Wet weekend

We were happy to have accomplished plenty of firsts this past weekend.

Our first plane ride as a family (for Michael and Joshua, it was their first trip on board an aircraft--ever). Yes, Joshua could have behaved better. But we're glass half full kind of people. He could have been much worse.

While we were in Georgia, the boys bonded over football, chicken nuggets, and the lousy weather.





We really enjoyed ourselves at our first tailgate. The boys played a game called "Tailgate golf." Big fun that revolved around throwing things at a target. We knew the weather was going to be bad, so we prepared as much as we could. Our whole goal was to make it to our first University of Georgia football game. We bought bright yellow and blue (for the adults) ponchos to try to stay dry. And yes, we needed them.



By the way, the ponchos really didn't work. It was raining that hard.

I still cannot believe how many people joined us for one of the wettest evenings I have seen in some time.

You might not be able to see the raindrops, but you can certainly see how happy we are to be in such soggy conditions. Truth be told, though, I wouldn't have had it any other way. We went through plenty to get to those bleachers.

The game started off fine. Jason was really into the action on the gridiron. By the middle of the first quarter, though, Jason was getting a little tired of squishy shoes. Still no complaints, though. All three held up remarkably well considering the circumstances.



Doug was on cloud nine, soggy shoes and all. Even better, the Bulldogs pulled off a victory.



We had other adventures during our brief visit to the Peach State. We saw Aunt Jeanne, Uncle Dave, Aunt Stacie, and cousins Ezekiel and Elijah. And you know what? The boys still say the best part of our trip was being with their cousins. We had a great time.







Now that we know we can handle a plane ride, we'll have to do it again!
Until next time!!!
We love you!

Fall sports

I am a proud parent. When you have three great kids, you have to be.

As you know, Jason is a big fan of playing baseball.

After playing several seasons of T-ball, it was time for him to move up.

He's in the big leagues now, playing coach-pitch baseball.

Where does the time go?

He had his first two games this past week.

It is a different ball game, literally. In T-ball, they don't really keep score. Outs really weren't outs. Players got as many swings at the tee as they needed to get that ball into the field.

The easy days of T-ball are now over.

Jason struck out a couple of times in his first game (which I missed. I'll explain below). But he also got some good hits. For example, he got his first RBI while at bat.

On Monday, I got to see him play with my own eyes.
He struck out the first time at bat. I was very nervous.

But then, on his fourth time up, he hit a home run. I was so excited. Mind you, I was trying to keep Baby Joshua from eating dirt, but I was so proud of my biggest boy. It wasn't the prettiest home run. He got back to home plate because the kids in the field kept dropping the ball. BUT, it was a home run, nonetheless, there were two other kids he brought home with him, and I got Jason in the dug out after the big play.

He looks a little stunned, doesn't he?



Meanwhile, Michael is also showing his sporty side.
I missed Jason's first game because I was holding down the fort at Michael's first soccer game.

He was totally into the action. He likes running. He does not like fighting for the ball.



Baby steps.
Until next weekend's games!!!!

Laugh box

Something funny has happened since Jason started first grade.

While Boy #1 is busy with reading, writing, and 'rithmetic, #2 and #3 are bonding.

I was surprised, too.

Doug is charged with the task of taming the morning madness. He wakes the boys up, gets their teeth brushed, he gets them clothed, he gets them fed. Whew!

Jason is dropped off at the bus stop first.

But, then, there's extra time before Doug needs to leave for work, so Michael and Joshua have time alone.

And, they have really started to take advantage of it, giving them the chance to play with each other. If you'll remember, Michael used to pretend the baby didn't exist.



Here's the baby trying to give his big brother a hug.
Aww.

So, the other day, I was tickling Joshua, and the baby was giggling away.

And Michael said, to me, "Mommy, stop doing that. If you keep tickling him, his laugh box won't work."

So then, I tickled both of them.

Here's one who is smiling these days, showing us the big gap from the loss of his other front tooth.



Enjoy your day!

Back to the drawing board

Another day, another picture.

This time the brothers tried to draw patterns.

Poor baby.

There's a moratorium on pens in our house now...

Baby love

It's tough to be the baby in our house.

Actually, Joshua has gotten it easy--so far.

In the beginning, Michael ignored him and Jason just wanted to hug him.

Now that Joshua is moving--and moving fast--the brothers (mostly Jason) are doing their best to knock him down.

Here's an example.

I left them in the living room for just a minute.



I came back and it looked like Jason was attempting to sketch a full-length portrait of some sort.



Thank goodness for soap, water, and a baby who didn't really mind getting scrubbed!

We're getting in the swing of things at school. Jason really is the one we were most concerned with because he is entering a new environment.

Michael has the same teacher, same school.
Michael asked me a question the other day, then answered it himself in a most interesting way.

He said, "Mommy, why do we go to school five days a week, then stay home two days?"

I didn't say anything, and then he said, "I guess it's because we need more learning."

First day of school

He will always be my baby.

But it looks like my baby may be growing up.

Cue the sappy music.

Jason entered the first grade today.



He stood at the bus stop with pal, Ethan, for the very first time. Ethan's mom, Kathy, huddled with them. He caught the big yellow school bus for the very first time. And despite the heavy rain, his brothers, Michael and Joshua, were there to watch him go. Daddy was there, too.



I missed the action, but I called Jason right before he was to leave the house. He sounded so mature.

"Hello?" he said.
He didn't sound nervous or scared. He seemed so oddly confident about heading to a new school.
And talk about big milestones. Jason lost his other front tooth the other day. That generous Tooth Fairy coughed up another $3 for that one. So, now he looks like a hockey player who had a really tough game.

He smiles just the same, only with a huge gap between his lips.



The boys didn't mind the rain, didn't mind the wait. Doug said when the bus came, both boys climbed onto the bus without looking back.

Thankfully, Jason waved from the window. And then they were gone.



I was able to pick him up from the bus stop.
The rain was still with us.

Jason ran down the stairs of the bus and gave me a hug.

He had an okay day, he said. Teacher was nice, bus driver not so much. The boys and girls in class were nice, let's go home and have a snack.

The first day of school is behind us, and the kids are just about in bed, ready to go back tomorrow.

And we're ready as well.

Labor Day weekend crush

We know what people did for the first part of the Labor Day weekend.
They were with us, at Busch Gardens.

We braved the crushing crowds and the crazy traffic to see the amusement park on Sunday. I don't think we'll try that again on a holiday weekend.

But, it was a wonderful time for the kids.
Truly.

We went once again with Claire, Mike, Tommy, and Elizabeth.
Joshua enjoyed his first ride. You can see he made the most of it.

But it was Michael who surprised us.

Or should I say "tough guy" Michael.

There were lines everywhere, but for some reason the line for Escape From Pompeii didn't seem too intimidating.
Doug suggested the boys get on that one.

The older ones, Jason and Tommy, immediately said no.

But Michael, he pondered for just a moment, and said, "Yes!!!"

While it is a ride that he has told us in no uncertain terms that he will NOT ride again, he did it once and he did it quite bravely. Doug said his face stayed expressionless through the entire ride. Same look as it went down that last big drop through water. But he did not cry and he only said, eyes enormous, in the beginning, "Daddy, I'm scared."

It was not his favorite ride of the day. That honor goes to the Wiggly Worm in the children's section of the park. But, he will always be able to say he rode it when his brother wouldn't.



And what was Jason doing?
Getting splashed by the ride car as it came down from atop that big hill.



The day didn't end with Busch Gardens. On no.
Sunday night, we took the kids to a cultural event.

The Virginia Symphony was playing outside and the weather was perfect. The kids honestly didn't pay too much attention, though. So much for culture.

Michael did listen for a minute and said, "I hear a guitar with a stick."

A guitar with a stick. That's it. He listened for the violin for about three seconds, then wanted a snack and something to drink.



Tomorrow's the first day of school. We're excited, nervous, but I think we're ready! Updates to come.

Wrestlemania

Growing up, I don't recall ever taking part in this.



This is where the boys beat up on each other. That usually includes all the boys in the house, except the baby. And that's only because Joshua thinks he's pretty tough.

Joshua is taking more and more steps now, and showing off, too. He likes to carry things in BOTH hands while he meanders around the house.

Sometimes, though, he needs to get places quick. That's when he drops down to all fours.



On this night, Joshua decided it was time he made a name for himself in our Wrestlemania event. Look at Doug's face. Priceless. The baby just beaned him with the palm of his hand.



I am so outnumbered.

Happy to be home

We have returned from a whirlwind tour up the Jersey Shore.
Needless to say, we are thrilled to be back home.

On the way back, we took the Cape May Ferry, like we always do.
However, on that ride, we were introduced to what once was Hurricane Bill.

We obviously desperately wanted to get home, because even knowing there was a threat of high seas, we pushed along and stuck with our ferry reservation.

Thankfully, our crew did fine during the turbulent journey. I can't say everyone on the boat did, though. I saw many spots that had to eventually be cleaned up and disinfected. Ick.

Despite our rough ride home, the five of us truly had a great trip.
Here's a look at us on the ferry ride going there--during a ride that wasn't quite so bouncy.

Thank goodness for Uncle Tim, who handled the boys with ease.



Have I mentioned how much we enjoy being with our baby?




We kept it simple on the boat ride--cheesy snacks, some fruit--things the boys ate up. Of course, ten minutes later, they wanted to know when we would arrive at our destination.




All I have to say is thank goodness for putt putt.



We caught up with Amah and Akong, as well as Uncle Frank and Aunt Cora, Aunt Elisa, Uncle Jose, and Abbie, Asha, and Alaric. Quite a nice mini family reunion.

And the boys--while they enjoyed the grown-up talk and the hugging (right!)--they don't really care where they go, as along as putt putt is somehow involved. That, and dessert.




We somehow managed to squeeze in two games of putt putt while we were there, at two different times. This under the hot Jersey sun. Atlantic City was under some sort of a heat wave while we were there, so it was a little steamy outside. But, truly, the boys did not notice.

Jason's greatest memory of the trip is his hole-in-one on that course. He talked about that for minutes!

And then came Michael's greatest moment.

We took a trip to the arcade, you know, one of those Chuck E Cheese type places, where you play games with tickets that come shooting out. Michael somehow hit a jackpot on some ball drop game. Even I was a little amazed. The bells on the machine started ringing, the voice on the machine proclaimed him a winner. In the end, more than 300 tickets spewed out. Michael was in heaven, and he told everyone/he is telling everyone who will listen that he is a winner of a jackpot. They start young, don't they?




All the boys these past few days have been extremely funny. They just won't stop talking.

Michael especially.
Before we left, I guess he was excited about our pending trip. He pulled me over to him, had me bend down, and he whispered in my ear, "You are the loveliest of them all."

Yes, ladies, we're doing some hands-on training here!

Then, all of us were involved in some sort of twenty questions game to pass the time. And Michael surprised us all by running away with the questions. For example, one that made us fall over laughing.

Michael said, "What kind of mirror do I like? A) a mirror made of bricks, B) a mirror with carrots on it, or C) a clean mirror?" Thankfully, the right answer was C.

And, finally, on our journey back, as we were crossing the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel, we were discussing our days of vacation. And, I think we were talking about Michael's first trip on the Ferry several years ago. And we were surprised that Michael remembered.

To which he said, "I left it in my mind."

Boy, we can't wait to see what else he leaves in there.

Until next time!

Funny people

I'm laughing so hard I'm crying. We're back from a whirlwind visit to Atlantic City, and I was going through our pictures.

Obviously, I missed something during this 90 degree day, when I snapped this picture.



Honestly, it looks like we picked up random people for a family photo--people who just weren't thrilled to be sharing space.

At least Tim is smiling. Not sure what the others are doing.

Stories to come!

Summer lovin'

Talk about music appreciation.

The boys think they are some sort of Simon Cowell/Randy Jackson duo. Jason, by the way, I see him taking on the more Cowell-like tone.

During snack time today, the boys were discussing their favorite tunes. Michael mentioned "Flashdance" (all my fault) and "Since You've Been Gone" by Kelly Clarkson (we appreciate it, Kidz Bop). Jason waffles between "Through the Fire and Flames" by DragonForce and "Ruby" by the Kaiser Chiefs. We have Guitar Hero to thank for his varied and decidedly rock 'n roll musical tastes. It's something else to have your six-year-old hum, "Talk Dirty to Me." He insists he doesn't sing it, though.

Michael said to me today, "Mommy, do you know what American Idol is?"

I knew this was going to be a doozy.

"Yes, Michael, I do," I said.

But something in his shoulders, in his big brown eyes, his eyebrows, told me he didn't believe me. Then he backed it up with his voice.

"NO, you don't," he said. "It's a little like Guitar Hero."

We left it at that.



Yup, still waiting for full mobility. But, look, it's our baby, standing on his own power.

Meanwhile, what is it about boys and their clothes?
First, stains.

Where do they come from?
And why don't they want to leave?

Jason actually wasn't a problem. He was a pretty tidy eater.

Michael wasn't bad, either.

This baby is another matter.



Stains as far as the eye can see.
And they don't come out.

One thing that will be moving on out, though, is this child's 70's Peter Brady haircut. I've been waiting so I could get all of them trimmed at the same time. I'd say I've waited long enough.



Cheers!

Three of a kind

It is not often the boys will sit still long enough for me to snap a picture.

Normally, when I refer to the boys, I'm just talking about Jason and Michael. The ones who can walk.

But, this photo just fell into my lap, so to speak.

Baby Joshua had just woken up from a nap. I brought him downstairs and placed him on the floor. He crawled onto the couch where his big brothers were sitting, and pulled up a seat himself.

What were they watching?



Wouldn't you know it?
That Spongebob.

Fascinating to these three brothers.



And it looks like the youngest one is already hooked.

Any day now...

We are this close to a walking 15-month-old.

But not quite yet.



Baby Joshua enjoys pushing things. He pushes his riding toy, stools, blocks across the floor.
He even stands by himself for seconds at a time. Not since that first time at Uncle Frank's house has he ventured to take a step, though. We are hopeful.

Of course, he is still recovering.



Poor baby got the croup. It's that terrible cough that sounds like a barking seal. He had a slight fever, was lethargic, didn't eat, all of it. We took him to the doctor, who gave him some steroids. I think he's on the road to recovery.

He looks better, doesn't he?

Really, though, there are some benefits when he doesn't feel well.

That's the only time he'll sit still enough for you to hold him.

The big dig

Jason and Michael love getting presents. No surprise there.

We were so happy to find the box full of goodies that came in the mail from Grandma and Grandpa last week. Thank you so much for the puzzles, cool notepads, books, and other wonderful playthings.

What surprised me was how one of the gifts occupied both boys for a good two hours. TWO HOURS! If I had known this would happen, I would have started a project of some sort. Like cleaned the bathrooms or something.

The boys looked more like archaeologists as they extracted "dinosaur" bones from an egg-shaped blob of clay.



Look at the concentration.

It got a little messy, but I let it slide. Clay got everywhere. Truly, though, it was really very easy to clean up. And, every time I looked up, every time I expected to start the washing away process, both boys started digging again.



Michael was a little frustrated. He couldn't get at the little dinosaur pieces as fast as his big brother. Notice his eyebrows working overtime as well.

Eventually, he found all of them. Jason did, too.

And then it was off to the next thing.