Back to School!

So, I've not done what I said I was going to do!  All summer and no posts- ugh! And here we are- the night before school starts and I think- what in the world happened to summer?!

Well, it's been fun and exciting, wonderful and horrible, happy and sad, long and exhausting and all too fast all at the same time!  In a nutshell:

3 weeks of ArtSmart Summer camp for me and Aiden (and he officially decided that Explorers is for babies and he refuses to do it again!)

1 week of Scout Camp for both boys and Aaron volunteered most days, I did the last day which was a mess of way too many bonkers kids and I will never do it again!

3 nights in a Naples hotel because our condo got tented- I can't even begin with how annoying that all was!

1 week of Warren Willis Camp for Aiden and Aaron- first sleep away camp for Aiden and he just loved it! And during that week I took off of work and spent time with Bennett- including lots of time with Ma'amy since she had just gotten home from the hospital after a very successful back surgery- Thank God it all went well and she is healing and getting stronger each and every day!

A couple relaxing weeks for the boys- not doing much of anything but being lazy! And yes of course SOMEBODY has too work!

1 week of vacation for us as a family in Orlando- we finally got to take advantage of the Hilton vacation club- and although it wasn't far, it was far enough to relax and just be!  Orlando has a few choices in the club thing, but we went to Las Palmaras and it was so fun- especially for the boys because of the water slide and activity room- and the workers were all so fun so the boys spent lots of time doing fun stuff right at the hotel!  We did do one day at Disney- Aunt Sheri of course helped with that- and it really was wonderful (hot, but...) and since it was Bennett's first time we tried to do as much as he wanted!  Aiden was super happy to do Space Mountain and Splash Mountain and we had to leave Thunder Mountain for the next visit!  Aaron also surprised us with Blue Man Group- funny though since Bennett really wanted no part of the whole thing.  He was very stressed and shed a few tears when he had to put on a poncho for the front row seats and learned that it was to keep us dry- and yes that meant it was possible to get wet!  I'm not sure he laughed at all, but in the end, after it was all over, talked about it as if it was fun!  The coolest part was afterwards when one of the guys came over and actually talked to him, asked if he liked it, and gave him a high five (and Aiden a blue streak on his cheek- I don't think he washed it off for a few days!)

We stopped in Lake Placid for a night and day after Orlando to celebrate Aaron's birthday a few days early- fun time but too short!

And now somehow here we are!  Meet the teacher was today... Although I must say that after getting the postcards with teacher names on Saturday, tossing and turning about whether or not I would call, and then finally sending Dr. Barcellino an email Sunday afternoon- it's been a long weekend (I guess I should also include the fact that Saturday was a fast trip to Miami for Blaire's first birthday party at the zoo, Saturday night birthday dinner for Aaron at Pelican Bend- the best sauteed fish ever!... Sunday brunch on Aaron's actual birthday and the engagement surprise party Sunday night...sheesh!)  Monday Mrs. Alamo called and I explained my stress and Aiden's overwhelming anxiety about his classroom teacher knowing that his bully from last school year would be in the same class again.  She was wonderfully kind about the whole thing and gladly moved Aiden away from his bully and also into the class where his supportive and kind friends are!  We are (now!) thrilled about 4th grade... although just 24 hours ago Aiden was saying he wasn't even going to go to Pelican Marsh!  Oh, the drama... And Bennett has Mrs. Bratcher- same as Aiden in 1st grade- I almost apologized to her today during meet the teacher since Bennett really is so NOT focused, NOT ready, NOT a reader, NOT a good student, but really such a joy!  I have a feeling it's going to be a tough/rough first few weeks of school getting back into the swing of things- I had such good intentions of requiring daily journal/writing and reading practice...and in the end I think maybe that happened enough times I could count on one hand!  I do have to say the first day was HYSTERICAL- something like this:

Aiden: "This isn't a journal because journals are boring but I have to do this because my mean mommy is making me...so this a story instead about a terrible little troll of a boy called Benn-ian" or some nonsense like that that made up names TOO close to our own...
Bennett: "I don't like my Mom.  My mom is mean..."

So here we are!  Aiden is so happy to be in Mrs. Steel's class, and will spend social studies and science times with Mrs. Coar- his original teacher- they are team teachers which is such a great model of teaching to get these kids used to swapping teachers... I really can't believe he's in 4th grade!  Feels like big kid status!  And Bennett is with Mrs. Bratcher- and (once he gets back on track!) I'm sure will have a wonderful year- she's so calm, kind, caring but strong and really motivating- gotta love a veteran teacher!  We also visited all the teachers who have become part of our family- Mrs. Nash, Mrs. Daulquist, Mrs. Forrestal, Mrs. Loerzel- and even brought thank you cards for Mrs. Barcellino and Mrs. Alamo- I'm so grateful they both were willing to help us work it out for the best for Aiden!

Back to school tomorrow! I can't wait!

Oh, and then there's this house situation.... our offer (3rd time!) was finally accepted... and it's still unreal but after the inspection on Friday it will feel more real... Lord willing this all works out!  But that deserves a post on it's own and NOT until it's actually really real- keys in hand real!

So, back to school tomorrow!

Magical

Bennett crawls into bed with me trying to avoid getting in his own bed and this happens...

Bennett: Ahhhh, this bed is magical.

Me: Magical?! Why?!

B: Because the bed is perfect and magic, and the blankets are perfect and magic, and my mommy and daddy are perfect and magic, and I can sleep all night!

This kid. So sweet. 

And yes. Still with hims doggy softie, monkey softie, and new cuddly owl. 

April showers...

Well we had our first huge rainstorm of the spring season this evening… It was a great day of church and then fun with Chi Rho crew at family game night… But as I look back over my photos for the last several days I realize that the things that are the most important to me are these three precious boys in my life...






Milkshakes (even beer shakes!) and burgers are sometimes a much needed break from all the healthy eating we’ve been focused on!

And then there’s my people... my parents... my sanity... my break for a few hours when they takes the boys to a movie!

Life is as wonderful as it is because I have my people... my village... my everything...

And then there’s Michael Banks- who ran into his director on 5th Ave dressed as Mary Poppins herself! 

Spring!

First day of spring and free Rita’s! Sometimes you just have to throw cares to the wind and eat dessert before dinner!

End of Spring Break!

What a weekend! Lots of fun packed in to the last few days of spring break! Friday was Aiden’s half birthday~and such a busy one! The boys spent the day in Lake Placid and then drove home just in time for Aiden’s rehearsal. First night of blocking and no surprise, he nailed it! It’s so fun watching him on stage, really makes me bean with pride! This kid has big dreams, even at 9 1/2 he already dreams is being a star! 

No matter what, I promise to always support his dreams! These weeks of rehearsal after rehearsal will be interesting- I keep waiting for Aiden to come home bored or annoyed or frustrated~ but no. He just loves it. Every single minute, he just loves it. So to celebrate his half birthday, he really wanted blackened grouper~ unfortunately its season and the wait for a restaurant is enough to drive us all crazy! So we ended up picking up dinner, going home and watching a movie. Aiden just finished the first Hunger Games books so he wanted to watch it! 

Saturday I had rehearsal for Rutter Requiem and then we drove out to the Panther Refuge open house (thank you P~Nicholaus for the invitation!) ~ a beautiful drive, a fun swamp buggy ride, an archery lesson and some exploring! 

 Saturday morning was a funny morning~ the boys woke to tiny stickers leading them to the kitchen... and lucky treats for St. Patrick’s day!

Bennett was easily convinced that “Lucky” from his classroom was in our house. Aiden on the other hand played along... or I thought he was playing along... until he found me quietly in the bathroom getting ready for rehearsal, and came in by himself saying, “Mommy, did you do that? Or Daddy? Leprechauns aren’t real, right?!” Well, the fact that he even came in and asked, just tickled me to no end, so of course I played along! “What do you mean? I did what?!” 

At least I left the question in his mind...

After the visit to the Panther Refuge, we had an unplanned afternoon~ what????!!!! 

The afternoon was so great because we didn’t have anywhere to be, or time to be someplace, and just played outside until the sun went down!  These sweaty boys are to fun to be with!

Especially fun thinking about the news that Papa is half Irish! Which means the boys are part Irish too! And can finally wear fun St. Pats shirts with true Irish heritage! 

Sunday was a busy church day but Bennett’s wish was to go to the pool~ to Fun and Sun we go!

Great weekend! 

Miami!

Quick day trip to Miami!

My requirement=lots of Blaire cuddles...

Aiden’s requirement= Big Cheese...

Great day trip!

Spring break... sucks...

Sometimes it sucks to miss out on moments... moments and memories with the boys... but then I realize that it’s just as important for my precious boys to be making memories without me... so that brings us to today... a beautiful weather, cool breeze and sunny skies, spring break day... a day that I’m working and the boys are playing... a wonderful day for them... and it’s ok for me to not be there... so here it is... I sometimes have to live vicariously through these moments... and recognize that I’m not always there, and will not always be there... more important is that love conquers all... whether you are there in the moment or not... love is there... and my love is in these moments, even though I am not... 

Aiden’s 3rd Grade Concert

Such fun, great harps, loud voices, and a whole collection of patriotic songs! And dinner afterwards with all of Aiden’s clack (and Maamy and Babu in spirit!) was such fun!

It’s a jolly holiday!

Well, I’m not sure how February got away from me... but here we are smack dab in March! And what a knockout start to the month~Aiden started rehearsals tonight for Mary Poppins! Just a little excited, he even gelled his own hair and put on cologne this morning before school... and has been planning to wear this shirt since he knew he was back in the rehearsal mode!
And he couldn’t have been happier to get his own script!

And already getting into character... at the end of the string he’s holding is a kite!
And of course the brits like a spot of tea each afternoon...

My little actor~so ready to fully embrace the role of Michael Banks! 

Back at it

After a week of great workouts, this weekend did not measure up~ so today I laced back up! My newest partner make it half way, and decided to motor scooter for the second half. But the funniest was the belt-duck tape-ziplock bag-comics contraption that he came up with to entertain himself as he waited for me at each stopping point. Ingenious. Hysterical. This prince. Awesome kid. 

B&B weekend

For days, Bennett has looking forward to our “B&B weekend”~ just me and B! Aiden and Aaron were on a big Scout campout...

So while the “A’s” were biking, fishing, campfire sitting, B and I were just being “B’s!”

Chalk Art fest, circus, scholarship auction at Cornerstone~ all kept us happy B’s! And all I can say is~ gosh I love this squishy face, his strong spirit, even when it drives me to madness, he’s somethin’ special, my little benediction, my littlest blessing!

Long day

After a long day, the boys asked to eat dinner on the porch- so why not?! I love saying yes, when they expect me to say no!