I had a lunch date with my 5th grade son, Eric. His teacher has invited parents to come once a month to eat with their kids for a special "Brown Bag" lunch. Eric was very excited to have me come which made me feel so good. He's in place where he still wants kisses from his mother; just not right in front of his friends.
I brought him his favorite meal from Burger King: cheeseburger - plain, king-size fries, and a raspberry ice tea. He was so excited when I walked in his classroom. Not every parent could make it to the lunch and I could see how disappointed those kids were. I am so glad I could be there for my son today. These are the moments that make me so grateful that I am a stay-at-home Mom.
I am so glad that my pre-teen son still lights up when I walk in a room. I realize as he grows up he may roll his eyes rather than light up, but hopefully we'll both remember these times fondly.
Wednesday, August 30, 2006
Wednesday, August 23, 2006
Orientation
Last night we took Kyle to his middle school orientation. Next week he will be starting 7th grade - Wow! I can't believe he's going to middle school already.
I think we are both nervous about this new milestone. The new school seemed so big as we wandered around trying to find where his classes were. He was very disappointed that his best friend, Kevin, isn't in any of his classes. He's nervous about riding a school bus for the first time. I'm nervous for him and hope it all goes smoothly for him.
I also sensed a wonderful sense of excitement too. He was almost giddy with happiness as we explored his new school. Kyle walked around with his friends all jabbering at once as they poked their heads into the gym, library, and even the bathrooms! I was excited for him as he begins this new chapter of his life.
I hope we have prepared him well for this. That he has his values embedded deep as he's exposed to the not-so good stuff of the teenage years.
Walk tall Kyle and be proud of who you are. Have fun with your friends and learn lots of cool new things.
We love you.
Tuesday, August 22, 2006
Spare parts for your heart
Our son, Eric, sleepwalks. I never knew anyone who did this so the first time he did it I freaked out. It's so weird because he's just half-awake. He has his eyes open and talks but you can tell he's not really "with us."
Last night at 10:22 pm he walked into our room mumbling. After repeating the words "spare parts" a few times, he finally got the whole sentence out. He asked "Can you get spare parts for your heart?" He seemed very concerned about this so I said "Of course you can honey." Then as I always do I led him back to bed where he fell right back to sleep.
I'm always amazed at how he can deftly navigate all the legos and plastic figures on his floor and never step on anything!
I also try and write down what he says when he sleepwalks because he loves to hear about his night-time ramblings. It always cracks him up.
Now if we really could get spare parts for our hearts when they break, life would be good.
Last night at 10:22 pm he walked into our room mumbling. After repeating the words "spare parts" a few times, he finally got the whole sentence out. He asked "Can you get spare parts for your heart?" He seemed very concerned about this so I said "Of course you can honey." Then as I always do I led him back to bed where he fell right back to sleep.
I'm always amazed at how he can deftly navigate all the legos and plastic figures on his floor and never step on anything!
I also try and write down what he says when he sleepwalks because he loves to hear about his night-time ramblings. It always cracks him up.
Now if we really could get spare parts for our hearts when they break, life would be good.
Monday, August 21, 2006
love and art
We just celebrated our 17th anniversary on August 19th. Seventeen years sounds so very married doesn't it? We are quite proud of our marriage - not only the quantity of time but more importantly the quality of our union.
The grandparents weren't in town so we celebrated with the kids in tow. We went to a wonderful fine arts fair near Lake Tahoe that is held every year on our anniversary weekend. So we've been a few times and always enjoy it. This is the first time we brought the kids. The most special part was opening our kids eyes to the beauty of ALL kinds of art. I think they really enjoyed seeing the variety of things artists create. We all said it made us want to go home and "create something!"
One of my favorite memories was when Eric (10 yo) commented on a simple oil painting of 3 green apples. He said "This picture makes me laugh - in a good way." After I stared at the painting I too couldn't help but smile at those 3 apples. Mark and I looked at each other and knew we had to buy that painting. Every time I look at it I am reminded of how my pre-teen son saw beauty and happiness in this painting.
Since we've been married for awhile we don't always buy gifts for each other. Not because we don't think the day is important, but because we don't feel the need to buy things "just because we're suppose to." We always buy heartfelt cards for each other but sometimes we just don't have the money to exchange gifts. This year we decided we'd look for a piece of art together. We both want to fill our home with special pieces of art that mean something to us not just a bunch of framed prints from Target.
We bought a beautiful hand-colored photograph of a serene beach scene. We actually saw this piece 5 years ago at this same fair! Well this year we bought it. We got to talking with the artist and told her it was our 17th anniversary. We jokingly asked her if she could give us the "17th" print of this piece. She said she hadn't sold the 17th print and she would skip ahead and give us the 17th - perfect!
I can't believe how happy I feel about choosing art for our home. Art is so individual and produces so many emotions. I'm so happy our children felt a little of this excitement and will hopefully buy art "that speaks to them."
The grandparents weren't in town so we celebrated with the kids in tow. We went to a wonderful fine arts fair near Lake Tahoe that is held every year on our anniversary weekend. So we've been a few times and always enjoy it. This is the first time we brought the kids. The most special part was opening our kids eyes to the beauty of ALL kinds of art. I think they really enjoyed seeing the variety of things artists create. We all said it made us want to go home and "create something!"
One of my favorite memories was when Eric (10 yo) commented on a simple oil painting of 3 green apples. He said "This picture makes me laugh - in a good way." After I stared at the painting I too couldn't help but smile at those 3 apples. Mark and I looked at each other and knew we had to buy that painting. Every time I look at it I am reminded of how my pre-teen son saw beauty and happiness in this painting.
Since we've been married for awhile we don't always buy gifts for each other. Not because we don't think the day is important, but because we don't feel the need to buy things "just because we're suppose to." We always buy heartfelt cards for each other but sometimes we just don't have the money to exchange gifts. This year we decided we'd look for a piece of art together. We both want to fill our home with special pieces of art that mean something to us not just a bunch of framed prints from Target.
We bought a beautiful hand-colored photograph of a serene beach scene. We actually saw this piece 5 years ago at this same fair! Well this year we bought it. We got to talking with the artist and told her it was our 17th anniversary. We jokingly asked her if she could give us the "17th" print of this piece. She said she hadn't sold the 17th print and she would skip ahead and give us the 17th - perfect!
I can't believe how happy I feel about choosing art for our home. Art is so individual and produces so many emotions. I'm so happy our children felt a little of this excitement and will hopefully buy art "that speaks to them."
Thursday, August 10, 2006
Back to School
How did it get to be August already?? Two of my kids headed back to elementary school on Monday and a hush has fallen on the house. I love being in my home when it is quiet. Well, almost silent. My oldest has 3 more weeks of vacation. You see he's heading to middle school this year. Again, how did that happen so fast?? I can't believe I am the mother of a 12-year old. He's almost as tall as my 5' 7" frame! We are both a little nervous about this new chapter in life.
In fact, I got butterflies when my other two went back to school Monday. There's nothing like the first day of school. And I realized just because I'm the parent now I still feel those old feelings of anxiety, excitement, and sadness that summer is over. So when my 7-year old daughter said that her stomach hurt. I knelt down beside her and I said "I understand. When I was a little girl, I would feel a little nervous and excited on the first day of school." As a mom, I try so hard to validate their feelings and tell them it's okay to feel what you feel. Words I need to remind myself of too.
Anyway, that's why the house is mostly quiet. My 12-year old son is good at entertaining himself with computer games and friends. And I've encouraged him to write a story - he has a great imagination. So our days pass pleasantly together.
Although I crave the quiet in my chaotic busy mom life, I know soon enough I will miss the noise of 3 young children. I try and remind myself daily to soak up this fleeting time because it too shall pass by too quickly.
In fact, I got butterflies when my other two went back to school Monday. There's nothing like the first day of school. And I realized just because I'm the parent now I still feel those old feelings of anxiety, excitement, and sadness that summer is over. So when my 7-year old daughter said that her stomach hurt. I knelt down beside her and I said "I understand. When I was a little girl, I would feel a little nervous and excited on the first day of school." As a mom, I try so hard to validate their feelings and tell them it's okay to feel what you feel. Words I need to remind myself of too.
Anyway, that's why the house is mostly quiet. My 12-year old son is good at entertaining himself with computer games and friends. And I've encouraged him to write a story - he has a great imagination. So our days pass pleasantly together.
Although I crave the quiet in my chaotic busy mom life, I know soon enough I will miss the noise of 3 young children. I try and remind myself daily to soak up this fleeting time because it too shall pass by too quickly.
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