Oh Wise One. . .

Playing hide-and-seek

Jason and I have been discussing lately how incredibly smart our kids are.  We've really noticed (b/c he's the child that talks) that Camden really is smart, I mean--he thinks of things that I would just never think of--and I'm an adult!!  So this post is dedicated to him and all of his wisdom!! :)  I'll share with you my favorite 2:

FRIDAY AT SAMS

"Mommy--they sell cars here?" (observing a car in the bay where they put tires on) "No baby, but you can buy tires here, that car is getting new tires.  If you get a flat tire you can just come here and get a new one."  "MOMMY--how are you going to get here if you have a flat tire??"  He then proceeded to get out and show me where the spare tire is (well, he was sort of right he was showing me where it would be if we were in the truck, but we were in the car so I showed him where the spare for the car would be)

  

IN THE CAR ON THE WAY HOME FROM A BIRTHDAY PARTY

"Mommy-God died so that we wouldn't have to go in timeout anymore."

(this really needs no explanation.  .  .)

August

we are going to call this one a month of firsts.  .  .hear me out fellow bloggers--do you ever start composing blog posts in your head?  I do, most of them never actually make it from my brain to the computer mind you, but last night I was thinking I needed to start posting about August--we've had a lot going on, we always do, but this month it seems like we've had some important "firsts".  .  .such as:

FIRST INTERVIEW FOR MOMMY (in a long long long long time):
So last year, towards the end of the year, I started thinking about finding something to do that would allow me to work (sort of), and still be home for the boys.  I have been doing some volunteering with kids on Wednesday nights at Mt. Zion, and being the room mom for Camden definitely put me in the classroom setting a little bit, and I thought this might be the route for me to take. .  .maybe I should try to work in the pre-school!  The hours are good, it would allow me to put Evan in school a couple of days a week and I would get a discount, and I would still be able to pick Camden up at the end of the day and we would still have time for dinner, etc.  .  .I applied 2 different places and was thrilled, and a little nervous, when one called me in for an interview. .  .

FIRST DAY OF PRE-K!!

First Day of Pre-K!!  (YES, I know his bag is huge!)

Camden started pre-k on August 9.  It was such a big important day!!  He is in school ALL DAY PEOPLE--ALL DAY!!!  He doesn't have to take his lunch, they feed him there.  Of course that means pretty much doesn't eat all day, but he will.  .  .eventually.  I am so excited about the year, I think that Camden has great teachers (one even graduated from GaSouthern)--even though he says he doesn't like it b/c it's too long, I know he does.  One more thing-the other day when I picked him up, he said: "Mommy, I wanted you so bad today!  I just missed you so much and wanted to be with you!"  Y'all--if that doesn't make you feel like the most important person in the world, hearing those sweet words out of your baby's mouth--nothing will!!

FIRST TIME TO THE DENTIST AND THE DOCTOR WITH NO TEARS:

I know he looks frightened, but he still did it!

What a relief!  The dentist took a little bribe!!  Camden was really pitching a fit beforehand, so I calmly looked at him and said: "Camden, it's okay to be scared, but if you go to the dentist and do everything they ask and sit in their chair with no fussing and fighting, Mommy will take you to get a pack of SillyBandz."  IT WORKED!!  He insisted that I hold his hand, which didn't bother me one bit--but he did AWESOME!!    I've always felt if I could just prove that it's really not that bad, if I could just let him see one time that it doesn't hurt that he would be fine--I really hope it worked!!
The week after we had to go get caught up on some shots for Mr. Camden. .  .rough month so far, right??  We've tried to get these shots more than once, but due to wheezing, have had to cancel.  SO--off we go and again with the bribes. .  .;)--well, maybe it wasn't a bribe, but more a something to look forward to.  On the way there, he said: "You know, I might cry..." to which I responded: "Baby, you can cry, and you can be scared, but you can't kick, scream, or do anything that makes it difficult to give you a shot, I don't want them to have to send a nurse in to hold you down, remember, when you are done we get to watch the Squeakuel, eat pizza, and I'll let you pick out some ice cream at the grocery store!"  Did it work, OH YEA, it worked!!  He said "ow" and scrunched up his face!!  I AM SO PROUD OF HIM!!!

FIRST HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT:

Things that start with "C"

Okay, I know what you are thinking--Homework??  In Pre-K?? --technically, it's optional, just not in our house.  So the first assignment was to cut out pictures of things that start with a "C"and paste them to the letter "C".  I'm going to be honest, if our first experience foreshadows what we have to look forward to in the homework department--I'd like to retire now!!  Camden does not focus well on these things--and he pretty much "half-assed" it.  .  .HOWEVER, he comes by that very honestly b/c (as much as I cringe to admit it)--I was the EXACT same way!!  Needless to say, it did get done, but Mommy had to recut our pictures!!  Oh well--we have to do one every weekend (I think) so hopefully it will just get to be habit. .  .  

FIRST DAY AT A NEW JOB:
Well, yes, I did get the job!!  I will be assisting in a 2-day 2 year old class.  So 2 days a week, Evan and I will head on into Snellville UMC (this is also where Camden went).  I'm very excited, school hasn't actually started yet, but Monday started 2 weeks of orientation and pre-planning.  I don't have to actually go for the full 2 weeks, but it's nice to have something else to focus on other than my "cleaning" schedule :)!!  I think this is going to be such a wonderful opportunity, and I really just can't wait to get started with it!!  The girl I'm teaching with is COMPLETE opposite of me--so I think we will feed off of each other very well!!  I'm sure more on my experiences will be posted!!

FIRST DAY OF SOCCER:

First Soccer Practice

So, I know we are all over the place with our sports, BUT, my goal is to show Camden his choices and then see what he excels in, and what he enjoys the most, and then focus on that!!  I totally wish we had STARTED with soccer--we got to the field the other night and Camden grabbed his ball and said "SEE YA, I KNOW HOW TO PLAY SOCCER!"  Not once did I have to tell him to go join his team, or remind him to pay attention.  He had a great time, and he can kick the ball!  I was so proud and excited for him!







Well, that's it for our month of August!  It's been a good month, and a HOT month!!  I'm ready for it to cool off a bit--anyone else???

July & August--summer continues

How I thought I could fit everything into 1 or 2 posts, I'm not sure!!  Ideally I would blog all through the summer, rather than once it's all over.  .  .okay--but hindsight is 20/20--so moving on!!!

Had to throw this one in!  The 3 Amigos: Bryant, Molly, & Camden
They've been friends from the very beginning!!!

Okay so July--my GoPro gig ended up lasting through the month of July!  It was nice to make the extra money, stressful trying to find people to keep my kids.  I did learn that as much as I enjoy working, I am so thankful to be able to stay home and "hold down the fort"!!!  I feel like I said that in my last post, so we'll just leave it at that!!
Let's see--the first BIG catastrophe we had was that Evan fell and hit his head and had to get stitches.  .  .did I mention we were IN the doctor's office??  Yea, we were.  .  .did I mention I had an extra child with me??  Yea, I did.  .  .I thought I was staying calm, but I must've looked completely panic stricken b/c the NP that was helping me "STOP THE BLEEDING" offered to drive me and my children (loved the look on people's faces when I gave Sam's bday as 10/15 and Cam's as 11/7--they thought I was A-MA-ZING! to have children that close in age, even though, I'm pretty sure this is impossible) over to Scottish Rite and get us settled in!!  About 2.5 hours later we left with 6 stitches:

and a bracelet that stated: FALL RISK--well, NO DUH!!!!!!!!!  The bracelet was mainly just b/c of the meds they gave him to "calm him", but truly, I think I should have a shirt made for him.  .  .

Okay--so after this adventure the rest of July was pretty calm!!  We hit some birthday parties, hit the pool maybe once.  .  .(it's really a lot of work people), and then the week after the fall the boys went to stay in PTC with Nana & MoPa for the week!  This helped in so many ways, it was my last week at GoPro, and they were originally supposed to be staying with them anyways at the end of the week so we could go to Statesboro and Savannah for a Returning Warrior Workshop.  Camden had a great time, he was able to take private swim lessons which helped him so much with his swimming!  He's still not an expert, but HIS comfort level is higher and I truly think that is a good thing!!  Jason and I had such a great time on our weekend away!  We stayed overnight in Statesboro--we walked all around campus on Thursday--Georgia Southern has really come into it's own!!  I swelled with pride walking around and knowing that I went there way back when.  .  .GO EAGLES!!  The RWW was wonderful as well!!  I don't want to go into a lot of details, but to any of my military spouses who are dealing with a deployment--this workshop is  MUST DO!!  I think Jason and I have adjusted pretty well with his return to the civilian world, but it really opened up some "cans" that were maybe on the "backshelf" and I think made us feel comfortable dealing with them.  I can't say enough good things about our weekend!!  It also helps you to feel like you have a support system in place in case your spouse is ever deployed again.  .  .I don't like thinking about it, but I know it will more than likely happen. .  .Sorry no pics of the happy couple on our weekend away, some were taken, but we never got them!!!

The last week of July we went to visit my grandparents in Asheville!  We were actually supposed to go earlier in July, but we had to postpone b/c I was working.  It ended up working out fine, we had a nice visit.  We took the boys to the Children's Museum again (yes, I totally forgot my camera), and up to Weaverville to visit with Aunt Le!  I also had my Nana teach me how to make Mango Chutney!!  She makes it and it is SOOOOOOOO yummy!!!!  I'm so glad I learned to do it, it's not quite as intimidating as I thought it would be!

Me & Nana

 Me & Papa

The boys on their big wheels, you know, those things will hold an adult.  . .just sayin. .  .

So, our last week of summer we did some back to school shopping, went to see my MeMaw in Athens, and had a fun playdate at the bouncy with friends!  It truly was a great summer--I can't believe it's over and pre-K has started!!!  

Summer in a Post. . .or 2!!

Well, if you can believe it--summer has come and gone and I haven't had time for a single post!!  Right now, I have a second just to get started, I have lots of consignment things to tag!!  So I will start, and hopefully finish this post in a day or two--as a reader none of this matters to you, but if it's in here I will feel it looming and go ahead and take care of it instead of vegging in front of Big Brother!! :)  Our summer truly has flown right by--since there is much to tell, I will start with June, and then follow up with July and the one week of August that we had!!

Okay--it's Friday and I'm back to writing!!!  Okay so--June! Camden was able to go to 2 weeks of VBS, he went on an adventure of the 'High Seas' at SUMC, and saddled up for 'Saddle Ridge Ranch' at Mount Zion.  I was able to volunteer in the 4 year old class at Mt. Zion so in essence I played a "fly on the wall" and watched Camden interact and play with other kids.  Other than the KILLER stomach bug I came down with the second day it was a great week!

In between these 2 weeks we packed up and headed to good 'ol Huntsville!  It was Family Day for NMCB 24--now the last time I went to Family Day was pre-deployment, it was hot-I was pregnant, knew no one, had a 2 year old to chase around, and had to sit in meetings regarding living wills, and power of attorney, etc.  .  .This time was different--it was still HOT!!  However, there were no meetings-just fun!  Also, I was able to catch up with some of my friends that I made while the guys were deployed!  Much different the 2nd time around, I just wish they would do it a little earlier in the year so it's not so HOT!!!!

Daddy at work (he's the one in the camo.  .  .)

This face paint lasted about.  .  .30 seconds!!  He wanted it so bad, then realized he was bringing attention to himself and people were looking at him, so it had to come off. . .

While we were in Huntsville, we decided to take the boys to the Air & Space Museum.  Thanks to the Military discount, we all got in for F-R-E-E--FREE!  I was so glad, b/c really they are probably too young for it, but we needed something to do!!!

Mommy and her boys!!

Ready to BLAST OFF!!!

I don't know why--but I just love this picture!!

The last week of June I went back to work.  .  .yep--that's right--I went back to help fill in at Go Pro!  Sometimes it's nice to do something different--it was nice to make a change for a while, but I'm really glad that I'm able to be home and close to my boys!!  I really enjoy being involved with them and their school and activities--and if I was working full time outside of the home I know that's something I just wouldn't be able to do in the capacity that I want to do it!!

So--the next post is JULY and AUGUST--wonder how long that will take me to get to?? :)

It Happens. . .

and by "it" I mean S&*%--I'll just go ahead and let you know that if you can't handle discussions of poop then stop reading now.  .  .

OKAY--I think I've given everyone a chance to exit if they feel necessary--now it's time for me to just have my say for a second, after all-it is MY blog!!

Summer is in full swing and with summer comes long afternoons at the pool with the kids--or sometimes early afternoons, but never mornings b/c if you go in the morning what will you hang over their heads all day to get them to behave???  This post isn't about that though--this post is about POOL CONTAMINATION.  .  .

Our neighborhood pool has been opened since a week or so before Memorial Day--since it opened we have had 2 incidents of POOL CONTAMINATION--now I'll be the first to admit that it is inconvenient to have to pack up and leave, or to have your plans cancelled due to poop in the pool--but let's be real here people, it's an ACCIDENT!!  People don't go to the pool thinking, "My kid is mostly potty trained so let's just see how they do without a swim diaper on today"--they take their potty trained kid to the pool and that kid has an unfortunate accident!  This doesn't make the parent in charge irresponsible, or dumb-it makes them a parent who's child had an accident.  If your child was potty trained would you put them in a swim diaper...just in case??  NO YOU WOULDN'T --SO BACK OFF.  Mom's of toddlers don't automatically decide to double up a child's swim diaper b/c they might poop and it might seep out.  If that was something that was necessary shouldn't the manufacturers correct that problem--rather than make us use 2 swim diapers (those suckers are pricey).  .  .and honestly rubber pants are not easy to find (I know, I looked today) so why would we buy them on the off chance that there may possibly be an accident at some point??

Okay--so I know what you are thinking, and I promise IT WASN'T ME!!  However, I feel bad for the moms that it did happen too.  Maybe it's just that it's so easy to vent these days and have everyone see it thanks to Facebook, but when the poop hit the pool the s*&^ hit the fan so to speak and these ladies were basically crucified for all to see.  I just want to remind everyone that it could happen to you--if you have a infant, toddler, preschooler, etc--swim diapers leak and children have accidents (potty trained ones have accidents too)--keep this in mind when you are talking about how dumb people are and criticize their parenting skills because their child had an ACCIDENT. .  .the next ACCIDENT could be one that your child has.  .  .