Standing Up

Guess who is standing up...this is a terrible picture, but I have to be quick because as soon as she sees the camera, she sits back down and crawls over to grab it. And let me tell ya, she is fast! :)

 

Getting Old

When Riley had been in Kindergarten for all of THREE days, I went to go drop him off and he told me that I should just stay in the car. He told me that he didn't need me to walk inside with him because he knows the way and can do it by himself. But...but...I'm your mother! Well, that little guy opened the car door, strapped on his backpack, waved goodbye, and walked right into that big school with his head held high. I almost started to cry! What a cute, and apparently "old", little boy I have.

Riley Plays "Indians" On The Piano

Riley LOVES to play the piano...in fact, he loves it so much, that I have to ask him to please STOP playing the piano. How many parents have to do that?!?! He plays from the moment he wakes up until the moment...the VERY moment...he goes to sleep at night. It's crazy! He is picking it up really quickly. Seeing him play the piano makes me smile...unless it's 9:30 at night and I'm trying to relax. Then I still smile, but it is totally forced and is always followed by a "That's great, now go to bed!" :)

Swimming Gear 101

For those of you who don't know, it is common practice to go swimming in snow boots. Consider this your "Swimming Gear For Dummies" lesson of the day. :)

Menu Monday

I've gotten out of the habit of menu planning and am finding that I am scrambling each night to think of what to make. So, for the sake of my sanity and my family's dis-interest in cereal, here is my menu:

Sunday: Hawaiian Haystacks
Monday: Raviolies with Artichoke Tomato Sauce, home made rolls
Tuesday: Turkey Burgers and french fries
Wednesday: Buttermilk Pancakes, Bacon, Orange Juice
Thursday: Quesadillas
Friday: Costco for pizza!
Saturday: (date night...hopefully!)

Why Are You Mad?

Riley woke up Saturday morning on the wrong side of the bed. When I asked him what had him so upset he yelled at the top of his lungs, "I don't know!" I couldn't help it, I started laughing. I know I shouldn't have because that just makes him more mad, but it was so unexpected. I pulled out the camera hoping he would say it again. You know, there are definitely days where I'm mad and I have no idea why. It just happens.

Riley's first attempt at a "Keep Out" sign. It of course made him even more upset when he spelled it wrong.

Ava with her walker

Ava absolutely LOVES her walker. I predict that she will walk by her first birthday...in about one month. She's going to be GREAT at dodging her brothers. She's had lots of practice. :)

Tanner Counts to 100

During dinner, Riley was showing off his mad counting skills and Tanner wanted a bit of the action. So, he told me that he could count to 100! Well, he certainly CAN count to 100...the proof is in the video.

Woah Flashback!

I dare you to find a boy as chunk-a-licious as Tanner was when he was one. I was going through old pictures and came across this one and had to post it. All I can say is, this child is either Todd's or John Goodmans. It's hard to tell. :)

Playground Trouble

Yesterday I took the boys to the mall to play. As we were in the little playground, I noticed Tanner trying to get up the waterfall slide to play. There were 3 boys at the top of the slide, probably around 6, 4, 2. Each time Tanner climbed up, they would push him off. It was making me so mad! After seeing it for the first time, I stood up to go walk over there. While I was walking, Tanner had climbed up and had been pushed down again. Tanner never screamed or cried, he just got back up, climbed up the slide, and hit all three boys. Well, the 6-year old started WAILING, so of course ALL parents' eyes turned directly to Tanner. I was just thinking to myself, "What...you can dish it out but you can't take it?" Part of me was appalled that Tanner would do something like that and part of me was proud that he did it.

Introducing Mrs. Riley

I just walked in to Riley and Tanner's room and was informed that their room was now a preschool. Riley looks at me and says, "I'm the teacher so you can call me Mrs. Riley". :)

First Day of School

Today BOTH of the boys started school. They were both so excited!!!



Tanner is going to Riley's old preschool, Harmony, and has Riley's old teacher, Miss Meagan. He has been talking about going to preschool for a month. He loved putting a backpack on and getting dropped off in front of the school. Miss Meagan said he did a great job today too. The only time he had a hard time was when they had to come in from recess. Of course, being the 3-year old class, Miss Meagan said that ALL the kids had a hard time with this. :)

We love Miss Meagan and are so glad that Tanner gets to be in her class as well.

Riley has been talking about Kindergarten ALL summer! He is beyond excited to be a "KinderGator"...cheesy I know, but the kids eat it up. :)

We met his teacher, Mrs. Deets, on Monday evening during Sneak-A-Peak, and he thought she was so nice. As we were waiting with all the other kids in his class for Mrs. Deets to come to the foyer, Riley saw a little girl standing in the corner looking thouroughly terrified. He pulled on my shirt and whispered in my ear, "Mom, see that girl? She's beautiful." It was so sweet. I suggested that he go and see what her name is so they could be friends. I gave him a hug and a kiss and walked out. As I was walking out, I turned to see Riley talking to this little girl. It pretty much melted my heart. I cannot believe that he is in KINDERGARTEN?!?!? Where did the time go?

Sunday Walk

Finally a break from the heat and humidity! We took advantage of a great park close to our house. It's so quiet and peaceful and the boys got some energy out. We need more days like today.

Sprinkler Fun

This seems to be our favorite pastime in the evenings to cool down from the 100 plus degree weather we've been having lately. The boys had a great time with the umbrellas. Here's to hot weather!

 

 

 

 

We're Almost There

Okay, the heat is on to get Tanner potty trained. He got into Miss Meagan's (Riley's old teacher) class, but he HAS to be out of diapers to go. He is doing alright, but is still in a diaper. School starts August 17th. I showed him the Spiderman underwear in hopes that he would think it is awesome and want to wear them instead of diapers. We'll see. Anyone have any potty training ideas? (I still remember yours Em and believe me, it is now being seriously considered because of our 2-week timeline!)