My first born

My baby boy, Brayden, is now 5 and a half. Next week is Kindergarten registration! I can't believe it. Being the good mom, and worry wart, I was the first one into the Kindergarten center to pick up the registration packet. :) (I had to get 8, for all of my neighbors too). I arrived at 8:30 and collected all the packets and distributed them before 9:30. After I finally got the girls to "take a nap" that afternoon (really they are just stuck in their room and they have the nerve to turn their light ON and play), I got down to business....

I busted out the 20 page packet and started filling out the identifying info and who is allowed to talk to, make eye contact with, or pick up your child.....then the home language survey, then the electronic information systems policy, media release policy, student residence verification (where I have to submit a utility bill, which I throw out and pay online, hopefully they'll accept a printed out version), McKinney-Vento Questionnaire form, dress code standards (shoot, I can't send my kindergartner to school with his I LOVE BEER shirt), three pages of vaccines explanations, certificate of immunizations, (who certifies it? My pediatrician, or the school nurse?), new student health history, K-information for the bus and a plea for the AM class so I can schedule some clients while the girls and B are at school!

Whew, I was sweating profusely, hoping I was doing it all correctly, then I ventured to the basement filing cabinet to pull out Brayden's original birth certificate. I do have a bunch of copies from flying with him so often, but the original is no where to be found. This means I get to take a fun trip downtown and wait in line with three children at the Department of Health and pay $20.00 for an original. I know, I know, this is my fault, who the hell knows where it is after 5 years and three kids??

I am crossing my fingers that I have everything filled out correctly and that I pass the first entrance exam to get my child into kindergarten! I am very grateful that I have a Masters degree and could forge through all of these documents. I honestly don't know how people who have a difficult time reading, or speak another language would manage this. I am willing to start a class, on how to enroll your child into kindergarten (if I pass the entrance exam).

Whew! Seriously, I am so glad that the school district is so thorough and they are doing everything they can to keep my child safe! It is hard to think that I will have no control over my baby the second he steps on that bus......when I worked in the school district I didn't get it. Those overbearing parents that hover, and wait, and check back again.... I mean, come on, let your kid be independent....I really hope that I will be able to let go and watch my baby make "good choices" and succeed. It's a whole new perspective when you're the mom.

Wish me luck, I will let you know if he gets "accepted!"

We've been busy

Ok, I am going to try to get back on track here.....it has been a rough few weeks. I am going to stay positive and write about the good, funny stuff that has been happening. I finally uploaded my pics. and they are from a month ago, some are super cute and I had to add them in to the randomness.... Ellie, Brayden and Dani snuggling in their new clean room.

B & D

Owen turned 2 in January and these are some pics. from the party.... oh man, and was it a party. Just with family and close friends there were 10 kids seven and under.

All the kids, horrible pic. but I couldn't get all of them in the frame.

Uncle Kelly and Owen and Ally.

Happy Birthday O's!

Goofiness at home. I was talking to my mom in my room (thank god she was able to visit us last week!) and the kids stomped in with my HUGE boots, tutus and panties.

Ellie took a spill that I thought would leave her paralyzed, but she thought it was hilarious, if only I could bend, twist and fall like that. I wouldn't be so sore after a workout.

Brayden Goo, loving my rainbow rain boots. Kalin, I stole these fair and square, but if you want them back (and you'll actually wear them) I will return them to you.

The first thing that comes to mind as I think about the last few weeks are the multiple floods and messes we've had in the bathroom. Why is washing hands and brushing teeth such a difficult feat? I am really afraid that we are going to have water damage to the bathroom floor, and/or serious leakage from our ceiling in the basement. One kid washing hands makes a mess....three kids makes a monsoon..... at least 4-5 times a day. I didn't realize I was going to have to be a bathroom monitor at the age of 31.

I found it very funny tonight as I was listening to the kids play, they were calling each other "sweetie and buddy." "Are you ok Sweetie? Hi Buudy!" I am more relieved than anything, I am so glad that all those names and thoughts that have gone through my brain have actually STAYED in my head these last few weeks. All right, I guess that ends this positive, happy post.... hopefully Kent being out of town all week every week won't last for too much longer, for the sake of all of our lives! :)

40 before I'm 40

I get to check off another thing on my list!  I bought a groupon for a cooking class for Kent and me.  It was a blast!  We made an Easter brunch:  Eggs benedict, Chicken cordon bleu rolls, lemon and white chocolate parfait, banana crunch muffins and a dutch oven fruit puff.  Everything was delicious and the teachers were fantastic!  It's a married couple who caters and their company is Two Cooks with Love.  Their last name is Cook, and they are so cool.  If you live in the Spokane area check them out! 

I have accomplished some of the things on my list! Have you?
1. Be more patient with my children. (I'm pretty confident that this will be a LIFE goal)
2. Take a cruise with Kent and ALL the kids. :)
3. Get all of the kids into swimming lessons. DONE
4. Teach Brayden to snow ski, and then the girls too.
5. Complete a sprint triathlon. Done 2 times!
6. Take a sewing class. Done
7. Take a cooking class with Kent. Done
8. Go to Europe with Kent.
9. Scrapbook at least the girls' first year of life.
10. Do a canopy tour in Costa Rica. DONE
11. Visit the East coast, especially New York City.
12. Volunteer in each child's classroom. Done
13. Become healthier with my diabetes. A1C = 6.5
14. Take a vacation to Lake Chelan.
15. Go camping as a family.
16. Learn how to crochet or knit (I'm not sure which is which).
17. Go to a natural hot springs.
18. Take a long girls weekend somewhere, ANYWHERE!
19. Take a nice getaway for our 10th wedding anniversary.
20. Expand my practice as the kids get older.
21. Get a will. Done!

*The list will grow as I grow older and think of more things that need to be completed or experienced. *

What are some of your goals and/or wants?