Been A While

Not for lack of much goings on, but I seem to have forgotten to document some or most of it, here.

We are already to  Halloween, counting days to Christmas.  This is my most favorite time of year.
Squeezalicious is a pink Power Ranger, GoGo is a witch, albeit a cute one and D is some scary dude with fake blood and a cape.  Wow.  We have officially passed the plastic masks that stink inside phase.

And I am almost done with "santa" shopping!  I know D suspects deep down but so far he's keeping it under wraps.  I will hate to lose that piece of the holidays because once that magic is gone, it changes things for kids.  On the other hand, it will be nice to be able to explain to them why they may not get something that is uber expensive.  Our first Christmas where they all fail to believe, we are taking an awesome trip somewhere as our gift.  See how they do things elsewhere.  Until then, bring on the Elf on the Shelf!

We have been climbing trees, making honor rolls and enjoying beautiful weather.  We have picked apples, made homemade pizzas and upgraded bedrooms.  Sweet D came home Friday to a brand new bedroom, complete with "forever" furniture that God willing, his boy will use.
Guess who wants a room makeover next?  Yep.  My GoGo.  Alas, she will have to wait a year.

Photo bombs at their best.

All three are enjoying tree climbing.  Notice D's feet, GoGo posing and Squeezalicious's head. 

Mommy and Me photo shoot before school one morning.  Too many shadows but she's still precious. 

Cruising the cows one chilly morning.  Love Fall!!

A List of Good Things

1.  D came home from school last Friday with this.  His teacher wrote in the class newsletter that "D is an independent learner" and a "positive role model for his classmates".  He has an awesome teacher this year, a dude.  A great fit for my D.  So proud of my sweet boy!

2.  D also was tested this week for the gifted reading program.  I'm not sure what happened last year that he slipped through a crack or something but we'll see how this goes.  He tends to be a nervous tester so, fingers crossed.  

3.  I finally got around to having Squeezalicious' silhouette made…poor 3rd child.  So sweet…

I just adore this baby!

 4.  Ready for Fall around here…maybe a little on the early side but by my birthday, I can't take it anymore.  I have my wreaths up, mantle garland, candles and other assorted stuff out and about around the house.

5.  GoGo is doing the cursive.  She is having a great year so far and has a wonderful teacher who will push her.  She still loves math and most days has at least half of her worksheet completed on her 10 minute bus ride home.  We are trying to find a book series that captures her interest because I can tell that is not her "thing".  But I expect honor roll from this girl based on what I've seen so far.  Love her!

6.  At 10, 8 and 4…we have had no cavities.  Knock on wood because as I write those words, someone will need a root canal within the month.

7.  This…

8.  Friends and Family.  I just celebrated another year Here and had so many pleasant surprises from people.  Texts, cards, banners, gifts and cake.  And beer.  Love.

I'm having surgery next week and I've also seen the generous side of folks.  Helping with my little people, bringing meals, etc.  I am a blessed girl, surely undeserved.  

Fairytales

Much to report.

Big kids had dentist appointments last week - and thankfully, both had great checkups.  Knock on wood, no cavities ever.  It was noted that D only has 3 baby teeth left and one seriously needed to come out as the adult tooth was coming on in.  Our dentist suggested watching it for maybe a month and then we would have to have it pulled.  

Guess who is his mother's child?  Freaked out over any medical/dental drama?  My sweet D.  

So that evening as I made sure children were bathed, picked up the house and cleaned up from dinner, he sat and jiggled that tooth.  And wiggled it a bit more.  And ate sticky things so the thing would pop out.  And, Voila!  It did.  So we have no need for "silly" gas and pliers.  What a relief.

The next night, while Momma was out enjoying adult beverages with good friends, he lost another tooth.  He dutifully puts it on his nightstand and waits for the Tooth Fairy.  Daddy apparently lost the memo and failed to don the Fairy Wings and leave a few bucks.  I, of course, did not know when I arrived home in the wee hours of the a.m. that there was a tooth waiting for pick-up.  So.  D says to me the next day, "See, I knew there was no tooth fairy.  I knew it was you guys."  

I chose not to respond.  Excellent.

Last night he reminds me that there is no Tooth Fairy and then begins to question Santa.  I confess that the Tooth Fairy is a long held tradition among parents around the world (I did not verify that, but it sounded better) and asked him not to spoil it for his sisters.  He agreed.

Then, he started on the Santa bit.  I refuse to cave on this.  I know that he knows the truth deep down but I can't go there.  I told him to Receive, you have to Believe.  Again, he agreed.  

I hope this isn't going to end up in some angry therapy session down the road but I really feel these days, kids need a bit of innocence/fairytales/magic in their lives.  A belief in something that isn't handheld or a download.  Just be a kid for a while longer, for the love of Pete.

Squeezalicous is obsessed with the Three Little Pigs.  Don't ask me why.  The other day we were bringing D's friends to our house and she pipes up, "Aren't we taking them home?"  I tell her no, they are coming to play for a bit.  She looks at the older boy and says, "And I will Huff, and I will Puff, and I will BLOW you to your house!"  And she meant it, too.

D and GoGo have started school and all is well.  They both have great teachers and I'm confident they both will have amazing years.  They both have several friends in their classes which always helps.  

GoGo starts an acro/tumbling class soon and piano again this week.

D has already started Scouts and maybe a martial arts class.  We'll see.

My baby starts her last year of preschool next week.  Cue the tears.  Seriously-how can that be??

Next year all my babies will be in the same school, for the first and last time.  Again, cue the tears.

DEAR FATHER TIME:  Please slow down.  Thank You.

I Go Back

This is so long overdue it's not even funny.  I feel like we have been on the road perpetually this summer and in reality, it has been just shy of 4 weeks.  Craziness.  But Fun.

We hit the 'Lou again to see my people.  We lucked out on weather most of the time we were there and my kids begged me to stay a few extra days.  Sure sign of another successful road trip.

St. Louis is a great town for kids - a ton of super cool stuff to do and the majority of it is free.
As much as I love NC, there aren't a lot of fun/free/cheap things to do for kids in terms of museums, zoos, etc.  Tradeoffs.

If you visit STL and only do one thing, make it the City Museum.  

Impossible to explain but your children will thank you later.

The rooftop of the City Museum is uber cool - a huge slide, ferris wheel and other assorted climbing apparatus.  A child's heaven.

View from the Ferris Wheel ride with Squeezalicious...

Said Ferris Wheel...

Monkeys...

We hit the Zoo, the old standby.  We hadn't been there in 2 years due to insanely hot temps last year so we did it all this time - children's zoo, train ride, sting rays, penguins, sea lions.  

The whole kit and caboodle.

We hit museums we hadn't seen before…Lewis and Clark and the Lock and Dam.  If you grew up near or on the "Big River", these things are really cool.  If not, well, your loss.

Above, Squeezalicious is hanging with the Piasa Bird, an old Indian legend.  

Inside the type of boat used by Lewis and Clark…very neat.

We "ran up" the River Road, as my dad would say.  He's been going up to these small river towns for more than 55 years or so.  He's been taking me since birth.  No trip back feels complete without this drive.  We ate fresh fish, watched a bike rally and pooped around in the antique shops.

There is also a great little park in the town where maybe I'll retire some day - Elsah.  

Kids caught frogs with local children, splashed in the creek and played tag.  Great day.

Another part of my childhood now passed down to my own little people is swimming/floating on the Black River.  Southern Missouri is its own special kind of pretty.  Windy roads with names like Highway W and Highway KK lead you to crystal clear water, cold from the springs that feed it.  Awesomeness.   My kids didn't want to leave.  They snorkeled, letting the gentle current carry them down.  They fished.  They built rock forts for minnows and tadpoles.

Are these guys tired, or what???

And then this.  I think she was letting me know they didn't want to leave.

Great visit with family and dear friends.  In fact, I caught up with a friend from way back - 6th grade.  We literally had not seen each other in 30 years.  My Gawd…am I old or what?

Looking forward to our next visit!

Another One Begins

So much happens at the end of every school year, especially with 3 kids.  And a part-time job.  

And life.

Sometimes we miss things that we shouldn't.  D received an Academic Achievement Award at a really cool ceremony his school does each year.  They were called to the stage and presented with both a medal and a certificate from the principal.  Good stuff.

We hit the road for the first 2 weeks after school was out-literally the day after.

GoGo had her birthday party the night before we flew out, because there is nothing like trying to cram everything possible into a 3 hour window.  

She got her ears pierced and went shopping with 10 other girls at Justice.  She had a ball.

We hit the beach with family.  

These guys are getting so big.  I think we are approaching the point where they start to ask to bring friends with us to the beach.  Not sure how I feel about that...

We had another sweet baby deer visit us.

Best $20 spent all week - these two had "rafting wars" every day.

And these two dug holes, found shells and played with their mermaid barbie dolls.

At the West end of the island, these huge pools form during low tide.  

Great for floating, shell collecting and general merriment.

Every year I write their names in the sand and snap a pic.  This year, all 3 wrote their own names.  

Times, they are a changin'.

This guy spent a fair amount of time fishing each morning.  He is very patient.  

He has a fall fishing trip planned back here and he is super psyched.

Singing in the Sand.

We celebrated Squeezalicious' birthday at the beach and both girls received belated gifts from family.  Lots of cake and ice cream all week.

The kids are having to adjust to being on summer break-both woke up early Monday and thought they had school.  Home for a while to dig in to some pool time, playdates and general lounging.
Two more trips before we head back to school to see family.  Road trip!!  My fave.

And a few observations…
Squeezalicous has been S.A.S.S.Y. lately.  The other day in the car, GoGo says to her, "What happened to you?  You used to be such a sweet girl."  Response?  "Yep. Now I'm evil."
Seriously??

The kids and I were in a Hallmark store the other day.  They now sell Dammit Dolls, these little rag dolls with a funny poem on the chest.  You are to smack them against the wall and yell "Dammit!" when frustrated.  Both D and GoGo thought it was hilarious.  I, of course, do not need one because I curse under my breath and wave my hands instead.  Good Parenting 101.

So yesterday I'm trying to set up this new building game on the Xbox for D.  Nothing about XboxLive is user friendly.  I was about to blow a head gasket and D was getting upset too.  GoGo walks by and says to us both, "You should have bought those dolls yesterday.  You could each use one."  Touche.

D had money to burn from his Pop-Pop so I took the kids to a "real" toy store.  The kids were all about the "old-fashioned" toys.  In reality?  We're talking cap guns and pot holder looms from when I was a kid.  D got himself one of those cap guns and some metal handcuffs as well.
He tells me, "Mom, when we get home I'm going to chase the girls with the gun and then cuff them to one another."  Absolute glee in this boy's voice.  I really wish he had a brother sometimes.

Now let the lounging commence.