ANNIE

We are proud to announce the newest member of our family.  Annie Toler.  She was born June 14, 2008 and is 5 months old.  She's an American Kennel Club purebred Vizsla dog.  We have been in the market for a dog for about 6 years and finally we found the breed we loved!  We adopted her from Palmetto Vizslas in Charleston, South Carolina last weekend.  She's great with kids, no shedding, we don't have allergy problems with her, and grooming her is near nothing.  And did we mention she doesn't bark?

Annie is fitting in just fine with the family.  She's sweet, active, housebroken and crate trained.  She cuddles so sweetly and plays with the kids!  We are so happy for our early Christmas present.  

Welcome Annie! 

Austin's Party

To bring in 6, Austin had a non-sleepover pajama party.  Including his favorite characters Ben 10 and a Bakugan ice cream cake I managed to make.  We did all the stuff you'd do at a slumber party, but the kids moms and dads picked them up.  It was a great time!

 

More ta-ta talk

This week Austin had his 6 year wellness appt and as the Dr. is asking him about how life it, school, how he feels, etc and he suddenly blurted out with a smirk, "I like touching my moms boobies."  What on earth?  I was horrified.  Dr. Edy looked at me and his face was all contorted.  I shrieked to Austin, "what on earth are you talking about?"  He replied "remember that time I poked your boobie?"  The Dr. went on to tell Austin that they're called breasts and we don't touch anyones.  As if wierdo mom here was letting her son touch her ta-tas.  How embarrassing!!!  I looked at Austin and he smiled with content that he'd done his job to say something for total shock value. It worked.  Little turd.  No lollipop for him after that appt!

My Baby's 6

Austin turned 6 today.  And today was a hard day for me.  Not when he turned 4 or 5, but for some reason this year.  Maybe because he's gone all day long?  I don't know. But he was born at 11:20 am in 2002 on this day.  So at 11:20 today, I was in tears. I called Jonathan and he was equally as touched.  It's just amazing that little face that looked at me at that minute we met 6 years ago, is now such an independent big boy.  

Tonight as I was tucking him in bed, I stayed a lot longer to talk to him and cuddle.  He asked why I don't just sleep in here with him.  My heart panged as I thought how it won't be too long before he will never ever say that again!  Who would want their mom sleeping with them?  So I snuggled in, and started to doze.  I savored his sweet arms wrapped around my neck and the sound of his purr as he slept.  

Why can't time stand still?  I'm trying to savor every second.  And I feel like I'm really good at it.  But still, life seems to go by even faster.

Birthday boy

November 13!  At an eye cracking 5:59am, Austin was ready to announce to the world that he was turning 6 today.  He got to open one present before school and I felt like a hag because we didn't have time to play with it I told a child who just opened a great gift that "you can't play with that"  Poor guy.  Although we made up for it after school ten-fold.

6 was pretty great for Austin.  He and I had a date for lunch at McDonalds, a free pumpkin milkshake, and he got to wear a crown all day long at kindergarten. Then at snack time he passed out mud and bugs to the kids!  Then he got to leave school early.  What could be better? 

For dinner he wanted macaroni and cheese.  So instead of serving him the standby Kraft box, I decided to make homemade mac and cheese. You know, the kind with butter, cheddar and cream?  Paula Dean's mac and cheese?  Well, one bite of this delicious comfort food and he said, "Oooh.  What's this?  I want the orange stuff!"  Hats off to you Kraft. 

Boobies

This week we heard music playing in Austin's room for a long time.  We checked in on him and he was jamming out (dancing)...to Brass Monkey.....alone.  I had to get a picture of him in action.

With the new President Obama, we were explaining some gentle politics with the kids which included a race talk with Austin about no matter what someone's skin color is, we're all the same inside.  And Austin said, "No, we're not.  Some people don't have the holy ghost with them.  And when people do bad things, it leaves us."  

Ashley is so sweet.  Each morning when she wakes up, like a little old woman with her routine, she gently turns on her little bedside lamp and stretches.  And waits.  Then comes into our room and greets us with a 'good morning'.  I love it. 

I've told Ash to hurry as we're trying to get into the car or hustle anywhere and she's stated to me a couple times this past week, "I can't run.  It makes my boobies hurt."

Presidential Election 2008

Today, November 4, 2008 I had the opportunity, right and freedom to vote.  I am so thankful for this freedom.  Although candidates in different years have varying degrees of qualifications, I am still thankful that my opinion is being included.

On the Saturday before the Presidential election, Austin was at a birthday party of one of his little football buddies, and the excitement turned from opening presents to talking politics.  These 5 and 6 year old boys were discussing Obama and McCain and what they "thought" their beliefs were.  I was so amused and surprised!  At 5 years old?  I don't even remember who the President was when I was 5, or 10....

But these are different times....trying times....and I'm praying that whoever wins tonight will be lead and listen to a higher power to lead our country.

Football

Austin finished his final Grizzlies Football game on Saturday.  He LOVED this season!  His team's score was 6 wins and 1 loss.  He took pride in his offensive center position and really felt like he was part of a team with this sport.  We had a great tailgate party after his last game where the players sprayed the coaches with silly string after the trophy ceremony.  See you next season Grizzlies!  

Dentist

I must say that I love Austin's dentist.  Gainesville Pediatric Dentistry.  They are state-of-the art and completely kid friendly.  More than that, they donated a few thousand dollars to Mountain View Elementary school to buy all of the children there a "bully-free" T-shirt to wear each Friday on spirit day.  They always come to do presentations at preschools.  I've heard they donate money per pound of candy post-Halloween to send to the troops in Iraq.  They are very fair and the Dr.'s are very talented.  Austin has always been cavity free, (knock on wood) and has lost two teeth so far with his 6 year bottom molars coming in!  He loves going there and it's all kudos to the amazing staff.  Chomp Chomp!   

Happy Halloween

Words out of the mouths...

Some famous lines this week:

Jonathan's hair is getting a little long (according to his definition).  I told him he should grow his hair out.  Well, last night Ashley was riding on daddy's back and put her hands through his hair and said, "Daddy, you look like Jesus".  Jonathan looked at me and said, "I'm getting a haircut tomorrow."

Ash is now into Dora the Explorer.  We watch an episode each day.  She calls it do-do-Dora as if she's trying to sing the opening song.   Well, I appreciate the show as it teaches the kids Spanish and other things.  I know Ash is picking up on the Spanish because I heard her in the bathroom saying, "Uno.  Dos.  Tres."  I walk in their and as she's squeezing each poop out in the toilet, she's counting them out in Spanish.  Go Dora.

Austin and dad went to 5 Guys for a manly dinner the other night.  At the ripe old age of 5, Austin asked Jonathan, "Dad, what are drugs?" WHAT?!?!?!?!  It donned on us that this week at school they're teaching 'Say NO to Drugs'.  Initially we were disturbed that kids even have to hear about drugs so young.  That maybe this is something they could have held off for another few years.  That I didn't want my son in kindergarten to hear about drugs.  But then after thinking about it for a long time,  we realized that in this day and age, kids are hearing about drugs so much sooner.  Not necessarily at 5, but these same kindergarteners have older siblings and friends.  And I think its in the older siblings that now we have to be so aware and teach our kids so young.  It's a shame, isn't it?  Any thoughts on this?

Little Gym Halloween Party

Do we look excited?  Friday night Ash and Austin had fun at the Little Gym Halloween Party!  Carnival style games were set up all around the gym.  So were the beams, bars, etc.  Then a little trip to Cold Stone made the night for mommy.

Cox Farm

Ash's preschool playgroup went to Cox Farm on Thursday!  What a wonderful day with all of her boyfriends!

Pumpkinville

This week we took Austin out of school 1 hour early and took him to Pumpkinville (the Leesburg Animal Park).  Now that he's in all day kindergarten, he doesn't get the opportunities he's been used to where he can go to Cox Farm, other pumpkin patches during the day.  

So we took off early and we went with our dear friends the Johnsons and had so much fun!!!!  

Austin and Cameron are in the same class and we're so glad that they're such great buddies! ( Same with Ash and Gavs!)

Ash pictures

Go Destroyers!

Last weekend we went to Leesburg outlets and bought some great stuff at the Brooks Brothers outlet at some great prices.  One included a suit for Jonathan.  Well, he wore it on Monday and that day President Bush looked at him and said, "Hey bud!  Nice suit!"  So Jonathan gave him a "good game" swat and they both slapped 5.  Only kidding.  But he did like Jonathan's suit.  Very suave.

Austin is loving his flag football team!  Thought I would post some pics of him as offensive center and defensive noseguard.  

This week he took a class trip to the Stribling Orchard in Markham, VA and picked apples with all his kindergarten classes.  When he brought home his apples, most of them were bruised, with worm holes in them.  But they were special because he picked them.  We peeled them, cut them, and ate them anyway.  In fact we made yummy caramel apples with them.

There was  a bear spotted in Haymarket this last week and one of the spottings was in Piedmont!  The bus stop was all crazy and you would have thought a mad man was on the loose!  Excitement for Haymarket!

Ashley has become such a Mama's girl and I love it.  She cuddles up and says, "Just girls.  Boys stink."  After her Little Gym super beasts gymnastics class, every friday we got to Panera and do lunch together.  We have so much fun!  It reminds me of when my mom and I would do special lunches out.  We still do!

This past week I taught preschool.  I taught Opposites and the 5 senses.  Hard concepts for 2 1/2 year olds.  It was still fun seeing the little munchkins interact.  All boys and just Ash.  In fact, she doesn't have even one girlfriend.  But she doesn't know the difference and she loves all her boyfriends. 

Ta ta for now!  Or TTFN (something my kids say as they take after Tigger on Pooh),

Angie

Corn Maize

This week we went to the Corn Maize in the Plains, VA for a Mountain View activity.  It was so fun watching Austin have a great time!  

Austin got his interim report cards this week and is doing just fine.  But the teacher noted that he has very energetic hands and that he needs to keep them to himself.  His first  

year of preschool 3 years ago his teacher told us back then that Austin has "Happy Hands."  He just doesn't outgrow 
those happy hands.  Oh dear.

Ashley cracks us up.  The latest thing is that she'll cough or run into something and announce to everyone, 
"I'm okay.  Don't worry, I'm okay."  She also found a pink dress with an attached tutu and grabbed it at the Carter's outlet and announced, "I need this dress.  It's my birthday dress!"  It's wonderful how girly she is!!!

Jonathan has been in town for over a week now and it's GREAT having Daddy home.  I'm having to cook more now and that's not as fun, but I guess he's worth it.  :)

Love to all!

Angie