These are the days....

These are the days...
You'll remember...

Today was one of those days that I hope repeats itself many times in the next few months. I found many moments where I was overwhelmed with happiness and more importantly the feeling of being content. The last few months my moods have been so up and down. And the last few days I have finally felt like myself again. Not sure what it is. But today we woke up, had a relaxed morning with breakfast. Charley has been asking for lots of different grocery items so I told him a few days ago that he could make a list and we would go get some of those necessary items. So we got packed up for swim lessons and chanced a trip to Target beforehand. We totally made it in plenty of time...even ran for a car wash. Henry was a dream watching Charley swim. He kept himself busy with an animal puzzle, some crayons and stickers, a little girl, and some pretzels. Upon arriving home we made lunch, watched a cartoon, put Henry down for nap. Then Charley and I opened up his "homework" folder. Those that know me probably remember me as the project mom. It has been along time since I have done an art project or anything like that. So Charley and I sat side by side, without the computer, and worked for almost an hour on all sorts of fun things. Then he saw a neighbor girl, who normally goes to daycare, outside. So he ran over and asked her to come over. They played games, pet shop, and when Henry woke up we all walked to the park in the rain...sprinkles. Charley rode his bike around the cul de sac with her for over 45 minutes and now we are grilling burgers. The house isn't a huge mess. It is just enough that one would know we were busy today. Daddy will be home, bath time soon...and then it is "me" time.

So the only thing that could make the dinner making process that much more enjoyable would be a cold Honeyweiss...but tomorrow I will be getting some lab tests done and I wouldn't want to throw my cholesterol readings off. I am hoping for great numbers that I can brag about.

So even with the cloudy cool day we had a really nice unexpected day. This song came to mind as I stood in the middle of the circle watching Charley go around and around.



Song lyrics....

These are days you`ll remember.
Never before and never since, I promise, will the whole world be warm as this.
And as you feel it, you`ll know it`s true that you are blessed and lucky.
It`s true that you are touched by something that will grow and bloom in you.

These are days you`ll remember.
When May is rushing over you with desire to be part of the miracles you see in
every hour.
You`ll know it`s true that you are blessed and lucky.
It`s true that you are touched by something that will grow and bloom in you.

These are days.

These are the days you might fill with laughter until you break.
These days you might feel a shaft of light make its way across your face.
And when you do you`ll know how it was meant to be.
See the signs and know their meaning.
It`s true, you`ll know how it was meant to be.
Hear the signs and know they`re speaking to you, to you.

"Playing School"

Charley has loved to do workbooks, learning, reading books, all those sorts of things since...forever. He begs for projects, crafts, etc. So this afternoon I took some time to look around at some websites, look through some of my books, print off some ideas, organize a few things and get a "Homework" folder set up for him. Because our mornings are so hectic it will be something he will work on after lunch when I have Henry down. I believe it will be a quiet time for him and I and I am hoping to continue this next year and the year he begins his half day kindergarten. I am hoping that each day (with the flexibility that we can skip a days when life is busy) after lunch he will settle in with his folder. He will get to crack it open and see what is in store for him. Maybe a few learning sheets, maybe a craft, maybe he will write a letter to someone, a nature challenge, some exercises. Maybe it will be something for us to do together and maybe it will be something independent. Who knows...it will be flexible and fun. Tomorrow we will start and I am so excited to see what he thinks. This is something I am going to have to take a little time to prepare but I realized today when I was doing it how much I miss lesson planning as a teacher and so many things pop into my head. And I am only doing this with Charley because he loves it and asks. If he couldn't sit still for this or had no interest we would not be doing much of this. But since he does enjoy it ... .why not. It is a work in progress...all fun!

Lately....

Last week my good friend and I decided on Monday to throw a garage sale together for Wed-Friday! It was crazy prepping it but the weather was gorgeous. The kids played along with the whole event nicely, and a good time was had. Not sure if we made enough money to say it was totally worth it but I enjoyed the time. Wed. and Thursday morning I baked chocolate chip cookies and sold them 50 cents a piece and they did really well! ha! Henry enjoyed roaming around in the morning and then napped like a trooper in the afternoons. I sold little things and the things we didn't sell...well that was boxed up and dropped at a donation spot Friday afternoon! So cool! I promised myself that the majority of stuff would not end up back in the basement!

I made sure to apply sunscreen to myself and the boys. But even still, by the end of each day my face felt sun kissed, tight and dry. My arms are getting a nice bronze color...even with the sunscreen.

I have also been adjusting to the new summer routine. It is hard to think that the afternoons where Charley went to preschool and Henry napped are over. This was my time to get a lot of the stuff done. Next year Charley will go to morning preschool and Henry will just nap in the afternoons when Charley is home. So my days of both being occupied so I can choose what occupies my time are over for the time being.

Today Charley started swimming lessons. He will go everyday for two weeks. He loves it and will be great. I love that they are everyday. I think he progresses so much more quickly. The challenge will lie with Hankers. He will have to be a good boy up in the hot stuffy bleachers...50 minutes. I might have to call upon the neighbor girl a couple of the days. We'll see. Next week the summer chaos will begin. I always swore I would not be "that" mom that overbooked her children. But next week Charley will do Tennis and swimming two mornings, soccer/tball and then park program (getting picked up early) and swimming...The kid will either nap or crash by 7pm. It will all be fun and exciting so that is the only thing good about next week. After next week things will settle down because swimming will end and then by the time another swim session starts tennis will end. The kid is sooooo excited to try all of these sports and it is really affordable through the community recreation department. So if things are too much for him or me we can miss things from time to time.

The sandbox is a daily thrill and the garden is doing well. We haven't lost any of our 23 tomato plants...one of which has three tomatoes already! The zucchini and squash plants are already bigger than they were last year. The raspberries haven't died yet! The front walk landscaping is all thriving.

I have been finding time to mow the lawn each Thursday. It is one thing I can do, now that I learned, that allows Ed to relax in the evening and enjoy the boys. I actually really enjoy the job and find that Charley plays nicely in the sandbox while I mow...Henry of course naps. The kid is down to one nap a day ...a good three hour snooze by 1 pm. Can't beat that.

I need to get walking again. We moved that lovely elliptical out and the weather has been good but walks haven't fit in. So this week I am vowing to get moving. It is time.

I have been trying to cut back on my time on the computer. I was finding that too much of my day was spent at this machine and with the kids playing outside more it is harder to find time to sit down. So that would be why my blogging has slowed down. It isn't that there aren't great things happening, or deep thoughts to be reflected on. Life is just settling into the summer routine....although the last three days have felt more like October around here. brrrrrr!

We are all still counting down to my sister's big day! I am hoping for this week or 1 week overdue! HA! Next week is crazy. But Ed is trying to work it that he can stay home for a day or two so I can hop in the car and go! I can't imagine him trying to get the boys out the door and to all the different places, with snacks, the right gear, water bottles, and sunscreen.

As my mom says....And the beat goes on.....

Will he eat dinner....

So we were ending the afternoon out in the sandbox, just me and the boys. And I quick called my mom to ask her a question and sitting not a foot away from the rascal I didn't notice him put a heaping spoonful of sand into his mouth. Panic! "No, Henry! We don't eat sand! Yucky!" And his response? "Mmmmmmm", said with a smile. I kept repeating "No! Yucky!" And he kept peering up at me saying, "Mmmmmm!" So not sure how much he will eat for dinner since he already ate!

Bathroom fragrances....

ahhhh....I am so self conscious when I have people here and they go in our bathrooms. But after reading this post I realize that it is normal. Our master bathroom does not have this issue. It is only the two bathrooms where Charley frequents. Many of my friends have little girls so they probably don't deal with this situation. But I have had this conversation with a few friends...and it is true...you can't scrub it away. You can only hope that it will slowly be gone as they grow up. Boys!

First Year of Preschool comes to an end...

First day of preschool

Last day of preschool with his teacher Ms. Heather


Charley had a great first year of preschool. He made many good friends, was given independent time away from mama, and experienced his first school setting. He had a great teacher, Ms. Heather. Mama experienced a "carpool" for the first time and loved it. I also experienced a different kind of countdown to the end of the year. This time of year I always think of my teacher friends and the adrenaline and energy that get you through the last couple of chaotic and emotional weeks of school. As I counted down this year I thought about the routine that preschool gave our family. The time apart it gave Charley and I. We knew Charley would have exciting afternoons on Tuesdays and Thursdays. It was fun to experience it from this side too.

Here are a few pictures from the end of the year picnic. Watching Charley roll down the hill with a bunch of his buddies made me realize how fast life is going. All of a sudden I looked up at him surrounded by his cute little boy friends and could imagine life in 13 years! This is going to be an unbelievable journey! I love that I have two boys and get to now witness boys growing up. He will make me proud---- I have this feeling...a mother's instinct!

Family of chimpmunks keeps Henry entertained...

Henry noticed this little fellow...well actually there are two or three. They have found a spot outside our front door to make their home. I am sure Ed will change that. But this afternoon Henry was entertained. As you can see he wanted out...like usual! We will obviously leave the glass door on this summer...the screen would already be punched out!

Not sure what he would do if he came face to face with one of those little chipmunks.

17months old - Henry

Right now his favorite spot to sit is on the bottom stair.


This week my Hankeroodle will be 1 1/2 years old. He has been with us: keeping us busy, making us smile, tiring us out, and reminding us what an awesome world we live in. He is a mover. He is walking and starting to hurry or run. He loves to chase Charley around. He squeals with excitement. He gets very excited and says, "Ohhhhh!" He loves to climb onto the couch and stand tall and proud. He slides down to the sitting position as soon as I give him "the look." He is still a picky eater. Textures seem to get him on many foods. But he is doing great at spooning applesauce and cereal all by himself. He can say "mama" and quite a few animal sounds. He has yet to say Charley or daddy. The whole daddy thing surprises me because he gets so excited when we say daddy or see daddy. Last week at my parents I swore he said, "bampa and mahma". He is definitely a mama's boy. Snuggling, staying close, and keeping an eye on my where abouts are a priority. I love that I hold such a special place to him but it is sometimes hard when I would like others to enjoy him without me right there. He just finished his first ecfe class. Through the session you could see him warming up and becoming more confident. By the end of the session he was no longer just sitting and watching. His favorite part of the experience was circle time. He loves to sing songs. Henry will sit for books before bedtime and naptime. He prefers to pick them out himself. He is pretty much napping one long nap in the afternoon. Most days he sleeps 7pm to 7am. He is still enjoying his nuk too much. He loves finding dogs and other animals outside or at the zoo. He is an animal lover.

He is a super little boy who I am thankful for each and every day! I am enjoying watching his personality bloom. It is going to be a busy summer but a great one. I love you little man!

Welcome Mallory!

Our friends Molly and Gary had their second little miracle this week. They were blessed with another little girl. They named her Mallory. She is beautiful! Everyone is doing great. Proud daddy, happy mommy, and very excited big sister. Not sure if it is meant to be or what...but both our boys are just a little older than their two girls....are they matches made in heaven. Molly and I would rock as mother-in-laws! And the fathers would of course enjoy family events!

Someday...