I am A WINNER!!!

This morning, I had a WONDERFUL SURPRISE waiting for me in my email INBOX!

I had an email from Big Picture Classes founder (and one of my favorite, inspiring blogger's) Stacy Julian that announced:

You're A WINNER!

Then, I read her blog post declaring THE WINNERS in one of her recent giveaways.

I won a FREE spot in the upcoming Becky Higgins online class called PROJECT REAL LIFE. I am SO EXCITED!!! (I had wanted to participate, but we really DON'T have the money for it right now... with all of the recent - and forthcoming - vet bills, the monthly cost of my medicine, my doctor's appointment in July and another one coming in November, our dental appointments, etc.)

This was TERRIFIC NEWS!

I AM SO EXCITED!!!!

Big Day for Sydney... DENTIST and 3 year well child

Sydney is chilling at the dentist's office
where he had a tv to watch during his appointment.

Dr. Lindsey May cleans Sydney's teeth with his new
Pooh toothbrush (before switching over to her real dental tools.)

 Sydney went to the dentist for the first time ever! They started his appointment by asking him which toothbrush he wanted... Tigger or Pooh. He explained "I normally like Tigger a lot because Tigger is rather bouncy, but Pooh Bear likes honey... and I like honey, too... so, I pick.... POOH!"

The dentist had to remind Sydney that the toothbrush is ONLY for cleaning his teeth... not the wall, the sink, the toilet lid or his shoe. (He kept trying to put it onto his shoe while she talked to him and she would quickly remind him "Just for teeth, remember?"

He was thrilled to pick out his toothpaste flavor... mint or grape. (He picked grape.)

He got to meet Mrs. Sucker and the special squirt gun.

The dentist polished his fingernails with the spinning dental cleaner to show him how she was going to clean his teeth. "Those aren't my teeth, silly... those are my fingernails!" he reminded her.

They had him put his hands together (as if he were praying) and they demonstrated how they were going to use the floss between his teeth "like this". Again, he giggled and announced "Those aren't my teeth! Those are just my fingers!"

The dentist and the hygienist both did a FANTASTIC JOB with Sydney!

The dentist (Dr. May) showed Mom that Sydney has a "sugar bug" in his upper left molar. She asked us about our juice consumption and reminded us that we need to HELP Sydney brush his teeth until he is EIGHT. He has to come back in for the cavity to be fixed. (He was quite sad to hear that a sugar bug ate a hole in his tooth and that he has a "CAB-ity".)

After lunch, we went to his 3 year well child appointment. He passed with flying colors.

He announced to the entire waiting room that he has a CABity and a sugar bug ate a hole in his tooth and that he can't drink juice anymore. (A lot of people smiled at us.)

"Does he string 3 or 4 words together to make a sentence?" the nurse asked during his checkup. "Ha!" she laughed. "I'll just put YES!" (We clarified that he would likely talk for 3 or 4 minutes nonstop.)

He is average height (53%) and 27% for weight. We think he is PERFECT!

Sydney clutches his DINOSAUR TRAIN stickers
from his doctor's appointment. He has a "happy green"
bandaid on his finger where they took a sample
of blood. He was NOT HAPPY about that AT ALL!

Our new normal is for Sydney (the nap protester) to fall asleep
in the car each time we go out in the afternoon.

Sydney decided to wear all of his new stickers
on his feet and legs.

Poor Otto

Took the cats in for their yearly check-up and shots yesterday. Last August, we were scolded for leaving their food bowls filled at all times and were instructed to cut their rations down significantly, serving at specified times.

Otto lost A LOT of weight. Eddy lost a tiny amount.

Otto lost over 50% of his weight! His belly used to drag on the ground. Now, he has no belly... in fact, he feels downright boney now. The vet said that he has lost a lot of muscle mass and is WAY TOO THIN!

She also detected a heart murmur and wanted to run a bunch of labwork.

Our "routine appointment" ended up costing $325!

We were told that we would get the lab results back today.

We never heard from them so, I called to ask. The vet called us back to tell us that she had to call the lab to confirm some of the results because Otto's levels were OFF THE CHARTS! One on of them, NORMAL is around 100; Otto was almost 700! She confirmed "he is a very stressed, sick kitty!"

She believes that his thyroid is out of whack and suggested we put him on thyroid medicine. She wonders if his liver isn't acting up as well. For now, we're going to HOPE that the thyroid meds will make him better and that we don't need to do a liver biopsy.

BIG SIGH... Poor Otto!

My very first pet EVER!
Love him!

Saturday Summer Fun 081812 pics

SILAS: (thinking) Some jerk woke me up really, really early today.
MOMMY: (thinking) I know... HE woke me up early, too!
SYDNEY: (not getting his way, declared) "I'm going back to bed!"

With Mike working all weekend, we were looking for a change of scenery and an opportunity to run around outside. It was an INCREDIBLY BEAUTIFUL DAY! We got to ride bikes, go for a walk, watch airplanes fly overhead, sweep, pretend to ride the lawn tractor, play ball, play keep-away, pick up sticks (and acorns), play in a tent, pick apples, read books, play with toys, play the piano, play with Bishop and a handful of neighborhood dogs, build a campfire and roast marshmallows. (Silas missed out on reading books... since he was a good baby enjoying his nap.)

Insert screeching sounds here as the boys fight over the ball.

Hey, wait up! Grandpa shows the boys a
couple of squirrel nests in the trees.

Silas picks his own red delicious apple, straight from the tree.

Sydney picks his own red delicious apple, straight from the tree.

Silas needs one for each hand and has no qualms about eating
the rotten ones off of the ground. **shiver**

Learning how to roast marshmallows; Sydney did NOT eat one.

Silas will eat ANYTHING! He liked roasted marshmallows!

Silas, looking like a chipmunk, has an entire marshmallow
crammed into his mouth (straight from the bag). Eventually,
he spit half of it into the grass.

Mommy and her boys.
(love, Love, LOVE!)

FPoD_2012AUG16

What's the Favorite Part of your Day?

AUGUST 16, 2012

DADDY: Enjoying dinner made by Mommy.

MOMMY: My morning cup of hot, chai tea.

SYDNEY: Sitting in the cab of the cement mixer (that was pouring neighbor, Audry's new sidewalk) AND watching from up-close... even getting to TOUCH the cement!

SILAS: Play with the baby dolls at the Care for Kids class.

FPoD_2012AUG15

What's the Favorite Part of your Day?

AUGUST 15, 2012

DADDY: Going to the pool as a family.

MOMMY: Our family lunch date at Olive Garden.

SYDNEY: Going down the slide at the pool, splashing into the water ... AND... playing in the dirt (at the Parents as Teachers Messy Palooza Family Event).

SILAS: BUBBLES! (Playing in the tub of bubbles at the Parents as Teachers Messy Palooza Family Event.)

FPoD_2012AUG14

What's the Favorite Part of your Day? 

AUGUST 14, 2012

DADDY: Watching the boys playing so nicely together and taking turns pushing each other across the living/dining room(s) on the Sesame Street car and the little Big Wheel.

MOMMY: I thought it was pretty special when Sydney announced that he "saw a cloud that looked like a cowboy wearing a fireman's hat" AND when 15-month old Silas went potty on the toilet (at bedtime) like a BIG BOY!

SYDNEY: Trying out his bicycle helmet while riding his balance bike down our street.
SILAS: Eating our super sweet yellow cherry tomatoes (in bulk).

Trying out the helmet for the first time; he likes it!

Here, baby... let me help you!

Ready?

Here we go... Wheee!

Our entire household AND a few of our neighbors
ABSOLUTELY LOVE our super sweet yellow cherry tomatoes.
Our kids can't get enough of them!!! (Silas has seeds all
over his shirt... and normally chin, too.)
I love, Love, LOVE THIS goofy grin!!!!

SILAS went potty on the toilet!

The boys were playing (naked) in the kiddy pool after supper. Then, when we came inside, I announced that it was time to brush teeth.

After that, I asked Silas "Do you want to go potty on the toilet like a big boy?" He nodded YES.

So, we set him on. Four seconds later, a dribble came out and we all celebrated. A few more seconds later, he started peeing full stream right across the front of the toilet seat. (Mike continued to brush his teeth as I announced frantically "Point it down, point it down!")

We cheered and praised our big boy!

Silas seemed very proud! (I'm guessing that it was just LUCK, but IF he suggests that he wants to try again, I guess WHO ARE WE TO DECIDE he's not ready yet?)

FPoD_2012AUG13

FPOD_2012AUG13

What's the Favorite Part of your Day?

AUGUST 13, 2012

DADDY: Reading bedtime stories to Sydney AND Silas.

MOMMY: Going out to make greeting cards and enjoy adult interaction.

SYDNEY: Having that babysitter (Kassidy) come to play with us.

SILAS: Bath.

Proud mom (and dad) witness Brotherly Love

CAPTION: Sarah... was a proud MOM earlier tonight: I heard the tape coming off of a diaper and quickly glanced over to see Sydney taking the diaper off of his little brother. Then, Sydney leaned over and carefully picked up one foot at a time to pull the socks off of Silas. (Mike and I proudly watched.) Then, Sydney announced "There you go, baby!" (The bath water was ready and Silas wanted in the tub; Sydney was just helping him out. NOW THAT is what you call Brotherly Love!)

Getting ready for preschool - backpack and helmet

Mike asked Sydney what color backpack he wanted; immediately, he picked BLUE (his favorite color). So, Daddy brought one home for him and we wrote his last name on it in black Sharpie marker.

Sydney LOVED IT!

Yesterday, we went shopping specifically for a bicycle helmet that Sydney will need for an entire week in September as they are having BIKE WEEK in the gymnasium. He picked out one that is red and blue. (The super cool one that looked like a shark was not small enough for HIS 3-year-old head, despite being rated for three year olds.)

He told everyone "we're shopping for a bicycle helmet for three-school." (I guess that is his version of 3-year-old-preschool; Cute!)



We've got an Open House coming up - a last-chance to see the classroom before school starts. AND he has his 3-year well-child check-up and school physical coming up before classes start in September, as well.

Our baby is growing up...

I am looking forward to reading a few books to Sydney in early September... I picked up a Curious George goes to school AND a 'T'was the Night Before Preschool". (We think that once he gets over the shock of having to share with others, take turns and follow directions, he will LOVE preschool!) AND it will be an AWESOME TIME for Mommy and Silas to hang out with some one-on-one-time that has NEVER happened.

Project Life helpers have whiskers, it seems

I must admit that I love, Love, LOVE Project Life! I am in my second year of doing it (after admiring the work of Ali Edwards long before I jumped on the bandwagon.)

I could spent all day looking at the galleries in Big Picture Classes to admire the work of other Project Lifers. I could spend all night looking at layouts on Pinterest. And then, I realize that I should walk away from the inspiration and actually work on my own album! (Although, I do almost all of my layouts entirely on my computer in Adobe InDesign and then, turn them into 6x4 JPGS that I upload to Walgreens whenever they've got a really great sale/deal going on so, walking away from the computer is easier SAID, than done.)

I wish I had the time to work on Project Life each week, but it seems that I am falling at least one month behind before I play catch-up. (I am thankful that my computer organizes photos by date, making it easier to catch up.) I admire how Ali Edwards and Cathy Zielske are so dedicated at posting weekly; they are SO inspiring.

In the past, I have enjoyed working on my Project Life album after my kids were asleep at night. Sometimes, I would work on it - on the living room floor - while watching recorded episodes of Smash or Parenthood. (My cats like to help me with it, as they are magnetically drawn to the trimmings from my 2-up smaller pictures.)

Ironically, this past week, I took advantage of a Buy 25, get 25 Free deal at Walgreens. Then, one day that my 3-year-old decided to protest his nap, I used his help to match the pictures from my computer layout to the places in the album. I thought it was funny that HE, too, is attracted to the paper trimmings and that he pretended to be a cat. (See his "whiskers".... funny kid!)

Working on my album feels SO therapeutic. It makes me happy. It is the little bit of "me-time" that I get.

In a few years, I will hope to be able to dig out all of my supplies again - to tackle some REAL scrapbook layouts again. But, until then, I am SO THANKFUL for Project Life!!!

I entered a comment - hoping to win a seat in the
 class for Becky's new online class - Project Real Life.
Being that I'll soon be faced with a co-pay of $85/month
for medicine - coming up with $99 for the class MAY
be a stretch to the already tight budget. 

FPoD_2012AUG08

FPOD_2012AUG08

What's the Favorite Part of your Day?

AUGUST 8, 2012

DADDY: Spending a little time at home this morning with my family.

MOMMY: Watching Sydney and Silas twirl around in circles, making themselves dizzy enough to fall down - and listening to their giggles.

SYDNEY: When Papa Lowell came over to play with us.

SILAS: PlayDoh with Teacher Patty.

FPOD_2012AUG07

FPOD_2012AUG07

What's the Favorite Part of your Day?

AUGUST 7, 2012

DADDY: Spending the day with my family and enjoying all of the giggles.

MOMMY: Seeing Sydney do nice things to help take care of his little brother.

SYDNEY: Playing at the park with Linkon and Ellie.

SILAS: Park.

AMAZING little boy and his stall tactics

We have an AMAZING little boy! (He does like to challenge us quite a bit, but we're convinced that it is THE AGE more than anything.)

• • • • •

This afternoon, Sydney came into the kitchen and announced "Uh-oh, I have wet pants."

He had been laying on the dining room rug - under the table - and had been mischieviously naughty for a while. (The JERK peed on the rug! It was NOT REALLY an accident!)

• • • • •

Our house has looked like Roller Derby for most of the day. I guess Sydney is trying to make his brother tougher. POOR SILAS... some day, he'll be big enough to fight back! (And MAYBE end up bigger than his brother!)

• • • • •

While I was getting pajamas for the boys, I heard Silas start to howl. Sydney came running to find me. "Baby is stuck!"

"Where?"

"In the bathtub?"

"Did you push him? How did he get in there?"

Sydney shrugs. "I guess he just fell in."

"Fell in?" I questioned.

"Well, we were running a little and he kind of just tripped... and got in the tub."

"I see." (Thinking how to handle this.) "It's not time for a bath tonight. It's just time for bed. We need to be more careful."

• • • • •

Tonight, at bedtime, he called me from his room "Mommy! Come here, I need to tell you something!"

"What? What is it?" I said quietly as I kneeled by the unlocked gate.

"I forgot to tell you the *favorite part of MY day!"

"Really? What IS the favorite part of YOUR day?" I quizzed.

"When we went to that store... Target... and when we saw Buzz and Woody and that Cowboy-Girl. I liked them A LOT! That was the favorite part of my day, for sure!" (He makes me laugh.)

I couldn't really get mad at him for getting out of his bed THIS time. Afterall, he DID stay in his room... and the "Favorite Part of your day" is something that I love to do, but we have gotten away from it lately. (Sydney started saying "installing the new babygate with Daddy" every single day that we asked him... MONTHS after they had done it so, we gave up on it.)

*During our bedtime snuggle, I had told Sydney and Silas that the "Favorite Part of MY DAY" was getting to snuggle and read bedtime stories with them both, right now.



I had to laugh (while at Target) when Sydney kept saying "That Cowboy Girl is really cute, too!" (He has only see Toy Story 1 so far; the "Cowboy Girl" is not in that movie.... just Buzz and Woody.) He makes me giggle!
• • • • •

Second attempt, Sydney came to the office and stood next to the computer, claiming that he's "pretty sure that there is something wrong with the computer". I walked him back to his bed and announced "I'm pretty sure that the only thing wrong is that you're NOT in your bed right now."

• • • • •
Another attempt, he came to the office and announced "Hey, look! That's YOU and Uncle Mike... and all of those people." (Four sets of twins at the reunion.)

 ... "Look at all those people in that picture! ... But I don't know all the people in that picture on the computer now.... Is that after I woke up from my nap?"

"Yes, that IS when you woke up from your nap."

"Yeah, that's when I was really nervous that I was going to throw up."

(NOTE: He had been heaving while I was holding him and we moved out of the pictures and closer to a garbage can - while Mike hurried to pack our stuff and Lowell entertained Silas outside. I was AMAZED that Sydney acknowledged his feelings of NERVOUS and knowing that he felt sick.... after-the-fact.)

• • • • •

An alternate get-out-of-bed-stall-tactic, Sydney came into the office and needed to look out the window - to make sure it is dark outside. He also "needed to know what all those lights are that I see out there."

I walked him back to bed and covered him with his blanket... AGAIN and AGAIN and AGAIN... and he FINALLY gave up!

We're THANKFUL that Silas goes to bed SO EASILY! He practically DIVES into his bed and gives us NO PROBLEMS! Hopefully, he will continue to be a good sleeper and NOT learn all of these tricks from his big brother!

It's official... PRESCHOOL for Sydney

We went to an Open House last week - touring a local preschool that had spent 14 minutes on the telephone telling us all about their preschool program a few days prior. When the woman on the phone had indicated that ALL KIDS MUST HAVE A BICYCLE HELMET, I thought it was a deal-breaker for Mike (being that he has declared - prior to pregnancy - NO GUARD KIDS WILL WEAR A HELMET) but he must have reconsidered that notion.

At the Open House, it was VERY EVIDENT that Sydney lacks in SOCIAL SKILLS. The teacher of the 3 year old program handled Sydney very well, as well as gave a nice tour and explanation of their typical day. We left there with a brochure and registration forms, noting that they do have a few spots available yet.

While on vacation, Mike called and left them a message that WE ARE INTERESTED in Sydney attending the Tuesday/Thursday sessions in the fall. I filled out the paperwork while we waited for my neurologist to see us last Wednesday. I wrote the check yesterday. I made a copy of birth certificates and insurance cards this morning AND I enclosed it all in an envelope for the mailman to take this afternoon.

SO, it IS OFFICIAL... Sydney will be a preschooler in September!

Reasonably soon, we'll have to go Back to School shopping. As of right now, I know that he'll need a bicycle helmet and a backpack. (I'm sure they will give us more specifics once they receive our paperwork and check.)

Kind of exciting!!!