Listen to Fun
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
8/18 Kevin & Ashley
I met Tab in a parking lot and picked up my niece and nephew. They had missed the bus, so I took them to school. They seem to be excited.
Saturday, August 27, 2011
8/15 First Day of School
FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL
This was one emotional day for me. William started kindergarten and Robbie started Middle School. We found out on Friday that William did not get the teacher that I had requested. Instead, he has a teacher that is brand new. New to the school, newly graduated, first year teaching, EVER. I highly recommend starting out with Jonah if its your first year, not William. Both have new principals. With Robbie's school this barely means anything to me, but I knew and could communicate with the principal from William and Jonah's school. I have a bit of a reputation. I don't mean in the good way.
So here is Robbie being driven to school by Victor.
Do not take my precious child away to that evil place known as Middle School!!!
Here is William with his teacher. I must admit that I was in tears before I left the school. One of the women who works at the school (who knows me because she has a daughter that is Jonah's age), was giving me tough love saying that he (William) will be fine and that I should know that she will watch out for him.
Jonah has a seasoned teacher that has not lost her enthusiasm for teaching. There are also two kids in the class whose parents I have known a long time, so I figure between the three families, we will be able to keep good tabs on how things are going.
I stayed at Lisa's house most of the day to keep the crazies away. Thank you Lisa for keeping me distracted and calm!
After work, Victor met us at Purple Cow to celebrate and rehash the first day.
We spent a lot of time talking about responsibility with Robbie. We pointed out that Jonah had carried him through 5th grade in the sense that all of Jonah's important papers made it home when Robbie's didn't or came three weeks late. Our prime example was the order form for the year book. Robbie brought it home after the date had passed. Jonah brought it to us on time and I was able to order for both of them.
First day of school, Robbie forgot his homework.
Other than that, the boys seemed to have a good day. One down - many more to go.
This was one emotional day for me. William started kindergarten and Robbie started Middle School. We found out on Friday that William did not get the teacher that I had requested. Instead, he has a teacher that is brand new. New to the school, newly graduated, first year teaching, EVER. I highly recommend starting out with Jonah if its your first year, not William. Both have new principals. With Robbie's school this barely means anything to me, but I knew and could communicate with the principal from William and Jonah's school. I have a bit of a reputation. I don't mean in the good way.
So here is Robbie being driven to school by Victor.
I dropped off the other two. We were late - of course. I am just noticing that in this picture, Jonah looks a lot taller than William. I know that is how it is supposed to be, but I really thought William had almost caught up.
Jonah has a seasoned teacher that has not lost her enthusiasm for teaching. There are also two kids in the class whose parents I have known a long time, so I figure between the three families, we will be able to keep good tabs on how things are going.
I stayed at Lisa's house most of the day to keep the crazies away. Thank you Lisa for keeping me distracted and calm!
After work, Victor met us at Purple Cow to celebrate and rehash the first day.
We spent a lot of time talking about responsibility with Robbie. We pointed out that Jonah had carried him through 5th grade in the sense that all of Jonah's important papers made it home when Robbie's didn't or came three weeks late. Our prime example was the order form for the year book. Robbie brought it home after the date had passed. Jonah brought it to us on time and I was able to order for both of them.
First day of school, Robbie forgot his homework.
Other than that, the boys seemed to have a good day. One down - many more to go.
8/14 Church in West Memphis
Church. Victor's brother is preaching.
Victor's dad collecting the offering.
William had too much excitement for one weekend.
It doesn't seem right that I am sending him off to kindergarten tomorrow.
8/13 Victor's Mom is 70
Even though Victor is sick, we have ventured to Marion, AR. His mother is having her 70th birthday. He is determined to be there. His brother drove in from Detroit and another brother flew in from North Carolina.
Victor's parents have seven children and sixteen grandchildren. They reserved a room at a restaurant so we would all fit.
8/12 Davis Reunion
Today we had friends over to play. Last summer, we saw them twice a week for eight weeks of the summer. This summer, we have not seen them at all. The kids got along great. No arguing or anything.
Victor was home sick and barely left the bedroom to keep the germs with him. Doctor says Victor is a half step away from pneumonia.
After dinner, we went to Jonah and William's Open House for school. This is the time you go, find out who your teacher is and bring all of the supplies.
William did not get the teacher I wanted. He did not get the teacher I requested. He did not get the teacher that Robbie and Jonah both had for kindergarten. ARGHHH! Try to remain calm, try to remain calm.
William's teacher knew that I wanted someone else and made it a point to come to Victor and me and say, "I know you wanted Ms. Shearer and have a great relationship with her. I hope we can have a great relationship too and a good year." I admired her courage.
The boys had pitched our tent in the guest bedroom. They had fun playing different DSI games the boys brought with them to share.
Victor was home sick and barely left the bedroom to keep the germs with him. Doctor says Victor is a half step away from pneumonia.
After dinner, we went to Jonah and William's Open House for school. This is the time you go, find out who your teacher is and bring all of the supplies.
William did not get the teacher I wanted. He did not get the teacher I requested. He did not get the teacher that Robbie and Jonah both had for kindergarten. ARGHHH! Try to remain calm, try to remain calm.
William's teacher knew that I wanted someone else and made it a point to come to Victor and me and say, "I know you wanted Ms. Shearer and have a great relationship with her. I hope we can have a great relationship too and a good year." I admired her courage.
8/11 Robbie is Well
Back to the doctor. This time it is Robbie's well child. He needs a shot for school and they insisted he have a full visit.
This is the second day in a row I have been at the doctor with all three boys. Yesterday, the doctor took forever. Today went a lot faster (different doctor in the clinic).
Robbie is 5'4 1/2" and 120 lbs. He is only 11!
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
8/10 Release the Hounds!
We had a well child visit for William. At this age, I think well child visits are simply a way for the doctor to make money. However, the school requires a physical before entering kindergarten. There is even has a form for the doctor to fill out. Otherwise, I would not have been there.
Our appointment was a blessing because there was a cancellation, allowing us to go before school started. So, we are here at the doctor's office for our 8:40 am appointment. By 9:15 we are in an exam room, but have yet to see the doctor. This is so typical and irritating!! The thing is, we had to be the first appointment and we still were not seen on time. This tells you that the doctor was not even in the office (at least that was the conclusion I came up with).
I decided that to draw attention to our exam room and make things go faster, I would stop. I stopped correcting the boys. I stopped trying so hard to keep them quiet. I mean we are practically sitting in a cage!
I unleashed the beast aka three boys in a small room bored out of their minds.
They got loud. They started punching and wrestling. They were laughing and carrying on. I just watched. I did make sure that they did not hurt each other, but mostly, watched.
Once the noise really kicked in, the nurse appeared, checking everything out. But no doctor. I really don't think she was even in the building.
Finally, the doctor came in. The boys were still acting silly. The doctor looked around wide eyed. When she asked William to stand on one foot, he couldn't do it. He thought it would be funnier if he fell down. A lot. The doctor looked so concerned, I had to get on to him. Of course William can stand on one foot. Please. Have you met my child? Actually, we had never seen this woman before.
I was looking at the doctor with one eye brow raised the entire time, daring her to say anything about the boys being wild. I was ready. 'Other Joy' was going to come out. Trust me, this would be unleashing a whole different kind of beast.
Suffice it to say, I am not a morning person.
Our appointment was a blessing because there was a cancellation, allowing us to go before school started. So, we are here at the doctor's office for our 8:40 am appointment. By 9:15 we are in an exam room, but have yet to see the doctor. This is so typical and irritating!! The thing is, we had to be the first appointment and we still were not seen on time. This tells you that the doctor was not even in the office (at least that was the conclusion I came up with).
I decided that to draw attention to our exam room and make things go faster, I would stop. I stopped correcting the boys. I stopped trying so hard to keep them quiet. I mean we are practically sitting in a cage!
I unleashed the beast aka three boys in a small room bored out of their minds.
Once the noise really kicked in, the nurse appeared, checking everything out. But no doctor. I really don't think she was even in the building.
Finally, the doctor came in. The boys were still acting silly. The doctor looked around wide eyed. When she asked William to stand on one foot, he couldn't do it. He thought it would be funnier if he fell down. A lot. The doctor looked so concerned, I had to get on to him. Of course William can stand on one foot. Please. Have you met my child? Actually, we had never seen this woman before.
I was looking at the doctor with one eye brow raised the entire time, daring her to say anything about the boys being wild. I was ready. 'Other Joy' was going to come out. Trust me, this would be unleashing a whole different kind of beast.
Suffice it to say, I am not a morning person.
Forgot to post this at the correct timeThurs 6/9
The boys finally got hurt.
Jonah had a baseball game tonight. He ended up hitting two homeruns! It was amazing. One homerun was on a bunt!
The after game talk.
8/9 Middle School Open House
We went to Robbie's open house for middle school. Victor wanted to make sure Robbie knew how to open his locker.
8/8 Reminiscing about William
Road trip to get Jonah's trophy. He had missed the team party.
The trophy was at an insurance office. We went in and I asked for the lady who had emailed me about the trophy. She was not in, but her husband was. When Lee came out, William was running around and looking at stuff. He saw some stairs and said, "Is there a gym down there?" I went to apologize to Lee, but then I said, "I would apologize, but you already know William and what he's like." Lee said, "I know. I remember. He has lots of energy."
You see, when Robbie first started playing baseball,William was 2. Robbie was on the Springhill team with this family's son. The teams are based on age and their son falls between Robbie and Jonah. Anyway, William's one desire was to play baseball. NOTHING was going to stop him. William would run out on the field in the middle of Robbie's games. We would set up 'guards' (dads) at the gates to the field to try and keep him from getting in.
The trophy was at an insurance office. We went in and I asked for the lady who had emailed me about the trophy. She was not in, but her husband was. When Lee came out, William was running around and looking at stuff. He saw some stairs and said, "Is there a gym down there?" I went to apologize to Lee, but then I said, "I would apologize, but you already know William and what he's like." Lee said, "I know. I remember. He has lots of energy."
You see, when Robbie first started playing baseball,William was 2. Robbie was on the Springhill team with this family's son. The teams are based on age and their son falls between Robbie and Jonah. Anyway, William's one desire was to play baseball. NOTHING was going to stop him. William would run out on the field in the middle of Robbie's games. We would set up 'guards' (dads) at the gates to the field to try and keep him from getting in.
One time he made it all the way to the plate with a helmet on his head and a bat in hand ready to go. The ump was a bit confused since he wasn't in uniform.
It was refreshing to be with someone who already understands William. Most of the parents of Bryant Baseball have witnessed first hand how William disappears so fast. They understand that if they are responsible for him, they cannot take their eyes off of him for a second because he will disappear. They also understand that if they see him without me or Victor, we don't know where he is.
Last year, I was walking with William behind me. I was taking him to the bathroom. Suddenly, I stopped, realizing that William was gone. I looked around trying to figure out what had happened. William was right behind me. He had vanished into thin air. Nowhere to be found. The panic started to build. Then a coach from Robbie's Springhill baseball team popped up with William in his arms. Jimmy thought it was funny making William disappear.
Oh yes, that was hilarious.
8/7 The Circus
Guess where we ended up after church today?
THE CIRCUS!!
I asked Victor at church if he wanted to go. He looked skeptical, but agreed. Off we went. We did not have tickets or even know if tickets were available. In line to purchase tickets, we ran into a baseball teammate of William's. We got our seats together. The more the merrier!
Neither Victor or our boys had ever been to the circus before. Even the family we sat with, her three kids had never been either. It was an adventure for everyone.
All the kids loved it.
This is William. Enough said.
We all had a great time. I even got cotton candy.
8/6 Gifts
Tried very hard to justify accepting this from a friend from church. In the end, we decided there is not enough room in our house for it.
96 degrees at 9 pm? Wow. This is ridiculous. I had better not hear ANYBODY complaining about winter again!! We are trapped inside our houses now because it is too hot to breathe outside. One person described it as opening the oven door and all the hot air blowing in your face constantly.
The boys and I were driving home at 9:00 pm and I noticed this:
8/5 Hair Color
Got my hair done for the first time all summer. Actually, since at least May. Victor had told me it was time to get my hair done a month ago. I explained to him, "there is no point, we go swimming twice a week. Chlorine is bad for your hair and it would ruin any color that I paid for." He told me that I could at least get it cut. He tried again the Monday before I was scheduled to have it done. "you really need to get your hair done." I asked him if it was because of the insane roots? He said it was all the gray hair coming in. So here I am with a new do.
Blond on top and dark dark brown on bottom. I like it. Victor said that he did not realize that it was dark on bottom because when he saw it for the first time it was fixed. Not sure what he thinks now, but he got his wish, no gray and cut. I actually saw some college girls with the same do. It got me to wondering - am I going through a mid life hair crisis?
Blond on top and dark dark brown on bottom. I like it. Victor said that he did not realize that it was dark on bottom because when he saw it for the first time it was fixed. Not sure what he thinks now, but he got his wish, no gray and cut. I actually saw some college girls with the same do. It got me to wondering - am I going through a mid life hair crisis?
8/4 Roller Skating
Roller Skating
We started the day by going to the ortho. Robbie got his braces off. Again. Hopefully there will not be another blizzard to prevent the arrival of his retainer like there was in February.
Then we met friends at the roller skating rink.
We started the day by going to the ortho. Robbie got his braces off. Again. Hopefully there will not be another blizzard to prevent the arrival of his retainer like there was in February.
Then we met friends at the roller skating rink.
Jonah is having a hard time learning how to skate. His first trip to the rink was after his feet were too big for the learner skates. He is learning the hard way. Jeff convinced him to try roller blades. He said it would be easier for Jonah to learn. By the end of the day Jonah was doing a lot better.
William has not been to the skating rink very much either. He went slow and steady against the wall. It was coming easier, but he did not stray far from the wall. He went to the bathroom and told me he lost his balance and his hand landed in the toilet. YUCK. I did not even know he had went to the bathroom. I went with him the next time to hold him steady. And yes, I went with him to wash his hands!
Robbie learned to roller skate when he was in a summer daycare several years ago. One day each week they would go roller skating. He picked it right back up. Like riding a bike right?
Jonah and William are bugging me to death about when we are going to go back. It was $10 a person to skate kids - it will be a while...
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
8/3 Flower Power
Kept my other kids today. Their grandfather is in the hospital. I took all six of them to the free movie. It actually went really well. All of them were on their best behavior. Then, we went to Rock Creek.
I made French toast for lunch. Then somebody had the great idea to play Capture the Flag inside. It was too hot outside to do anything, including swimming.
8/2 Allergy Clinic
Allergy Clinic
Jonah and William had follow up visits at the Allergy Clinic. A resident came into the room to look the boys over first. He was asking me about baseball. William had a terrible time during baseball season with his asthma. I told him we do not do baseball during the summer.
7/31 Its Melting!
Grease
I tried out a recipe that involved cooked bacon. I cook my bacon in the oven to keep the residual smell to a minimum. It took three rounds to get all of the bacon cooked. I know it is bad to put grease down the drain. I have seen people put grease in a cup and let it sit on the counter. I figured I would do that since there was so much of it. Only, I used a plastic cup instead of a ceramic cup.
The plastic cup melted as the hot grease hit it. Right before my eyes.
I tried out a recipe that involved cooked bacon. I cook my bacon in the oven to keep the residual smell to a minimum. It took three rounds to get all of the bacon cooked. I know it is bad to put grease down the drain. I have seen people put grease in a cup and let it sit on the counter. I figured I would do that since there was so much of it. Only, I used a plastic cup instead of a ceramic cup.
The plastic cup melted as the hot grease hit it. Right before my eyes.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)