cAtcHing UP part II

Next, We were able to go to the Pioneers Day parade this year. Thanks to our favorite friend Nicole for letting us invite ourselves and our neighbor and to her very sweet husband who slept out to save a spot, the perfect spot I may say.

Best Friends:)

Payne’s Favorite, of course, was the Train

He kept calling the floats with the city’s royalty on them, “the Princess floats”

Our hero’s

Watching through a child’s eye was such a magical experience.

 

Also, Payne learned to ride his bike without training wheels literally within 30 minutes of taking them off.

To which his dad saw fit to run out and get him a NEW big boy bike. I love that the next morning he ran out the door to ride in his PJ’s.

Payne couldn’t be happier and he spends most of his day riding. I would say he is officially pro!

 

And lastly, Payne has found a new love, our neighbors snake. Yes snake… ugh! I am not fond of it but he is truly  fascinated with it.

We have “snake” sitting time. They let him bring their snake to our house when he wants to play with it. But they had to tell him that he can only come over twice a day otherwise he was over there every half hour or so. It was hilarious!

Our brother even likes it….

and of course the dog wanted to see what it was all about too.

cAtcHing UP!!

I feel like it has been months since I have visited, let alone posted something in the blog-o-sphere.

I am not sure where summer has gone, although I know it is not “officially” over. Today I have a glass half empty attitude.

I am sad that tomorrow I will register Wy for JR. freaking high, will attend orientation at Payne’s preschool :( and soon enough be buying new school shoes and getting hair cuts for the school pictures. I am sad that I can feel the days closing in until we are back to the same routine of homework, dinner, bath and bed.

Right now we are living it up with late bedtimes, days full of sunshine, nights with late walks around the neighborhood and evenings on the deck.

So what have we been up to, well lots!

We started out the summer by adding lots of color to our porch, Payne always takes great pride in the fact that he “helps” plant some flowers.

Wylie got a rip stick for his b-day and has convinced Payne that pulling him around is pretty cool.

(I have got to figure out night shots with my camera)

Payne had LOADS of fun at swimming lessons, that were taught by his favorite Ms. Lisa and of course having his BF Syd there helped too.

We had some of our favorite visitors come over…

His mug….

We played hard with our cousins…

not sure where he is going backwards?!?

all I have to say is, these two!

oh, how I luv this face….

We tore it up at Incredible Pizza…

that is form I say….

and just cause he is that cute….

I may or may not have KICK Chase’s butt

at the go carts!

and wished our sweet Laney a very

Happy Birthday!!!

Yep that’s right, Payne choose the princess

crown for his “ticket” prize.

we’ll be back for part two… stay tuned.

(promise sooner than later)

and it’s ONLY Wednesday…..

I feel like this has been the longest week of my life.

I have been waiting to hear back about a job I had interviewed for last week, they had more interviews this week but I keep checking my phone to see if I missed a call.

It is the first full week both of my kids have been home together now that school is out. I pretty much want to SELL them!! Payne wants to do everything and go ever where Wylie does and of course Wylie wants no part of that deal.

Payne’s BF down the street is gone on vacation so he really has no one to play with. Though he thinks she will magically appear if he keeps knocking on her door. No lie he will ride to her house, knock, come back home and say Syd is still not home. Then I explain AGAIN that she will be home after 3 sleeps. When do kids understand the concept of time??

Mr. Strate is BUSY with work and I won’t see much of him this week which means no break for me:(

Wylie needs a new phone because he got his wet! We went to the phone store and they told me that he was over is text allowance by 550 texts!!! My heart sank, but good news is that they were able to back date my plan so that I don’t have to pay $$$$$ and of course just in the knick of time, our cycle date ends today at midnight!!

I think this picture sums up feeling on this  week so far! Typical Payne and poor Wylie just being accommodating.

bitter sweet…

life that is, not chocolate :)

Last Thursday was Payne’s last day of his first year of preschool. Last week was Wylie’s last year of Elementary and my nephew graduated from High School

I seem to be fairly emotional about miles stones that come up in life. My husband, seems to think I am crazy. He can’t wait until everyone can provide for themselves (maybe, I exaggerate?). I, on the other hand look at these moments and wish I could freeze time.

My nephew for instance, he is not my eldest nephew but the first one I remember when his mom was expecting him, I couldn’t wait until he arrived.  I was 14 when he was born, I adored him, I was old enough to help out when he was around, not just be his playmate. I still adore him, he holds a special place in my heart.

 

Congratulations, another “Digger” in the family :)

Wylie, the first LOVE of my life….

(Wylie and his 6th grade teacher)

This kid, he is soooo smart, funny, witty, kind, handsome, unique, confident I could go on… But I have to say, I am so lucky that he is mine!!

and of course Payne,

(Payne, Lucy his BF and Ms. Traci his teacher)

My baby, he has come full circle this year. He was such a shy guy so when I enrolled him in preschool my only hope was that he would break out of his shell a little and he has. He instantly had a bond with Lucy but as the year progressed he started playing with a few of the other kids and is even playing with new kids in the neighborhood.  I am so proud of him!!

I am so proud of all three and only wish them the best of everything. Now I will wipe my tears and go finish the laundry, LOL!

thoughts on being a SAHM

At first I dreamed of all I would accomplish,

I THOUGHT I would…

-have the cleanest house in town

-actually be caught up on my laundry

-get caught up on my scrapbooking

-make more home cooked meals

-eat better

-work on my weight loss/exercising

I THOUGHT I would have all the time in the world…

I THOUGHT, what do these mom’s do all day not to die of boredom, frustration, irritation and lack of adult communication.

Well, I haven’t done any of the things I thought I would have. My house is dirtier than ever, my laundry can wait, the scrapbooking has never been touched, I don’t like to cook, so eating better made its way to the back burner and exercising is totally out of the question. For some reason I am totally ok with this, all of this. I have worked hard, in a doggy dog industry for a long time and I am enjoying some what of a break.

What I have been doing (besides looking for a job)..

Eating breakfast with my kids, sometimes in bed while watching cartoons (shhh... don’t tell Mr. S)

Going to preschool with Payne during his rough patch

Attending functions at Wylie’s school

Talking a walk at 9 in the morning cause Payne just can’t wait one more minute to ride his bike.

Watching Wylie get on and off the school bus

Playing LOTS of board games, I totally enjoy watching Payne learn the rules of the game, I can just see his wheels turning.

READING….. this may be Payne’s favorite thing ever. It is always one more story? How do I say no?

Hanging out at the park with friends

Hanging out with friends in the neighborhood

Most importantly watching Payne enjoy his childhood, the most priceless gift I could have been given since loosing my job.

At first I wondered how are we going to make it through until I find another job but some how things are working out, I know this SAHM thing is only temporary but I have LOVED it, sometimes more than others, just to be honest. This is a time that I strongly feel came for a reason in my family, a time that my kids needed me and I will find the perfect job when it is time to work again.

FamiLy MeeTing

Tonight I called a family meeting, usually these are called to decide where we are going to eat but tonight we needed to discuss real things that have been happening in our house.

I decided that this was needed after the day that I had. I went to lunch with my mom and the whole time I spent going in an out threatening Payne if he doesn’t stop whining he is going to have a time out, can’t play with Syd, can’t this and that……. Then we got in the car and I lost it. I don’t like when I react like that, there is nothing positive that comes from it and usually I over compensate for being so impatient that the point is lost.  We are all having some issues so I felt this was necessary and long overdue.

First up I laid down some basics:

RESPECT- You show respect, you earn respect

LOVE- We are a family we are supposed to love each other, even the ugly stuff. We should always show each other love!

LANGUAGE- using negative words, yelling, complaining, whining!!

Then I asked each person what I or someone else could do to make their day more positive (I think staring off with, “what can I do for you” really helped)

Wylie- asked if we could be nicer, general but a start

Payne-asked for more playtime, I thought it was sweet that he tried to be involved and maybe this is what he really needs, our positive attention, after I thought about this request maybe it is the reason for all of the whining??

Me- Help around the house. We are not a family with chores, I mainly take care of all the “house” stuff. Initially because I have some OCD issues but now everyone just expecting it. So I nicely explained that if each person help me for 10 min. each after dinner that is 30 more minutes I have to spend time with them (I think a light went off)

Mr. Strate- asked me to answer my phone when he calls, I have a problem with turning my phone on silence. (again it’s a start)

Next, I went through what was expected out of each person and then I asked them what they expected from me.

I think that this was a VERY positive exercise. It opened a lot of doors for conversation and gave some insight to my kids feelings that maybe they were a little afraid to share.

We have made a list with all of our personal goals and expectations on it and it is now posted on our fridge so that we will be gently reminded :)

*** a funny side note, Payne insisted that I add to his list

Payne loves Lucy

I was happy to do so, since he wanted to be involved.