Schools Out

And my children are up before dawn...at 5am. Absolutely not.cool.not.cool.at.all. We didn't even get up that early when school was happening. YAWN.

Year 2 down...

Jakeb just finished his very last day of 1st grade...he seems pretty unphased by the event. We go on Friday to snag his report card and that.is.it. I am thrilled to see summer upon us...I know back in February I didn't think it would ever come. I just turned off my alarm on the cell...I will no longer get up at 5:45 to an alarm to drag myself up to make sure Jakeb is getting up---speaking of he for the past month has gotten up to his alarm on his own, I set it and it plays his CD and he turns it off, gets up, gets dressed, and makes his bed. How awesome is that!? We can lounge around in the mornings...ahh. Granted all this also means I get no break from the kiddies but I think we can deal. Jakeb's 1st grade year has been great as far as I can tell. He is reading VERY well....according to his AR tests he's on a 3rd grade level...however he fell behind on his testing at the first of the year so I would imagine him to be A LOT higher. He can read just about any word you give him. It blows me away what he is able to read. He struggled a few times in his math but picked those back up...he wants to rush thru everything. His newest passion has been drawing and art...and I am tickled pink about it. I can't draw a lick, I love that he is so into it. Seriously he sits down AT LEAST once a day just to draw. He brought a picture how for me today of what appears to be a city scene...quite detailed... It kinda rocks in my opinion. I really just love to see that he has gotten into a hobby of sorts. I need to scan some of his drawings to post here. So he's onto year 3 of elementary school...2nd grade. I am anxious to see how he does, I know it will be great!


Here are HIS "birthday portraits" for his 7th birthday...these were taken this past Sunday...

He loved doing the jumping shots...kept asking for one more lol

Inquisitive?

As far as mischievous-ness goes...Gavin wins the award for that in this family. While Zachary did his fair share of "getting into things" Gavin is by far much more interested in things he shouldn't be. I am constantly noticing that it's quiet and then have to go on a "Gavin hunt" to see what he has gotten himself into...the latest is the band aids. I think we are going to have to hide them!
This past weekend we were at my grandfathers house and Gavin saw the hand soap by the kitchen sink and asked for some "hanitizer" I told him no it's soap and if needs to wash his hands he needs to go in the bathroom where he can reach. Then I went to check on Jakeb and Zachary outside and thought he went out with Robert. About 10 min later I realize he's not with Robert and Robert hasn't seen him...my grandfather hasn't seen him and neither have I. Before I panic I start looking around, notice the bathroom door is shut and there is a STRONG Dial soap smell floating thru the house. Gee I wonder where Gavin is...yes in the bathroom coating his hands with soap...as well as the mirror, dripping it all over the floor, the counter. It was a thick soapy mess! I was shocked he didn't have it in his eye.

The Graduate

So my Zman is now officially a elementary schoolian (yes I am pretty sure this is NOT a word but hush). In just a few short months he will begin his school years...and I must say every time I think about it my stomach flip flops. A few months ago I stated I was ready to have him start school...um yeah not so much. What in the world are Gavin and I going to do all day?? What in the world is HE going to do all day...without me with him...watching him. Whew.. be still my heart. He's so super excited to be with his big brother at school...as is his big brother. They are tickled pink to be on the bus together and Jakeb informed me the other day that he is going to tell the bus driver that he has to sit with his brother. Have I mentioned how awesome they are together?? The bond they have rocks my world. Anyway Zachary is thrilled and honestly I am for him but I am very nervous about the whole event as well. He will do wonderful...my grandmother sent a book up from Florida for him that she had found and it's PERFECT for him. It's full of short 3, 4, and 5 letter words. And he is SUPER proud of himself for reading so many of them on his own. And I must say I am too...the hardest time I had with Jakeb when it came to teaching him early reading was the blending, but Zachary seems to have gotten it already. It's amazing what he has picked up on his own just by overhearing us and Jakeb.
So this past Tuesday he had his very last day of preschool...ever. And on Thursday evening they had a little graduation ceremony for them. It was super cute and despite the scowl on his face most of the event he did great. He's not much for getting up in front of people and apparently the light was directly in his eyes because his eyes are squinty the whole time. Every once in a while he would shrug and huff thoroughly done with the whole charade. It was super cute.
Here are a few snaps from the evening...

He is the one in the middle with his hat over his face...

Not too squinty here...

Go now...

HERE.... Tell me whatcha think!

Gym slacker...

I will go to the gym tomorrow...I will go to the gym tomorrow....oh crud I have a session early in the morning tomorrow...ok I will go to the gym on Tuesday....I will go to the gym on Tuesday.

I have been a SERIOUS slacker about this...in the past 3 1/2 weeks I have gone to the gym ONE time....that's horrible! Granted I do get at least a week and a half free because I did have surgery...and then last week I was sick...but still. I am not happy with my slackerage. Despite this I have made honest, all be them slight, attempts at a diet change. And have not eaten fast food except for one time this past week. I have also lost 5lbs...either from french fries alone OR completely the little bit of muscle I had gained. Either way it's enough to keep me motivated on my "diet makeover". I am taking baby steps to a better diet. This weeks challenge (along with no fried/fast food) is NO soda. There I said it it's offical....no more soda...indefinitely. Whew. I can do this.

School "drama"

Almost thru the 2nd year of elementary school and today Jakeb had his first...TWO visits to the nurse. About 11 today I get a call from the school nurse letting me know that she has seen Jakeb twice today. At this point I am thinking great he's sick again and I didn't catch it again and now I have sent him to school sick...again. But nope it's even better...I sent him to school with a TICK on him!!?! Um, yes I am mortified! My kids are clean and dressed rockin but I send him with a t-tiny tick on his arm! Way.to.go.mom. So not cool. At least he's not the dirty kid with a tick on him...that probably would bode negatively for me...geesh. Right so first visit: Tick removal--check. 2nd visit...follow up to tooth extraction that occured on the playground. Yep, he got a tooth knocked out! Apparently he and another kid were rough playing (the other kid was swinging Jakeb around) and they side swiped another kids head with Jakeb's mouth causing his tooth to pop out. His teacher thought he hit the playground but Jakeb and the kid whose head he hit both told me that he hit the kids head...and the more I think about it the more that is more likely since the playground is metal and I think he would have more damage. I was only about 5 min away from the school so I popped in just to make sure he was a-ok and didn't need a dental visit and got the run down from everyone LOL. He was fine from both incidents but geesh 2 in one day...and from Jakeb no less! Yikes it just hit me that next year THE accident kid is going to be at school next year...all.day.long...I should probably warn them. I think my stomach just flip-flopped at the thought of him halfway supervised (no offense to teachers...he's only 3/4 supervised with me on playgrounds...) on playground equipment with other rowdy kids...seriously not a good combo. Zachary may have to wear a helmet to school next year...seriously.

Sniff, cough, sneeze...repeat

Ugh, colds are no fuN! I haven't had a full blown cold in quite some time so this is maddening! I actually had to reschedule a session I had tomorrow because of the sniffles I have...figured it would be in bad taste to drip snot on someones 2 month old. Ewww!
I did manage to get my booty back to the gym today so that's good! I didnt' stay as long as I intially planned but I did go.
Yesterday was Mother's Day...which marks my 8th Mothers Day of actually being a mother...wow. We had a really nice day. Each year we typically all get together with Robert's family and my mom and bro to celebrate my bday, my bro's bday, Robert's bro's bday, Mother's day and now Gavin's bday. Lots to celebrate from both sides so it just works out well to make that the yearly get together. We always have a nice time visiting too. My mom and I went shopping for a bit yesterday and I got a new dress...it's lovely I promise. The boys made me super sweet cards...well Gavin apparently refused to but that's ok he is only 3 after all. Jakeb's said "Happy Mothers Day, you are the best girl I have ever seen in my live" and on the back "You rock my harte" how flipping sweet is that!? Zachary drew pictures of all of us on his complete with spiked hair for all of them and Robert helped him write Happy Mother's Day. Sweet sweet boys!

Some new Gavin funnies to mention from this past week...when I had surgery my mom stayed a night with me to help out because Robert was gone. Gavin apparently was doing something naughty because I heard her tell him to stop it and then kind of "pop him" on the booty to get his attention (not a spanking just a swat I guess). 5 seconds later he comes to the top of the stairs..."Mommy, Grandma spanked me...her a BRAT!!" He of course got scolded for calling grandma a brat but we about died. Apparently he's heard that term a few times too many. Then yesterday he and I were playing with Robert, chasing him around and what not and we stopped in the hallway and he says to me..."beat him!...beat hims a$$!!" Again we about died, seriously I can honestly say we never say that to them, I swear! Seriously that kid has a sailor mouth on him at 3...he is something else, way to big for "his britches". Today he told me he was fine to jump on the trampoline with the big kids because "I'm bigger, I ok I'm stronger" Um no buddy you aren't. He's still a peanut. At his 3 year check up he was 28lbs 36 1/2 in. And puts him in the 15th and 25th percentiles... Which means that 75% of kids his age are taller than him and 85% weigh more than he does! Honestly I would be more surprised if we had big kids...so he is no surprise but cute!

They say it's your birthday...

and it is....29 years young spank you very much. My last year in my twenties....and I seriously do not feel I should be quite so close to "the big 3-0". Rather strange honestly. I don't feel nor look my age and I am not complaining! I would prefer to at least look 25 and not 18 but hey when I am 40 and look 25 I will be one happy chick--let's hope I continue to age slowly....one can hope right? I could drone on and on about this past year and blah blah blah...it's been as every year is a blur of wonderfulness and confusion all at once. But instead of boring you with such redundancies I will just say it's been a year! Things have been pretty smooth sailing and I am *knocking on wood* and thanking who I should for it, I can't complain, I am one lucky, happy chicky.

Today was spent pretty much as usual...boys off to school, popping in at Jakeb's school for a bit, lunch with a few friends, fits from Gavin (a day wouldn't be normal without them), dinner with my dad and bro, and home to bathe and read to the kiddies. We did get to see the sun for a bit this afternoon and that's become just about unusual the past few weeks so that was nice! Though I suppose it is spring in TN and that's what one would expect! Robert is in Jacksonville, FL and being ever so kind as to send me pictures of the beach...sweet isn't he? Jakeb and I are jonesing for some sand between our toes, salt in our hair, and sun on our backs...Gavin and Zachary are too but are not expressing it quite as often as my beach buddy and I are. Must.go.to.beach.soon.must.go.soon.

I need to brag on the Zman for a moment as he shocked me this morning...let me preface this by saying that when Jakeb started kindy last year he could barely count to 20 and fumbled around with the teens--which I know is pretty typical...he jumped to counting to 100 quite quickly. So anyway this morning Zachary asked me how I old I was --29--and then said he was going to count to 29. Which he proceeded to do...flew right past 29 onto 39 at which point he stumbled I said 40 and on he went, at 49 I said 50 and at 59 he said 60, 70, 80, 90. Counting by 10's. I said whoa hold up here you just counted by 10's!? So I stopped him shocked that he even counted to 40 to begin with...I then said 10 seeing if he picked up 20, he didn't so I then said 10, 20...and he followed with 30, 40, 50...all the way to 100!? Um excuse me...who taught him that!? I asked him if he learned that at preschool and asked his teachers and they said no they don't do that. He says he just knew it and practiced it in bed at night LOL. So I am thinking he's just picked it up from hearing Jakeb...smart boy!! Though after talking to Robert he tells me a few times in the car recently they have done it but only a few...either way Mr. Smarty pants! Counting by 10's is a no brainer but Jakeb just learned that this year in 1st grade (or maybe late kindy) hence my surprise. Sorry for the run on brag but I tend to ramble my stories with every flipping unecessary detail...I know I do it...I try to shorten it but I just can't, I like details...deal with it. LOL.

I hope everyone has thoroughly enjoyed this day of my birth.

Super Star

The Rockin'est 5 year old....is my very own...









This is where he thought all the pictures should be taken...



Took these yesterday...his "official 5 year old pictures by mom". Think they turned out fabulous it helps that he is oh so awesome too :-D

Party, Party, ParTAY...

It's done! The birthday partying for the year is complete for the kiddo's! One nice thing about having their birthday so close together...by May we are done!

So my baby is 3! Holy moly...my BABY is 3...wow. My little stink pot as we lovingly refer to him as. He is a interesting kid for sure. It's funny that right now the words to describe him aren't coming to me...sweet...well he can BE sweet but I wouldn't say that overall he's sweet...cute, for sure. He is my little tyrant LOL. He cracks me up daily with his little tiny sassy attitudey self. I love his confidence and how sure of himself he is. At now 3 he keeps us hopping daily. It drives me absolutely nuts most days...but when I think about the qualities his rather large personality has I am impressed. He is very opinionated and doesn't hesitate to say what he wants and HOW he wants it. His brothers are just about afraid of him...though Zachary has no problem doing things just to get him to scream. He's a smart cookie, has managed to catch on to things rather quickly I think. In the past year or so he has learned to pedal a tricycle, how to ride a big bike (with training wheels), knows all of his colors, shapes, and can count to 12. Can recognize all of our names in our family written out...just realized that this past week I was impressed! Has been potty trained for about 9 months now, can dress and undress himself, sing his ABC's and other songs. He loves his brothers like crazy and thinks they are super cool...so much so he loves to do things to get their attention even if it's making them mad. He loves to give cookies to the dogs and throw toys for Maddie girl to catch. He's taken to getting into lotions, soaps, creams and sprays lately...and really isn't afraid of getting into trouble. He can be so ridiculously cute and funny that he rarely actually gets into real trouble because I end up laughing. He has the cutest tiniest little voice ever I think...he can talk as well as he should and then some...he's quite a chatterbox. The boy is a mess and I can't believe he's 3. He's spunky and fun and silly and sweet and A-dorable and caring and opinionated and smart and wild and challenging and he's my baby...I mean big boy. I am so very proud of you Gavy Gav. Happy 3rd Birthday Cuteness!

Week of Weeks...

When last week ended I knew this week would be a bit busier than normal....but really it's been something every darn day.

Started with surgery on Monday...then Tuesday learn the boys have strep, Wednesday learn Gavin has an ear infection and I have strep. Thursday went on a field trip with Jakeb's school. Friday well....start worrying about my dad...again. Saturday Gavin's birthday!!! AND we have to put our cat...Catty... to sleep. :-( Yes, Catty is an odd name but Jakeb named her when we got her, 2 1/2 years ago. She was a seriously sweet, sweet cat. Kids could pull on her and tug on her and she would never scratch or bite them but would just get up and move but loved to be near them. She would often wake us up bright and early in the morning...like 4:30 LOL, to go outside. When we first got the cats I did NOT want them to go outside at all. But they wanted to so bad so I started letting them, at first Catty stuck pretty close and never went far but over the past year or so she has become quite adventerous and would sometimes be out all night. I noticed on Friday that I hadn't seen her all day long and that wasn't like her especially since it rained hard ALL day Friday. So I knew something was wrong. She came back Saturday and Robert said she was just laying in the yard crying...in the rain. So we rushed her to the vet. And ultimately had to put her to sleep. She had contracted cytauxzoonosis from a blasted tick. We are usually very good about treating them for ticks and fleas but I just haven't had a chance to get the treatments this year and they don't need it during the winter. I feel AWFUL. Though they told us even with the treatments it could have happenend but still. She looked horrible, head shaky and her skin was so yellow, it was awful. They said it moves so quickly and that's probably why she hadn't come home, she was sick. The boys don't know yet but I think they will be ok.

So put FRONTLINE on your cats it's the only one that treats for ticks. But even then not all of them all the time the best thing is to keep them inside. I have never heard of this disease and it was awful. We will be battling now with keeping our other kitty inside.

On a good note today is Gavin's birthday party! He's having it at the "bounce place" and is SUPER excited. I will do a little birthday post for him in a day or 2. He had a great day yesterday!