We Do Things

EIGHT IS GREAT

Once you become a parent, there are all sorts of milestones you watch your child meet. Or in my case, exceed, thank you very much. Like talking. Or walking. Or whining while you're walking. To school. Which is a one minute drive away but takes 1 hour to walk.

There are some milestones that you fearfully watch out for. Like the first day of Kindergarten. 

Then, there are milestones that nobody ever speaks about, so they sneak up on you and take you completely by surprise. Like First grade, because Kindergarten is one thing, but being out on the playground with limited adult supervision for the first time in their young life brings out the best and worst in some kids, making that first day of Kindergarten seem like a haven.

Since I'm one of those "keepin' it real" blogging types, I've decided to share another milestone that parents don't speak of. I see this as a disservice. I wish somebody would have prepared me.

For saying good-bye to the kiddie hanger. Geesh, people, not that. This:

The one baby thing I had left in my house is no longer practical. Oh, I lived in denial for a great many months, but even I soon tire of picking The Boy's freshly laundered shirts off the dog fur covered closet floor. Thus, making the laundering process a waste. While I did consider discontinuing the laundry service and just going with the furry look, I decided to at least pretend as if I was a good, kind, caring mother and not just a lazy slob.

For the past few weeks, I've been slowly switching the itty bitty hangers that have so lovingly and diligently handled their jobs for the past 8 years (some of them almost 11, since they were handed down from The Girl, but not the pink ones, those he chose all on his own. Joking. He has never had pink hangers) of keeping itty bitty baby boy clothes safely hanging in their color coded spot. (OCD? Why yes, I'd love some) This is not something that should make a mother cry. Right? So, after a quick med check, I realized that maybe it wasn't the actual hangers, but what they represent. Yes, I'm a smarty pants. Because, now, his closet is filled with these:

and I can no longer live in denial that he is now, EIGHT. And his clothes hang on the same adult sized hangers as The Dad's. Forcing me to deal with the fact that he is much more growing man than he is itty bitty baby. If I had known how quickly these 8 years would fly by, I might just have made those itty bitty baby clothes fit on those large hangers. Then, I'm sure his 8 year old clothes would still seem small to me.

I am fairly good at ignoring the fact that he's gone from this,

To this,

But those hangers will get me every single time.

Happy Birthday The Boy! We love, adore, worship, and enjoy you so darn much. Thanks for making these past 8 years so full of laughter and joy. And baseball.

I'm going to sit here and try to remember what it was like birthing him. I'm sure he can't wait to come home from school so he can hear all about it.

INDIANA JONES BIRTHDAY PARTY

We celebrated The Boy's 8th birthday on Saturday. I survived, mostly because he's still 7, until Wednesday when I will be in the corner of my closet rocking back and forth and sucking my thumb through my sobs all day. Not only is The Boy no longer a baby, he's in third grade now, which means I must start preparing for the beginning of the end.

Regardless of my emotional state, everyone seemed to have fun.

Since The Boy is a big Indiana Jones fan, (but not Mutt Williams. Mutt is not cool) and will be portraying his hero for Halloween this year, it was only natural to have an Indy theme for his party. It was also only natural that since he has an absolute hatred for strongly dislikes Mutt, that every single party item made would prominently display Mutt's mug. Also, that since the movie came out oh so long ago, all the party stores would no longer carry any Indiana Jones themed anything. Therefore, we had to make it all up as we went along. We are quite used to that since our children are odd. Like the year The Girl had her Nightmare Before Christmas party.

Luckily we (read, The Dad) are very good with photoshop. We started with our invitations to The Boy's birthday party of Doom.

We (The Dad), typed in all the pertinent information, such as the whys and wheres and whens.

Then, we (me) sat around for a week pretty much doing nothing until we (me) realized that his party was to be this Saturday and what kind of idiot was I?

So, thanks to the beauty of the internet, I got to planning. TheGFFBoy recently celebrated his birthday with the same theme, so TGFFMom was kind enough (because she really loves The Boy) to loan us not only her great ideas, but also her props and decorations. Although, I did come up with some stuff on my own. Not a lot, but some.

We started by breaking up into 3 teams of 5 kids. Then, I explained the rules to a crazy bunch of kids who could have cared less until I mentioned the words prize and treasure. Then I had their attention. We had set up the adventure so that they would visit seperate missions and all team members would have to complete the mission to get their next clue. At the final station, the winning team would get the final clue and be the first to find the treasure.

We started all the groups at the same mission, but from there the clues would lead them to different missions. Here I would like to get down on bended knee and praise the parents who stayed at the party and helped to supervise the missions. This would not have been nearly as successful without you all and you all know who you are and how much we owe you.

We set All of The Kids up at the Mummy Wrap.

Two team members had to stand back to back while the other three wrapped them with two rolls of toilet paper. It was so neat to hear the strategizing going on. One of the teams picked their two shortest members to wrap and they did finish first. The wrapped members then had to break free and pick up all the toilet paper to throw away in the trash bag, then they were handed their clue.

Since the teams were sent to different directions, I will just describe the different missions, not in any particular order though.

They had to go to the "club" which was our teepee filled with black balloons and fake spiders. Here, three team members had to drink "poison" (Mt. Dew) and the other two had to pop balloons to find the antidote. Once they gave the antidote to the parent helper, their teammates were given the real antidote (Orange soda). Then, they would receive their next clue.

They had to use their whip (TGFFMom crocheted these for TGFFBoy's bday party and loaned us one) to knock over their targets. Once all team members achieved this, they were given their next clue.

To be an adventurer takes heart. Some no longer have what it takes. Help find it.

They had to dig up a little cardboard heart. We thought this would be the easiest mission, it turned out to be the most difficult.

They then had to grab the idol and make a run to safety.

They would grab the "idol" (also from TGFFMom, an Aunt Jemima syrup bottle painted gold and filled with rice, brilliant!) and had to make it to the patio post before being taken out with by the boulder. I am so glad I've let that exercise ball sit around our garage for the past three years.

On the side, you can see our snake pit which we didn't get a picture of. We used a board, secured it to two of our patio chairs and used TGFFMom's snakes she sewed. She rocks like that.

Finally, all the teams made it to the final mission, the Airplane Hangar. To make it fair, and keep the game moving, if more than one team met up at the same mission, then the team who got there first would get first chance to go. If their first player was successful, then their second would go. If their first player wasn't then the first player of the second team would get a chance. If one team member didn't make it, then it would just bounce back and forth until both teams cleared the mission.

Everyone caught up at the Airplane Hangar.

Each team member had to land an airplane (a balsa wood plane) into the hangar (cardboard box). This was quite a challenge, but eventually, one team was successful and off they raced with their final clue to the treasure.

Inside the crate (cardboard box painted to look like a crate) was the goody bags. The winning team's goodies were in satchels I had sewn, while the rest of the kids were just plain old goody bags.

You can vaguely see one of the satchels behind The Boy. The Boy is cracking up because the card is hoping he has a great birthday potty...

If I can sew the satchels, pretty much anyone in the world can. I also ironed on a Lego Indiana Jones figure.

All of The Kids seemed to really dig this.

We then let All of The Kids have the run of the missions and the Snake Pit quickly became an American Gladiator arena.

Boys  are really quick to use their imaginations.

We took some good pictures. This is one of The Boy's best buddies. We call him Crazy J. I have no idea how he got that nickname when he's so stable and all.

We made them all come inside to do cake and presents.

I swear my cakes usually look much better than this. If this ends up on that cake wrecks site, I will cry. I will. I just ran out of time last week, that's all. It tasted delicious though, it was Zebra cake with Mint Chip ice cream inside.

The Boy was happy.

Very happy. He said this was his best birthday party ever. A few of the other kids said this was also the best birthday party they'd ever been to. And they were old kids too, like 8 or 9.

I just hope his next 8 years don't go by so fast.

BIG NEWS FROM THE FAMILY!!

Introducing Baby Bean!

Nope, not my baby. This is our newest neice or nephew. Due in February. I can't wait to get my hands on this one. This one belongs to none other than The Aunt and The Uncle!

We are so ready for spoiling.

I was lucky enough to fill in for The Uncle at a recent doctor's appointment for The Aunt and not only did I get to see Baby Bean in person, I also got to hear Bean's heartbeat. I'm sorry The Uncle had to be away, but I was so thrilled to have the opportunity.

We are counting down the days until Baby Bean arrives safe and sound.

YOU TUBIN' IS FUN

Be warned, I think there are a few bad words, not too bad though.

These guys had me laughing until I cried.

AROUND HERE, SPOILED IS THE NORM

For those of you not married as long as The Dad and I, 14 yrs. on August 6th, I am going to impart some of my more useful knowledge to you now.

The 13th Anniversary is the Turtle Anniversary. Which, thankfully, The Dad knew and did not fail in the gift giving department.

The Dad has never failed in the gift giving department. Except for our first year together when I mistakenly told him that I liked useful and practical gifts and he gave me a toothbrush. He has come a long way.

The 14th wedding anniversary is the Turtle Pond anniversary.

The Dad is very proud of this pond. He should be, with the exception of the pond form, he built this baby from scratch with wood leftover from all our other projects. He's proud of his Polish ancestry.

The Dad was not neglected in the gift department either. I gave him a handy new travel mug for his coffee addiction and a t-shirt from Muir Woods. Not too shabby on my part eh?

Happy Anniversary baby, here's to our next 14 years. If you can manage to put up with me.

WORTH THE PURCHASE PRICE

As we've been journeying towards a more frugal and simplistic lifestyle, we've had to make some choices. Is it worth the money to pay extra for free range, organic, grass fed this or that, or are we wiser to continue paying off our debt and eating as frugally as possible for now? We've gone with putting as much money towards debt as possible.

Every year, we purchase lunchboxes for The Kids. Every year, we fill those lunch boxes (The Kids refuse to eat hot lunch, wahoo!) with foods in plastic baggies. Every year, I've eyed the Laptop Lunchbox systems. Every year, I've convinced myself that they are just too darn expensive. Until this year. I splurged and they arrived on our doorstep the first day of school. I'm glad that I had to pack lunch the "old" way for the first day because now I am so confident that these lunchboxes are worth the money.

I worried that The Kids would have issues trying to open them and get to their food. Hasn't been a problem. The only thing I'm working on is finding an ice pack that fits inside. Of course, if I hadn't been so cheap, I would have ordered them right off the website along with the boxes themselves.

When we first opened them, I was a little worried because the containers are kind of small, but I've found out that they are perfect portion sizes for The Kids. Every bite of food is being eaten. And if something is ever not eaten, it will come home so I will know I'm packing too much or food that's not "good" enough.

I haven't yet, but you can purchase extra containers as well so you don't need to worry about getting everything washed for the next day. I can see how those would come in handy.

The Kids loved the color options. The Girl ended up going with Periwinkle, because these will last hopefully for the rest of their school careers, she didn't want to pick a color that might be seem too young eventually.

The Boy wasn't home when I ordered, so I chose the Red/Black combination for him and he is thrilled.

I love the outer container because it has a ton of pockets to put the extras into. They always have napkins now and a few cents in case they need it.

So, if you were like me and waiting for a good time to order the system, or for a reliable source to recommend it, now is your time. Here is your recommendation. From someone who is not being paid to advertise. Just a believer.

I ordered it directly from the source as after shipping costs, it was actually a few dollars cheaper to do so.

Then, let me know if you love it as much as I do.

TURTLE TIME

How The Dad kept busy while we were out of town.

ME WANNY, ME WANNY

Sheep made out of old telephones. How cool would this be at The Homestead? Seriously?

Is it too much to ask? Just one? Maybe, TGFFMom would make me one? She's working on a bottlecap snake after going to the Noah's Ark exhibit at The Getty Center.

So, start sending me your old phones people. Preferably in black.

Apparently, this brilliance belongs to Jean Luc Cornec and these were on display a few years ago at the Museum of Telecommunications in Frankfurt. I always miss the really good stuff.

Do you think they sold little sheep in the gift shop?

EVERYONE OUT OF THE POOL

Yesterday began a new journey for us. One I'm quite sure I'm not ready for.

6th and 3rd Grade. I highly doubt I'm even old enough to be the mother of a 6th grader.

After much nerves, the first day of 6th grade was good. And "not as bad" as she thought it would be.

Shes' growing up and oddly, as much as I thought I'd have issues with that, I'm really enjoying it. We're buddies again. Kind of like when she was a toddler and we did everything together. Except now, we have actual conversations. She shares her thoughts, feelings, ideas, and opinions with me. She trusts me. Now let's just see if I can keep that up eh?

As for this one,

This one, I'm not quite so ready to let go of yet. Is that always the way it is? The youngest is the hardest to let go of? He scored and is with his second grade teacher again, as she has a 2/3 split. He's happier than ever. He matured so much this summer and is really a 3rd grader now.

The Grammy and The Grandpa made his school year even better this year. A package came in the mail on Tuesday, inside, his early birthday present.

He LOVES his San Diego Padres backpack. Last year, they sent him an Oakland A's backpack. His favorite team is whichever team he gets on for baseball. Thus, for now, it's the Padres. He said he's just glad he hasn't gotten on any teams with "ugly" colors. Me too.

We've had to make a few adjustments getting ready for school. Earlier bedtimes, earlier waking times, keeping to a schedule, wearing real shoes, or wearing shoes at all. After 8 weeks of flip flops, crocs, and Cali Gear, apparently shoes are heavy and tight.

Grumpy mornings. Some of us still can't fall asleep at night. 8 weeks just isn't a long enough summer.

It is nice to be walking to school again. Since The Dad works from home, it's usually a family walk. Except for the days I make them go without me so I can get my morning chores done peacefully.

Two days so far and everyone has gotten ready on time. It helps that school now starts a whole 5 minutes later. Of course, to make up for it, they get out 9 minutes later. I love the way that works.

This is the only year, until high school, that they will get out at the same time. They will be walking home together most days, as our hectic schedule allows. Today is one of those days. I will miss not picking them up and listening to their day on the way home.

MY BIG BROTHER'S KIDS. HE HAS A LOT.

 

My older brother has 8 kids. Unfortunately, he's not been very lucky in love, so they are not all currently living with him. He loves them all the same though. As do the rest of us.

I made the trip to my parents' house with 6 kids, 4 of them are his.

I'll start at the beginning though. When my older brother was 18, he met and fell in love with his first wife. They had themselves 3 wonderful girls. The middle daughter was adopted by some good friends of theirs, as at the time, my brother and his wife were not in the position for two children. How we laugh at him now! Luckily, we've been blessed to have a great relationship with her adoptive parents and her. She is now off at college studying to be a rocket science. Seriously.

My brother's eldest daughter is in Missouri. Working and becoming all grown up. Time flies.

His third daughter from that marriage just moved out from Missouri to live with him. She is a senior in high school.

When he and his wife broke up, my brother met his second love. Together, they had 4 boys. The oldest is now a sophomore in high school and recently moved from near me, to live with his dad.

The middle boy is going to be 14 soon and he is a crack up.

The youngest two are twins and they are turning 10 soon. They were a little more shy around me, but quickly warmed up.

Due to the circumstances of my brother's break up with their mom, I've not spent a lot of time with my nephews since they were little. I just recently found out that they live only an hour away and I will be putting in a lot more effort to get to know them.

The Boy and The Girl didn't even know the younger two cousins. They knew the older two because the boys have spent Christmases and vacations with their dad.

Now, my brother has recently had his 4th daughter with the woman I believe (as does he) is the love of his life. She doesn't let him get away with anything and she's strong enough to stand on her own.

So, I now present to you, my older brother's children, minus the two oldest girls.

All of these brats are his, except for the 3 small brats on the right, in the front. Some of those brats are mine. Unfortunately, I think the brattiest brats are mine.

Cousin S there always has a hug on The CA Grandpa. Always. Unless she's trying to steal the baby away from me. Cousin S is the youngest from my brother's first wife. She is a straight A student and is highly motivated to succeed at life. Yet, she is a nut. She's silly and sweet.

This is Cousin M. He is the oldest boy. He is an awesome big brother and while he's made some bad choices in the past year, he's turning it around. He's not scared of hard work. He is a good kid. He watches out for the younger ones and keeps them in line. He was down visiting with his mom, so when we left to come home, he stayed with is dad. His brothers miss him like crazy, but he's where he needs to be right now. He is going to become an amazing man.

Cousin C is the family clown. He will do just about anything for a laugh. He has just about the biggest heart of anyone I've ever met. He had me laughing to the point of tears several times during this trip.

Here is another of our Cousin Js. J names seem to be very popular in my family. He's the quiet twin. He acts so much older than his age. He's cool like his older brothers.  He eventually came around and even hugged me by the end of the trip.

This is Cousin R, with The CA Grandpa who is undergoing treatment for Myasthenia gravis. Thanks to his meds, he's doing a lot better. The Cousin R is very outgoing. You always know he's around. He loves hugs and goofing off. He's very easy going and hyper.  He and The Boy had fun together.

He really likes baby girl. She's our newest cousin, Cousin L. She's just about the most contented baby I ever met. Of course, when she has a constant flow of people keeping her happy, she's no reason to cry. She almost makes me want one. I did try to take her home with me, but her mom pretty much beat the garbage out of me and took her back. Her mom never did learn how to share right.

The Kids go back to school today so yippee for me! I am now the mother to a 6th Grader and a 3rd Grader. The last year The Kids will attend the same school until The Boy is a Freshman. The Boy is bumming.