Do I regret having four kids?

That was the question my husband asked me the other night. The day that I totally lost it on our children. Thursday. In short, the answer is no. Absolutely not.  It has NEVER crossed my mind! Things have been so rough here lately. With three boys in school, myself in college, and a baby at my feet, afternoons, specifically homework time (3-6 pm), have been unbearable. No one ever wants to do their homework. Cullen's homework (in sixth grade advanced studies) takes him over three hours a night to do. He has to do it in his room because the rest of the house is so hectic and chaotic, and I honestly don't know what he is doing in there.  I have to sporadically check in on him, when I remember to.  At the end of the night, his answers are sometimes wrong, and they need to be erased and redone.  Aiden needs me to sit next to him and spell words out as he writes sentences (which he does not enjoy), and he needs to read to me.  Roman, well he needs someone to basically DO his homework at the age of four, as he is not great at finding objects in magazines, cutting them out, and pasting them in order correctly on the notebook page.  And then there's my homework!
The back talking, growling, hissing, fighting, fits, and everything else negative that is happening in this house, drove me over the edge Thursday.  I lost it on my children, yelled (and cursed) like an insane maniac.  I told them I could care less what they do with their life, they can fail and it's on them to repeat the grade, not me, and that I no longer would bother with trying to help them succeed (to put it all nicely).  I then called Jude at work, sobbing, telling him to come home before I did anything else stupid in the parenting department.  They won!  The little midget bullies in my home conquered me.  I was angry for the next 12 hours or so, though I did fit an apology in that evening to my poor, disturbed, children.  But, I have held a grudge the past four days and can feel a tiny distance between me and the boys.  I hate it.  I absolutely hate it. 
Jude was upset, concerned, and in desperate need of an immediate answer.  He tried talking to me that night, but it was of no use.  The following day, he came home early from work and informed me he had made an appointment with a family therapist; one to lead us in the right direction in this parenting saga.  I was a little upset at first.  In fact, it bothered me for days.  Until today.  Today was the appointment day and I sat in the office with my arms and legs crossed, sipping my Starbucks frap.  I wanted to see where this was going to go, but not necessarily "be there".  After 20 minutes of being in the room, I noticed my arms were unfolded, my drink was done, and I was talking.  Maybe being there wasn't such a bad idea.  The therapist had already suggested something I hadn't thought of in my time of desperation...a reward chart for doing homework.  The ol' positive reinforcement scenario.  She also said a few other things that made me look at it all differently.  I came home with a completely different attitude.  I made up a chart for all three boys that consisted of BEHAVIOR, CHORES, HOMEWORK, and EXTRA CREDIT.  We have a system!  We had a family meeting tonight following dinner, and after, I wrote up a contract.  They will sign this tomorrow.  There is a light at the end of the tunnel.  I will no longer reward my children, unless it is earned.  Everything will be earned and/or taken away.  I will not be treated with disrespect and tortured.  Homework fights are over.  So is the back talking, sibling rivalry, disobedience, and tantrums.  I am taking back over control!  One of the things Jude and I have to do for therapy homework is to write a list of what we consider to be a good parent.  Should be a piece of cake.  I may post that later when it is done.
I have a few underlying issues with Jude and his parenting role.  One is-he is way too lenient and does not correct our children like he should.  I am the disciplinarian.  He is the passive parent.  No one ever really listens to him, and he doesn't seem as bothered by it as I do.  I feel like I am always picking up his slack.  Two is-he says, way too often, that we don't spend enough time with our kids.  THAT drives me nuts!  My entire life is centered around my children.  There are cub scouts, football practices and martial arts, Monday through Friday.  Every Friday evening is family night, which consists of pizza and a movie, or some other fun family thing.  That's been in affect for over a year.  Bedtime stories are read 6 out of 7 nights a week, always have been.  Dinner is eaten at the table together EVERY night; all 6 of us.  We attend church together at the church THEY want to attend, plus catechism on Sundays.  We also will fit in a weekend family fun day almost every weekend.  I am on the PTO at both schools, a room leader for my Pre-K student, home every afternoon when they get home from school, and we still find time to interact and play with them.  Yet, he feels we do not spend enough "time" with them.  That is something he needs to work out within himself, and I hope he can knock that out during one of our future therapy visits.  I think we spend TOO much time with them.  lol  WE need more alone time! We are doing the best we can with four rambunctious boys, but every now and then, we all need a little help.  I guess that is sometimes hard to accept, like admitting you are not doing that great of a job, when performing the most important job you will ever have in your life.  I'm glad I have Jude by my side.  There is such a long road ahead...

PS-I don't write this for you to judge me.  I write this to remember the hard times, so the good times will feel that much better.  I am not the only parent that has lost it on their children, and I hope this helps someone else maybe going through the same thing.

Dancing with the Stars, Fifth Grade Edition

When Cullen came home months ago with a paper from his school announcing they were doing a "Dancing with the Stars" type of class for the fifth graders, I was eager to sign the permission slip and get Cullen started. Cullen, on the other hand, was totally against it. I had a feeling when I signed the permission slip, it wasn't going to get turned in. I even threatened him, saying I was going to check up on him and this dancing at the parent/teacher conferences, to make sure he was attending. It is during the PE hour. Well, guess what, I didn't follow through. So, months go by, and one day Cullen slips up and says something like, "That's the time all the other kids go to dance."
Wait! Hold up! Back up!
"Cullen, you didn't do the dance class like I told you to?!" It had been a couple months in at this point. Oh, did he get an ear full! He was grounded from all the glorious things he liked. I knew that permission slip was going to disappear!
Within a few days, without me telling him to, and in trying to redeem himself, he approached the coach and professional dance instructor at school and tried weaseling his way in the class. He was successful, too. That boy! He is a permanent substitute, in case any kids miss class, but he has been learning the dances and catching on quick and...HE LIKES IT! Imagine that. My whole point in wanting him to sign up was to try something new and see if he would like it. I want my kids to be well rounded and learn all sorts of new things while they are young. Cullen is a fantastic soccer player, baseball player, he's figured out football is not his thing, nor basketball, he is in Jiu Jitsu, is an awesome artist, and he is learning a second language of Spanish. He can add ballroom dancer to that list now. I want to push them to experience the most out of life. One day, they will thank me. As for now, he is giving me great memories to cherish forever.
Cullen, and his friends


Here are the video links of his new found skill...
The Salsa
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ii97DSTbFUk
The Waltz
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AQv5J8XBY1k
Swing
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AHXEkQwlhdM
Tango
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=549pNxMXz60
Merengue
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FaAvpg8sYmU

A gift for you, a gift for me...

Cullen and Aiden's school had a Santa's Secret Workshop going on this week. That is where they bring money to school and shop for mom/dad/siblings/etc. on their own time. The gifts cost anywhere from $1-$15, or so. I gave them each $6 per family member, with five people to buy for, equals $30 each.
When I handed the boys their envelopes filled out, Aiden immediately asked if he could have some extra money so he could buy himself something. I explained Christmas is about giving, not receiving, blah, blah, blah. I asked him how he would feel if I bought myself a Christmas gift, and not him, which he answered he wouldn't like it. We had a good five minute conversation, which I thought ended with him clearly understanding what Christmas gifting is all about.
I walked to pick them up from school today and the first thing Aiden says is, "I bought myself something today. I had enough money!". "How was that possible?", I wondered. His answer, "I spent less on you all and I had money left over." I think we may need to have the whole "what Christmas is all about" discussion again! He was mighty sad when I told him it, too, was going under the tree with all the other gifts.
Cullen, on the other hand, informed me he brought his own birthday money he had left over from last month so he could spend MORE on us than what he was given. Awww, my baby! Goes to show you what a few years difference will do to a child's maturity level. Makes a momma proud!

Summer is done!

Another non-blogging month long hiatus and I am ready for story time again.

Cullen started school last week. He is an "old and wise" fifth grader now. (At least that is what he would like to believe.)
Aiden's first day of school was today, my big kindergartner.

They were drawing pictures of themselves. Notice the yellow hair Aiden has drawn. First thing. That is how he identifies himself in every self portrait. I love it!


Time just flies on by, and this time next year, Roman will be entering into the Spanish Immersion program his brother is in. They will be talking about me in Spanish in no time, I just know it.
The good news is I survived the summer, and no one was harmed. Bonus! Having just Roman home today was nice. Very nice. We even took a nap together in my bed. Jude has been on vacation all week and home from work. He has cleaned the house from top to bottom and taken care of majority of the household duties, while I have sat and watched television, leaving nothing left on the TiVo to watch. The last couple weeks of being pregnant has caused me quite a few issues and Jude doesn't want me to do ANYTHING, though I think bed rest would drive me absolutely nuts. It is HARD to sit and do nothing all day. Jude is the greatest husband a girl could ever ask for! I hope my boys are learning from him:)

Monday, starting the week off right

The boys and I went to the gym this morning, the grocery, then home. Jude had come home on his lunch break to my surprise and had flowers, a sweet card, and some chocolate waiting for me.

He entered the dog house on Saturday evening, got a free pass on Father's Day, and quickly returned there last night while I was trying to fall asleep. Men do stupid things, and that is all I will say about that. The boys played/fought while I washed clothes and attempted to clean the house a bit.
Once Jude got off work, he brought the boys to the library, mowed the yard while the boys played in the baby pool, and I grilled some delicious steak and corn on the cob.

After, we all watched Charlotte's Web in Spanish. Aiden is very interested in the Spanish language since starting the Spanish Immersion program at school this past year. He was even excited to see the commercials in Spanish. (We DVR'ed it off the local Spanish channel.) I know Roman is going to know quite a few Spanish words by the time he enters into the program next year. I hope to learn it too one day so there will be no secret language in this house as they get older.

Taste and See

Cullen and Aiden have been attending vacation bible school together this week at the church we attend and the theme is Taste and See. It has like a Candyland theme. Every day they give a fun report of what they did. Here are a few photos from my phone...

Happy 5th birthday, Isabel!

Aiden has been counting down the days till he could attend his friend's birthday party from school, Isabel. We had to wake him up early this morning for his last T-Ball game of the season. Then, he went and shopped for Isabel's gift with his daddy and came home to take a nap. After he got all of that out of the way, it was time to go. He was so excited coloring her wrapping paper on the way there. He did a fantastic job!

When we got to her house, there were way more girls there then there were boys and he got beat. It was a water party and they had lots of water fun. The girls were pulling his arms, beating him with floaties, pouring water on him, and so on. He loved every minute of it! He was in childhood heaven playing with his friends from school. I like to watch him interact with his peers because he is so much better behaved than when he plays with his brothers at home. He's a different child. I got to visit with some of the moms and sno balls were served, which were quite yummy. There was the biggest pinata I have ever seen, too.


It was a great party!

I hope these two get to play together some over the summer and we will definitely see them next year for Kindergarten Spanish Immersion. Just look at that smile on the way home...

School is out for summer

Today was Cullen's last official day at school and ALL three children will now be home ALL day on a some what regular basis till the middle of August. (Please pray for my sanity!) When I picked Cullen up from school, he and I went to the store to pick him up a new bike for having all A's and B's all year in academics (not conduct). He did so good on his LEAP tests, too. He really tried this year, you could see his efforts, and it was a brand new school that he had to adjust to on top of it all. He has made us proud and I felt he needed a little reward to encourage him for the next school year. He is now entering the fifth grade. Wow! I told Jude that it really makes me feel old because I can remember the fifth grade like it was yesterday. Now, I am the mother of a fifth grader. *Looking in the mirror for wrinkles.*
Also, I picked up Aiden's report card today from school and he had all 3's (equals proficient) for his final grades, which is the highest you can get. My little Pre-K'er did so well! He also got all green smiley faces in conduct ALL year long except ONE yellow face ONE DAY (for looking under a bathroom door, lol). That is a big change from what I experienced with Cullen in his younger days. I was the parent always in the parent/teacher conferences, trying to explain his behaviors with reasons and trying to find solutions. That boy put me through some sh*t. Aiden's conduct IN SCHOOL is very refreshing!
After, Jude and I took the three boys to see Shrek 4 and it was cute. Cullen thanked us over and over, telling us he had such a great day today, and you know what, I did too:)

Aiden's Pre-K 4 End of the Year Program

Aiden's last day of school was today and he was looking (and feeling) sharp.

They were to be dressed in their Sunday best. Aiden kept looking in the full length mirror and smiling while getting ready this morning.
Jude and I enjoyed the performance the kids put on, thoroughly. In fact, I cried a little too. It is sad to see our little baby complete his first chapter of school.

Iguana's

Diva Isabel in the blue dress

Aiden, with his teacher, getting his Pre-K certificate

Aiden with Ms Crystal (asst teacher) and Ms Beatriz (teacher)

Isabel and Aiden

Mom, Dad, and Aiden (thanks, Paw Paw)

Aiden with Nanny and Paw Paw (Jude's parents)

Maria and me (Isabel's mommy)

His 'Tooty Ta' performance

Leap Test

Cullen changed schools this year from Catholic to Public and has been doing really good academically, socially, and even in physical education. They actually play sports at this school during P.E. and his little football team even won an award, competing against other classmates. He is playing there instead of just hanging out like at his old school, which is helping him is his after school sports tremendously.
So anyway, he took the LA Leap Test a few weeks ago and his results came in today.
The results fall into these categories on Leap Tests:
advanced, mastery, basic, approaching basic and unsatisfactory.
Cullen's results were as follows=
English Language Arts-Mastery
Mathematics-Advanced
Science-Mastery
Social Studies-Advanced
He was so excited to get in the car from school and tell me the results and I am so very proud of him.

Dear Cullen,
You are a very smart young man and you never cease to amaze me. At times, you have no faith in yourself, but mommy has enough for the both of us. You make me very proud and one day I hope you see your own potential, grab it, and run with it.
I love you with all my heart.
Mom
Now, if we could just get him to stop talking in class...

I failed.

Aiden had a field trip to the local park this morning near the school that I had signed up to chaperon a couple weeks back. Let me just state for the record that no where on the paper was it written that we would be walking to this park or that we would be outside for four hours, including a walk there and back. Yesterday, I received another paper stating these facts and a reminder to pack a lunch. I immediately wanted to cancel when I read that but the field trip was the next morning, and I didn't want to put anyone out or have a couple children left without a chaperon. So, I woke up this morning and very slowly got myself ready, begrudgingly. I mean, I'm five months pregnant, it was 88 degrees outside with a humidity level of 68% in the middle the day. When I finally made it to the school this morning, Aiden was happy to see me and I told myself I had to do this. That was the talk I gave myself on the sofa before I left the house, "Andrea, you have to do this. It is your job as a parent to chaperon these events and you must follow through." Really, I had this talk in my head. So I did my best to hang in there, from 9:30 to 1:30. Well, noon came and that was it. I had drank all my water, I was HOT, and Aiden wanted to leave thirty minutes into being there.

Another hour and a half seemed like pure torture and I couldn't bare the thought of it. I asked the one teacher who drove if I could leave, and if she would drive me back to the school. My stomach was crampy and I was done. She agreed and I bid Aiden farewell. He couldn't leave with me and I think he was fine with that. I did promise to check him out as soon as they all arrived back at school. I got home and drank like a fish. I was so happy to be back in the a/c and my thoughts were with those still stuck out there. Today, I officially failed in my parental role as a field trip chaperon. But, as another mom said, Maria, it was more like a field trip to the sun than a day at the park.
Aiden, please forgive mommy.

Student of the Month x2 with a lil' ADHD

Last month, I was very proud to hear that Aiden was January's Student of the Month for his Pre-K class. Each month (in nine months of school) they pick one student from each class to be the Student of the Month. It was a proud mommy moment for me. My first child to get recognized for something like this at a school. Cullen was saddened by this news, and really gave himself a hard time, saying to us "Well at least you have one smart/good kid". Cullen has had a hard time in school since he started preschool with keeping his mouth closed and staying seated during class. It has been a long journey trying to control his mild case of ADHD, with many years sitting in doctor's offices talking it all out, trying to come up with a plan not involving medication. When a child has ADHD, they can show symptoms very early on. As they grow, and get older, you start to expect more out of them (in the behaviour department with listening, etc) that they just can't provide. I am fine with a child who doesn't "listen" to mommy and daddy, as honestly, none of my children really do. lol It's when it starts affecting his quality of life that I really started to consider giving him medication, around the middle of third grade. He was constantly in trouble, being fussed, and not a favorite among the teachers when it came to conduct. Don't get me wrong, he is polite, respectful, and sweet as can be. It's the listening and following directions that he struggles with. His conduct has kept him off the honor roll, not his good grades. It's sad to see him struggle in school and I have had more parent/teacher conferences concerning his talkativeness then I would like to admit. So we started him on medication last year and there were a few instant minor improvements, but nothing miraculous. We were still trying to figure out the right dosage recently, as I am always very hesitant to increase it. This last dosage adjustment last month seems to be the magical number. It has taken a year of trying to find the right formula, but I think we've got it. I can see big improvements in him, like a little miracle, yet he is still my same Cullen.
Well, a few days ago, Cullen came home and stated he was Student of the Month this month for his fourth grade class. I couldn't believe it. I was so excited, and yet a tad hesitant to get worked up without the paperwork in front of me. That sounds terrible, I know, but I was in disbelief. Like, it was too good to be true. Today, the school had an award ceremony for the January/February students (thank you God for combining them) and Cullen sure enough got the certificate as PROOF. He has really shaped up this past month and has even improved some of his grades (not that they weren't perfect to mommy already). I am so super duper proud of my little man! Both of them!
Maybe I'm not that bad of a parent after all...
Aiden receiving his award


Cullen receiving his award


Roman learning from his two big bro's

45 days; oh, and 8 months to go

I haven't blogged in about a month and a half (45 days) and I do miss it at times; other times, I don't. A lot has happened over the weeks, including a wonderful Christmas, a happy new year, a death in the family and a new life created.
Every Sunday you will find Jude and I at a church that I absolutely love! It is amazing what God can do in your life. I wish I had found this church sooner.
Wednesday nights I recently started attending a small covenant group within the LCC and am enjoying it. The kids still love going to church! Life has been wonderful in an amazing Godly way. Last week we were presented with fasting for three weeks of prayer. I decided to fast from Facebook, something I do way too much and find pleasure in. It was hard the first few days but I think I got the hang of it. I have been reading some great books to make up for all my empty time. So maybe, just maybe, with this new found time, I will figure out how to manage my time better and be able to blog again.
Aiden got "Student of the Month" at school a few days ago. Yes, my little man is the complete opposite when under other's care. He is an angel. lol Nine months of school, twenty students in class, he was one picked. Yay Aiden!! Cullen also had all A's, B's, and one C on his report card for his studies. Conduct is all C's too. The boy likes to talk. He can't help it. He was so down on himself the day he got his grades. I was super proud of him! It's like we weren't looking at the same report card. (I know he can pull that C up and give his momma an honor roll once this year.)
In other news, sadly, Jude's Maw Maw passed away on Thursday at four in the morning. She hadn't been doing well and hospice had come in about two weeks ago to help with her care while she spent her last days at home. She had seven children (including Jude's dad), many grandchildren, great grandchildren, and even one great-great grandchild. She was 86 years old. I'd say she lived a long, happy, fulfilled life. She was a woman to admire and I am sure she is enjoying her stay in heaven. Her services were yesterday and it was a beautiful thing to witness. She packed a church!
On the morning of her passing, we got a call at 7:00 a.m. I was waiting to take a pregnancy test as it got closer to my due cycle. It was three days before my missed cycle but I knew New Years Eve night was a success. I just knew it! (Yes, we started trying in December.) So when the phone rang, I woke to run to the bathroom and do my thing. Sure enough, there was a very faint pink extra line. I was sad about Maw Maw and happy to have new life inside of me. That day will never be forgotten. Jude and I are expecting another baby!
For the question, "Are you hoping for that girl?", well, I am just hoping for a healthy baby. I put so much hope into my last child (Roman) being a girl, that when I found out it was a he, I was devastated. I cried and cried. I don't want to do that to myself again. I'll take another boy! At least I will know what to do with him. I'll have hand me downs, too. We can always have another:) I am four weeks and our due date is September 25, 2010. We are so excited to add to our family!

Down on the farm

Today Aiden had his first field trip in his Pre-Kindergarten class and mommy had the privilege to chaperon. We went to a little farm on the Northshore.

He had fun! I, on the other hand, enjoyed watching him have fun. Not so much fun for me. I always say I want to live in the country, but once I get out there, I realize just how much of a city girl I am. Bugs, heat, dirt, ACK!
We watched a cow get milked,

we pet some animals,

rode a hay ride,

and the teacher even kissed a pig! (No picture taken, just utter shock!)

Aiden and Drew (the most "active" child in the class that I had the privilege to chaperon. Cute as a button!)

Breaking up is hard to do

While attending the Open House at the boys school last week, I went and seeked out the picture of the little girl Cullen is crushing on. When I read her last name, I instantly realized who her parents were. I brought Cullen to them immediately so he could meet them, and by the time they were done, Cullen was noticeably bummed. They basically, in a not so sweet way, told Cullen they do not approve of their daughter "liking" boys. They told him they could remain friends (duh, it's fourth grade, what else could possibly happen) and that the little girl was going to return the ring to him. He was so upset once we got in the car, and I felt for him, but honestly, he just got his first dose of the Protective Father/Mother. I think they tried to over explain themselves to a nine year old boy and they could have skipped it all and given the dose to me. I am not sure I would have let him buy a ring twenty four hours in to the "I like yous", but he did, and it is what it is. I hope he takes this as a life lesson to slow his roll and enjoy being a kid. Life goes by so fast, he will be worrying about kids of his own in no time. Well, I hope in twenty years time, but whatever. As I told Jude last night, if we don't teach him right right now, we could be grandparents in six years. He'd be fifteen. Kids have kids in high school these days. Hell, it happened often when I was in school. That is such a scary thought and I will do anything and everything to keep my Cullen on the straight and narrow.
The little girl, since that evening, has been out with the swine flu. Nice. I am waiting to see what the outcome of all of this is. Lesson to be learned: Messing around with girls will get you cooties!

Rushing it a little?

Last night when we were at church, the boys went in different playrooms down stairs. They had a great time, as they were all all-smiles coming out. As soon as we got in the car, Cullen says "Mom, I have something to tell you". I look at him and he is just a smirking. Me: "What?" Cullen: "There's this girl, and she was just in the same class as me, and her name is Leslie, and we go to school together, we're in the same class, and, well, everybody tells me that she likes me, so tonight, I asked her if she likes me and she said yes, and she asked if I liked her, and I said yes, and now we are boyfriend and girlfriend." WHAT? Fourth grade. OMG! So I asked a few questions about her and apparently this little Leslie had another boyfriend at the beginning of the school year (all of two weeks ago) and they broke up. Now I do not want to start with the name calling yet, lol, but I do not need any little girls breaking my big boys heart. As he was going to bed last night, Jude yells, "Cullen, turn the light out and get in the bed." Cullen replies with, wait, you ready for this? "I have to read my bible first." If you know anything about this household, that was a full on belly laugh. I mean, I am proud of him for the new interest and initiative, but I never in a million years thought I would ever hear one of my young ones say that. It looks like Cullen has a little bit of a church bug, too. When he woke this morning, he found time to fix his hair. He hasn't done that since the second day of school. Seriously. So anyways, this afternoon he called Nanny JuJu and asked her to take him to the mall when he was finished with his homework. She came and got him. When he arrived home, he had a video game and a RING. Yes, they have been courting for twenty four hours and he has purchased her a butterfly Mood Ring that cost FOUR dollars. "It's from Mexico." He was so proud to show this to me and I have to admit I really wasn't sure what to say. I told him it was cute and tried to think back to fourth grade, but that was so freakin' long ago. Isn't this all a little sudden? There is an open house tomorrow at his school and I told him I could not wait to meet Leslie's parents. His response was "They don't know about us. They don't like that she has, you know, boyfriends and stuff." Imagine that! And the plot thickens...

I tried to sneak in his room to get a photo of it at 10:30, an hour after he went to bed, and the turd was still awake. When I grabbed the ring, he was right behind me. I told him I wanted to snap a photo of it; because one day he will appreciate that I did.

Busy bees

Today-
*8:30 carpool lane
*9:00 gym
*10:00 Kids museum


*11:00 lunch at the mall
*12:00 window shopping at the mall
*1:00 Roman gets a haircut (A+ for behaviour)
*1:30 grocery store visit
*2:30 hour nap with Ro
*4:00 carpool lane
*5:00 bath and wash clothes
*6:30 church course for two hours
*9:00 homework with Cullen
*11:00 sleepy mommy

I thought I would highlight the days events because I am too tired to do anything else with them. My pocket camera broke this morning so I really do not have any fun pictures, although it was a really really fun day. I love my one on one time with Roman and picking my older boys up from school and hearing about their day.

Dumb?

After going over my very smart man's fourth grade math homework one too many times with him, as he was walking away, I asked him if he needed a math tutor; to which he replied "You think I'm dumb? Geez!" in his I'm about to burst into full on tears in two seconds squeal. He is now crying his eyes out in his room and I am sitting here wondering how math tutor equals dumb. Seriously. The mind of a nine year old.
Moments after the tears, caught off guard

Roman wondering if he needs an English tutor because he doesn't understand English

Earlier today, as I was loading up the car with kids to drop Cullen and Aiden off at school, I asked Aiden if he wanted me to walk him in to school (on his third day), hoping he'd say YES. His reply, "No, I want to be dropped off like Cullen, by car. I know my way there (to class)." He has no problem with independence:(

I live...

in the carpool lane. Yes, this morning I found a way to beat Roman's thunder stealing ways. I parked on the side of the school, left Cullen and Roman in the car while I walked Aiden into class, got back in the car and circled the block to drop Cullen off in front. Aiden needs to be at school by 8:30 and Cullen by 8:50 at the latest. Same school. Aiden needs to be picked up at 3:00 and Cullen at 3:45. See where my problem comes in? There is always a car line! In the afternoon, I end up in the car with Roman for an hour straight, trying to be sweet picking Aiden up early, so he doesn't have to chill in class until Cullen gets out. Eventually though, that will be the plan. Aiden walks in class in the mornings and doesn't look back. He is loving being a big boy. I volunteered at the school today and it was hot in the shed. I invited my mother in law to come and they had a pretty good turnout of volunteers. I got to meet a few moms and plan to do this "Friday Snack Shack" event every other week. I got to see the boys throughout the day also. We were there for four hours. It feels good doing something for the public school. I always felt like the previous private school Cullen attended took a large amount of tuition, and kept on wanting more money. More money, more money, more money! So similar to the past few Sunday church experiences we have had but that is a totally other topic! I understand the needs and all, but there is something about this new school that makes me want to give, give, give. Maybe it is because it is public/tuition free, I really don't know. I just want to be involved.
When evening came, we ate at our favorite Mexican restaurant with Nanny and Paw Paw. The place is always so loud, it drowns out my angelic children's voices and our table of seven fits right in:)
I am not feeling too upbeat these past few days and I am sure it has a lot to do with the latest medical issues I have previously discussed in my blogs. I am hoping that things start to turn around soon. I do not want to get on another med. I am just feeling, overwhelmed, I guess you could say. I need a routine. Granny is not doing so well and I am worried for her. I guess the upcoming week will consist of me driving across the lake a few extra days to stay with her. Please keep my Granny in your prayers.
Oh, and Roman has been super duper sweet. He is loving that we are hanging alone during the day. He is full of kisses, "lub lou's" and all that good stuff. I think we will do just fine on our own for the next two years!

My Pre-Kindergartener's first day of school

Yesterday was Aiden's orientation at school. His first half/half day. It was two hours and forty five minutes of half the children (ten) and their parents sitting in their classroom, reviewing what is expected from everyone. It was all very exciting. Seriously. Aiden met some new friends. I really liked his teacher and the assistant teacher. We did a little touring and met with the principal. As the big tour of the school began, I grabbed the head of the Parents Organization and signed up to volunteer and be on the org. I am so eager to get involved in their school. Well, apparently, I am also a sucker, as I signed up to work in the Friday Snack Shack in two days. That is a little shed with a very very tiny a/c and NO insulation, popping popcorn and selling snacks in the heat. Fun! We all ended up back in the classroom and as I sat there looking at the other parents, I realized majority of these people will be in my life, maybe, for the next 14 years. Since Aiden is in a Spanish Immersion program, the same twenty kids progress to the next grade, together, each year. They do not have different classes with different students each year like normally. Thank goodness everyone appeared nice (and decent). I also found out I can walk him to class all next week so that does comfort me.



In the evening we hung out with the Castillo's and ate my leftover homemade lasagna for dinner. The boys let out a ton of energy and I got to hang with my friend:)



Today he went a full day and he really likes it. As I was dressing him, he said "Momma, I am going to miss you today while I am at school." Melted my heart. I walked him into his class this morning and I had Roman with me. Roman didn't want to walk in the classroom door and started throwing himself to the ground. I picked him up, but not before he knocked some papers off the wall. I was in a tizzy and eager to get out. Ro pretty much stole Aiden's thunder this morning. When I picked Aiden up in the afternoon, he was all smiles. I asked him if he missed me, to which he replied, "No, I had my friends, I didn't miss you." I am not sure if that is a good thing or a bad thing. Broke my heart.
When Aiden came home, he pooped on the potty twice. I was doing a dance that he is FINALLY interested in the toilet for more than just number one. Anyone who knows me, knows this is an issue I have been fighting for the past two years. Aiden had said that once school started, he would poop on the potty, and THAT HE DID. I realize this boy has worked me for two years and he COULD HAVE used the potty all this time if HE really wanted to, but it is what it is. I had known it was a control issue from very early on and had tried EVERYTHING under the sun to train him. HE WON! I finally told him that he was not going to be able to go to school if he didn't learn to do it right. I also said that I no longer cared if he did it, but he should do it for the right to go to school. He is four years five months, and forty five pounds. Do you know what it is like changing a child that size/age? The grossest thing imaginable! Anywho, I hope we are FINALLY on the right track. School is going wonderfully!