Not much going on...

There just hasn't been much to post about lately! We've been busy! School is still all consuming (when will it not be?) and Andy is busy getting youth back into the Fall swing of things. Wilson is going to school 3 days a week and Luke is keeping busy with helping daddy at work and playing lots!

The boys are doing fine. We did have a pretty bad biting incident last Sunday. I stepped out of the living room into the kitchen and immediately heard Luke screaming. Wilson had bitten him so hard he broke the skin. It was awful. Luke was crying so hard and I had to take Wilson to his room for time (and the a spanking after I calmed Luke down) out and the put ice on Luke's back where he was bitten. Wilson never bit until he somehow learned it from Luke. Not sure how Luke knew about biting! Anyway, Luke still has an awful spot on his back from the bite. It is pitiful. Tonight, Wilson threw a Lego at him and he has a swollen spot on his upper lip. It was only a few weeks ago that Will threw a sippy cup at Luke and he had a bruise on his face. Clearly Wilson is having some issues. We deal with them the best we can. He is such an intense little guy. Any suggestions? Do tell! As I mentioned here, in John Rosemond's recent article he says if you want children to get along, make them share a room. Andy and I would like to try it in January when Luke can move to a big bed. Spankings, time outs, and taking toys away just haven't been enough.
Tonight we had a very delicious dinner eating some of our most recent farm fresh veggies. We had hoppin' john and okra (sooo good!) Wilson ate an entire cucumber and I had a few strips of fresh red pepper which was also sooo good! The okra and red pepper just tasted better than they ever do from Wal-Mart! We also got acorn squash, zuchinni, onions, garlic, tomatoes, and swiss chard. The farm is having a potluck and harvest tour for the CSA members in October. I think it would be fun to take the boys to the farm. We'll see.
About two weeks ago I started re-reading Harry Potter. I had read books 1-3 several years ago and just never finished because I forgot too much of the story. I've now read and finished book one and went to rent the movie tonight but it was already gone. It'll have to wait! I really enjoyed the first book (again) and have already started book 2. If you haven't read them, you should! I read right before I go to sleep, when the house is quiet :) and often fall asleep while reading so it might take me a while to get through the rest of the series!
Happy Birthday to Heather, Jenn, and Erin!
* Have you ever tried the Betty Crocker Brownies with cookie topping? You totally should! I made them for my small group Wednesday to celebrate Heather's b-day and we thought they were delicious. (Don't remind Andy that I was a little disapointed when he couldn't find the type of brownie I requested! These were WAY better- don't worry, I gave him credit!)

Drummer Boy

Watchout! It seems we may have a future drumline member in our family. If you've been in a high school band, you know why I said watchout! Wilson loves to drum. We are trying to encourage his interest in other musical instruments as well, to maybe guide him into choosing something other than percussion! (Is that wrong?!) He has toy drums, coffee can drums, and other toys he uses as drums. He has a whole set-up he created when he was borrowing the Celtic Woman DVD from my mom. I've talked to Santa Claus and I know he's getting some new bongo drums for Christmas (shhh, don't tell!) He also wants a guitar and I think my parents are getting him that.

Our vegetable basket this past week had one of my favorites, okra! Luke even liked the okra! We also got tomatoes (red and green), cucumbers, squash, zuchinni, brussel sprouts, onions, and red pepper. I did try the brussel sprouts last night (while Andy was at work!). I don't think I'd ever eaten them before. I made them, and ate them but I wouldn't buy them. I did better with them than I did with the eggplant. I made the eggplant a few weeks ago and took one bite and just couldn't eat it. Getting all of these fresh vegetables has been fun, trying new things. Andy even admitted he's glad I encourage him to try new things (like squash- he won't touch some of these veggies with a 10 foot pole!). I'm really glad to be sharing the basket with my sister, mom, and maw-ma though because there is no way my family could eat everything each week. I already feel pressure not to let the veggies we get go to waste!!

Yeah, well...

OK. So I'm not a good morning exerciser. I tried for the first two weeks and ran 6 days. I haven't quit but man, it is so hard to get up and run that early. I haven't made it running yet this week. We're really trying to move Wilson away from taking a nap. Things have been going well. Friday was the first day. He was ASLEEP by 8:30! We were so happy. Normally he would lie awake forever talking, whining etc. Sunday night he was asleep by 8pm. Same on Monday night. BUT he woke up from 2-5am. YEP. It. was. awful. Andy and I were both awakened many times. My eyes have been so tired and burning all day (plus itchy and sore from allergies). He's asleep now and I'm praying he sleeps through the night. So needless to say running this morning wasn't an option. I've had my running stuff laid out just waiting for me to get up early enough to run. With Wilson getting to bed on time I've been able to be in bed by 10pm which is great.

Luke is also trying to make the transition from 2 naps a day to 1 nap a day. He is doing pretty well. Still learning lots of new words and getting to be such a big boy!

School continues to kick my butt. I'm always so tired and feel like I could work about 18 hours a day right now to do my job the way I wish I could! I have a great class and I'm getting to know them and love them! I'm so tired and busy with school I haven't been able to pick up our vegetables. Remember, Farm Fresh Thursdays? Thankfully, my wonderful sister has been picking up the basket each week. We will continue to get a basket until October. They have been a little smaller lately, mostly green beans, tomatoes, squash, an eggplant, red peppers, garlic, spaghetti squash, zuchinni, onions etc. Cara has also been helping out with the boys and I thank her dearly for giving Andy and I some time together. Thanks, Cara- you're the best! (Oh, and by the way, Jason has been trying to keep me accountable for running, and I'm grateful! I think to myself, I know Jason will ask and I don't want to let him down! Maybe tomorrow, Jason!).

Laundry to fold and Big Brother to watch. Later!

It's that time again...

Well, yesterday was my first official day back in my classroom. Thankfully, Andy was able to come and help me set up all the furniture. We worked fast! My mom was able to keep the boys for an hour and we did move all the furniture in that time. Then Wilson and Luke came to school and played so I took care of them while Andy set up all of my computers and other technology stuff. He was a HUGE help! Thanks, babe! Today I went in by myself and started unpacking, throwing stuff away, and setting up. I don't know how teachers get so much stuff. I feel like I am constantly weeding out my materials and yet there is still sooo much! I made a dent today but there is still a lot of work to be done. It is so overwhelming at this point because I'm trying to get it just right! Some good news on the school front is a voluntary school "uniform" of sorts. The idea started with 1 or 2 people and now a lot of the staff are going to participate! I plan to wear khaki pants, a Clays Mill shirt, and tennis shoes everyday but Friday's. We're hoping to have jean day on Fridays like last year. I'm pumped about this because it will make getting ready for work so much simpler and I won't have to worry about not having enough "work" clothes.

Yesterday was farm fresh veggie day and we received a huge cabbage, eggplants, garlic, lots of tomatoes, broccoli, cucumber, corn, and a melon. Yum-o! I got a little bit of everything except the eggplant. I hope to try it in a later basket. There were only 2! Also, the farm has a couple days this weekend for u-pick blackberries. I hope to take the boys to see the farm where our veggies come from and pick a few berries. Lovin' the CSA (Community Supported Agriculture)thing!

Today is Trey's 1st birthday! Happy Birthday Trey! Can't wait for your party! There will be pics on that later!

A Sadie sized hole!

Okay, check out these pictures. The first is a close up shot of the "hole". It is at the bottom of the fence. We have found her exit! She no longer goes outside alone. If you don't know what I'm talking about, read this first!

Now you see a full size shot of the fence. Sadie's hole is down at the bottom center by the discolored fence plank. It's small, huh?



Wilson has solved the problem for us by blocking Sadie's hole! Check out his homemade blockade. Pretty smart! We still don't let her out alone because she'd probably just push this aside.

Today is farm fresh veggie day! Our basket today had corn on the cob, cucumber, zucchini, squash, green beans, tomatoes, a melon (not sure what type as it is bright yellow), salad greens, and broccoli. Tonight we are having a grilled chicken greek salad and using our fresh salad mix, cucumber, and tomato. Yum!

Picture Day Nightmare...

OK, so what is it with appointments?! Today, we had a picture appointment scheduled for 9:30. The place opened at 9:00am. They only had been open for 30 minutes and yet still managed to be way behind. We were finally directed into our picture room at 10:00am. Which 30 minutes with a 3 1/2 and 1 1/2 year old is a long time when you're trying to keep them happy for pics. Anyway, we go into the picture room and here is my conversation with the very UNenergetic picture person.

Her: So, what kind of pictures are we taking today?

Me: Some of them together WITH their cowboys boots on. Then, I brought an outfit change for each of them so we can do separate pictures of each one.

Her: Okay, take their shoes off and we'll start with them here.

Me: (In my head) Hunh? I have them in their cowboys boots now. Why would we take the boots off for the boot picture??? But I took the boots off and she actually got a good shot of them.

Then she took some pictures of them in their boots. Maybe boys and boots are a new thing for her to take pictures of. She didn't position them. She very meagerly tried to get them to smile. It was ridiculous. Needless to say when we left we didn't have any cowboy boot pictures b/c they were terrible.

Then she wanted to take pictures of them by themself. In their cowboy boots. I said well I brought different outfits for the individual pics (cute outfits too that I had ironed this morning). She was confused, like I hadn't already told her that. So anyway I changed Luke and she took some pictures of him and he never smiled for her. She just wasn't into her job. If your going to be a children's photographer, you've got to be excited and energetic, right?!??!! Very frustrating experience at a place that had rave reviews from many people I know. So, I'm going to give them the benefit of the doubt and try them one more time before I completely judge them as a bad picture place.

Remember my appointment time? 9:30am. Guess what time I walked out with pictures in hand (which is a nice added bonus). NOON. We had to wait for our turn to take pictures. Then we had to wait for our turn to look and choose pictures. Then we had to wait for our pictures to print. So during the last wait, the boys and I had lunch next door a Qudoba. It was good and they enjoyed their cheese quesadilla. We went back to get our pictures. They told me it would take 20minutes to print but of course not. We returned after 30 minutes so I was SURE they would already be done and waiting for us. Nope. I had to stand and wait again. I was almost ready to burst into tears. (Sorry about the venting, but it does feel better to get it all out!)

Oh it's Thursday, farm fresh veggie day! The veggie basket this week included: green tomatoes, red tomatoes, roma tomatoes, yellow tomatoes, cucumbers, kale, cauliflower, green peppers, and corn on the cob! I can't wait to make fried green tomatoes!!

Mmm...Mmm...Good!

Doesn't this make a mama happy?! To see her boys eating a healthy vegetable and actually wanting to finish all of it!! Woohoo! The corn really was delicious. If you don't remember what I'm talking about go here!

Last night we decided to take Lottie swimming. We like to take her to a pond in Wilmore so she can fetch her floating kong. She loves it and it totally wears her out! It had been a long time since she had gotten to go swim in the pond. She swims in the backyard more because it is easier that treking to Wilmore! Here's a shot of her swimming back to shore with her favorite water toy!

Tonight we went to my niece, Madelyn's birthday party. It was lots of fun and I'll have more to share on that soon!

I Love Thursdays!

Yes, I know today is Friday. I just wanted to tell you why I love Thursdays! My mom, sister, maw-maw and I all joined a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) together. Each Thursday we get to pick up a basket full of fresh veggies! Just look at all of the fresh produce! This week the basket had tomatos, corn on the cob, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, cucumbers, fennel, arugula, green onions, some green leafy veggie called mizuna, and cilantro. It is fun to see what will be in the basket each week and to read the info about each veggie in the farm newsletter. Last night we had tacos (one of Andy's favorites!). I thought I'd just cut some fresh tomato for my taco and put cilantro on instead of lettuce. It was delicious!! It tasted like a taco you would eat at a mexican restaurant. Yummy! Getting this basket has Wilson saying things like kolrabi and fennel which is funny. Plus, he is trying new foods! He's three so we have the 3 bite rule for the veggie of the night. Luke isn't as compliant with trying the new veggies. He did try a bite of tomato last night though- but he still doesn't like them! Tonight we're going to eat some of the fresh corn, we all love that!