no first day jitters here

triple roll

When I decided to purchase the triple roll of toilet tissue, I was hoping I would have to change fewer rolls after the boys in my life leave a bare roll behind. I was not thinking that it was three times the work to clean up my basement after Davis decided to "wrap" the basement while I collected garbage upstairs.





We should be in a Cottonelle commercial.

Happy Wednesday!

last day of summer vacation

Cookies and milk at the park. Check.
School check-ups. Check.
Peanut products at lunchtime. Check.
Nap time shenanigans. Check.
Three sessions of Gator ridin', or rather lots of Mommy pushing him out of ruts. Check.
Letting a birthday balloon go; sitting and watching it float "up to space."Check.
Cutthroat game of backyard soccer. Check.
An archaeological dig searching the yard for dinosaur fossils with sand tools and a paint brush. Check.

Two tired boys and a tired mama. Check.

Classroom visits tomorrow and school on Wednesday. You can imagine who is most excited.

gators ahoy

Nothing brings out the inner teacher like a birthday party.  As I mentioned before, I love planning parties for my kids.  I’m not big on being the center of attention, but their birthdays are so special to me that I like a big celebration.  Judging by Peter’s reaction, I think the idea of parties is growing on him.

Everyone arrived to the house and followed the treasure map markings to the back yard where they could put on pirate hats, patches, sashes and bandannas.  After lots of playing on the playhouse and riding toys, we had the inevitable go with the rocket balloons until we lost all of them in trees or on the roof.  Others just took a dip in the water table.

Then we had a close match of “pin the flag on the pirate ship” that had us in stitches.  Next came the treasure hunt, a concoction of clues leading the kids on a chase all over our yard (and our neighbors’ too, frankly) to help Peter find his birthday treasure. They each carried a pouch to collect gold coins, candies, bubbles and jewels.

Emerging from the bamboo forest with Clue #3

Dispensing bubbles and searching for Clue #4

Finding the key in the sandbox led them to the garage door which opened up and -- voila.

 That was a home run.

We had cannonball cups (donut holes) after singing happy birthday and the kids continued taking turns on the Gator until their parents were luring them away with promises of special lunches and treats at home. 

We all enjoyed ourselves, but I think I know who enjoyed himself the most.

It was a great morning and Peter seemed to really love it.  I am most proud of his good sharing, as he not only shared his regular toys but he was really great about letting everyone have turns on the new Gator.  However when Davis wants a ride, that’s a different story.  

I guess even pirate brothers are brothers first. 

shine...

... of the sun variety 

"The cure for anything is salt water: sweat, tears or the sea." - Isak Denison

(how timely that this quote showed up in one of my weekly newsletters last week)

It's no secret that this summer has been a busy one, like the remodel is playing against the kids in a game of tug-of-war and I'm the flag in the middle of the rope.  Fortunately, the boys are somewhat interested in the goings-on at the work site, until they "need" me for something else.  Like a jacket zipper when it's 96 degrees outside.  Or just to hold.  Or perhaps I'm in the way of some sort of horse-trotting game someone has invented.  Either way, I'm ready for school to start.  As a creature of habit myself, summer is difficult for me.  It is the antithesis of routine (as it should be for little kids), but I still need structure and there has not been much of that. 

So off to the beach we went. 

The beach is one place that I (attempt to) throw my hands up and say, "Whatever! Were on vacation!"  Donuts three days in a row for breakfast?  Bring me some.  Naked boys running around outside playing in the hose for ogling passersby?  So cute.  Snacks an hour after breakfast?  Okay.  Movies?  Everyday, of course.  Because in doing so, I get a vacation.

And it sure helps to have a grandmother around.  Thanks to my mom's generosity, Hayes and I spent a few nights out to dinner and a few nap times alone on the beach.  We got a vacation.  And it was good. 

Peter just keeps getting more and more confident in the water (pool water) so it was a pleasure to swim everyday watching him wear his little self out.  He loved every bubble and kick.  The beach? Meh, too much trouble.  Although he did delight in burying me in the sand.  Seaweed concerned him and kept him in the "dry sand" because the wet sand got full of seaweed.  As long as someone would lug all 40 lbs of him out to the sandbar, he loved the water.  The bonus for Peter was that he got the top floor of the house all to himself.  Sofa bed, television, DVD player, bathroom, toys... all to himself.  He would regularly announce that he was going to his apartment.  He would come down at 6am to invite us to a party in his apartment.  He's going to be a hit in college. 

 

Davis was a little unsure of the sand, since this was his first beach trip as a biped.  He grew accustomed over the week but he curiously did not eat it.  This kid puts everything in his mouth, so I expected him to at least indulge a little bit.  Peter ate it by the handful his first time - this from the child who didn't want a single grit on his finger.  Anyway, back to Davis.  He grew very particular about what he wanted and with whom.  He'd decide he was finished at the beach and take Nanny's hand and point to the house.  Then after naps he'd go out on the porch and point to the pool.  Poor little bit burned his feet one day on the street because he did this before putting shoes on.  He had a few accidents as usual, but he had the most fun playing in the hose.  All in all, he came home black, blue and tan.  Quite a happy camper.  

 

 

Did you notice how many more pictures I had of Davis?  Let's just say that one boy was way more interested in a) the iPad b) movies c) an aircraft carrier and d) whining than showing off his sweet smile.  

But hey, I got a vacation.  And when Mommy gets a vacation, everybody gets a vacation.

... of the black eye variety

We had been home for mere hours when a rather rough bout of story time resulted in Davis's first real shiner.  And judging by his rough and tumble ways, it's only the first of many.

It's healing up now but you can still see a darker streak under his right eye.  The scratches are all new.  :)

 ... of the brightness variety

We came home to a clean house.  Newly refinished hardwoods.  Scrubbed baseboards.  The scent of polyurethane wafting through the house.  Well, the last part wasn't fantastic, but I didn't care.  We are moving back in, baby!  Since our return this weekend, this is the first time I have sat down to do this blog entry because I have been arranging, reorganizing, assembling, selecting, repurposing and hanging every waking hour.  The kids are somewhat impressed by my abilities, but they're ready for me to stop.  It's cramping their style for sure.

The bathroom is at least three times bigger than our old one.  The shower itself is perhaps the size of our old one.  I joke that I may be storing pots and pans in there soon because we can't fill up the cabinets and drawers.  The closet is such a luxury that angels may as well sing everytime I turn on the light.  I mean, not only can we both store our clothes in here but shoes, steamer, off-season items and who knows what else I'll find to stash in there.  A few punch list items remain but pictures will come soon when I can get things more situated.  We are so grateful for the transformation of this space.  The whole process went very smoothly thanks to a wonderful contractor and crew so it makes the end product that much more enjoyable. 

... of the celebration variety

We finally have Peter's pirate party this weekend.  I  have so enjoyed planning it; I'm just crossing my fingers for sunshine.  Treasure hunts are far more fun without monsoons and squalls.

iv

We made it.

We being the family as a whole, having survived 'three' without any calls to child protective services.

My baby's finally four, and it's hard to tell who is most excited.

He bounded into our room at 6 and every 10 minutes thereafter to ask when we could go buy his presents. Apparently he didn't realize that we purchase gifts ahead of time. While we waited for Davis to wake, he opened presents. And yes, he got the aircraft carrier.

We had a family breakfast at our favorite spot before hitting the park and the grocery store. After a special request lunch (peanut butter, jelly and cream cheese sandwich), he spent two hours holed up with his beloved aircraft carrier.

(sigh)



We will celebrate with family on our beach trip and we are saving the pirate party for a time when our driveway, bedrooms and bathrooms are all functioning properly. As I type, Peter is on an air mattress in his bedroom stripped of all but his trucks and his bookcase. Davis is sleeping in a pack n play in his room with nothing but a changing pad and rocking chair. Oh, and sound machines. Why did we ever agree to get our floors refinished?!? We essentially must move out... The same week we have a birthday and are prepping for a trip. I must done lost my mind. It will all be over in a week, thank goodness.

He chose Chick-Fil-A for supper as one might imagine, and Daddy was thrilled to oblige. Once sleepy boys were in bed, we got to work disassembling, hauling, and packing.

This morning, he began coming in at 4:30. Every 25-30 minutes he would have a question or comment. I had a few choice words for him too. All day has been one long string of whining and cynicism, because he's so tired of course. Is it too early to look forward to five?




The birthday hangover - he was asleep before we got out of the neighborhood this afternoon.

Happy "birday" sweet Peanut. I love you to the moon and back. But even the moon isn't interested in company at 4 am.