Caleb's first day of "special" school.

For the last week I have been thinking of a way to target Caleb's "destructive" behavior (example: toilet paper all over the bathroom floor, peanut butter all over his shirt and the cabinet, my folded laundry thrown all over the floor,....the list could go on and on)into something more positive. Since Aubrey has started school I thought it would be the perfect time for Caleb to have "special" school at home with me. My mom gave me a bunch of preschool books and I planned my lessons for the rest of the week. I couldn't wait for today to start so that I could try this out on Caleb. Well, today started at 3am. Ainsley is still sick and very sad. Every hour after 3 my energy slowly faded and I became less enthusiastic about starting Caleb's school. By the time Aubrey and Caleb woke up all my energy was gone and Ainsley was still crying. After Aubrey had been dropped off at school the words "Don't just think about it, Do it" kept running through my mind. So, I put Caleb's new shoes on him (I figured that if I made Caleb wear shoes for his school time it would feel more special for him)and sat him up to the table.
Caleb was so excited. He took it very seriously and seemed to soak in every minute. We read a Curious George book on Making Pancakes!

Then I help Caleb make Pancakes. He loved it.

After he ate his yummy pancakes it was time to clean up.

The last part of "special" school was pretend time. I found a cheap batman mask and Walmart and he pretended to be Super Caleb while I cleaned Aubreys room.

I am so glad that I did this. He has been so wonderful and helpful all day. When school was over he took his new shoes off, put them away, and then told me all about what he did. When we picked up Aubrey Caleb made sure tell Aubrey everything he did at HIS "special" school!

What do you do at 6am?


Caleb has been waking up every 2 hours every night for the last 3 weeks. Why? I do not know (maybe because he loves me so much) but you would think he would at least sleep in. No!!! At 6am yesterday morning this is what I heard. The banging of pots and pans. That was enough for me.... that afternoon I finished painting my cabinet fronts and had Andy screw them back on. Child proof at last!!!

Today after church the kids took a long nap!! They were very excited to wake up and find the pizza ready to for topping!!!

Ainsley watched from a distance because she has the flu. She is a very sad little "almost" one year old. We hope that tomorrow she will be feeling a little better and her fever will be down.

I thought the kids would throw the toppings on the pizza and smother it with excitement. But they took their time. Placing each topping piece by piece.

50% of the toppings that Caleb was suppose to add to the pizza landed in his mouth!

TA DA!

Yum! It was a great family evening! Now that the kids are getting older they understand things better and love to help. Now all I have to do is get them to help with the dishes and life would be perfect.

*I would like to add that we have been called to Nursery. Again. I have been in Nursery since Aubrey started and Andy soon joined me. I think we hold a church record. Oh well, we only have 8 kids (one is Caleb, who is awful for us... I will count down the weeks until he is in primary) and Ainsley has a blast!!!

FIRST DAY OF PRE-K

Yesterday I went to the Pre-K school and met with Aubrey's Principal, Teacher, Nurse, and the student teacher. I went into her classroom and if ever I have had deja vu it would have been that moment. Sitting there listening to them talk about "Centers", "Criss Cross Apple Sauce", School Pictures, Recess, and the "Scholastic Book Club" made me a little teary eyed! I looked around the room and saw the class hamster, circle time, and rows of little desks. A chalk board with the ABC's, a painting center, and little name tags on everything! The teacher went over the "Core" curriculum, how much school lunches were, and showed me the new "Progress Report Cards!" I wanted to look around for my mom! I keeped thinking how can I possible be old enough to have a daughter starting school. I do not think I am ready. Have I taught her everything she needs to know? Have I told her how I love her and how proud of I am of who she has become at such a little age? This is crazy!!!Well, this morning finally came. Aubrey was so excited. It took me 30 minutes of begging but I finally conviced her not to wear a fluffy dress or skirt with dress shoes. Of couse she had to have her nails painted, hair curled, and lip gloss on. She wanted to wear a clip, bow, and head band but I was able to talk her into just one. She said "Oh Mom, I had such good dreams about school!"

Her new backpack was a big hit!

Since Aubrey was ready for school an hour too early she waiting excitedly on the couch asking/saying every 3 minutes "MOM, WE ARE GOING TO BE LATE. Are we going to be late? I do not want to be late MOM!" (I would just like to add that this morning was the first time EVER that Caleb didn't wake up at 6:30....I actually had to wake him up-not good, he is just like Spencer, very CRANKY) It was finally time to go and get in the car!!! I find it funny that when I wasn't looking she added a necklace and bracelet to her outfit. It took another 5 minutes just to convince her that princess necklace is for home and shopping. Not for school!
Then the 15 minute car ride. Of course Aubrey's school is all the way across town. By the time we got there I was very nervous. We pulled up to the front entrance where all of the teachers were standing and waiting. A teacher opened our car door took Aubrey out and Miss Susan came over, gave me a kind smile, and took Aubrey's hand (of course the batteries in the camera ran out just then). Hand in Hand they walk to join the rest of the class.

As I drove away I thought "This is weird". I only have 2 kids for the morning...what will I do with my self. Well, Caleb cried all the way home "Aubrey wants me to go to school with her mom! Please mom! I want to go to school too! I am very big! I want Aubrey!" He cried for about 5 more minutes in the house and then all was forgotten. When 11:00 rolled around and I was waiting in the car line to pick up Aubrey I was so excited. Miss Susan put Aubrey in the car, said she did wonderful for her first day, and closed the car door.
I couldn't wait to ask Aubrey "What did you do today?"
"Nothing!" was her reply.
I took Aubrey's back pack and looked inside (the teacher gives a note/list of all the activities she participated in and her behavior).
I said "Aubrey did you paint?"
"NO"
"Did you play outside?"
"NO"
"Did you learn Math/Science? Did you meet any new friends? Did sing any songs?"
"NO. NO. NO."
"Aubrey, Yes you did!"
And with that all I got was a big cheezy smile!

I forgot

Since I forgot to take Aubrey's picture on her first day of class I thought I would take a picture of her 2nd day! Every Monday since January Aubrey has gone to a special class at the local elementary. She loves it! Since we have moved she kind of had to start all over again: new teacher, new school, and new classmates! It is only 30 minutes every Monday so while Aubrey is in class I take Caleb and Ainsley to the Library. Caleb loves it and has recently learned how to whisper (finally!)! Ainlsey just sits in a little chair and looks around listening patiently.

Caleb is a little short and wide for his age and Aubrey is really skinny and tall! What will Ainsley be?? Next week Aubrey will start pre-k and we were excited to find out she gets to go every day from 8-11! What will Caleb do with out Aubrey? Ignore the background...we still have to paint the banister, the walls, and put the trim back down on the wood floors. Such is life.

GOOD NEWS FOR THE DAY:
Our family room is almost done.... 8 more hours!
It is raining outside but I found Pinnochio so that makes the kids much more agreeable since we are still stuck up stair today! But today is the last day!!

IT DOESN'T GET ANY BETTER THEN THIS! I can not remember the last time I heard absolute silence. This morning the kids started to get cranky, the dry wall guy was in the mist of all the puddy, and up stairs just wasn't cutting it. Then it hit me (literally a light bulb appeared in my mind like on a cartoon) water painting. Pure excitement and sudden awe came over Aubrey and Caleb. Never had they seen anything so wonderful in their entire lives.

Both Aubrey and Caleb were silent and painting in pure amazement! I thought since they were being good that I could leave them for 2 minutes and give Ainsley a quick wash down. Why did I think that would be okay? Even now that I think about it...HOW STUPID!

In just 2 minutes Caleb put the paint from his paper to his face, fingernails, and hair. Thank goodness it washes right out! Getting it off Caleb's face was a challenge though. Tears and cries of sorriness were involved.

Aubrey is in love. She has spent the last hour and a half painting. When I asked what she was painting she said "Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, Belle, Snow White, Jasmine, Faith, and Grandma!"
Although Caleb loved the paint I was easily able to entertain him with clean/quiet fun!

**Good News of the Day:
Aubrey got into Pre-K,
Seth is engaged,
It stopped raining
And I am almost 100% sure Ainsley said Mama. Even ask Aubrey...she heard it too!

Stuck Upstairs for the day

So, I have great news! Our family room is under construction. It is very exciting! The down side is that I have to keep the kids upstairs all day. Since the family room wont be done until Monday that makes for a lot of days stuck upstairs with the kids. The first couple of hours yesterday were not so bad. I let the kids take a bath, we played dress up, studied ABC and number flash cards, sang songs, cleaned Aubreys' room, and I let the kids help me sort through 12-18 month baby girl clothes. When I looked at the clock and only 2 hours had past I knew I was in trouble. By the time Andy got home from work I was so tired! He let me take a nap and I slept until the kids went to bed. It was wonderful. Sleep! Oh, how I have missed it!

Not wanting today to end up like yesterday I have come up with an hour by hour list of things we can/will do. I wish it wasn't raining and freezing cold outside. Burrr!

This morning for breakfast I decided to forgo the usual and give them a treat for breakfast. Donuts! Andy had also bought a bunch of banana's but I thought the kids would like the donuts more. When they sat down and saw the donuts they were very excited! When I told them they could have a banana too they opted for the banana over donute! What?!!! They both grabbed a banana and handed what was left of their donuts to Ainsley!

LABOR DAY!

Labor Day for the Griner's was a big deal! The weather was in the low 90's, Grandpa and Grandma Griner were coming over, watermelon was a must, and the kids were going to have corn on the cob for the first time!

We spent most of the morning watching the news. The kids watched the news with great concern and understanding of the situation. When they saw the hurricane coming closer to land they would say things like "Grandpa Clark is not at the beach today is he?"or "Is Grandpa Clark's car under water?" When they saw the tornado warnings they would say "Is Grandpa Clark hiding in the closet?" Is was nice to see them understand life. Labor Day marked ONE MONTH of owning our first home and the first time I let the kids take a bath in our new house. We have been on a "only shower" rule. I hate letting the kids take a bath. Mean, I know but water gets everywhere, someone always gets water in their eyes, and they always argue over the prefered water temprature. Yesterday morning after their shower they were being so good and asked to take a bath (Caleb had gotten dirty again and needed a bath anyway...he got into the breakfast cinnimon rolls I had made and not only ate the rest but had half of them all in his hair, underwear, and just everywhere! )so I gave in. It went really well. No arguing just laughter and happiness! The kids excitement grew and grew when Grandpa and Grandma arrived. Corn on the cob! I wasn't sure if they would even like it but boy was I wrong. Aubrey (who is as picky as Andy) ate 2! Caleb ate 2 as well (no surprise there) and in the process made a BIG mess! Ainsley spent the day eating watermelon and waving. We love her!
What a fun Labor Day. The kids ended the night going with dad to the park. I started taking down the crown molding and baseboards in the family room. 2 hours, many cuts, bruses, and blood loss later the room is officially torn apart. Pretty sure that room is going to be the death of me. The dry wall guy was supose to come today but cant come until tomorrow. Is that room ever going to be normal? Luckily our front yard is looking better and the wood floors we just put in are wonderful. Little by little we are crawling along!