and the beat goes on

hanging in there

kids are off to school. 

cleaned up stray rice crispies and milk dribbles.  a few crispies were crushed to dust

need to put away the peanut butter and the toaster.

maybe i'll pick up the toys first.

on second thought, maybe the toys need to stay where they are.

 

the magic box

On Friday, Weston needed a little extra somethin' to get him through the morning and ready for school.  I asked him if he would like a list of the things he needed to do.  He could carry it around with him and check off each item as he accomplished it.  He liked the idea.  I (happily) noticed how quickly his demeanor changed from unmotivated to excited as he watched me make the list.

I was so glad to see him checking things off his list and I was even more glad that I didn't have to remind (nag?) him to do them.

Just as Weston was finishing breakfast I noticed something extra he had added to the bottom of the list.

How could I resist that?  He even drew the little television beside it!

All I can say is that he is good, real good.

raspy

Screaming at his mother, "I hate you! I hate you!  I never want to see you again" with all the passion of his soul gave a certain 6 year old boy a raspy voice. 

It is the darn cutest voice that I have ever heard. 

In fact, when his voice comes back I may just encourage him to scream at me some more.

not last night but the night before

Murline taught me how to crochet.  I guess I must have been concentrating pretty hard on getting these stitches down before she left because that night I dreamed about crocheting.  Yarn over, go through the hole, yarn over...chain two...

Just before I woke up, I was in a parking lot with Megan Joy from American Idol, showing her a bag full of all the things I had crocheted. 

Does that mean I'm all strung out?

when you let the six year old boy have the camera at the zoo

(yep...elephant poop)

overheard

Upon arrival to the Santa Barbara Zoo, Grandpa pulled out passes to the the train.

After Grandpa handed a ticket to Keaton, he started to chant over and over:

"Grandpa is a hero!

Grandpa is a SUPERHERO!"

 I think Grandpa is a hero, too.  Maybe not because of the free train ride, but because of moments like these...

 

last hurrah

Brian was headed to Seattle on business for a week, so the rest of us tagged along with Aunt Amy on a trip to see the folks.  We hadn't been to Santa Barbara for a year, so we packed up and headed west.  We had a great time at Grandma and Grandpa's house.  We enjoyed the beach and the zoo, visiting with family and the mild climate.  I know the boys liked those things, too, but I can't help but wonder if it isn't the LEGO box they will remember the most.

I saw a sight similar to this each day we were there.  It was a good trip!