an update

So I have a lot to post about but I just haven't been that good at getting my photos uploaded and part of me thinks I can't post without pictures so I end up not posting at all. The other problem is the kids are always on the computer so I end up using my mom's laptop more than my own; and her computer does not have my photos on it. So you see my problem.

So here is what has been going on around here:

1. SCHOOL!!!!! Jake is in 3rd grade this year and already seems to be doing very well. Elijah started kindergarten without too much drama. A few days into it he asked which days he didn't have to go to school (he was used to 3 days a week preschool). I told him he had to go every day and he said he didn't want to have a long day. But, I think he is adjusting. He has even been getting himself out of bed the past few days without me having to wake him up. His teacher is very sweet and incorporates a lot of music and art into her curriculum so I think he will do well with her. He has full day kindergarten, which has been hard on him; and me, but we are dealing with it just fine. Spencer started Tot Lot. He goes five days a week for two hours in the morning. I work on Monday mornings and the rest of the week I get to drop him off. So far I haven't had a whole bunch of time to myself, but I am looking forward to being able to shop all by myself once we settle into the schedule.

2. Brent's job is going great. The customer he has been working with recently canceled his project. But it is turning out to be a good thing. As disappointing as it was to lose the project, many at his work felt it had been run very well so Brent seems to be getting a lot of attention. They like his management style and have been bringing up ideas for other positions in the company they think he would be a good fit for. So that has been great for him to get some accolades from someone else besides me.

3. Mexico. Brent and I are leaving soon for a 4 day cruise to Catalina and Ensenada. We are very excited about getting some much needed alone time. My sweet mom will be watching the kids for us and we can't thank her enough. We have been married for close to 11 years and this is our first EVER vacation with just the two of us for the sole purpose of just being together. I can't wait.

I sure hope life is humming along for everyone as well as our life is going. We are truly blessed.

why i love my kids

since it has been a long day, i thought i'd better remind myself why i love my kids.

jacob:

super super smart
great giggle
he's finally at an age where he is fun to do stuff with (he plays a great game of speed and i don't even have to let him win anymore)
he is kind
very polite
loves to read
passionate
sensitive
his face turns red when he runs around a lot
generally obedient
self-motivated
tells silly jokes and then giggles
dimples

Elijah:
walks on his toes
LOVES art
very routine-oriented (which also drives me crazy)
likes to read
always turns off the lights (my new little "green" nazi)
stays up late; sleeps in late like me (although i know that is about to become one of my greatest challenges with kindergarten starting)
very very mellow
will speak his mind; but in a totally round about way
he is the calm amongst the storms that are his brothers
will choose fruit over candy
he's a mini-me

Spencer:
potty trained himself
runs around the house spelling his name and his brothers' names
he's trouble with a capital T
he gives the dog commands in the exact same manner in which i give the dog commands
dimples, red hair, tan skin, blue eyes
can read books (the ones he has memorized anyway)
he talks to himself
he runs up to you out of nowhere to give you a great big hug around the thighs
when he is tired, he will drop where he is and sleep; LOVE when that happens
how he says "EE-WHY-SHA" when he calls his brother
when he talks on the phone he says "Heh-woh? heh-woh-oh!!"
he's adventurous
he pronounces our last name: "Zon-gshur"
he cocks his head a little to the left when he asks a question
he's persistent (which is also a reason why he makes me crazy)

double grrrr

do you ever have one of those days where the kids just keep doing things that make you nuts!? They don't do it on purpose; but it happens because they are apparently unable to be aware of where their bodies meet their environment. I have just experienced the FOURTH spill of the day; FOURTH! I don't know why this makes me so crazy; it just does. is it completely unreasonable to expect that I can have a drink; set in on a table, leave it for a minute, and have it be there when I come back!?

ok. now i'm done. needed to vent before the next kid comes in and I still want to hit something.

grrrr

i am trying to redo my blog. i was tired of the notebook, and it was kind of hard to read the sidebars, although i did like it. so while i was searching through all of the "cute blog templates" out there, i somehow completely removed the notebook template and now i can't get it back. and i'm tired. see y'all in the morning, maybe with a new look for my blog; maybe not.

things my dog has eaten/chewed/destroyed

so many plastic toys i can't count
1 dvd remote
phone antenna
knitting needles
pencils
around 10 toothbrushes
2-3 tubes toothpaste
5 "extra-super-tough" dog chew toys
20+ regular dog toys
lots of rags
lots and lots of pull-ups/diapers (new and used; eww)
plates
a bra
cups
1 pitcher
3 child sized golf clubs
some underwear
used dryer sheets
several hair clips
wet toilet paper (fished out of the toilet)
books
a wooden block
cat food anytime he can sneak into the garage
cat poop, in the situation mentioned above
blankets
pillows
a cake
pacifiers
sippy cups
shoes
many, many, stuffed animals
3 different gentle leaders/ harnesses
plastic baggies
screwdriver
2 handbags (including my fake Prada i got in NYC; i loved that bag)
tennis balls
chicken bones when he is quick enough to race out the door and run to the dumpster; for some reason there are ALWAYS chicken bones there.
bugs
my hairbrush
some paintbrushes
tons of table scraps that he shouldn't be able to reach but somehow does
and finally (but certainly not lastly)
my wallet, including my driver's license and debit card.
and if you ever need a kitten licked, he's your dog:
i think i still love my dog.

new camera

we had to get a new camera because i dropped and broke our old one (bad mommy!!). i was heartbroken. i had become very attached to that camera. but we were able to find basically the same camera with some upgrades; so i am happy. i love the first shots you take with a new camera. its just fun to fool around and see what it can do.

summer misc

more pictures of plain old getting wet in the summer. oh and long talks with loved ones on our banana phones.