wYLiE...

I thought I would give a little update on what is going on in his world.....

It has been a little over a month since he started Jr. High and he absolutely loves it!  The night before his first day, he had laid his clothes out and packed his book bag. This is not typical Wylie fashion, I would say he is more of a fly by the seat of his pants kind of guy.  I felt like it was Christmas eve....

Last week was Parent teacher conference and I could not have been more proud. How was I  lucky enough to have been given one of the greatest kids EVER.  His teacher's told me how much they enjoyed having him in their classes, how he loves to participate, is always very courteous and not to mention he is pulling straight A's. 

He has joined the Chess Club and the Cross County team.  I was so happy that he took an initiative to search these options out and be part of something at school.  He is planning on running for student council this fall and can't wait to participate in the after school art program once he is done with Cross Country.  He is also playing football four days a week and LOVES it. I love that he is "sporty" yet kind of "nerdy", ha ha...

One of the many things I admire about him, is that you can put him in any situation and he will come out with a new friend or two. He has made lot of new friends at school this year and some are even 8th graders. I would say that is huge in the Jr.H world.

I can't believe how much my boy has changed in such a short time, I am so excited to see what the future has in store for such an amazing young man!

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)

gIaNt mArshmaLLows….

I have a husband who loves to indulge my children's sweet tooth! After returning from the grocery store for milk, he surprised us with GIANT marshmallows, chocolate and gram crackers. I love a good roasted mallow over a campfire but since we  have no fire, we turned to our trusty gas stove. I lit those baby’s up and we roasted our mallows over open flame in the kitchen. It was fun, quick,  yummy and super sticky!!!

If you see these in your grocery store do not pass them by,

because you would be missing a really gooey goodness!!

a little independence…

with the change of age comes the benefit of a little more independence…

I am trying to let Wylie really enjoy his summer and spread his wings.

So Wylie went to his first movie (a matinee) with just friends!! I thought it was so cute that they choose to see Toy Story 3, for the third time. I guess even though he is growing at leaps and bounds, he is still young and innocent.

I was so nervous, but I walked them in, helped them get their tickets and popcorn made sure their phones were off and gave my boy a “side” hug, I didn’t want him to look lame with a mom gushing over him, but I need a little hug to reassure myself that it will all be ok.

Of course I was there ten minutes before the movie ended ready to pick them up, text him to let him know I was there and sighed a huge relief when I saw them walk out….

**I am sooooo behind in keeping up with our blog, this post was originally started in the middle of June!

Lucky…..

Yesterday I picked up Wylie from his dad’s. He hopped in the car with a couple of cards and his birthday present. We talked about how cool it was he got LOAD of cash that he can spend however he wants. I asked what he might spend it on and what we should do that day.

When we got home he was gathering his stuff and asked me to grab his cards. Sure, of course. I took a peak in to see what everyone wrote and this is what I read…

Wylie,

you bring smiles and sunshine everywhere you go. I am so happy to be able to be a part of your life and I love having you and your cute personality in our lives.

Love,

his step-mom

I couldn't help but get a little teary eyed.

I am so LUCKY to have a woman like her helping me raise a great kid and Wylie is so LUCKY to have a women like her in his life. I know that she loves him and he loves her.

we are LUCKY!!

12…

on the 16th my sweet boy turned 12, I can’t believe it!

Happy Birthday to YOU!!!!

Were has the time gone, really? I LOVE this boy more than words can explain, he is my sunshine!

At his request, he wanted to have a family dinner instead of his usual bash. So on Sunday we had the fam over, it was nice and low key.  Of course I was a little sad not to get to plan something with a theme, balloons, party favors and a cake to match. But I realize he is a pre-teen and is much to cool for childish parties now.

On his big day he did invite a couple of neighborhood friends over for pizza and homemade oreo’s.  Later that night he took a friend to boondocks to hang out. He scored a huge tiger from the claw machine which he was pretty stoked about! We also made it to the Spaghetti Factory for lunch on Tuesday which is his FAVORITE place to eat and rarely go. I think he had a good time and I am glad I was home to get to spend his day with him. 

**a side note, the photo is courtesy of Payne. I think I am going to stop taking pictures and just hand my camera over to these two. I have tons of funny shots, I just wonder where I was when they took these?

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.

are you a rOck StAr….

We hosted the sixth grade end of the year party  this weekend. With the help of his teacher and the other room mother Rachel I think it was a success….

we had a Rock Band competition.

“the stage”

 

“the Band”

Mrs. Brown singing

Gabe on guitar

Preston singing to Wylie, ha ha… Rachel on guitar

Wylie is a natural drummer and Ben, the class “mascot”, he is Gabe’s little brother whom everyone ADORES.

“the audience”

“our smallest FAN!!” he was so excited to be part of the fun.

the talent agent?? I am not sure why he was on the phone. but that hair due screams punk rocker.

and LOTS of sugar…..

This was such a great school year, we just wanted to give the kids a ROCKIN’ send off!!!

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!

first crushes…

I had gone to Wylie’s school awhile back to help out and some of the kids were talking about “girlfriends and boyfriends”  I asked him if he had a girlfriend. He said no, but he confided in me that he has a crush on a girl at school. I thought it was very sweet and he swore me to secrecy.

For the last week or so Wylie has brought up a new girls name quite often and has started riding his bike down by her house to “hang” out with the kids over there. I asked him if he liked her, since the other kids were quite a bit younger than he is, and she is the reason he is going over there.  He blushed and of course said, NO!

Well today he came in my room and announced that he is “over” the first girl, cause she is totally weird (boy does he have a lot to learn about women) and does in fact think the girl down the street is “cute”. I would agree, she is sweet, cute and has great fashion sense at such a young age.

With that face I am sure there are to be many heartbreaks for young women all over our town (LOL)

This whole conversation makes me feel OLD, I remember sixth grade and the boy I totally had a crush on.  Oh the innocence of young hearts ;)

BROTHERS

These two had a rocky start, Wylie was 6 at the time and the youngest at his dad’s and the only one at our house when I found out that I was expecting Payne.  He loved all of his friends siblings but has no desire to be a big brother. 4yrs later I think they are starting to warm up to each other.

 

Well, at least sometimes……………………..

and sometimes NOT!!

Wylie hated that Payne wanted to do everything he did, but once he realized that he was just being IDOLIZED he came to terms with being so cool and started to let Payne “hangout” with him.

Even while waiting for the school bus…

and at night when he is scared to sleep in his own bed.

I LOVE and ADORE these boys and hope that they will always remember to love each other too!