A Bike

and I got a fish. I named him Rudolph. Merry Christmas to all!

FLASH!

My guy was the FLASH from the Justice League. Just enough candy to last a couple of weeks. Perfect! He went trick or treating with Bella from his class.

Crazy Hair Day

It was Friday, Oct 24th. Crazy Hair Day at the OAS school. I did my best with what supplies we hand on hand. You seemed pretty satisfied with the results. This is the only picture i could get of you sitting STILL!!!!

happy times.

Kindergarten

On August 25th, 2008 you started Kindergarten at the O.A.S. school. Yea little man! You are on your way to being an adult. I really wasn't as torn up about it as I thought i would be. But you have been in daycare for a long long time. I remember the first day I dropped you off at daycare, I really was torn up. Sad that I couldn't be with you for longer periods of the day.

You had a really hard week your first week. You cried when I left you with the preschool care giver. Then in class, a boy grabbed you and you punched him. That was your first day. Then you had a few accidents. (potty) Then at the end of the first day? You were like, Mommy it took you so long to get here and pick me up. Don't take so long tomorrow.

You have settled in to school by your third week. The routine it offers seems to calm you down. And you have charmed all the other people in school. I don't know that I fit in that well, but I am happy to have you somewhere you are comfortable and safe. And in a family type atmosphere.

These times are hard for me. Knowing I can't come and get you right when school is over. Not because I don't want to, because we need the money. I pray that wont always be the case. I like spending time with you too.

Happy Learning little one! You wont be little forever. Enjoy these days.

Birthday!!!

So this year you turned five. I gave you a party at the local park for a few of your friends. It was hard to get it all together alone, but I was so happy that you had a party for your celebration. We had some fun. You got a lot of cool gifts, including this indiana jones hat from PaPa and Gma.



I made treasure chests with marbles, snakes and magnifying glasses. We didn't play games. Provided pizza, sandwiches, chips and soda. The cake was chocolate with fresh strawberries. I think the day really wore you out. About the time the party was over, you said to me, mommy I just want to go home and play with my new toys!

You didn't go to sleep until 11 pm that night. Next year? Disneyland! I am already planning! :-)

So long between posts.

Well little man, Fourth of July came and went without fanfare this year. You had a sore throat and a fever. And the Gap Fire was burning.

Mostly you are having fun with george and the Y day camp. Waterparks, museums, beach, swimming, and this week the fiesta parade!

You are about ready to take swimming lessons. We have spent a couple of saturdays at the M. YMCA. They have an outdoor pool and you are becoming brave about the water. Jumping in, going deeper.. Its time for some water education and training. We start on Gma's birthday. You are going to be fine.

This week you are in love with the "pollen jocks" from the BEE movie. And Indiana Jones! You want a whip and a hat. I am thinking it will be the theme of your birthday party coming up. You are using your rubber snake as a whip.

Yesterday we had a great day. Walked to Cantwell's, you rode your bike. We got choco milk, coffee for me and croissant. Then we strolled around taking pictures. fun times. we went "hiking" up to wilcox. It was a beautiful day and you wanted to climb. I am really ready for my ankle to be fixed so I can be a bit more stable and do stuff like that with you.

There are some serious discipline issues with you. Time for a regimented schedule to keep things on track and more even. Because I don't like being mad at you. at all.

love you wee guy.

Y Summer Camp

Austin, you have graduated pre-school. Now its time for Summer Camp. This is your first week.

Monday was a get to know each other day, and you all stayed in the trailer/playground area.

Tuesday you went to the Natural History Museum, and went to a park.

Wednesday you are going to Goleta Beach!

OMG. You are tired because you aren't getting a nap. Hungry, because you don't eat your lunch. Grumpy because you don't always get your way. Irritated by your best friend Nico. Happy that you aren't going to the Y every day. Sad because you aren't going to the "big school" yet. STubborn, because its genetic to your clan. Spoiled, like every only child gets.

You are acting out, being bratty. Pouting throwing tantrums. Scratching and hitting me. Talking back. I am at my wits end on what to do to help you or read what is really wrong.

I love ya though. And am so happy you are going to camp.

my teacher

This is your Teacher, Ms. June. She is probably going to be one of the most wonderful people in your life. She has taken you a long way and really shown you how to smile. And to behave. When she was out sick for a week or so, you got very depressed. I suspect you have very deep feelings for Ms. June.

I want to do something nice for her but not sure what. You two are like peas and carrots. She thinks you are a hoot. And is excited for you to go to school.

happy times.

FINALLY!!!!

I picked you up from school yesterday. I have been nagging, praying, hoping, pleading, reasoning, begging, shaming, wondering, letting you go naked, for MONTHS. Five years of months.

YOU DID IT!!!! praise the gods of the porcelain throne. My son actually gets it now. he GETS it!!!

*does the he is pooping in the potty dance*


edit: One day up, one day down. Such is life.

June 25th update: One week of going on the potty. It took an incident of you clogging the toilet to push you over the edge. I don't mind. You have taken a big step to making your life easier on yourself.

Birthday Party and Sleepover!

Your best buddies birthday party was on Saturday. At Deno's on the Mesa. There was a big party. N. let you help him open his presents. You were so excited!!! You played games, you didn't eat any pizza. You did eat cake. You don't like soda. You wanted water. (I think that is one of the smartest things I have done for you is not let you have soda).

After the party, you and N. went back to his house to play with his one billion new Power Ranger Fury toys he got. You fought, you played, you hid under the covers, you climbed into the closet. You blamed each other for grabbing toys and knocking each other over. You took a bath together. You ate grilled cheese sandwiches, pasta salad and some oreos. Just like brothers. Then you tried to watch TV. By bedtime, you were saying, mommy i want to sleep with you not N. N. got his feelings hurt. WE decided that instead of staying up all, night, long waiting for you to sleep we would go home. And try it again some other time.

You are lucky to have such a fun friend. He is sweet and kind and caring.. A gentle giant.

Ghostbusters & Indiana Jones

So, You watched Ghostbusters last night on Netflix. You are so cute. There are some scary things on there and you want me to sit next to you so you feel protected. I love the way you talk about movies. Which Ghostbuster you are going to be. How the dogs scare you. What is going to happen to the marshmallow guy. You are smart. You said at the end when they set fire to him, "where does he go? Doesn't the marshmallow melt?"

Then you went into negotiations about when we were going to watch it again. I think I am to liberal with you watching movies. Well there it is.

love you little bear

The Justice League

Last night at the store, I bought you a three DVD collection of the Justice League videos. You are in heaven.

And you want to be flash. You talked about it all morning. And Nico, your best buddy is going to be the green lantern!

little boys rock.

Family

You are so cute. You have been exceptionally loving the last couple of weeks. Here is some of the dialogue.

You said to me, "Mommy we are a family, aren't we?"

I said, "Yes baby. We are a family."

You said, "I love you Mommy. Can bear be a part of our family?"

I said, "I love you to baby. Yes. Bear is part of our family."

You just smiled and gave me a hug and a kiss. Then we both gave bear a kiss.

Thats worth every penny right there.

You Love Music

I have been noticing you hum and sing a lot more. We have a couple of CD's that I put in the car player that you like. Your teacher says they play music during nap time. Ms. June also said while you are laying on your cot, you tap your foot to the music. All the teachers notice this about you.

Can't wait to have a new home so we can have a different lifestyle. More music, less TV. (I think NO TV for a while).

happy singing dear austin.

Shopping

Last night we went shopping. You were helping me pick things out to put in the cart.

Your Picks:
Ice Cream
Cheez Its
Ham
Pizza
Bread

Mine:
Milk
Frozen Burritos
Lettuce
Juice Boxes for Lunch

You love to go shopping. I have to get you out and doing other activities. Yikes.

A daddy

Yesterday you said to me, Mommy you have to get us a brother. And a daddy. I said, how am I going to do that Austin? You said, I don't know. But I need a brother to wrestle with. And a daddy to play with.

Dear soul, I hope that the universe blesses us with this person. Until then, I guess I am going to have to step it up in the wrestling and sword fighting arena.

When did i become such a girlee girl? :sighs:

The Potty

We had a long talk last night about the potty. You seem to finally understand that you can't poop in your pants anymore. Its way past time. I fear that I am not the disciplinarian that I could be, but I am going to find a way to get you in the groove of going to the bathroom so we can get on with more festive things in our lives.

Like camping or... swimming or.. stuff like that!

Youre a Tool Man

The other night, you found the tools, you came up to me and you said, mam? does your bed need fixing, and I said, why yes it does!

you even found the right tool to try and undo the screws, an allen wrench. After that you removed all the screws from your paint set, and the hinges... Smarty.

i love you

Ms June

She is the current rival for your affections. She is your pre-school teacher. Ms June has everything and she is cool...

we have to make a special valentine for you and ms. June.

Wee Dictator

You are so funny. You say, mommy, you take a bite like this. then you say wipe your mouth like this. You tell me how to sigh after taking a drink of water. You want to tell jokes, and be funny. And you think that hitting is funny. That worries me.

We are going up to Napa this weekend. I think we are both excited about that.

Where Cowboys Come From

Tonight in the car you said to me, we cant go to Thousand Oaks, because that is where the cowboys are. They are far away. And they are bad cowboys. But they are good cowboys. But they are in Thousand Oaks. and that is far away.

I wonder where you hear this stuff.

The Visit

The family visit. We had a good time. I believe after this haircut your curls may finally be gone. and that is sad.

You and Uncle had a great time too.