Take 3

2 Weeks ago I stepped on Mike's glasses ($290) in the van after he threw them. Not my fault, but I will take the blame since I knew he threw them and still got in the van without looking first. I bent them in the wrong place of course, so off to Costco we go. He got a new pair and I even sprung for the transitions. ($136) They looked super cool as both the regular glasses and the sunglasses. The only problem was that I didn't get them to tight around his ears, so they slipped all the time for the whole week and a half. Friday I couldn't find them before school, so he went without them. Friday afternoon, they were recovered. Friday, late afternoon, they were broken. That's right. Mike snapped them and tried to hide them under one of our big lounge chairs. Smart, but Dad saw the whole thing, not so smart. Yesterday, we went to Costco to order a new frame (same ones, just snap the lens in was my thought) I explained to the girl what happened and she said that they are only covered if it is a manufactures defect, but the super sweet other girl said to give it to us anyway!!!! Can you believe it!? 2 weeks and he will have new glasses again. Love Costco.

First Day of School

Sorry I am a little late with this, but it is still September, so not that late and it is only Lily's second week. ;)

Mike began 1st grade and is loving it. I have to admit that as we head into the later afternoon, I do miss him around and look forward to going to get him. What I do not look forward to, is the ridiculous line of cars parked on the street. If I get there a half hour before school gets out I may get a spot close to the pick up area, but then I get blocked in by all of the people parked on the street. If I get there 15 minutes before school gets out then I have to park almost on the next block and we walk 1/4 of a mile (literally). If I get there right when school gets out (and mike has been waiting 5 min because the SDC's walk to the front of the school 5 min before hand to get on the buses without all of the chaos) and then I have to wait another 10 before I can get a parking spot or drive through the parking lot like a mad women and get yelled at by both parents and parking aids. I do pay attention to the cars that wait an hour in the "parking line". There is a friend that Mike made in the Kindergarten class whose mom is always 3rd or 4th in the line, that I see as I walk with my 2 kids in tote to get Mike and then still parked waiting for her kids on my way back to the car with 3 kids now. And the 3 or 4 cars in front of her haven't moved either. Can you tell this cheeses me off a little.
Any way... Mike is loving 1st grade. In the afternoon, it is one on one in the class and so he gets a lot of undivided attention and really worked. He is quite tired when he gets home and for the first week and a half he was taking naps again or going to bed super early (6:30). He is making lots of new friends and I thought is was super cute when he saw a pic of one of the aids in the class and got excited "Mr. Ryan, Mr. Ryan, in my class!" I do love that there is a male aid in the class, it changes the dynamics of things and I really appreciate how awesome he is with the kids. He is another boys "one on one", but is helpful with everyone.


Lily finally got to start school... Really it was just having to wait till after Labor Day, but for her it felt like months after Mike. She is back in the Peer Partner Program and so glad to be. All of her friends from last year moved on, but she is making new friends. One of the peers in the other class we have known for a while we will call her A. Her sister and Mike were there together and we would always wait together to pick them up. So the girls have gotten to know each other over the years. Last year her friend went there as well, but on different days, this year they get to see each other every Thursday. Lily was thrilled. You really would have no idea they even liked one another because when we see A out in public neither of them will say hi or hardly even look at the other one. It is so goofy, but both teachers said the girls were so excited on the playground when they saw each other. Lily is with all boys, so I do hope they get to play together often.

Groopdealz.com

If you haven't seen this site, you should. Every day the feature a different seller with an amazing deal. Lots of the time it is a craft thing, but most of the time just a unique item great for a gift, decorating or just to keep for yourself.

Here is my link:(i get $5 for every 3 people i get to buy something, and trust me, this goes a long way!!)
http://www.groopdealz.com/index/index/deal/331/ref/51554

I will take a pic of lily wearing our latest purchase!! Too cute!!

Almost to an end!!

I know that most people don't look forward to waking up early and going back to school, so maybe I am a terrible mother, but I can't wait!! It has been a good long summer and the kids are ready (I am ready) to get back some normal routines. We are very much a routine family and need some of that structure back in our lives.

I do feel bad that I didn't do more with the kids this break and Mike did only attend 2 of the 4 weeks of summer school, but the days went by so quick and I am realizing more every day how much more difficult it is for me to do things with all 3 kids, mainly cuz Liam can't do much.

We did start the summer with a bang though. We went to the zoo and hurricane harbor. Hit the park a couple of times (one year old and parks are not a whole lot of fun) and then recently went to chuck e cheese's. The kids did "Grandma's Camp" and attended their first baptism (my nephew Gregory, the first on Darren's side of the cousins to be).

Next year, we are going to hit summer with a PLAN! I see all of these people making "summer bucket list" s and I am going to do the same (just not call it that, I don't like the title) I also think I am going to hold a 6 week craft camp for a little structure in our lives, and some time to interact with their friends and possibly make some new ones.

Now for the funnest part of our summer. Darren has off for the next 3 weeks and we will be going to San Diego for Sea World and the Zoo and then camping with a group of friends. Disneyland will be next week (blackout dates SUCK) then school starts. The only bummer is, school starts, which for me means lots of people wanting haircuts, and me being out of town/time.

Happy Birthday to the Princess!!!

Holy Crow, time flies!! Lily is 4 August 1. That's tomorrow for anyone reading tonight and today for anyone reading tomorrow!! It has been a very emotional year for our little Lily. She has become quite the "drama queen" that needs lots of time to think and cry and wipe her tears on her comforter. She really is a terrific little person that I am so much in awe over. She is so smart and mature. She has the best sense of humor and the most infectious laugh ever. Everyone comments on her beautiful long hair, but what catches my eye every time is her precious face. She is to tiny and delicate, yet so fierce!

Our new foster kids.

Phineas and Isabella. They are Boxer puppies. So cute! We had to get a boy and a girl. Phineas is a little bummed though do to an injured leg. He is getting to the vet tomorrow for a look see. So far the kids are ok. It will be an adjustment for sure though. Liam kicks and swats every time they come near him and then cries if they don't go away. Mike makes a funny face every time Isabella jumps and then freezes saying "down, down, down". We told him that in this case it is ok to push. Lily is the boss of everyone now though. Super cute, but did tell us we shouldn't have gotten the broken one and that "the girl needs to be exchanged for one that doesn't jump". We have them for a week to foster before they can be in the rescue, "Change of Heart". They are located in Teresa's on Erringer. Our friends are the new owners and take awesome care of each paw friend. So we will see how our week goes.

Happy Birthday Big Boy(s)!

Sorry it is a little belated. Darren and Liam both celebrated a birthday on Tuesday the 5th. Liam is a whopping 1 and Darren, according to Lily, is now a whopping 21!! Milestone birthdays for both of them I guess. We had a party for Liam on Saturday with family and a couple of friends that was really nice in spite of the heat. Then on the day of, Darren and I went to dinner at Howie's (great food, everyone go, but don't forget to visit Restaurants.com first to get your cheap gift card) and then to the movies to see Green Lantern (yes we are a little behind on our movies). Great days for both of them!!