Talking Turkey ... Already

(I originally wrote this the day after Halloween. I still needed to upload the picture still, then BAM! it is Nov. 7th. Oh well, here you go)
I heard something the other day that has ran through my mind over and over again. They were so right. They were saying that Halloween is the start of the holiday season. When I was younger time didn't go by this quickly. Actually days seemed to drag by. Even summer vacation seemed to last a while. Now, time goes by with just a blink. I blame alot of it on bills. As soon as a month goes by and you are paid up to date it is time to start all over again. To think about it, we only do this twelve times a year.
Just last night was Halloween and today there was talk of meeting up for the holidays and what do the boys want for Christmas. Christmas!?!?! I have no idea! I haven't even put up the summer clothes. Yes, I do know that summer is over and I am not one bit happy about it. We have taken the pool down and we are now stacking fire wood.
Geez, I really need to get the family holiday pictures printed. I am afraid that I will go to sleep tonight and I will wake up the day of the deadline. Does this happen to anyone else or am I the only one that feels like Father Time is stepping on my toes?
I do have to tell you that last night was nice. The weather was very comfortable. I didn't want to stop trick or treating with the boys because I was thoroughly enjoying my walk with them and mom. Rick was our driver and we would go to some houses and jump back in the car and go to a new neighborhood. The wind had died down last night and it was really pretty out.
I did have a side splitting thing happen with Aaron though. As you see in the picture he was quite dark. Well, we didn't think much about it when he picked out his costume but his costume became harder and harder to see through as the night became darker. We were stopping at our final house, Aaron quickly threw his mask back on and hopped out of the car. I was standing there waiting on him and I got to witness the whole thing! When he jumped out he caught his footing just on the edge of a ditch and when he turned to maneuver his way around he walked into the car door. He turned around hopped over the ditch and fell into the persons front yard. I watch him pick himself up and just stand there...face to face with a sapling. I noticed his mask was on backward. He just stood there. I asked him what he was doing and to turn his mask around. I told him he was in front of a tree. I was laughing pretty bad by then. He turned his mask around and said, " I was just waiting for the tree to go by I guess." LOL!!! I had tears running down my face. The home owner was just standing there with a smile on his face and staring at me. I am sure he thought I was going to tumble into the ditch because I couldn't stand up straight.
All in all, it was a good night.

Aidens Fall Field Trip

I was able to go on Aidens field trip last week. I love being able to participate in the boys lives as much as I do. A huge thanks goes to my hubby who takes care of us and makes it possible for me to stay home and spend time with the boys. I really appreciate that.
Here are some pictures that I wanted to share with you.
It was a really good day with the exception of the drive down there. I had my GPS but it didn't recognize the address of the orchard we were going to. I followed the bus until we were separated at the traffic lights. Grrrrrr!!!!! I was okay because I was behind two other parents in the entourage. All I had to do was stay behind them. They knew where they were going. Right!?!?!
The light turns green.
One parent goes one way, the other goes another way.
What!?! Wait!
What do I do? I apparently chose the parent with the lead foot and lost him after about a mile. I was in a bit of a panic. Okay, I can listen to the lovely lady on my GPS and hope we can get as close as possible and then go from there. My mom was with me and my life was going to be okay. For a minute...
I quickly realized that I had about ten other parents following me!!!!
I was really nervous then! I was leading the whole kindergarten into a world of the unknown!!!! Listening to my GPS lady we jump of a road and get on the interstate and then jump back on a regular road. Nothing seemed right. I had doubts and sweating bullets. I decided to pull over. You should have seen the cars that pulled off as well. Jumping out I ran to the car behind me. I asked her if she knew how to get there. She told me no and that she was following me. I am sweating more...actually I had cold chills! I ran to the next car and asked the next mom. She was on a cell phone getting directions. She told me we were going the right way. When we get to N hwy to make a left. Phew!!!
I did what she said and I am glad because my trusty GPS lady told me to make a right! I took the left like the fellow mommy said and we arrived there the same exact time the buses arrived (from the opposite direction). I still don't know how that worked out and I really don't care. We made it! We all had a great time seeing the animals, picking pumpkins and going on a hay ride.
When we left the orchard, I had a general idea of where we were all going to meet for lunch. I left for the park...early...before any buses left the orchard...before any parents could follow me. I was staying in the clear and able to wander about aimlessly all by myself, and of course, my mom. We had no problems getting there. We even had time to stop for a coffee.

The first school week has went well. Aaron woke up early every day and is excited to go. I was worried about him because all summer he told me he didn't want to go anymore.
I think the hardest thing as a parent is making your child leave the security of the home and the place he loves and shutting the door behind him.
He had a rough time going to summer school (someplace he didn't HAVE to go and was suppose to be fun). BUT I was working in the kitchen the whole time and no one would be home for him. The only comfort I could give him while he sat on my lap and wiping the hot tears off of his face was that I would see him at lunch time which is half way through his day. It made me sick to make him go. I wanted to tell him that we could ALL stay home and I would home school and we could be here forever.
As the days went on...his days got alot easier and he started to have fun.
Thank goodness we didn't have a repeat when the new school year started. Phew!!!
As for my Aiden dear...he is clearly not a morning person.

Back to School

Wow I cannot believe it is school time now. The day started off well and I pray that the boys day continues to do so. This is my first full day alone for almost seven years! I really can't say I am excited or sad. Things happened so quickly but the place is REAL quiet. Thought....hmmmmm....I should update my blog. Freedom of choice! Fun! Okay, I might like the time alone...today...for now.

Are they home yet? Ho Hum...
Is Aiden doing super hero moves in front of the class?
Is he eating everyones snack?
I bet he is already trying to learn how to read.



Is Aaron wiggling so much that he has fallen out of his chair?
Is he showing all his friends his THREE missing front teeth?
Does he remember how to read?



Why isn't Rick calling me? Doesn't he know I am alone and lonely?
Will the boys be embarrassed if I try and look in the windows of their classrooms?
Will I get arrested?
Should I just yell, "keep your hands off your brother!!!" in an empty house and will it make me feel better?

Wow I miss them... tick tock tick tock

When Good Intentions Go Bad

Today we (the boys and myself) went with Gram and Grandma Skinner to the store. When we turned into the parking lot something caught my eye.

Hmmm...the boys would probably like to see this. They probably have never seen or touched one before is what I was thinking to myself. We went into the store and as we were going in I told the boys I wanted them to see something when we left and to please remind me.

I am really interested in the boys getting a chance to look at places, textures and anything that catches their attention. I know, I have boys...one of my rules is it has to be appropriate.

It all started with lil A one day. We were driving down the road and he has always felt the need to tell me about every stop sign. Yes I do stop at them. I don't know what the attraction is for him but he does like them. But this day he piped up and said, "I just wish I could touch a stop sign."
It melted my heart. Wow, this is one thing I could do. I was hesitate because I had on a brand spankin new pair of shoes on and...it rained lately. Oh well. We did it. We stop the car (I do that at every stop sign) get out and tip toe to the sign. I raise him up as high as I could and BOP he smacked the sign. All was perfect in our world.
Since then I have tried to stop and let them explore our lives.
In the past we have jumped out of the car and touched a dancing wind guy in front of a business (the owner walked out of the business and kinda glared at us and we waved bye and jumped back in the car with the boys screeching with laughter. Okay I was laughing too), Big A got to touch a sinclair dinosaur in front of a gas station. Lil A was asleep.
Then there was today. I spotted cattails. Cooool! They would love this!

Hahahahaha, I had no idea. I am silly like that.

They really liked them. Aiden wanted to know if he could eat it. I tell him no but that it was suppose to stay like they are now and then they would seed and get fluffy....in a few days....little did I know.
I cut two off and let the boys take them home. We stuck them in the ground by my goldfish pond. The boys thought they looked great there.
Don't they look great....err ummmm...doesn't IT look great?

Guess what...Ruby happened. *sigh*



Don't let her sweet face fool you!

This evening Rick stepped outside and the boys followed. I decided to stay in and "surf" some blogs. Shortly, Rick walks in and says, "you see the kids on the trampoline."
He caught my attention.
I have seen the boys on the trampoline alot of times. So I ask him is it bad? He shrugs his shoulders and sits on the couch. I get up and look out the backyard. What the... I look at Rick and he says Ruby found the cattails. I couldn't resist. I grabbed my camera and here we go.
Oh wait, I think I have seeds stuck in my hair still.
Hmmm...How did that get on the trampoline? Rick!?!!??!





Honey, you starty, you cleany. Good night!

Busy weekend

This last weekend was packed full. One of the fun things we did was go fishing for crawdads with some great friends. The kids had a blast and I think the guys had fun to. The guys went first and would fish a spot and then the kiddos would get in the water when the guys were done. It worked out great because the guys would know how deep the water was to make us moms happy and while the kids played in the water the guys walked over to the next watering hole. It was beautiful there. I am sure the water was cold. I didn't get in the water because I wanted to take some pictures. I snapped a whole memory card full. Here are some of the takes.














Also planned was a night with Gram and Grandpa at the carnival. They take the boys every year it comes to town. I tagged along this year because of some bad storms in the area and we would be able to go straight home if needed. So...I took pictures! Yay me! Things went great and the weather behaved itself.Aiden went up the slide with two friends and they planned to go down it all together. Well, I guess thiings didn't go as planned when he got up there. Another little boy went down with them. So, Aiden chose to turn around and be done with the whole ride. Felt pretty bad for him but he was fine by the next ride.


Gram was the official rider of the scrambler. I tried to stay back in the sidelines since was Gram and Grandpas night with them.
Due to my anxiety, I rode this ride with Aaron the first time he rode it. He still seems so small. Too small to ride this. But Grandpa bought my tickets and let me step in to settle my fears. All went well and I was able to breath a little better when he rode it by himself. I am shocked at how little they can be to ride some rides. Sometimes I wouldn't mind having shorter kids.
Earlier this summer I found out that Aaron is tall enough to pay full adult price at our local amusement park. Does that mean he is big enough to ride the roller coasters? Not if mama is there...sorry boy.

Aiden likes the smaller rides and so do I.

April Updates

I hope everyone is having a blessed spring season. I have really enjoyed the warm up. Rick is already threatening to turn the A/C on. Nooooooo!!! I love to soak up the heat and I plan to do that and store it up over the winter. It is the only thing that will get me through it!
We worked alot around the house this weekend. One of the projects that was completed was the first run through for the garden. Tilling! I am mentally planning what veggies we are going to plant. Tomatoes are at the top of my list of course! Another thing we did was burn up alot of trash in a bon fire last night. Mostly what mother nature gave us over the winter season. Aaron wanted to roast marshmellows but I told him that wasn't a good fire to roast them in because of some trash in it. He then told me ok, then can he have just some plain ole marshmellows. Their minds just amaze me sometimes.
Some of the things going on around here: We have started soccer last week and if the rain holds off then we are suppose to practice twice a week. They are just in "fun soccer" and are not competing. It is alot of fun for us to watch them.
Aiden went to his kindergarten screening a couple of weeks ago and he scored 86%! He has really grown alot over this last school year. We will be on summer break in about a month. If we are having it, the boys will be going to summer school. Aiden gets to ride the school bus then! I am very excited for him.
We have field trips coming up real soon. Aaron is going to the zoo and Aiden gets to goto the childrens fair in St. Joe. Mom gets to go to both! I will try and post some pictures of the trips.
Kindergarten is going to put on a program in a couple of weeks. Aaron has some lines he needs to learn.
A burst of blue
A splash of green
A flap of wings is all that's seen
A whisper as it flutters by
You're oh so pretty butterfly!
Pre-K will also have graduation practice coming up soon also. He will have a couple of lines for his too. All of them do I think. Both grades.
Here are some pics that I have taken over the last month. I hope you like them. I enjoyed taking them.
I really admire the boys coach. She has done a great job with the kids. She has patience of steel! She would separate them into to teams and she would give instructions to one side and walk to the other side to tell them and only to find out that the first group she talked to followed her across the field!

I was so proud of the boys here. But I do fear that they don't give the rest of the kiddos a chance. COACH! I don't want the team parents mad at my babies. Want me go borrow a lasso? I can find one around here ya know.

Run boys! Run!!!

Watch them elbows and we must goto WalMart and invest in some shin guards. Owww! Aaron made a goal and I guess got a finger in the eye as a reward. Must....try...to...not....baby....them. Bad time to quit a bad nail biting habit.
You talkin to me? You want some of this?

Oh come on guys, have fun please. I really didn't mean the threats I made about spilling the egg dye! Honest!

Best purchase the Easter Bunny has ever made...Will they look at me funny if I make the boys wears those at the grocery store?

Look at those fingers! I can't leave the room. I just know it! They will paint each other. I don't care you can call me controlling. I call it peace for mom.


My babys eyes...MMMMMM I could swim in them all day. Beautiful. Peaceful. My heart melts all over again.