Happy Birthday Roo!

So today was Roo's birthday. He's been anxiously awaiting it's arrival. This is a day we've been marking as a big deal for almost a year now. It seems that when someone reaches age six, they are no longer a little guy but working up to something bigger. With this in mind, we created a goal for Roo.

Stop sucking his thumb.

This seemed like reasonable goal for a six year old to obtain but his thumb is his prized possession, along with "Stuffy" his pillowcase. They go together, Stuffy and Thumb. They've been together since he was about one. Over the years we have tried, with great failure to curb this habit and to his credit, he has, on a few occasions, attempted to stop on his own. For about a day. So last year I succumbed to a trick my friend used to toilet train her son. "Roo, what would it take to get you to stop? If you could have or do anything what would it be. Because Roo, if you stop by the time you are six, we will do it/get it for you!"

Over the past year he has vacillated between an electric guitar and a drum set (the house is already loud so whatever). He even picked the color. So last night he went to bed, informed us that tomorrow he would stop sucking his thumb and went to sleep, right. At 1:30 am Roo crawled into our bed (I should mention that he was born at 1:20 am) and said, "Okay, I'm six is it time to open presents?" Then immediately grabbed Stuffy and started to suck his thumb. The deal is off and I have a suspicion that we have some large orthodontist bills coming our way.

Happy Birthday Roo!

What Child is This/Greensleeves Jig

Here's the video of Grant, it wouldn't load on my other post. Enjoy!

Winter Concert

This week the boys had their annual holiday concert at the mall. I must say they looked quite dapper. If you recall, we did not have appropriate attire for our spring recital and I was determined not to go down that road again. Especially since their violin instructor was threatening to withhold treats if they were not visions of holiday splendor. Well, I don't know if they were holiday visions of little sugar plums but since I had made purchases of appropriate recital/concert attire last spring, I think we passed the test.

Here is a handsome photo along with a clip of Roo playing Jingle Bells (his first year really being able to play with the group) and a clip of G-man playing What Child is This/Greensleeves Jig which he worked his butt off to be able to play with the group. (If you wonder why kids sit down in the middle of playing...they are asked to sit if they aren't keeping up with the group or if they are only approved to play certain parts of the song...way to go G-man, you did it!)

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! We just finished a lovely Thanksgiving with so much wonderful food and amazing company. Almost every year we have lived here, good friends join us for Thanksgiving and this year we were lucky to have my parents join us too. We ate and drank and enjoyed our time together while feeling thankful to be so blessed.

This year, the boys also documented what they are thankful for in projects at school.

G-man...

My family, because they help me.

School, because I can learn.

Sports, because I like to play sports.

Crab, because I love to eat it!

My dog, because I like to play with her.

Food, because it keeps me alive.

Animals, because they are so "intertaining."

My rat, because I like to play with her.*

*Technically this rat lives in my classroom at work and he sees her a few times a year, but whatever, I'm glad he likes her.

Roo...

I am thankful for "I like my mommy, the best mommy!" (Awww!)

I am thankful for "Daddy. I like my Daddy."

I am thankful for "Osprey (his stuffed animal), he can make noise."

I am thankful for "Pandy (his stuffed panda). Sometimes he's bad but he still rocks!"

This Thanksgiving I am thankful for my boys. They have brought an energy and enthusiasm to our house that I didn't know could exist. Although it can often give me a headache, it also reminds me about enjoying life. So G and Roo, although you can drive me nuts, you still rock!

Potpourri

I honestly don't know where to start. Funniest stories? Scariest stories? Just plain fun stories? It's been a while and so much has been happening that this can just be the potpourri of blog entries.

Well, let's leave out major details of the scariest. In short, a few ultrasounds, multiple blood tests and a CT scan found that I have cysts and a few kidney stones. My daily intake of water has increased significantly in an attempt to hold them at bay. This Thanksgiving, I'll be thankful for my health!

Funniest? Well, Roo is always good for a laugh. We had a photographer/friend take family photos of us in October. You can see them on her blog at http://www.cracklephotographyblog.com/. What she didn't dare post was the picture of Roo releiving himself during the photo session in the field. Other than that little laugh and a generally uncooperative Roo, we had a good time documenting these years in G-man and Roo's lives. It certainly showed their personalities and one of the other postings on her blog gave me a new iPod song...what do you think? It's constantly stuck in my head these days! Thanks Crackle! (By the way, you will have to press the play button in the upper right hand corner of my blog to hear the song if you didn't already figure that out. Song's gone now but if you want to hear it, it's called What About Everything by Carbon Leaf).

Since Roo always seems to get the funny blog moments...I thought I'd give G-man a moment in the spotlight. THE big question was asked the other night. Of course EJ was out of town so I got to tackle the birds and the bees on my own. Not that I'm complaining. I don't mind being in control of these topics but it's still an awkward conversation. It went along pretty innocently until the long pause before realizing that one bodily substance had to get to the other. How does it actually GET there anyway Mom? At the moment of realization he was mortified and hid his head under his pillow like a ostrich in a hole. After checking in with him to see how he was handling his newly discovered knowledge, he reassured me that he has no further questions and wished he hadn't asked.

And for just plain fun...EJ had a round of cyclocross racing this fall to finish off his first season with Five Valley Velo. He had a great season of road and cyclocross racing with a few place finishes. Here's a picture of my hottie hubby at one of his cyclocross races. I do have to admit that cyclists are hot! I'm glad I have one!

As for me, aside from the revolving door of doctor appointments and tests, I hope to do well in an upcoming half marathon even though my training has been sporadic. Finish I will, PR...not likely.

So that's the update for now. I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving! It's my favorite holiday and anyone who knows me well knows it's all about the leftovers! This year, I'm looking forward to squash and turkey pizza! YUM!