with magnets. He told me that magnets stick together. He told me he played on the "slippery" slide and in the sandbox (hence the sand on my floor via his shoes). He was able to tell me what he had for lunch.

I have to learn to take it day by day...

What did I do before...

the video monitor? How did I get by? This is is the most incredible thing ever. Always balked at them before and then never wanted to spend the money. Now that Nate is no longer in his jail of a crib, I needed some reassurance. Garrett and I have had the best time with this cam. The kids do the cutest things in the dark. I especially love being able to yell for Nate to get back in bed and he hops back in like "WHAT!?!?"

Sponge Bob Craze

Oh no!!! I prayed it may never happen.

Time Warner Cable Package $130
2 Sponge Bob Pillow Toys $34
2 Pair Sponge Bob PJ's $18
A four year old learning how to access ON DEMAND... PRICELESS

Big Boy Room

So, we must really be nuts because Nate no longer has a crib. No more jail. No more piece of mind. No, just a bed. After a $300 bed and accessories that totaled to amounts I'm afraid to ponder, they have a big boy room. The boys, particularly Nate were quite bad today and after blood, sweat, tears...and screams, we are done. He has fallen out on his tummy 2 times and tried to jump off of it. My heart! We have rails, but that too is a fun thing for him to try and propel himself from. I am already regretting this... PRAYERS PLEASE. Pray that he does not injure himself more than a few second and ice can't fix... no doctors, dentists, ems... Pray that he does not jump on the bed anymore, no fooling with the things on the wall, no catapulting from the rails... God please no banging his head on the dresser in the process of any of the above mentioned. Bath, motrin, and bed!!!

Carolina Reptile & Exotic Animal Show

We drug the kids to the show sick with colds, but we did not want them to miss this event. We'd missed it 3 years in a row because we'd been going to the lake for Labor Day. There were all kinds of snakes, lizards, and furry creatures. There were pony and camel rides. It cost an arm and a leg to ride, but i figured this camel thing was not gonna be a common occurrence and we'd better take the plunge. They even had kittens and puppies. I'd never heard of puggles and never thought such gorgeous dogs could come from the union of a pug and a beagle.

Here we go again...

Another school year has started. Graham is now in the 4 year old class. After day 2 he seems to like it and the teacher practically gushed over him in the parking lot, which made me feel great! She was so impressed by his reading and other skills. I cannot wait for them to have discovery class because he had a blast there on meet n' greet. The room is decked out in planets. Boy, was he bouncing of the walls and talking away! He is getting so big... I'm so proud of him when I think of what he can do and where we were not even a year ago. The kid is SUPA-DUPA! Now, wish I could say the same about getting up every morning and dragging him and Nate out the door. Every time we leave, Nate has to make a scene. He doesn't want to leave Graham. He wants to stay. I wish we could afford it. Even if we only did a few days it is too much for us this year and he'd flip anyway on the days he was not in class and we had to drop of Graham. Next year Nate!!

Haiku about 2 year molars

Two year molars vile,
Evokes distemper in Nate,
Wide awake mommy.

Graham the COMEDIAN

Graham has become quite a comedian. He loves to make up jokes...whether or not they are even funny... or make sense that is. He loves knock knock jokes and making up silly songs. His songs are hilarious because he takes real songs or their melodies and adds words or totally makes up a new song. Funniest thing is he is so proud and tickled with himself. Sometimes he'll say a familiar joke or sing a familiar song and add a "prompt" of something he wants.

Knock, knock.
Who's there?
Car!
Car who?
Car speeding down the road, whoa whoa...crash!

Knock, knock.
Who's there?
Water!
Water who?
Water-you doing over there? heee heee

I'm bringing home a baby dinosaur,
Want my mom pee on 'da floor!
(that makes him crack up)

I'm bringing home a baby dinosaur,
Want my mommy let me play 'da computer?
(sneaky!)

How many lines does a diagonal line have?
(draws shape with his finger in the air)
ONE!!!
(he is a shape freak! he knows things like parallelogram!)

This is a coat hanger.
It is like a triangle
(throws it to the side and puts his hands out, shrugs his shoulders)
OR....NOTHING!

All the Dora and Diego...

watching came in handy. Or Da Da and Go Go as Nathan says. No, they teach more than how to say numbers, letters, and colors in Spanish. Nathan got a turn and I promptly told everyone to step back! Graham was T'd off because he did not win.

The Sneaky Reasoner

The other day I was working on the computer. Well, here comes Graham with a fake "Hobbs" kind of grin that reminds me so much of his dad and grandpa it is sick. lol (grin seen in pic) I knew he wanted something and I knew it was probably involving me getting off the computer so he can get on it.

Graham: Hey Mom... Hey Mom!
(shit-eating grin and blinking)
Me: Hey!
Graham: I want to play on the computer.
(giggling and wiggling)
Me: No, you have been playing your VSmile all day.
Graham: I play the computer everyday!
Me: No you do not. Graham you have been playing VSmile!
Graham: That is different!!!
Me: What!?!?!?
Graham: I want a drink. I want something to eat...
Me: What do you want?
Graham: I do not know. Hmmm. Think think think...
Me: Good try Graham, you just want me up so you can get on the computer.
Graham: Yes.

He has never said that before... He gets more and more expressive everyday.

Graham's Raspberry

The past weekend we went to our cousin Sierra and Chloe's Birthday Party in Creedmoor. It could not have been hotter. They had a small inflatable water slide for the kids. Once Graham got up there and figured out how to get past the water jets shooting water in his face, he went down. That was his 1st and last trip down...

Today, a week later... I was showing him the pics I took.

Graham: Look, there is the water slide!
Me: Did you have fun on it?
Graham: Yes, but I hurt my arm.
(twists his arm the side points)
Me: You got hurt!?
Graham: Yes, I got a RASPBERRY!

Wordless Wednesday

Wordless Wednesday

Bubble Time

I bought the kids a bubble machine the other day and set it up yesterday. I was afraid it would make a gooey mess everywhere spilling solution like an old friend's had. However, there was no big mess and it did not "drool". The kids loved it! Nate kept sticking his face into it to see how it workd and the bubble goo would spray his face. It made him quite mad! I was able to snap some cute pics and of course I had to photoshop a few.

SUNBURN

After swimming with friends on Saturday and my 50 spf suncreen failing, I endured a severe sunburn. We were out for 2 hours and as soon as we came home to shower I noticed quite a bit of red already. Usually it takes hours and I tend to see it peak at night. So, I panicked because if it was that bad already at 1pm then god knows what it will be like when I'm trying to sleep. ...and all I kept thinking was that I'll develop a 2nd degree burn. I did notice 2 smallish yellow blisters which means 2nd degree, but they have not gotten bigger. Saturday night I took a pain pill. By Sunday morning it has soaked in a tad. This morning it had soaked in 2X's as much as the fist night. I had to get dressed this mornign to take Graham to school, so i carefully placed my bra straps to where my bathing suit had spared my skin. Now, I am freckling like crazy and starting to itch...

A Trip to the Library

This past Saturday we had quite a busy day. We went swimming with friends, to lunch, to Barnes&Noble, and lastly to the Wake County Library. Graham was so excited when he walked and saw all the books...everywhere. He giggled like a raccoon and exclaimed,"Look at all the books!" He got his 1st library card and signed his own name. He walked around and picked up book to look at. He sat at the table and read a few books. We checked out a lot of books. He held them in his lap all the way home.

Wordless Wednesday

Wordless Wednesday

A Lesson Learned

"There is no crystal ball to predict that a particular friend will turn out to be a reliable, positive relationship in your life or, by contrast, that a negative association will cause you emotional distress, or worse. Since destructive or negative friends are not always that easy to spot, being forewarned is forearmed, as the saying goes. Some friends may be betrayers from the start; others may turn into betrayers because of what's going on in their lives or because of changes in their personality. Sometimes you need to consider what your friend is really like within the contexts of all the behaviors. I can't emphasize enough that you need to consider the root cause.

Here, excerpted from Chapter 2 in When Friendship Hurts, are six traits to consider that could pose a problem in friendship. (You may even recognize yourself in one or more of these types.)"

1. The Promise Breaker

2. The Double-crosser

3. The Self-absorbed

4. The Discloser

5. The Competitor

6. The Fault-finder

by Dr. Jan Yager "When Friendship Hurts"
ivillage article

Explanations for each in the above linked article.

Finding Myself Again

When I was in high school I painted all the time. I drew all the time. Not just because I had to, but because of something much deeper. I'm an artist. I always have been. It flows out of me in many ways. Through my actions and thinking. I am a very passionate and sensitive person. However, since my dad died almost 4 years ago I have done little painting and drawing. I guess one could say I have been lost... depressed... I certainly feel like I have lost myself along the way. It is like I turned my back on who I was. These past several years have brought about many changes and obstacles, but I hope I am on the path to me again.

Birthday a the lake

Nate's 2!

Yesterday was Nate's Birthday. It was a tiring day involving job worries and injuries. Graham fell yesterday and knocked his head 2 times and began to scream and vomit. Not a good sign according to the Dr. when they finally called me back. The told me to run him by or go to the ER. Well, I decided to run him to the Dr. because he just did not seem ER material at that point and last thing we need is another hospital bill after Garrett's Kidney Stone Extravaganza! So, the Dr. checks him out to makes sure his reflexes and ability to answer simple question were in tact and make sure there was no bleeding in his ears etc. The verdict, possible mild concussion. So, By dark he is acting better and has a knot on his head. We proceeded with McD's and cake. That was proceeded by Nate jumping off his bed and hitting his head, which proceeded in Nate's tears and tears from one EMPATHETIC Graham who had just "relived" his head trauma via Nate's fall. This resulted in Nate holding his neck... Good news is they went to bed eventually, but not without Nate making several appearances though out the night. We hope for a better weekend. More sun, less tears.

"get cake is nummy!"

Terrible Two's!

...been there for a while now.

Nate is turning 2 on Thursday. Hard to believe that time has flown and hard to believe he is not already 2 because he is about the size of Graham who is 4. There is about 8 pounds between them. Graham was Nate's weight for almost 2 years and not far off in height. I wonder if Nate will follow the same pattern or keep growing.

Nate is a pistol. He has a funny sense of humor. He makes the strangest faces and jabbers away in a combo of baby talk and real words. He is never quiet...or still. He is Graham's bully! Boy do they fight! Nate can put a whoopin' on Graham. Graham has hit a baby phase in the past few weeks. Lots of whining and crying... more jabbering and NOT just when he is playing. Nate started saying "un cuppy" (want cuppy) at the beach after hearing a little girl who was visiting at the beach say it. Yesterday, Graham decided he wanted a "cuppy" too. He refused to say it right.

We started time out for Nate last week too. He hates it. He just sits on the stool so upright with his legs and arms hanging limp and whines. If you ask him if he wants to go to time out he says, "u-uh" sorrowfully and bats his eyes. Yep, he's a character.

He is having a little party this weekend with family and friends. I hope the weather is nice. If we are stuck inside playing the Wii I'll lose it. I can hear Graham moaning and crying now. It is all good if you play the games he wants. Then, he is a buzzard afterwards because it is so stimulating. I can see Nate now, fussing over wanting a Wiimote and tossing it at the TV. Oh joy!

Wow...

2

years

old.

To think back at how he entered this world all sick in the NICU and what he is today.

Happy Birthday Bruiser! I call him Bubba. Very fitting.

Da Beach

Topsail Island, NC

Field Day!

Graham's preschool had a field day this week much like we had when we were kids. They had a bouncy house, a snow cone maker, cotton candy, and lots of toys! I hate I was not there, but it is quite hard with Nathan. He'd have never stayed in the stroller and that would mean no pics! Luckily my friend Jean, Ryan's mom, went and took some pics and video of the festivities. Graham had a blast and came home nice and smelly! I could tell he had a red snow cone too. It was all over his white shirt. NO WORRIES... it is white again! lol Tomorrow is his last day of class until Summer Camp on June 15. He is going to all 3 sessions which each last for 2 weeks. I could not imagine him home for 3 months! Gotta keep him around other kids. He has changed so much since October
.

Nate's Breaking In Ceremony

Nate had his 1st jet ski ride. He was a natural. Garrett said he gabbed the whole time during the whole 15mph ride. Next month he is turning 2 and we are having a party for him. It is hard to believe. Especially since we hit the "terrible 2's" a while back. I cannot wait to see him at the beach. He is gonna have so much fun. Graham is so excited to build sand castles. The beach has been long awaited and it is almost here!!! Graham has been an avid jet ski rider since he was 2.5. So, Nate got an early start. Yesterday was a great day for a boat ride. I got sunburned on a small quarter sized spot on my shoulder. I must have missed a place with sunscreen. NICE! The kids did not burn either except a small tad on the cheeks. It was a short ride and we made it home before the storms came rolling in. Looks like we've got 2 Lake Babies now! I managed to snap a great shot of the boys acting like they like each other. Always great when I can capture moments like that when most times the brotherly love is not apparent via screaming and hair pulling.

Good Times at the Lake

This past weekend we had friends join us for the day at the lake house. Luckily it only rained on us once. The kids did not mind! It started to rain on one of our boat trips and the kids just stood in it like it was nothing. By the time we got back it had stopped. Graham and his friend Ryan had a blast playing in the pool and with the sprinkler. Then we had a Birthday Dinner for Garrett. We hope they can join us again soon. It was nice for Graham and Nathan to have someone to play with and it was great for me to have another mom to shoot the breeze with. Good times, Good food, Good people and a little sunburn!