Wordless Wednesday

Like an angel singing to me from the sky

Scarf. Check, Hat. Check, Coat. Check

 It's getting cold. Too effing cold.

We had our first "snow" last night. Just a dusting, but really it's a major F you to those of us that despise the cold. Both kids woke up today and immediately put on snow boots and coats and went outside to eat snow. I sat on my ass and drank my hot coffee watching them through the glass door. I had to drag S in kicking and screaming after about 30 minutes. He refuses to wear a hat or gloves, and let's be honest, he's #2 and I don't have the energy to fight him. K on the other hand, she loves her hat and gloves and coat and warmth. So I can consider myself successful with 1 right?

Something I've never understood is the whole waiting until a certain date to turn on the heat. I live in New England. It gets cold here. Sometimes it gets cold here in September. Then not again until November. When I am cold I turn on the heat. Period. I will not force myself or my kids to suffer.

Today was also a 'skip' day. I took the day off and kept K home from school. We headed to the mall to see Santa. The waits have been ridiculous, I'm talking 4-5 hrs! First of all, who the eff waits that long to see Santa? I really should have chosen a Tuesday or Wednesday for a skip day, because our wait was almost 2 freaking hours. I'll blame it being a Friday as the prime reason. (A friend went yesterday and they waited 20 minutes) By the time I had already wasted 35 minutes in line I had to commit. Nearly 1.5hrs later we saw the fat man in red. Now K knows that is NOT the "real" Santa, but rather a helper. She also knows not to blow it for other kids. 

She asked for Anna and Elsa dolls (score already got them!)  and a pretend cupcake set. WTF?? Research is underway. S asked for (technically K asked for him because he flipped the Eff out upon seeing Santa) a cement mixer and firehouse. 

We are officially in Christmas countdown mode.

Let me leave you with my $22 gem.

A new first!!

Just when I get Used to celebrating my last firsts, I am faced with new firsts!

First day of kindergarten, first real baby sitter, and now first lost tooth. 

K has been battling her top front teeth being loose for nearly 8 months. For at least one, the permanent tooth is already through the gum, pushing the baby out. Tonight my girl got brave and let me pull that puppy out! 

After I pulled it out and she realized it didn't hurt the way she imagined it would, she approved me to pull the 2nd!

Mid way through she stopped me and said "wait! If the tooth fairy comes

A different time I'll get more money right?" This girl Is no dummy. We pinky swore that I get to pull the other tomorrow! And she will score an extra $1! 

Fall in New England

Fall is upon us. Temperatures are now at the point where I struggle daily of will I Or won't I turn the heat on. Do you live where there is that straddle point? Time to clean the heaters I guess. Don't you just hate that first fall heat smell? (Aka dust and dirt burning away)

Let's go back a few weeks...K started Kindergarten. For the most part she is enjoying it, but she does not like the getting up and going part. We have full day K here, and this girl has never gone to daycare or to school for more than 3.5 hrs so long days are tough on her. We're now 3 weeks in, so I'm hoping the "please don't make me go" stage ends soon. Once she gets up and gets going she is fine. I do think she is a little bored right now though. It sounds like they are spending most time doing assessments.

Assessing letter recognition, number knowledge, etc. most of the day is spent with the kids that aren't at the same level

As the majority, leaving the majority in free play and coloring. So far we've received letters home about Strep and Lice. Both we've avoided so far! 4 kids from her class were out last week with Pneumonia. Ugh. I start volunteering in her cafeteria on the 1st and 4th Friday's this week. 

S had a hard time watching his "sissy" leave on the bus, but is loving the one on one time he gets during the day with either Mom or Dad or GiGi. His speech had taken off. He is a total monster though. Recently taking on the joy of throwing things and hitting. When Input him in time out he just laughs at me. When I tell him he was a bad boy and hitting hurts he'll say "I hurt you. It's fun! I do it more!" Awesome! The elementary school K goes to has a Family resource center that has a playgroup on Mondays and Fridays for an hour. I am hoping to adjust my work schedule so I can take S. It's only an hour long.  Like a story hour.

I am a recipient of an award at work. Kind of a big deal award. It's called the "delivering the difference" award. I'll be going to a cocktail reception to be awarded by the President and CEO of my company. Pretty big deal. I also was recently enrolled in a leadership 2 yr course that is pretty elite. AND I start a new job on 10/1. Oh yeah, and I am working from home now 4 days a week.  Whoa lots happening around here.

Here are a couple "first day" Pictures

The boy

Oh the boy. He is unlike his sister in every way possible. He is a complete monster. Throws temper tantrums numerous times a day. Is a complete nuisance to take out in public. Makes it feel like we have 5 kids instead of 2. 

He is a climber, a jumper, a somersaulter. Trucks, cars, tractors, airplanes, trains, anything that moves he is a lover of. 

He gets so sad when his "sissy" is not home and is beyond excited when she comes home. 

He hates all vegetables, but loves almost every fruit we have given him. He does not eat much meat either. Go to foods to get him to eat are Greek yogurt, waffles and hard boiled eggs. He could drink a gallon of water a day if we'd let him.

He is still getting teeth, and is NOT a good teether. In general he is a very whiney boy.

But....he is also a total Momma's boy. He loves to kiss me, to hug me, to snuggle on the couch with me. 

He talks so much. Like never ever shuts the hell up. At his 2yr appt he had over 100 words. He can count to 30, but does not know his ABC's. He is in the 110% for height and 94% for weight. 

He recently accomplished the stairs downwards which is a huge plus since we live in a split level. 

I am gearing up for potty training. Dreading it, but dreading the continuing cost of diapers more. (I am open to tips for pt'ing boys!)

He loves the bath, but hates getting washed and refuses to sit down. He hates the pool, but loves the lake/beach.

Dirt is his favorite thing in the whole wide world, he especially loves to eat it.

He had had 3 big boy haircuts, and is already in need of his 4th. If I let it grow out it is curly and thick. Which I would love, if he would let me wash it. But because of his bath time hangups the hair stays short.

The girl

K turned 5 in February. She was pretty obsessed with all things Willy Wonka at the time so we had a Wonka party. Chocolate fountain, cotton candy, candy filled piñata, and a multi color, multi layered cake. She had all her friends from Pre K and some of our personal friends in attendance. 10 4-7 yr olds plus all their parents squeezed into my little house. Yikes!

She attended a new Pre School this year. One that was private and not held in a daycare center. There were only 5 other kids with 2 FT teachers. We loved the attention the kids received. And I was able to make friends with one of the moms. 

We completed the Kindergarten registration in May and June and are looking forward to the Fall! This summer she is attending day camp at the elementary school. Hopefully it will be an opportunity for her to make some more friends before school starts.

During this year she has grown 3.5 inches an gained 5lbs.

She is learning to read some site words and is so good at math it is kind of shocking sometimes when she comes up with math problems and answers. We've moved onto chapter books too. She is really into the Magic Tree House series. As with most 5 year old girls our house is a flutter with all things Frozen as well.

She is an excellent sister, although he had a hard time letting her brother have his own experiences. We are working on that. She is a goof. There is no getting nice pictures of her. Always a goofy face or an exaggerated smile. 

She just completed her first ever "camp out" in the back yard. I honestly didn't think she'd make it the night, but she proved me wrong!

All in all it's been a good year.

Super lame

It's been a long, long time since I've been here. I check in once and a while for updates on other's blogs, but most that unfollow also link to FB so it makes my life easier. 

Let's see..my kids are great. K is 5.5 and preparing for Kindergarten. S is 2 and is a rotten little monster, but a total Momma's boy. I started a new job a little over a year ago which I love. I am now working from home 3 days a week, and going to full time Wfh this summer. 

Here are a couple recent pictures of the kids. 

Who is still around?