A Little Bit of This...A Little Bit of That!

Owen has become quite a master lego builder. He practically put this set together all by himself. Daddy and I helped him with a few things, but he did most of it after school in the evenings while I cooked dinner. He was very proud of himself. Today we went to Potomac Mills and the boys got a chance to build part of a giant Yoda lego statue. It was pretty neat. There were bricks set up at a bunch of tables and the kids (and adult kids) could build sets of bricks that they would use in the giant Yoda. Afterwards, they got a certificate and a Star Wars poster. (Owen also managed to talk us into buying him a new Lego set!) It was a lot of fun.
Even Logan made a brick! (Check out the Indiana Jones hat!)
Owen had his first soccer game today. He did great - ran his heart out, but his team was creamed! Oh well, they had a good time.
Poor Max - tortured again. This poor cat is held, squeezed and tortured and he just takes it. The kids "love" him so much. I swear you can read his mind in the picture!
Logan is Indiana obsessed! We ordered this hat off of ebay for him and he wears it everywhere. The best part is that he sings the theme song along with it. Can you guess what he is going to be for Halloween?! I bet you can't guess what his birthday theme is going to be?! Now, look at the next picture and guess what he wants to be when he grows up!!!!

This was a page in his All About Me book that he made this week at school. I thought it was too precious! Love the hat on Indy!

We didn't forget about Emma. She went to her friend Mary's for a sleepover. It's almost 11:00 and we haven't received a phone call to come pick her up yet. Hopefully she'll make it through the night without missing us too much. She's been going through this stage where she won't leave our sides. I just want her to stop worrying so much and have fun being a kid.

Hope you all had a good weekend!

SOS - Save Our Schools

Well, we survived another week of school. It was another successful week. I keep waiting for the other shoe to drop, but so far this has been the smoothest start to school ever. I have such a wonderful class, the kids are happy, and our schedule is light. Maybe having only one activity is making a difference. It's a good thing only Owen is playing soccer right now, because Jonathan and I will be attending many meetings over the next month or so. Right now, there is a study and a committee has been formed about whether or not to close Stafford Elementary and Stafford Middle. There are several other schools also on the list, but these two are near and dear to us. So, I've been to two information meetings this week. Monday was about the middle school. It is possible that they could close it as early as next year. Meaning, Emma would have to go to a new middle school and there goes the idea of us buying a house near the school. If they choose to close Stafford Elementary, it could be as soon as Logan is starting kindergarten. We don't know where I would be employed or where the kids would have to go to school. It is such an emotional and scary process. I sat through those meetings listening to their justification of closing schools and the bottom line is money. They don't care that some kids will be on the bus for 80 minutes (one way!!!!), or that there will be no sense of community for our schools (SES and Stafford Middle are right down the road from one another). It's all about politics and money. It's very hard for me not to get emotional about it. I'm going to sit down this weekend and write my letters to the Board of Supervisors and the School Board - I don't know what else to do. I always thought my kids and I would stay at Stafford Elementary. Let's just hope they realize that they can't put a price on a child's education!

Hurricane Fun!

So, the kids got the idea to make boats and float them in the ditch in front of our house. We said, Why Not?! Everybody loves to play in the rain! They had a blast or should I say splash?!! The neighbors probably think we are crazy, but oh well! The boats went really well (although the sails didn't last long) and the kids had fun getting soaked. Afterwards, we came inside, changed and had some hot cocoa. Hope you enjoyed the rain too!

First Day of School

Ready for school!

Logan...not so happy to have his picture taken!Emma and Mr. Stonebreaker
Owen and Mrs. Carr

Logan showing off his school work from the day!

Well, we survived the first day of school! It was actually a very good day. I think we had the smoothest first day ever. The kids were excited this morning and pretty cooperative. Emma was a bit apprehensive - she was unsure if she would like a male teacher. Logan did fine when I dropped him at Ms. Beth's. He wouldn't cooperate for a picture, but I knew he was glad to be back with his friends. He is the only boy in his group - Logan and five girls - just like Owen had when he went to Ms. Beth's. Hopefully the girls will set him straight. He loved doing his school work and he couldn't wait to do his "homework" when he got home tonight. Emma loves her teacher. She seems much more relaxed and she really enjoyed her day. She too came home ready and willing to do her homework tonight. If only the excitement would last all year! Owen also had a good day. He is really growing up. It was nice seeing him at lunch and on the playground. He may not like it, but I do! I also had a great day. I have a really nice class and as of right now...I only have 19 students!!!! I think it's going to be a great year!

Kings Dominion

Kings Dominion Fun Daddy and Owen getting ready to ride the Drop Tower!

We survived the first week back to work. It always amazes me how quickly we become so crazy busy once work and school starts again. We get up at 6 in the morning and I don't stop moving until I crash into bed around 11 or 12. I forget how relaxing the summer is. The kids did great at the sitters this week. They had fun swimming and playing with all the kids at Ms. Beth's. I had fun setting up my classroom and meeting some of my new students. It seems like a wonderful class and I'm looking forward to a great year. Owen was glad to get Mrs. Carr as his teacher. Emma also had her and she's right next door to Mommy! I think he will do great with her (thanks Charma!) and Emma got Mr. Stonebreaker. She is glad to be with some of her friends and excited about the year. This will be her first male teacher, so I think she's a little unsure of what to expect, but I know she will have a great year.

We surprised the kids with a trip to Kings Dominion on Saturday. We have lived down here 12 years and never made the trip to Kings Dominion. We had a lot of fun! The kids didn't know where we were going, so needless to say, they were very excited to see the KD signs. The park was not crowded and the kids got to meet a lot of characters and ride a lot of rides. I can definitely see us getting season passes when the kids are a little older.

We had a little picnic tonight. Emma's friend Mary and my friend Kim came over. Kim also brought her puppy, Maddie, to play. The kids had a wonderful time chasing her around. Owen was a natural taking care of her. It was a beautiful evening and we had a great time. Tomorrow we plan on relaxing and getting ready to go back to school on Tuesday. Hope you enjoy the photos.

Picnic Fun

Firetrucks and Cousins

The kids had a great time at Connor's birthday party. It was at the Lutherville Fire Department and it was one of the most awesome birthday parties we've ever been to. The firemen (and women) gave the kids a lesson on fire safety and let them put on their gear. They showed them around the fire trucks and then they gave them a ride on a real fire truck! When they got back, they let each of the kids shoot the fire hose. The kids had a blast. We ate pizza and cake and enjoyed the birthday boy. Connor was in heaven. It was certainly a birthday party my kids won't forget any time soon.

Connor and Logan waiting for the party to start.

Emma trying out the gear.
Logan...that helmet looks a little big.
Logan loved shooting the firehose! How cool!
Owen was shy, but he still tried the jacket on.
We also got to spend some time with Ethan and Madison, who celebrated their second birthday a few weeks ago. They are getting so big. They are both talking and they are as cute as anything. It's so nice to see them and have them know us. I always worry about being so far away and not seeing them often - but it didn't take long for them to warm up this time. Owen and Logan took their remote control trucks and the kids had a great time playing with them. It was quite cute in the picture below. Ethan thought he was controlling the truck, but Owen was really doing it standing behind him. Owen thought that was so funny! He is really great with the little ones. I am always amazed at how patient he is and how he doesn't mind sharing with them. Now...if only he could be like that with Emma and Logan. Anyways, we had a great visit with everyone. Can't wait for another weekend trip to PA.

Owen helping Ethan control the truck.

Ethan...so handsome!
I loved this! Ethan was pushing Madison on her new scooter. How sweet!
Madison...so beautiful!
Owen helping Ethan fill up the car.

Summer is coming to an end

Well, I knew it would happen. Summer flew by and it's time to go back to school. Emma had soccer camp this week, so the boys and I spent a little time in my classroom. They were a great help at helping me set up my room. So I got a head start on my classroom - there is never enough time during the work week.
We are headed to PA tomorrow for my nephew's birthday party. Connor loves fire trucks, so his party is at the local fire station. It should be fun. We're also going to get to see Madison and Ethan, who just had their second birthday a few weeks ago. We're looking forward to seeing everyone and spending some time at "home".
Owen has been amazing this week. I have my Owen back! I can not believe what a difference we have seen. He is calmer and just all around "settled". There isn't the bouncing on the couch and the up and down at dinner. I can't even begin to explain it. He still has his moments, but I truly believe we did the right thing. Jonathan hasn't seen the progress as much, but I think it's because the meds are starting to wear off around the time he gets home from work. Today Owen sat down and did Pixos (a craft where you take tiny little beads and put them in a tray) for an hour. He didn't scream or cry from frustration. He sat there and made two incredible fire trucks all on his own. He would never have had the patience or ability to sit there for that long. I could have cried watching him. He recognizes the difference too. He says he feels calmer and we talked about how nice it is not to fight about everything. Even Emma admitted she saw a difference, so we are thrilled with the changes. We'll see how he does with a weekend in PA.