1. We took another quick trip with three other families down to the beach in Surfside, TX. With 8 adults and 8 children staying under one roof, you never know how it is going to go, but surprisingly it went very well! All of the kids behaved on the better side and we had a nice time. I can't say it was relaxing -- I think I even called it "chaotic" at one point -- but it was fun and memorable! Especially when you have matching pj's....so cute!
2. A new chapter is starting soon for our family. Chat got accepted in the University of Houston Executive MBA program for this fall. It is a 20 month program that starts on August 26th and will be attending school at night on Monday's and Thursday's every week (even Halloween night -- argh!). He actually has orientation next weekend which is so crazy that it is already here! Although I am thrilled about this new endeavor for him and hopeful about the doors it will open, I am anxious, nervous and scared about the changes it will bring for both of us. Chat is excited but I also think very, very nervous. He is one of the youngest to be admitted and he is questioning how he is going to manage next to some of the big wigs in his class and also worried about how to juggle parenthood, working and going to school all at the same time. I know we will manage and I hope excel during this challenging time, but I have said more prayers in the past few weeks than I can count. I am so ready for him to start so maybe the anxiety will subside a bit for both of us.
3. The boys just got home from school and they go two more days next week -- then it is nothing for five weeks. I like having some time away from school, but five weeks is a long time of togetherness. I am looking forward to the fall when we get some of our routine back and the temperatures fall a bit so we can spend more time outside -- where we belong. The boys get a little bored at times :).
4. Luke and Ben started in new classrooms this summer and luckily each had one teacher move up with them. They transitioned very well and are already feeling at home. Luke has one new teacher though and I have to say, she is a tough cookie. I think we have made the transition of Mother's Day Out to preschool. She expects so much more from the kids and, even though sometimes it is a bit hard to swallow, I appreciate it. For example, I picked up Luke from school one day and she got his lunch box and blanket from his cubby and handed it to him. He immediately handed it to me and tried to take off running to play with a friend outside the classroom. She took it from me, looked him square in the face and asked, "Luke, whose lunch box is this?' and he replied, "Mine". She then gave it back to him and said, "Then it is your responsibility to carry it." He of course looked at me with huge eyes and looked like he was going to cry. This is so small and not really a big deal, but then when you really think of it, it is a big deal. I am really excited about what this new year will bring for Luke and what he will learn.
5. I am already thinking about Halloween. I have always dreamed about making my children's costumes and so I wanted to get my wheels turning before October is here and it is too late. So earlier this week, I asked Luke what he wanted to be for Halloween. This was his response:
Me: What do you want to be for Halloween?
Luke: A lion!
Me: What about Ben?
Luke: A tiger!
Me: What about Daddy?
Luke: A cat!
Me: What about Mommy?
Luke: A superhero!!!
I can't lie -- I loved the last one. While Daddy can be a cat, this Mommy is a superhero! Ha! I don't think these are the costumes we will go with, but I do want to decide in the next few weeks if I want to attempt to make them. With all that is going on in the fall, I will probably just end up buying them!
6. Recently I was sitting on the couch with Luke and I was rubbing his head with my hand as we watched TV. He looked up at me and said, "Mom, don't rub my head. You are messing up my hair." Hmmmm...
7. Ben's cousin Molly is in his class at school this summer. It has been fun watching them together! They usually play independently but the teachers did tell us when they walk to the playground they have to hold hands with another classmate. Apparently Ben will ONLY hold Molly's hand and has a fit if someone else tries to. There is another little boy named Braden in the class who typically goes for Molly too and sometimes they have to help the little guys work it out! I love that Ben is already watching out for his cousin!
8. We went to a follow-up appointment with Ben's pulmonologist. Everything went well and we didn't have much to report. Ben has been healthy this summer and we haven't had any spells recently. So the fall and flu season are going to be the real test to see if he is growing out of any of the wheezing issues. I am just keeping my fingers crossed!
9. Ben has recently started like playing with baby dolls. But it isn't the playing with the dolls that I love, it is HOW he plays with them. As you can see here, he is very sweet and loving to them. DARLING!
10. I am so happy to say that Chat and I have finally found a church for our family. We had put off finding one that fit us for a long time. It is so hard to try on churches and put the boys in new nurseries where they didn't know anyone and the tears would flow, etc. But we finally did it and have been going to a church for a few months now. We both feel that it is the right fit for us and are really enjoying going every Sunday. The boys are slowly feeling more at home in their classrooms in the nursery. Good thing...because we need to do all the praying we can with all that is going on in our world!
