Kindergarten Celebration

This afternoon I had our neighbor friend come over to watch Kristjan so I could attend Clifford's kindergarten celebration (Pete couldn't get the time off to attend). When I arrived at the school, parents were to line up at the same spot the kids do in the morning. While waiting, we talked with Mr. Chickatelli, who always comes out in the mornings to great the students prior to their teachers coming to bring them into their classrooms. We all talked a bit, and then our little munckins came out to greet us. Clifford was the first out and he was so excited to see me. He ran out with a big grin on his face and gave me a big hug. We stood in line together until most of the students found their parents (it was really sad to see about six students whose parents didn't show up. they were looking around for their mom or dad, but no one came for them). Clifford led me to his seat, and then he went to sit at the rug. Mrs. Castelle and the class proceeded to show us their morning routine. After that, parents were then able to participate with their child in independent and group reading. Recess was next. Clifford showed off, doing all kinds of flips and tricks on the monkey bars. We lucked out on the weather. It was sunny and hot outside. I followed Clifford around as he showed everything he typically does at recess. Then the bell rang to signal for us to go line up. Back inside, parents participated in journal writing time. Then the snacks were brought out and we watched a slide show of various pics of the class. Clifford was even featured in his own section about how he would present about his camping adventures he went on. I made it through the slideshow without tearing up, though Mrs. Castelle wasn't so lucky. She was then presented with a class gift. A few weeks ago students were sent home with two index cards, one for the student and one for the parents, to write our thanks to her. The cards were then arranged as a 'bouquet'. We were then sent home with our child's portfolio. This Thursday will be Clifford's last day of school. Then he's officially a first grader!!!!

Virginia

Wednesday afternoon Pete was done with his work obligations. He kicked off the start of his vacation time by being picked up by my Dad, who drove up from Virginia, to bring him to his place. So not only did Pete visit Washington, D.C., he also got to visit my Dad's side in Virginia! Life must be so hard for Pete! :)

Pete had a fantastic time. He stayed at my sister Amber and Shawn's place, which my Dad and his wife Pati also live at (Amber and Shawn recently bought a huge house). Amber and Shawn have two boys, Camryn who will turn six this coming weekend, and Elijah, who was born about two weeks ago. Pete also met my sister Jenna, who is pregnant with her first (a boy!) and her husband David. Pete relaxed and visited with everyone while he was down there. On his last night there, they took him to Jenna and David's place for a bbq. I guess they fixed deer burgers. Pete said they tasted really good, that you couldn't taste any difference from a normal beef burger (I'm sure they were good, but yuck!! I'll stick to cow. haha). Sadly for them, but happy for me, Pete came home on Saturday.

Here's a few pics. I must say, I was a bit disappointed that Pete didn't take a lot of pics while he was visiting my family, but he said they got tons on their end. Hopefully I'll get a copy soon :)

My Dad holding Elija
My sister Jenna
David grilling some hotdogs
My Dad, Pete, Pati, Camryn, David, Jenna and Elijah

Washington, D.C.

Pete is finally back home from his trip to D.C. At first, he wasn't looking forward to going, mainly because he would be away from home for so long. But in the end, he had a lot of fun. He spent the mornings in the booths representing Romac Industries, Inc at AWWA. Afterwards, he took in the sites. In the evenings, he went out with his co-workers for dinner and drinks. From my understanding, Tuesday night was the 'party' night. Some of the head guys of the company also had their families out there with them, so there was a huge group that all went out to dinner. After eating, they hit the streets to take in more sites. They came across "D.C. Cupcakes". The bakery had just closed, but Pete said the employees saw them taking pictures infront of the store. The employees came outside and gave them a box of cupcakes! Pete didn't try one, but the kids in the group definitely did. So that was Pete's "famous" moment on the trip.

Here are some pics Pete took of the sites. There are A LOT of them. Enjoy :)

Happy Father's Day!

We had a nice small Father's Day celebration for Pete. I made him a piping hot breakfast this morning, which included eggs, hashbowns, bacon and sausage. Clifford made him a cute card, with pictures of them hiking and sleeping in a hammock together. Kristjan gave him a new shirt, with a picture of trees and mountains with "Get Lost" written underneath. Pete relaxed while I did little things around the house, and I also helped type up some camping recipes to help him get organized for his big upcoming backpacking trip. We pretty much relaxed the entire day. For dinner, we picked up some KFC (it's been years since we've ate it!) and I boiled some fresh corn on the cob. For dessert, per his request, I baked a homemade cherry pie using fresh cherries, which was so yummy with vanilla ice cream. Pete even complimented me on my homemade crust, saying it's the best I've ever made! We spent the rest of the evening all cuddling on the couch watching movies. The boys and I are so grateful to have Pete. He is a wonderful, involved father to our two boys. I couldn't have ask for a better man!

Three Hours To Go

Three more hours and Pete will be home!! I can't wait. This has been an extremely long week. Not to mention a hard one with the boys. I'm definitely ponding them off to Pete as soon as I can. Hopefully I'll start sleeping better, too. I haven't had a good nights sleep since he left. As much as his hogging the bed annoys me, I'm looking forward to some cuddle time. Oh...and did I mention I'm ponding the kids off to him so I can have a much needed break??? :)

Field Day

Clifford had field day at school today. After lunch grades k-3 went out on the field to play in various games with their class. I didn't get a lot of details from Clifford. He said there were water games and a 'boys vs girls' tug of war. The teachers had class t-shirts made for the students to wear today. They are so adorable!! Each student drew a picture of themselves and wrote their name. Those were then printed on the shirts. I love it! Definitely a keepsake item.

Visit from a Friend

So my last blog post was me venting about how much I need a break from my kids. My prayers were answered last night. In the late afternoon I received a text from my friend Grace, who needed a place to crash for the night. Her mom was in the hospital over here at the University of Washington and was having complications (luckily, everything turned out ok and her mom was discharged this morning to go home). I of course said she could come stay here. I wish the circumstances for her visit were for happier reasons, but it was still wonderful to see and visit with her. She arrived after 10pm, and we stayed up until past midnight talking. The next morning we had a light breakfast and chatted some more. It may not have been a long visit and I may not have gotten away from the kids, but the short time she was here was a nice mental break for me. And I love my relationship with Grace. We can go months without talking or seeing each other, and everything between us is still great. When we do get together, we talk forever to catch up with each other's lives. I'll see Grace a bit more this summer, as she'll be staying over on the westside (I believe) a few days each week until August to help her mom with chemo treatments. Pete and I will provide dinner, or just a nice break, once in a while when she needs to get away for just a bit.

Over Stimulated

This is my current Facebook status:

is it wrong of me, as a parent, that my first concern when i hear my child cry after getting hurt is "oh man, is this gonna be a hospital trip?" instead of "are they ok?" or does that mean as a mom of two boys, i've already had my share of trips to the hospital?? :) lol

Kristjan just came in the house ten minutes ago crying hysterically. He had slipped off from hanging on a tree branch, scraping himself on his wrist and under his chin (and if you know Kristjan, you know how hysterical he cries and wants a bandaid, even for a simple paper cut). I grabbed a wet wash cloth to clean him up and a bandaid, then send him on his way. Seriously, not even two minutes later, he's back running to the house crying hysterically again. This time, he somehow scraped his knee. I repeat the bandaid process and send him on his way again. This time, I have the first aid kit right next to me on the couch, just in case.

Prior to this, I dealt with the boys fighting and punching the other in the car. Before that? Dealing with Kristjan constant needs and his never ending "mom" "mom" "mom"...seriously, every five minutes. And don't even get me started on the most horrible tantrum I've ever witness Clifford act out last night, and having to deal with that. This is all I've dealt with in less than 24 hours.

Really?! I am so over-stimulated, it's not even funny. The only thing saving me this week is Clifford has school all day two days this week. And I really am glad that Pete is having a great time on his trip, but I can't help but be a little jealous of all the fun things he gets to do and see. Pete views this trip as a 'work trip'. I, of course, view it as a vacation. When is my turn????

I need a break. Anyone want to give me one????? :)

Happy Anniversary

Today is our 7 year wedding anniversary. We unfortunately were unable to celebrate our anniversary this year. Pete flew out this afternoon to D.C. while I'm at home taking care of the house and and kids. As I type, Pete is still high in the air, awaiting his destination. He won't get to his hotel room until after 10pm (7pm our time). I'm already frustrated with the boys. It's not like their behavior is any different with Pete gone. It's just now I don't have another adult around to help give me a break here and there. So the boys have been bickering and arguing and not listening. As for me, today I cleaned out the inside of our car, cleaned the patio, watered the garden, all laundry washed and put away, dishes done, took kids swimming, and straightened up my bedroom and bathroom. I'm exhausted. And the kids won't be in bed for another 2 1/2 hours. Not exactly how I wanted to spend my anniversary day. One of these years we will actually get in and plan something, even if it's something simple as dinner and a movie :)

Love Letters

As Clifford got into the car yesterday when I picked him up from school, he yelled back to Bella "thanks for the drawing. i really liked it." He then opened his backpack, pulled out a piece of paper, and said "look what Bella gave me". It was a 'love letter' from her, with her supposedly writing the date of their 'marriage' on the back of the paper. A few days before, Clifford drew a picture on a napkin and took it to school to give to Bella. Too Cute!!