Back to school!

My little luvbug started the first grade this morning. She was full of a mixture of nerves and excitement. I fought the tears and didn't embarrass her at the bus stop. It just kills me to see her as such a big girl, off to school without a glance back. Sigh. I thought she looked beautiful. (I know I always say that.)She is the jewel in my crown. I put a note in her lunchbox to let her know just that.

Paige's party

turned out really well. I baked a cake and Brady iced it. I even put 39 candles on it. They were the kind that light each other when you light the first one. However, I wasn't expecting them to flame up that much. You shoulda seen them burn. It scared Karen because I think she thought she was going to catch fire. When I lit one the whole thing then went, WHOOSH! And she was right beside the cake. Paige did manage to blow them all out at once. We had a great turnout! Lots of laughter and good friends. Here are a few pictures:

I almost forgot!

Happy Birthday Paigey! See you tonight!

We are desperate...

to hang on to the last days of summer vacation! School starts for Brady on Monday morning. I was really looking forward to her going back until time started to run out. We've spent the last two days at the Wheeling Park pool. For most of the summer we went to Oglebay's pool because it was always less crowded, not as many half-clad teens, and not as many people smoking around the pool. ( I have a HUGE issue with this! These places need to be tobacco free zones!)Well, Dylan was going with us and he finally talked me into going to Wheeling park so we could ride the slide. Brady was really nervous to ride the slide. By the time we walked to the top she said she was scared and didn't want to go. But, I told her to get on anyway. By the time we rounded our second turn I could her the fear still in her voice and by the time we came out of the tube, she said, "That was FUN! Can we do it again?" So we did it again. And again. And again. Then a life guard says to us that she has to pass a swim test or she can't go down again. I was a little miffed as we had already been down seven times. So at least Brady had the taste of fun to go on to encourage her to pass the swim test. I was really worried that she wouldn't be able to do it. But my brave little girl got in the water and swam from one side to another. YES! I walked beside her the whole way so that I could tell her, "Not to much farther and you will pass." Do I have to say it again? I am soooooo proud to be her mama! She even found the courage to jump off of the low dive and are you ready for this? Drum roll please....... she jumped off of the high dive! Holy cow! I was shocked! Confidence is a powerful tool. Michael has worked late this week and managed to leave work early on Friday. He joined us at the pool and on the slide. He and I actually went down together. The more weight on the raft the faster you go. We had a very hard landing. Water shot up my nose and the tube flipped. Time for diets! I did the best I could to get our fun in pictures.
You can see the rest of the pictures here:
My Photo Book 8/25/07

Busy, busy

I am such a bad blogger! I was really going strong there for a while too! Commitments are really starting up again and my brain is going to try to handle as much as possible without overloading.
Soccer was supposed to start on Monday. But the practice had to be canceled because of the weather. Here is the really interesting part: Brady and Dulcie are on the same team and Michael and I, and Ben and Karen are all coaching! It should be interesting to say the least. The kids now meet three times a week. That is a big commitment to ask of one person. So we thought we could kind of split it up a little. I am really, really nervous about having to coach. I only played soccer for one season. I really enjoyed it, but don't remember a darn thing. (that was 22 years ago). Ay yi yi, what have I gotten myself into? Oh yeah, tumbling and Daisy Scouts have to be added in there too!
PTA duties are also well under way. Tomorrow morning is the Welcome Back breakfast for the teachers. I have to be there at 8am. That means that Brady and Oliver do too. Brady is excited. She cannot wait to go back to school and is counting down the days. Next week I have the Kindergarten kickoff.
Oh yeah, we have another HUGE event next week: Ellen's Wedding! I can't believe it is already here! My stomach is unsettled with the thought of all the responsibilities I have coming up in the next couple of weeks. I need to get our suitcase and get it started. I used to be a pro at packing at the last minute but that was just for me and I haven't flown for work or pleasure in a year.
I did get to go out and have some fun last week Michael and I went to the Ratdog/Allman Bros show. Heather and Gary rode up with us and we had a blast!!! Jenn D and Amanda were already in the lot so we didn't get to park near them. We did get to see a lot of our friends inside. I would post the group picture I have from the parking lot, but my vanity won't allow it. I look too horrendous in it! I didn't even call home once. I didn't even feel guilty for getting out and having fun. (that is very rare for me. I always feel like I am letting someone down by not being home and there to meet every one's needs) So I truly felt like I had a break and got to enjoy myself.



Oliver has been making the funniest face. I refer to it as "squishy face." He squeezes his eyes shut, wrinkles up his nose and shows his teeth in a crazy like smile. It floors me every time he does it! I have been trying to get a picture of him doing it but he gets like a deer in headlights every time I whip the camera out.

The Ones I Love

This is what I have been doing today instead of cleaning the house. Yikes! I hope you enjoy it!

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Kaufman Compound

The Kennedy's have Hyannisport and the Kaufman's have New Matamoras! That is how I like to think of it anyway. I know it's like comparing apples to oranges, but not to me. My aunt and uncle have a house in New Matamoras, OH. It sits along the Ohio River. The view of the river is spectacular and you can watch the barges go by. If you get the binoculars out and wave, you can sometimes see the guys working the barge waving back at you. There are old barges nestled up against the hillside. They are permanent and really give it a river house feel.







Brady, Oliver and I went down on Thursday and spent the night. I always feel very welcome there and could stay for days. On Thursday we hung out and went for ice cream after dinner. We then had a rousing game of bug bingo. Brady finally won the last game and Aunt Jane even had a prize for her. My aunts have always had a way of turning something as mundane as bug bingo into an exciting game complete with fierce competition and prizes. We got up on Friday morning and headed for Marietta with the intention of going to the Toy and Doll Museum. We were sidetracked by a few yard sales. I seriously thought we were going to run out of room in the car and had to bypass the rest. They're so hard to resist! We finally got to Marietta only to find out the museum is only open on Saturdays and Mondays. So another trip to the compound is in our future! We may even take a trip to check out the Lee Middleton Doll Museum in Belpre, OH. My ladybug loves dolls. She has a couple of good friends who like to come over and play with her for HOURS. I will encourage her as long as she wants to remain a little girl! She will grow up soon enough.
We really enjoyed ourselves and got a chance to stop by a farm and buy some fresh produce. All that summer goodness. Yummmmmm.

Let's gooooo Mountaineers!

I saw this clip on another blog and it really got me jazzed up for the start of Mountaineer football. My new ring tone is even "Hail West Virginia". Michael and I would really like to make it to a game this year. We just need to be able to find some tickets. I would actually like to go to two games so that Brady could go to one. I edited this to add: Since I have posted these clips it has made me think a lot about my step dad Tom Haymond. He loved Mountaineer Football more than anyone I know. He was the most enthusiastic person to be around when it was Mountaineer season. It made me miss him sooooo much just watching these clips and knowing he won't be here to share it with.
Anyway, hope it gets you psyched too! It gives me chills. Woooo! Both clips are from the Nokia Sugar Bowl-2006




This clip actually brought a tear to my eye:

Mean mama

Oliver just learned to use a straw. I was pretty impressed as Brady didn't get the whole straw thing for a long time. He would have a drink and then turn it upside down to gnaw on the bottom of the cup. The cups and straws are supposedly spill proof and they work pretty well as long as the straw is touching the bottom of the cup. So I didn't want to take any chances on my mother's carpet and had to take it away from him. He does NOT like to be told no, or have something taken away from him.
So I took this picture of his reaction because it was cracking me up.



Does that make me a mean mama? He is such a little tantrum thrower! Again, something Brady was not. I know you aren't supposed to compare children but it is hard not to when they are on the opposite ends of the personality spectrum. I have to contain him in the pack and play when I try to get things done so he doesn't hurt himself. He hates it. He gives me the stiff-straight legs and throws his head back so it is hard to sit him down. The lilttle booger! Any suggestions on how to deal with an active, tempermental, 9 month old are welcome. This is all new to me.
I am used to this quiet, observant, play in one spot beauty. (although she is quickly headed for diva status so I am sure my days of ease are numbered.)

Before and after

I was looking through some old posts and realized that our visitors have come and gone and I never posted pictures of that secret home improvement project. We worked really, really hard on this. I was hoping that our company would come in, gasp, and exclaim , "Wow! This looks fabulous!" We did get lots of compliments but no one clutched their chest and pulled a Fred Sanford like I was hoping.
So, we painted our dirty, nasty old cabinets in the kitchen. Here are the before during and after photos. I think they turned out great!






The hinges that go on the cabinets are hard to find. I tried every hardware store in the area. Near impossible unless you go to a cabinet maker. (this is what I was told. I don't know this first hand) So in order to keep the costs to a minimum, I spray painted all the old hinges and handles with a brushed silver look. We changed the light fixture and Voila! An updated kitchen that isn't so hard on the eyes!

The Roberts Family United-Finally!

After much hand wringing and anticipation, I finally heard from Lee. (ok, truthfully I was stalking her on the instant messenger until she signed on) They have been united with their daughter. They spent the entire day at the orphanage. She says they are pretty pooped. She was trying to upload pictures but was having some problem at the hotel and the internet in their room wasn't working. She did manage a quick post and one picture of Zoe and Jon. She is beautiful. You can see for yourself at their blog. I did get to see one picture of Lee and Zoe but it is her google talk avatar and I don't know how to copy and enlarge it. I think she gave up for the night on trying to get pictures to everyone. They still had to do bath time and eat some dinner!
I am ecstatic for them. They are finally a family. I can only imagine the emotions that they are going through. It still blows my mind that they are actually in Vietnam. Soooo I will end this post with a HUGE congratulations to Lee and Jon on their daughter!

Ellen's shower

It has been a week since I last posted. We have had a lot going on around here and it finally feels like the dust may be settling. Ellen's shower went very well. She got some beautiful gifts. It was nice to have her around to hang out for a few days. Her cousins came down early from Pittsburgh to help set up and get things ready. They also provided some much needed comic relief! They are really going to be a blast at the beach when we head down for the wedding. Which I must say, we are really looking forward to the trip. Noreen and I have been in cahoots about what to take, eat, drink, etc.. Thank you Amy for sending me the photos from the shower!
The kids and I are going to try to make a journey to Charleston to see my dad and Ghaski. I can't wait to take Brady to Camden Park as it holds memories from when I was a little girl. My dad and grandfather used to take Paige and I there. We may also visit the Clay Science Center. Michael will not be able to join us as he can't take the time off of work right now. I really feel that this trip is needed. They haven't even seen Oliver since he was 5 days old! Are they in for a shock! It seems that family visits are too few and far between and when they do happen they are too short. Lives are just so busy. And summer is almost over. We had so many other plans for the summer and the weekends are just about all used up. I am still hoping to host a picnic at the camp for all of our families who would like to join us.
Brady has been in nature camp since last week, Dylan is there this week as well. I have bribed him to carry Brady's backpack to lunch and the pool. The payoff? Four new ringtones! I wanted to get some pictures of he and Brady but he barely even acknowledges me. It is too uncool to say hello to your aunt when your friends are around.
Only two more days and Lee and Jon board the plane that will take them to their daughter. It is surreal that they are actually going to get her! All the waiting and frustration that they have gone through has led to the most exciting few days of their life. Wow. Hopefully they will have Zoe in their arms by Monday, August 6th. As soon as she sends me picture with their new daughter, I will be sure to post them.
I took these photos of Oliver a couple of days ago. He was peering out the front door of my mother's house as I left him to join Brady at the pool for a few hours.