Walking William!

First day of school came with a first for William.

Reston Zoo

My brother and his family joined us for a visit to the Reston Zoo. I didn't realize it was not only a petting but feeding zoo, and probably should have prepared the kids because they wanted nothing to do with getting near the animals. My nephew Jack was a pro at it!

There is a whole barn where you can feed sheep, goats and pigs, as well as a safari ride where they actually stop and feed the animals. William got a little freaked out when the sheep would get in his face and "baaa" at him. I don't think he was ready for the noise. This was his first zoo trip, and he eventually got used to it.

There was a really neat variety of animals there, real and otherwise.

We are missing Daddy, as he was in Hotlanta watching the Hokies play HAlabama.

Patrick asked for this photo on here. He was disappointed that there were no pandas, but was content with photo in a mask.

Happy Birthday, Mom!

My mother is the most amazing woman. Not just because she had 7 kids, homeschooled all of us, put us through Catholic school, sings beautifully, married all of us off, has been married 44 years (I think that's the right number), and babysits her (MANY) grandchildren. No, not just for all those reasons.
My mother has set the most amazing example for me to attempt to follow. She is always the first person to change the tone of the conversation when it is getting negative, and always say a kind word about everyone. With every task she performs, she will do it to the best of her ability, and will not be happy unless it's perfect: the parts you can see, and the parts you can't. All the Baptismal gowns were sewn by her, and we knew that each one was filled with love, and would be extra soft and beautiful inside and out. She can give you a look or a smile that says so many more things than a lecture, letter, or even a book can say. Her devotion to her family, her faith and her love of learning has always impressed me. Her laughter is contagious, and I love that she encourages me to laugh at myself and not be so serious.

My children absolutely love her to pieces for her warmth, her patience, and her calmness. I have so many pictures of Mom holding a sleeping baby because they know they are in good hands, and can relax. The kids know that they will get an extra hug, an sweet word or a lovely tune just for them. She is always bringing the children to Jesus, and helping them to love him in such kind and gentle ways as only she can.

My mother never wants us to buy her anything for her birthday, and each year it is harder to give her any kind of material gifts. Her favorites? Prayers. Can I ask you to join me? I would love to be able to tell her that you all said an extra prayer for her on her day.

I love you, Mom! Happy Birthday!

Something NOT learned from Mommy

While driving in the car today we were listening to "That Thing You Do" CD. I glanced in my rear-view mirror and see Patrick slamming his head against the back of his seat, over and over. I started panicing, turned off the music, thinking I had to pull over. When asked if he was all right, his response was:
"I'm rocking out, Mommy."

Little musings

• Dear lady in the grocery store, if you are going to wear white shorts, do you really think bright blue underwear is the best choice when you are getting dressed? My only answer is that it must be laundry day?
• Perler Beads are the greatest invention for a very busy and curious 4 year old. She will sit for HOURS and "do beads" as she says. It can be a HUGE mess if spilled, but so worth it!
• It seems that every grocery store bagger does the same thing. I buy a LOT of baby food for my hungry boy. I mean, like 15 jars and almost as many containers of fruits, etc. I don't think they realize just how to bag them. I will go to unload the cart, and it's the same thing. ALL of the baby food is put into ONE bag. Oh, it's double-bagged, but it's still all together. Seriously? Do you know how that stuff rolls around? You can't spread it out?
• I think I am the computer too much. Well, I know I am on the computer too much. Patrick has told me that he is on Facebook with his Leapster. He has a special cartridge for "Bejeweled Blitz" and he has been telling me all the rules. I actually play that game in my sleep.....what does that tell you??
• You know all those temperments? Choleric, Meloncholic, etc? I knew that I had certain temperments combined, but I am realizing that I have MUCH more of one in me than I used to think I did. I have had a few events this summer which have opened my eyes to it, and it has been humbling. It's hard growing up.

William is so busy

Oh, William. Soo pretty!

He climbs up the chair...

...and then sliiiides down. Well, how do YOU get off a chair?

Just chillin'.

This one reminds of Tommy and his great laugh. What a stinker he is.

Here are some sure signs that I am distracted:

I am getting ready for a shower today, and, because I am not being the general I need to be, William is in the room with me playing with toys. Turn on the shower, go potty, look up, and William is IN the shower, fully dressed, just looking at me with the squinty "water-is-splashing-on-my-face-but-I'm-okay" look. Apparently, I left the door open. Go get baby out, undress him, and get in the shower. Lather, rinse,"WILLIAM!" Apparently, I left the potty open too.

Is it only Monday?

Emma climbed into bed with me the other day and was ready for a snuggle and some conversation. I love those times of the day. It began like this:
"Why" (most of her questions begin with this word) "did Mani drink that salty water? That was so silly. She sounded just like Chewbacca when she went like this (insert imitation noise here)."

I was reduced to giggles. My mom was preparing to sing at a funeral, so she was gargling with the salt water. Emma has the cutest perspective on things.

Kids and veggies

I sent Tommy to the store the other day, and on the list was frozen veggies. He came home with veggies all in the Steam Fresh bags. I have to admit, I was a bit frustrated, because the bags are smaller, and it seems like we buy so much more. I usually just pick up the store brand BIG bags, and do a few batches of those. But, we have them, and I decided to use them. The first night I made broccoli. My kids aren't big fans of veggies (even when I douse them with salt and butter. I know. They are weird.) but I noticed that they were eating the broccoli. And eating it with gusto. Tommy started making those "What about Bob?" noises, and I decided I should see what the fuss was.

Oh my.

It is broccoli, mind you, but it was so fresh tasting, with a little bite, and really good. Best I have ever had. I thought it was maybe a one time thing, so I made the peas next. OH MY. Even better. The kids? Ate it all up AGAIN. Those bags? Let me just say they are my new best friends! I don't know what I have been doing to my veggies all this time, but it was all wrong. They make them just right.

My randoms

• William has been taking steps like crazy the last 2 days. He is going to be up and around the house in no time. He has also become waay more vocal. He lets the whole house know when he is upset. I call it squawking, and it cracks me up when Emma imitates me and says: "William, you stop squawking at me!" He is mostly vocal about food, and if you aren't fast enough, he will hit the spoon from your hands.
• I am slowly getting lesson plans done for these kids. I am so nervous to start the year, but, on the upside, Patrick has read almost every subject book we have, so he is already ahead of the game!
• I need to work on going to bed earlier. It is NOT helping that Turner Classic Movies is showing the best movies at night. This is the month under the stars, and they play the great ones at night, and I just can't seem to turn them off. Last night the Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde kept me up. It was so good.
• I heard a saying once, along the lines of how can the troops be ready if the general is not ready before them. I need to do better. I need to be that general and get up in the morning.
• Emma is sporting a black eye this week. We had a little run-in with the doorknob, which just so happens to be the exact height for that. I would love to say that it wasn't when she was running away from me and being naughty, and I would love to say that I wasn't angry and gave her an "I told you so" but I can't. She is my "spirited child" and I just need to figure out what makes her tick. Any book suggestions? I have read the spirited child one, and that was okay, but I think I need something else.
• I miss Disneyworld. (I know. That one is totally random, but we had such an amazing trip last time! What is NOT to love about Disney??)
• We are trying out some new things this year for the kids. Extracurricular activities. Am I ready to do this? I have no idea. We shall see. I have a little phobia of things that I have to sign up for. I am always afraid that I will forget, or have trouble with the kids, or something. Silly, I know, but I am a worrier.
• My oldest nephew starts school tomorrow. He is off to real school! Would you say a prayer for him?

Little excitement at our house!

New bikes! Don't they look excited? Patrick wore his helmet almost all day, and they enjoyed a good ride at Aunt Jessie's house. They are so big!

"You have to put your thumb here, and push here, and pull here...."

We are a 2 car family. I drive a mini-van, and my dear, patient, tall husband squeezes into my little Corolla that I purchased juust before we started dating (11 years ago). His knees are on the dashboard when he drives this thing. The kicker? It's a stick. With his new job, he is driving this car much more, and sitting in traffic to and from work. Sweet man. I know how hard that must be, but he never complains. Since 3 carseats won't fit in that car, I don't get to drive it very much, unless I am going out by myself.

Today, I got the chance to drive my little car. But before I could go out and enjoy my time alone, Tommy says I need a lesson. A lesson in opening the door. Why? I ask. He broke the door handle. The one inside the car. Great. I am all dressed up to go to a wedding, and I am picturing myself very gracefully climbing over the passenger seat and getting out that door. Lovely. I started to worry, and fret, as I am prone to do. But Tommy? He is making jokes, and just thinking how funny this is. He's ready to jerry-rig some rope so he can just pull on it to open the door. He is laughing at how silly it is. He USED to drive a truck that he HAD to climb out the passenger side, and we used to giggle every time he did. His laugh is so contagious, and he is so good about finding humor in everything. I love that about him, and I love that he is the opposite of me, and can make things better for fretful me. I don't know how long he will drive the car with it like that, but he doesn't mind, and it gives the car character. What a sweet man. I hope our kids get his sense of humor.

Oh, and the car? Well, let's just say it took me a little bit longer than normal to get out. No, wasn't late for the wedding, but I don't think I had a good enough lesson.