Scaredy Cats

Van and Brett riding Uncle Mark's gator on the farm...

Van says, "Hey! Let's chase the cats and honk at them...then they can be scared...scaredy cats!" The cats fled as quickly as possible!

Rythm Baby...

Baby Van Dancing 1

Baby Van Dancing 2

Remembering warmer days and missing our little man...

http://www.facebook.com/v/1964709559944

Can you watch this through the link? One of my favorite times this summer.

Saturday Morning Music...Positive Sandwich...

Can't leave it like this so here's some happiness ;)

Can't drive to Ireland but oh well...

Just this once...

So, feeling discouraged...going to take this chance to vent to those I love and those that I know love me...and I promise this will be it...for awhile...

Sometimes I feel like I shouldn't have left the house...just stayed in with my boys...
Sometimes I get pissed that people don't listen...
Sometimes I am furious about the situations that people force upon children...
Sometimes we all take up the slack for absent parents...and still, it isn't enough...
Sometimes I feel so sad to hear kids expressing self-doubt and frustration...
Sometimes I feel like I can never be enough to help...


Having a hard time leaving work at work after this week (not really possible for those who understand a teacher's heart)...really want to just cuddle up and cry and then go out and prove to the world that there is beauty and good...I see it in every minute but don't have the worries that so many children do.........

Saturday Morning Music

Dear Santa...

Mama's Wish List

Recess Duty

22 degrees=HEATWAVE...except for head and face...

I can only post this for your enjoyment because you can't see his cute, little face...just cracks me up!

Cuteness...

Thanks to Mark and JoEllen for the super cute, super warm hat! Van loves it and looks adorable in it :)

Karate Skills & Starbucks

Visitor from the North

Elf on the Shelf

I have been seeing all kinds of fun stuff about "Elf on the Shelf" online.  Turns out, Santa sends a helper to make sure we are being nice and not naughty!  Well if you are more prepared than I am, you could have ordered this lovely kit ahead of time. Luckily though, we ended up borrowing one (accidentally) from MorMor and Papa's house.

Here's Van's version of the story so far: Santa knocked on the door and left Elf.  Elf is on the shelf and he's watching me. I'm gonna be a good boy so Elf tells Santa.

Elf is a trickster so keep posted for fun :)

Sit back, relax, and enjoy

Holy Pinterest

Those who live in the creative realm have known about this forever...for...ev...er....

I am a newbie but absolutely love the idea of having different boards on which I can pin other's ideas...kind of an organized wish list/to-do list...

Colleen's Pinterest

Are you wondering what Van is doing right now...while I write all this and admire other people's creativity on Pinterest? Something in the bathroom...not sure what...about to go check...oh, wearing socks on hands, cape, underwear only, and a Spiderman-shaped bucket on his head...time to go and admire my own creation ;)

Welcomed

All families at Van's preschool were asked to create a family quilt-square with  scrapbooking material.  What a great, and stealable ;), idea! We feel like part of the community and know that Van is loved :) I just love the family portrait in the middle...check us out!

UW ECEC

Truth...in our house

 

Another Truth: Having a 3-year-old is like having a blender without a lid! ~Another mom...

Excited to head north and share this with the grandparents, aunties, uncles, and cousins!

Hopping Meat

Last night we cooked a roast.  After we were done, Brett went to scrape plates into the garbage can and says, "What's this on the floor...it looks regurgitated...like meat."  I'm thinking ew Isabelle (the dog)! But then Van says, "It just hopped off my pwate.  I didn't do it...it was the meat."  

Check this out!

Amanda O'Rourke: Photo and Environmental Stylist

Must brag: my brother's wife has a way of making simple things beautiful

Thankful and Proud

Bug-scustin' Earwigs

That's not what I'm talking about...but it is nasty...

As Van says, "Earwigs is bug-scustin' (disgusting bugs)!!!"

I can't see one of these things without being completely grossed out. The thought of having to pick one up with a wad of tp and get it to the toilet before it leaps into my ear is just enough to make me jump and scream...and I'm not really the squeamish type.  I blame it all on this man...............

My brother, Trevor! His beautiful wife is excused of course.

I have believed him for about 20 years now, that these bug-scustin' bugs will crawl into your ears and gnaw your brain to bits.  Do you believe?

Here's the truth...I think:  Earwigs: Brain-eaters?

I still need to personally speak to an entomologist about this...

National Adoption Month

I have known many adopted children and adoptive families throughout my time teaching.  Every child deserves to feel safe and loved.  Adults can create such chaos in the world of a child, but we also have the opportunity to bring security and warmth.

For families like ours that have struggled to safely and healthily create a family, my heart aches but also has hope.  Our brothers and sisters are our most beloved friends...the stories we share and the relationships we have now are just wonderful.  I hope for this for Van someday in some way...

Please take time to read and consider what your role can take on:
Wyoming Children's Society
Bones That Float  (this book was  gift to me by an adoptive family that I taught in kindergarten...what a gift)
Holt International
Recognizing and Sharing 

For Dad...

How could I miss this....

Viking Van...Successful Pillage

 We had a blast and Van loved wearing his costume.  I was proud of how it turned out and loved making it for him.  It feels so great to be able to make something :)  We went to the UW Safe Treat and played games. Some of the costumes were a little scary but after awhile he felt more comfortable.  We then went to the neighborhood up the street and Trick-or-Treated until he said, "My boooddyyyy is sooooo tired."  After a piggy-back home, he was awake enough to enjoy a couple pieces of candy ;)

Vanism

"I can't eat that (cauliflower)...I'm not a ingetarian!"

Vanism

Refusing to eat dinner (pot pie, not completely home-made--frozen veggies and pre-made crust but still good)...

When's the last time you said this to your mother.....


"BUT I CAN'T EAT IT! IT TASTES WIKE GUINEA PIGS!"

A Costume for Mama?

Today I found myself wondering....what type of costume could I wear to school that would allow me to wear sweatpants for the day?  Not necessarily due to holiday spirit but really just wanting to wear comfy clothes...

College Freshman?
Bed Head?
Saturday Morning?

Help me out...ideas needed so I don't have to wear khakis tomorrow or spend time on a costume....costume time has been consumed, rightfully so, by the Viking.

Sunday Morning Music

Fruit Bats...mellow but upbeat...perfect start to the day!

 

(remind anyone of John Lennon...)

Season of the Witch

We enjoyed a spooky start to our weekend! Van won second prize in a pee-wee bowler costume party (sans cape, sword, and boots)! Then we went trick-or-treating downtown with every other child in Laramie where he puked all over himself. Costume is being washed and prepped for Monday where we will hit up UW for games and more candy, and hopefully no puke ;)

Viking Van (the blurry kid in the photo)

Spooky music....which version is your fave? I tend to be a music purist so must go for Donovan but do appreciate the others too :)

BOO!

Last week...

Van's week.....

Mama's week....

Last week I helped chaperone our 6th graders to the Teton Science School. The kids were great and we all learned a lot! I saw the first wolf track ever and enjoyed great hikes and learning with the kids in beautiful fall weather.  Van got to spend some time with his beloved grandparents.  We were sure happy to see each other again!

Fishing...

What a great day! We sure missed the little man but at the same time, it was so great to really enjoy fishing without worry or frustration.  Just to stand in the water, practice a cast, and watch it ride the river was quite relaxing and to feel that slight nibble was so rewarding...although I didn't manage to reel one in, it was perfectly fine.

Wrestling....

...well we aren't quite ready for it. Van loved all of the active times (army crawl, running in place, relays, bear-walking....) but the technique demos and practice weren't quite up to his speed yet. I figured he'd be a natural wrestler but I realized that he's not quite ready for wrestling practice.  We will try again soon because this is a great program, coached by volunteer UW wrestlers.

blue shirt, army crawling and listening (for about 2 minutes)

Brett's Old...Really Old...

 

Here is Van's birthday gift to his daddy...a beautiful picture of them fishing together...awwww! Brett is the big black circle in the middle with all of the arms and legs and awesome hairdo, Van is the little blue circle with the brown hairdo on the right. They are both holding fishing rods that are  in the water going after two red fish.  This is a treasure.

Your Assignment

Take good care of my boys while I am gone (Teton Science School).  It will be a great trip with great kiddos and teachers but I will miss my guys.

National Fossil Day

Van and T-Rex...rumor has it that if you toss a pine cone (and make it) into his mouth on the way to an exam, you will ace it...hmmmmm...useful information someday?

Watching a video about our very own BIG AL

Van and buddy comparing rib bones...or just climbing and running amuck...

They let us touch everything...well almost...even fossowized poop! We all had a blast and are thankful to live in a community with such great resources for dino lovers!

UW Geological Museum

Vanism

Reading our fortunes after a lovely Chinese dinner....when it comes around to Van he holds the tiny paper up in front of his face and confidently says, "My fortune says I am a good sharer. Yes...be a good sharer." Yes love you are..as long as it doesn't involve any of your toys ;)

Vanism

Van: Hey you know Naked Man?!?!?
Me: Nope (where is he going with this)???
Van: Dat's me...I'm Naked Man!
Me: Oh really....
Van: Yep it's cuz I can go out side in the wind and be naked...I don't have to wear underwears outside! Just my cape....

Viking Van Sneak Peek

I was informed that we still need an ax, shield, cape, and furry boots...what a cute little viking!

Vedauwoo Changing

Mid-week, Van and I joined our buddies on a short hike to check out the changing colors and run wild.  We turned around when we saw a giant bull moose. The boys had a great time running, jumping, climbing, and noticing the changes of the season.  I especially enjoyed the great conversation, colors, and crisp air!

Check out the photos here :)

Vanisms

"My bref is wike a cow on a farm." (Ummm...gross...but nice simile usage)!

"Do I have twinkos in my eyes?" After he found a picture of Brett and I before he was born he just didn't understand why he wasn't in the picture. We told him that he was, right there, that twinkle in our eyes.

"MOMMY...you are dwiving in the bike wane again!!!"

Brett: Hey Van, what do you think about sleeping in your own bed tonight...like a big boy?
Van: I don't sweep in my bed...I sweep in mama's bed.
Yep...he may be 14 and still sweeping in our bed...

Halloween Costume Step 1

Van is proud of his Scandinavian heritage!  The decision has been made and now it's time for the fun part.  We will start with what makes the costume most obvious, the horned helmet :)  I hope mine turns out just as beautiful as this one.... Knit Kid's Viking Hat.

Also need: cape or tunic, shield, fuzzed boots........

Details are what make the costume so fun.  When I made the little gnome, we added toadstools and butterflies to the beard.  What small details does a Viking need?

 Techno-Viking....first shared with us by Uncle Trev...not quite what we are going for at this point in time ;)

Saturday Morning Music

 

Vanism

Constantly being asked, "Is today March yet?"

"Why?" you ask....well he knows that his birthday is in March and that birthdays are something to look forward to!

...and "Is it tomorrow yet?.....but yesterday was today too!"

It's true that tomorrow never comes...but if that's true, March will never come and boy will we be in trouble then!

NATIONAL FOSSIL DAY....

...the excitement mounts in our house as this great day draws closer!

 

UW Fossil Day at the Geological Museum

For a small town, Laramie provides wonderful opportunities for it's children!  We plan to have the best company ever for this special event: Mihretu and SaraJane!  I promise to share pictures and words of wisdom from these little buddies.

Vanism

Little Kickers Soccer has been an experience for us.  Van typically doesn't play long but gets distracted by sticks, bugs, and the net :) During the last game, Van chose to roll around in the grass instead of play, which was fine with me because then I didn't have to worry about him pushing people in his enthusiastic attempts to get the ball.  The best thing about this was that he had a partner in crime...Natalie...a sweet, little pixie of a girl.

As we left the field Van says: Mama, Natalie, her a crazy girl.  I wuv her.

Then he yells across the street to Natalie: NATALIE...I WUV YOU!

Instant embarrassment when he realized what he said and did...he couldn't get into the truck to hide fast enough.

The Green Little Cowboys--Van and Natalie in the back!

Medicine Bow Peak

We set off to see how far we would get and take in the beauty and crisp, fresh air.
  We didn't make it all the way up but quite close.  Impressive regardless and appreciative to have this time with my guys.

New-found appreciation for the awesomeness of geology...folds everywhere...

 Details

Halloween Ideas...

For Van's first two Halloween's I made his costumes (spider and gnome).

Last year we bought a triceratops costume and were so disappointed with it.  So...back to making them...yeah!

My vote:

or

Van's vote:

Other ideas? What do you think?

Boy-let Grossness

I'm not a fan of cleaning...bare minimum seems to be enough sometimes because by the time everything gets put away, it's all out again and being used as a "den" (couch cushions, pillows, and blankets in a pile with a 3 year old under them making odd noises) or "diving boards" (toyboxes turned upside down next to the mattress which is not on the bed but in the living room). 

But today was the day for the bathroom...there must be something about the freedom of being able to aim wherever you want to that makes it the right thing to do...walls, garbage can, rugs, everywhere but the toilet! Scrubbed, wiped, scrubbed again and decided to take preventative measures.  I folded toilet paper into quarters and cut a circle out, then drew bulls-eyes on them and put them next to the toilet. Van was seriously impressed and I will be impressed if we continue to actually try to pee in the pot and not everywhere else....boys are sooo gross! 

Summer Leaves Us...

Fossil hunting (belemnites) was sooo coooool!  Fishing, campfires, tree-climbing, and of course nakedness finished the weekend off. I treasure these times.

Happy Grandparent's Day to the Best Grands Ever!

70s in the air?

Campus Photoshoot--Christmas Card Worthy?