LarkExaltation

Lots of people start the day off with several cups of coffee, where my daughter starts out with several pacifiers. Here she’s showing off the stash she’s been keeping. Ever since we’ve moved I’ve had a hard time finding pacis for bedtime. This morning Libby came in with her paci in her mouth and I asked for it and she, to my surprise, handed it over, and went to play in her room. Then she came back with the red paci in her mouth, refused to give it to me, and went back to her room. She returned five or so minutes later with the yellow paci in her mouth and the red paci in hand. Again, refusing to give at least one of them to me…

Later…

I think we may need intervention.

We loaded up the kids and took them to a local doughnut shop. The kids got to pick out their own treats and sat at the table like big kids eating their breakfast. Once we were all on a sugar high, we went to the park to work some of it off.




I’ve been teaching him how to roll down hills. I’m not sure this is really a skill that is taught, but I remember my first time to roll down a hill was in second grade (that I remember) and I wanted him to try something new. Both of them tried to slide down the hill on their bottoms. Maybe next time we’ll take a piece of cardboard to sit on.

After naps/lunch/cool down, we met some friends out at Black Bayou Lake. It’s starting to look like spring. A few wild flowers here and there. More water under the boardwalk, and lots of wild life. We saw two snakes, a frog, a lizard, some large birds (that I can’t seem to remember the name of, crane? egret?) and tons of wasps.



She’s more interested in her sunglasses, at the moment.

And if all that wasn’t more than enough fun to pack into a day. We managed to meet my girlfriend and her husband for golf. Samuel’s first trip out to the course. Friday after school he had asked PD if he could go play golf, out of the blue, we couldn’t say no. Why would we? So, the three of us (Libby stayed with Nana), some friends, and my father-in-law brought our nephew. It took FOREVER, but we had a lot of fun. I’ve never known nine holes to take more than two hours, when PD would go with the guys. It took us nearly three to play seven when we called it for the lack of sunlight. I still think we could have played eight, but my friends husband was complaining of it being to dark and not being able to see his ball… ha!

The kids cart…



It’s not saying much, but the boy puts better than I do. We’re really excited about his enthusiasm for the sport. I have a feeling this will feel a tad more rewarding than spending thirty-five dollars (plus gear) to sign him up for T-ball just to watch him pick flowers in the outfield. But, if he decides he wants to play baseball, that would be fine too.

I wanted us to go out and play with Mike this weekend, but I remembered our company easter egg hunt is this Saturday at the zoo. Libby has never been before, and we always have a good time. We’ll get some fun pictures from that too. And there’s always after…

There hasn’t be much to talk about lately. Our days have been spent studying, playing, unpacking and cleaning. Spring cleaning for spring break, when Mom and my sister come down. Well, that and the fact is that it just needs to be done. We had a flyer on our door Monday about inspections etc, and attached to it was a note about a campus wide rummage sale and what is needed to be done to participate. I thought this a pretty cool idea. Mainly because I still have so much I need to get rid of, but also because I’ve only seen neighborhood sales on cartoons. I’ve only heard of one other in real life. It’s not that I doubt they happen, just nothing I’ve ever witnessed before. So, just one more thing I have to get ready for, if we decide to participate. If not, my other option is always ebay, but even that has a small fee. I’ve been spending a tad too much time on ebay lately. Ever since we bought the SLVR for PD, I’ve been aching for a new phone. And the phone I have hasn’t given me any reason to feel otherwise about it. (i.e. hanging up on Sam’s teacher - twice!)

When we were at the circus, I had heard an announcement about our local zoo getting a small herd of Percheron stallions. I decided right then that we would have to go see them. Their debut was Saint Patrick’s Day and we didn’t have other plans, so we made a little family trip of it. I think this was actually this first time PD and I have been to the zoo as a family. All other times have been company functions or large groups. It was really nice. We decided to walk the zoo backwards, since we always seem to be exhausted by the end and feel rushed. It was fun to watch the kids reactions to the animals and listen to Sam talk about them all. This was actually the first time I’ve seen the hippopotamus in her outside pool. I can’t blame her, it was a gorgeous day!

PD went to the optometrist last week and got a new prescription of contacts, he’s so happy he is able to wear regular sunglasses for a change. We had to run out and buy some. Yes, this means Libby got some too. She’s so proud of them. And because Mom, Dad and Libby had sunglasses, I had to fish Samuel’s out of their toy box.

My clan, sporting their new shades! For some reason Sam keeps saying necklace for glasses. It’s kind of funny though, for the first hour after getting them, that’s where Libby wore hers.

She was such a good girl all through the zoo. We rode the boat last (that will be the last time we do that, the line was SO long) and she passed out from exhaustion.

Sam showing off his new prize from the “workshop”

We managed to get out to the park Tuesday evening for dinner. I forgot the camera! We were both shocked, but there will be plenty of more opportunities for pictures in the seasons to come. I have a girlfriend who borrowed my clubs to take them out to the driving range to see if she wanted to buy a set and get involved with our husbands golf habit. She asked me if I wanted to play Saturday if she decided to take up the sport. That ought to make for some fun shots, no? Two beginners whacking away at little pink and yellow balls… classic! I’ll probably take more video that day.

I’m not sure if everyone knows this story. Last summer we attended the Friends of Black Bayou festival (for lack of a better word). There was a snapping turtle release, and all the children were allowed to hand the baby turtles down to the worker in the water, for her to release. My son waited patiently for his turn. Watching each child ahead of him gently handing their turtles down. Waiting patiently, but not paying very good attention to just how this was all happening. When it was his turn, he was handed a turtle, and before anyone could say anything to him, he launched it out into the lake to “be with his momma.” The man who handed him the turtle didn’t look very pleased, but I felt a little better when another worker chuckled behind me, “well, if it can survive that, it can survive anything.” And so I give you, round two of Sam in the wild.

*Yes, that’s right folks, he dropped a frog sized bolder on the poor thing’s head.

I guess it could be worse, he could be like my dad, at a young age, and want to perform surgery on the poor thing.

*no harm came to any animal in the making of this film. mr. frog returned to hunting as soon as we left the premises.

There’s really not much more I could say that isn’t said in the videos and pictures. I’m so proud of my little man. I was a little worried about his being able to keep his hands to himself on stage. I’ve heard this has been a bit of a problem for him during practice and dress rehearsal. His behavior was a lot better than I expected, but I think I know who is partner in crime may be at school. I’m surprised they sat those two next to each other. But then again, they may all act like that.

On their way into the auditorium there was a gap in the line… we had no doubt who was holding up progress. He just seemed to be taking it all in.
Notice the “Hi Sam Mom!” at the end. That always makes me giggle.

When he got on stage his cheeks looked a bit flushed. I’m pretty sure he was blushing because it wasn’t that warm in there.

This morning he woke up wanting me to sing “three cheers red white blue” and again, I didn’t know the song. We didn’t have time to look it up before school, but it looks like he learned it enough to mouth some of the words. He does that with a lot of songs. Heck! He does that with songs he doesn’t know or is hearing for the first time. I’m not sure if you can tell this from here, but when we watch this video on our computer you can see him wink at us when he stands for the pledge, and two more times at the end of the song. He’s a nut.

He managed to get over his embarrassment for his big song. I think he did a great job! Of the boys up there, he was the only one I could see who did all of the hand motions to the song. I guess the others got distracted with actually singing. And if I’m not mistaken, I think he winked at someone on the other side of the auditorium as well.

I’ve always thought he’s been a bit of an over actor. He’s pretty dramatic with his pretend play. If he doesn’t get the lead rolls, at least he’ll make a great understudy.

All of the children did a wonderful job! I’m really glad we were able to be a part of it all.

I understand his fidgeting now. If you go first, you have a long wait until the end.

A little photo editing and this has quickly become one of my favorite pictures. PD took this the Saturday after we got the camera. I had scanned through the set quickly before, because I really didn’t think I’d be using any of them. This was the Becca stayed in her jammies, folding the pile of laundry Saturday. I’m not sure what made me go back through these last night, but I was happy to find this sweet moment. I love kisses from my little girl, both my kids really. Crusty, clean, wet or dry, there’s nothing on earth that compares to the emotions that rush over me when I get unsolicited hugs and kisses. I just love the look on her sweet face.

Spring is in the air, and so is pollen. My eyes have been killing me. We spent a lovely Saturday together as a family. PD cooked breakfast while the kids played, and I worked on the budget. After breakfast PD took our respective turns on the computer, blogging, shopping and whatnot. It was a little too chilly for him to work on his truck so he helped me hang some pictures, which I am very happy about. This place seems to be coming together as far as looking like our place and not just a white canvas.

After we all got ready for the day, we made our way out into the world, ran to the bank, picked up some food and drove out to my dads to get some things that have been waiting in the back of his wifes vehicle for us. Her daughter-in-law had gone through all of her two boys’ clothes and sent them with my step-monster (don’t worry, it’s a term of endearment, she came up with). A big green tub, two boxes and a bag of clothes. One Bob the Builder pop up play hut and a blow up Jump-o-lene (probably the kids favorite).

PD went through all the kid clothes and reported on all the cool findings. We’re very happy about the soccer shin guards. I’ve been tossing around the idea of starting Samuel in a sport. I almost signed him up for T-Ball but decided to hold off a year. I know it’s the whole point of the sport, but I really didn’t want him to be just out there picking flowers in the outfield. If I’m going to pay money for him to play a game, I want him to learn something. That’s kind of why I thought soccer, that and I just love the sport. I think sign up for that has come and gone, but there’s always next year when he’s in kindergarten. Gosh that’s hard for me to say. Sam in kindergarten, I may have just as well said he was going off to college.

Hi, I’m Becca… and I’m a Scalper *long pause* “Hi Becca!”

Yes, it sounds silly to me too. Last night at the circus I found that my son did not in fact need a ticket. So, as I was stepping away from the box office I heard a woman tallying just how many tickets of each kind she needed. I stopped quickly and held out the two child tickets we got from Sam’s school. “you need two child tickets?” She looked at me surprised and confused, looked around a bit and said “we don’t scalp.” I just smiled and laughed a bit “no, they’re free, I got them from my sons school, we don’t need them, he gets in free.” She took them to look at them and I walked off. It took me about fifteen minutes to get over how funny I found that.

The circus seems to get smaller and smaller every year. There were a couple of new acts, but it was basically the same thing as last year, right down to the boy and the two girls, balancing on balls, rolling up a three tier ramp, and the first girl falls off at the second level. But just like last year, she got up and finished the act like a champ! I decided I would break down this year buy a light up toy for Samuel. He’s four and understands a little more about personal space, and not swinging it wildly. Weapon of choice, an Expando! Which we lovingly call his new light saber. He kept going on this morning about how he could be Darth Vader and fight the big boys. I’m glad he’s happy with it. Libby enjoyed the music of the dancing bear routine. She was dancing and clapping and giving her best “ta-da!” but she passed out by the trapeze act. We finally got out of there around ten o’clock, way past the kids bed time, but they went down with out too much of a fuss. Last night, on our way to the circus, my cousin called and asked if she could take the kids to the circus. I told her we were on our way, but if Samuel enjoyed it that much, then I would have no problem with him going again.

I’ve been feeling very quiet today. Not so much that I don’t have much to say, just … tired I guess. Somewhere in the bustle of yesterday I managed to forget to feed Samuel dinner. So at three forty this morning, he woke up and “spilled.” Four o’clock in the morning, he’s sitting at the table eating a bowl of corn flakes and I’m changing bedsheets. I felt horrible. He really isn’t much of a dinner eater, but I guess what little he does it is very needed. I guess that’s what I get for not fixing everyone food at the same time.

Just here at my desk today, catching up on yesterday’s work, working on most of today’s while last Tuesday’s NCIS plays in the background. Every once in a while I’ll flip over to watch what sounds to be an important part. Those are usually the times when someone walks in/past my cubical. Tonight we’re going to the circus! I’m really excited about this year. Libby is old enough to react to everything, and… we have a better camera to catch the amazing acts, funny animals and the kids faces through it all. Last year Sam really enjoyed it, yay for free tickets!

Yesterday’s trip to the ENT went well. One of Samuel’s tubes is out, but stuck to his eardrum. The doctor said much like super glue, and if he were to try and pull it out it would hurt Sam, so we’re going to go back in three months to see how it’s going. The other tube had fallen out and was sitting in his ear. The doctor pulled it out and Sam immediately said, “Ewh! that’s Disgusting!” Doctor and Nurse chuckled and put it in a tissue to go home with us. I joked about it going in his baby book, but I’m really not sure what we’re going to do with it. Right now it’s sitting in an old medicine bottle in the kids bathroom. I’m sure we’ll probably just throw them away when we have both of them. I have a picture, the doctor gave me, of the tube in his eardrum, taken when he had the surgery. I guess I could just tape them to it? They’re very tiny.

For some reason I’ve been bringing the camera to bath time. I had never really thought about it as a photo shoot. Kind of personal, and with my kids, a tad dangerous for the camera. But, I’ve managed to pick up a few cute moments on video and still shots. Here my Libby monster is roaring at me. I can’t really remember what brought it on. I know Sam had been throwing bath toys down to her end. She was feeding off of his hyperactivity. Both of the kids seem to do that. Kid thing I guess, I’m sure it will only get worse. hehe When we were at the doctors office, I noticed Sam was unusually rowdy (for the doctors). When the two other children had been called back, he came and sat by me to play quietly. He’s such a show off.

I think I’m just bound to depress myself. I’m not sure why my goal is to put myself in a certain position and then go searching for things that would require me to be out of it. Ug!

I’m off today with Samuel. Pre-K parent/teacher meetings. Ours went well. She focused on how well he was doing, and reminded me just how young he really is. He does really well in just about everything except paying attention. Or more like, you thinking he’s not paying attention. She would tell me that he can be over doing something else while she’s telling a story and when she asks him about it, he can answer her questions. She had a boy very similar to Sam last year. It took him about a month to get adjusted to how things worked in kindergarten. We have until August to get him ready. It’s not that he’s behind. She’s actually doing things in her class that they are told not to do but, being a former kindergarten teacher, she’s getting them started on what she knows they’ll be working on. Personally, I think it’s a great idea. PD and I are just going to have to work harder on school work, but keep our patients when we feel he’s not paying attention. I really do think he’s come a long way, even in the last couple of months. He’s immature, but it’s starting to click. We’re over halfway through the school year. Worst case scenario he would have to repeat kindergarten, but that will be a decision to be made much later down the road. I’m sure I’m a bit biased, but I feel he will do just fine.

My glutton for punishment comment comes from my wish to torment myself after the meeting. This morning before our meeting Sam and I went up to my work to have breakfast and for him to sit at my desk long enough to feel as though he’s been to “momma’s work”. He’s been begging me for months, I’m glad we were able to take advantage of our day off. I found out today that a lady I use to work with has moved in our school zone and her sons will be attending our school. She moved to a street across and down a little (maybe a fifteen feet - imagine if you will a T with the streets) from the house I LOVE. SO! me being me, I had to pass by the house. And, something made me look in the windows. I’m not quite sure how the furniture would be arrainged just yet (yes, i told you i’m nuts) but as I stepped away from the window to the front yard…. I felt… Home. (ok, crying now, I really need to be committed). The sounds, the smell, even the lighting. It was like being at Gam and Daddy Bob’s home. Why is it that I always think about their home, and my Memaw and Pepaw’s old home, as Home? Lots of fond memories? I dunno… God willing, when it comes time to find a house for my family, that home or another very similar, will be available.

The flower, picked (yes I took it) from the tree behind the garage. It is on our desk, and on my desktop. A reminder to me to SAVE! get out of DEBT! And any time I feel the urge to buy someTHING, or eat OUT without having the allocated money for it.

I told you I’m not an adult yet. I do things still very much on impulse. I will learn one of these days.