We have a tradition around here...

that if Friday afternoon is rainy, then we get to watch a movie...

The boys got lucky this Friday. We popped popcorn and snuggled up to watch Star Wars. There's nothing bettter than a boy snuggled up on both sides!

Sorry for the delay

There just hasn't been much to write about in these past two weeks. With my big guys off at school in the mornings, we haven't been up to much.

School continues to go great for both Philip and Daniel.

Philip's teacher tells me snippets of their day when I pick him up. Some of the highlights of his two weeks:

• He tells his teacher all about Star Wars and plays stormtrooper on the playground. She likes him so much that she bought him a box of Star Wars fruit snacks at the grocery store!
• He was only one of two students to recognize all 26 upper and lower case letters during their one on one time.
• He collected his 10 gold coins and got to make a trip to the "treasure chest." He picked out a toy that had two pieces so he could give one to Daniel. So sweet!

The transition to a new school has been just fine for him. He's doing great!

Daniel also continues to do well. He has to be one of the most loving child! Everyday he gives Ms. Pat a hug in the carpool line. He can't give a hug without a kiss on the lips. She never hesitates! She clearly has taken to him as much as he to her!

Other than school, we seem to be on the birthday party rotation right now. We have had five parties in a period of 8 days! It's been fun but I think it has worn us all out. Here are my big boys last Saturday afternoon.

They were snuggled up on the couch watching some preseason Alabama football!

Now we are preparing for another weekend of birthday parties and family lunch on Sunday. Hopefully, we'll get a little down time too!

First Day of School, part 2

It's done...first days of school for this year are over...and I won't lie when I say that I am glad. There have been lots of first day specials...breakfasts, after school treats, dinners, etc. to plan.

Today was Philip's first day of PK-4. We started things off with homemade buttermilk pancakes and bacon!


Here's the big guy before we left home. I had something else picked out to wear, but he asked for his red polo...easy switch...love how he wants to look nice!


Here he is goofing off with his best buddy who obviously looks up to his older brother.


I got the younger boys to Trinity at 8:51 and was at Philip's school by 9:01! Not bad!! Philip did great...just like Daniel...no anxiety, no tears, no hesitation. I walked him to his class, introduced him to his teacher, and headed out! I did snap one of he and his teacher discussing "coins."


When I picked him up this afternoon, his teacher said, "He's cool. He told me all about Star Wars!" Not surprising. He said he had fun and is ready to go back tomorrow!

It may not seem too momentous, but this step is a big one for us. Up until now, school consisted of Trinity...a place that my children (I hope) would call a second home...a place where we as a family spend a considerable amount of time. Philip stepped out of that comfort zone today and totally rose to the challenge. He's such an impressive young guy!

Another Sunrise

I was out jogging yesterday when I passed an old drunk on Dauphin Street. He walked toward me and got in my personal space. For some reason, I wasn't threatened. He stuck his finger in my face and said, "another sunrise." He kept walking and I laughed at the wisdom of his words...another sunrise indeed.

We had a great week. School continued to go great for Daniel. No anxiety...no tears...no hesitation. He loved it! Philip had a cramped social schedule. We had play dates with Mary at the pool, with lots of old school buddies at the Exploreum, with Pape at our house, and Madison at both our house and Honey's house. It was a great for him to be with old friends as he ventures into making new ones next week!

Friday night both boys made me smile...stories that have to be recorded...

First, Daniel...

after I bathed him, I told him to go get his pajamas. He didn't listen and went in his room. He was dancing and singing naked. I was about to yell at him from the bathroom to get dressed when Philip said, "Mom, listen." I stopped...am now embarrassed that I almost missed it.

Daniel was singing and dancing in a circle to "The Lord is My Shepherd." It's one of our atrium songs. The lyrics are:

The Lord is my shepherd; I'll walk with him always. He knows me and he loves me; I'll walk with him always. Always, always, I'll walk with him always. Always, always, I'll walk with him always.

Philip heard him and recognized it and quickly joined in. It was so precious to hear those words from little Daniel's mouth. He hasn't even begun Sunday School yet, but if those lyrics are all he ever gets from it I'm okay.

About a half an hour later, Philip reminded me that he may still need a little Christian education.


As mentioned before, he is very into Star Wars right now. He comes in the kitchen and asks me, "Mama, where have I heard 'May the force be with you'?" I told him from Star Wars. He then replies, "Oh, I thought Father Matthew said that at church." After a good laugh, I explained!

Saturday brought a great family day...reptiles at the Exploreum, a trip to Daddy's office to simply look out the windows, and lunch on the Causeway. So nice to have Daddy home all day!

I'll leave you with a picture from this morning....Sweet William enjoying his first ever doughnut!

What a Difference a Year Makes

Daniel's first day of school 2009...

and then today!


The difference isn't only in his appearance. Last year we had a rocky start. We were adjusting to being potty-trained, being in a class without Philip around, among others. Daniel cried when I left him last year.

Not this year. He went happily to Ms. Pat's class. Backpack on his back...Sheep Baba inside just in case...holding sweet Preston's hand. No tears. So proud of my big boy.

Today also brought this guy's first day of school ever!


He definitely shed some tears. I almost did too. Honestly, he seemed much too young to be going to school. It's a must if I am going to teach Catechesis beginning in September, and I know he'll do fine...but for the first time I thought to myself that maybe two is a better age to start school.

Regardless, he did great. My new favorite thing to do with William is to spend a few minutes "conversing" with him after bedtime stories. It's usually just me and him. I ask him questions...he generally nods his head no or says "nu-uh" regardless of the question. So of course I asked him the typical first day of school questions tonight..."did you have fun?"..."who did you play with"...etc. Typical male, I didn't get much information.

Philip does not start school until next week. He and I had a great time today. We spent most of it at the pool with Mary and her mom. It was great to be able to give all of my attention to just him. My heart aches at the thought of him going to school five days a week!!

All in all, first day was a success!

The Final Week of Summer

I can't believe it's over...the final week of summer. I'll share with you the highlights of our week.

First, some well deserved alone time for Mom. I spent a night on Ono with old friends, Barcley and Elizabeth. It was a wonderful night...less than 24 hours...but still well worth it. We talked, ate, laughed, and enjoyed the salt air. I haven't been away from the boys for a night in two years, and it felt good. I have to say that it appeared that they did not miss me at all. Everyone was hyped for "boy weekend" and thus happy to see me go! I also had Tuesday away for a few hours. I had my first day babysitter of the summer and was able to enjoy a CGS work day with friends and lunch with former students and teacher..lots of fun!!

Other than that, we spent the week playing with friends and getting organized. Check out what we did with the massive amount of Legos we have accumulated.

We also did a little much needed organizing on the sunporch...aka play room!

And a place to hang all the paper that comes home from school!

Over the week, we furthered our love for Star Wars. Over the past couple of weeks, Chris and Philip (and Daniel if he is awake) have been watching a Star Wars movie on Saturday or Sunday afternoon. Philip is becoming a little obsessed. I took them to the bookstore to spend some birthday money and then another day ot the library. You can see what we picked out!

Philip also created his list of things to do one day. Can you read it?

Saturday brought my birthday and Chris and my eleventh wedding anniversary. We celebrated Friday night with Catherine and Zack at Ruth's Chris and Saturday with the family here. GranGran and PopPop came over and enjoyed a simple supper with cake and ice cream.

I had lots of help blowing out my candle!

So, summer is coming to an end. Preschool and MDO start for Daniel and William in the morning. Philip and I have one more week together before he starts five days a week. Such an adjustment...Daniel and I will really miss him!

As I look back on our summer, I am so very thankful for the time the boys and I had. There was time to stay in our pajamas, time to swim in our backyard pool, time for bike rides around the block, time to visit with friends and family. There were milestones...birthdays, William dropping a morning nap, Daniel dropping his afternoon one. Overall, I am struck by two things.

First, the close bond that has further developed between Philip and Daniel. Our uninterrupted time together this summer has deepened that relationship and I am so thankful. I hope that they will always be such good buddies and the relationship is one they can count on as they grow up. I also hope they'll let little William in as he grows up too!

Second, I am struck by a change in my own day to day life. This summer brought the first time in five and a half years that I haven't been pregnant or nursing. With that came a freedom...freedom to slip away for an evening with friends...freedom to exercise consistently in the morning. But I am also struck by an increased lack of time to get anything done. I barely sewed a thing this summer. With afternoon naps a thing of the past, time alone is scarce and honestly I long for more of it. In due time, I know.

It was a great summer...one I know that I will remember for all of the ordinary days. I hope the boys will remember them too!

Vacation Bible School

The boys and I had a great week at Vacation Bible School. It was a remarkable week...a good one for Trinity.

You see, about five months ago, a friend and I confronted Father Matthew about the lack of funds for VBS. He graciously said if you'll lead it, I'll find you the money. We did and he did too! We had a great showing...52 children and over 40 volunteers. Not bad for a church our size.

We had an Egyptian theme. Father Matthew graciously accepted the role of Pharoh.

Even though I have helped out at VBS several times, this year was the first that my boys were able to participate. It was so much fun seeing them have a great time. They did great...no tears when having to say goodbye to Mom...no meltdowns during the day.

In addition to story, snack and games, and arts and crafts, we added a rotation of Catechises of the Good Shepherd. I spent most of my week in the atrium teaching. I loved being able to present to older children since I generally work with the 3-6 child. Much different giving the Good Shepherd to an 11 year old who really understands Jesus' symbolism of the sheep and shepherd.

Daniel loved his first exposure to CoGS and the atrium. He sat, watched, and listened like a champ. He did not seem dependent on me...very comfortable getting help from other catechists. Philip, of course, was thrilled to be back. In fact, I let him help me set up the atrium Sunday morning. I got things ready while he sat quietly for over an hour doing work. His favorite during VBS was definitely setting the altar. He loved moving on to Altar II and learning more about each of the items on the altar. Brings me such joy to see them respond so well to their time in there.

They weren't the only ones. One little girl that does not go to our church told another catechist on the last day that she "loved this room."

I compiled pictures all week for an end of the week video. I'm posting some from the atrium since many of you are unfamiliar with what we do there...

a catechist teaching how to prepare the chalice and the meaning behind the amounts of wine and water that a priest uses to do prepare the chalice

a catechist and two girls learning the gestures of the Eucharist (namely the Epiclesis and Offering) after setting the altar

a girl caring for the plant in our atrium

two boys preparing the cruets

It was a great week. It was fun to have something to do everyday, but I have to say we were a little worn out at the end of the week. I am so thankful that Scott and I decided to see it through. A huge undertaking but an even bigger reward.