Swimming

School starts in two days and our local pool closes in one day. The end of summer is unfortunately here.
A few weeks ago, Jack, Matt and I ventured down to the deep end of the pool. The end of the pool meant for the big kids who knew how to dive. Jack was determined to learn. We practiced often. Jack endured countless belly flops. But this past week, after hours of of trying, Jack finally got it and dove head first into the pool. He became obsessed and wanted to go back each day and keep diving. We even went one day in the drizzle. I love the water and I love that he loves it too.
Matt, who can barely swim also loves to jump in the water and then he dangerously dog paddles back to the side of the pool with his mouth and nose barely out of water.

First Month of Summer

The summer is flying by and I have not taken as many pictures as I would have liked.

I think this has been one of our best summers. The boys are enjoying camp, swimming, playing with friends everyday, enjoying soccer games twice a week and looking forward to a block party tomorrow.
Matt and Jack are at an age where they are more independent but still my babies. I am still tying a shoe, washing their hands, giving a time out or helping with their clothes but it is less and less often. So I am taking deep breaths when they drive me crazy and am enjoying this fleeting time.

Here is what we have been doing the last month:

Celebrated a friend's 40th birthday 

Dressed up in vines

Had face painted

Got a tattoo

Indulged in Matt's obsession for princesses and super heros

Ran first triathlon

Said goodbye to a good friend

Spent time with old friends 

Learned to swim

Finally lost top tooth

Fell asleep during fireworks

Took fuzzy pictures with best friend

My Runner

Jack had to run the mile in gym class. He said he liked it and wanted to do the fun run at school. Matt and I were able to volunteer and see the run. Jack shaved more than a minute off his original time. I love that he can run and that he enjoys it.

Jack wore his pj bottoms and shorts accidently!

Play Offs

Never in my life did I think I would become "that Mom" who would wildly scream and cheer for my child as they played a sport. However, with baseball playoffs this week, I am screaming at the top of my lungs for Jack to either run to the next base, tag another child out or do whatever it takes to win! Even Terry admitted to feeling a little nervous during the three inning game Jack played on Monday. It was thrilling and Jack had a blast. I loved seeing my little guy catch a ball, cheer on his team or smile even though he was out at first.

Opposites

This morning Matt was eating his cereal with his "hole" lambie on his head. This disgusting, constantly wet and dirty blanket is always by his side. It smells and is immune to the powers of bleach. Matt absolutely loves him though.

While eating breakfast, Matt was asking me about opposites. The conversation went on forever and was slightly ridiculous. But since Matt was especially cute this morning I indulged him. Here is our conversation...

Matt: Mama, what is the opposite of moon?

Me:   Sun
Matt: What is the opposite of left and straight?
Me:   Right and curvy
Matt: What is the opposite of park?
Me:   Um, drive?
Matt:  Good! What is the opposite of snowman?
Me:   Sandcastle?
Matt: (eyes rolling) No, Mama. It's melt.

Basketball

Jack makes his first basket

St Barnabas has a basketball program that allows kids to practice with local high school students once a week and play games every Sunday. The high school students work with the kids to not only be a good ball player but to study hard in school and to be a good teammate. I love it when Jack comes home from practice to repeat everything that he has learned. He has such a love for the game.

Baseball

Baseball season is in full swing. Both boys are in Ridge/Beverly but they are on two separate teams playing at two separate parks. I just like to keep life interesting. Thank goodness for friends. I can always count on a mom to help with carpool, to add on another set of baseball shoes to their shopping trip or to have a kid to play with one of mine as the other plays.

Jack is loving baseball. He has the same coach from last year and many of the same players. The team is very focused and seems to have a lot of fun. We still do not keep score but players can tag each other out. Everyone seems to be understanding the game better and it is fun to watch.







Matt's team has a great coach but these 4 and 5 year olds get a little bored after about an inning. Matt is a great player but soon, he wants to play tag or will just start talking to players on the other team. Matt doesn't like to pass up a potential new friend.

Audrey's One!

Our little Audrey turned one in April. I am not sure if it is possible to get any cuter but Audrey seems to do just that every time I see her. Matt was in her face practically the whole day and all she did was smile and laugh. She sat with her great grandparents, played with her toys, cuddled with me and enjoyed her day. The rest of the week, anytime Matt saw a baby he would say "Awe, she looks like an angel. Just like Audrey!"

As tradition, when a birthday rolls around, we always remember the day that person was born. I vividly remember the day Audrey was born. I waited all day for her to come and finally at bedtime I got the call from Griffin that they had a little girl. I instantly felt so excited. My mom and I thought we would wait to go visit but I all of a sudden felt I needed to see her now. The next morning, I sent Jack to school and Matt and I drove with my mom to see Audrey. The drive to Milwaukee felt like 5 minutes and soon I had Audrey in my arms. She was everything I thought she would be - so cute and so sweet. I can't believe a year has already passed. Happy birthday, Audrey! We love you!

Another Year Older

In April, Terry had his 36 birthday. As we do every year, the kids and I made him his favorite dinner - Chicago deep dish pizza and red velvet cake.

It was fun to sit down as a family and enjoy dinner together. After we sung happy birthday, Matt got it in his head that it was also his birthday and he declared himself 5 years old. He would not believe otherwise and insisted he was now five.  Luckily, after five minutes, he was back to being 4 again.

Matt's Love for Princesses

Matt has been sleeping with a book for the past week. The book contains Jack and the Beanstalk, Puss in Boots and Cinderella. For some reason, Matt has zeroed in on the Puss in Boots story and loves a picture in it that shows the King, the Princess and Prince riding in a carriage. I think he stares at the picture until he falls asleep. Every night this week, we have found him with the book on his face, opened to that page. He even brought it down to breakfast to ask more questions about the characters. "What is he saying?" "What is she saying" "How do they get out?" "Where are they going?".

Our Weekends

Matt and Jack were in the family room laughing and laughing. When I went in there, all I saw were four feet sticking up from the couch. I tried to secretly tape them but they saw me and ran.

The boys spent time playing a new game called Hedbanz. You have to guess what word you are wearing in your head band. You can only ask yes or no questions and have about a minute to try to figure out your word before it is the next person's turn. Matt would just cut to the chase and scream out "Am I a unicorn? Am I ice cream? Am I a car? Am I a unicorn?" It was hysterical.

Later we took Matt's Thomas bed apart and set up a new full size bed. Terry and I piled the pieces against the dining room table and thought nothing of it. The boys took one look and saw the most amazing fort ever. They spent a good amount of time setting up the fort with pillows and a door. Jack made a number panel for the door. Only those with the secret number code could get in.

My Little Matt

Matt in the morning (in desperate need of a hair cut!)

Terry and I have been looking at the boys and suddenly realizing that they are growing up very quickly. Matt, who used to be the baby, is becoming a little boy. He can zip his own coat, complete a 100 piece puzzle by himself, play well with a friend, loves board games and is developing his own language. This week he was cracking me up with his new found words. After school a few days ago he told me that when I dropped him off at school, he walked into the classroom and everyone was there "It was so embarrassing, Mama". I am not sure what that meant but Matt seemed a little irritated. The next day he was having trouble with the zipper on his coat and asked me for help. "Mama, this zipper will not go up all the way. It is so embarrassing". Matt cannot really explain what embarrassing means but he is keenly aware of what others are saying and is trying the words out himself.
Matt has promised me and Terry that he will not grow up too fast. He told us he will always be a kid. We know that is not true and are trying to love each moment with him.

Bye Bye Tonsils

I finally took Jack to the ENT. He has never had a sore throat but he snores a lot, has bad breath and has the largest tonsils I have ever seen. The doctor quickly agreed and wanted to schedule surgery to remove his tonsils and adendoids right away.
Jack was very reluctant and no amount of coaxing changed his mind. Terry and I were both nervous but knew the surgery was best for him. On the morning of his surgery, Jack woke up and told us he decided he would do it and not be scared. I was so relieved and so proud. Jack never flinched from that point on. He went willingly and was very brave. I had researched every aspect of the procedure and knew Jack could take something to relax him but it was not necessary. I was shocked.
The recovery was a little rough. Jack did not want ice cream, popsicles or any liquid. I had to force him all day to drink a little. Within a week, he was looking like himself again. He was sleeping well and I have not heard him snore at all. His bad breath seems to be gone too!

At school he had to do a book report diorama. A friend gave him a book, "Tyler the Tiger Gets his Tonsils Out". Jack read it and created a scene from the book for his diorama. He then presented it to the class and was able to tell them all about his surgery. This helped ease him back into school. He was nervous that the kids would tease him for some reason but no one did.
After this great achievement, Terry and I now need to think about Matt. His tonsils are just slightly smaller than Jack's and he does snore from time to time. Matt is all for it and promises to be a good patient. I am just not sure I am up for all the worry again. Maybe in a year or two!