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have you ever wanted to comment and weren't able to? I've changed a setting on this blog -- so next time you feel the urge, give it a go - will you? I'd love a shout out to know that this has helped.

Loving life today...it's a good one.

Indiana Jones eat your heart out!

Sawyer LOVES to dress up. We have an overflowing toybox devoted to items for his imagination - he can be who ever he so chooses! He usually goes in spurts, for a while he'll be a storm trooper, then a ninja, for a while a Power Ranger. Whatever strikes his fancy, really.

Lately, Indiana Jones is the man. And let me tell you, that is not easy when there are no store bought items in the home resembling Dr. Jones and his getup. Never fear, Sawyer has found some items that will do!

First, we wear the baby's soft felty type cowboy hat. Size 18-24 months from Gymboree. Next, we use a soft tape measure, usually used in sewing or crafts. Occasionally we'll round out the ensemble with cowboy boots. (Again, Gymboree, but at least these fit his feet) It's a really good look.

{a view of the entire picture. never mind the messy house. it always looks that way}

{ready to strike}

{take that! yes, we still have the baby swing up. and yes, we still even occasionally use it if the baby won't go to sleep. we're tired people come 9pm}

It's been...

a serious and total whirlwind around here. Thursday, Campbell was told that he was going to have a new teacher on Monday. I was sad Thursday and Friday.

Monday, Campbell went to Mrs. August's class. Today he went to Mrs. August's class. Today, i got a call that he's going back to Mrs. Colson's 2/3 combo tomorrow! WOOOHOOO.

Just in time for back to school night tonight. YIPPEE!!

Baby's new trick: Pulling up to a stand on everything.

Potato Olympics

Some record...

http://www.nctimes.com/articles/2008/08/21/news/californian/lake_elsinore/z28fbcde7f708308d882574ab0072eed9.txt

a link to the potato olympics!

Someday...

Sawyer to little friend at school: Someday, I'm going to marry Grace F.

Little friend: don't you think you should ask Mrs. F?

Sawyer: ::pauses:: Yea, I guess so.

Mrs. F (Sawyer's teacher) is Grace's (Sawyer's friend) mom. During this conversation she was sitting about 8 feet away from the kids that were talking during the book spot. I later asked Sawyer about this and he said that this other little boy has a girlfriend - and so does he. (In his little funny voice!)

bit by bit, little by little...

I've had a really odd week. First, the baby had the ear infection and was Fussy McFusser for several days. Not normal. Second, Sawyer cried at school. Not normal. Sawyer was clingy on Wednesday before going to school. Not normal. Then, the one that knocked me off my chair.


Campbell is getting a new teacher. He will have had 8 days with this wonderful, warm and perfect for him teacher - and now he's getting a new one. Long story short, his 2/3 combo class is being turned back into a regular 3rd grade class on Monday. And he's been forced to go back into a 2nd grade class. We're having some issues with the principal on this one and we'll be meeting with her hopefully Monday. Cam is sad to leave his original teacher and the kids in the class, I'm sad for him and sad for his destination.


That has been my week. An emotional rollercoaster for this normally happy, unflappable momma.


Though, I do have something amusing. Here's what babies with older brothers do:

{they chew on toys not meant to be chew toys. luckily this time it's not a spiderman action figure or the like}

{in case you were wondering, he does have age appropriate toys he likes, as well}

{look at the chompers on this kid. last count he has 8 that are totally in. there are several more working their way to the surface. today, those strong teeth captured some plastic from the cheerios container. i had to pry it out - it wasn't pretty!}

Just a few cute shots of the cute boy!

{clap on, clap off, the clapper!}

{same picture, same verse, a little bit louder a little bit worse...}

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO PRINT ANY OF THESE PICTURES {because you're thinking, oooh this would look really cute on my nightstand, coffee table, side table, fridge, etc} please leave me a message or send an email. I will either send you a print or email you the full size version. These pictures are low resolution and don't look good printed. I spend time taking the pics and editing them - I'd like them to be printed in a comparable manner. THANK YOU!

Potato Olympics

Cam's 2/3 class is having a potato olympics. sounds pretty weird, huh?

Today Campbell took a decorated potato with him to school to participate in the POTATO OLYMPICS. Today was only the trials and the potatoes were weighed, measured, registered and the like. Cam came home telling me all about the girth and length of his potato. Pretty funny to hear my 6.75 year old talk about girth.

anyway, the competition will begin on Thursday. It is going to be hard to wait until then to hear how Bob Baller (Cam's potato) fares - but you can gaze upon him until then!

Today was Sawyer's 4th day of school. He's attended 2.5 years of preschool before this. (He's

been to 4 different schools in that time. He went to one in NJ, two his first year here and then two this past year!) Today, during project time, he cried because he missed me and the baby and he just wanted to spend time with us. He decided that he'd stop crying and that maybe if he made himself feel mad he would stop crying. He sounded pleased that it worked. My poor boy has never cried at school before and he never cried at drop-off. I really feel bad and hope it was a one time thing.

A couple of fun pictures of Cam, Sawyer and their friend Charlie at Disneyland. LOVED the new Toy Story ride -- really fun!

{ Such a nice photo of me! }

USA!

We've been having lots of fun watching the Olympics for the past week. We've watched gymnastics (yay for Shawn Johnson. Just can't hide that Iowa pride!), Swimming (whoa!), water polo (insanely brutal!), basketball and more. The boys were glued to fencing!

Campbell has been deciding what his sport in the olympics is going to be. He's got it narrowed down to "fencing, soccer, basketball, maybe swimming and no way it will be water polo."

Last night we had dinner out our friends house and watched the Olympics. As we all (11 of us!) watched Michael Phelps win his 8th medal (WOW!) we watched our 4 boys cheer for his and the team's victory. All 4 big boys, aged 7-5 sat on the ottoman, bounced up and down, and shouted "USA, USA, USA!!" until the race was over. I hope they always remember the excitement and fun of that. It was a wonderful sight to watch and I know it's not something I will soon forget.

Off to Disneyland today!

9 month check up

Today Harrison visited Dr. Camancho and had his 9 month check up. He is 22 pound 6 ounces and 29.5 inches long. She told me his head circumference and I promptly forgot it. I do remember they said it was 60%th percentile. He has a petite head. Surprise surprise.

He also has an ear infection in his right ear. Poor fella. He was crabby yesterday, up 3 times in the night, feverish and crabby today. I knew it was ears. I guess having 3 kids with the occasional ear infection will do that to you. I will say though, the guy tried to be happy. Even with ear pain and several teeth trying to poke through.

Here's to hoping my little guy feels better tomorrow.

The time has come

The day ended as quickly as it began - and Sawyer had a great day. I do suspect he missed me, however, as I received a bunch of extra bear hugs from him this afternoon. He was happy to report how some kids were extra naughty and they had to go in early from recess. (He was NOT happy about the shortened recess - but he was happy to have THE news)

He left me happily today at school, off he went with his friends John and Alex. I asked him later who he had lunch with and who he played with. His answer was easy, John and Alex. I'm so glad we already had several friends in his class as I feel like it made the transition so much easier.

Cam remembered to go get Sawyer from kinder and they both came out smiling. I've got a lot to get used to.

{The big kinder student}

elvis has left the building

I just sent my baby off to kindergarten. I'm feeling quite forlorn. I miss him. It was me and him, him and me for a long time. Now, it's just Harrison and I here and I feel sad. I'm excited for him though...I know he's having a great time.

I'll be back with pictures later. I just wanted to pour out my heart.

Your kung fu is no match for my rockets!

Today was the first day of school! WOOHOO! All I can say is WOW. Truly, wow.

I know most of you know I'm not a religious person. But, I consider myself spiritual and moral. I believe in good and truth - I believe you reap what you sow and so on and so forth. I do, however, still believe in blessings. Today I feel so very blessed. Both boys have been placed in AMAZING classes this year with incredible teachers. I feel like both of them were just meant to be with these women and children.

{The obligatory first day photo at home!}

We started the morning outside Cam's classroom (portable) chatting with other families and warming up to Mrs. Colson, Cam's teacher for this year. Campbell is one of 7 2nd graders and 9 3rd graders. The children for this class (the only one in the school) are specially chosen for their ability to work independantly, their exceptional behavior and their high test scores. (The third graders are similarly chosen)



Unlike other years we were actually able to go into the classroom. I felt a surge of excitement when Mrs. Colson told us we could check out the room, as we usually have to wait for back to school night. (Which will be in a couple of weeks) The room was lovely, not plain and uninteresting. The schedule was on the board and Campbell's desk was next to his friend Tommy's! The room even *smelled* nice. I felt like we were leaving our boy in such good and capable hands. I've had a sense of apprehension both years before this -- not this time! I know he's going to soar this year - I can't wait to watch him stretch his wings and really go for it.

{Campbell and Tommy. Tommy was in Campbell's class last year, also!}

{Two boys on the handball court}

{At his desk}

After lunch Sawyer got to go into his classroom and get to know his teachers in a smaller setting. (There were only 2 other students there at the time) I already know one of his teachers (Mrs. Fleming) fairly well - so it was nice for all of us to see her again. This time, we were able to also get to know Mrs. Snow. Again, I felt like this was going to be such a warm and inviting place for my boy. I know he'll get warmth and love -- but he'll be encouraged to grow and excel. Some of my friends are nervous for their childs placement, but I'm full of anticipation and excitement for both of my boys!

{In front of the school}

{With Mrs. Snow and Mrs. Fleming}
{out front}

As if the first day of second grade and kinder wasn't enough - ANDY MADE HIS COACHING DEBUT! Tonight Sawyer's soccer team (the giants) had their first practice. Andy did great and the boys were on their game for about 45 minutes, then he started losing them. But, they *are* 5 years old. I think he did great and Sawyer was thrilled that his dad was the coach.



Just because the baby didn't have a monumental day like his brothers, doesn't mean he didn't get his picture taken!


Tomorrow is Sawyer's real first day of kinder!

SO very far behind

it was my goal to try and stay caught up around here. clearly I didn't meet my goal. i've fallen way behind!



Here's a recap with what has gone on with us since last (freaking) Wednesday.


Thursday-Bowling!

Friday-Waterpark/pool in Hemet. {We found out teachers, too! Campbell is in a 2/3 Combo and Sawyer is in a wonderful class with 2 teachers and 3 of his good friends!}

Saturday-Soccer meeting for Sawyer and Andy's team
Sunday-Had some friends over to barbeque for dinner
Monday-My birthday!

Tuesday-(Today!) Pancake breakfast - met Cam and Sawyer's teachers!


There were a few other things thrown in there. Andy volunteered to coach Sawyer's soccer team since the team was lacking in that department. Woohoo for dad's!


The baby has been eating more and more table food. YUM!


The baby has also started clapping. It's SO incredibly adorable. He also nods yes! (He shakes his head no, too!)

Let's see what pics I can round up...

{straight out of the camera. completely unedited but cute}

Then there is this. On Friday I asked Sawyer to go in and talk to the baby while I finished the task at hand. It took a few minutes, but I didn't hear any more fussing from Harrison's room. So, I finished something else quickly and went in there. As I approached his room, I heard Sawyer talking to Harrison. Then, I found this. When I asked Sawyer why he was in there - he told me how he had fallen in while giving Harrison a toy. I found it quite hilarious!

If I owe you an email, i will respond. I'm just a bit behind because tomorrow is the BIG DAY! The first day of school!

9 months old

"This is the time to remember 'cause it will not last forever. These are the days to hold onto. Cause we won't although we'll want to. This is the time, but time is going to change." -Billy Joel

That is an odd lyric in thinking about the baby -- because I certainly feel that way. But, I also so clearly have a vision of walking from class in the library (Bob Boynton!) with Liz and our "friend" Sean Gorman to the IMU. It was cold, grey and windy and we were having one of our usual silly conversations - more than likely about redeeming qualities or some other such nonsense. I realized at the time how wonderful of a time in our lives that was and how lucky we were. I am so glad that I have the ability to see how wonderful things are at the time -- even if they are sometimes not as perfect as the world might like them to be. To me, they are the best of times.

I stayed up too late last night and now I'm quite tired. I edited a few pictures, I wrote a bit here for all of you to read...that takes it's toll when the baby wakes up a bit after 6 am. And I take the boys to the pool in the morning. Then, they have Cameron over for a playdate and we have to go to the PTA meeting after that. Then, some other friends come over for a playdate. Then, after dinner we babysit a couple of other friends at the pool for a while. Whew. Now, I'm *really* tired. Good night!

Nah! I have to wail to someone about how this baby has roughly now been with us for as long as he was inside of me. Wah! Then, think about where he'll be 9 months from now. I take that back, I'm not thinking about it.

After the day I had (exhausting, because don't forget - it's Wednesday, laundry day! I know you've been thinking about *THAT* all day) I took no good pictures, dangit. I had hoped for a great session with the baby. Okay, all I really hoped for was one or two great ones that scream "9months old". Oh, I got one that screams 9 months old, all right. I got this:

Yup, that is usually how I see him anyway. Crawling away from me.

Tomorrow is a new day, a day for bowling and lunch with friends. Only 6 more days until school starts.

The countdown is ON!

"Summer afternoon, summer afternoon; to me those have always been the two most beautiful words in the English language." -Henry James

It's about to get crazy around here real quick. I've made that clear though, right?

Another scintilating day around these parts. Clearly if you're checking in here regularly you're not here for the excitement, that is for sure. You must be here for my witty self or good quotes - maybe my insight. Nah, it's the cute kids. Who am I kidding?

This is the week of lasts, I fear. The last Tuesday of summer, the last free movie of the summer, the last day we eat grilled cheese for lunch this summer, and on and on and on. While I'm here though, that list was all true. Today we saw "Open Season" at the theater. While I would have preferred to see something else for our final movie - it was fine and Harrison was joyous throughout the show, as always.

{In order to make the boys take a break from their wrestling and fighting with plastic weapons, I broke out a piece of my bulletin board paper for them to color on. This lasted about 7 minutes before they began throwing markers and crayons at each other. Have I mentioned it's time for school to start?}

{See those stylish white cleats?}

That was today's thrilling tale. Perhaps I will have something to actually share tomorrow! (Oooh, I bet I will. Tomorrow, harrison will be *gasp* 9 months old!)