My Little Helper

If I'm cleaning, G is always trying to figure out a way to help.  Since she's not really allowed to use the cleaners (until I perfect my natural - non-toxic - homemade versions, anyway :), she usually goes and grabs a cloth from our rag pile and starts wiping/scrubbing/dusting just about anything that is within her reach. 

Monday, I pulled all of our dining room chairs out onto the back porch so I could scrub the table (not wipe...scrub...it was THAT yucky!) and mop the floor.  Not long after I started, I caught G on the back porch going at it with her rag.  Truth is it was VERY helpful as several of the chairs that we don't normally use were in DESPERATE need of a good dusting!

First she gets her rag all nice and straight (note how she's flattening out the edge/corners)

Once she's satisfied she's got it wrinkle-free, she starts SLOOOOWLY wiping bath and forth.

Eventually she works up to a fever pitch :)

And just in case her cleaning with the cloth wasn't sufficient, she swiped my feather duster while I wasn't looking.

Another favorite task is emptying the utensil basket of the dishwasher [which works out great b/c this happens to be right up on my top 3 most hated tasks, right after mopping and folding laundry :]

As a reward for all of her hard work, I let her try out my new vacuum cleaner (the wheels literally fell off of my old one).  She's not quite tall enough to hold it properly, so that was mostly just for fun....seriously, how much cooler mom could I possibly be - I let my child vacuum for fun???? :) 

Like C

This morning C and I were working on the "About Me" bag that he is going to take to school on Monday morning.  His assignment was to draw a picture (to be attached to the outside of the bag) and put three items in the bag that tells a little bit about who he is/what he likes to do.  

While he was working on his drawing, G gathered up a few of her coloring books and sat down beside him on the floor.  Once he finished (a VERY nice depiction of our family playing on the beach :) we stapled his drawing to the front of his bag and put it beside his book bag - all ready for Monday morning.

I was about to walk out of the room when G asked if I would tear out the picture she'd colored and staple it to another bag "like C."  I found another bag and helped her staple her picture.  I went to the kitchen for a minute.  

When I came back down the hall, I found this...

Her bag - that she'd filled with a variety of her favorite toys - sitting right next to his...ready for Monday, I suppose :)

First Day of Kindergarten

It's official...C is in elementary school!  

To honor the occasion we all went out last night and enjoyed one last "summer treat" at the frozen yogurt place down the street...

C and J went a little crazy with the self-serve topping bar...I think he ended up with something like 5 toppings! (I, myself, am more of a one or two complementary toppings kind of girl :)

We woke up bright and early (the kids both asked "Why is it still dark outside, Mommy?") and had breakfast.

Then he got dressed in his new duds and we headed out the door.

And here is the favorite of all the back-to-school purchases...the perfect superhero lunchbox!

Outside his class - he's in the Clifford room

A Sign of the Times

As if I needed ONE more reminder that C is growing up...

C lost his first tooth (the normal way) this evening!

I think the only thing preventing me from dissolving into a puddle of maternal sappiness is that losing a tooth this way is SOOOOOOOO much better than knocking one out...which he did about 18 months ago.

Now THAT was a Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day! :)

Backyard Surprises

After breakfast I sent C to feed Sadie.  When I walked into the other room, he came back into the house yelling:

"Mooooom, I found a surprise outside and it's not a tooooooy!"

I'll admit my first thought was "Uh-oh!"

[I have seen what my little prince considers to be "surprises" or "treasures" when he's outside playing...it usually involves some sort of insect or animal (dead or alive).  And the fact that just prior to breakfast he was pouring over his new snake book only heightened my suspicion :]

So you can imagine my relief when I saw this in his hands...

What can I say...once in a blue moon my maternal instincts are wrong :)

The Boy's A Monopoly Shark

I recently ordered Monopoly Jr. thinking that it would make for some fun Family Game Nights.  It arrived while C was visiting with my folks, so we busted it out last night upon his return.  It took a few minutes for him to get the hang of it, but by the end of the game he was easily holding his own.  Truth be told, he's outlasted me each time we've played :)

Hahaha....laughing it up!

 He's even got a little dance he does...

Not Cool, G!

C spent last week with my parents.  Grandma and Papa wanted to get in one last fling before school starts...they won't admit it, but I think they are about as leery as I am about C starting school. :)  

After work on Friday, J, G, and I headed to my parents house for a weekend baby shower and plans to "switch" kids. J and I were going to spend Friday night and then head back home with C Saturday afternoon.  About half way to my parents' house (it was already about 9:00 AT NIGHT), G pipes up from the back seat:

"Mommy, when we get to Nana's house you can unbuckle my car seat and then you and Daddy can stay in the car back to home." (i.e. Drop me off and you and Daddy can go ahead and turn the Silver Bullet right on around and head back to the hiz-ouse)

WHAT!?!?!  First, C is starting kindergarten.  Now, THIS!?!?

Seriously?!?! Are my children TRYING to send me over the edge with their growing up and new-found independence?? :)

School Days

“My baby’s growing up!”…

That’s the revelation has hit me like a ton of bricks as C’s first day of kindergarten quickly approaches.  We’ve received his teacher assignment, met some of his classmates, ordered his uniforms, and bought most of his school supplies.  The only thing left to purchase is the “perfect” lunchbox. 

I'll be honest, I'm not so sure I'm ready for this new chapter. :) Though I couldn't be prouder of C, or happier with the school we have chosen, I’m a little bit sad that he’ll be gone 5 days a week.  He’s an exuberant kid having him around really livens things up!  

Thankfully, as is typical of his personality, C is really excited about starting school.  He shares none of my reservations.  He is ready to go NOW!  

I'm so thankful for that sweet boy!