E lost his first tooth!

On Saturday night, E came up and said his tooth was wiggly. I didn't believe him and asked him to show me. Already?! But, I guess P was just about 5 and 1/2 when she lost her first tooth.


He kept mentioning something about salt water, and I said that salt water was good to swoosh around in your mouth after you lose a tooth. It helps the bleeding stop. Sunday night he lost it. He was playing with it and it just came out! He came downstairs to show me and kept saying, "salt water, salt water!" We ran to the sink and I made him a little salty concoction. He said he didn't like it. Then he was afraid to eat anything. Such a cutie!

You have no idea...

You have no idea how hard this is on me. Both my children in school this year. I've stayed home with my children since they were born, seven and a half years. Now, I am going back to work and my life is changing.

My heart actually aches for my kids. I can't even look at their pictures when they were younger right now...it just hurts so much. The sounds of them playing or even fighting would be better than this silence. I have plenty to keep me busy, but oh how I wish it was preparing to take my children to story time at the library or COSI's little kidspace. I miss my life from the passed few years...I don't know how I feel about where I am currently, but what I do know is that I wish I could look forward to it. Really, I'm just doing it to help pay bills...bills that I accrued b/c I wanted to go back to work.

I just wish I could have sent E only half day kindergarten and been with him one more year. P hates After Care and that makes it even harder on me. I'm just really bummed out right now.

First Day of Kindergarten

I am so sad today, but I pretended to be happy and excited. My darling boy is off to kindergarten. I am thankful for all the time I got to spend with my children...so very thankful.

First Day of Second Grade

Where has the time gone?  First day back to school after a summer of fun wasn't the easiest. I miss my little girl. She is growing up too fast for my liking.

Learn great things, dear one. Mommy will always be here to support and love you, no matter what.

Thank you

Dear Teachers, Principals, and School Administration,

Thank you for the care and the love you have shown my children this passed year. During their time with you they grew another couple of inches and expanded their thought and knowledge exponentially. I watched them succeed and fail. I watched them go out of their comfort zones and try new things. I watched them cry because they were too sick to go to school, or not sick enough to stay home.

I watched my daughter struggle with lunch and recess, having an intense fear of the older kids. She was only 6 and scared. Now, she is 7 and strong and writes in her first grade journal about how recess and lunch are her favorite times. She has made friends, played games, and exchanged secrets. I almost feel badly for her being home with her boring mom all summer.

My son has matured and lost the tiny boy he started as back in the fall. His bag of clothing had a pull up in it...and now, he he doesn't even pee the bed. He is still a sweet baby, though, and I don't want that to go away too soon. My girl has already become disenchanted with mommy...not another one for a while, please.

It was just yesterday I nursed them, changed their dirty diapers and sang them to sleep. Now, I am taking them to the pool, turning on Sponge Bob, and loving the support they give me.

I am so lucky, not only because I have wonderful kids, but that they were loved when they were out of my arms. For that, I can't thank you enough.

1st Soccer Trophy

Happy 7!

P turned 7 years old! We had her party at the rec center pool in the "Fish Bowl." The kids had a blast.

P likes: writing books and making up stories, watching TV, playing with friends, playing Plants vs. Zombies, soccer (sometimes), steak on the bone, yogurt, and strawberries.

She lost four teeth in two weeks. Two of them were at school!

Dandelions

I love that my girl picks dandelions and gives them to me as if they were precious prized roses.

Grateful

Five things I am grateful for today:

1. Waking up to a crisp sunny day.

2. Being able to feed my children.

3. My new blender.

4. Apply for jobs I am actually 100% qualified for...and more than just one job!

5. My husband's outlook on life.

To my children

Dear Children,

Today you made me laugh. I really enjoyed your company as I folded laundry and cleaned up the dog poo in the yard.

You play together so well, and while playing outside you asked me if you could marry one another. Gently, I said "no" and told you that is illegal. Then you ran off to play and found a slug. You put that slug in a sand bucket with a bunch of grass. I heard you both giggling, and then you ask me if slugs poo. I said "yes" and told you that they not only poo but probably pee. E asked me what slugs eat. I said vegetation. E, you promptly ran off and told sister. Both of you thought about it for a minute and a second later I was explaining "vegetation." When you found out that vegetation included grass you were both satisfied you did a good job taking care of that slug.

P, my darling girl, you and your brother ask me all the time if you can play Plants vs. Zombies. Most of the time I say no because I don't like you sitting in front of the computer, but today...today was different. You handed me a lovely drawing with a note stating how much you loved me. Then you asked me to go down to the computer room to look at something. I finished up the dishes and walked downstairs. Upon reaching the laundry room I spied little blue post-it notes leading me to the computer. They said:

"Mom only alwd"
"Mommy, can I pls play Plants vs zmbeez?"
"I love u and hope you say yes"

I said yes. Now, you and your brother are playing the game as I type.

Love, mommy

Ugh...food trials again

I keep going back and forth with my diet. I want to be vegetarian, I don't, I want to be vegetarian, I can't do it, I want to be vegetarian, and I basically have been brought up on meat and it is hard to change habits.

Well, I watched a documentary called "Forks Over Knives." It was eye-opening and scary. Scary because really to get better health and maintain it, all I have to do is change my diet. People actually reversed their heart disease by choosing to eat a plant-based diet...flat out facts.

Hubby has asked me why I want to stop eating meat. My response was usually emotionally charged - "because I feel bad for the animal or the thought of eating an animal only because of my appetite makes me sick for myself." It never has been point blank, "for my health." The more I turn to wanting to eat less meat or cut it out completely the more I have difficulty ingesting it. I am used to it, though, because I was brought up on meat - the texture, taste, and dishes are familiar to me.

One thing that a doctor said in the documentary was that he had biases. He was a dairy farmer and bought into the marketing that milk is necessary and good for you. Then he changed his mind - when he was older, mind you. And now, the man is in his 70s, running hills, and seems to have more energy than I do...because of his commitment to choosing healthful foods. I want to be healthy and I want to have peace of mind...why do I let my appetite control me? I need to have more will power. I need to have better practices for my health.

I wish I had it in me to write an entire post on what I think about this documentary, but I don't. The kids are currently playing far too rough and will start crying soon. But, I want to leave with this - I need to change my habits. I have cancer and heart disease in my family, and being an older parent means I need to take good care of my health. I want to see my kids graduate from college, I want to see them get married and have kids if they so choose. I want to be a part of my children's adult lives. If making simple changes such as no more processed foods or meat can help me get there, by golly, I need to at least try.

Annual Egg Hunt

Our friends host an Easter egg hunt every year, and I look forward to it every year. They make it so much fun for the kids by having an egg hunt, face painting, trampoline jumping, food, and prizes. It is so fun to be with friends for this festive activity.

This year, however, P had a fever (imagine that, she had a fever for the Christmas party, too). Poor thing, missed out on all the fun...and so do I because I stay home with her. Glad E had a great time, though. Here he is with the Easter Bunny.

Saturday Family Fun Day: North Market and COSI

Friday

Last day before spring break! Early release from school, played outside, enjoyed a little bit of sunshine in the cold weather.

Egg Crackers

I took the kids to Whole Foods for their little kids cooking class. They learned about eggs and got to crack them! We met up with some of their friends, ate, and had a great time.

He likes to bounce...

Menchie Dance

I took the kids to Menchies after school...the frozen yogurt made him dance.

Home

Hubby stayed home from work today because he was "sick." In other words, sick of work and completely stressed out. He needed a mental health day. I wish I could help him at work and tell him to forget all the people who are jackasses, but he has to deal with that on his own. I give advice where I can and when he asks, and I try to be diplomatic...and unfortunately biased. Hey, he's my husband and I hate seeing him hurting.

On the bright side, E was quite pleased daddy was home from work.

Daisy Zoo Outing

Today, my girl's Daisy Girl Scout troop visited the zoo for a class on reuse, recycle, reduce. They got to pet alligators and African millipedes and do crafts! After it was done, my girl and her little friend wanted to see the polar bears, so I braved the "polar" conditions of Ohio and hung out with them for an hour. Then we decided we were freezing, their legs hurt, and we left. It was a very nice afternoon.

Hike

Today we went hiking with one of our best buddies from playgroup. Her oldest daughter was on a play date, but Naomi came along. Naomi and E love each other and their friendship is just so natural and sweet. Heather and I always joke they will end up married...you never know!

Anyhow, it was rather chilly and gray - hahaha! ReallY? I can't believe I even wrote that because we all know it is always chilly and gray here....

Hubby needs to get walking and in shape for his backpacking trip. With the kids along, that won't happen. They get tuckered out after a mile! They have little legs, you know.