It’s official, I am a soccer mom. All 3 of my boys are in soccer this season. This is Davis’ first year for the sport and let’s just say “he’s not that into it”.

That’s totally ok. I believe in exposing my children to many different things. Davis has learned the rules of soccer and now has a really good idea of how the game is played. That was my main goal.

Dylan on the other hand loves it! He takes initiative and really gets into the game. I think we’ve found his sport.

Drake won’t potty train but the little man will play soccer. He loves to kick the ball and get dressed up like the big boys.

The only problem is that his team mates won’t “give” him the ball. He runs after it with all his might but they won’t share.

It really bums him out. He has even sat down in the middle of the field and put his head in his lap. It was actually quite funny!

Practices are a lot more fun because they play games and afterwards he gets to play on the play ground.

We have spent a LOT of time on the play ground this fall. The bonus is that it makes bedtimes a lot easier. {{wink}}

After 3 nights of practices a week and 3 games on Saturday, our schedule is a bit crazy.

Now you know what I’ve been doing and why updating my blog has been so difficult. 🙂 I’m out on the field!

It’s official, I am a soccer mom. All 3 of my boys are in soccer this season. This is Davis’ first year for the sport and let’s just say “he’s not that into it”.

That’s totally ok. I believe in exposing my children to many different things. Davis has learned the rules of soccer and now has a really good idea of how the game is played. That was my main goal.

Dylan on the other hand loves it! He takes initiative and really gets into the game. I think we’ve found his sport.

Drake won’t potty train but the little man will play soccer. He loves to kick the ball and get dressed up like the big boys.

The only problem is that his team mates won’t “give” him the ball. He runs after it with all his might but they won’t share.

It really bums him out. He has even sat down in the middle of the field and put his head in his lap. It was actually quite funny!

Practices are a lot more fun because they play games and afterwards he gets to play on the play ground.

We have spent a LOT of time on the play ground this fall. The bonus is that it makes bedtimes a lot easier. {{wink}}

After 3 nights of practices a week and 3 games on Saturday, our schedule is a bit crazy.

Now you know what I’ve been doing and why updating my blog has been so difficult. 🙂 I’m out on the field!

It’s official, I am a soccer mom. All 3 of my boys are in soccer this season. This is Davis’ first year for the sport and let’s just say “he’s not that into it”.

That’s totally ok. I believe in exposing my children to many different things. Davis has learned the rules of soccer and now has a really good idea of how the game is played. That was my main goal.

Dylan on the other hand loves it! He takes initiative and really gets into the game. I think we’ve found his sport.

Drake won’t potty train but the little man will play soccer. He loves to kick the ball and get dressed up like the big boys.

The only problem is that his team mates won’t “give” him the ball. He runs after it with all his might but they won’t share.

It really bums him out. He has even sat down in the middle of the field and put his head in his lap. It was actually quite funny!

Practices are a lot more fun because they play games and afterwards he gets to play on the play ground.

We have spent a LOT of time on the play ground this fall. The bonus is that it makes bedtimes a lot easier. {{wink}}

After 3 nights of practices a week and 3 games on Saturday, our schedule is a bit crazy.

Now you know what I’ve been doing and why updating my blog has been so difficult. 🙂 I’m out on the field!

It’s been a rough week as a mommy. Davis has not been cooperative while at the dentist. His permanent molars grew in with out enamel on them and at this point they are simply flaking away.

It’s time for drastic measures and for mommy to deal with reality. We have seen two different dentists and I’ve called around and even talked to an expert who has over 1000 high functioning autistic children in his practice. He said that IV sedation for dental work is a must. Reluctantly, I parted with an unimaginable amount of money and now it is done. Davis has all of his dental work completed.

Dear Davis,

When I was a little girl, I had no idea that when I experienced pain, so did my parents. I didn’t realize that it was difficult for them to watch me struggle, fall, and have to pick myself back up again. My parents made it all look so easy and just part of the job.

I want you to know that the reason parents don’t show their real emotion is not to deceive you but to give you the courage to do what you have to do. Yesterday when I had to restrain you in my arms while the Anesthesiologist gave you a shot – my heart broke into pieces. As it does every time I watch you struggle or in pain. I whispered encouraging words in your ear and held you with all of my might. It might have looked like that was very easy and natural for me to do as a mother – however it was not. I smiled at you, gave you a big hug, and watched the doctor take you into the operatory. What you do not know is that as soon as the door shut – I lost it. I walked outside, fell to my knees on the cement, and bawled uncontrollably. My entire body shook as to purge the immense emotion I had to bottle up to show you the love and encouragement you needed from me during such a difficult time in your life.

When you were waking up from your deep sleep after the procedure my heart broke again as I anticipated what the next several hours would be like and what you would have to endure once the numbness went away. I talked at length to the Anesthesiologist and I got you hooked up with some extra medication to make this transition a little more pleasant for you and it worked!

When you woke up you asked what time it was, told me you lost your thumb (we found it), gave me a huge hug, told me you loved me, and told me that you didn’t cry. Then a minute later – you repeated the same thing! We had the same conversation about 10 times. It was bitter sweet to see you wake up. You were adorable but it was hard to see you in that drugged state.

I just adore you little man. When you hurt, I hurt. When you cry, I also cry. When you struggle, I struggle. When you are happy, I am so happy. This is what I want you to know. There isn’t anything that I wouldn’t do for you. I prove it over and over again, you just don’t see it yet.

I love you more than the universe,

Mom

After a couple weeks of Jason being in Russia, the day he got home it was party time! {{no time for jet lag}} The one thing Dylan wanted to do for his birthday was to go laser tagging. So we met up with one of our favorite families for some rock climbing and then headed over to Main Event for laser tag.

Dylan killed it! Only because Davis got a little scared at the beginning and refused to face his fears and go all the way up to the top. As soon as this happened Dylan’s competitive nature kicked in and he was all of a sudden a monkey climbing everything he could.

Drake was in heaven and felt like he could do what ever the big boys were doing.

Good times.

Huge thanks to this little guy for his loving example and encouraging Drake to go for it.

Megan (my dear friend) told Davis that she’d give him a dollar if he made it to the top.

It worked! That was the incentive he needed to face his fears and get to the top. After that, he was a ace.

Here I am with all the spider monkeys. We are most definitely going to have to make this a regular family outing as everyone gained so much confidence and had a blast!

Let them eat cake! After laser tag we went home and celebrated Dylan’s birthday one last time with cake and with Dad.

Ahhh… What a great day.

Happy Birthday Dylan!!

Dylan is now officially 9 years old! I could’t be more proud of this little guy. He has worked hard and has earned his Wolf in Cub Scouts, is an excellent soccer player, and has developed a love for reading.

This year we’ve decided not to host a friend birthday party. The boys and I are seriously bummed about it. However, it was my decision and just another way we are cutting back and focusing on the family.

Therefore, this year we’ll be doing “King for a Day!” instead of the traditional friend party. I made Dylan a crown pancake for breakfast. (his favorite)

We brought cupcakes for his class and Chick-fil-a for lunch (his favorite).

These three little darlings helped me celebrate Dylan’s big day and made it more of a party.

When Dylan came home from school he had to rush off to Scouts where I supplied more cupcakes to celebrate his big day. He came home to our own little celebration.

Jason was in Russia and Dylan didn’t want to wait to open presents until he came home. So we Skyped him into our party. Thanks to modern technology he didn’t miss a thing.

Dylan loves to play with mini action figurines and his latest obsession is Gormitti. He sets up these elaborate battle sequences and let’s him imagination run wild. {{love it}}

Gramma Betty bought him Disney Monopoly and we’ve been playing it at least one a week as a family. When we’re not playing with it – Dylan has all the pieces incorporated into his battle scenes. It’s pretty funny.

We ended the day with his favorite meal – Mac & Cheese! It was such a wonderful day.

Happy Birthday Dylan! Thank you for being the peacemaker in our home and showing unconditional love to everyone. You’re Davis’ best friend and you’re Drakes best friend. That’s really hard to do and you pull it off brilliantly!

After 34 months, Davis finally got his braces off. It’s been a long road with two different types of expanders, constant broken brackets, many trips to the ortho, and a lot of time wasted in the waiting room.

He’s such a handsome young man!

Here’s a picture of Davis before he had braces. Man, it seems like another lifetime ago.

Davis,

Congratulations big guy! May you be diligent in wearing your retainer and brushing your teeth. Through this experience you found out first hand the price of beauty – and it was a doozy! I want you to know that the sacrifice on my part was great but worth it. I didn’t get braces until I was 18 and would have loved to have had the opportunity as a young child. You are growing up so fast and I couldn’t be more proud of the young man that you are turning out to be. Armed with a proper bite and a beautiful smile, my hope is that you avoid many of the trials I endured growing up. I would urge you to use that big beautiful smile liberally and in times of trial and uncertainty. I still don’t take mine for granted and feel that it’s a gift – use it often.

I love you more than the universe,

Mom
(a.k.a. The banker, dental assistant, and taxi driver)

Ahh, this year the first day of school was bitter sweet.

Sweet for obvious reasons – I’m no longer the cruise director to 3 crazy busy boys, my house is clean between 9-3, and I get time alone.

Bitter because I get to wake up a 5:30am to give the boys their medication and then up again at 6:30 to get Davis off to school. I’m not a morning person – so this schedule straight up kicks my butt.

The boys couldn’t have been happier about school.

New school clothes. Check!

Monogrammed Backpacks. Check!

Carpool arranged. Check!

1st Day of School Photo. Check!

For the first time in 10 years, I have 3-4 days a week to myself (depending on play dates).

For the first time in 10 years, I can think in peace and quiet.

For the first time in 10 years, I don’t have someone constantly pulling on my pant leg.

For the first time in 10 years, I can take a peaceful nap with out interruptions.

For the first time in 10 years, I miss my kiddos… What’s up with that!?!

Meet the teacher is always an exciting day.

The boys loved reconnecting with old friends while at the school.

Our family tradition is that we bring flowers to the teachers as well as an “All About Me” card. I’m trying to train them early to give flowers regularly and to communicate. {{wink}}

This year we are truly lucky as Dylan’s 3rd grade teacher is the same teacher Davis had! Whoohoo!!

Here’s Jason filling out all the paper work. What a good man.

Next up was the Intermediate school. I was having major anxiety but Davis was loving every minute of it. We met Davis’ teachers and gave them his “All About Me” card as well as a copy of the letter his teachers wrote to them from last year. All went well, but I didn’t get the good vibe from his teachers I usually receive. As I was handing over Davis’ instructional manual {{HA!}} to his male teacher, it was quite obvious that he didn’t see us coming.

The next morning we got a call from the principle who asked if it was alright if he changed Davis’ teachers. He said that he had a meeting that morning and his team thought Davis’ would be better matched with a different set of educators. I was delighted that they would take the time to make sure Davis would be well taken care of and that his specific skill sets (and deficits) would be taken into consideration.

We’ve had 3 weeks of school and I’ve met his teacher on 3 occasions and just adore her. We’ve talked on the phone a couple times and have e-mailed. As usual Davis’ team of angels that constantly look over him; protected and hooked him up with the most amazing angles here on earth.

Man that boy is one lucky kiddo! Every single teacher he has had since Mother’s Day Out has been an absolute angel with the perfect skill sets to help properly teach, motivate, and redirect him to the amazing young man he is today. Granted, mommy’s on a first name basis with every principal he’s ever had, and has had to fight some battles along the way, but it is remarkable the amazing people who are drawn to Davis and who are willing to give so much to help and teach him. Words cannot express my gratitude and admiration for these women.

Drake LOVED meeting his teacher. Although he was a bit confused as to why he couldn’t stay and play. He kept saying, “You kiss me and say goodbye!” It was a bit traumatic to take him home. However, I’m very pleased to announce that he absolutely loves Mother’s Day Out. He calls it his “little school”.

All of Drake’s best friends are in his class. {{squeal in delight}} It also makes carpool a dream.

You are supposed to be fully potty trained which Drake is not. He hasn’t had an accident there yet. {{knock on wood}} But every day he goes I just know, that’s the day I’m going to get the call and we’re going to get kicked out. I just pray that he behaves himself as I desperately need this time to get things done.