Memories....

I absolutely love watching my kids play together... most of the time. Sometimes it turns into a contest of who can annoy the other the most and one of them almost always ends up crying or complaining. Today, though, was one of those occasions where all were happy. Hayden is hands down the best big brother ever. He holds Zoe's hand when walking in parking lots, from church, and even to the car.

Grandma Schmadeke took Hayden to the book store during Zoe's nap and his first thought was what they could pick out for Zoe. He chose a magnetic dress up doll. She of course loves it because it's a princess. He played with her for a while with the dress up doll, the whole time sharing a chair at the kitchen table. Then he allowed her to play his game. Wow...what a cute picture! They were so into playing that I couldn't even get them to look up and smile for a picture.
All of this is wonderful, but then I think that in a while it will be something to look back on and it makes me sad because it won't be the "now". They will be older and may not play as much together. Hayden will have his own friends over or Zoe will be doing girly things that Hayden won't want to have a part in. And then I think about when Zoe was younger and her pudgy face and hands... how I miss those. I remember when Hayden was Zoe's age now... time just goes to fast and I want to remember it all minute by minute, but I don't want any of it to pass either.

Hmm... what did people do when there weren't cameras or video recorders... or even blogs!? IT seems we remember so many things, but some of it gets a little distorted when we use only our memories. Then again, some of those memories are the strongest as well. I can remember some things from childhood like they were yesterday. But then I look at some pictures from back then and I honestly can't remember that moment. Weird.... maybe it's that birthday that passed. Ha ha...

Here's a couple other great memories... the kids were attempting to wash the car...

32

Wow... what a day. Another birthday come and gone. It was relaxing and low key. I came home to roses, fun coupons from the kids for free bathroom cleanings (toilet NOT included... huh?) and a girl's night out. Cool. And an Old Navy gift card. Fun times. We ate at Macaroni Grill then headed back home for some popcorn and family movie night. My parents came over and my mom and I drank some wine... yum... while the kids had a quick dip in the pool. Actually Hayden was thrown in by Jonathan. He loved it though. Until next year....

Zoeeeeeeeeeeee

My lovely daughter Zoe wants to type something....

nvgfn mm tymtgrb m,gknt mn., v ,

and her name in her favorite color.

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzoooooooooooooooeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

Yes... another birthday

Happy birthday to my August buddies... Tom, Carrol, Fenway, Tammy, Karen, Katie, and Me.... he he

hmmm... who am I forgetting?

1 year ago...

Daisy....
May you live in our hearts forever,
and in God's grace even more.

Thank you God for your strength and love....
Thank you for Jonathan, for Hayden, and my Zoe.

Happy Birthday Daisy

In honor of Daisy's birthday tomorrow, August 24, my poem...

Daisy

Always in my heart you’ll be,
My baby, my daughter, my little Daisy

So blessed I was with your short time here
But, the sound of your voice I still long to hear

I held you once, and I’ll hold you again
When my time comes to be home in heaven

Until then, remember the love you have
From Zoe and Hayden, and your mom and dad

Water Fun - WT style

Last night we visited Jonathan's parents in Verrado. His dad just got back from Alaska and brought 50 pounds of salmon with him. Wowsers. So, of course we had some delicious salmon then headed down to the Main Street fountain with the kiddos - who didn't have swim suits. It's somewhat of a splash pad, but not very big. It's in the middle of a public square, and Zoe paraded around in her Tinkerbell underwear. Awesome. Needless to say, the kids had a great time playing in the nastiest water ever and contributing to public indecency.

Sleep?

Ahhh.... the joys of Saturdays and sleeping in. Here's Hayden enjoying it - looked like a late night of reading... see the book peeking out under his pillow? He's doing fabulous in fourth grade and let's hope it stays that way! We love you Hayden!

I, however, woke up to Zoe crying at 6:15... she was sitting on the toilet surrounded by pink throw-up on the ground. Hmmm...pink... weird. Poor thing... good thing it's Saturday.

Silly Kids

Saturday morning entertainment...

I'm considering growing Zoe's bangs out... but what a pain, I'm sure. We only cut them because her hair grew forward... and after spending every morning doing her hair just right, she'd take it out after 5 min - Then be stuck with hair in her face. The bangs were a good solution, but it would seem easier without them. Then, if we grow them out, it would seem sensible to cut the rest of her hair so her bangs have less time to catch up. Goodness.... we'll see.

It broke!

Bye, bye Binky... Yes, it's been three days and she's survived and, better yet, so have we. Thursday was an odd day where three people brought up the topic of binkies and getting rid of them. The dentist office had mentioned snipping a little bit off the top every few days and eventually it would be unwanted. I tried it that day... here's what I heard... "It broke! My binky's broken." ha, ha... poor baby, but she hasn't used it since then, even at her sitter's, and hasn't even cried once. Wow... would have tried this last time had I known it would've worked. She does keep asking me to find "good ones" and even to buy new ones, but no tantrums. Last night she tried putting it in the "tunnel" - aka tent - and was convinced it would be big in the morning. Oddly enough it was still the same size this morning. Here's her broken binky.

Out numbered

Most of my neighbors... no, probably all... have maids. I know that's not a rarity, but when we are the only ones that don't... that's a rarity. The ones across the street (rumored to own all the Popeye's Chickens in AZ) have not only a maid service, but a pool cleaning service, dog grooming, fish tank cleaning, and of course yard service. Speaking of yard service, we might be the only ones who do our own dirty work as well. Excuse me, I mean we might be the only ones with a yard done by Jonathan. I try not to bud in.

I could use a maid now... I don't have time, nor the desire. Who does have the desire? Where's Monica Geller when you need her?

Excuse me...

Zoe has learned how to make herself burp. She'll burp 5 or 6 or even 7 times in a row, and turn red while trying to push them out. It's quite hilarious, even though bad manners, especially while she's in her tu tu. I'm working on getting it on video...

Surviving...

Well, I have 2 minutes to write something since Zoe's in bed and Hayden's brushing his teeth (well, maybe 30 seconds since he's brushing... ha ha) ... and I have no idea what to write. It's coming on the 8th day of school and we've survived so far. As a working mom I have still managed to spend "quality" time with my kiddos, swim after school, read some stories, have movie nights... Monday Movie Nights!... cook dinner (can I get an "oh, yeah!"?), read some bible stories, grade homework, have some conversations with my hubby, and even watch some tv. Wow... it's amazing how much more I get done when I have more to do and less time... I guess it's all about scheduling. This summer I got less than done in a week than I can do in two days when working. Strange.

I have yet to watch any Olympics... sorry Kim and Karen... even though I really like them. I'd rather watch Project Runway or the Closer reruns with my diet Dr. Pepper I guess... less reality and I can zone. I'll work on the Olympics though...

OK... I'm sure Hayden's done... off to more bedtime stuff.

Until later...

Counting down...

The third day of the first week of school is over. Only two more to go. When I first started in LESD, we started school on a Thursday. Seemed weird at the time, but it makes total sense now. Two days for the teachers and students to adjust to school again. The perfect amount of time to do rules and get to know you activities, then enjoy the weekend, catch up on sleep, and back to school and regular routines on Monday. Perfect! This whole back to school thing is not so fun, and a whole week of it at a time is exhausting. I could barely walk on Tuesday.

Hayden seems to be doing well. He loves 4th grade already. Zoe loves to go to Cynthia's now and see her friends, so hopefully she keeps enjoying it. In the mornings she hates for me to go, and then in the afternoons she hates for me to come. ha... thanks.

I'm teaching 2nd grade now.. looped with my first grade class so all are the same except one new girl. I really like them. It's like being with family again... there are some that have, let's say, more energy than others... but they are part of the "family" and I'm happy to have them. My team is funny though... very prepared and creative and on top of things. My old team wasn't so much... I miss them. I like my new team... don't get me wrong, but I miss my old team. There was a lot of different personalities so things were always interesting.

Speaking of old teams... the one I miss the most is my first team at DSE... Leslie, Kim, Tiffany, Sarah, and Marc. Wow... talk about the best team ever. Loved it. Miss them. Leslie is still there, Marc is in MN, Tiffany in OR, Sarah as the ELL "lady", and Kim is a stay at home mom now. So jealous. I'm trying to move back up to fourth grade. I've gone from 1st to 2nd, so almost there...

Signing off... want to sleep.

Only 177 school days left. Counting down...

So it all begins... again

Well, it's happening. The first day of school is quickly approaching and I just can't stand it. Poor Hayden had to spend three horrifically boring days in Jonathan's classroom, while Zoe readjusted to Cynthia's house and finally took a nap today. Thank goodness! It's back to the normal grind again. I loved this summer! We had a pool, new house, Zoe talked more, Hayden is so grown up, both Jonathan and I were home... it was fabulous. Hmmm... all things come to an end I guess, but that doesn't mean I have to be happy about it. Ha!

To all those stay at home moms... always be thankful and never wish you had something more to do. What a great blessing and honor it is to stay home and raise your children yourself. To those working moms out there as well... what a job we have, balancing jobs, etc. Being a full time mom and having a full time job is exhausting, but rewarding as well.

Well, I'm going to enjoy my last weekend before school actually starts. And hopefully I won't do too much cleaning. Although I can write my name in the dust ... I swear, it just keeps coming.