Charlie celebrated his 1st birthday on Wednesday. He brought chocolate chip cookies to school to share with his friends, who sang him happy birthday. He got to pick out the activity for the day, and he didn't have to pick up toys (he's not real great at this anyway). At home, we had his favorites for dinner (hot dogs, tater tots, and carrots). Jeff even made it home a little after 7 to spend some time with him on his birthday, which was nice. I can't believe it has been a year already! He is really taking off with walking. It is so strange to see him toddling across the floor. You can tell he is really proud of himself about it!
Charlie went in to the doctor yet again yesterday for another sinus infection. We talked for a bit with an ENT who suggested he have his adenoids out at 2 years, but until then there isn't much to do besides antibiotics and riding out the infections.
In Sam news, he has slept through the night for the past THREE nights! (He sleeps from 9 at night to about 5:00 in the morning). I have no idea why he is doing this...I wish I could pinpoint something I am doing to make sure he keeps it up! It has been a lot easier going to work with more sleep this week.
Showing posts with label Sam. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Sam. Show all posts
Saturday, December 22, 2012
Monday, September 03, 2012
Oh my lord, what a week!
Here is what I know...I firmly believe that Labor Day should ALWAYS be there waiting for me at the end of the first week of school. This day off is precisely what my family and I needed to continue recovering from the whirlwind of last week.
On Monday, Evan began 8th grade:
Sammy had his first day of Kindergarten:
And Charlie became a 1st grader!
I am having all of the usual Mommy feelings...I can't believe how grown up they are, I can't believe my baby is in Kindergarten, etc. My own eighth grade experience doesn't seem all that far away, so how can I possibly have a child in 8th grade? By the way, I personally felt that 8th grade was the equivalent of torture on so many levels, so I can only hope that Evan's year goes much better than mine did.
This year, Charlie's classroom is to the right of mine, and Sammy's is to my left, so they are very close. I love that. I get to see them in the hallways, at the bathroom, in the lunchroom. It makes the separation easier for me. I miss them so gosh dang much when we are at school. And if there's a problem, their teachers know right where to find me!
Charlie was eagerly awaiting the start of school all summer. He loves learning, reading, working, and homework. He was so excited for school this week, he had a hard time falling asleep each night.
Evan has had a good week so far, but the homework hasn't really kicked in either. I am waiting with baited breath in the hopes this is a better year for him. We had so many troubles in 7th grade that I am often surprised both of us made it through. I wish there was a wand I could wave that would make school easier.
Sammy isn't sure yet. He went off to his classroom happily enough each day, but he has reported he doesn't like it that much. Sammy is my worrier. He stresses all of the small stuff, and I think that makes change hard. I am hopeful that as school becomes more of the norm for him, that it gets much easier.
I started my 13th year of teaching on Monday. I am finding that I have to work hard to change something in the way I teach or in my classroom each year to make it fresh. I love teaching 1st grade, but I think I have been doing it so long it can almost become drudgery. I have been working this week to stay positive. The first weeks of school always feel to me like I have a houseful of house guests. We are all busy getting to know each other, rules, and routines, and it just isn't comfortable yet, which is tiring in and of itself. Here's hoping this week will be easier!
Jeff and I continue to explore me staying home next year. We had the first of many budget meetings last night. So far, I am loving how this seems to be a great exercise in letting go and trusting God. We are becoming better at communicating with each other as well. So, even if this doesn't work out for us, just going through this experiment will bring us many benefits. I love feeling like Jeff and I are a tight team, with God as our head. Have I mentioned lately how much I love my husband? I admire him so much, and I love how hard he works for us. Really. I am so lucky to have him.
How is your school year going? Are your kids back to school yet?
On Monday, Evan began 8th grade:
This year, Charlie's classroom is to the right of mine, and Sammy's is to my left, so they are very close. I love that. I get to see them in the hallways, at the bathroom, in the lunchroom. It makes the separation easier for me. I miss them so gosh dang much when we are at school. And if there's a problem, their teachers know right where to find me!
Charlie was eagerly awaiting the start of school all summer. He loves learning, reading, working, and homework. He was so excited for school this week, he had a hard time falling asleep each night.
Evan has had a good week so far, but the homework hasn't really kicked in either. I am waiting with baited breath in the hopes this is a better year for him. We had so many troubles in 7th grade that I am often surprised both of us made it through. I wish there was a wand I could wave that would make school easier.
Sammy isn't sure yet. He went off to his classroom happily enough each day, but he has reported he doesn't like it that much. Sammy is my worrier. He stresses all of the small stuff, and I think that makes change hard. I am hopeful that as school becomes more of the norm for him, that it gets much easier.
I started my 13th year of teaching on Monday. I am finding that I have to work hard to change something in the way I teach or in my classroom each year to make it fresh. I love teaching 1st grade, but I think I have been doing it so long it can almost become drudgery. I have been working this week to stay positive. The first weeks of school always feel to me like I have a houseful of house guests. We are all busy getting to know each other, rules, and routines, and it just isn't comfortable yet, which is tiring in and of itself. Here's hoping this week will be easier!
Jeff and I continue to explore me staying home next year. We had the first of many budget meetings last night. So far, I am loving how this seems to be a great exercise in letting go and trusting God. We are becoming better at communicating with each other as well. So, even if this doesn't work out for us, just going through this experiment will bring us many benefits. I love feeling like Jeff and I are a tight team, with God as our head. Have I mentioned lately how much I love my husband? I admire him so much, and I love how hard he works for us. Really. I am so lucky to have him.
How is your school year going? Are your kids back to school yet?
Thursday, August 09, 2012
Summer Fun
Really, I don't know if the boys will remember this as the most fun filled summer ever.
That's too bad, as it was also the longest summer break we will probably ever have. Our school is under construction for the second summer in a row, and as a result, we had an extra three weeks to enjoy ourselves.
We didn't get to take a vacation, as we had to do a majorly expensive roof repair, which meant we missed out on the most looked forward to week of the year.
Instead, we tackled some additional home improvement projects that were long overdue.
We separated Sammy and Charlie, and gave each of them their own rooms. This meant moving Evan downstairs to the basement guest room, which I think he overall enjoys. He likes the cooler air (now that it's summer anyway), and he likes the privacy. It also meant I had to paint Evan's old room and get it ready for Sam. This about killed me, as it was the first room my Dad painted when we moved in. He loved Evan so much, and he wanted Evan to be comfortable in his new room, so within a few days it was wearing a fresh coat of paint. Evan picked out a planets and space border, which my Dad loved, being a space nut himself. My heart ached as I removed the wallpaper and covered the blue paint with green, and the only way I got through it was by reminding myself that Dad would not want me to stop updating the house. He was a firm believer in keeping on top of home renovations and painting, and I knew the painting would make him happy. I also thought about how darn glad I am that I made him teach me how to paint only 3 short years before he died. It's one of the most practical things he ever taught me.
Next I painted the master bathroom, and added some Uppercase Living accents that have been sitting in my closet for the last two years. This job has been lingering on my to do list for years simply because I hate painting behind toilets. Apparently, I am really great at talking myself out of unpleasant tasks. VERY glad to get this one done.
Evan and I dug out a large area of sod in our backyard, killed a ton of weeds, and planted a perennial garden next to our pool. We dragged bag after bag of mulch, and carted out load after load of sod, but sadly neither of us gained any arm muscle doing it. Evan was disgusted at this. I think he'd like to start looking good for the ladies.
And thanks to my wildly talented and handy brother Creighton, we were able to rip out the COMPLETELY craptastic sliding doors on the top and bottom floors and replace them with french doors that have the blinds between the glass that you can raise and lower with a magnet. I love, love, love them. I keep saying on Facebook that I really should have been nicer to Creighton as a kid, and I mean it. We fought like cats and dogs. Worse than that. Once, as my Mom dragged me off the top of him at about the age of 11, she told me I was going to jail if I didn't stop it. Creighton had an incredible talent of being able to push just the right buttons and annoy the hell out of me. But now? That boy takes the best care of me and my family. When my Dad died, it was as if Creighton emerged from a cocoon. He blossomed into an adult who is such an kind and caring leader. He is truly the man and the leader of my family. My Dad left hard shoes to fill, but Creighton does a good job of it. I know my Dad has been busting his buttons with pride in Heaven just watching him. I really feel like he is my older brother now, instead of my baby brother. He is a blessing.
Which is all a long winded way of saying that instead of a really fun summer, it was a working summer, which is nice in a way too. I did tell the kids we would try and do some fun stuff around town, so a couple of weeks ago we headed to the Children's Museum.
Our favorite part was the Wizard of Oz exhibit. The movie has always been a huge favorite with Charlie and Sammy. They loved sitting in the chair of the Wicked Witch of the West, and pretending to be flying monkeys.
That's too bad, as it was also the longest summer break we will probably ever have. Our school is under construction for the second summer in a row, and as a result, we had an extra three weeks to enjoy ourselves.
We didn't get to take a vacation, as we had to do a majorly expensive roof repair, which meant we missed out on the most looked forward to week of the year.
Instead, we tackled some additional home improvement projects that were long overdue.
We separated Sammy and Charlie, and gave each of them their own rooms. This meant moving Evan downstairs to the basement guest room, which I think he overall enjoys. He likes the cooler air (now that it's summer anyway), and he likes the privacy. It also meant I had to paint Evan's old room and get it ready for Sam. This about killed me, as it was the first room my Dad painted when we moved in. He loved Evan so much, and he wanted Evan to be comfortable in his new room, so within a few days it was wearing a fresh coat of paint. Evan picked out a planets and space border, which my Dad loved, being a space nut himself. My heart ached as I removed the wallpaper and covered the blue paint with green, and the only way I got through it was by reminding myself that Dad would not want me to stop updating the house. He was a firm believer in keeping on top of home renovations and painting, and I knew the painting would make him happy. I also thought about how darn glad I am that I made him teach me how to paint only 3 short years before he died. It's one of the most practical things he ever taught me.
Next I painted the master bathroom, and added some Uppercase Living accents that have been sitting in my closet for the last two years. This job has been lingering on my to do list for years simply because I hate painting behind toilets. Apparently, I am really great at talking myself out of unpleasant tasks. VERY glad to get this one done.
Evan and I dug out a large area of sod in our backyard, killed a ton of weeds, and planted a perennial garden next to our pool. We dragged bag after bag of mulch, and carted out load after load of sod, but sadly neither of us gained any arm muscle doing it. Evan was disgusted at this. I think he'd like to start looking good for the ladies.
And thanks to my wildly talented and handy brother Creighton, we were able to rip out the COMPLETELY craptastic sliding doors on the top and bottom floors and replace them with french doors that have the blinds between the glass that you can raise and lower with a magnet. I love, love, love them. I keep saying on Facebook that I really should have been nicer to Creighton as a kid, and I mean it. We fought like cats and dogs. Worse than that. Once, as my Mom dragged me off the top of him at about the age of 11, she told me I was going to jail if I didn't stop it. Creighton had an incredible talent of being able to push just the right buttons and annoy the hell out of me. But now? That boy takes the best care of me and my family. When my Dad died, it was as if Creighton emerged from a cocoon. He blossomed into an adult who is such an kind and caring leader. He is truly the man and the leader of my family. My Dad left hard shoes to fill, but Creighton does a good job of it. I know my Dad has been busting his buttons with pride in Heaven just watching him. I really feel like he is my older brother now, instead of my baby brother. He is a blessing.
Which is all a long winded way of saying that instead of a really fun summer, it was a working summer, which is nice in a way too. I did tell the kids we would try and do some fun stuff around town, so a couple of weeks ago we headed to the Children's Museum.
We also really wanted to go to the zoo, but unfortunately we have been living through the hottest summer of our lifetimes (literally). And it just doesn't sound fun to me to go to the zoo when it is 110 degrees outside. We may have to move this goal to a weekend in the fall.
We've also been swimming almost every single day, and we've gone on some trips for ice cream and slushies as well.
Sammy started out the summer knowing only his alphabet and sounds and a few simple words, and now he is already reading at the level of a first grader. We went out to celebrate with a hot fudge sundae when he learned all of his Kindergarten and 1st grade sight words. I am not above bribery, apparently. Also, if I do say so myself, after all these years of practice, I am a kick ass reading teacher. Want to know my secret for teaching kids sight words? The good old fashioned Dick and Jane books. Yep, the ones from the 1950s. Dick and Jane knew what they were doing. It works every time!!
Even though our summer was busy and maybe not the most exciting, I have enjoyed spending these days with my kiddos. Even the days when Charlie's been grumpy, or we've had too many appointments planned. I am sick to my stomach they will be over all too quickly!
Sunday, August 05, 2012
Sammy's Preschool Graduation
I finally got around to downloading pictures off of my camera today. I have pictures all the way back from May to go through! I am for sure behind with documenting our summer.
In May, Sammy graduated from preschool. It was sad for me in all of the usual ways...not ready for him to go to Kindergarten, not wanting my baby to be SO grown up! But it was extra hard this time around, as it also meant a good bye from our family to our daycare for the last 14 years. We have been incredibly blessed to have our children attend the daycare at my school (which is only for children of school staff members), which is staffed by the most incredible and caring women ever. I have been dropping my children off for school here every morning for 10 years now (my Mom did it for me before that, long story). It will be so strange not to have this as part of our daily routine this year.
My Mom with Sammy at our celebration dinner at Applebees. Our waitress was in love with Sammy and brought him no less than THREE very large chocolate milks. Which Sammy then threw up all over the table at the end of dinner. EXTREMELY embarrassing, but it has already become a cherished family story among the boys. "Remember that time Sammy threw up on the table at Applebees? And then he did it again in the parking lot?" one of them will say, which will always lead to a fit of the giggles. I know someday one of them will tell this story to Sammy's wife.
This is Sammy with his incredibly awesome preschool teacher Miss Jenny on his very last day of preschool. Sammy is holding his well loved Lambie. Lambie was a present from my Mom and Dad when they visited Ireland when Sammy was one. He has not left Sammy's side since, and came to school with Sammy every single day after his arrival. I told Miss Jenny that Lambie deserved a preschool diploma too. Poor Lambie will have to wait in the car when Sam goes to Kindergarten.
I am not ready to be done with this stage of our life as a family. My children are growing at warp speed!
In May, Sammy graduated from preschool. It was sad for me in all of the usual ways...not ready for him to go to Kindergarten, not wanting my baby to be SO grown up! But it was extra hard this time around, as it also meant a good bye from our family to our daycare for the last 14 years. We have been incredibly blessed to have our children attend the daycare at my school (which is only for children of school staff members), which is staffed by the most incredible and caring women ever. I have been dropping my children off for school here every morning for 10 years now (my Mom did it for me before that, long story). It will be so strange not to have this as part of our daily routine this year.
Sammy, Jeff, and I pre-graduation ceremony in my classroom. Evan took this picture! It's nice to finally get some shots with me in the picture.
Sammy with his best preschool friends Gabe and Michael. It's a fun experience to watch these kiddos develop friendships, since they have been together since birth.
Sammy's graduating class with his teachers (left to right) Miss Karen, Miss Taylor, and Miss Jenny. My Mom (aka Miss Kathy) is the infant teacher, and she is standing in the back.
Family picture. I hesitate to post this, as several of us look pretty goofy in this picture, but it was literally the best one of all the family pics. I guess it shows the craziness of life with three boys :)
I am not ready to be done with this stage of our life as a family. My children are growing at warp speed!
Saturday, August 27, 2011
School Stuff
I have been away from this blog for way too long...but school this is year is making SO.DARN.TIRED!!!
I don't know if it is the added responsibility of having two in school this year, or if I was just way too lazy this summer, but every night has seen me ready for sleep by 9:00.
Charlie, for the most part, is loving Kindergarten.
I don't know if it is the added responsibility of having two in school this year, or if I was just way too lazy this summer, but every night has seen me ready for sleep by 9:00.
Charlie, for the most part, is loving Kindergarten.
Here he is with his new teacher this year. I think he is learning a lot already! He loves art class, library, and math, but was horrified to discover he has to go to music classes. After he went to music the first time, he told me "Mom, can you believe this school wants to teach me how to sing?!!" He is also not a fan of the After School Care program that he goes to for about half an hour after school until I can pick him up. Hopefully as he gets used to the routine, this will get better. Evan was a good big brother and went with him to After School Care the whole second week of school just so Charlie could feel more comfortable. I love it when they love each other!!
My class is awesome this year! They are already so well behaved and eager to learn that it has been fun to go to work everyday. I also have a student teacher for the first time, and that has been so much fun! She is already an outstanding teacher, and I am learning a lot from her.
Evan is not loving Junior High, which makes me sad, but when I think back on it, I don't know many people who do. I can't think of one person who says "I would do anything to go back to Junior High!" It is such an awkward stage of life. I suppose it is something we all just have to get through. Having him be a grump everyday after school has been a little tiring.
I became an Aunt again this week when my sister had her 4th...little Leo John. It was exciting to meet him last night. One of my favorite friends at school had her baby not even 24 hours after my sister, so it has been raining babies this week! Unfortunately for Jeff, I now have some major baby fever. Sadly, we are done adding to our family, so I am concentrating on my three awesome boys who keep me hopping...such as when Sammy threw a major fit before school yesterday when he didn't like the clothes I picked out for him for school pictures. He told me "Mom, you just don't know ANYTHING about good clothes!" Holy cow! From my 4 year old BOY! He is such a fashionista!! I don't know what we'll do when he has to wear a uniform to school next year!
Monday, August 08, 2011
Back to Work
Today was Sammy's first day back to preschool. (I can NOT believe this is his last year! My baby is growing up way too fast!!) I love, love, love that all of Sammy's back to school pictures have included his faithful stuffed best friend Lammie. My Mom and Dad brought Lammie back with them from Ireland when Sammy was one. Lammie has gone EVERYWHERE with us ever since. Sammy has never been to school without him, he comes on vacation, and rides in the car. If Sammy is there, so is Lammie. I think one of the hardest parts of Kindergarten next year will be leaving Lammie behind.
Aspen loves to get in on a good picture too, and usually tries to shove his way in when I am posing the boys. I love this dog. He is the perfect addition to our family.
Work was okay. 5:30 came way too early on the alarm, that's for sure. Charlie wasn't too impressed with the After School Care program, and he managed to loose his glasses by 10:30 in the morning. After a hunt on the playground, we found them abandoned on a nearby bench. It will be a miracle if those glasses make it to the first day of Kindergarten.
The worst part of the first day back to school is that you have to get up and do it all again the next day. Somehow, day 2 is always worse.
I'm already looking forward to the weekend!
Thursday, July 07, 2011
Good-Bye Nursery
In November 2006, just before I delivered Sam, my Dad painted and wall papered the baby's room with adorable little frog princes and a calming light green color. You can see our newly finished nursery with double cribs here. (Gosh this brings back memories...seeing those two cribs together. It was so surreal to tuck in my two tiny babies, only 10 months and 10 days apart. Having Irish twins is not for the faint of heart.)
A couple of months ago, I noticed a small hole had appeared in the wallpaper. As the hole got bigger over the coming weeks, I knew it was a sign that it was time to update Charlie and Sammy's room. It made my heart hurt. I'm sad to say goodbye to the nursery, small toddler stage. My boys are growing up, and ready for something a little more "boyish" instead of babyish in their bedroom. I was also dreading having to redo something in the house that my Dad had done for me. Having that wallpaper in the room was a visual reminder of his love for me and for his grandchildren.
Yesterday I bit the bullet. I took pictures beforehand to remember the room by, and then I told myself that my Dad's love wasn't just put on the walls, it was poured into my heart. And no matter how the walls look, my Dad still loves me. I also reminded myself that a hole in the wallpaper would have driven him nuts, and he would have wanted me to get this makeover on the road.
Over the years the room has changed a bit...like Charlie's addition of his "art wall". He loves to color, and insists on decorating our walls with his creations.
We added bunk beds in 2008. You may notice that on these two walls the border is missing. Putting Charlie in the top bunk allowed him access to the border as a toddler, and one day while having a temper tantrum, he ripped the whole thing off. One of the times as a mother I have been most angry.
Yesterday I took down all the wallpaper, scrubbed the glue off the walls, and repaired wall dings. We are off to get paint today, and soon we will start the transformation. But there is one thing I won't change. Whenever my dad would wallpaper or put up a border in a room, he would take a small square and put it on the light switch. It added a creative touch to the room, and one that said "Dad" to me. And so, even though it won't match, this will be staying just the way it is in their room. A little piece of Poppo to hold on to.
I'll post some pictures when I'm done. I hope the boys like it!
A couple of months ago, I noticed a small hole had appeared in the wallpaper. As the hole got bigger over the coming weeks, I knew it was a sign that it was time to update Charlie and Sammy's room. It made my heart hurt. I'm sad to say goodbye to the nursery, small toddler stage. My boys are growing up, and ready for something a little more "boyish" instead of babyish in their bedroom. I was also dreading having to redo something in the house that my Dad had done for me. Having that wallpaper in the room was a visual reminder of his love for me and for his grandchildren.
Yesterday I bit the bullet. I took pictures beforehand to remember the room by, and then I told myself that my Dad's love wasn't just put on the walls, it was poured into my heart. And no matter how the walls look, my Dad still loves me. I also reminded myself that a hole in the wallpaper would have driven him nuts, and he would have wanted me to get this makeover on the road.
Over the years the room has changed a bit...like Charlie's addition of his "art wall". He loves to color, and insists on decorating our walls with his creations.
We added bunk beds in 2008. You may notice that on these two walls the border is missing. Putting Charlie in the top bunk allowed him access to the border as a toddler, and one day while having a temper tantrum, he ripped the whole thing off. One of the times as a mother I have been most angry.
Yesterday I took down all the wallpaper, scrubbed the glue off the walls, and repaired wall dings. We are off to get paint today, and soon we will start the transformation. But there is one thing I won't change. Whenever my dad would wallpaper or put up a border in a room, he would take a small square and put it on the light switch. It added a creative touch to the room, and one that said "Dad" to me. And so, even though it won't match, this will be staying just the way it is in their room. A little piece of Poppo to hold on to.
I'll post some pictures when I'm done. I hope the boys like it!
Tuesday, July 05, 2011
Brotherly Love
The best part of my 4th of July was this:
Could they be any cuter?! I love that these two love each other. They melt my heart!
Could they be any cuter?! I love that these two love each other. They melt my heart!
Sunday, March 20, 2011
My Cuite Bug
Isn't he just stinkin' adorable?!
When he put them on for the first time at the eye doctor, he looked around for a minute, gasped, and said, "Oh Mommy! It's beautiful! I can see so much STUFF! And hey! Did you know there's a Taco Bell across the street? I've never seen that before!" It was precious. I am amazed at how well he functioned without them. It makes me sad that we didn't notice he needed them sooner!
Later that night, Sammy had swimming lessons. After I had given him a shower in the locker room, I put his glasses back on. He looked down at the floor and exclaimed, "OH MY GOODNESS! There is all kinds of yucky dirt on this floor! Why didn't anybody tell me about this?" Oh the details you can see with your glasses on!! Everyday since has brought new discoveries for Sammy, now that he can finally see the world around him,
When he put them on for the first time at the eye doctor, he looked around for a minute, gasped, and said, "Oh Mommy! It's beautiful! I can see so much STUFF! And hey! Did you know there's a Taco Bell across the street? I've never seen that before!" It was precious. I am amazed at how well he functioned without them. It makes me sad that we didn't notice he needed them sooner!
Later that night, Sammy had swimming lessons. After I had given him a shower in the locker room, I put his glasses back on. He looked down at the floor and exclaimed, "OH MY GOODNESS! There is all kinds of yucky dirt on this floor! Why didn't anybody tell me about this?" Oh the details you can see with your glasses on!! Everyday since has brought new discoveries for Sammy, now that he can finally see the world around him,
Tuesday, March 08, 2011
Sammy's Getting Glasses!
Sammy and Evan have had a busy 2011. They've been busy making lots of medical bills! :)
In January, you might remember that Sam had his run in with the toybox and got 7 stitches. In February, we took him to the eye doctor after he failed his eye check at his 4 year check up. We found out he is slightly near sighted, but more importantly has a rather severe astigmatism, which makes everything extremely blurry for him. Ever since, we've been trying to get glasses ordered for him. My adorable Sammy has the BIGGEST blue eyes you've ever seen. But apparently they are so big it means that we need to have glasses custom made in order to fit his face. I think we may finally have a pair we can order this week.
Evan, meanwhile, has been making many trips to the orthodontist so that we could have an evaluation done. We discovered that his bottom jaw is bigger than the top jaw, making it impossible for him to chew on his molars. As he begins to grow, the problem is going to get worse, and eventually he won't even be able to chew with his front teeth. The problem is genetic, and we were lucky enough to have the orthodontist tell us it's the worst case he's ever seen. Awesome! So for now, Evan is going to have braces put on for the next year to make a temporary fix that will allow him to chew for the next few years. When he stops growing at 16 or 17, he will need more orthodontics, and jaw surgery where they will remove a significant portion of the jaw bone and reshape his bite.
I don't know how I managed it, but I think I have passed on the absolute worst of my genetics to my poor kiddos. Thank goodness we live in a time where there are ways to fix and deal with these things! Now I just have to pray my poor husband doesn't collapse at the thought of all our medical bills :).
In January, you might remember that Sam had his run in with the toybox and got 7 stitches. In February, we took him to the eye doctor after he failed his eye check at his 4 year check up. We found out he is slightly near sighted, but more importantly has a rather severe astigmatism, which makes everything extremely blurry for him. Ever since, we've been trying to get glasses ordered for him. My adorable Sammy has the BIGGEST blue eyes you've ever seen. But apparently they are so big it means that we need to have glasses custom made in order to fit his face. I think we may finally have a pair we can order this week.
Evan, meanwhile, has been making many trips to the orthodontist so that we could have an evaluation done. We discovered that his bottom jaw is bigger than the top jaw, making it impossible for him to chew on his molars. As he begins to grow, the problem is going to get worse, and eventually he won't even be able to chew with his front teeth. The problem is genetic, and we were lucky enough to have the orthodontist tell us it's the worst case he's ever seen. Awesome! So for now, Evan is going to have braces put on for the next year to make a temporary fix that will allow him to chew for the next few years. When he stops growing at 16 or 17, he will need more orthodontics, and jaw surgery where they will remove a significant portion of the jaw bone and reshape his bite.
I don't know how I managed it, but I think I have passed on the absolute worst of my genetics to my poor kiddos. Thank goodness we live in a time where there are ways to fix and deal with these things! Now I just have to pray my poor husband doesn't collapse at the thought of all our medical bills :).
Monday, January 17, 2011
Birthdays and Other News
Boy, did we have a crazy weekend.
On Sunday, the dog got out of the yard, and I ended up having to chase him like the marathon runner I am NOT. That crafty dog kept looking over his shoulder to make sure I was still behind him. I think Aspen was having the time of his life, and thought he had invented a grand game for us to play! He is lucky that I love him, and that I have been running on the treadmill, or there is no way I would have kept up with him. Luckily for me, he got distracted by a pile of dog "doodoo" that he needed to sniff, or I don't know what I would have done.
This all happened as we were supposed to be leaving for my nephew Colin's birthday party. We were late to the party, and had only been there for about an hour when disaster struck again. Sammy and the other cousins had already finished eating, so they went into the basement to play. Somehow, Sammy tripped, fell, and face planted right on top of a toy box. He took a chunk out of his cheek, and we had to take him to the emergency room. He needed 7 stitches on the top layer, and some underneath. I have never seen so much blood! He also severely bit the inside of his cheek, so eating has been a challenge today. I don't know if you can tell in the picture below, but his cheek is so swollen it looks like he has an apple stuffed in his mouth.
My poor Sammy bear! He was impressed he got to watch Toy Story at the hospital, and he was so, SO brave. He didn't make a peep while they were stitching him up, and he held so still. I am so proud of him!
And today? Today is my Charlie's birthday. It was 5 years ago that this 10 pound, 23 1/2 inch bundle of joy was placed in my arms:
I love that my Dad is holding my hand in this picture. I love that I had the most important men in my life holding my hands as I met my new little man for the first time.
Sometimes I miss Daddy so much it steals my breath away. Today is one of those days.
I am thankful that God has given me Charlie, and that he is 5 today. He is so spirited, and creative, and amazingly smart. Sometimes it steals my breath away that I am lucky enough to be his mom. And today is one of those days.
Despite the craziness, the stitches and blood, the sorrows, and the hard work that goes into my life, I am thankful. And so blessed. So very blessed.
On Sunday, the dog got out of the yard, and I ended up having to chase him like the marathon runner I am NOT. That crafty dog kept looking over his shoulder to make sure I was still behind him. I think Aspen was having the time of his life, and thought he had invented a grand game for us to play! He is lucky that I love him, and that I have been running on the treadmill, or there is no way I would have kept up with him. Luckily for me, he got distracted by a pile of dog "doodoo" that he needed to sniff, or I don't know what I would have done.
This all happened as we were supposed to be leaving for my nephew Colin's birthday party. We were late to the party, and had only been there for about an hour when disaster struck again. Sammy and the other cousins had already finished eating, so they went into the basement to play. Somehow, Sammy tripped, fell, and face planted right on top of a toy box. He took a chunk out of his cheek, and we had to take him to the emergency room. He needed 7 stitches on the top layer, and some underneath. I have never seen so much blood! He also severely bit the inside of his cheek, so eating has been a challenge today. I don't know if you can tell in the picture below, but his cheek is so swollen it looks like he has an apple stuffed in his mouth.
My poor Sammy bear! He was impressed he got to watch Toy Story at the hospital, and he was so, SO brave. He didn't make a peep while they were stitching him up, and he held so still. I am so proud of him!
And today? Today is my Charlie's birthday. It was 5 years ago that this 10 pound, 23 1/2 inch bundle of joy was placed in my arms:
And here is me, shortly before I was ready to push Charlie into the world. I love how Charlie and I were both so surrounded by love and family and friends that day. My parents were both in the room to see each of my children enter the world, and I am so thankful.
Sometimes I miss Daddy so much it steals my breath away. Today is one of those days.
I am thankful that God has given me Charlie, and that he is 5 today. He is so spirited, and creative, and amazingly smart. Sometimes it steals my breath away that I am lucky enough to be his mom. And today is one of those days.
Despite the craziness, the stitches and blood, the sorrows, and the hard work that goes into my life, I am thankful. And so blessed. So very blessed.
Saturday, December 18, 2010
And so this is Christmas...
I have been missing my little blog. I didn't mean to neglect it this month, but December? It's been crazy.
I know it's crazy for everybody, and I shouldn't complain. Not all of it has been bad crazy. There have been good moments, like Evan singing in a trio at the 6-8 Christmas concert at school.
Or when Charlie and Sammy sang their preschool Christmas program, and neither were scared to perform. Sammy now loves to walk around the house singing "Up On the Housetop", which is cuter than anything.
Or when my aunts, mom, and sister and I all got together and baked our brains out, and made hundreds of Christmas goodies, all in one day.
Or when I sang with the choir at Mass for my first performance sing my Dad died. Music lifts my spirit, and singing in church makes me feel surrounded by God's love. It's been so very healing.
Or when I got to spend my very favorite three weeks of the year with my class at school. There is nothing more magical than spending time with small children in December. I love my 1st graders. They've helped me to heal too.
Or when I got to go out to dinner with a good friend, and just talk. I love girl time.
There have also been ear aches, sinus infections, bronchitis, and crazy schedules, but I guess in looking back, I notice the good makes up for the crazy.
The good also helps to make up a little bit for the grief. I miss my Dad. SO much. Of course, it is harder around the holidays, but the every day things are so much harder to me. I wanted him to see Evan sing (and I prayed like crazy that he could peek down from heaven and see Evan, so brave up on that stage...and I really think he did). I want to call him on the phone and ask him a question. I want to see him at church. I want to drink coffee with him at breakfast on Sunday. I want to tell him I love him.
I'm getting by. I'm still excited about Christmas, mostly because my kids are excited. I still feel joy and happiness in my life and my family. But December would be so much better with Dad here with me. Maybe that's selfish, because I know how much joy he must be experiencing in heaven. The glory of Christmas in heaven must be incredible! I just wish we had gotten to have a little more time together here on Earth first.
I know it's crazy for everybody, and I shouldn't complain. Not all of it has been bad crazy. There have been good moments, like Evan singing in a trio at the 6-8 Christmas concert at school.
Or when Charlie and Sammy sang their preschool Christmas program, and neither were scared to perform. Sammy now loves to walk around the house singing "Up On the Housetop", which is cuter than anything.
Or when my aunts, mom, and sister and I all got together and baked our brains out, and made hundreds of Christmas goodies, all in one day.
Or when I sang with the choir at Mass for my first performance sing my Dad died. Music lifts my spirit, and singing in church makes me feel surrounded by God's love. It's been so very healing.
Or when I got to spend my very favorite three weeks of the year with my class at school. There is nothing more magical than spending time with small children in December. I love my 1st graders. They've helped me to heal too.
Or when I got to go out to dinner with a good friend, and just talk. I love girl time.
There have also been ear aches, sinus infections, bronchitis, and crazy schedules, but I guess in looking back, I notice the good makes up for the crazy.
The good also helps to make up a little bit for the grief. I miss my Dad. SO much. Of course, it is harder around the holidays, but the every day things are so much harder to me. I wanted him to see Evan sing (and I prayed like crazy that he could peek down from heaven and see Evan, so brave up on that stage...and I really think he did). I want to call him on the phone and ask him a question. I want to see him at church. I want to drink coffee with him at breakfast on Sunday. I want to tell him I love him.
I'm getting by. I'm still excited about Christmas, mostly because my kids are excited. I still feel joy and happiness in my life and my family. But December would be so much better with Dad here with me. Maybe that's selfish, because I know how much joy he must be experiencing in heaven. The glory of Christmas in heaven must be incredible! I just wish we had gotten to have a little more time together here on Earth first.
Saturday, November 27, 2010
Happy 4th Birthday Sammy!
You will always be the perfect addition to our family. I love you forever Sammy K!
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Wednesday, June 02, 2010
Charlie is a Soccer Star
This spring provided Charlie with his first team sports experience. He played micro soccer for Gretna Soccer. It was a much better experience than we had with the YMCA soccer teams, and we are excited to have both Charlie and Sammy involved in the fall season.
Isn't he adorable? The hard thing about the whole experience was that our family's true sports fanatic, Sammy, was too young to play and had to watch the action. I bought him a pair of cleats so he could feel special too, and he kicked around a ball on an empty field near the game. He is beyond excited to join Charlie in August.
Charlie had good games and bad games, and one time got hit in the stomach so hard with a ball that he passed out, but all in all, he is loving the game of soccer, and I am loving that I am back to being a soccer mom.
Charlie had good games and bad games, and one time got hit in the stomach so hard with a ball that he passed out, but all in all, he is loving the game of soccer, and I am loving that I am back to being a soccer mom.
Wednesday, December 02, 2009
Boys!
My preschoolers kept their teachers on their toes today.
This morning, after only 30 minutes at school, Sammy tripped while running in the gym and split his chin open. We were sure he was going to need stitches, as it was a pretty long cut, so my Mom (who works at the daycare at my school) headed off to the ER with Sammy in tow. Sammy was really impressed to be presented with a mask that made him look just like a doctor, to be asked to sit and watch Disney channel cartoons for an hour, and to be given some markers to color with. Luckily the doctor decided glue would be good enough to seal the cut, so no stitches were needed. On the way back to school Sammy asked my Mom if he was ever going to get to eat breakfast, since he had been whisked off to the hospital before breakfast was served at school. To top off his fun morning, Grandma took him to breakfast at Burger King. He was thoroughly impressed with his royal treatment. This was another one of those times when I thank my lucky stars that my mom works at the same school I do.
Charlie is lucky to be in one piece this evening. His class was on a walk to the nursing home across the street from school this morning when he dashed across the street-RIGHT in front of an oncoming car. He teacher reported it was the scariest thing she has seen in 20 years of teaching preschool. I wanted to yell at him and smother him in kisses all at the same time. He spent some time in his room tonight while the rest of us watched our nightly Christmas movie, and we said a BIG prayer of thanks to his guardian angel.
Needless to say, my boys will all be getting crash helmets for Christmas.
This morning, after only 30 minutes at school, Sammy tripped while running in the gym and split his chin open. We were sure he was going to need stitches, as it was a pretty long cut, so my Mom (who works at the daycare at my school) headed off to the ER with Sammy in tow. Sammy was really impressed to be presented with a mask that made him look just like a doctor, to be asked to sit and watch Disney channel cartoons for an hour, and to be given some markers to color with. Luckily the doctor decided glue would be good enough to seal the cut, so no stitches were needed. On the way back to school Sammy asked my Mom if he was ever going to get to eat breakfast, since he had been whisked off to the hospital before breakfast was served at school. To top off his fun morning, Grandma took him to breakfast at Burger King. He was thoroughly impressed with his royal treatment. This was another one of those times when I thank my lucky stars that my mom works at the same school I do.
Charlie is lucky to be in one piece this evening. His class was on a walk to the nursing home across the street from school this morning when he dashed across the street-RIGHT in front of an oncoming car. He teacher reported it was the scariest thing she has seen in 20 years of teaching preschool. I wanted to yell at him and smother him in kisses all at the same time. He spent some time in his room tonight while the rest of us watched our nightly Christmas movie, and we said a BIG prayer of thanks to his guardian angel.
Needless to say, my boys will all be getting crash helmets for Christmas.
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Amazing Weekend
We have had a wonderful few days around these parts. We did home repair on Wednesday, and knocked a couple of to do items off our to do list. Our fireplace is now functioning for the first time in a year (thanks in part to the removal of a family of mice, but that is a whole other post), and we have new outdoor light fixtures.
Decorations courtesy of Charlie and Sammy
Thursday was a double celebration for us, as we also celebrated my baby turning 3. Which should be impossible, as Sam was just born yesterday. The party was at Casa de la Kleffman this year, which I loved, as I love to cook big dinners. The turkey turned out great, thanks to whatever they do at the Butterball factory, and my sister brought an AMAZING gourmet mac 'n cheese recipe, which my hips thoroughly enjoyed. I vote for it to become a Thanksgiving tradition.
After the dishes were done, we had birthday cake in addition to our pie and pumpkin crumble cake. Isn't this 3 year old boy as delicious as the turkey?
Sammy had a blast celebrating with his cousins. I love that this bunch is the best of buds...
Sammy's favorite present was a Spider man costume from my sister, and he has worn it every night since. In fact, he insists on wearing it to bed. I have had to sneak it into the wash.
On Friday I went to Target for the Black Friday experience with the awesome Christi, and I scored a few deals. The best part though was breakfast at Summer Kitchen afterwards. Have you noticed yet how much I've eaten this weekend?! SO MUCH FOOD!
Friday was the actual day of Sammy's birthday, so I wanted to do something fun to make it special for him. So, after some encouragement that I could handle it from my sister and Christi, we went to a Christmas tree farm. You see, we have had an artificial tree for 14 years now, ever since I moved into my first apartment in college. I grew up having real trees for Christmas with my parents, but once I was on my own, I was completely intimidated by the tree stand. You know that thing the man in the family has to fiddle with for three hours, and then even after that the tree is still crooked, and then a day later the tree falls down anyway? After hearing the farm we went too has a special "Marriage Saving Tree Stand" they sell to make it easy, I braved my fears to help Sam have a special day. We got on a hay ride and rode out to the tree field, picked out our own special tree, and got to see it cut down (this part made Sam sad-he was sure the tree wasn't liking this!) Charlie loved the free hot chocolate they offered and the machine that shook the trees to get the dead needles off. It's a good thing Evan talked me into the tree we got, because this one almost reaches the ceiling, and the one I wanted was even taller.
We all had fun decorating, and I have to admit, this tree looks and smells SOOO much better than our artificial one.
And the tree stand was a breeze. I think we will be making a return trip next year. When we had decked the inside and outside of our halls, we celebrated with a viewing of How the Grinch Stole Christmas, our new Christmas video.
We've had such a fabulous weekend, I am not sure I am ready to go back to work tomorrow. We are ready for Advent and the Christmas season though. I LOVE this time of year!
Decorations courtesy of Charlie and Sammy
Thursday was a double celebration for us, as we also celebrated my baby turning 3. Which should be impossible, as Sam was just born yesterday. The party was at Casa de la Kleffman this year, which I loved, as I love to cook big dinners. The turkey turned out great, thanks to whatever they do at the Butterball factory, and my sister brought an AMAZING gourmet mac 'n cheese recipe, which my hips thoroughly enjoyed. I vote for it to become a Thanksgiving tradition.
After the dishes were done, we had birthday cake in addition to our pie and pumpkin crumble cake. Isn't this 3 year old boy as delicious as the turkey?
Sammy had a blast celebrating with his cousins. I love that this bunch is the best of buds...
Sammy's favorite present was a Spider man costume from my sister, and he has worn it every night since. In fact, he insists on wearing it to bed. I have had to sneak it into the wash.
On Friday I went to Target for the Black Friday experience with the awesome Christi, and I scored a few deals. The best part though was breakfast at Summer Kitchen afterwards. Have you noticed yet how much I've eaten this weekend?! SO MUCH FOOD!
Friday was the actual day of Sammy's birthday, so I wanted to do something fun to make it special for him. So, after some encouragement that I could handle it from my sister and Christi, we went to a Christmas tree farm. You see, we have had an artificial tree for 14 years now, ever since I moved into my first apartment in college. I grew up having real trees for Christmas with my parents, but once I was on my own, I was completely intimidated by the tree stand. You know that thing the man in the family has to fiddle with for three hours, and then even after that the tree is still crooked, and then a day later the tree falls down anyway? After hearing the farm we went too has a special "Marriage Saving Tree Stand" they sell to make it easy, I braved my fears to help Sam have a special day. We got on a hay ride and rode out to the tree field, picked out our own special tree, and got to see it cut down (this part made Sam sad-he was sure the tree wasn't liking this!) Charlie loved the free hot chocolate they offered and the machine that shook the trees to get the dead needles off. It's a good thing Evan talked me into the tree we got, because this one almost reaches the ceiling, and the one I wanted was even taller.
We all had fun decorating, and I have to admit, this tree looks and smells SOOO much better than our artificial one.
And the tree stand was a breeze. I think we will be making a return trip next year. When we had decked the inside and outside of our halls, we celebrated with a viewing of How the Grinch Stole Christmas, our new Christmas video.
We've had such a fabulous weekend, I am not sure I am ready to go back to work tomorrow. We are ready for Advent and the Christmas season though. I LOVE this time of year!
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Ouch!
Monday was not a fun day around these parts.
At about 10:00 that morning, while I was teaching Reading, Charlie's preschool teacher walked into my room with my little guy. Charlie had a big gash on his forehead, which was bleeding profusely. His class had been playing on the playground, where Charlie somehow either walked into or fell into the bottom side of a metal stair tread. (No one actually saw it happen, and all Charlie will say is that he hit his head on the stairs).
I could tell right away he needed stitches (round 2 of stitches for Charlie-he is SUCH a boy!) so we zipped off to the pediatrician's office. While we were sitting in the waiting room, Charlie started to get very drowsy, and his pupils became dilated. As we were walking into the exam room, the nurse noticed that he was very wobbly, and walking like a drunk man. Dr. B looked him over, declared he needed three stitches, and that Charlie also had a mild concussion.
It was a tough session in the pediatrician's office for both Charlie and I, which included more than a few tears from both of us.
By dinner time that night, he was feeling a little more himself, and was loving showing off his cool flag band aid to Daddy.
Not to be outdone by his big brother, Sammy decided to get his own head injury tonight while we were playing outside. He had climbed up onto a lawn chair we had sitting on our front porch, and somehow made the chair tip backwards. It was one of those awful moments that move in slow motion. I saw it happen from across the lawn, but as fast as I ran, it happened before I got to him. Sam fell backwards from the front porch all the way onto the driveway, hitting the back of his head on the concrete. He has a huge purple goose egg on the back of his poor little noggin. After our brush with concussions on Monday, he is now under a lot of Mommy surveillance. I am now wanting to add a railing to the porch, and am ready to require my children to wear bubble wrap, safety goggles, and helmets at all times.
At about 10:00 that morning, while I was teaching Reading, Charlie's preschool teacher walked into my room with my little guy. Charlie had a big gash on his forehead, which was bleeding profusely. His class had been playing on the playground, where Charlie somehow either walked into or fell into the bottom side of a metal stair tread. (No one actually saw it happen, and all Charlie will say is that he hit his head on the stairs).
I could tell right away he needed stitches (round 2 of stitches for Charlie-he is SUCH a boy!) so we zipped off to the pediatrician's office. While we were sitting in the waiting room, Charlie started to get very drowsy, and his pupils became dilated. As we were walking into the exam room, the nurse noticed that he was very wobbly, and walking like a drunk man. Dr. B looked him over, declared he needed three stitches, and that Charlie also had a mild concussion.
It was a tough session in the pediatrician's office for both Charlie and I, which included more than a few tears from both of us.
By dinner time that night, he was feeling a little more himself, and was loving showing off his cool flag band aid to Daddy.
Not to be outdone by his big brother, Sammy decided to get his own head injury tonight while we were playing outside. He had climbed up onto a lawn chair we had sitting on our front porch, and somehow made the chair tip backwards. It was one of those awful moments that move in slow motion. I saw it happen from across the lawn, but as fast as I ran, it happened before I got to him. Sam fell backwards from the front porch all the way onto the driveway, hitting the back of his head on the concrete. He has a huge purple goose egg on the back of his poor little noggin. After our brush with concussions on Monday, he is now under a lot of Mommy surveillance. I am now wanting to add a railing to the porch, and am ready to require my children to wear bubble wrap, safety goggles, and helmets at all times.
Monday, June 15, 2009
First Movie
We got back a bit ago from taking Charlie and Sammy to their very first movie. Evan earned being able to see a movie for one of his rewards in eye therapy, and I had promised to be the one to take him. I feel badly always asking my mom to babysit, so we bravely set out for the theatre this afternoon with two toddlers in tow.
I took Evan to see his first movie (Monsters Inc) in the theatre when he was Charlie's age (3 1/2) so I felt pretty good about Charlie, but Sammy is such a wild card. At home, he is my patient, loving, and agreeable guy, but get that kid into a public place and you just never know what he is going to come up with. And the hard thing about Charlie and Sammy together lately is that they are TOTALLY at this awful preschool humor stage. Anything from poop to eyeballs can be funny, and they can get each other completely out of control in 3 seconds. Once that happens, they want to wrestle, and then the testosterone starts flowing. Raising one boy is SOOOO much easier than three. Sometimes Evan and I both miss the good old days of just us.
Anywho, we went to see UP! I love Disney/Pixar movies, and this one was great as always. The story line wasn't what I expected, and a little sad in spots, but the humor was great. We laughed all the way through. Luckily, there were only three families in the theatre, including us, which took a lot of the pressure off. We found a row with exactly four seats next to a railing which helped to pen the little guys in place. Charlie and Sammy ended up spending most of the movie in the same seat though, since neither were heavy enough on their own to keep the seat down. I got a jumbo bucket of popcorn for everyone to share, which helped to hold their attention as much as anything. My kids think popcorn is the best treat ever for some reason.
The best part for me, aside from seeing the amazement on their faces when the movie started rolling on the huge screen, was the feeling that just maybe this is starting to get a bit easier. It's so nice to think that maybe the little ones are finally big enough to do some things, and give us an opportunity to relax in public.
I took Evan to see his first movie (Monsters Inc) in the theatre when he was Charlie's age (3 1/2) so I felt pretty good about Charlie, but Sammy is such a wild card. At home, he is my patient, loving, and agreeable guy, but get that kid into a public place and you just never know what he is going to come up with. And the hard thing about Charlie and Sammy together lately is that they are TOTALLY at this awful preschool humor stage. Anything from poop to eyeballs can be funny, and they can get each other completely out of control in 3 seconds. Once that happens, they want to wrestle, and then the testosterone starts flowing. Raising one boy is SOOOO much easier than three. Sometimes Evan and I both miss the good old days of just us.
Anywho, we went to see UP! I love Disney/Pixar movies, and this one was great as always. The story line wasn't what I expected, and a little sad in spots, but the humor was great. We laughed all the way through. Luckily, there were only three families in the theatre, including us, which took a lot of the pressure off. We found a row with exactly four seats next to a railing which helped to pen the little guys in place. Charlie and Sammy ended up spending most of the movie in the same seat though, since neither were heavy enough on their own to keep the seat down. I got a jumbo bucket of popcorn for everyone to share, which helped to hold their attention as much as anything. My kids think popcorn is the best treat ever for some reason.
The best part for me, aside from seeing the amazement on their faces when the movie started rolling on the huge screen, was the feeling that just maybe this is starting to get a bit easier. It's so nice to think that maybe the little ones are finally big enough to do some things, and give us an opportunity to relax in public.
Saturday, June 06, 2009
Bliss
I had the pleasure of babysitting my adorable Godson Joel Friday night. I love that kid to pieces. It was pure bliss for me, because I got to have HOURS of uninterrupted snuggle time. Seriously. This kid is the easiest guy to spend time with. He is so cheerful, loving, and happy to go/do whatever you want him to. And he will cuddle with me. Is there anything more blissful than spending some cuddle time with an adorable toddler? No. There isn't.
I love it that he is friends with my kids. Here is Joel and Sammy eating dinner together, and having a lengthy discussion about red cars.
And, just because I love him-here is a picture of my adorable husband.
It's lovely to be surrounded by so many adorable boys!!
I love it that he is friends with my kids. Here is Joel and Sammy eating dinner together, and having a lengthy discussion about red cars.
And, just because I love him-here is a picture of my adorable husband.
It's lovely to be surrounded by so many adorable boys!!
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