School Time!

I can not believe that it is that time of year again. It seems like I blinked and the summer was gone. Kambree started first grade this year and I think it might have been harder than Kindergarten for me. She was so excited and then when we got there she got so nervous (you can tell in the first picture). She wasn't quite sure what to expect now that she would be there all day. The good news is that when I picked her up the first day she told me, "I love first grade!" and that "it was the best day ever".

Jaxon started Kindergarten. He is so excited to finally be going to school. It is pretty funny because he couldn't wait to get some "homework" to do. So he was a little disappointed because they didn't get any the first day.

The last week and a half of summer it seemed the kids had been fighting about non stop so I was ready for school to start. Or so I thought. I took them to school and did pretty well. Then when I got home I was sitting there going...now what. It was just so quiet, so I started to cry. Courtney couldn't quite figure me out. I am happy for them though because they are enjoying their school time. Now I will just have to get used to the new routine and the new found quiet at my house.

29 Years Young

Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday, dear Courtney, Happy Birthday to you! Yes, it has now been 29 years since Courtney was born. I thought I share a few pictures of Court to commemorate the big day. This picture is when he was a baby (pretty obvious, I know) and it is one of my favorites. Just look at those chubby cheeks.

This next one is his kindergarten picture. I thought it was just darling. How cute is it that he is even in his tie and cute little sweater vest.

And finally I make the leap to adulthood. This is a picture of us in Maui in 2005 (thanks again for including us in that trip Steph and Justin). Really I knew I didn't need a picture of me included in this birthday tribute but apparantly we no longer take pictures of adults once the children come along. So I had a little difficulty finding a picture that would work. Anyway, this is a much loved vacation so maybe it will help with happy memories for Court.

I don't know that Courtney is the largest fan of his special day (I mean, face it he is starting to get older) but I still want to wish him a Happy Birthday. The kids and I appreciate so much his presence in our lives. I love so many things about him so here are just a few. Here ya go Court:

• I love your work ethic. Your parents really did teach you to be a hard worker and I think it is so wonderful. No matter what I know that you will always do everything you can to make sure me and the kids are taken care of.
• I love your sense of humor. It never fails that you can have me laughing until I almost cry. You are just funny. End of story.
• I love your optimism about life. It is so good to know that if I am down about something you will always be there to help me see the positive in it.
• I love the great dad you are. You don't just sit back and watch. I love that you are willing to change a diaper if you need to, or give someone a bath, etc. It is so fun to see you play with the kids and witness your guys' special bond.

I love you very much and hope you have many great years to come!

A Whole Decade...

Wow it only seems like eight years ago when Kellee and I were married. But it has most definitely been 10 years. Thanks to the Bejing Olimpic Committee for throwing a celebration to commemorate Kellee withstanding a decade long onslaught of the psychological torture weapon better know as Courtney. Way to be strong love. The last list I built was so fun that I don't want to over use and trivialize the tactic so here I go in semi thank-you-note format:

Kellee,
Thank you for the entirely too enjoyable decade we have spent together. Though everyday is not and adventure, the adventures are not spread so thin as to cultivate boredom. Thanks for taking incredible care of me. I would likely still be alive without you but someone like me would never make it without someone to remind me about the important stuff (clean clothes, pay bills, shower, the little people need constant supervision, birthdays, etc. - I really would shower i just wouldn't have any soap to make it worth my while.) You may not know it but when you laugh at my not always funny joke you make me feel like a million bucks. I appreciate that you don't hate me when I get to involved in a show or a book and you have to remind me to "engage" with the whole parenting thing. (I am glad I have been able to use this line on you the last couple of days while you are reading "Breaking Dawn". If my expression looks like your expression I don't know how you don't laugh at me all the time.)

Thanks for supporting me in all the things I think I want to do. I know that even if things don't go so well, after a little mockery, you will again be my biggest fan. I love you and I am glad that this has only been our first decade. See ya tonight.

Love ya,
Courtney

Ride, Jaxon, Ride

As mentioned in the previous post, Jaxon has learned to ride a bike with no training wheels. We are so impressed because he learned how to do it in just 2 days. His birthday is in a couple of weeks and so he is waiting (patiently) to be able to get a new bike. For now he has to ride Kambree's bike.

Notice that there are only 2 wheels.

So now we just have to deal with him wanting to go out and ride bikes all of the time. The only reason this is an issue is he hasn't quite mastered the getting the bike started at the beginning so he needs Courtney to help him. Notice the red face. That is because it is dang hot outside and Jaxon just wouldn't stop until he coould do it. Also, wanted to give a shout out to Courtney. Thank you for taking the time and energy to help them with this skill. It is seriously hard work to run behind someone, bent over and holding them up, in the 105 degree weather. I was too big of a baby so I just cheered from the sideline, while sipping on my nice cold water.

Funny Things Kids Say

Our kids must be getting a bit older because they now say things that should make sense but don't quite. I am only going to give you a smattering of the most recent, most memorable quotes.

We were driving to Fishlake and we stop in Circleville to get a drink at the gas station (tradition, who doesn't stop in Circleville). I climb back into the pickup and Kambree asks, "Do people live hear." I am thinking this is pretty lively for a ghost town but who am I to judge so we say yes. Kambree follows up with "Do they speak Spanish or cowboy." I assumed she knew what she was talking about and said "cowboy."

We are on Fishlake and it is hailing and I am trying to get Jaxon under cover so he doesn't get soaked when he tells me he is okay because "I am trying to catch some hell, but it's not that easy." I am sure he meant hail but it threw me off for a second.

Just yesterday we were watching a DVR of Monk and Monk start looking around a crime scene. Kambree has been paying close attention and says, "That Mr. Monk sure is a good looker." Now Tony Shaloub isn't hideous to look at but I sure hope she meant that he was really good at looking.

Rylan is just learning to talk and he can kind of say Kam but it sounds a whole lot more like dam and please sounds exactly like peas. I asked him to say haematoma but he just gave me a blank stare like he thought I was an idiot. I seem to get that a lot from him.

Averi simply squeals but that is kind of fun.

By the way Jaxon learned to ride a bike without training wheels over the weekend.