A Real Live Sister

Reagan rescued a toy from Sammy's "Jaws of Death".  Colby was impressed.

Colby: "LOOK MOM!  Reagan's being HUMAN!"

Big Feet

I had gotten a call from the boys' teacher last week, letting me know about a NEW problem she's been having in class with Colby... not keeping his shoes on.  For three weeks, this had been an issue.  She'd ask him to put them on, and he would, but then he'd take them off again.  He'd get in trouble, move his clip, he'd put them on, then... take them off again.  He would.not.keep.them.on.  Now, anyone who knows my boys knows that they are "sensory seekers".  They like to FEEL THINGS between their toes.  I can't keep socks OR shoes on them at home - indoors or out.  So I initially thought that this is what was going on at school, but told her her that I would check it out when he got home.  I asked Colby to put on his shoes after he got off the bus, and... toes to the absolute top.  To the point where they were ripping the seams.  I took the shoes off his feet, and found that he had SORES on his feet where the shoes had rubbed.  Not just one.  THREE.  UGH.  What a horrible mother!  I had no idea he had outgrown his shoes, and he hadn't said a word about it!  Actually, now that I think about it, he had complained about his feet hurting the other day, but I thought he was just trying to get out of cleaning his room.  Bad Mommy.  Bad Mommy.  All he said when I told him  his shoes were too small was "I thought they were a little tight".  Yeah.  Like pressure-ulcer tight.  Poor kid.  Sheesh.  I had spent a good chunk of change on these shoes, because last year both boys wore their shoes right out before the end of the school year, and I didn't want that to happen again.  Well, this year, they out-grew the shoes in 3 months time.  ((sigh)).  Can't win.  Went to Shopko and bought cheap replacements, which the boys are ecstatic about.   At least THAT problem was easy to solve.

Star Of The Week

MY (well, our) son Quinn was chosen "Star of the Week" this week in the  first grade.  When I asked him what the criteria was for becoming Star of the Week, he said "Not moving your clip, being good, and having the most 'stars'".  So, in essence... GOOD BEHAVIOR.  Really?!?!?!  Not to sound overly surprised, but...uh.... REALLY?!?!?!  I'm so dang proud of him.  He got to bring a bunch of pictures of himself to school today, and filled out an "all about me" questionnaire.  I'll meet him for lunch tomorrow at school, if all goes according to plan.  One of the questions on the questionnaire asked who he most admired.  Despite his father standing over his shoulder not-so-subtly repeating "your Dad, your Dad, your Dad"... he chose... get this... JESUS.  What's a mother to do when her children start making good choices, and behaving well??? WHAT is going on here????

Good job, little man.  Daddy and I are really really proud of you!

And they all lived nerdily ever after.........

Big football game last night.  We live in Packer country, and they were playing the Bears (archrivals) for the NFC Championship.  Rob was glued to the downstairs set, I had made a special 7-Layer dip so we could have dinner (GASP) in front of the TV, and....where were the boys?  On the upstairs TV.  Watching NOVA.  Yes.  On PBS.  I asked them if they wanted to come downstairs, and eat chips and dip for dinner with Daddy in front of the tv.  NOPE.  They were learning about the molecular structure of Kevlar.  And finding it FASCINATING.  So, I sat up there with them, and joined in.  It WAS interesting.  Along comes Dad, wondering where we all were.  He debated... FOOTBALL?  NOVA?..... and.... Nova won.  We all curled up on the upstairs bed, and watched NOVA til bedtime.  Hey... we now know how to harvest spider silk from goat's milk.  And who's playing in the Superbowl?  Anyone heard?????

No Big Whoop

Quinn: "Mom, what's the big deal?  They always say it's so cool that a man stepped on the moon.  LOTS of people know how to step on something."

Growth Spurt

Well, it's happened.  While rummaging for something warm to wear, I picked up a black fleece sweatshirt from the laundry pile on my bed, and put it on.  It fit, but I realized that it wasn't one of MY sweatshirts I was wearing.  It was one of the boys'.  I was wearing their clothes.  And they FIT.  How did we get to this point?    The boys were eating breakfast, and I ran in there to see if they recognized the shirt I was wearing.  They didn't, so I had to tell them.

Colby: "Mom, are you getting smaller, so that our clothes fit?"  Bless his little heart, the adorable tyke.  Sweet, perfect child. 
Mom:  "No.  I wish.  You're just getting BIGGER!"
Colby:  "Mom, did you have to stretch it out to make it fit you?"
Mom: "Nope.  It just fit!"
Quinn:  "Did you have to squash it down to make it smaller so it would fit?"   Oh, my brilliant son, who knows exactly what to say.
Mom: "Nope.  It just fit."

I've been having a hard time lately determining which socks are the boys', and which are mine, because they LOOK like almost the same size when there's no feet in them.  It begins.  My babies are growing up.  Soon, I will be looking UP to them.  {{SHUDDER}}}.  They don't listen to me NOW.  What will it be like when they're bigger than me?????

Good Job Little Man!

This is not the first spelling test that Quinn has spelled all the words right.  It's just the first spelling test that he has spelled all the words right, formed all the letters right, and used legible handwriting!  GOOD JOB, Quinn!!!  I'm so proud of you!  We've been working hard on fine motor skills, and it's paying off.

Translators

Getting all three kids into the car yesterday, Quinn decided to tranlate Reagan's squwaking.

Quinn: "Mom, Reagan said 'I don't agree with having to sit in the middle!'"
Mom: "Uh.  I don't think she said that."
Quinn: "YES!  I heard her say that for the very first time!"