School pictures

Sometimes, the stars align, and the kids have great school pictures.  Miller's this year could not have turned out better.  (unlike last year when she refused to change her expression from a dead stare)

Does it get any sweeter than this?

Why yes, it does!

Colby, if you are reading this when you are older, I am sorry.  Mommy made some mistakes this year. I got your hair cut only a few days before pictures.  She cut it too short.  I forgot about the photos until that morning and quickly dressed you in a blue polo shirt.  I forgot I had chosen a blue background. 

PARENTING FAIL.

Buddy, you are still my most handsome boy ever.  

Halloween...and the big reveal!

Halloween went off without a hitch, despite Miller's fever.  She had a blast trick or treating with her brother, his friends, and Charlie.

Have you ever seen a sweeter kitty?

Or a tougher ninja?

Yikes!  Who is that?

Much better.

Me and my sweet girl.

Daddy went to K-mart on Halloween day to pick out his costume.  Apparently Satan was the only thing left.

A few days ago, I accidentally shut (sort of) Miller's finger in the car door.  It was swollen and a little purple, so I decided to take her to the emergency room rather than the pediatrician's office just to be safe.  By the time she got there, her Motrin had kicked in and she was feeling pretty good.  She quite enjoyed her visit.  The nurses showered her with attention, brought her orange juice, and let her pick out three stickers that she stuck to the front of her dress.  Nothing was broken and we were in and out in about an hour.  Not bad!  (But I'd rather not go back any time soon...)

Colby's school does a Kindergarten book parade, where the kids dress up like their favorite book character and march around the school.   Colby sort of worked backwards- he decided he wanted to wear his Storm Trooper costume, so he hunted down a book that had a picture of a storm trooper in it. (not exactly his favorite book, which was sort of the point....oh well)   I was told that as his class paraded in and out of the other classrooms, the kids in the classrooms started to sing the Darth Vader tune.  Apparently it was a very popular costume.

Finally, it was time to tell the kids about their Disney trip.  I wrapped up the t-shirts I had made and told them they had to open the gift and figure out what it said.  (I have it all on video)

Not a great picture, but you can see the shirts- they say "We're going to Disney World" and then have their names at the bottom.  It took them both about 10 seconds to read them.  Miller was very excited.  Colby was excited for a second and then asked if we could go buy a toy.

We leave in just 3 days!!!

Sick girl on Halloween

It's Halloween, and poor Miller woke up with a fever of 101.  I'm not worried about her missing trick or treating.  There are certain times when you unabashedly dose your kids up with Motrin and send them out into the world.  Halloween is one of those times.

What I'm really sad about is that she's going to miss her class parade and concert.  She has been practicing her Halloween songs for what seems like months.  I know them all and can sing them with her.  I was so excited to film her singing with her class, and she has been excited to perform.  It would have been her first time singing in front of a group and she was more than ready.

Instead, she will spend her day curled up on the couch, saving every last drop of energy for the big night.

Busted. And the passage of time.

**I wrote this a week ago and since then, much has happened and we've been in Halloween prep mode.  Pictures of that coming soon...AND we leave for Disney in 12 days.  The kids do not know yet!!!  We plan to do the big reveal in a week.  I'm so exited to see their reactions!

*************************************************************************

Miller loves to color.  From the moment she wakes up until right before bed, she is coloring something.  When she gets home from school, she goes straight to the crayons.  She loves to color in her coloring books, and right now, everything she does is in "rainbow".  Many many colors go into each and every page.  (unlike the hot pink phase she was in just a few months ago).  She puts a painstaking amount of time into each and every picture.

I love her pictures.  We hang them up and save most of them.  But, as much as I love them and save them, I can't hold on to every single thing her crayon touches.  Some things she may only finish half of, and some things....well, we just don't need 20 half colored pictures of Dora.   ALL parents have to get rid of art at some point, and it's something moms often talk about.   We can't possibly hold on to it all or we'll be a candidate for the show Hoarders.

I have learned that I have to be very very careful when I throw things away.  I have been busted before and always played it off pretty well.  "Oh my gosh!  HOW IN THE WORLD did that get in the trash???"

Two days ago, I was folding clothes upstairs when I heard a shriek and sobs from downstairs.  Sobs like I rarely hear from Miller.  I flew down the stairs thinking that something terrible had happened to her or maybe the cat.  When I found her, she had the trash can open, and on top, was a neatly folded pile of about ten of her pictures.  (pictures that I had thrown away and forgot to hide at the bottom)  Her face was buried in her hands, she was crying uncontrollably, and she had tears rolling down her cheeks.  I was busted, and in a terrible way.  There was no hiding it this time- I tried to tell her it was an accident at first, but she wasn't buying it.  She just looked at me with a frown and I knew she knew it was no accident.  Then I tried to tell her that the ones in the trash only had a few lines on them- which was true.  They were only partially done.  But that didn't matter to her.  They were all equally important in her four year old eyes.  And she was hurt- truly devastated- that her own mother would do this.

PARENTING FAIL.

The thing about Miller is that she is so different from her brother, so sometimes we forget that we need to be extra careful around her.  We have thrown away Colby's stuff in the past, and it has never phased him.  I'm sure he's seen it in the trash.  But Miller is sensitive.  And that sensitivity is what makes her so thoughtful...she is so kind and so considerate of her friends and family.  Don't get me wrong- I love that Colby has a thick skin and lets things roll of his back- that is absolutely perfect in a boy.  But I do appreciate that Miller is a bit more sensitive.

On another note, I feel that time is moving too fast.  Sometimes I look at them and think:  "This is the oldest you've ever been and the youngest you'll ever be."

One thing I do with them each night is lay with them in their beds for about 5 minutes.  Colby likes to draw this out as long as possible, often talking about school.  When I try to leave, he will quickly say "WAIT!  I forgot to tell you something very important!"  When I ask him what, he will panic and try to come up with something really interesting.  Usually about school.  And I know he just wants to keep me in there.  It's such a nice time with him because he is seldom quiet or still.  And he rarely tells me much about school.  I love that even though he's such a tough kid, he still wants his mama to lay with him and looks forward to it every single night.

When I lay with Miller, she likes to have a "rolling tickle", which is basically a term she came up with for a back rub, also on her arms and legs.  She will roll up her sleeves and hike up her pajama pants, and then she asks me to sing the rolling tickle song. (The lyrics are:  "Rolling tickle, rolling tickle, rolling tickle on the big big girl.")    I supposed in a few years she might want me to change the lyrics, but for now, she demands it every single night.

Recently, she has also discovered massage, and now she likes to cap off her rolling tickle with a little back massage.  After all of that,  I still lay with her and then have to give her a one minute warning before I leave.  Even when it's time to leave, she tries to latch onto me and not let me go.  I tell her if she doesn't let go I won't come back the next night.  She eventually lets go, and then we start the process all over again the next night.

After I have lain (thanks mom, the English major) with them both, I can't go downstairs.  I have to stay up stairs in my room because there will be requests.  More water.  I have to go to the bathroom.  I need to be tucked in again.  I lost my bear.  I need itchy cream.  (for Miller's eczema)

It does extend bedtime by about 15 minutes.  Sometimes I groan at the thought of delaying my own peace and quiet by 20 more minutes.  The days can be so long.  Lee often says "Why do you do this to yourself?"  I try and remind myself that one day, when they are teenagers shutting the door in my face, I will know that I laid down with them.  Every night.  I didn't take for granted that time, and I knew they would grow up one day.

With Colby, the passing of time has been a little easier because with age, comes maturity.  He has been a bit of a challenge at every age, so it has been rewarding to see him grow and become a wonderful little boy.  Being with him one on one is one of my favorite things.  It's also easier because he's the oldest, and I know that there's always going to be someone younger.  But time is still moving too fast.

With Miller, it has been a little different.  She has always been easy, and ever since she was six months old, I have wished that time would slow down.  I have loved every age and always think to myself "she can't possible get any sweeter or cuter".  And then she does.

I know one day, I will look back and wonder "Did I appreciate it?  Did I do all that I could have done with them?"  Well, of course the answer is no.  No parent ever does everything they could do.  But I will hopefully remember that I felt this way.  I was aware that time was moving too fast and that I wanted to keep them just as they are.  I cherished our times together, despite the days where I just wanted to be alone at the end of the day.  I took a moment each day to really look at them and see just how amazing they  really are.  I know I'll still miss them being little one day, but hopefully I can read this post and remind myself that I did not take it all for granted.

Fall Fun

School is in full swing, and the kids are loving it.  Colby is thriving in Kindergarten, and he was so ready for something bigger.  He loves gym class, playing outside, and lunch the best.  Shocking, really.  When I asked him about the work time, he said they don't do work, only fun stuff.  That's the sign of a great teacher!  Miller is enjoying school as well and loves all the singing she gets to do in Ms. Susan's class.  She has a very old fashioned teacher and I am really loving her style.  Miller does miss her two best friends, Marin and Charlie, who moved to the upper building, but she's adjusting.

In other news, somehow I convinced Lee that we should get a kitten.  When I saw him waver just a little from his "NO, NEVER" stance, I struck while the iron was hot.  After two days of scouting out the SPCA, I came home with an adorable and affectionate kitten.  Her name was "kitty" for a couple of weeks, but we have finally settled on Savannah, which was her SPCA name.

She is wonderful with the kids and never runs away from them. (which was really my most important criteria when kitten picking)

She is extremely affectionate

She loves to snuggle up and give kisses

She loves to hang out wherever we are.

She puts up with all sorts of carrying and never seems to mind.

She even loves to ride in the car!  The only downside is that the kids fight over whose lap she will sit in.

The only problem we have with Savannah is that because she is so snuggly, she wants to sleep close.  Very close.  Like, on your face.  The kids cannot take it, and neither can we, so right now she sleeps locked in the mudroom in her little bed.

We took a trip to the mountain house, and despite the chilly weather, we had a blast going down the new water slides.  The water was heated and a fun time was had by all.

Colby....

Miller....

and Daddy.  (I did, too, but was not captured on camera)

The kids also loved the lazy river.

I celebrated my 38th birthday with some awesome balloons and a "princess" cake from the local bakery.

The princess and her princess in training (This little rocking chair was handed down to me when I was little, and now Miller loves it)

Colby has begun winter swim team, and wow, the water was cold!  But he did great.  Most of the kids are older and faster, but he hung in there.  We had to lay him in a bath of hot water when he got home because he was blue and couldn't get warm.  They are heating the pool this week- thank goodness.

Miller's class went apple picking at the orchard

Apple school

Colby started soccer.  He's doing 8 and under so most of the kids are older (same story as swim team), but he's doing great.

Miller's first soccer game was Saturday.  She and her friends Marin and Jackson were a little timid and overwhelmed, so they decided to hold hands.  They played most of the game that way.  So cute!

And they did not let go!

Colby brought some work home from school .  I was very relieved to learn that the "S" word in this photo is, in fact, a snake.  Phew!

First day of school

Last week, both kids started school.

On Monday, Miller had her first day of Pre-K. Although she's 2 years younger than Colby, she will only be one year behind him in school. (which still seems so weird to me) Miller's teacher is Ms. Susan, who she knows from Summer camp. Miller did not hesitate to walk on into the class, hang up her back pack, and start playing. She was confident and excited about her first day.

Colby's first day was Thursday. The Kindergarteners have a staggered start, so 1/3 of the class went Wednesday, 1/3 went Thursday, and 1/3 went Friday. His teacher is Ms.McCartney and she's supposed to be a wonderful teacher. I am very very happy!

My silly boy ready to go

They are always this sweet to each other. I am so lucky.

Running to the bus!

The bus stop gang....Eddie, Trudy, Mia, and Colby.

Excited and ready to go...

He made it!

I didn't think I would be emotional, but I did get a little teary eyed watching him walk onto the bus. He was so excited getting off the bus at the end of the day and had a big smile on his face. I did't get much information out of him other than who he sat next to on the bus and the fact that his teacher let them make cookies. However, his teacher e-mailed and said he listened well and seemed to really enjoy himself. Can't ask for much more than that!

Jumping bean and birthday traditions

Miller is addicted to the diving board. When we go to the pool now, I plant myself on the side of the deep end and make myself comfortable. She even likes to jump off the side and swim all the way across....in 11 foot water!

Here she is on the first jump I caught on camera.

A new tradition that we started with the kids this year is that for their birthdays, they get to spend a whole day and night with Nan and Pop doing fun things. Not both of them together (Lord, no) just one at a time.

Colby's weekend was a few weeks ago, and he started off his day with a visit to see Peepie Miller. From there, he went out to lunch with Nan and then to Toys R Us where he picked out a race car track. After playing with that at Nan and Pop's house for a while, he and Pop played a (very short and unsuccessful) game of putt-putt. Pop realized that wasn't going so well, so instead they went to the golf course where Colby got to drive the gold cart. SCORE! After that, they went out to dinner and then Colby got to stay up late and watch the Olympics. After a breakfast of bacon and eggs, they brought a tired and happy little boy.

Today was Miller's day. She started off her day with a visit to Peepie Miller.

While there, I learned something new. I asked Miller if she wanted to have a boyfriend. Her response:
"Honey, the men around here are just looking for a nurse and a purse."

After a nice visit, Miller and Nan headed out for their big day.

First, they hit build-a-bear, where Miller created a psychotic multi-colored rainbow bear in princess attire with sparkly shoes. (It's a bear only Miller and her Nan could love) From there, they had lunch and then headed to the pottery painting store. Miller painted an Aerial figurine that we will be able to pick up next week. From there, they went to the cupcake store where Miller picked out a vanilla cupcake with purple decorations on top...she said that was her favorite part of the day. (shocking) Their last stop was a trip to the golf course where Pop let Miller steer the cart. In Miller's own words: "Pop let me steered it. We went fast! And we saw pigeon poop!" Last, they headed home and had endless amounts of split pea soup- Miller's favorite. She slept like a log and then had a breakfast of bacon, eggs, and cinnamon toast, which was my favorite when I was little.

Thanks Nan and Pop. The bar was set high for next year!