Packing it in...

Ethan loves to cram as much as he can fit into his little mouth when he eats! I seriously can't watch sometimes because I'm convinced he will choke...and my constant pleas of 'one at a time' or 'not so fast' are completely ignored! I had to snap a picture...but it doesn't even begin to capture how extremely full his mouth is! And then when he happens to sneeze while his mouth is crammed full...we'll that's another post all in itself! Let's just say, shredded wheat EVERYWHERE!!! So not fun!

Ants

I have just had a huge breakthrough. I have lived in TX among the throngs of fire ants for 3 years now. I've had bites here and there...enough to make me think that they are the bane of all existence. I just thought that I was the biggest baby ever...most people don't complain or worry when they get bit! I should have clued in that something was wrong when my toes promptly swell up to golf ball-sized proportions (kinda scary) due to a little bite...or when I got one on my calf and had track-marks going up and down my leg and had the annoying sensation of having a severe muscle cramp in my calf for 2 weeks! I couldn't figure out how everyone else puts up with the symptoms so calmly!

So here's my realization moment. I got a bite on the underside of my foot on Thursday - yeah, not the best placement! I promptly applied my handy benedryl pen, thinking that if I treat it early enough it will just go away...it works for everyone else! By Friday, I'm limping a bit - I can still hide it when I walk in public - but the limp (and the pain!!!) is definitely there. This morning I can hardly walk...I've slept with an ice pack strapped to my foot for 2 nights and I am just praying that this all goes away by tomorrow so I don't have to be all gimpy at church and that I can actually fit my swollen foot into dress shoes! So, I'm laying on the bed this afternoon with my foot elevated...when Steve finally convinces me that I'm not the wussiest person ever and that my reactions really are quite severe! Is it possible to have an allergic reaction to a little tiny ant??? Who would have thought!?!

First Day

Well, as Garrett put it today...'Mom, tomorrow finally came! I kept saying all day yesterday 'Tomorrow is my first day of school' and now, tomorrow was today!" So if you can follow that logic...you will know that our little boy had his first day of kindergarten and had the time of his life! He was so excited and had such a great day! We took him in this morning and helped him find his seat and hang his backpack and put his new lunchbox in his cubby (all the things that he could do himself, but that I selfishly wanted a part of too!) He sat down and started chatting with the kids at his table, posed nicely for the few pictures I had to take, and then grinned and waved goodbye as we left the room! No tears, no pleas for me to stay with him, no hesitation at all...he was ready! In fact, I called out from the kitchen this morning when he was supposed to be getting his shoes on and asked if he was ready...he replied, "No! Well, yes I am ready, but I still have to get my socks on!" Even at 5 years old, he knows he's ready for more freedom!

Could they make backpacks that actually fit a kindergartner??? Why are they all so big???

T- minus 10...9...8...7...

Tick, tick, tick, tick...seriously, this is how I feel today! It is as though I have this giant clock following me around - kind of like Winnie the Pooh and that little black rain cloud that hangs over his head now matter where he goes...or is it Eeyore??? But anyway, instead of raining...my clock is ticking down the seconds until Garrett leaves me tomorrow and enters the world of school, school, school! :) It's not a bad thing...but every thought today is focused on the fact that he is ready to go! He is all ready with his clothes laid out for tomorrow...he keeps begging to make his lunch and put his new lunchbox in his backpack...and he has NOT, for one second, mentioned the minor detail that he might just want to stay home with me forever!!!

He is so beyond excited...and so it makes me excited too! I just have the feeling though that this clock is going to be situated above me for the rest of time...it's not just the school thing, he's just growing up - a bit too quickly for me! I know it's a good thing for them to grow and learn and eventually leave home...but time is just flying by a bit too fast! I know it's just Kindergarten tomorrow...but it makes high school and missions and college seem like next week!

Okay, I'm done with my little pity party! I know I'm not the only one out there feeling like this today! So, good luck all you back-to-schoolers and all you moms and dads who are sending them off! :)

Here's Garrett at Steve's graduation...I should have seen it coming then! :)

Shoes

And while it drives me slightly crazy...I loved seeing these shoes sitting in my entryway the other day! I love my boys!

Ambidextrous???

I was going through some pictures last night and saw these two again...I love them! Though he favors his right with things like eating with a spoon, Ethan does so many things with both hands! How great if he can keep this talent!

But before I toot his horn too loudly, I should admit that he went from his two-handed throwing to eating the rocks! Yeah...I guess we still have some skills to work on! :)

Friday Favorite!

This week we rented a wii game...Excite Truck! Our friends called us one day and told us that we HAD to get it! They had just spent an entire Saturday playing it with their family and had so much fun! I have to admit...I wasn't that excited for it. My least favorite games ever, on any system, have been the driving games! I am AWFUL and really don't see the point of even trying...it's not really a skill that I've ever felt the need to improve at...especially since we are just not big gamers anyway! But, we gave it a try and I have to say...I LOVE IT!!! It is so much fun...and I even win. Steve and I have spent the last two nights racing each other (interspersed with Olympic watching, of course) and I win half the time! Wahoo! So, if you have the wii...give it a try! I'll bet you love it too!

Any other favorite wii games out there??? We're always up for suggestions!