What We've Been Doing

**I talk a good game, especially here on the blog.  We've got our chore chart, to-do lists, and wish lists.  I know how I want it all to play out here in my head; but in real life it doesn't happen that way.

The first week and a half of summer vacation has been called "the worst summer ever" by nearly every kid in the house.  Not sure when I became Julie McCoy...

but apparently I'm expected to fill the social calendar around here.

If you ask me, the summer is going just fine.  In the past week we have visited the library, started journals, played miniature golf, went to the pool, visited 4 different walking paths for our morning outings/exercise, played family kickball, went to the playground, hosted 43 of our friends here for the rosary, slept late, finished up baseball season, ate ice cream and popsicles, each made dinner, cuddled a LOT, and watched movies.

Isn't it funny how they only see the time in between all of these things and claim they're bored.

**On a different note, Billy got his stitches removed and his nose looks pretty good.  I'm very grateful for that.

There is a small notch on the nostril but that might heal and look better in time.  In the next picture you can't even tell it happened.

Love when he smiles!

**Mary Kate made the Silks, meaning she will be in Band Front next year as one of the flag carriers/twirlers.  All year I was rejoicing that she was only in Orchestra because Band seemed to be more of a commitment with parades and such.   Wouldn't you know she wanted to try out for Silks and made it.  Way to be ambitious Mare; you are your father's daughter, for sure!

**Still on the fence about Matthew and Kindergarten.  He is a July birthday and his preschool teachers think he would benefit with a second year of preschool.  Long story short, he can be insecure and shy, but I'm not sure that will ever go away. (I was/am like that) and his fine motor skills are lacking.  On the flip side, he knows a lot of sight words, is interested in math, and says he'd be bored in preschool.  Advice?  Anyone?  Bueller?

**It took me 13 years....

.....but don't you just love mud?

*Warning* Gruesome Content

Tommy has had a string of bad luck lately.

Last month, it was his bike accident.  Shortly after that, a black eye from a failed catch of a baseball;  and last week a near-drowning in the neighbor's pool.  ( I may be exaggerating a bit on that, but he thought he was going to die, so that's what I'm calling it.).

However, yesterday it was Billy who had the misadventure; and only three hours into his summer vacation.

He was at his friend's house playing basketball.  The hoop they were playing on has a chain for a net rather than the usual rope kind.  Billy tried to dunk.....


(Are you sitting down?  You may want to sit down.)

His nose got caught in the chain.  He tore his nostril completely through, a half inch up his nose.

It was quite a sight.  So, into the car and off to the ER we went. Four hours, a plastic surgeon, and 20 stitches later we were home.  Billy now has a story that can't quite top Tommy getting hit by a car, but it comes close in the "OMG" department, and has definitely left more battle scars.

I must say what a trooper Billy was the entire time.  He wouldn't look at it himself, but he could tell by my skeevish, yet fascinated reaction that it was a serious injury.  He says the worst part was the needle to numb the area but even then he held still and didn't complain once.  He even wanted to go to his baseball game that night.

I love that kid.

Billy Turned 13!

Last week Billy turned 13 years old!!

The little kids didn't mind one bit being awakened an hour early to sing Happy Birthday  have doughnuts.

Billy got a phone for his birthday.  No internet; that was our compromise.  He seemed happy.

Mary decorated his cake.  He requested the Nike Elite design and she obliged.

He had a baseball game that night.  This was the calm before the storm.  When all of his teammates found out it was his birthday, they tackled him and gave him his birthday punches.

 

They did managed to sing Happy Birthday to him and then got one of these.

They're baseball cupcakes, in case you couldn't tell.

Then it was back home to sing one more time and enjoy that basketball cake and sherbert.

Dad was away, so he called to sing with us.

 The gift that really got the hoots and shouts was the bag of Gatorade, Slim Jims, and gum we got him.  Go figure.  

We're so proud of you Billy!  Thanks for making my dream of being a Mom come true. 

We love you.

A New Season

Tomorrow,  I am moving into unfamiliar territory.

My oldest child becomes a teenager.

I took down this prayer that hangs on my kitchen cabinet.

PARENT PRAYER

Heavenly Father, make me a better parent.

Teach me to understand my children, to listen patiently to what they have to say and to answer their questions kindly.

Keep me from interrupting or contradicting them.

Make me as courteous to them as I would have them be to me.

May I never laugh at their mistakes, or resort to ridicule when they displease me.

Bless me with the confidence to grant them all their reasonable requests and the courage to deny them privileges I know will do them harm.

May I not rob them of the opportunity to think, to choose, and make decisions for themselves.

Make me fair and just and kind.

And fit me, O Lord, to be loved and respected and imitated by my children.

                                                                                                             -Cary C. Myers

The two phrases that stick out the most to me in that prayer are:

Listen Patiently and Fit me to be loved, respected and imitated.

Oh boy, do I need help with those two things.

What would you say is the most important thing to remember while raising a teenager?  I would love to get advice from those who have walked this path already.

Anyone, anyone, Bueller?