Our newest additions

Meet Sammy & Ben (named after Cole's favorite show, BEN 10). Sammy in blue, is JD's fish and Ben in Red, is Cole's fish.  I never dreamed you would be so excited about FISH.  It was so much fun picking them out and bringing them home to their new home.

I am a bit worried that the fish may be so jostled that they may not make it through the night - but time will tell.  While I have high hopes about how much you boys are going to help take care of these little creatures, something tells me that I just signed on for 2 additional mouths to feed each day and two more bowls to keep clean.  Daddy warned you last night that "fish don't last very long" so we've got our fingers crossed that these guys will be with us a while.  If the hermit crabs that you had 2 years ago are any indication of how long our pets stick around, we're in for the long haul.  In the hermit crab world, 18 months was a long life at the Licameli's!

Welcome to you Ben and Sammy - we're happy you're here!

FIVE!

You are 5 + 1day today. I couldn't write yesterday because we have been out of power due to Hurricane Irene. You guys had a GREAT 5th Birthday!  We had big plans for you this past weekend but the Hurricane came and we couldn't do what we had planned. You didn't seem to care. Daddy & I were very bummed about it but I think we cared more than you did that our plans didn't work out as planned. 

On Sunday, the day before your birthday, we were house bound due to weather so we opened your gifts that day. Transformers & Star Wars were the themes of choice this year - you couldn't have been happier.  You were showered by gifts from family too - lots of toys and books.  We stayed at Mimi's on Sunday night since they had generator power and you got to wake up on your birthday with your cousins and grandparents. What could be better? As stressed out as I was about this - it worked out perfectly for you guys.  I wish I could remember to live in the moment more often like you do!

You had a party at school with your class friends - JD, you had a star wars cake and Cole, you had a transformers cake.  Your classmates sang to you and gave you birthday cards. Perfect celebration with your pals.  We headed to Chevy's with our family for dinner and you had a ball.  You wore big hats, ate ice cream and screamed ole'.  It was a great day for the two of you - you relished in the attention and enjoyed turning five.

Me, on the other hand, had a bit of a hard time with it.  I love watching you have birthdays. You love getting bigger and older - and I love that for you. But I cannot stop time and that is really hard for me.  I want to keep you small. It's going by too fast.

Your brother Calvin was also on my mind all day. From the moment I woke up. My heart hurt a bit for him - and couldn't help but remember your actual BIRTH day - I just know that he was with all of us all day yesterday looking down smiling.  You boys are my world. And there is nothing that brings me more happiness than watching you be happy.  Birthdays are special days for sure.  Just as special for the Moms as they are for their kids.  Celebrating that day is at the top of my list.  I honor your brother and count my blessings for the two of you.  Happy Birthday to my babies - I Love you!

-Mommy

EARTHQUAKE!

Well boys, we had an earthquake today! It was my first earthquake in my 41 years - and certainly your first earthquake experience.  We were in the Walmart parking lot loading the car and I you both had just climbed in the car. I was loading our bags and the car started shaking - I thought the two of you were jumping around or something making the car move. I asked you to please stop and buckle up and low and behold, the shaking got worse and it lasted about 15 seconds.  I knew pretty quick that it was an earthquake but wasn't exactly sure what to do.  I envisioned the earth cracking and us getting swallowed up into it (I have obviously seen one too many of those sci-fi movies where natural disaster takes the world).

Just after it ended, Daddy called from his office in DC and they had experienced the same thing about 8 minutes earlier.  We were safe - and thank goodness we were outdoors and not inside of the store still.  It was such a crazy feeling - one I will never forget.  It was a helpless feeling, and one that makes you stop in your tracks and wonder what is going on and what to do next.

As it sounds now, it was a 5.8 on the richter scale - which is a fairly significant earthquake.  The epi-center was a bit north of Richmond so it was a good 200 miles away.

As of today, we also have hurricane IRENE bearing down on us - forecasted to possibly hit our coastal area this weekend.  Mother nature is putting us to the test!

First Day of Pre-K

It was a big day for you both today - you are officially now in PRE-KINDERGARTEN!  How on earth did that happen? It feels like just yesterday I was dropping you off at Bay Country as 2 year olds in Room 2 - and you were so small.  Now you are the biggest kids there - and doing so well there.

Big step today - for the first time, you two are going to be separated in class.  I think this is going to be amazing for both of you!  As we walked out our front door to school today, Cole, you started to act funny.  You got tears in your eyes and said you weren't ready to leave room #4 yet.  I wasn't surprised that you got a little sad - change is hard for you.  This was the first time you have been sad - and it didn't last long.  JD, you were so excited, you bounced all the way to the car.  You both had your new school sneakers on which light up on the bottom (special back to school treat) and that was your highlight for today. You were going to get to show everyone your NEW SHOES!

Nonetheless, we got to school and I took you to your respective classrooms.  JD, your new teacher wasn't there yet so I didn't get to meet her - but you put away your backpack in your new cubby, and your lunch, and went off on your merry way. I barely got a kiss good bye.  I was so proud that you love school so much and are so happy and eager about what is to come. Ms. Simmons & Ms. Linda are so lucky to have you!  But at the same time, I was a bit sad for myself since you didn't hesitate to let me walk out so easy.

Cole, we went over to your classroom (across the hall) and you were a little timid. But you did great. We found your new cubby and put your backpack away. Mrs. Kaupa brought you over and showed you where to put your lunch and you did the same.  You explained everything in your lunch to her and quickly became a chatterbox.  When I left, you hugged me extra hard and blew a kiss. You were off and running too.  Mrs. Kaupa will love having you in class, I just know it.

As I left your school today, I cried. I cried happy tears for you both - you are so eager to learn and you really enjoy where you are.  I also cried scared tears because just one year from now, I have to turn you over to Kindergarten where you will be really on your own compared to now.  It's just so hard to believe that time has gone so fast.  You are starting to make your way in the world.

I cannot even put into words the joy I have in my heart watching you grow, love and learn.  There have been a few hard lessons along the way (and MANY more to come) but watching you turn into little people is just amazing.  You make my heart so full - and I often don't know how I got so lucky.  I know that this year is going to be a great one for you both - we elected to hold you back for an extra year since you are turning 5 just 2 days before the cut off for kindergarten.  I know in my heart this is the right thing for you both and by the time next year rolls around, you will be so prepared and ready.  You'll be the oldest in your class, which will do you well down the road.

I can't wait to pick you up later today and hear about your days! Now I get to listen to both of you tell me your school day stories - such fun!

Love,
Mommy

Almost 5

Click here to view this photo book larger

We were scheduled to have a family photographer come take our picture and she had to cancel due to a family emergency.  So, off we went for our own photo shoot. Bribery with ice cream works wonders, even if it is only 9am in the morning.  I had a great time doing it - and you guys cooperated really well.  It's just amazing that you're really almost 5. Where did the time go?

Sweet Baby Rays

We have a really funny thing going on in our house. Many months ago, in an effort to get you boys upstairs to get ready for bed, Daddy grabbed some sweet baby rays BBQ sauce out of the frig and came running after you. He threatened you that if you didn't get upstairs quickly and get undressed, he would slather you with BBQ Sauce.  Both of you ran like crazies and did exactly what he asked you to do - for fear that you would get doused.  You were scared to death of the BBQ sauce!  Since that night, this goes on every single day - and sweet baby rays is your nemesis.  Anytime he needs you to do something, or STOP doing something, the sweet baby rays threat comes out and you immediately react.  And you are still scared of the BBQ sauce. It's hilarious!

One time while you were in the tub, Daddy came through with his promise and put sweet baby rays on Cole's leg. You would have thought your leg was on fire, Cole.  He actually grabs the sweet baby rays and chases you with it. You guys are really scared of it!  It makes me laugh. He teases you incessantly.  He's always teasing about something.  Apparently this comes from Grampa Joe - Daddy was teased by his Dad all of the time too. 

Yesterday while shopping at the grocery store at the beach, I picked up a bottle of SWEET.BABY.RAYS and brought it home. We were in need of some here too.  As we were stuck inside due to the rain, you guys teased each other all day with it. It was in and out of the frig a thousand times all day.  It's amazing how something so silly can have such a profound effect on you. 

The ironic part is that neither of you like BBQ sauce - hopefully it's not because of this.  I wonder how long this will go on and you will really be scared of getting doused with BBQ sauce?!?!

Only I, as your Mom, can appreciate these pictures.
Two of my new favorites of my two favorite people on earth.
Love you boys.

Yet another parenting fail....

I just need to get this down for posterity purposes - Cole, you're a piece of work. We're in trouble in about 10 more years (or less). 

The other morning, as you were struggling to get dressed before school, you yelled out in frustration "Mom, my fuckin' underwear don't work".  Hoping that I did not hear what I thought I heard, I calmly asked "what did you say?". 

You gladly repeated yourself, very loudly "MOM, I SAID MY FUCKIN' UNDERWEAR DON'T WORK".  That's what I thought you said.  I tried so hard to keep a straight face and tell you that was inappropriate and you were not allowed to say such things.  Not an easy task - something about hearing a 4 year old say the "F" word keeps you from keeping a straight face. Especially when it's in the right context.  You nailed it.

Not one of my more proud parenting moments.  I have NO idea where you heard that word - certainly could not have been from me.....

My Missing Boy

Most days, I only think of you once or twice Calvin. There are other days that you are with me all day long. There’s really no rhyme or reason. But those days that you are with me all day, I love it. I have had a lot of them lately.

I would give anything to have you here with us. Your brothers talk about you all of the time. Cole still sleeps with his “baby Calvin” beanie baby. I love that. Last week, while putting away clothes in JD’s closet, I saw your yellow box. I stopped what I was doing and opened it. JD was with me and wondered what was in there. We looked at your photos – I only showed him one of them – it was the one with the 3 of you together, just after you were born. You were all wrapped in blankets. He said “Mommy, that isn’t baby Calvin? He doesn’t look like that. He looks like Cole’s little sleeping buddy”. JD actually thought you looked like the stuffed animal when you were born. That innocence made me smile.

Although both of your brothers have been told that you looked just like Cole and were his identical twin, they don’t understand it all yet. I try to tell them things about you to help them understand. But I think they are still too young to understand how you could have been there, and are gone now. We’re working on it.

I miss you terribly. My heart still hurts for you a lot. We have so much fun as a family and I just know that it would be even better if you were here too. A few weeks ago we had some friends come to the beach house – 2 sets of triplets. The entire time, I thought of you. I was reminded that you were gone too soon. I pictured what it would be like to have the three of you together, playing on the beach, enjoying each other in the sunshine. My photos would have one more handsome boy in them.  I can only hope that someday soon I can find the grace to explain what a hero you really are to your brothers. When they can finally understand this, they will be so proud. It’s only been recently that when people have asked them if they are twins that they look at me and say “we’re triplets”. My heart bursts every time. They are slowly starting to understand. 
I love you buddy.

Boys will be boys

I'm getting my true taste of "boys" these days.  Little boys are amazing - in so many ways.  If I had a penny for every potty word that was said in my house every day, I would be a millionaire by now. Seriously. What is the deal with potty talk and 4 year old boys? WHY IS IT ALL SO FUNNY? I don't get it. 

The obsession over everything "male" will never cease to amaze me.  Between the bodily sounds from all orafices and the urge to get naked at any given hour minute - all modesty that was once in our house is now gone. Probably FOREVER.

As frustrated as I get, I laugh just as much. It's pretty hilarious - but only when it's under our own roof.  C, you threw me for a loop recently.  When I arrived at school, you were looking a little guilty.  Usually when something has gone wrong at school, it's only a matter of 10 seconds or so after I arrive that you have spilled the beans and you give it all up.  Tears and all.  You've got my number my son.

This particular day, it didn't come up until we were almost out the front door of the school.  One of you told me that C had been in a little bit of trouble that day.  To which I replied, ok, lets get in the car and then we'll talk.  We got buckled in and I started pulling away and I hear "MOM, C showed **** (a girl) his penis today".  OMG. WHAT?  I asked again to be sure I heard correctly and Mr. Tattletail said it again.  Sure enough, he did. He showed a girl his penis. TWICE. IN. THE. CLASSROOM.

I can honestly say, I had NO IDEA HOW TO HANDLE THIS.  I pulled over and stopped the car. When I turned around, I saw him sobbing in the back seat.  Unable to speak and wallowing in his shame for what he had done.  Speechless, I was so conflicted - so sad for him because he had knowingly made a bad choice - yet so shocked and amazed that he had made SUCH a bad choice. How did this happen?

Long story short, we got the whole story out eventually, I verified it immediately with the teacher and we all learned a lesson.  I can't lie, it took me a few days to get over it.  It was innocent. And it was peer pressure. And it was not good.  And I can only hope that it won't happen again.  These are the moments that parenting is not an easy gig.  And there are many more of these moments to come I'm sure - I can only hope that they don't involve the male anatomy.....(somehow I think this is only the beginning)