Random Conversations and Thoughts

Conversation between Cam and I yesterday:

Cam: I think my tummy will always hurt because when we lived at the old house I swallowed a penny but I never told anyone.

Me: Mmm hmmm

brief pause

Me: Wait a second. What did you say?

Cam: I swallowed a penny.

Me: When?

Cam: At the old house. Boo Boo and my blanket were by me.

Me: So you didn't tell me but you told Boo Boo?

Cam: Yes.

Me: Well, that's kind of a big deal, so if that ever happens again you should tell me or dad, okay?

Cam: Okay, I will tell you. Do you think I will always have a tummy ache?

Me: No, if you do get a tummy ache it's not because you swallowed a penny at the old house. You don't have to worry about the penny any more.

Cam: Okay, can I have some applesause?

__________

When Cam got off the bus today he told me I needed to remember the number one six three. He told me that this is where Penelope's sister lives and that she is in the book and this is where he is going to go for a sleepover. But he wasn't going to sleep with Penelope. Ohhhhh-kaaay.

__________

I had a thought today.

There really has been no better time than now to be agoraphobic. I mean really. With all the technology available to us, one could stay in their house 24/7 and still have a pretty normal life. This past spring, during an extended period of being severely under-medicated, I had a brief and mild agoraphobic spell. I didn't want to go camping, to the grocery store, to the park, for a bike ride or anywhere, for that matter. Every time we needed to go somewhere, I hid in the bathroom and cried profusely, hoping someone would get sick or plans would change. It was confusing and overwhelming. The interesting thing, however, was that no one noticed. I still communicated with people through texts, emails, and phone calls. Granted, if it was still going on I'm sure I would have a few knocks at my door, but for a few weeks it was easy to hide. I would not wish that debilitating phobia on anyone, but if you are overtaken by the fear of something, this is one of the few you can muddle through with a smartphone. There's probably even an app for it.

Greening Up the Neighborhood

 

I know, isn't that shovel hilarious?! The regular shovel was too hard to use in that deep hole so we had to defer to the kids' shovel. This might be violating some child labor laws.

 

So lucky to have friends who will give up their Saturday to help us with manual labor. Hope her 861 colleagues don't see her wearing that Cotter sweatshirt.

 

 

This was definitely a team effort. Our builder was working on his new venture next door and was willing to help us drop the tree in the hole. Such a huge help. I thanked him with a gooey pan of brownies.

 

Wow! So cool to have our first tree planted. It is an Autumn Blaze Maple. It might be too wind burnt from the drive home to change colors this year, but next year it will be beautiful. Ahhhhhh, it feels good to plant a tree. Welcome home, tree, welcome home.

 

A Step into Politics

Coop was 1 of 15 students to give a speech on Thursday at his school. The speech was given to over 100 students. Coop put up homemade posters to help persuade his classmates to "vote for Cooper because he's super".  After trying since first grade, I am proud to report that he was one of two students selected to be on the Student Council. One of his campaign promises was that he would listen to his constituents. I must admit I hope he doesn't follow through on the request for a "Packer Day".

 

 

 

This is Saturday morning. It was a crispy 32 degrees. We are on our way to making our neighborhood a little greener.

I'm NOT Gonna Cry

Cam had a tough morning. He didn't want to get on the bus. Arrggg. So, I had to take him to school (after I woke Cooper up from a dead sleep). He cried and cried. (Not Cooper, Cameron.)We got to school and I had to peel him off me at the classroom door. Such a proud mommy moment. When he got off the bus after school, he had something very important to tell me.

 

 

 

Tooth Fairy Jackpot

Kyle anxiously waiting at the doctor's office.

Kyle still sleepy after having 4 teeth pulled. Poor guy.

Kyle with teeth missing.

 

Monday was a horrible day for Kyle. He had 4 teeth pulled. He has been sick ever since. As I type this it is Tuesday morning and he was up several times during the night. I will spare you the details. Hopefully, he can get back to feeling much better today. The only up side is that he has 4 teeth to put under his pillow. An extremely sympathetic tooth fairy may leave the biggest payout to date. I think it's well-deserved.

First Week Summary

The first week of school was like our favorite song says, "Up, down, up, down". Coop thinks the Middle School is awesome. Kyle says he likes Goodview better. Cam says kindergarten rocks.

Just one slight glitch with the bus on Wednesday. Cam came out of school and couldn't find his bus line. It seems they didn't have a #5 sign and he was a bit traumatized. Thankfully, our favorite 1st grade teacher moved to Jefferson so she can keep an eye on the little buddies. Mrs. G. stayed with Cam and Kyle until the bus arrived. Phew! Thank you, Mrs. G.!

First Day of School

Well, I can't believe today is the first day of school. It is a BIG day. Coop is off to the Middle School. Ky is at a new school. Cam is starting kindergarten. Wow. And I have 6 whole hours to myself every day. If I could insert a sound clip here it would be glorious cheering and yelling. The kind of sound you hear when your kid gets exactly what they wanted for Christmas.

 

This could possibly be the worst first day of school picture ever. I may have to try again tomorrow. The sun was just burning through the thick morning fog.

Okay, this picture might be worse. The dorky middle son is sticking his tongue out. Kyle and Cameron had a brief orientation time today. They both were very happy and comfortable.

Here comes Coop after school. He hopped in the van and described his day as "awesome"!

 

Three happy sons equals one relieved momma. Phew...

Labor Day Weekend

It is a tradition to camp at Flandrau State Park in New Ulm, MN, over Labor Day Weekend. We are joined by lots of Corey's family and their camping friends. It was a beautiful weekend full of campfires, swimming, playing games, hiking and lots of lounging in a chair.

 

 The boys have been training Corey's uncle Brad for several years. Grandpa training, that is. They seem to have done a great job because Brad is happily playing cars with his oldest grandson, Ethan.

It's a boy hike. The smallest is in the backpack - 10 month old Brydon.

We must play lots of games when we are camping. That's just the way it is.

LOTS of games. This game is called "In a Pickle". It's dumb. I wouldn't recommend it.

Peet Lerapy Grad

 

I am proud to announce the newest graduate in our family. After almost 8 months of speech therapy, Cam has graduated just 4 days before the first day of kindergarten. Way to go, son! You have worked hard. He is proudly adorning his graduation t-shirt from Winona Health.

The Great Minnesota Get Together

We met Corey's family at the State Fair. It was a long day but we had lots of fun hanging out with them. It was the first time the boys have been to the Fair. When we arrived I quizzed the boys to make sure they knew my phone number so if they got lost they could just ask someone to call me. Well, Cam had no idea, so just as I was about to brand my number on his stomach with a ballpoint pen we found some cool ID bracelets. Much more humane.

 

Cam took a spin on the bumper boats.

Cam and Corey went up the tower. Can you find the airplane?

My favorite part was hanging out with Joe and Justin at Twins Territory.

 

We also saw a horse show, ate some really yummy malts, walleye cakes, and pizza on a stick. Oh, and we also tried the world's best french fries which could also win the world's greasiest fries award.

Final Days of Summer

My parents treated the boys and a bunch of cousins to a fun afternoon at Lark Toys. We golfed, shopped, picniced (that's not a word) and carouseled (that's not a word, either). It was a bunch of fun.

 

On another warm day, I took the boys and their second cousins to the pool.

 

We couldn't let the summer pass without a visit to see our little friend, E.G.. It was fun playing in her very stylish play room and having a pizza snack. We think her mom is pretty cool, too.