Coming to fruition

Many of Iain's students give him gifts. Some are for him, some are for our family, and some are for the kids. We've received toys for Sara, clothes for the boys, and even tickets to our local aquarium. Just last week we were given Dutch chocolate from a family that traveled over the summer! (It was really good!) The newest gift is a first though. Sara was given a wetsuit!

As soon as I put it on her, she wanted to show everyone in the neighborhood!

Daddy's dream of surfing with his little girl is a bit closer to fruition. She looks the part...

Catching up to do

We're here, we're here! I know it seems like we fell off the face of the earth, and I guess we did, but we're back. It's been a rough few weeks. We're back up and running though.

I'm hoping to get on here more often to update and post more pictures.

I'm not the only one who was feeling the joy in today. All three kids were hamming it up for the camera. I love getting cute pictures of the kiddos!

A "peace-out" for you all! He's a crack up!

K-I-S-S-A-B-L-E!

I love this shot!

Sara took this one of me while we were waiting to pick up Sean. She's getting better taking pictures. I'm in the middle and her finger is no where to be seen!

The many moods of Sara

These are so perfect to describe Sara. Within a 2 minute photo shoot she went through all these emotions! That's our girl!! (click the pictures to see them larger)

All done...

Think she liked it?

Look what Sara did tonight for the first time...

159

We recently had the annual "grandchild" photo session at Iain's parents house. Each year they hire a photographer to take pictures of all 7 kids together. They then use the picture the following winter for their Christmas card. The photographer is a friend, so he shoots and shoots and shoots... this year he took 159 pictures! After the group shot, he goes on to take individual ones of each child. Here are my favorites of the kiddos:

I'll write another post soon with some of the funny ones!

Q says Quack

The kids have been saying the funniest things lately. I thought I'd share a few of them.

Last week the kids and I were out shoe shopping for Iain T. The salesman offered to measure all three of them so we had correct sizes. He started with Iain and Sean, then he went on to Sara. He measured her foot and politely said "you are a 7 and a half. Yours is little, you're a sweet baby." Sara froze, with a look of complete shock and loudly said "I'm not a baby, I'm a big girl!" I couldn't help but laugh while I was explaining to the man what had happened. He of course was not trying to offend anyone, he just didn't know who he was dealing with. Nor did he understand that she may be little but she is not a baby!!

Another Sara story. I love Abba. You know the disco band from the 70's? Other people think I'm crazy, which is quite possible, but to me there is nothing like a little Dancing Queen, or Mamma Mia. Since I find the music so appealing, the kids hear it often. All three of them can sing both of the above songs. I'm not sure what's funnier, hearing Sara sing them or hearing the boys??? Anyway, the other day Sara started singing her own version of Mamma Mia. The real words to the song are:

'Mamma Mia, here I go again,

My, my how can I resist you'

She was singing:

'Diarrhea, here I go again,

my, my la la la la kiss you'

Don't know if songwriting will be in her future!!

Today Sara was watching Letter Factory. It's a dvd that teaches letter sounds in a very clever and sing/songy way. We bought it for Sean years ago and now Sara enjoys it. When they got to the letter "Q" Sara started singing "Q says quack, Q says quack". She got the gist...

Out of the mouth of the Iain T:
"Sean if you're a towhead that must make me a mudhead" After a brief discussion between the two of them on why Sean can't be a mudhead too, they both agreed with the theory, were happy with it and moved on to other topics.

One more. Yesterday Sean was a bit upset with a decision I made. He decided to go cool off in his room. A few minutes later this is what we found taped to his door: (Click on it to see it larger)

Looks like even though he was mad at me, I was the only one welcome in his room! After a little chuckle we noticed the writing looks pretty good, and at least they all have smiles on their faces!!

More than happy

Today has been a good day! It started with a FANTASTIC recheck of Sean's ears. I can't remember if I shared it with you all (if I already did than please skip this part), he had an ear infection about a month ago, that left him with an ear full of fluid. We were a bit discouraged but the pediatrician was VERY discouraged. She was a downer if I'm being honest. She prescribed a very strong antibiotic and a very, very strong steroid. I filled the prescriptions, then stared at them for 24hrs before dumping them down the drain. The next step was to call our Osteopath for an appointment. Long story even longer, after two sessions with our wonderful Dr. Camacho, the fluid is gone! This isn't the first time he has helped us either. We were at a point about a year ago when the ENT and pediatrician said the fluid would not go away, it was too thick to drain on it's own. Well, a few appts with our beloved Dr. Camacho and voila, no more fluid! The ENT actually said he was unable to explain how it drained out! I know, I know!!

After I dropped Sean off at school this morning, Sara and I had a very productive morning. A little laundry, some cleaning, some castle building and a little progress in Sara's room. It's far from done, but it's at least heading in the right direction. Slow and steady wins the race, right?

Napping in the "Monkey Bed" as Sara calls it.

The "castle" Sara made today

Super Soccer

Today was the first day of soccer. I love soccer! Yes, it's true I love watching the boys play any sport, but soccer is really the most fun. It's fast paced, I think that's what I enjoy so much. Baseball is great when your own kid is playing but can get a bit boring if the ball doesn't come to them.

Iain has moved up to the next division so he's now one of the youngest on the team. With a new division comes new rules. They now call off-sides and if the kids don't throw the ball in properly (if they lift a foot) they lose possession of the ball. I like that more of the real rules are played but it's a big change for the boys. Anyway, Iain did great! He was in the mix most of the time. He loves to just get in there and get the ball. I have to say, he was pretty brave considering the size of a few of those kids! His coach has nicknamed him Scrappy-Doo since he's so fast and gets right in the middle of everyone. I think it's a perfect name for him! Sean also had a great game. He was his usual non-competitive self. He truly doesn't care if he wins or not. That being said, he scored 3 goals! I also don't care if they win, but I sure scream like a banshee when my child scores three goals! It's funny because he loves baseball but he is really good at soccer! I'm sure his love of baseball comes from the fact that every time we turn around there are Angels ads, Angels clothes, we go to Angels games, watch them on tv...when's the last time anyone went to a professional soccer game? And for that matter, other than David Beckham, can you name a professional soccer player? I can't!

Waitin' for the ball... Coach Iain doused with water after Sean's game!
Bouncing cheerleaderSerious face
Crazy face

Experienced model needed inquire within

Modeling is obviously not my forte. Sara has been fascinated with our camera and I always seem to be the one around when she starts clicking. I try to incorporate pictures of both of us every once in awhile to change it up. I better work on my insta-smile as well as posture if she's going to be our acting paparazzi around here. She may want to work on the placement of her fingers though.

And they're off..

It's official, the school year is here.

The boys were up and ready to go quite early this morning. They were full of smiles, talking about what the first day might be like. It went very well!

Morning crazies! They called this the arm picture...

...and this the back picture Iain was a bit nervous about being on a new side of the school. Third graders play on the "big kid" playground so he was in new territory this morning. He saw many familiar faces which helped! We went and met his teacher first thing, she was very nice. She is young, peppy...seemed great! Iain was of course too cool for mom's morning picture barrage, so most of them are of the back of his head!

First he just closed his eyes

Then he covered his face

Then he just decided to turn around all together!! Sean thought it was funny so he joined in!

Sean starts later, he's what they call a Later Gator. He goes from 10:00 to 2:15. So after we dropped Iain off we went home relaxed a bit then went back. He is one ready child! He stood by us for a few minutes but once he saw his buddies, he was off. Did I mention he knows 12 other incoming kindergartens? It was like a big party for him!

Getting to school

Sara wanted to stay today! She knows so many of the kids that I think she felt left out when it was time leave!

Love name tags

Did I mention how amazing my hubby is? Today was his first day also. Since Sean didn't start until 10:00, he was able to get someone to cover his class for an hour or so. He really wanted to be there for the first day! I didn't have any idea he was even coming until last night. I assumed since it was his first day he wouldn't be able to make it work! What a guy!!

School - party of two

Tomorrow is the first day of school. The first day of our new/old routine. The first day of third grade for Iain and the first day of kindergarten for Sean. Wow! I'm completely shocked that I have a child old enough to be in third grade. It sounds so big! At the same time I'm beyond shocked that Sean is starting kindergarten.

When Iain started kindergarten I bawled, I sobbed, I anxiously stared at the clock until pick up time. I just couldn't believe he was starting school. He was so little and in my eyes not ready for the big world away from me. I quickly learned that he was very ready for the big world that we call kindergarten, I was the one who wasn't. Now as he gets ready to march off to third grade, he is a confident, excited little boy ready for what this school year will hold for him. We're so proud of him!

Iain's first day of kindergarten. I can't believe this was 3 years ago.

Two kids in school! That sounds so strange to me. Sean starting kindergarten always seemed so far away. Even when it crept up last year, we decided to wait. (By the way, one of the best decisions we've ever made.) Now kindergarten is finally here and he is so ready in every way. Sean has been to the school twice a day, every day to drop off and pick up Iain. We did this for the past three years. He knows the school inside and out and is ready to go! I'm also ready for him to go. Not in a "can't wait to get my child out of the house" way, but a "I know he is ready and I'm thrilled for him" way. I know he is in a safe place, with a wonderful teacher and he's thrilled to be going! What a great feeling!

The first day napkins I tucked in their lunch boxes tonight. The excited smile at bedtime. He was rolling around talking about his big day tomorrow. An hour later he was still rolling around in bed! Silly boy!

Bedtime smileThe backpacks are ready, lunches are (mostly) made and the clothes are laid out. We're ready for the morning. Stay tuned tomorrow for pictures!