between two ages

my oldest is less worldly than the other two boys will be at his age.  It’s a wonderful thing being the oldest.  You get to stay young longer.  That is, until you become friends with someone your own age who has an older sister.  That’s what is happening with Connor.  This summer he has grown up a lot.  Today he informed me that he’s “no longer a momma’s boy” and he’s “older now”.  Furthermore, I was informed he “wants to be around his friends more and not around his family as much”.  But, unfortunately for him, a 10 1/2 year old does not get to be the decision maker of the house and, because he spent all afternoon with some friends shopping, he will spend the evening at home with us.  
But, we did compromise.  He played outside with some other friends in the neighborhood where I could watch him grow even more.
Son, I pray we have taught you what you need to know to make wise decisions no matter what everyone else decides.  I continue to pray that you will love yourself and your decisions more so you will be more of a leader than a follower. 
I love you and so does your dad!  Even when you get mad at us.

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summer

the pool has brought our boys a lot of courage.

boy #1 has started to do flips off the diving board.  I cringe each time thinking he’ll crack his head open but then remember he’s a boy, he’s jumping in far from the side and he’s proud of himself.  so, I cheer him on!  He also likes to dive and has been practicing different ways to dive in.  and, I can’t forget to mention he likes to pick things up off the bottom of the deep end. 

boy #2 saw the flips and tried it once or twice.  he’s not ready to be a regular at this event so he happily swims around the pool with a ball in hand.  He also likes floating on the big dinasour.  I’m not sure if water is his favorite but he’s also getting more bloody noses so that might have something to do with it.

boy #3 started jumping off the diving board IF he has on his goggles.  He goes under and sometimes even touches the bottom of the pool!  again, I am nervous but if he’s ready he doesn’t have to be my baby in the pool.  He loves the deep water and swims around most the day.

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garrett

the other day he was at my mother in laws house and said, “it’s 82 degrees in here”  when she asked how he knew he said, “I know stuff”

He’s been getting birthday money lately and each time he adds up what he has in his head.  This kid is quick!  He just got done kindergarten and he’s better than some second graders I know.  I’m so glad school won’t be a problem for him!

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keys sleepover

Garrett, Evan and I went to watch the Keys play baseball.  When you first walk in someone gave the boys a playbook.  Garrett noticed the back had a place for autographs.  We were a couple minutes late to the game so the players already went down to the field.  We watched the game for a bit then Garrett came up to get his playbook and a pen.  I watched him as he asked the boys around (we sit in the grassy part where boys are all at the fence waiting for a stray ball to come their way) , “Can I have your autograph”  It was so cute and some of the boys really did write their name in the book!
Cute
THen we stayed and camped out on the field.  fun but we’re all sleepy.  Bed at 12:30 and bugle call at 6:15

and Connor stayed with Jeff and they watched the dark night.

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taking credit

a simple thank you is all I need for the things I do.  Sometimes, even a smile will suffice. 

I know people mean well but Idon’t want my name on things just to have it in print.  If you put it on, then I’ll feel I have to do something for it.  And, I really don’t want to do one more thing. 
Really!  But, because I love you and you don’t take no for an answer, what choice do I have?  So, that little sliver of space on my plate?  It is now full again.

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life lesson squashed?

Maybe I should have let it be another life lesson for my boy but I think, at five years old, he’s had enough lessons like this.  It’s hard to be the youngest of three boys; especially when your older brothers are only 20 months apart from each other yet they are 4 years older than you. 

so, when Connor and Evan were at fun camp today, I let Garrett pick whatever he wanted to do.  We came home and played world series Wii and then he heard voices outside.  Our neighbor and two boys from the other street were out playing Bran Ball so Garrett went out to join them.  They let him on a team and they were having fun playing till the oldest (A) decided he wanted to quit.  They walked around awhile trying to figure out what to do next and one said “let’s go in your house (C)”  Garrett asked if he could go too and, apparently they said no because Garrett walked away, trying not to cry but the look on his face told the whole story. 
My choices were 1.  let it go and play with garrett like I had planned anyway (even though he didn’t want to) or 2.  get involved.  Well, the mother him in me made that decision.  I called out, “what are you guys doing?”  They didn’t answer.  “are you guys going inside?”  no answer till finally one said “maybe”.  I can’t remember the rest except I heard myself saying something like “oh, so Garrett can’t come in even after all those times we had you in our house?  Ok, no problem.”  And, I meant no problem.  but I was mad and I wanted them to think about their choices.  Those boys came into your house every day when the weather was so hot or rainy after school.  and rarely (I’d like to say never but I think they were a couple times) were they ever invited into the other house.  I’m ok with that though because I would much rather the kids be here.  Really.  But when the group does go in a different house I can’t understand how they can leave my boy, who they were playing with, to go in without inviting him.  Grrr. 
Wondering how it turned out?  They went in the neighbors backyard.  and invited Garrett.  and, although I would like to say he choose not to go, he did.  and was very happy. 
who knows if that was the right thing to do.  But, it’s done.  Oh, and now, totally different neighbors are inside our house with Garrett and the 2 others went home to go swimming.  (C) is inside eating

I’m glad I’m a mom of boys.  I wouldn’t have it any other way.   But, girl or boy, I’m always ready to have children think about their actions.  My boys aren’t perfect and they act on impulse too but they’re getting better about thinking of others first.  It’s a tough thing to do at age 5,8 and 10

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boys

both Garrett and Connor love going over to Nana and PawPaws house.  I think it’s because they can eat whatever they want but they say it’s to play with them and the toys over there.  Today Garrett came home and asked to call over to see if he could go over to play.  As he dialed (Connor told him the phone number because he wanted to go too) then put the phone up to his ear, I heard him sigh heavily.  As I looked over I saw him disappointed.  “It’s busy.   Where could they possibly be?”  Remember, he’s only 5 so when I hear words like possibly, I get a big smile!!

Connor wanted to go to the PTA meeting with me tonight.  He likes to play with the other children who come because their parents make them.  Tonight they got a little too crazy and one of the other parents hollered and made them come in and sit in separate corners reading a book.  I had NO idea that was happening, which is a little embarrassing since I was sitting the next table over.  When we were leaving and Connor was telling me the story I mentioned how he could have gotten up to come to tell me.  He said the lady wouldn’t let him.  I assured him that he can always, no matter what, come find me no matter what any adult says. 
A mom who didn’t have a child there called me and asked if I was upset about what happened.  I thought about it and said, “nope.  when he told me my response to Connor was, I guess you’ll never say I’m the worst mom ever anymore!” 

Evan helped me out today.  Jeff came home feeling blah since we have had so much rain lately.  That effects my man.  So, I pulled out a big piece of poster board and asked Evan if he would draw and color a sun so dad can cheer up.  Once I answered that he could put a face in the middle of the sun he was willing, as long as he could take a break for his new wii baseball addiction.  The sun looks great.

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percentage

I had to laugh when I told Garrett something and his answer was, “how sure are you, 100 percent?”  you can tell we’ve been using math in our everyday language.  Jeff just looked up from where he was and smiled.

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lunch menu

check out the new lunch menu.  cool!!

http://www.tastetr.com/menuLunch.asp

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may stuff

Evan is my healthiest child.  He watches what he eats, paying attention to the food labels, exercises and is overall healthy.  He does like to watch tv and really gets suckered into all the made for tv items.  But, he’s so thoughtful too.  Anyway, since I have been watching what I ate the past few days I casually asked if he noticed.  He said no and added, “there is this ad on tv where a lady lost 40 pounds.”  I said I didn’t want to take any pills and it would come off if I kept up watching what I ate.  He added, “she didn’t take any pills.  She just had to eat whatever they told her to.”  I couldn’t eat that food either but it was sweet of him to let me know. 

We went to the ball field for fun tonight.  C and E rode their rip stick and I was going to walk but G was interested in going too so we drove.  G could walk but I still get nervous with the boys on their own so we drove so I could keep a better watch.  Anyway, when we came home we all were going to be in the durango.  Connor yelled. “I get up front”  Evan yelled “I get shotgun”.  Garrett yelled “I get rocket launcher”

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