To My 3 Little Monkey's Before You Start School...

Today is the last night before you go off to Junior Kindergarten tomorrow. As I watch some of our home movies from the times before you were one, I have mixed feelings.

I am super thrilled for all the new experiences you will have. I know you'll be great boys in the class and have a lot of fun playing with all the new toys and new friends that you will make. There are so many new things for you to learn; about the world; about yourselves. I know I can't keep you home forever. I know each of you will grow up so quickly now; especially with all the learning you'll do. I hope for all of you to find a good friend, outside of your brothers, too. You 3 have a very special bond & I don't think anyone can break it but it will be good for you to find your own friends too.

They Make Me Smile!

I'm trying not to be "sad". Really, I am. I try to focus on the positive & know this is the right step for you. It's been such fun being able to be home everyday for the past 3 1/2 (almost 4 years). I've seen all your "firsts" & will witness yet another "first" for all of you tomorrow. I'm just thinking of all those funny moments that I will be missing from now on (& can't get recorded!). I have to admit, that there were some trying days (today was actually one of them) where everyone took a turn being bratty or cranky or whiny & I was really looking forward to having some time to myself. And then I got the sweetest hugs & the sweetest kisses and all of that melted away.

LOOK OUT WORLD, HERE WE COME!

Bottom line is...I Love You. I will be here for you always, whether you're in school or whether you're home. I can't wait to hear all the fun stories you're going to bring home.

First sleepover!!

On Sunday, June 8th, Elias kept asking his grandma if he could go to her house. His main focus to go was that he wanted to play with his grandpa's tool box. I told him he had to wait & we'd go later this week. He decided he wanted to spend the night. I was surprised that he was pushing that hard to sleep over. Whenever she asked him to stay before he was so adamant that it was no. We tried to explain that if he went daddy would pick him up the next day and that he couldn't cry at night for us because grandma couldn't bring him back. He said he understood & would even repeat what we said. Finally, after dinner I went upstairs & packed a small bag for him. The group got up to leave & when G & J saw daddy put a car seat inside grandma's van they lost it. Just kept saying Yaso couldn't go without them & that they wanted him. We tried to explain that he was sleeping at grandma's & wouldn't be back until tomorrow & if they left they couldn't cry & couldn't bring them at night. They swore they were okay & wanted to go. So I went back upstairs & packed as much I could think of that they would all need & be comfortable with. They took our van instead (since 3 car seats can't fit in theirs) & away they went. I was just shocked. I didn't know what to do with myself. I hoped they would be good. Wasn't sure how far they'd actually get. Mike guessed they'd get to the end of the subdivision ask to come back.

We just kind of looked at each other in shock. I didn't know what to do. The house was too quiet. Since we'd already had dinner & it was a Sunday night there weren't many "date" things we could do. They called us before bed and J was a little teary eyed saying he wanted to come home but grandma assured him daddy would pick him up the next day & I told him I'd see him tomorrow. I had a little hard time sleeping fully all night but woke up refreshed around 8. Stayed in bed & they called me again around 8:30. They were all in good spirits & all slept the night through!

The next day I found a few errands I've been meaning to do. I talked to them a couple of times & they were in great spirits & had eaten well. They went to the park with grandma & had some snacks. By the time daddy came to get them E & J said they didn't want to leave! They were all a little subdued by the time they came home (Mike said they were trying to take naps on the way).

All in all it was a very successful first time. It's nice that they did it on their own instead of a "have to" situation. Now whenever we "have to" they already know what it's like & it won't be such a big deal.

Proud of you boys!!

Our First Trip to the Dentist...

In some ways was worse than I expected & better than I expected. When we first arrived the receptionist (Phyllis) stood up to see them. They were a sight walking in with matching coats & umbrellas. As I started to fill out the new patient forms & G was called back. Dad went with him & the other 2 started getting upset that dad left. I told them they could follow & I finished up the forms fast. Much to both our surprise, G went into the chair all by himself. I figured he'd scream once the chair started moving back but nope! He opened his mouth very well for the hygienist & even let her scrape & polish his teeth!

The other 2 saw him being good but when I tried to get another one in the chair (in the room next door) they didn't want anything to do with it. I tried laying in the chair & J lay on me, nope. I tried letting the hygienist put the tools in my mouth first but that didn't work either. I even tried giving him the mirror so he can see inside my mouth, nope. E saw all this going on & when she asked if he wanted to get up instead, his reply was simply, "No fanks" ("no thanks" for those of you who don't speak "Elias") - at least he was polite about it.

After G was done he started picking out his toothbrush. This was exciting for all of them. The other 2 started asking for toothbrushes but we said they had to get their teeth cleaned first. Daddy took Elias to the other room & the dentist popped in & checked out G. Everything was good for the most part but he has a little bit of an overbite. Luckily, once daddy sat in the chair E sat on him & let the hygienist do her work. When G was finished we walked over to give E support. He was laying happily on his daddy while the hygienist was brushing & squirting water in his mouth (he loved the water squirting part actually). He finished up without any more hiccups & got to pick out his toothbrush. Finally, we got J in the seat. He laid on daddy & I held his hand while the hygienist cleaned his teeth. He did really well & soon got the hang of it. The doctor came to check out E so I went with him to the next room. His teeth are really good & there were no problems.

J got done & as soon as we said, "done" he asked for his toothbrush. Everyone got something different which is important so they don't get mixed up. Then the doctor came in & had to check his teeth but he didn't protest too much (he had just gotten his toothbrush so he had calmed down). Ah, the things we will do for the love of a new toothbrush!! Makes my life a little easier though...I can bribe them with simple things.