Perspective

It's days like yesterday that make it all worth it. Perfect fall weather. Happy, healthly husband and kids enjoying the leaf raking/blowing/jumping/throwing. Counting my blessings.....

Oh, was this a kid's bday party??

Sophie wanted to be able to celebrate her birthay with her three favorite boy friends as well, and since they weren't invited on Friday to the AG store, they came over yesterday after school for ice cream cake. Of course, that meant that Sylvia and Kathleen would have to come too. It had a been a crazy day for me, I was running all over with the twins to get things done, including taking them to lunch at Sophie's school. Have you been in an elementary school lunchroom lately? How they hear anything in there is beyond me, the noise is deafening. It was fun seeing all her friends, and watching her pass out the Rice Krispy treats I had made for them. Of course, Michael loved the social aspect of it, he was sitting with the 5th grade boys by the time lunch was over. Then we had to go to the gym, the Art room and the Music room so Sophie could give each of those teachers a birthday RK treat. In the gym, Coach D put Michael and Emily on a scooter and taught them how to play Sharks and Surfers. In the Music room Mr. Savage had the class sing Happy Birthday to Sophie while he played it on his recorder. Oh, and Michael got to play the bongo drums. By the time they start Kindergarden there, they will know their way around just fine.


So when Kathleen called to check what time to come, and we discussed how the preschool had been on lockdown for the car jacking a few miles away, I told her to bring wine. I was having a crazy day, but she had been locked in her classroom for 90 minutes with 13 three year olds...not enough wine in the world for that! So here's how the party started...I sent all the kids to the basement while I "got things ready". Here's what that looked like:

Yes, apparently I have a thing for redheaded girlfriends........

We finally released the hounds from the basement and they had a fun time singing Happy Birthday to Sophie and opening presents. Everyone left at 5:20, and my husband walked in the door at 5:40 with Sophie's requested birthday pizza. Nicest birthday party ever!

September, October.....birthdays again

I have had this blog since January 2006 and this is the first time I let an entire month pass without one single post. I could say Facebook is to blame, and while that might be somewhat true, it is not the only reason. I do think that FB has made me more complacent...who needs to write paragraphs when you can just post a pithy sentence or two? I knew I was really slacking off when my sister in law got a FB account just to see updated pictures of my kids, and to hear about what we were up to. I like FB, that I will admit. It has allowed me to reconnect with dozens of people from all aspects of my life: High School, College, Work and Singlehood. And it's nice to stay connected to relatives and siblings you don't get to see or talk with on a regular basis. But, it also fuels the "instant gratification" fix that people today seem to crave. I started this blog as a way to keep family informed of how the twins were doing. They were only 4 ms. old then and my free time was non existent. As I got into it, I realized how I enjoyed the writing aspect, and soon was blogging to have a creative outlet for myself, and one that provided tangible results. Truth be told, I do miss that outlet, and vow to post more here, and maybe less on FB......

And the trouble with not blogging regularly is that when you do post, what the heck do you say? So instead of trying to recreate the past month, here is what we did last night. I took Sophie and two of her friends to the American Girl doll store. Sophie was allowed to pick out a doll for herself, and each of her friends brought a bit of money to get something for their dolls. We then went to IHOP for dinner, where one child per adult eats free, plus Sophie ate free since it was her bday, plus they got a huge free desert. So...even though the doll was pricey, the whole evening was still less than a regular birthday party would have been. (and a whole lot simpler...no invitations to create and mail, no goodie bags, etc.) The two friends spent the night and this morning they had a lovely time playing till 10am.

We were accosted by the ladies at the "fake hair" booth on our way to the AG store. Before anyone knew what was happening she has clips in Sophie's hair and a fake hairpiece in Sarah's. Can you say "Tears and Tiaras"??

Sophie had been talking about getting Kit for weeks, she is from the 1930's, and we knew her story from the movie of last year. Here's Sarah with her Kit and Sophie with hers....

Until she thought about it some more and decided on Julie, who is from 1974 and lives in San Francisco. I believe the deciding factor was that Julie has long hair, and anyone knows you can do a lot more with that than with a pageboy like Kit's.

Sophie, Sarah and Sarah Kate with Julie, Kit and Julie. Finally done at the store, it's off to IHOP for dinner.

But first a quick stop at the playground so they can run around and get really hungry. There was a big discussion in the car about whether or not to bring the dolls on the playground. I encouraged leaving them in the car, because I knew who would get stuck holding all three of them....

Me and my girl at IHOP. I still can't believe my little bean is turning 8, it just doesn't seem possible. The wait staff came out clapping and singing to her with a huge sundae for all of them, it was one of the few times I have ever seen Sophie embarrassed. Further proof she is growing up.

Who else remembers making these kinds of potholders?

Of course, no sleepover is complete without a manicure. They wanted me to do their toes, but I passed on that.

Back to School-Part Two

Someone please tell me how these little ones got to be almost 4 years old. It seems like just yesterday they were tiny, but at the same time it seems forever ago. Maybe that's just my perspective changing the older I get? And maybe because much of their babyhood is a blur, with #2 and #3, you can't help but go through most of it in a daze.


They were very happy to start school today...although not as happy as I was! Of course I had to make them a sign too, and had them practice holding it. That's Michael with his "chewy diapers" that he sleeps with; he snuck in the laundry room to get them out of the dirty clothes pile. The rule is they must stay in his room. They gross me out, no matter how much OxyClean or bleach I use, those corners will never be white again, but he loves them.

Mr. Handsome all ready to go!

I wish I had the video running during this exchange. Emily telling him how to hold the sign was hilarious. She likes to run the show, and most times he is willing to go along. But more and more I see him pushing back from her well meaning advice, which is a good thing. For this reason I will definitely separate them when they get to Kindergarten. They have such different personalities, and the teacher that would be best for Emily would be too strict for Michael. She needs a lot more to keep her in line than he does.

Miss Priss

Michael seems to have a permanent case of the sillies, he just doesn't get it when it is time to pay attention and settle down. It can be frustrating when I am trying to accomplish something with him, and he is just being a clown. I try to remember his age and how this is normal...I hope! I love the look on Emily's face.

Even though I try not to push the twin thing with them, it is sweet when they do something like this. Their bond is very strong, so protective of each other, it is really neat to watch.

It took us awhile to make it into school, would have been so much easier to carry the bags for them, but they insisted on doing it themselves, and even looped them around their necks themselves.

And then they had to find their hooks with their picture and names, another feat.

They both told me school was great, actually Michael told me it was "awesome", something he hears from big sister no doubt!

And speaking of big sister, tonight she officially became a two wheeled bike rider. Her training wheels have been off for awhile, but she has only tried to ride it a couple of times. Tonight after dinner we went outside and Terry got her going down the little incline into the cul de sac. Once she gained speed she did great, and within in a few minutes was totally independent. She told me tonight that "riding without training wheels is so much better, you can feel the wind in your hair when you get going that fast!" I do remember that.....

Back to School

Sophie started back to school on Monday of this week. 2nd grade. The time is flying by.

She was ready for it, and very excited. Her teacher is "young and beautiful" as she told me after meeting her at Meet and Greet the week before. And she is young, this is only her 2nd year teaching, and beautiful as well. I was impressed with her, she spoke to each child as if they were the only one she was meeting that day. Her classroom is really neat too, very Pottery Barn-like, if you can imagine that for a classroom.

I had to make the traditional sign, and this year made one for our neighbor Colby as well. He is also in the 2nd grade, and Sophie loves hanging out with him. Actually, we ALL love hanging out with Colby, and his parents Michel and Sylvia too. It is so nice to have neighbors our age with the same age kids that we can do stuff with; we haven't ever had that on our street before now.

They posed nicely for awhile, then got tired and started walking up the hill to the bus stop. Our bus is a whole 10 minutes later this year, it arrives at 7:09. So far, Sophie has ridden it every morning, but then again, today was only the third day.

Here they are at the bus stop with another 2nd grader, Graham, who is in Soph's class this year.

Had to make her stop and pose for me, she is standing with Peyton, Graham's older sister.

So far she is still "in love" with Miss McDonald. I think that may have something to do with the fact that she has not given any homework yet. I am just so pleased that she got another great teacher, we really are 3 for 3!