Summer Recap

For the first time in six years Tony and I slept in to 7 o'clock before the sound of little pitter patter woke us this morning! And along with said pitter patter we woke to thunder storms and rain...ahh, fall. Of course that second part reminded me that I hadn't posted anything about our summer to the blog...so much for sleeping in.

This summer was a bit of a scheduling nightmare for me. We had Jayden playing T-ball, trips for vacations, playdates, and museum visits all scheduled into a very short 13 weeks. Admittedly, before school had let out I was a bit fearful of those 13 weeks...how was I going to manage to keep my sanity with two kids under foot for that length of time. As summer wound down, I couldn't believe 13 weeks flew by so quickly and I still felt like we had more to accomplish. Well, here are the highlights.

Jayden played T-ball on a Naperville Parks team. He loved every minute. We still can't catch and our throwing accuracy needs a little work but, we can sure hit a stationary ball. Now a days we don't keep score, nobody loses...therefore, nobody wins and at the end of the season every player gets there own trophy, certificate for good sportsmanship and a team photo. He liked it so much he wants to play coach pitch next year!

We now have our "Chicago House" summer traditions. We did our annual trip into the city for a weekend stay. The weekend we were in the city it was 95 degrees and mild humidity. Landon had a fever all weekend so he and I stayed at the hotel during the day while Tony and Jayden went out to Navy Pier and to take in Michigan Avenue. In the evening, Tony stayed with Landon while Jayden and I went to the movies. I think Jayden enjoyed this better because he got one on one time with both of us. And, we also took our annual trip up to Great Wolf Lodge in Wisconsin...95 degrees with high humidity, thank god for the water slides. We also did a little family round of miniature golf...I think Landon actually won! Says a lot for the rest of us, doesn't it.

I kept Landon in "school" through the summer which gave Jayden and I time to do some fun "Jayden" things. We went into the city once a month on the train to have lunch with Tony. We took in a museum each week (which usually included a ride into the city). We went to lunch at some of Jayden's favorite places. And, overall just had two days of Jayden/Mom time each week.

For trips: We finally made it back out to Seattle for a long weekend (85 and high humidity...noticing a theme this year?). Although we had a great time, it wasn't enough time because we didn't get to see all of our friends on this trip. I guess we'll just have to head back out next summer :) Tony took a trip out to Martha's Vineyard for a Radio Boys Weekend (as some of us have compared it; think Star Trek convention without Star Trek...just geeky). He also took a quick trip down to Miami for a friends birthday celebration. And next week, Jayden and I will be heading out for a Mommy/Jayden trip back to Portland to visit Jayden's best friend.

So now Jayden is finishing up his first month as a First Grader. School starting wasn't a big deal this year, he just fell right back into his routine. He loves his teacher, Mrs. Ose, and he has about half of his friends from his Kindergarten class in his class this year.

You know, as I was walking to school to pick Jayden up the other day, I was thinking we should purchase a new bigger bike for him and then I realized...we will only be walking to/from school for another four weeks before winter hits, snow starts falling and the temperature plummets...which means...Christmas is right around the corner...Wooohoooo!

Birthdays

This year I decided I would do one post about the busy Birthday Season in our house, March through May. I know I'm a little late...but better late than never.

First up, Landon. Landon turned 2 at the end of March. He has embraced all there is to being two, especially those Terrible Twos Tantrums! He's learned a few things in the tantrum department from his big brother and he's putting it all to good use. His little vocabulary is expanding by the day but my favorite words are J.J. (it sounds more like Shay-Shay) and cracker (he breaks it up and it comes out Crack-Car). He's definately become more animated when talking and he loves to giggle and get you laughing as well. We celebrated his birthday very low key with an at home party with the four of us and a Mickey Mouse cake.

In between the boys was my birthday. Yay, 33! It was a good birthday. Jayden handmade me a coffee mug (with a little help from Daddy). Landon did the typical male thing, he added his name to the card and just went with whatever his Dad had picked out. I decided that part of my present was going to be a few days "off" so two days during my birthday week I didn't clean or cook; surprisingly, I nearly broke out in hives...it's hard allowing the house to be torn apart without following along and picking up.

And finally, Jayden. Jay turned 6 in May! He celebrated his birthday with a bowling party with 9 of his close friends from school. He was very excited to get his special birthday crown from school and have his class sing to him in Music class. Jayden is the typical 6 year old; loving outside and hanging with some his friends whenever he gets the chance. He is really looking forward to losing his first tooth sometime this year (nearly all of his classmates had lost at least one before the end of Kindergarten) and returning to school to start 1st Grade. It's hard to wrap my mind around the fact that he's a first grader now. Time flies.

That's all for birthdays until October when Mr. Coles turns...42!

Wait for it...wait for it...

The last 5 (or so) seconds Landon transforms...

A Long Winter

Winter #2 down. Oh my has it been a long winter. With that said, I have to admit this winter was a far cry from the severity of last winter. Yes, it was cold and yes, it snowed but not like last year. What was more severe, cabin fever.

I feel as though I have been in a cave for a year. Running to the grocery store is a chore when you have coats, mittens, hats and kids in tow. Heading to the mall, worthless...you spend ten minutes undressing from the outdoor elements only to have to carry all those extra layers through the mall with you. No midday walks. No getting out to run around the yard or play on the swings. I haven't sat in the sun in so long, my mom is probably darker than I am (and that says a lot)!

The kids are now accustomed to the weather and the Chicago past times. Landon doesn't like to leave the house without his little winter hat on. Jayden is excited to be going out to recess in 5 degree weather (and no, I'm not kidding there) while I mumble profanities under my breath every time I have to get out of the car during drop off. The whole family went out to ice skate...Jayden and I made it on the ice, Tony and Landon watched from the side. Jayden thinks he likes hockey but after watching the Olympics and seeing the agressive behavior, he's not so sure. He was very excited to be from the same city as Evan Lysacek, Olympic Gold Medalist in Men's Figure Skating.

Lately though, the days are lighter longer. The sun is shining. The snow is melting. It's almost warm enough to walk to school to pick up Jayden. I can feel hibernation season drawing to close. Thank god.

18 Years of Life

Today, my beloved Tiger Kitty passed away. She lived a great long life of 18 years, 9 with us. She brought peace and love to our home. She was a loyal and loving friend and big kitty sister. She will be eternally missed.





Tiger Kitty Coles

5/5/91-1/29/10