SOCKS!

Cole, your sock routine is going to put me in an early grave. Your Dad and I have been laughing (and pleading for you to hurry up and to be more reasonable) for a few weeks about this and it's time for me to get this down in writing because someday you won't believe me when I tell you....

If there is a day when you have PE or soccer practice, you have to put socks (and non-flip flop types) on your feet. You are so used to flip flops from summer that this has been an incredible adjustment for you.  Ridiculous as this may sound.

You will not wear "high socks" unless it's with your shin guards, which leaves only "low socks" which are going to be freezing come winter. I guess we'll cross that bridge when we get to it. Nonetheless, just picking out socks is AT LEAST, a 20 minute event.  You sit in your closet and pull apart every.single.pair of socks that are in there - searching for the perfect pair. I have absolutely no idea what your sock criteria are - whenever I ask, you get belligerent.  It makes you angry, to the point of tears, almost every time.  And it frustrates me because I have to go behind you and re-match the socks.

When you finally arrive at a pair that seem to work, you have to inspect them for any threads that might be dangling - and then we have to cut them.  With scissors.  BEFORE you will put on any shoes.  It's kinda like the tag thing - you demand cutting out any and all tags from clothes, including underwear, if you are going to wear them.

Back to the socks.  After we have made it over the sock on the feet hurdle, we have to start getting shoes on. This is almost as bad, since the socks usually bunch up in your shoes or slip down or whatever. It's just never right. We put on and take off your shoes about 3 times before they fit perfect. It's CRAZY!

Suffice to say, that we start getting shoes and socks on at least 30 minutes before we have to go anywhere.  And usually, that's the exact amount of time you need, without a minute to spare.

What gives? What is the sock issue? I wish I knew so I could help. Instead, I get frustrated, try to laugh, and do a lot of disciplining of your brother during this time as he continuously harrasses you about how long it takes for you to get your socks on....

Good times. Good times.

Fall Soccer

You guys are loving fall soccer! You have a fun team and great coaches. Coach Michael and Casey are awesome. Both of you have taken to the game and seem to enjoy every minute on the field. Daddy and I are so proud of you. GO BOOMERANGS!

Never forgotten

I just love that when the kids doodle and draw (and other things), they always remember Calvin...JD did this today and it warmed my heart.

Your first day of school- TOGETHER!

And what a difference a day makes! You guys literally RAN to the bus today. You couldn't wait to go to school. It was awesome to watch.

Cole's first day of Kindergarten!

You did it Cole! You did it!

Our photo session was a struggle. You tried very hard NOT to smile but I got a couple of half smiles out of you. You just hated that I was making a big deal out of you...but we had to have a few pictures!

It wasn't easy for you this morning. But you dug deep and got on that bus. When you got up this morning, you were seemingly excited and kind of goofy. A couple of times, you disappeared up to your room alone but came out when I called you. I knew you were nervous but you were acting like you were ok. When we left the house for the bus stop, you finally said "Mom, I'm not riding the bus you know". We continued our trek and by the time we were at the bus stop, you were side tracked.

The bus came after about 10 minutes and you willingly took my hand as I walked you to the bus door. Then, you crumbled to the ground and cried that you couldn't go. You sat on the road in a heap. It broke my heart. You were scared. Of the bus.

I was able to pick you up and your bus driver let me bring you on. I put you in your seat and kissed you goodbye. I had to leave you in tears. As I watched the bus go down our street with my scared boy on it, I knew you were going to be just fine. I called on Calvin to give you a little extra help. I think he did.

The day went soooo slow! I couldn't wait to see you get off of that bus. And when you did, you had that cute little smirk on your face and I knew you loved it. You even said that the bus was your favorite part. You were a chatterbox about your day.

I am so proud of you for making this HUGE milestone and pushing through something that was so hard and scary for you. This new milestone will serve you well later in life. You might always remember this day.

I love you so crazy much and have never been so proud. I can't wait to watch you learn and blossom in school. You have so much to look forward to. We are with you every step love bug. You are going to crush Kindergarten. Love you buddy!

JD's first day of Kindergarten!

JD, I am so proud of you today, I can barely stand it. I just want to shout it out loud how much I love you and how happy I am for you! It's your first day of Kindergarten and you got on that bus like a champ this am.  Daddy, Cole & I walked you to the bus stop and you cried for just a second as we turned out of the driveway and then you were fine. 

While we waited for the bus to come, you chatted and seemed like you were just a tiny bit nervous. And then the "big yellow cheese wagon" (as you like to call it) came around the corner and you got on like you had done it 100 times before.

You got to sit in the very front seat, and there weren't too many kids on the bus yet so it was perfect. You met Ms. Deborah, the bus driver, and off you went.  I waved frantically with tears in my eyes but I held it together for you baby. I did.

As we watched the bus drive away, a part of my heart went with it but I know you were on your way to big, new things.  All I wanted to do at that moment was to see you one last time, for one last kiss and good luck wish. But you were gone.  I knew it would be one of the longest days of my life, waiting for you to get home.

You are such a confident, friendly boy and I know you will flourish in Mrs. Sayres class. You have such a bright future ahead of you and it's going to be so much fun seeing you grow and learn this year. The hardest part is letting you go. You are now in someone else's control for most of your days - and that's so hard. Although I know you are in good hands, trusting others to watch over my most precious boys is not easy. You're smart though - and you'll watch out for yourself. And you'll make good decisions, and learn from your mistakes. You're just, like that.

You have paved the way for your brother for tomorrow. He watched you be so brave. And you did it.  It was hard on the two of you not to go together today - but it's showing you both that you can stand on your own and make your way by believing in yourself. You can do anything.

Here are a few pictures from your first day of Kindergarten. I don't know that I have ever been more proud of you my love. You are truly my sunshine.

Fun family Birthday Day!

We had a great family day today! What a rarity on a weekday that we could make this work like we did. It was awesome!

 

Early morning after their new gifts - iTouch for both. Lucky kids.

 

 

 

We started out by dropping off our collected donations at the Lighthouse Shelter for the Homeless. When we went in, we told the lady there that the kids had collected the donations in lieu of getting birthday gifts and they were so excited to see the boys had done this. They took pictures of the boys with the gifts. She explained to them that she hoped that other kids would see this and be inspired to do more of the same. I'm not sure that JD & Cole understood completely but I'm hopeful that experiences like this will allow them the opportunity to start understanding how to help others.

 

 

We stopped at their favorite restaurant for lunch - Double T Diner and we sat at the breakfast bar there. Milkshakes, chicken noodle soup and breakfast for lunch.  Perfect right?

 

Then we went on to the hospital to deliver our collected things to the NICU.  We were lucky enough to catch a few of the first nurses we had when they were born 6 years ago. They were all so genuinely compassionate and happy to see them.  Although the kids didn't really understand the magnitude of that either, it was fun to have them see where they were hospitalized in their early days and meet the people who essentially saved their lives.  What a journey they witnessed six years ago.

 

 

 

Putt putt was next on the agenda - always a favorite afternoon treat.  After only one lost ball and one hole in one by Mommy, we went home to have dinner and wait for company.

 

We had a little dessert party with the Grandparents in the evening at our house. They launched a 7' rocket (into a tree) and enjoyed spending time with their grandparents.

 

 

 

 

It was a full, fun day - one for the books for sure. 

 

Another big day tomorrow...

Mommy Tears

What a day. Lots of Mommy tears today on so many levels. I always forget how much this day affects me in a sad way too. It sneaks up on me and once I start crying and feeling sad, I remember that I'm missing Calvin, and celebrating the other two.  Calvin tears are healing and usually don't last long.  But they always come....

We gave the kids iTouch's for their birthdays (jury is still out on whether or not this was a good idea) and I heard the kids singing to themselves with head phones on for a good part of the day. It was awesome.  The best song I heard was their Bible camp songs. They were belting them out, knowing every single word, having no idea how loud and carefree they were singing. More tears.

The love and support we had today from our friends and family was amazing. My facebook page was lit up all day today and the kindness overwhelming.  Many posts brought me to tears of joy and thankfulness. We are so lucky to have so many wonderful people in our lives.

We had the best family day today. C. was able to take the day off of work today, despite his pending trip and it was so much fun.  We had a great family day - details to follow.  I didn't take one minute for granted all day.

The anticipating of sending my first baby off to Kindergarten has been looming all day - but I won't lie, it's weighing heavy on me and I'm not sure I'm ready. We'll see in the am.  Regardless, we had a wonderful day today and I am so thankful for it.  Feeling like a lucky, happy Mommy with a full heart.

SIX today, HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

SIX years ago, I had this news to share.

http://www.ajourneyofthree.blogspot.com/2006/08/theyre-here.html

Today, it's hard to believe that my babies are six and starting kindergarten. There were many days in our early journey that we weren't so sure...

There isn't a day I don't think about my boy Calvin in heaven. And there isn't a day that I don't count my blessings for JD & Cole. Happy Birthday to my two little miracle babies - you guys are amazing and make our lives unbelievably happy, fun, challenging, loving and wonderful.

Happy Birthday boys - lets have some good old fashioned six year old family fun today!

Side note: Cole, you are adamantly refusing to turn six today. You want to "attend" the celebration, have cake and get gifts, but you don't want to be six. Only five. Again. I think you think that if you are still 5, you wont have to start school....I keep explaining that it doesn't matter but you're not buying it....so, we have agreed that I will celebrate on your behalf since its my favorite day too.

Tracker Dog (aka Dog Dog)

It looks like Tracker is going to be able to make a few trips to school with you. You're really happy that he's going to be keeping you company. You love this little doggie. Aunt Kathy gave him to you years ago and he's been a favorite ever since.  This is how I normally find you snuggling with him EVERY night.

 

 

So, in prep for the bus ride, we went out yesterday to find a special holder for him so he wouldn't be so obvious in your backpack. The rule is, he can come, but he can't come out while at school.  We found the perfect little bag for him (a pencil case) and he fits just fine.

 

 

Then, to make it even better, we found a little secret compartment for him to stay in at the bottom of your backpack.  We packed him up just to test it out and it is going to work out great. Nobody will even know he's there.  You were relieved and excited Cole. The small things like this are going to get you through your first few days. YOU CAN DO THIS!