First Day of Kindergarten

Yay!  It's official, the school year has truly begun, all 3 boys are back in school.  Today was Elijah's 1st day of Kindergarten, and boy was he SUPER excited!  Last night before he went to bed, we read 3 books about Kindergarten, and Mason & I answered lots of questions.  We went over all the ways that kindergarten and preschool are the same and all the ways that they are different.  I actually had butterflies in  my stomach.  Not the "I'm so nervous, I think I'm gonna cry" kind, but the "OMG, watch out Mrs. Sylvia, you're in for one heck of a ride" kind!!!  lol

So, we woke up this morning to our good 'ole "SCHEDULE" (I really LOVE that thing)!!!  And finally, out the door we went, right around the corner & up the street from our house (a whole minute & a half), to the place that gives me peace of mind while I'm at work all day.........SCHOOL=)  Elijah couldn't get out of his car seat fast enough.  I of course had to take a few pictures of this BIG DAY!!  We then proceeded to the side entrance (where the NEW BIG BOYS & GIRLS will enter their new classroom).  We were greeted by lots of excited children and some very sad faces.....parents of course!!  Not this mommy, I was just as excited for Elijah as he was for himself!  We waited for his teacher to give him his name tag, had a kiss goodbye, and in nothing other than Elijah style, "I" got a hi-five!!  Short & sweet, and off my little  BIG boy went, through the doors of KNOWLEDGE!!  *SIGH*

Looking back I can remember all the anxiety I felt having to go back to work after each of my 3 pregnancies.  I always yearned to be a "stay-at-home-mom", unfortunately, that was never in the cards for me.  I was however very blessed to have such a GREAT support system and parents/grandparents who were available to babysit.  With the exception of Mason, my 1st born (who didn't go to daycare/preschool until he was 3 years old), both Elijah & Landon shared their time (from 3 months of age) between the two.  Elijah went 2 days/wk and increased to 4 days/wk (8am - 4pm) when he turned 3.  Landon went 2 days/wk and has increased to 4 days/wk (8am - 4pm) this past Tuesday.  His therapists now see him @ school.  It seems my boys have ALWAYS been in school.  At some point the school may change, (some)friends may change and teachers will change.  It's exciting for them.......just like replacing an old toy with a new one!  Lucky for me, TEARS & SEPARATION, have never been an issue (the boys have always known school to be part of their life).  Well, I did cry all the way to work the day Mason started preschool, I was so upset that he waved goodbye to me from across the room as he began playing blocks with a fellow classmate.  How DARE he not cry and tell me how much he would miss me!!  lol  SO, I guess the trade off worked for "me".  Well, I can say that now=)

Have a wonderful school year boys!!  LIVE! LEARN! LOVE!

(and have lots of FUN too=)

(Elijah's 1st day of Kindergarten)

(2 boys, same school, one stop for mommy=)

(My BOYS!!!)

1st Day of School

HOORAY!  HOORAY!!  THE KIDS WENT BACK TO SCHOOL TODAY!! 

(Oops, sorry, please excuse me while I try to contain my excitement! Yay!   NOPE.  It didn't work!!)

Although there is close to 2 weeks left of the summer season, TODAY, my yearning for the fall season assured me that it is right around the corner.  Yes, the day the kids go back to school.  Summer has never really been, well summer, since 1997 when I started my full time "DAY" job that requires me to work 52 weeks a year.  UGH!!  It never really bothered me as I was not much of a "beach" kinda gal.  But I must confess that it bothers me more now that I am a "MOM", and my kids are in school.  You see, during the school year we have a very hectic schedule, but it works for us.  There is consistency & predictability!!  Then the summer rolls around, and we find ourselves looking into all kinds of activities (which require money), to keep the kids....BUSY!!  Let's face it, there is no adult (in their right mind) that actually has the energy to keep up with these kids.....all.day.long.  Kids need kids!!  It's complete chaos juggling 3 different schedules & shuffling babysitters around so that all the grandparents have the opportunity to spend some time with the kids.  For the record, we are very blessed that there is very rarely a time when "a" grandparent is unavailable to babysit and even more blessed that those grandparents are still around to make everlasting memories for us & the boys.  That which includes my 92 year old grandmother (who to this day vacations once a year, sometimes twice....... Vegas & Disney, 2 of her favorites and who actually still drives).  BLESSED!!!

But today, the day I like to think was dedicated to giving me my sanity back, is here in full force.  Hail the SCHEDULE=)  We woke up this morning and started this day, which will be referred to as groundhog day, starting tomorrow.  It went something like this:

- wake up
- eat breakfast
- get #1 washed while #2 gets dressed
- get #2 washed while #1 gets dressed
- make lunches
- get #3 washed & dressed up
- double check backpacks & lunch boxes
- pack up the car (including 3 kids who are all in car seats.......oldest is in booster, does not meet age, weight or height requirement)

**I'm starting to think we have an "underweight" issue in this house.  Clearly not my issue!!**

- drop off #2 & #3 at school first
- drop off #1 at school
- drive myself to work.......definitely, NOT.ON.TIME=/
- work, work, work, work, work
- pick up #1 from school (meet mother-in-law for drop off of #1)
- work, work, work, work, work
- pick up #2 & #3 from school
- homework for #1 (yes, on the first day of school)
- prepare & eat dinner
- bathe #3
- assist in bathing #2
- time #1 in the shower (way too long)
- bedtime #3
- ice cream snack (husband's idea)
- bedtime #1 & #2
- clean up dinner mess
- get backpacks & clothes ready for tomorrow
- BLOG about my day=)

In case you were wondering who was assigned which number:

#1 = Mason (3rd grade) - 1st day of school

#2 Elijah - (kindergarten) 

(Elijah has 3 more days at his preschool, and he will start his 1st day of kindergarten, Monday the 13th)

#3 Landon - 1st day of school (Full time in the toddler room)

(this little man will be going to school 4 days/week from 8am-4pm)

The boys all had a wonderful day.  Mason was excited to see who was in his class this year (and he was very happy).  Elijah is happy that he gets to spend a few more days with his preschool friends (but this boy is bursting at the seams with excitement to start "Big Boy School").  And Landon had a GREAT day.  He fully participated in all the toddler activities today.  He played with his friends, he ate snack & lunch with his friends, he napped on his big boy mat, like his friends AND he made artwork with his friends.  Be still my heart!  My little peanut IS growing up!!  

All in all it was a HAPPY day!  The kids were happy and so was this mama,  HAPPY to have her schedule back=)

  

"Almost" Wordless Wednesday

**Do not forget to turn the music off at the bottom of the page.**

(If you can get past the screaming boys, listen closely to daddy, in the background, singing to Landon.)

A Great Way to End the Summer

**WARNING: picture overload per Mason & Elijah**

Hey there!  Sorry I haven't been around lately.  No excuses!  Just simply doing summer things with the boys.......and trying to enjoy as much as possible, considering I work full time.....ALL.YEAR.LONG=(  I've been peeking at your blogs, occasionally commenting (when time permits), and it's nice to see that everyone has been enjoying the summer.  I know there have been things that have not been enjoyable as well, and believe me, I have had those days too.  I have lots to talk about, and I have some drafts that I am currently working on, but I wanted to share our last "hurrah" of the summer.

(I promise that I will be back with an update on Landon and other stuff too=)

Last night, Scott & I, gave Mason & Elijah their joint birthday gift.  It was very fitting seeing this event fell smack dab in the middle of BOTH their birthdays.  Elijah turned 5 on August 5th and Mason will be turning 8 on September 24th.  Our evening began around 5ish last night.  Scott & I, and Mason & Elijah took a drive out to Hyannis (which is about 45 minutes away from where we live) to enjoy a nice outdoor dinner, "pier" side @ Spanky's Clam Shack!  Dinner was delicious and time with our 2 older boys was once again....way overdue.  Last time we had a night out just the "4" of us was back in June (when Mason got out of school), we went to see Walking with Dinosaurs!!!  Very fitting that we end the summer off with another "date night"!!

OK, back to our evening!!  After dinner, we drove about 4 minutes away to the Cape Cod Melody Tent.  At this point we managed to distract the boys from the sign in front that said this:

 and told them that we were going to the circus!!  I know, how clever of us...........well the tent helped.....geesh!!!  When we parked the car, we gave both boys an envelope with their ticket in it!  I think these expressions say it all!!

Yes, those expressions were worth it......Mommy took one for the team!!!  Confession, I cannot stand wrestling.  (Not that I don't have a GREAT appreciation for those who take care of their bodies, lol).  BUT, I just can't seem to get past the SWEATINESS!!!  Completely grosses me out.  Especially when you are sitting close enough to see it land on those a few rows in front of you......NASTY!!  Any who, the boys are HUGE fans.  I can't tell you how many times I am forced to watch entrances of all their favorite  wrestlers.  I guess I have to do this repeatedly because I never seem to remember what song goes to what wrestler.  NOTE to self, get a notebook and right it down.  They enjoy it so much, that they practice their own entrances and come up with very UNIQUE names for themselves.  HA!!

Match after match, about 16 professional wrestlers from the WWE had managed to bring such pure joy out of my boys, which in turn, brought pure joy out of this mom & dad!!  Mason filled us in on who was who and when we should cheer vs. when we should BOO!!  And Elijah was more than happy that Scott & I paid lots of money for him to be able to say the BAD "S" WORD.  I guess we should have done our research because we had no idea that the big chant during a wrestling match is "YOU SUCK"!!  Yikes!!!

(Goldust & Luke Gallows)

(Hornswoggle)

(Kaval & ??)

(JTG)

(JTG vs. Primo)

(Jack Swagger)

(Jack Swagger vs. Chris Masters)

(Intermission)

(Cody Rhodes)

(R-Truth)

(Dolph Ziggler)

(Drew McIntyre)

(Matt Hardy)

(Kofi Kingston)

(Fatal 4 way match)

Whew!!  Sorry for the picture overload, but the boys insisted that I let you all know, who they got to see.    You see, Mason has  been bugging us to have a wrestling birthday party.....with an actual wrestler there for entertainment.  He really does think BIG!!  I guess he will have to settle for seeing a bunch of professional wrestlers at a WWE event sitting 13 rows away!  I think he was OK with that.  There were 4 more, uh, wrestlers (if that's what you call them), that DID NOT make this post.  Mommy just couldn't get the camera to work when the "Ladies" came out.  LOL  Sorry Daddy, just like we tell the boys, "at least you got to see them in person"!! 

It was a wonderful & very late evening for Mason & Elijah.  The show didn't end until 10:30pm and we still had to drive 45 minutes home!  

Yes friends, we splurged & let the "boys be boys"!!  An outrageous amount of money later, the boys were representing their favorite wrestler, John Cena, who just happened to NOT be there!!  Oops, him and a bunch of other BIG name wrestlers will be in Boston tonight!!  Another 45 minute drive in the other direction.  Maybe next year!!!

Side note:  While at the event, my very observant (almost 8 year old) had his Down syndrome radar on.  He was sure to point out at least 2 of the 5 young adults that were there enjoying the event too.  Just another thing to add to the list of "fun & normal" things that these 3 brothers will enjoy doing together.  Mason & Elijah are very excited for Landon to accompany us when he is older.   Landon may not have attended this event with us, but the boys could not wait until this morning to tell Landon all about it.  Looks like Landon jumped on the John Cena band wagon too!!  Silly boys......gotta LOVE them=)

Wordless Wednesday

"Our" Turn!!

Two weeks ago this past Friday, Landon & I missed out on meeting 2 of our blogging friends:(  Illness struck the Gomes household.......and WE had to cancel our special play date.  I cannot begin to tell you how envious I have been watching so many of our blogging friends meet IN PERSON!!  Our children have brought us all together, and the little gifts that they are, gave us moms (and dads too) a priceless gift.........NEW FRIENDSHIPS!!  I still like to think of my blogging buddies as my EXTENDED FAMILY!!  And I LOVE watching our family grow!!

Well, I am quite happy to say that we were successful on "locking all the doors & windows"and keeping all those pesky little germs away.  That's right folks, TODAY, it was FINALLY OUR TURN!!  We got to spend the afternoon with a very cute & dear blogging buddy......COLIN from Love for Colin (who just happened to be vacationing in our neck of the woods)!!  We have been following Kelli's blog for some time now.  I was very drawn to Colin as he and Landon are so close in age (a couple of months apart).  Also, the fact that our little boys are like 2 peas in a pod.  After reading some of Kelli's posts, I felt like I could have written them myself.

So, Scott & I packed up "the boys"and headed to Plymouth, MA where we met up with Chris, Kelli & Colin at the "Cabbyshack" Restaurant for lunch!!  Good food, great weather and the absolute BEST COMPANY!!  This day, was well worth waiting for!!

Meeting the Tobin Family today, felt like visiting with old friends.  Chris & Kelli are the most genuine, down to earth couple with a great sense of humor.  I knew immediately within the first 5 minutes, and a crack  about our Massachusetts accent, that we were definitely in for a FUN time:)  Isn't that right, Chris??!!   I'm still not convinced that "we" have that accent.  Remember, you were on our territory, and if I recall correctly, your accent was not the "norm"!!  LOL

THE BOYS!!  ....sigh....where do I begin??!!  Colin.....this little boy just had my heart!!  He is even cuter in person (if that is possible)!!  And what a personality, the kissy face we see in so many of the photos on Kelli's blog, IS.TO.DIE.FOR!!  It was fun to watch Colin & Landon sitting in their highchairs next to one another.  A few minutes of checking one another out, then the drum playing on the table and the babbling began.  Seeing them side by side was just as I imagined.  TONS of CUTENESS!!

And then, I got to get my hands on that little BIG LOVE!!  WOW, now I know what it will feel like when Landon puts on a few more pounds!!  Boy, Landon really IS a peanut:)  I just loved how freely Colin moved from my arms, to Scott's and even Mason's!!!  You are a trooper Colin and you survived the Gomes boys!!!  YAY for you:)  Mason & Elijah were just so smitten with you!!  On our way home, all they did was talk about all the cute faces and noises that you made!!  I just love that they got to experience this too!!

After lunch, we ventured next door to Cupcake Charlie's (as seen on Cupcake Wars), for dessert!!  All I can say is YUMMY!!  I think that was the quietest we all were the whole time we were together!! LOL   After dessert, we let Mason & Elijah run off some of that sugar/energy!!  Thanks Chris, for being the referee!!!

Kelli, I really enjoyed getting to chat about the boys with you!  And I am so happy that we are able to share this journey together.  Another memory to add to our "Memory Box"!!  Hopefully a future road trip will find us in New Jersey, soon:)

Prepare yourselves for lots of cuteness!!!

"5"

It still seems so unreal that our "little" Elijah is 5 today!!!  I can remember back to my first pregnancy with Mason, everyone telling me to enjoy "them" because they grow so fast.  It wasn't until Mason's 1st birthday that I really understood what "they" meant.  THEY DO GROW FAST!!!

And here we are, August 2, 2010 and my little boy is "5"! WOW!!  Happy Birthday to you Elijah!  I cannot believe how much you have grown over the past 5 years.  You are such a smart, curious and inquisitive little boy who has this amazing drive to learn.  You have a great LOVE for books, and although you are not reading consistently YET, you are so very persistent.  I love watching you sit on your bed with your book in hand, hearing you sound out the words continuously until you get it.  And when a word has you stumped, you don't let that stop you.  Instead you move on to plan B and continue on with the story by reading the pictures.  You are so creative!  I am so amazed by your imagination, and the stories you have to tell.  They are always so entertaining:)

You have a love for numbers.  We always get a good laugh at how easy math comes to you.  On occasion, you have been known to help Mason with his math homework..........and he is 3 years older than you!  (I like to think that you get that from me, mommy has always had a love for math too).

You are such a fun loving spirit, and your personality is like a magnet.  People are drawn to you.....and your hair too, just as bouncy as that personality of yours!  (You get that from daddy, the personality and the hair).  You make people laugh and smile with your silly talk and your love for mimicking characters and scenes from movies.  The information you memory retains is UNBELIEVABLE!  Mommy & daddy have to be very careful, sometimes you use our own words against us!!  But we love your spunk:)

You love to play video games.  It's amazing how quickly you catch on to things.  And you love to build and create things...........an ARCHITECT perhaps??!!

You are very generous and a wonderful sharer who has the kindest of hearts.  Your circle of friends is a good testament to that.  You are loving and compassionate and an AMAZING little/big brother!!  Lucky for you, you are in the middle, so you get the best of both worlds and double the love!!  Mason & Landon are so lucky to have you!!

Oh Elijah, your heart is so big, and it is just bursting with life and love!!  You are just this huge bundle of WONDERFUL things......and  you are all "MINE"!!  And this makes my heart VERY VERY happy:)  I do not think it is possible to put into words how very much I love you.  Lucky for me, I get to show you EVERY DAY!!!

Happy 5th Birthday Elijah, we love you to the moon & back!!