On this first day of summer vacation, the kids have loved every minute.  They have lounged around, played with their toys, watched their favorite shows and gone outside to run wild.  Our three year old little girl drew chalk pictures on the driveway...and the cat.  Our four year old son rode his big wheel around because "that's how he rolls."  Our seven year old son played basketball while our eight year old complained of how hot it was.  Within no time at all, our front yard looked like a three ring circus.  To make matters worse, we have neighbors down the road that could probably charge admission for their backyard.  No kidding, it's like a resort.  It's beautifully manicured, with a back deck and sitting areas overlooking a coy pond.  They also have perfect sound and lighting outside so it actually feels like you're in a dream.  I often wonder what they must think when they look down the way at our house.  I can only imagine what goes through their minds when they see one of our kids hanging upside down from a tree while squirting a water gun. 
   We're lucky to have the best neighbors on earth and no matter what, they're always so good to the kids.  They kindly endure the laughing and mayhem from our yard and don't seem to mind the artwork masterpieces in chalk...although I can't say the same about the cat.  Happy Summer!        

There's something about little first and second graders.  They are so funny with such wild imaginations.  We had the end of the year celebrations for our seven and eight year old boys at school today.  We sat in the darkened auditorium and enjoyed listening during the first grade presentation at what the children wanted to be when they grew up...an artist, a professional football player, a zoo keeper.   When the first grade was done and given a roaring ovation of love and applause, we watched as the second graders took the stage.  It was surprising at how these students seemed to appear so much older and wiser than the younger class before.  How could one year make such a difference?  Even their dreams of the future seemed to change.  You were hard pressed to find a future Luke Skywalker in the bunch.  It made me think of what anybody wanted to do when they "grew up."  How do we end up doing what makes us happy?  Is that possible?
            I work as a therapist in different facilities, primarily with the elderly.  I often listen in awe at their past experiences of some 90 plus years.  One thing that I have taken away from "The Meaning of Life" if you will, from these treasures of history is pretty simple.  It's your attitude towards things.  How you think and feel about different situations, yourself and others seems to be a pretty big key.   One 95 year old woman, for instance, can tell you of decades of despair, of the "Great Depression," of love and loss, but she will still have a warmth in her eyes and a faith in God, as she tells you of the good times too.  I've heard some stories of war that you wouldn't believe.  I have heard jaw dropping nightmares from soldiers, from prisoners of war, from people of different countries and from folks that were born in raised in the same hometown.   No matter what their background, when someone has been through so much and yet still has a light about them, they're still "happy" even at the end of it all.

  On the other hand, there are those who have had everything and anything they've ever wanted, but they're still upset.  You know that "grouchy old man/woman" you picture at the drug store?...yep, that guy.  No matter what they have or how much they were given in life, it doesn't matter.  They're still bitter.  I've learned this lesson from them.  As cliché as it may seem, it's really not about wanting what you don't have in life...it's wanting what you do.  It's your attitude towards this and what you make of it that’s all the difference.
     So as we start this summer with our eight year old engineer, our seven year old astronaut, our four year old spiderman and our three year old tooth fairy, I hope they grow up to be happy, no matter what may come.  Because at the end of the day, a positive attitude, happiness and strong faith, will pull them through.

It's been the perfect start to the summer season...sun kissed cheeks and a barbeque - followed by melting ice cream cones dripping down tiny little fingers.  It doesn't get much better than this.  We spent the weekend at my Mom and Dad's house to celebrate the first swimsuit holiday of the year.  It's so easy to pass this time off as a fun filled three day weekend to take a break from reality.  I sat and watched our little ones swing together yesterday and started to think about how many families had to spend Memorial Day apart this year.
  When September 11th happened, my husband and I had been married for four months.  He was in the Air Force and had to go to the Middle East not long after the attacks.  When the day came that he had to deploy, I stood there watching my brand new husband walk off to the flightline.  He turned to wave as I waved back, praying and wondering what he was about to go through...what would happen.  I was immediately snapped into reality as a little boy around five years old broke free from his mom's arms to the right of me.  He ran towards his Dad screaming, "Don't leave us, Daddy!  Come back!"  His mom had to run to grab him while his dad turned back for a split second and yelled, "I love you, Buddy!  Take care of Mommy.  Don't worry - I'll be home soon."  I tried to hold my tears as I watched her console her little boy - staying strong for him.  As I looked around, there were families...spouses and children of all ages, waving tearful good-byes to their loved ones as they watched them go.  So many families have done this for generations.  The men and women who have fought to protect our freedom while risking it all - leaving everything behind.  Some never coming back to it - that is what this time is about.
  My husband came home, his entire squadron made it back safe and sound.  I can't imagine the lives affected by those whose didn't.  Our little ones are too young to understand much of what Memorial Day is really about, but it's never too early to talk about it with them on their level.  To all of the past, present and future men and women in our military, especially to those who have sacrificed it all - We Thank You.       

Our second grade son has a summer birthday.  That's no big deal until you're that kid who gets to watch all of their friends have party after party in their class during the year.  With the end of the school year wrapping up and summer break deliciously peeking it's head through the window - he was bummed out that he wouldn't have a class party.  Little did we know that his teacher planned a wonderful idea each year.  She had one big "Summer Birthday Party" for any students who wouldn't get to share their special day with their classmates otherwise.  Christian was ecstatic.  The party would have ice cream sundaes, balloons, party hats...the whole nine yards.  Families were invited to help celebrate so I dressed our three year old daughter in her party dress while our four year decided to go as a "Transformer."  (Bumblebee I think)  The party was outside with melting ice cream and sugar high kids running around everywhere...kid Heaven.  Towards the end of the fun, Christian quietly asked if he could have his sister sit with him for a minute.  At first - I naively thought this was the sweetest thing he had ever done.  He wanted to spend his special time with his baby sister and share his party with her.  He talked with her and hugged her, all while one by one, little girls in his class came up to gather around them.  Little "Awwwwww's" and "Ohhhhhh, she's SO CUTE" started to bubble from the group of eight year old girls.  Christian tried to hide his smile as my mouth dropped open at the realization of what he was doing...using his little sister to "pick up chicks."  For a split second he made eye contact with me with the biggest expression of "Look Mom!  It WORKED!" on his face.  I didn't know whether to be angry or proud.  I leaned over to one of the moms and said, "Do you see what my son is doing?!  This is SECOND GRADE!"  She laughed and said, "You know boys!  Just wait until he gets into college and wants to buy a puppy!"      

Have you ever heard a seven year old boy play the violin?!...no wait.  Scratch that.  Have you ever heard a cat get his tail slammed in a door really hard?!  For months we have lovingly endured the beautiful "music" that has echoed through our home as our two older boys have practiced for their big spring recital.  The neighbor's dog howls, birds stop singing all together while the boys scratch away on those four tiny strings that amazingly make such an ear piercing statement.  It's a catch twenty two of sorts...they have to practice to keep up with what their teacher has given them but at the same time it almost makes our ears bleed when they do. 
   Their concert was last night.  A whole group of adorable kids sat on the stage and waited for their turn.  Our two boys were dead last which meant we had to sit and wait as our hearts began to beat faster.  We grew more nervous with each student until finally - it was Ethan's turn.  He stood up with the biggest smile on his face and put his violin up to his chin.  With his juice stained tie, he focused on his music in front of him and began to play.  I heard the moms behind us giggle and whisper to each other saying, "Isn't he the cutest thing you ever saw?" which is really "Mom code" for "Oh this poor little kid is just awful!"  Ethan screeched through the song of "Mary Had a Little Lamb" (we think) and finished his song with an even bigger smile than when he started.  He was thrilled.  We all cheered and clapped and he went back to his seat with his chest held high and a grin from ear to ear. 
    We get to turn in their violin tomorrow (Thank You Lord Jesus) and have a reprieve through the summer.  I know it's not about how well they do or don't play.  We want the kids to grow up with a sense of school, sports and music but I don't know if we can take another year of it.  What I do know is that when he was finished playing last night and he sat on the stage, so proud of his mystery song, it was better than the most beautiful music I had ever heard in my life.     

Anytime the kids want to see the latest and greatest movie it usually puts my husband into a spin.  With ticket prices being $11.75 for adults and $9.00 for kids, by the time we buy six tickets, drinks and snacks, it's usually anywhere from $70-90 dollars for one movie.  He always mutters something under his breath that's completely unintelligible but very grouchy.  I try to gently remind him of how it could be worse.  When I smile at him, he shakes his head knowing exactly what I mean.
   We once had a popcorn kernel that cost around $8,000 dollars.  That's right, one popcorn kernel...eight thousand dollars.  A few years ago, our second son, Ethan, was in our room eating a bowl of popcorn waiting for his big brother to come home from school.  He got to the bottom of the bowl and looked at the unpopped kernels rolling around.  As he picked one up I said to him, "No, no!  Don't eat that Buddy!  Don't put that in your mouth!"  So he did what any little boy would do and laughed - then stuck it in his ear instead.  Thinking he was a little comedian, his expression quickly changed into one of panic as he tried to get it out.  With wide eyes he looked at me and I knew he wasn't joking anymore.  I took his ear and tried to get the kernel but it wouldn't budge.  It was stuck in his ear and with the oil from the popcorn, it was too slippery to get a grip on.  I began to get a little nervous myself and decided to try to "MacGyver" it out.  I chewed a piece of bubble gum and tried to squish it in his ear to pull it out...and nothing.  I got one of our baby nose suction thingys to try to suck it out, but no luck....tweezers, nada.  No matter what I did, the round part of the kernel was wedged into his ear so tightly that nothing seemed to work.  I called my husband at work, (THAT was an interesting call) and told him that I didn't know what else to do but take Ethan to the pediatrician.  Adam met us there thinking that he might have to help me hold Ethan down and it was a good call.  The doctor tried everything.  He couldn't get the kernel out and in turn, ended up pushing it so far down into his ear that you couldn't see it anymore.  We were then sent to an ear, nose and throat specialist who said that he was going to have to knock Ethan out because it was so far down.  We set an appointment for the first thing in the morning.  When we got to the hospital the next day, we checked Ethan and his popcorn kernel in.  The doctor reassuringly told us that it would be a simple and quick procedure, 15 minutes tops.  Adam and I sat in the waiting room as ten minutes went by, 15, 20, 30...40...dear God they can't wake him up.  Something's wrong.  I started to pace back and forth, Adam began to ask the reception desk if there was any word...then finally...the doors opened and the doctor came out.  He had a different look on his face than he did going in and we didn't know what to make of it.  The doctor sat us down and said, "Well, in my entire career that was one of the hardest things I've ever had to deal with.  There was nothing I could do to get it out.  It was round so I couldn't get a hold of it, it was oily so it was too slick to grasp and on top of everything else, because it was an unpopped kernel, it actually swelled in his ear since yesterday."  The doctor said that he ended up having to drill a hole through the kernel then put a device in the hole to have something to hold onto.  He said it was like trying to pull a watermelon out of a garden hose.  What ended up being even worse was that because the point of the kernel was facing his eardrum, when he drilled through the kernel, the point went through his eardrum as well.  He told us that he patched Ethan's eardrum but said we would have to "wait and see" if it would heal.  He handed us a plastic container with one single popcorn kernel that had a hole drilled right through.  He said that Ethan was waking up and would be just fine.  A few months later, Ethan's hearing was checked and was fine...the patch had healed his eardrum perfectly.  We still have the kernel in the container and still scoff when we see it.  That tiny, little 8,000 dollar popcorn kernel.
   At the end of the day, with the cost of movie tickets, we don't go very often - but when we do - as we make our way to the concession stand with our four little ones dancing with excitement at the rainbow of candy boxes and the delicious smell that hits you from the door, my husband always gives me "that" look.  When I remind him of Ethan's popcornectomy though, it always makes the cost of going to the movies seem a little less painful, with or without the butter.    
 

Thursday nights were always great when I was growing up.  My family would gather around the tv and watch episodes of "Family Ties" and "The Cosby Show" almost every week.  On a REALLY special Thursday evening my Dad and I would jump in his truck before the shows came on and get a pizza for dinner from a place called "Romano's."  I can remember the smell of that pizza like it was yesterday.  My parents, my older brother and I would gather 'round with our plates of Italian perfection and laugh as the shows aired.  I always remembered that there were parts of "The Cosby Show" especially that would make my parents laugh hysterically while my brother and I seemed to have missed the joke.  Bill Cosby could simply give a "look" or a one-liner and it would send my Mom and Dad into hysterics.  There seemed to be a secret language that only they knew. 
    Late one night, my husband and I were flipping through the channels and stumbled upon an old episode of "The Cosby Show."  This time around, my jaw dropped and I got it.  It had been so long since I had seen the show and to watch it now through the eyes of a parent with a house full of wild kids, it took on a whole new meaning.  I now sympathized with Claire at her sometimes absent-minded husband and rolled over laughing at Heathcliff and his utter disbelief in the acts of his children.
  Just this morning in the hustle and bustle of getting ready for school, I walked into the kitchen to find my husband pouring cups of milk for the boys as they had smiles from ear to ear.  Our seven and eight year old sons were shoving huge chocolate brownies in their mouths for breakfast.  I literally froze with my eyes wide open while Adam stopped in mid-pour.  He looked up at me with a grin and said, "What?!  I'm giving them MILK for breakfast too!"  The only thing I could hear in my head was, "Dad is GREAT!  He gives us CHOCOLATE CAKE!"
  Yes, it is a language that I now understand too.

My older brother and I are really opposite from each other.  Anyone who knows us could pretty much vouch for that.  Sure we love each other and get along great, but we couldn't be more different.  I always chalked this up to the whole boy/girl thing.  When we were kids he did his thing and I did mine and that's the way it was.  When I found out that my husband and I were having our second son then, I guess that's what made me think that having two boys meant they would be just alike.  They would be a little over a year and a half apart in age with only a one year difference in school.  I just knew they would be like peas and carrots...inseparable and just the same in every way.  Then our second son was born.  Literally from minute one it was night and day.  He was the most active and funny little thing we had ever seen.  Our first son was more calm and hesitant with things as a baby but our second knew no boundaries.  To this day they are like this.  Our first son loves school - not because he gets to see his friends or go to recess, but because he gets to learn and explore new things.  Our second son can't wait to get to school to see his best buddy and run around in gym class.  Just yesterday, we went to the doctor to see how our oldest son's foot was healing from his surgery a few weeks ago.  He was officially given the "green light" to start walking on it again.  When we got home, he cautiously used his crutches and took it step by step, very slowly to make sure he did everything right.  Our second son found my husband's old set of crutches to practice "walking" with his brother and ended up using them as a pole vault.  He laughed his head off as he flew threw the air.
  They couldn't be more opposite but it's good for them.  They balance each other out and actually are inseparable from each other regardless of their differences.  My husband and I joke that one day, they might go to college together which we could only imagine.  Our oldest son would be found on a Friday night in the library studying away with excitement for some new project, while our younger son would be on the roof of a frat house, doing a keg stand.....naked.

After hearing a radio commercial today about a company that promises to make your carpets "look like new," I wondered what they would think of our house.  We once made a rule that all food and drink stays only in the kitchen area thinking that we were the smartest parents on earth.  Right.  Kids don't NEED food or drinks to ruin your carpet.  They can do that with pretty much anything they can get their hands on.  The top five things Mr. carpet guy can give his best shot would be:
1.  Kids blue soap/shampoo.  When running from the closet to the bathtub with an opened bottle of children's blueberry shampoo (upside-down, because - why not) our son made a beautiful art project all over the carpet in between the bedroom and the bathroom.
2.  Markers, pens, etc.  If you have kids and you have carpet and there's not one speck of marker or pen mark anywhere on your floors, you are amazing...simply put.
3.  Glitter.  I know glitter isn't necessarily a stain but it's still next to impossible to get out.  I'm not talking a little bit of glitter from crafts...I'm talking - the three year old little girl version of trying to make your house "Pitty and Sparkly" so a fairy princess would want to come and visit for a tea party - kind of glitter.
4. Bubble Gum.  Sticking with the fairy theme (no pun intended) our two older boys came up with the brilliant plan to squish gum into the carpet around their bed when one of them lost their tooth...WHY would they do this?  To catch the tooth fairy when she gets stuck in it of course. 
5.  Pancake syrup.  Technically, this is edible so I guess it would be in a food group somewhere.  It has probably been the hardest and most frustrating thing we've ever had to deal with.  When we brought our new baby girl home from the hospital in our exhausted state, we ridiculously made the mistake of sending our one, three and five year old boys downstairs saying, "We don't care WHAT you do, just DON'T fight and BE QUIET!"  As we heard them giggle and get along like perfect angels, my husband and I knew that we were going to have this fourth baby thing down.  After the baby was fed, burped, changed and back to sleep, we went downstairs to find the three boys walking barefoot on the entire hard wood kitchen and dining room floors, covered in pancake syrup.  They made trails of syrup to follow throughout the two rooms.  An entire bottle of Mrs. Butterworth's all over the floor.  When we tried to clean it, it smeared.  When we screamed at the boys to go upstairs and get in the bath, (thank you waking baby) they left sticky foot and handprints everywhere.  There was no escaping Mrs. Butterworth's.  She haunted us for days.  I still shutter when I see her on aisle five at the grocery store. 
    The next time I hear the carpet cleaning commercial on the radio I'll have a laugh just like I did today.  I always find myself dreaming of a perfectly clean home with gorgeous floors, walls and windows.  I'm sure one day that will happen many years from now.  I'll never, ever be able to eat pancakes without having a stare down with that bottle of syrup though.  :) 

As the weather becomes warmer and the summer quickly approaches, we're beginning to prepare for the North Carolina heat.  We had such a mild winter so it only makes me wonder if we'll continue with the good luck streak or get nailed with a scorcher.  Our kids love to go outside in the summertime and play the day away.  They constantly ask if we can go to the pool or head to the beach.  One summer, they took matters into their own hands.  We put a "Slip-n-Slide" in our front yard so the neighborhood kids could play.  They had more fun than they knew what to do with.  Their little bellies were all red and grassy and they were soaked from head to toe.  After quite some time, we turned the hose off from the Slip-n-Slide and let the kids play in the now soppy yard.  Our neighbors and I stood on our front porch while the kids played in the yard and enjoyed the time together.  Without realizing it, my one, three and five year old somehow managed to run through our legs to sneak the garden hose into the front entrance of our house.  Our older son ran back through us as we talked and went to the side of the house to crank the water on full blast.  As we Moms screamed, I tried to run into the house to stop the flood while my friend ran out to the side of the house to turn off the water.  The kids were so excited and jumped up and down with the thrill of an "indoor pool."  Needless to say they lost their enthusiasm as they spent the rest of the afternoon cleaning the floor with towels and a mop.  The one good thing that came from our house flood was that our neighbors actually got to be there to witness the unfathomable quickness of the kids.  I don't know how many times my husband and I have said, "They're impossible to keep up with!  It's like herding cats...they're everywhere!"  It was nice to have grown adults stand with me and shake their heads in disbelief at how it all happened right in front of us. 
     Yes, summertime is quickly approaching and we're beginning to prepare for the North Carolina heat.  This year though, I think we'll hide the hose.