The twins' first day of preschool

Yesterday was my babies first day of preschool! The first day was a "parents included" day. We went in and did a scavenger hunt of the class room so that they could learn where different things in the class room were, and they could meet the three teachers that will be in their class with them. The twins were SO in awe of the room. They wanted to play, and check it all out.

After the hunt was over they had all the kids sit in the circle by their names, and they sang a song. When the song was done the time came to split from the parents briefly so that they could talk specifics with the adults, and give a test run for how the kids would do with the seperation. Kaleb hopped right up, and was ready to go. Kendyl on the other hand had the moment of realization that mommy wouldn't be going with. And the tears started. But the wonderful thing of having twins kicked in. Kaleb came and held her hand and walked her out with him. I guess they held hands the whole rest of the time they were apart from me!! How sweet is that??? THey do that kind of thing for each other all the time!!!

When it was time to go the kids all went to get their back packs. Kaleb grabbed one and came to me. I knew right away that it wasn't his. It didn't have his name, or his little turtle key chain on it. We went back to replace it where it came from, and another mom said "oh, that's my sons". We began talking and it turned out that that was a back pack from the other set of twins in the class room!!! What are the chances out of all the preschool classes that there would be two sets of twins!!! They are Boy/Boy fraternal twins. We got to talking, and she was asking about Kaleb and Kendyl's age, and when their birthday was. So I told her that the twins were born July 13. And her face just looked shocked. She asked me where, and I told her what hospital. Her twins were born on July 13, at a different local hospital! Not ONLY are there two sets of twins. But two sets of twins born the EXACT same day!! Now the chances of that are EVEN LESS!!! I thought it was really something cool though!!!


Here are pictures of my twins their first day of preschool!!

Kaleb, he was SO excited to go!!!

Kendyl, all ready to go

Kaleb and Kendyl, 4 years old

Off we go!!!

Blessings. . . .but also a curse?

You know those things in life, that on any given day you'd count as a blessing? The ones that usually don't get to you, and you enjoy? Well, I've come to find that some of those blessings can also be a curse. And its something I've been struggling with lately. I know part of it is because I've been under a lot of stress lately with my kids, and starting school and all that that entails. But it doesn't make the struggle any less!!!

The first one that I'm talking about is all the neighborhood kids. We live on the corner of two semi busy streets. We have a four way stop out front. And for the most part my kids are SUPER with the set up. They know they're allowed to ride their bikes on the sidewalk only, in front of our house, and Todd's brother's house (which is right next door. We are the only two houses on the end of the block. So its pretty safe!). They know that they're allowed to play in our yard, and next door, again at Todd's brothers house. They've been GREAT about it all summer. They've enjoyed the little bit more freedom that has come with living here and having a much less busy road than where we were before. They've enjoyed the summer with playing with their cousins, and getting outside. They even enjoyed helping take down the two big trees in our front yard. They've had a great summer, outdoor wise. And I would truly consider that a blessing. My kids can have some freedom, yet there home and around, and I know where they are. I consider that an even bigger blessing.

The side of that that's feeling like a curse right now, is both a blessing and a curse. We have several kids around us. And we are the house that everyone decides to play at. We are the house they come ringing the door bell at. We are the ones that get saddled with the extra kids to keep an eye out for. The kids who come age anywhere from age 11, down to age 3. And on any given day its not a problem at all. There are several different cultures mixed in there as well. Its been kind of fun for the kids to experience. And they really enjoy having kids other than just our little 4 pack to play with. But there's a BUT with this all!!!!!

The BUT in all of that, is what about the days where I'm not in the mood to keep an eye on all the neighborhood kids? What about the days where I want to just let my dogs out and go back in to hang out with my kids? What about the days where I don't want to have to be "on" all the time? Or the days where I tell them that my kids are getting ready for bed and can't come out, and they still continue to ring the door bell over and over and OVER again because they don't speak very clear English and I'm not sure they're fully understanding me? What about the times where I just want to enjoy a simple bonfire with my kids, and not have every single kid in the neighborhood looking to have a s'more too? What about the days where I have company of my own, and don't want to have all the kids around looking to get into the line and eat with us???? These are the times I'm struggling with!!!

I told Todd the other day that I think its SUCH a blessing to have our house be THE house. Because that means that I never have to worry or wonder about my kids. They're all HERE, they're not begging to go elsewhere, because elsewhere always comes to them. And I've really enjoyed getting to know the neighborhood kids. There really is a great group of kids here. And I'm thankful that my kids have the opportunity to have friends like that where they didn't before.

But again, there's that BUT!!! I can't simply let the dogs out to go potty any more. Because someone is ALWAYS watching our door. And the second it opens there in our yard looking to play. That then distracts the dogs from their job at hand and we're out there even longer. Which then affords MORE kids the chance to come over and try to play . .. .are you seeing the cycle here????

My sister in law and I were talking. Because the kids will often stray to her sand box or swing set too. And I guess the one day our closest neighbor went looking for her 3 year old girl. The family behind us is Hmong and they are kind of hard to understand. She asked my sister in law if she was the one who did day care. Sara told her "no, that's next door." So she looked at her daughter and said in Hmong, with pointing, so that Sara caught the just of it, that it wasn't ok for her to be at Sara's, and instead she should be at my house. . . simply because I have a day care. And this has become apparent from some of the older Hmong kids as well. They're allowed to play at my house (this is coming from their own mouths) because "there's a day care here". Yes, there IS a day care here. . . .but my day care consists of my own four children, my 5 month old little guy, and one of the neighbor kids who's going into 5th grade. Those are the ones that have the OK to be here for daycare. Those are the ones that are paying for my time, effort, energy. Those are the ones that I'm responsible for.

My problem isn't the money. My problem is the assumption that I will be ok letting the kids be here. My problem is that they just assume that the kids can have free reign of my house. My problem is that they aren't telling their kids its NOT ok to just walk into my house. And no matter how many times I'VE told them that its not ok to just walk in, and that if they're here to play they need to stay OUTSIDE, it just doesn't get through.

I know each area will have its issues. . . .but when the problem is this invasive so that I don't feel like I get any ME time, or any MY FAMILY time, becaus there's always someone waiting in the wings to pounce. .. its hard.

My second blessing and a curse has to do with my husband. And with this one I tread really fine water. Because its about his first love. . ..his music. I am so blessed to have such a talented husband. One who can play almost any instrument. One who has a true passion for music, the arts, and performing. And when I say it was his first love, I genuinely mean that. And I'm so glad that he has so many opportunities to participate. He currently plays three Sunday's a month at church with different teams. Which means Sunday mornings, but also means Wednesday nights. He plays with a small "oldies" group. They play random things and don't usually require much by way of practice. He's gotten to do some very cool things with that group, such as playing at local ball games, etc. And he's also with an outreach group from church. This is the one that he clicks the most with. They do a lot of the style of music he loves and he has a good time with them. This is the one that he's gone to the recording studio with, as well as recorded stuff for TV. And I know that he loves every single second of it.

Now, the reason I tread the fine water is because sometimes I get sick of the constant GO GO GO of it all. It seems to go in phases. Sometimes there's nothing, and he misses it. And other times there's SO much going on and he's gone all the time. And that can get very very hard on me. Being a stay at home mom is wonderful, but I NEED that break and help in the evening. Or I'll lose my mind! And when he's gone with stuff all the time I don't get that break. I don't get that down time. I think the hardest part of all of that is that he doesn't understand. He doesn't understand that I'm always here, always "on". He doesn't realize that I feel like a single mom a lot of the time in his busy times. I feel like its just me and the kids, and he gets to come home and sleep and go back at it again. So while I know its a blessing, because he's doing what he loves. . . its a curse because I get SO burnt out.

This topic comes on top of the fact that he's entering a busy season. Music, drama at church, projects to help people with, etc. And I know I'll be entering a super crazy time for me with the boys in school, the twins entering preschool, day care, the dogs, etc. I'm just feeling a little overwhelmed with it all. . . .


Now, all that being said. . .yes, the blessings WAY outnumber the curses. And I'm so thankful for my husband, my kids, and our life. I just needed to get some of that off my chest.

First day of school 2009

Today was the big day!! Today Dallas started 3rd grade, and Gabriel started 2nd grade. I'm still in shock that they're this old!! Where has the time gone!?!? They were both very excited to get up and go to school this morning! They were up at 6:30, dressed, and waiting with backpacks on! We got them fed, and took some pictures, and then headed off for our walk to school! By the time we got there it was CRAZY at the school! There were parents, cars, buses, and kids EVERYWHERE! I walked my boys, and also my daycare girl D into the school. D took off for her 5th grade class up stairs, and I walked Dallas and Gabe to their "pod". They're both in the same area this year, just with a little bit of seperation. Dallas took off for his class, but Gabriel wanted me to walk him to his door! He's always been my shy guy. So I did that, and then headed for my walk back home!


Here are my big guys this morning!!!

Dallas, 8 years old, first day of 3rd grade

Gabriel, 7 years old, first day of 2nd grade

Dallas and Gabriel

Kaleb and Kendyl don't start school until next week, but I couldn't leave them out of the pictures!!!!

Kendyl, 4 years old
Kaleb, 4 years old

Fawn-Doe-Rosa Wildlife Reserve

This weekend we took the kids to the Fawn-Doe-Rosa Wildlife Reserve. We haven't been since the twins were just under a year, and we took the boys alone! So this was our first trip with all four kids! The weather was BEAUTIFUL for it, and my kids LOVED it. I figured since its been SO long since I've updated that I'd do a nice picture update from our weekend!!!


The idea on this park is that its very hands on for the kids. You can touch almost all the animals (minus the ones like the grizzly bears, and wolves and things of that nature!), and you can interact with them. The big draw is the free roaming deer. It is really a very neat place to take the kids to let them get hands on with nature!!!

Here is Kendyl with one of the Ponies. She could have stood right there all day and kept petting that pony! And as you can see, the pony could have done the same!

Here is Dallas feeding one of the horses.

Kaleb, my little animal lover, was in his GLORY! He has a soft spot for "baby animals" Here is is with what he thought was a baby goat. It was really just a small goat.

The twins (and my niece Kristen) feeding the greedy greedy goats! We had several close calls, and one bag actually stolen right out of the kids hands. We finally had to tell them to put a little in their hands, and then hide the bag behind their back to the goats couldnt' get them!

These are Todd's favorite! He LOVES baby goats! He hopes one day to have a place that we can have goats! He spent a long time just watching these wee ones!!!

I took this picture for my Gabriel. He's a donkey lover! His favorite stuffed animal (lovie, whatever you want to call it!) is a stuffed donkey he's dubbed "nigh". In his opinion this donkey looks like just like his nigh! So we were trying to get a "wall worthy" picture! I think this one works!

One of the wolves with a treat!

The dear just come up to you while you're around the pond. Its an amazing experience for the kids!

I love the smile on Kendyl's face in this one!

This deer was a little leery with the larger group of kids (just behind this!)
but Dallas was able to get her to eat out of his hand still!

Kaleb, again in his glory!

Look at that happy boy with the donkey!!!

My kids and all their cousins on Todd's side.

Todd, myself, and our kiddos!!!

It really was a great day spent with family and friend! And many wonderful interactions and memories were made for the kids!!!


Tomorrow should bring pictures of my big boys first day of 3rd grade and 2nd grade! WOW!!!

Today I turn 28.

Wow. .. .Today I turn 28. Its always amazing to me how whenever the next birthday is thought about through out the year it always comes with that feeling of "wow, I'll be THAT old?" But then each time that birthday comes I'm left with the feeling of "I feel no different." And of course I wouldn't! It's only another day right? It just so happens to mark the anniversary of my birth 28 years ago. . .


And then I think back to all I've done, and all I've accomplished in those 28 years. . . A wonderful husband, four beautiful kids, a house, cars, etc. It makes me feel old in some ways! Todd and I always joke that we don't feel our age. We still feel like a couple of high school kids!!!


Either way, as of today I'm a whole year older. . .. I've had another trip around the sun.


So far today, the dogs have puked on the couch, I've been puked on by Owen, and my kids are fighting. I have the feeling its gonna be one of those days. . ..the ones where you just laugh your way through!!!

Miss Kendyl's new addition!!!

Yesterday we were finally able to take Kendyl in and get her ears pierced!!! She's been asking for about a year now to get her ears "pinched" (as she called it!) And we've had her wait. Well, my sister-in-law took her daughter who's two in to get hers done over the weekend and that's all there was for Kendyl! She wanted it done NOW!!! Yesterday my plans were just to go get groceries, but the SECOND i said "ok get your shoes on we're heading out" Kendyl started jumping, and yelling "We're going to get my ears pinched". I told her that we were just going to the store, but she INSISTED that we were going to do her ears. How could I deny that?

We wound up picking out some purple gemstone flower earrings. We had to wait until change of shift when there were two employees working so that they could do both ears at once. And they stuck us in the chair (Kendyl on my lap) and gave her the "piercing puppy" to hug on, and it was done. She didn't even flinch. When all was said and done, she turned her face into my shoulder, gave one little "that hurt" whimper. But she didn't let one tear slip! She was such a big brave girl! And she's been in love with them ever since!!!! She looks SO cute! And SO proud!!!

Here is Kendyl and her newest addition!!!!

She's so proud to show them off!!!

Such a happy girl!!

And because I can't leave my boys out of the picture sharing! Here they are!

Dallas a couple of weeks ago, out front by our tree we had to take down


Gabriel. He seems to be getting SO big lately!!

Kaleb!! He was so bummed that he couldn't get his ears done too!
We told him that he had to wait till he was older, because that's what boys have to do!

I don't usually buy into it. . . .

But today as I was signing on there was my horoscope on the front page of the MSN homepage. And I thought, "eh, what the heck. I'll read it." Wow. Today it was RIGHT ON!!! Things here have been SO crazy!!! This week I have my four kids, plus my usual day care boy, and for this week only I also have his older sister who is 6. That's been fine. Its been going great. Then we add on top of that that we're STILL working on taking down a tree in our yard, and have been since Satruday. Yeah. I haven't sat DOWN since then. And then you add on top of that the fact that at one point yesterday I had NINE kids at my house. Again, my 4, my day care 2, my nephew from next door, and then two neighbor girls. Right after the daycare kids went home we rushed to Todds work for a National night out party that they always host at the pool. After that we headed to his bosses house for dinner, and let the kids play. We didn't walk in the door till after 10. And I'm up and at it again today by 7:00. . . .

And this is what I found on MSN. . .. . .

Virgo

August 23 - September 22

Your strong ambition and will to succeed may be at war with your feelings today, dear Virgo. Perhaps you have been working so hard that you aren't spending the time you want with friends and family - and they've missed you. Children and young people may be very much on your mind; perhaps you are doubting your abilities to fulfill your responsibilities to them. When considering the situation, be objective. Don't let your emotions run away with you.



Ahhhhh. Off to the pool today with all the kids for a day of swimming. Hopefully all goes well!!!