Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Monday, November 21, 2011
Why didn't I think of that?!
Ugh. All the good tobacco-tinged ideas are already taken. Smoking mittens:
At least a few are somewhat mildly humorous. My favorite is the Cigarette Dispensing Donkey:
At least a few are somewhat mildly humorous. My favorite is the Cigarette Dispensing Donkey:
Monday, November 14, 2011
Veteran's Day 2011
Every year, Riverside Military Academy marches in the Veteran's Day Parade in downtown Atlanta. We weren't sure what to expect since this is Ben's first year. It was pretty impressive! All the boys look so handsome in their uniforms :)
Sorry I didn't get a picture of Ben in action- by the time I spotted him, he'd marched right on by.
Monday, November 7, 2011
Monday, October 31, 2011
Monday, October 24, 2011
Stone Mountain Sunday
Even though I've lived in Atlanta on and off for a total of about 5 years, I had never been to Stone Mountain. No giant carving, no laser light show, nada. So, following Margo's brilliant suggestion, we made the trek over for a day of hiking a few weeks ago. It is awesome! We took the sky-lift-thing to the top and walked a few miles back down (Ah, the lazy man's hike- that's the way I roll).
I know it is a giant piece of granite but I never imagined what it really looked like. The very top, where there is no vegetation, looks like the surface of the moon (at least last time I was there). Grey, bleak, and full of craters and holes. The views are amazing though.
The kids loved it. Sam actually took the lead and practically ran the whole way. Lily, on the other hand, meandered slowly, and talked the ENTIRE time. She chatted away, told herself stories, and sang songs. I wonder where she learned that... Seriously, I am a pretty quiet person- how the hell did I give birth to the LOUDEST boy and the chattiest girl on the face of the earth? Sam seems to have no volume control (Remember Will Ferrrell's character with "Voice Immodulation Syndrome" on SNL? Just like that.) and Lily feels the need to narrate every second of her life. If you start a conversation with her, you'd better make sure you have some extra time, you're going to need it. But I digress...
It was such a fun day! I can't wait to go back. Hopefully next time Andy can come too. He had to work :(
See? I told you these things are everywhere!
I know it is a giant piece of granite but I never imagined what it really looked like. The very top, where there is no vegetation, looks like the surface of the moon (at least last time I was there). Grey, bleak, and full of craters and holes. The views are amazing though.
The kids loved it. Sam actually took the lead and practically ran the whole way. Lily, on the other hand, meandered slowly, and talked the ENTIRE time. She chatted away, told herself stories, and sang songs. I wonder where she learned that... Seriously, I am a pretty quiet person- how the hell did I give birth to the LOUDEST boy and the chattiest girl on the face of the earth? Sam seems to have no volume control (Remember Will Ferrrell's character with "Voice Immodulation Syndrome" on SNL? Just like that.) and Lily feels the need to narrate every second of her life. If you start a conversation with her, you'd better make sure you have some extra time, you're going to need it. But I digress...
It was such a fun day! I can't wait to go back. Hopefully next time Andy can come too. He had to work :(
See? I told you these things are everywhere!
Did someone have a birthday?
Nonnie and Papa came to school to help Sam celebrate with his friends.
This kid is obsessed with squirt bottles (actually both of mine are).
New DS game!
Wishing for a little more meat on his bones.
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Monday, October 10, 2011
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Mesmerized
We watched Les Miserables on PBS and Lily's eyes did not move from the screen for at least half an hour. She was entranced.
Note to self: You should really do something about all those loose cords. They look terrible.
Thursday, September 8, 2011
The Vanderbilt of the North
Thanks, Aunt Jeannie, for bringing the kids shirts from Grandpa Van's alma mater. Sam decided to wear his to school today!
Monday, August 22, 2011
School Update
Day Two- (otherwise known as First Day on the Bus) got "Ten thumbs up!"
Week Two- Reality Sets In
The teachers asked that we send the kids through the morning carpool line from now on instead of walking them to the classroom. Understandably, she wants them to learn to be more independent and figure out how to navigate their new school. Even though we talked about it the previous weekend and reminded him of this as he got ready that morning, he apparently still wasn't prepared for it.
Andy drops him off on the way to work (He rides the bus home.) Monday he did okay, Andy said he just got very quiet and buried his face in his arms when it was time to get out of the car. Tuesday, whoa. Andy had to drag him screaming out of the car and THREE teachers had to push/ pull him through the school door.
Ugh. I am so glad I wasn't there. I don't know if I would have been really pissed off or heartbroken. I suspect the latter...
The next few days he did better... we told him if he could behave for the rest of the week he could have a friend spend the night Saturday night. Unfortunately, his buddy got sick Saturday morning and couldn't sleep over. Sam actually took the news much better than I thought he would. Of course, ice cream does usually ease the pain of bad news.
Today is Monday afternoon of Week 3 so we shall see what this day brings...
Time to go meet the bus!
Week Two- Reality Sets In
The teachers asked that we send the kids through the morning carpool line from now on instead of walking them to the classroom. Understandably, she wants them to learn to be more independent and figure out how to navigate their new school. Even though we talked about it the previous weekend and reminded him of this as he got ready that morning, he apparently still wasn't prepared for it.
Andy drops him off on the way to work (He rides the bus home.) Monday he did okay, Andy said he just got very quiet and buried his face in his arms when it was time to get out of the car. Tuesday, whoa. Andy had to drag him screaming out of the car and THREE teachers had to push/ pull him through the school door.
Ugh. I am so glad I wasn't there. I don't know if I would have been really pissed off or heartbroken. I suspect the latter...
The next few days he did better... we told him if he could behave for the rest of the week he could have a friend spend the night Saturday night. Unfortunately, his buddy got sick Saturday morning and couldn't sleep over. Sam actually took the news much better than I thought he would. Of course, ice cream does usually ease the pain of bad news.
Today is Monday afternoon of Week 3 so we shall see what this day brings...
Time to go meet the bus!
Monday, August 8, 2011
Day 1 complete
Oy. Kindergarten. It's finally here.
Today Sam joined the ranks of thousands of other students enrolled in one of Atlanta Public Schools. It's a pretty low key school system so I'm sure you've never heard anything about it. We love our school and believe Sam is in the right place to learn and grow. Oh yeah... I'll be hitting you up for donations later this year.
I have mixed feelings about sending him off to kindergarten. Basically it boils down to: I can't believe my baby is this old (He's just a baby! He needs me!) vs. Thank you Lord, I thought this day would never come.
I told myself all along I wouldn't cry or be sad, and I did feel a bit down yesterday, but this morning I was totally fine. Actually, I was kind of relieved because he was acting like such a toot before school. Frankly, I think we were both a smidge eager to spend some time apart.
Sam had a great day based on the information I could pry out of him. The first time I asked how his day was, all I got was "good." Then I asked what he did. "I can't remember."
Hmmmm.....
"What did you do in Math?"
"I can't remember."
"OK, what did you do in Reading?"
"I can't remember."
"Alright... did you play any games? Sing any songs?"
"I can't remember."
What?! Who are you, Oliver North?
Thankfully, while talking with other moms, I learned I am not the only one who receives these trite answers from my son about his school day. Apparently there is some gene that kicks in when a boy is about 4 or 5 that negatively affects his short term memory. The memory loss is most prominent when trying to recall any useful or academic information. Interestingly enough, the capacity to remember all things Beyblade or Power Rangers remains intact. One can only assume that this retained information lays the foundation for an enormous part of the male brain inside which millions of obscure and useless sports statistics will one day reside.
(I also have a theory about little girls, Disney, princesses, and vaccines but I will save that for a later date!)
Back to the subject at hand...
More than anything else I felt (feel) nervous about Sam going to kindergarten. My worries: What if he doesn't listen because he's lost in SamWorld? What if he doesn't speak up when needs something? What if he doesn't make any friends? What if all he talks about is Mario and Luigi and the Power Rangers? Will other parents judge me for letting him play video games? Will his teacher question my parenting skills? What if he cries and acts like a brat? And, of course, HOW CAN HE POSSIBLY FUNCTION WITHOUT ME??
I know, I know- I need to stop. Truthfully and selfishly, I am a little worried about how his behavior will reflect upon me. I don't like to think that others are judging ME based on my children's behavior- unless they are judging me for their excellent behavior. Then, by all means, judge away!
So, it turns out this transition will not be easy. For me. I need to get over myself! This is about the boy- not me!! Will you remind me of that every once in a while?
Tomorrow is Day 2- First Day on the Bus. Stay tuned...
Today Sam joined the ranks of thousands of other students enrolled in one of Atlanta Public Schools. It's a pretty low key school system so I'm sure you've never heard anything about it. We love our school and believe Sam is in the right place to learn and grow. Oh yeah... I'll be hitting you up for donations later this year.
I have mixed feelings about sending him off to kindergarten. Basically it boils down to: I can't believe my baby is this old (He's just a baby! He needs me!) vs. Thank you Lord, I thought this day would never come.
I told myself all along I wouldn't cry or be sad, and I did feel a bit down yesterday, but this morning I was totally fine. Actually, I was kind of relieved because he was acting like such a toot before school. Frankly, I think we were both a smidge eager to spend some time apart.
Sam had a great day based on the information I could pry out of him. The first time I asked how his day was, all I got was "good." Then I asked what he did. "I can't remember."
Hmmmm.....
"What did you do in Math?"
"I can't remember."
"OK, what did you do in Reading?"
"I can't remember."
"Alright... did you play any games? Sing any songs?"
"I can't remember."
What?! Who are you, Oliver North?
Thankfully, while talking with other moms, I learned I am not the only one who receives these trite answers from my son about his school day. Apparently there is some gene that kicks in when a boy is about 4 or 5 that negatively affects his short term memory. The memory loss is most prominent when trying to recall any useful or academic information. Interestingly enough, the capacity to remember all things Beyblade or Power Rangers remains intact. One can only assume that this retained information lays the foundation for an enormous part of the male brain inside which millions of obscure and useless sports statistics will one day reside.
(I also have a theory about little girls, Disney, princesses, and vaccines but I will save that for a later date!)
Back to the subject at hand...
More than anything else I felt (feel) nervous about Sam going to kindergarten. My worries: What if he doesn't listen because he's lost in SamWorld? What if he doesn't speak up when needs something? What if he doesn't make any friends? What if all he talks about is Mario and Luigi and the Power Rangers? Will other parents judge me for letting him play video games? Will his teacher question my parenting skills? What if he cries and acts like a brat? And, of course, HOW CAN HE POSSIBLY FUNCTION WITHOUT ME??
I know, I know- I need to stop. Truthfully and selfishly, I am a little worried about how his behavior will reflect upon me. I don't like to think that others are judging ME based on my children's behavior- unless they are judging me for their excellent behavior. Then, by all means, judge away!
So, it turns out this transition will not be easy. For me. I need to get over myself! This is about the boy- not me!! Will you remind me of that every once in a while?
Tomorrow is Day 2- First Day on the Bus. Stay tuned...
Saturday, August 6, 2011
Princess Tiana Ballet Camp
(with some gymnastics thrown in too)
Lily told me this was her favorite part. "Ta-da!" and loving adoration from her fans. She was the tiniest girl in her class (and, of course the cutest too!) but she could hang with the big kids.
Lily told me this was her favorite part. "Ta-da!" and loving adoration from her fans. She was the tiniest girl in her class (and, of course the cutest too!) but she could hang with the big kids.
Friday, August 5, 2011
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)