storybook lane

Today was Storybook Lane at The Mayor's school.  I was a little worried if he would participate and what would happen if he saw me in the crowd.  He did amazing.  He walked in line with his class and when he saw me, he smiled for the camera and kept following his class around the gym.  When he came back around, he acted shy by covering his eyes but started smiling again.  I was so proud!  Such a change in my boy just by being in a new school.  Such a blessing!

After the parade, Love Bug and I went to his class for the party.  The kids ate cookies and other little treats and then they read the book "Llama, Llama, Red Pajama".  All the kids looked so cute in their red pajamas.  The teachers introduced The Mayor and myself and all the parents were so warm and welcoming to us.  It felt really good.

We headed home after school so Love Bug could nap and The Mayor and I spent the afternoon outside.  It was in the mid-60s and just too nice to be inside.  He and our neighbor rode bikes, kicked soccer balls and threw balls to each other.  The Mayor just thought it was the coolest thing ever that he was playing with a big kid (our neighbor is in 1st grade).  We played right up until dinner and then went back outside. The Mayor asked if we could build a fire in the firepit, so D did just that.  We bounced back and forth from the firepit to the playset until bedtime.  Now the kiddos are nestled in and sleeping.  We are not far behind.

she wasn't very happy about being stuck in her stroller for the parade

parading around the gym

he noticed me for the first time from across the gym

being silly and trying to hide his face

enjoying his llama cookie at the party

giving his sister a hug

posing next to the class sign

chef in training

The Mayor wanted to help me cook dinner tonight.  He was so excited to be standing on the chair and looking at all the ingredients.  Tonight's meal: Baked Ziti.

He watched while I browned the meat for the sauce and once that was done, he helped put the seasonings and tomato sauce and tomato paste in.  He helped put the pasta in the water and put the mozzarella cheese on top before we put it in the oven.  He was so proud.

Today was a great day.  The weather has been really nice.  This is one of the mildest winters I have ever lived through and we are loving every minute of it.  The Mayor's therapy session was canceled because his therapist was sick, so we ran some errands before we met our Monday lunch bunch.  I had to pick up some pajamas for The Mayor to wear to school tomorrow for his Storybook Lane parade and then I had to get to the grocery store to get the ingredients to make sugar cookies for his class party.

And now I have to get back to baking the cookies.

he couldn't figure out how to use the can opener so he tried opening the metal can with his hand!

And his hair is all crazy because he had just woken up from a nap

gotta love a freebie

How cute is this table?  Not only is it a snack table, but it converts to a craft table (the table top can be adjusted to tilt so it is an art easel).  The kids love it and the best part is it was free.

About a month and a half ago, I had ordered a table and chairs set for the kids from JCPenney.com.  I had found a merchandise credit in my wallet from about 2 years ago and wanted to use it, so I found a table and chairs set that was $13.  Even though I didn't love the table and chairs, I loved the price.  Well apparently so did about 1000 other customers because the manufacturer ran out of the product and couldn't fulfill my order.  No big deal especially since I didn't love the table and was just buying it because of the price.

About a week ago, I got a letter from JCPenney apologizing for the mishap and they gave me a credit for $50 off of $50.  I was so excited...nothing better than having a free $50 credit.  So I found this table (it was $55) but with the $50 credit and my merchandise credit, it was free.  Love.

Our day was fantastic.  D ran a 5K this morning in Marietta with some friends and while he was running 3.1 miles, I was purchasing 3 doughnuts at our favorite local doughnut shop.  I would say The Mayor, Love Bug and I got the better end of that stick.

By the time we were done with our doughnuts, D was back home so we picked him up and headed to Atlanta.  We spent the morning running the errands we needed to and then walked around the mall for a bit.  We went to lunch and then headed back home so Love Bug could go down for a late nap.

The evening was spent eating dinner at the new table and then playing until bedtime.

Sad tomorrow is the last day of our weekend.  But it will be another sunny day so we will be sure to make the most of it.

I love how Love Bug is holding onto the side of the table.  She was so happy to have a table just her size she kept rubbing it and holding it as if it might disappear from under her

a great no picture day

This morning we woke up to cold, windy and rainy weather so I was thrilled that we had a jam-packed day so we didn't get the rainy day blues.  After breakfast, we headed to a local private Christian school who was hosting a "Toddler Time".  It is something they put on once a month from 9:30 - 11:00 and it is totally free.  Me and two other moms from my Sunday School class signed up and we took the kids.  I had high hopes but sadly it disappointed.  I thought it was going to be a lot of playing and crafts with a snack thrown in, but it was a little dull.  I think the problem was some things went over the younger kids heads so they weren't paying attention and then other things were too babyish so the older kids weren't interested.  Overall the kids seemed to enjoy themselves even though us moms were watching the clock.

Afterwards, we headed out to lunch and the kids had a blast eating pizza and "talking" to each other.  The Mayor and one of the girls Addy actually had a little conversation at the table.  They talked about candy, playing and haircuts.  Random, but adorable.

After lunch, The Mayor, Love Bug and I went to Chick-fil-a to meet up with Nicholas and his mom so The Mayor and Nicholas could play.  Nicholas is The Mayor's best friend from his old preschool class.  They were in the same 2 year old and 3 year old class so they are going through a bit of withdrawal from not seeing each other 3 days a week in class.  We let the kids play in the indoor playground for about an hour and a half until it was time to wrap up the fun and get Love Bug home for a nap.

After nap, we went outside to ride some bikes because lo and behold the sun had come out!  Although it was sunny and beautiful, it was a little chilly so we only lasted about 30 minutes.  Then we went out to dinner (Mexican - the cookout we were supposed to attend was canceled due to illness) and ice cream for dessert.

Today was just an amazing day, but I didn't get one picture because I left without my camera.  I need to get better about bringing my camera with me because there were lots of cute moments with the kids and their friends.  Oh well...next time.

Tomorrow we are spending the day in Atlanta...D and I both have errands we need to get done down there so why not make a day of it?

check out this cuteness

Day 2 of The Mayor's school was a success!  His teacher even emailed to tell me he did great in circle time (which he never did in his old school) and he did great sharing with his friends.  Swoon.  So happy to have another great day.

But my most favorite thing from today were these two precious creations by my boy.  At his old school, The Mayor never brought home any creative projects, unless it was a holiday or special event.  Today they made owls out of pinecones and decorated sugar cookies to look like owls.  Precious!  And Tuesday is their Storybook Lane Parade.  Each class is assigned a book (The Mayor's class was assigned Llama, Llama Red Pajama), the kids dress up like a character in the book (so his class will be wearing red pajamas) and they parade around the gym for the parents.  Then we go back to their class for a little party.  I volunteered to make cookies and because I have a camel cookie cutter, I will be making camel cookies (with the hump cut down) and then put red icing on them.

Tomorrow we are having a playdate with some friends and then a cookout tomorrow night.  A great way to kick off the weekend.

the mayor's second first day of school

Not many people get to have two first days of school in the same school year...but it is just another reason why my favorite boy is so special.  And I am more than happy to report his first day at his brand new big boy school was amazing!  His teachers reported only good things...and I probed them like 5 times just waiting to hear otherwise (forgive me, but since August I think I can count on one hand the good reports he got at that other school...so I was a little paranoid) but they kept assuring me he had a really great day.

And The Mayor is happy.

And that is the most important thing.

Looking forward to another great day on Thursday but in the meantime I will enjoy having both babies home with me tomorrow.  Meega and Bennett are coming over, and if tomorrow's weather is anywhere close to today's beautiful weather, we will be outside enjoying this unseasonably warm and gorgeous winter weather.

And that about sums up this wonderfully, amazing and great second first day of school.

he loves his brand new backpack and lunch bag.  And he loves the fact his name is embroidered on both.

checking out his reflection in the basement door to see what he looks like wearing his backpack

just another awesome day

Pretty sure I am still riding on the high of finding The Mayor an awesome preschool with even awesomer teachers (and yes, I know it isn't word but they are more than just 'awesome') because not even this nasty rainy weather could bring us down.  After another great therapy session for The Mayor, we headed out to Chick-fil-a to meet up with some of the moms from my Sunday School class and their little munchkins.  The Mayor and Love Bug had a blast playing with their new friends and I really enjoyed getting to know these ladies better.  Because this class is for families with young kids, we are all in the same stage of life.  And this is such an amazing thing.  I find the more support one can get, the better.

And to top it off, by the time I had gotten home, one of the ladies had emailed me and 3 other ladies about getting together Friday night at her house for a family cookout.  I am so looking forward to more bonding time with these girls, for the husbands to get to know each other and for the kids to play together.

God is just doing some really amazing things in our lives right now.  And I am truly so grateful.

The kids are now asleep, and apparently so is D because he still hasn't come out of Love Bug's room from rocking with her, and I am about to get The Mayor's new backpack and lunch bag packed for his first day of school tomorrow!  Good things are happening at the Shirleys...thank you Lord!

playing peek-a-boo

monkey see, monkey do

24 hours ago

Twenty-four hours ago I was anxious, nervous and hesitant.  Right now I am Happy, Happy and Happy. We have found a preschool for The Mayor!  And his teachers are seriously a God-send to us.  They were swarming him with love before we could even step completely through the door of his classroom.  I thought we would only be at the school for about 20 minutes to get the tour and meet his teachers but we were there for an hour and a half.  His teachers asked us to stay and do a craft with the class, play in centers and then go to the indoor playground.

While The Mayor got acclimated in what will be his new classroom, the teachers and I had an amazing conversation.  One of his teachers has a son who was diagnosed with sensory issues when he was 2 (he is now 9) so what a blessing it will be to have one of his teachers with such a volume of experience!

My prayers were answered today.  All of my anxiety and fear went completely away and I know The Mayor is where he should be.  He is going to be loved.  I can now start to see the light at the end of the tunnel.  To know our support system has grown just feels amazing.  And he is happy; he liked his class and his teachers.

Tomorrow I go back and drop off the registration forms for both The Mayor and Love Bug for next year. Feels good to have found a new preschool home!

we're getting there

I toured 4 preschools today, all of which were great, but there is definitely a front runner.  I just felt really comfortable while there and speaking with the director.  She even asked me to bring The Mayor back tomorrow so she could meet him and he could see his potential new classroom and meet the teachers.

I am nervous.  Am I putting The Mayor in a situation to fail?  Does he need more time to focus on his OT?  Or do we put him back into school, since he has only been out for a month, while the routine of school is still on his mind?

I know this is where I will enroll him for PreK for the fall.  And I have prayed to God to give me a peace tomorrow while we are in the school if The Mayor is ready to go a couple of days a week to finish out this school year.  I just need to trust Him.  I wish I was better at that.

A few minutes ago, this came up on my wall on FaceBook:
When you are going through something hard and wonder where God is
remember the teacher is always quiet during a test.

So powerful...and words I needed to read.  Even though He may be quiet...right now...doesn't mean He isn't there....listening...and doing His works.  

you deserve it

Uh, lately I haven't felt like I deserve a whole lot of anything.  And I really feel bad "complaining" about what we are going through because I know there are millions of people in the world who would gladly change places with me.  But for us, what we are going through is a really tough stage and time for me.  I pray this is the toughest we will ever know...I'm sure it won't be...and I'm also prayerful that one day I will look back and think how ridiculous this all was.  But right now, I cry more days than I would prefer and nothing about this feels ridiculous.

I feel we are just in the middle of one hell of an uphill climb and I'm not even sure what we are climbing.  Sensory issues is so broad and so new to me...I still don't understand exactly what The Mayor is going through.  It is just so physically, mentally and emotionally exhausting for all of us.  I struggle because I want to fix everything.  Now.  And it hurts to not understand why your son just can't calm down.  And to attempt to get him to calm down but not clearly understanding that he can not control his rambunctious behavior.  That his body needs that stimulation to satisfy a sensory craving I will never understand.  That he physically can't control some of the things his body does and overly controls the few things he feels he can.  That talking to him about his behavior is almost falling on deaf ears because he doesn't have the capability of putting what is being said into a comprehensive way for his mind to digest and understand.  His response is always "ok".  But when you ask him "why" we need to do something or "how" we need to do something, he literally just looks at you with confusion.  It hurts to see your son have the words but not the ability to put those words together in an explanation.

I hate I am so quick to anger.  I wish patience had been one of the gifts I was blessed with.  And I do NOT pray for patience because I truly believe when you pray for patience, you are not given patience but given situations and opportunities to practice patience.  And right now, I don't want any other situations thrown at me to allow me to grow my patience...I am up to my eyeballs in all the situations I can handle.  I feel like I am constantly failing The Mayor over and over because he doesn't understand and then I get to my wits end.  And when I come to him and apologize (which I do...frequently) he doesn't understand.  He ends up saying "I'm sorry" to me. *tear*

So...this morning after I got home from my dentist appointment, I noticed a box from Amazon.com on the counter.  It was addressed to me.  I didn't remember ordering anything...but I do love some online shopping so it wouldn't have surprised me in the least to have ordered something and forgotten.  I opened it and inside was another sealed box with Kindle Fire written on the side.  I asked D, "did you buy me a kindle??!!" He looked at me like I had two heads and then I noticed the packing slip.  It had Mamie's name on it with my shipping address.  I have seen Mamie's amazon account...she has about 15 different shipping addresses (my siblings, family members, etc).  I immediately thought she bought a kindle and picked the wrong shipping address.  She can be such a blond!  I told D I needed to call her and then I opened the packing slip.  At the top was this note:

Then the water works started.  I cried during my call to Mamie and hoped she understood the blubbering words I left on her voicemail and then I called PopPop and he made me feel so much better about our situation.  I felt so loved, although undeserving of such a wonderful gift.  They said I deserved to have it and to use it to escape and enjoy some downtime.  And the best part was when PopPop said they want to start taking The Mayor on a regular basis for overnights.  It would give me some one-on-one time with Love Bug but it will also be really great for The Mayor.  The one thing I am absolutely certain of is The Mayor is a people pleaser.  He loves to make people happy and he loves to get positive attention and affirmation (which we are constantly trying to delve out over here) but can you think of anything better to boast a little 4 year old's esteem then being the only grandkid at Mamie and PopPop's?  I can't.  

At the age of 35, especially when you are a parent, you stop thinking of yourself as someone else's kid.  I think of myself as The Mayor and Love Bug's mom.  But I am still Mamie and PopPop's kid.  Thank you to Mamie and PopPop for still worrying about and caring for their daughter.  I guess a parent never stops wanting to help their kids.  And thank you to all of our family and friends who are praying for us and boosting us up with kind words of support during this storm we are weathering.  

isn't she pretty?  I didn't want to take the cellophane off...don't worry...I did...and have already purchased and started reading a book 

four wheelin' fun

We took advantage of the sun and played outside before lunch.  It has just been so nasty and rainy this week, so we jumped at the chance to get outdoors.  Love Bug has not been able to ride her new Barbie four-wheeler Santa brought her so we were itching to get her riding.  She loved it.  And was a typical girl driver.  She had one hand on the wheel, while the other hand grasped tightly to a monkey and a sippy cup.  And when she was driving, she never looked at the road...she looked either at her brother next to her or at her daddy behind her.  Thankfully, we are several years away from her being behind the wheel of an actual car so we have time to work on her driving skills.

The Mayor is about 2 years too old for his four-wheeler, but because his sister is riding hers, he must ride his.  Poor boy...his knees were near his ears.  We finally convinced him to ride his big boy Lightning McQueen bike, only to find that he is now too big for it.  Pretty sure my kids are part weeds.  D wouldn't have it.  When he went to pick up his bike at the bike shop, he picked out a real beauty of a new bike for his son.  D took complete advantage of his wife not being in the shop with him and paid way too much for a bike.  Oh well, I know it will get a ton of use.  Once we are done with it, it will go promptly to Bennett.  I told Meega tonight I had a nice, almost brand-new Lightning McQueen bike that will be heading her way this week.  Another plus of having family so close.

Tonight we went to dinner at PopPop and Mamie's house.  They provided the pizza, we provided the entertainment.  It is definitely a show when the 3 munchkins are all together, but it is a show I love to see.

We are so thankful for some sunny weather and the long weekend.  Nothing better than having D home for an extra day.

cute...but not paying attention to where she is driving

cute...but too big for his four-wheeler

cute

not paying attention

safer way to ride

just a tough time

All my life...seriously...all I wanted to be was a stay-at-home mother.

And I love my kids more than life itself.

But Monday when D came home from work, I told him his daughter made me want to go back to work.

We are going through a tough stage of life in our house right now.  Love Bug is not happy.  I am praying it has to do with her last 4 teeth hopefully cutting through soon.  She is cranky and things that used to be zero issue for her (like going down for a nap or going down for the night or eating or sharing or playing or getting in the car) are battles.  And her hair-pulling is back in full swing.  She is almost 100% bald on the left side of her head and last night she started pulling her hair on the top.  Just when her hair was actually starting to grow out.

And then there is all my worry about The Mayor, his therapy and preschools.  But I am just too tired to even write about any of that.  Maybe one day.

I am thankful we are all healthy and happy to know one day I will look on this and laugh.  And be proud we made it and thankful to be stronger for it.

Tomorrow is a new day.  And hair grows back.

a shot of the bald spot

and a shot of the top thinning out

it takes so long for Love Bug to climb the stairs 

The Mayor lies down to "take a rest" while waiting for her

she loves to dance

rainy days

Blah.  Pretty much sums up how I have felt the past 2 days.  It is rainy and gross...not a super fun combination when there is a 4 year old and almost 2 year old in the house.

Yesterday The Mayor had another OT session.  AND HE DID AWESOME!  I am so proud of my boy.  He went back with his therapist with no fight or tears.  He was excited and happy.  And that made me excited and happy.  And his therapist said he had another great session.  I am so happy we are past the hurdle of "the unknown" and The Mayor is comfortable with his therapist to go back with her on his own.  He was proud of himself too...he just beamed with the knowledge that he is "such a big boy" and can go back there "all by myself".

After his therapy, we went to our favorite sandwich shop...which apparently is going to be our regular Monday lunch spot.  I don't know why, but ever since his first appointment with his OT, he has requested to go to this sandwich shop after the appointment.  Fine by me...I am all about a little reward for a job well done by my little man.

Today we had a playdate and then just hung out around the house.  While Love Bug napped, I did some housework and The Mayor kept me company.  He would run back and forth from my bedroom and his playroom bringing different toys with him.  He thought I needed some toys to motivate me to get my chores done.

Tomorrow Meega and Bennett come over.  I am really looking forward to seeing them.  We haven't seen them since Christmas...which is ridiculous since we live 3 miles apart, but it has just been a crazy few weeks.  Happy to get to hang with them tomorrow...and I know The Mayor and Love Bug will be happy too.

After tomorrow the rain should be clearing out but the cold will be setting in.  The low Thursday night is 24...BRRRR!

his first...and hopefully last

D is in training mode for his IronMan that will occur late this year.  Part of his training is building up endurance for the 112 mile bike portion of the race.  Today, D and 5 of his training buddies headed to North Georgia for a mountain ride.  On his decent down one of the mountain roads, while making a turn around a curve, his tire hit the slick yellow line (it had been sprinkling) and D crashed.  He crashed while going 35 miles per hour down this road.  He hit his head on the pavement, cracking his helmet.  He damaged the aerobars on his bicycle (along with some serious scraps on the bike) and tore every article of clothing he was wearing as he slide down this mountain road.  He later joked it was a good thing he had played baseball and had been taught how to slide.  I didn't really see the humor in that.

Thankfully, D is ok.  He has whiplash from his head hitting the pavement and some nasty road rash and cuts, but he will be fine.  He is going to be ridiculously sore in the morning after he has slept and his muscles have tightened, but he is going to be ok.  I am thankful to God for wrapping His arms around D while he rode and crashed.  Had a car been coming around the curve, this could have had a much worse ending.

Once D was done giving me a scare, and once he was safely back at home, I headed out for a baby shower.  My friend is having a girl...fun seeing all the pink!  After the baby shower, we ran some errands (dropped D's bike off to be repaired and purchased a new bike helmet and some new clothes) and then went out for Mexican.  We are now back home, kids are asleep and D and I are resting...he is hooked up to a heating pad.

Praying the rest of his training season is dull and uneventful.

Here are a few pictures I took.  I only included one picture of his cuts/road rash...figured no one needed to see all of the battle wounds

this is what the aerobar should normally look like

this is what the aerobar looks like after the crash.  Those aerobars are not pliable...so that was a pretty hard crash to get it to bend this way

some tears and scraps in his outer shirt

his riding shorts and tights underneath

tear in riding shorts and tear in knee of tights

thank God it was cold out and he was dressed in layers.  He had several cuts underneath the clothing that DIDN'T tear, would have hated to see what he would have looked like had it been hot outside and he wasn't dressed in layers.

time out

Love Bug made it almost 22 months before she ended up in time out.  Little Miss is really trying to make her little self known...don't worry sweet baby, we are fully aware of your adorable presence.

I really shouldn't complain, she really is such a good baby.  But her little "thing" is throwing when she is mad.  Toys, shoes, food, whatever is in her reach, she will throw when upset.  Today at breakfast, she threw her food on the floor, and instead of the firm "no" I picked her up, told her she was going to time out and put her in the corner of the living room.  I had prepared myself to hear little feet following me but she didn't move.  She cried and sat in that corner for the 2 minutes I left her there.  When I went back, I asked her if she was ready to get out, she shook her head yes, we kissed and then she cuddled in on my shoulder.

Oh, if only it was always going to be this easy to discipline the babes.

this lass has some sass

This stylin' little girl ate her entire dinner tonight wearing her shades.  Looking forward to the teen years.

And then she cheered on her Rock-n-Roll Elmo while he performed one heck of a concert.

The rest of the day was pretty uneventful.  The Mayor had his first official therapy session and his therapist said he did very well.  Looking forward to getting over some hurdles (mainly him going with his therapist on his own without me going back with him) but that will come with comfort and time.  Tomorrow I MUST go grocery shopping.  Otherwise we will be eating paper napkins for lunch.  Seriously.  

the new year

Hello 2012!  Another year has come and gone...and this year promises lots of fun and some pretty big milestones.  2012 will be the year our Love Bug turns 2, The Mayor turns 5, The Mayor will start Pre-K and D will compete in an Ironman.  And all of those will bring me to tears...

We had a very low-key New Year's Eve...just the way I like it.  We were supposed to go to a party, but Love Bug has been battling an on-and-off fever and what I hope is just a cold, so we decided to skip the party and stay home.  The kids were exhausted and in bed asleep by 7:00 and D and I had to fight to keep our eyes open at midnight.  We were turning the lights off and going to bed at 12:01.  When did we get so old?

Tomorrow is the last day of D's vacation.  Oh, Tuesday will be so sad.  The kids have been complete daddy's kids the past week and a half and I have thoroughly enjoyed having D here in the mornings getting the kids up and dressed while he let me sleep.  I so love that man.

Tuesday will be The Mayor's first official day of his OT.  I am looking forward to getting this started and having a game plan.  I am going to lineup some playdates for the kids for the week and we might head downtown and visit D at work.  Since we don't have to worry about preschool we are going to fly by the seat of our pants.  Hello 2012!

a couple of pictures of my cuties from earlier in the week