Lots happening since I last posted. We're gonna try a list here. Since the school year's started, my mind has been compartmentalizing.
soooooo.....
-Adam's started first grade, had his first field trip, is really getting along with his reading skills, and has learned to use the monkey bars at school. I can't tell which of those he's most proud of, but they'd all be toss ups I think.
-Cole started preschool, which I wasn't sure about, but an opportunity to try Montessori presented itself, and we're trying it. He's really doing well. He jumped right in without hardly a transition period. Just went like he always has. That's how he's always done things though. He decides it's fun, and there's no fuss. Definitely didn't get that from me. He has a birthday coming up and wants an umbrella and a motorcycle (a real one). I tried explaining to him that he'd have to wait til he's old enough to drive (16 at the earliest!), and he told me that he had already figured that out with his magic gun. Apparantly, he shoots himself, and viola! He can be any age he wants. So far, it's been jumping from 5 to 16, depending on what he can't do til when. He's been convinced for weeks that he's already 5 and is waiting mostly patiently for me to remember and get him his umbrella.
-Andrew is adjusting to being big brother to Ben while his brothers are occupied with their school, and he's takes that responsibility pretty seriously. He likes to carry his baby around and play peekaboo and wrestle with him and keep him safe. He is mom's big helper now, and wants to do everything i do, from vacuuming to starting the car. Most things, he can help with, just not all of it. He's learning this. slowly.
-Ben..... Ben, Ben, sweet Ben.... is growing up on me. He's walking everywhere, and actually doesn't like wearing socks without shoes because he slides everywhere on our wood floors as he struts around. very frustrating. He is evidentally cutting the mother of all teeth, which is painful for all of us. Once he gets to sleep, he's back to himself, he sleeps deep and long, and is very happy in the morning. Then he realizes that something is not right again, and we go through a screaming war (his side, not mine...yet.) right around lunch/naptime. He eventually calms down, but has only been napping about half the time he usually gets (during the day... thank goodness this hasn't affected nightime...mostly.), and i don't know how much longer either of us can last. outside of those few hours during the day though, he's mostly happy, mostly able to tell me what he wants. He can say 'yeah' and loves to sing and giggle with his brothers. He knows how to ask for seconds and thirds and fourths.... yeah, he's eating well. hopefully, he'll get past this mid-day freak out soon.... very very very soon. oh, and if anyone is curious, he just had his 18mnth appt, and his official stats are 21#, 33 inches tall. He's shot up 3 inches, although he's not gained as much weight-wise. But, he has learned to walk in that time, and has been teething.... which bears mentioning at least once more. Any good happy thoughts you can send Ben's way would be appreciated.
-As for me.... I've made jam. I'm surviving my first cold of the season (gah, it's only September!), finished my story (we're to the 'letting it rest' stage), and have joined a mom's group here in yakima. i went to the berry picking thing last week. I've hung out with some friends (yes, this is a big deal for me), and yes, still working on the house/yard stuff. which has actually been a lot of fun.
That's it for now.... I'm out y'all. All my love, Arianne
