Monday, November 14, 2011
Happy Hauntings...
My mom arrived the day before Halloween to spend the next 6 weeks with us! She's never been with us on Halloween. This means she'll also get to celebrate Owen's and Henry's birthday with us! And, Thanksgiving!!! We are so excited.
My boys have never been super huge into dressing up - so Halloween is often a last minute affair.
This year - Owen was a bed bug (see his antennae?). We put the costume together the night before. Emmett -because he's SO good to his mama, said he would be whatever Owen was last year. Hence, he was a skeleton. And Henry was a ninja. This isn't that big of a stretch from his everyday actions or attire. I normally repeat - at least a couple of times a week - "HENRY! You are not a real ninja." This Halloween, he was.
Saturday, October 22, 2011
Emmett turns 8
I'm a little late, but Emmett turned 8.
His birthday was September 4. I can not believe my middle man is 8. He still is my least complicated, challenging kiddo. He's an absolute pleaser, and he rarely argues, complains, or disagrees with me.
For example, I just asked him what he wanted to be for Halloween this year, He's all what was Owen last year? I said, "He was a skeleton." He says, "Do we still have that costume?" When I tell him yes, he says "I'll just wear that then". See how good he is to me? He's quiet and content. And, I adore him.
8th year stats (for record keeping purposes):
51 inches (50th %)
69 3/4 pounds (80th %)
And, I just ordered him new shoes - size 5!!! (Owen - 3 years younger - wears a 5 1/2). They were $75 btw....add that to my list of reasons I need to work more than 8 hours a week...
And grandpa came to visit...
Grandpa John came to visit for Emmett's 8th birthday - which fell on Labor Day. What a great weekend we all had. One of the days Grandpa, Emmett, Owen, and Eddie went to the baseball hall of fame. Emmett will tell you his favorite sport to play is soccer, but he's really enjoying baseball too. He played this spring and did a great job. He played a lot of shortstop and first base. But, also got a chance to pitch a handful of times.
On Emmett's birthday, we went to the State Fair. I seriously dislike the State Fair, but it's here in Syracuse, so we usually go once - if just to say we did it. With my dad there, I had a serious moment of weakness, and we came home with a rabbit (more on that later).
The evening of Emmett's birthday, Grandpa, Eddie, Owen, and Emmett went to the Syracuse Chiefs minor league baseball game. We went a couple times this year, and Emmett loves going.
To top it all off, he got a fishing pole for his birthday from the Spindler's. And, the only rainy day that my dad was with us, we went fishing. All of us. Emmett had been begging to go. We didn't catch anything. And, it was cold. And wet. But, we laughed aplenty.
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Emmett - school picture 2011
Emmett on his way to school for school pictures - 2nd grade. I love this photo because you can see his small little dimple in his left cheek.
Owen school picture 2011
This is Owen on the way to school for school pictures - 5th grade. Yes, his hair is WAY too long. But, he's almost 11 and I have to pick my battles, and there are lots of them. It was battle enough getting him out of his atheltic wear (you don't want to know what he's wearing on the bottom). Both of the boys have short sleeved t's under their nice shirt, so they can take this shirt off as soon as pictures are done.
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
An honor for Emmett
At the end of last year, when Emmett was still in first grade, he was chosen to participate with a group of 13 kids in a singing program. He was one of only 2 first graders chosen (out of 70 kids!), and one of 13 in the whole school. They were scheduled to sing at the teacher's kick off assembly the day before the first day of school. They practiced all summer. And, in September sang in front of every school teacher, teacher's assistant, and administrator in the district. It was the most beautiful performance. And, if I can figure out how to transfer some video that I took on the blog - I'll do that. They sounded so beautiful that I couldn't stop the tears from running down my face. And, I was SO proud of my quiet, shy Emmett.
They did such a good job that they were asked to sing in October at a school board meeting. And, they were recently videotaped to be shown to all the schools in the district. THese photos are blurry, because they were taken w/ my iphone from a distance away.
Monday, October 3, 2011
Spell check anyone?
A small sample:
Emmett (2nd grade): another, year, company, delighted, appreciate, thinning, wonderful, enjoyed, loyal fond
Owen (5th grade): pharmaceutical, divulge, phoenitician, rumba, intiated, imitate, ingenuity (not even sure if I spelled this one right - where's Owen when I need him?), and rumpus.
Can you believe this? A small explanation though - there is a pretest each week of 10 words for both kids. Both boys pass this pretest each week without missing one, so these are the words they are given. And, Owen gets all these crazy hard words right. Emmett gets most right. Unbelievable.
Emmett has a really tough teacher this year. He's had more homework than Owen ever has had. But, I'm sure he's going to learn TONS.
This is the first year that Owen really has ever had homework. He's not thrilled. He doesn't like doing work of any sort. But, thankfully, he's smart enough to do really well even doing the most minimal studying.
Friday, September 23, 2011
Henry gets a turn!
FINALLY! Henry gets his turn playing microsoccer. He was SO excited! And, talked about it days in advance.
The first thing he said to the coach when he walked on the field was , "Is it OK if I slide tackle?". I also overheard him say once, "Wow! I hit the crossbar!"
His coach has no idea what he is in for.
What do you notice about this picture?
Henry was the ONLY 3 year old without a parent next to him? Out of 19 kids, I was the only one who didn't stay on the field w/ their child. In my defense, Henry didn't want me there. He wanted me to go to the bleachers and watch him - like I watch Owen and Emmett.
So - I put his water bottle on the side, gave him a kiss, and enjoyed watching him from afar. HURRAY!
The other 3 year olds were no match for my Henry. Remember the first place Henry EVER went (when he was born) after we left the hospital was a soccer tournament at the indoor sports center where this was held. BEFORE WE WENT HOME.
Henry has spent 3 years living and breathing socder. He was ready. They asked about moving him up to the 4 or 5 year old group, because Henry was super bummed that they weren't actually playing a game! But, then he decided to stay w/ the 3 years olds, because he really liked playing the red light/blue light game.
Saturday, September 17, 2011
Owen's first day of 5th grade!
And, yes, he looks like a complete bum. But - I have to pick my battles, and that just isn't one of them (notice his cast from under his jacket).
Owen got the teacher he wanted, and he is super excited. This is his last year in the elementary school, so he's the king of the school. Next year, he'll be in elementary school. That's SO hard to believe!
This is the first year that I can ever remember where it has been raining on the first day of school. We usually take pictures on the back porch, but because of the rain, we couldn't.
Also, this is the first year my boys rode the bus in the AM. They're the last ones picked up before the bus heads to school (a short ride), but the last ones dropped off on the way home (which makes for a really long ride!). So, this year, they're going to ride the bus in the AM, and I'm going to bring them home at dismissal.
Emmett's first day of 2nd grade
Emmett has a teacher that Owen didn't have. She's known for being very strict, but teaching the kids lots! Emmett is such a good student. A good listener. Never gets in trouble. I'm sure she'll love him!
