Saturday Fall Fun

Philip and his buddies at school having been playing football on the playground, so naturally he wanted his Dad to play with him today. A beautiful day...wild boys...fun Daddy!

Hope your Saturday was as relaxing as ours!

Glimpses

Life's been crazy recently.  To deal with the craziness, I have adopted a new mantra...glimpses.  I spend my days looking for glimpses....glimpses of greatness, glimpses of the Almighty at work, glimpses of pure happiness in my children, etc.  These glimpses are all around me, if I take the time to look.

I smile at the glimpses of the bond between brothers...

glimpses of simplicity at a day at the playground...

and some snuggle time before a crazy day of carpools...

glimpses of creativity...

glimpses of the Almighty in a baby's smile...

and in another's prayers...

These glimpses get me through the day.  It's these moments that pull me through the crying and the  fussing.  And it works both ways...I am trying to remember that the tough times are also just glimpses.  They, too, are fleeting.  They, too, will pass. 
"Enjoy the ride!"  I tell myself often.  These boys are growing, changing and I won't get these days back.  So hang on and enjoy it...all of it!  The spit up, the fighting and arguing, the massive amounts of laundry...all of it!  I am trying hard...but it takes constant reminding!

Eight Babies??

The other morning after dropping Philip off at school, I looked at Daniel in his pajamas and commented to him, "Daniel, you are growing so fast.  I need you to stop growing and stay my little boy!"

His answer....

"Mom, I have to grow so I can move out and buy my own house and find a wife and have eight babies."

Daniel with his buddy, Penelope

Eight babies???  Dear son, I will begin praying for your wife right now.  She may be a little difficult to find.  Maybe you should head to the Catholic church?

Sweet boy, if anybody could have eight babies it is you.  You love on John so much.  I often am telling you to give him space only to see that John is smiling and laughing at you.  In fact, you bring out the best giggles in him.  You have such a gentle touch. 

I say go for it!  This grandmother would be in heaven!  Just wait until your at least thirty ok?

School Fun

Philip's teacher e-mailed me these shots taken last Friday on "Teddy Bear Day."  They have been studying bears recently. 

Then today, Daniel's teacher sent me a text titled "My Hair Stylist."  Seems Ms. Tara purchased some combs, curlers, hair dryers, etc. for the little girls to play with, but she reports that it is the boys that have taken to hair styling!

Love to see pictures of them at school!

Kindergarten Gone High-Tech

If you talked to me the day I received Philip's Kindergarten class list, you'll remember my hesitation.  You see, his teacher was a student when I taught at SPS.  I remembered her as a 16 year old girl...not as my son's first teacher!  I had a little trouble getting used to the thought...funny because I was the young teacher once upon a time.

Well, the parent's preview calmed my fears.  Ms. Cotton had things together...she seemed much more impressive than I did with my parents eleven years ago!  A few weeks under our belt and things are going great.

A benefit of a fresh out of school teacher...technology!  She's been doing some cool stuff with Philip's class.  Even more than that, she's letting us in...by blog!  Visit her site to see what Philip's doing at school!

http://www.mscottonsclass.blogspot.com/

Carpool,Potty Training and a Tropical Storm

Sorry for the lapse in writing.  Can I say that things have been crazy??

First, carpool.  Many have asked how we're doing.  Well...we've fallen into somewhat of a routine, I guess.  It still is wild some days and the hour in the morning and hour and a half in the afternoon between shifts gets old.  It's not long enough for John to nap and running errands with the three little ones isn't really fun.  Most days, we just come home and hang out!

By the time we make it to SPS, we're all a little done.  Daniel typically falls asleep, William talks and talks, and John screams.  Here's a little clip for your viewing pleasure...

Sometimes we let little John out of his seat and pass him around!

Worse than carpool is getting home at 3:00 with four tired little boys.  John is typically screaming, William needs a nap, and Daniel is hungry and exhausted and whiny and demanding and thirsty and on and on.  It's pretty intense, but as I said we're getting it.

To add to our craziness, we've been potty training! 

Don't they look excited about this huge milestone??

It started Labor Day weekend...right in time for Tropical Storm Lee to bring three consecutive days of non-stop rain.  What was I thinking???  We spent our days at home and inside...except when we could take it no longer.  Out we went into the puddles...

Have to say that this guy loved being at home for three days straight.  Naps in his bed make him happy!

As for the potty training, we went full force...no diapers.  It was a little messy on the first day, but William has caught on quick.  It's day six, and we haven't had an accident in two days!  He's done great!  I haven't enjoyed the process but I know in the long run we will be better off!

Well that's about it, friends.  I'll try to be a better writer but these boys are demanding!