This School Year... so far

Not that I've been promoted but having five preps makes me feel like my wheel has gotten larger. It definitely makes going to work more of a chore.

First Day of School and Dillon

Dillon is nine months old now and I realized that I have not done monthly pictures for about three months. I still don't have a month shot but we did get some photos of him playing with Daddy and I got a video of him just being himself. He likes to climb, stick out his tongue and babble. He wants to go everywhere he is not allowed to go. He is playful and easygoing and never cries. We moved him into a crib in Ayden's room and he's doing very well. Ayden is too. I was worried that if Dillon cried at night Ayden would be a pill about going back to bed, but he's totally fine with it. Sometimes he'll ask what's wrong but all I have to do is answer him and he just goes right back to sleep. Wow!

Beware to anyone who lays on our living room floor. We have an attack infant.


Dillon found a niche. He's so funny.
Ayden likes to take the cushion off our chair. It's lower anyway but once that cushion is gone, it's the perfect size to climb up and hang out!

Seth's Harry Potter wand finally came. I bought it for his birthday and had to call and have it resent. He was so excited, it was worth it.

Caleb and Seth decided to have a duel now that they have two wands.

The first day of school dawned... well, it didn't dawn. It was dark! Very dark! The boys were ready at 6am, an hour early. I woke Brooklyn up a bit early so I could get a photo before I had to leave. Here are my three (big) babies on their first day. Brooklyn is in 6th grade now, Caleb in 4th and Seth is in 3rd. They are growing up so fast.
The night before school I made a special, back-to-school dinner of pot roast, potatoes, and carrots. Then we all had strawberry shortcake with real whipped cream. They each got to build their own master piece. It was our one last celebration of summer. Good bye summer, welcome fall!
I guess I need to do an Ayden update next. He's been sadly absent from my posts. I'll get right on that. He has been just hilarious lately but I'd never get it on camera. I'll manage something.

Things I must say/do too often...

Having children is a great way to figure out the things that I say too often. Everyone has catch phrases, I can only guess that the following are mine since Ayden is using them ALL the time now. All the time.

"I'll get it!"
"In a minute"

Not too bad. Sure. At least there aren't ten of these and at least he's not spouting curse words. But the clincher was when Caleb and Seth both had the same response to praise. Example:

Caleb lets Seth have a sip of his drink.
Mom: Thank you for sharing Caleb, that was nice of you.
Caleb: Are you being sarcastic?

Seth shows me an item on Amazon that he wants to purchase with his money.
Mom: That's nice, I think you'll like that.
Seth: Are you being sarcastic?

Do you think I've been teaching middle school for too long? I have been trying so hard to give my children positive feedback and I guess they are truly baffled. They think every nice comment I make is sarcasm.

Brooklyn's Birthday and a Visit

Brooklyn turned 11 on August 16th! Since her birthday fell on a Sunday we decided to have her party the next weekend. I'll will have to include more about that once she has her party. She was so excited to find out what her big present was this year. Bobby and I had bought it back before school was even out and I was excited to give it to her. I'm proud of Bobby for keeping it a secret so long! Anyone who knows Brooklyn knows that she wants to be a rock star. She always has. We bought her Sing It! It's a PS3 video game that has a microphone. It's a lot like karioke but it tracks your pitch and timing and gives you a score. The one we bought has Disney songs from movies like High School Musical, Camp Rock and other teen Disney stars. All of the kids have had so much fun with that game! I think I will get very tired of some of these songs so I'm already looking into the cost of other discs. I have to admit, it's pretty fun.
We gave her the gift early in the day. Then, I made chocolate chip pancakes - at her request. Everyone enjoyed that of course! My oldest friend (from age 8), Amy, was here visiting and she helped out with Brooklyn's cake. Brooklyn picked the Funfetti frosting and Amy used the sprinkles to write out the name Boo.
Then, we all sang Happy Birthday and Boo blew out her candles.
It was a good dinner and some delicious cake and the night was over. Brooklyn's dad and his girlfriend had sent Brooklyn a new comforter so she and I set up her bed with it's new, teen, look. It will be versitile and she'll be able to change up the color scheme when she gets tired of it instead of buying a whole new set. I found a rug at Wal-Mart that will match it perfectly and we'll buy that this weekend. Then we just need the lamp.

Aunt Holly bought her a new blue top and a matching purse from Justice. She looks all grown up and ready for school. Papa and Grammy bought her some cute new clothes too while she was in Houston. She wears them all the time.
I can't believe she is going on to middle school! Time does go by so quickly. Happy Birthday sweet girl.

Seth is Eight!

Time does fly by so quickly. When Bobby and I got married Seth was four and the baby of the family. Since then he's gone through three grades of elementary, become a big brother twice, developed his own likes and dislikes (very separate from Caleb's) and loves the movies and to read. He is growing up so fast. I asked Seth what kind of party he wanted and he did not really want one. He just wanted us to take him to Chuck E. Cheese Pizza and to invite three sisters that are good family friends. I took Seth to Kroger where he picked out a Transformer cake. It had gray and black icing. Maybe that is why it was so sticky. Yuck.
The kids all had a great time playing games. I don't think they even really cared about the pizza, sodas or cake. The adults hung out with Dillon and the kids took turns with Ayden so I think everyone had a good time.

When we arrived home there was a package waiting for Seth. His father and his father's girlfriend sent Seth Voldemort's wand! Avada Kadavra!
He wants to start a collection and this is the first one he got. I did order Harry's wand for Seth but it still is not here! I even waited to post about his birthday, hoping it would be here, but no luck. Aunt Holly's package came though and he loves his new binoculars! She chose that gift because he really enjoyed playing with Uncle Brain's when he was visiting this summer.

I see you seeing me!
Because Seth turned eight he now has the choice to be baptized as a member of our church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. My dad and Sheryl bought Seth his own set of scriptures with his name engraved. He chose a very nice looking dark green. He loves them. Bobby's parents bought Seth a suit last time they were here so he would have it to wear on the special day and my dad and Sheryl made sure he had another nice, church shirt. He is set! The baptism is scheduled for the 29th of August! Happy 8th birthday Bubba!

A Sigh of Relief and a Surprise To Go With It!

SOL - that does not stand for something nice in my book. It's an abbreviation for a rather crude term. Here in Virginia is stands for something else entirely! It's their Standards Of Learning - their state test. For those of you used to Texas -it's the TAKS. I really wish that there was not so much emphasis placed on this test. As a teacher, I hate it. I don't see how one test can be created to measure the learning of every child. Honestly, the idea is absurd. Nevertheless, children have to take it and trickling down from the very top is the pressure to pass. Again, as a teacher, I am very mindful of what the results mean to the school system.

Brooklyn and Caleb took the SOL test in late May. Brooklyn felt very confident. She did well on all the exercises and practice tests. She was worried about social studies since Virginia history would be on the test and they studied that in fourth grade, when she was not here. The teacher worked hard to review with her and Brooklyn did her part by reading and studying. It must have sunk in. She was one point away from Pass/Advance on that part. She did pass/advance on math, reading and writing and made pass/proficient on science. That is a lot of testing for a kid and I am so proud of her! She worked very hard on her studies this year and did it, pretty much, independent of me. She did her homework with no prompting and only asked for help in studying for her tests.

Caleb was not so sure. He wasn't so worried either. He was not doing well on any of the practices or exercises. He told us that he didn't read everything on the test because it was just too much. I was worried. I was worried because without practicing for the test, giving it his best, he would not build the stamina he would need for the real one. He had to take four tests in third grade: Math, reading, science, history/social science. That seems like too many tests for someone in third grade. I encouraged Caleb to read everything. Bobby and I reminded him to take all the time he needed. Not only did Caleb pass every test but he made pass/advance on his history/social science! I think he is pretty proud of himself. He grinned and looked down and said, "I told you it was easy."

Way to go kids - good job!

Build-A-Bear Giveaway! I want one!

Dillon's first birthday is still a few months away but I'm already thinking of what to get for him. I was reading my friend Stacy's blog (she always has the best giveaway stuff) and she offered a fun solution! She is offering a $25 gift card to the Build-A-Bear workshop. This is what I want to get Dillon because he's my little frog.

What would you use your $25 for if you win? Check out the giveaway here!