Last Day

Today is CJ's last day of summer school. He is crying prior to going....can't quite figure out why. Is he sad that it's ending, does he not want to go?? I don't know. But he is running very late. So please let's hope he ends on a good note today!!!!!

Ok - he had a good day! In fact it was a great day. We have been trying to help him understand that it was he last day and he will have a break for awhile. Not sure how much he understands. Since he has been home though, he has been going through his school day out loud. The teacher gave him his name tag today - apparently this is used for many things throughout the day. So he keeps "playing" school with it. Even in the shower he was singing the goodbye song that they sang at school. I think he is going to miss it. I also think fall may be a bit tough to get used to again. We'll see.

Too Long

It's been awhile since my last blog. Not sure why. I often say, "I'm gonna blog about that" or Chris will ask, "Are you going to blog about this?" I have just been out of the rhythm of writing them. I will try to catch you all up.

Chris and I went to my college friend Jayita's wedding on Saturday. We had a nice time. It has been a long time since we got dressed up. It was nice to see some friends that we have not seen in awhile. The bride was beautiful, and the couple was lucky they had a wonderful weather day. Of course being at a wedding makes you think of your own. Chris and I spent some of the night remembering our own special day.

CJ is finally adjusted to school and enjoying it. Of course this is his last week. I got to take him to school today. I left him a bit teary eyed, but when I picked him up he was very excited to see me telling me all about his great day. I met one of the high school students that he has gotten close to and she will hopefully be babysitting for us in the fall.

We are getting ready for CJ's birthday party this weekend. I guess we didn't do a good job in picking a good date, because two of his four friends can't make it. But that's ok, because whenever you ask him who he wants at his party he always say, "Just N and T."

Chris has next week off, so we are hoping to do some fun things. I will keep you posted!

Our weekend

Again I say...AHHHH Summer!! I love it! This weekend we had friends over that we hadn't seen in a very long time. We had a great visit with them, and hope to see them again soon. Even though it was hot and humid, our deck and yard are the perfect place for entertaining. It got a little breezy - and in some cases a lot. I am so proud of CJ. He was so good. It didn't take him too long to settle in with everyone. He was in good spirits. Probably because he had a cute teenage girl pay attention to him for a good chunk of the day!!! By the end of the day, CJ was covered from head to toe in dirt, watermelon juice, and happiness!!!! I hope everyone else had a good weekend to.

Blueberry Cupcakes

I mentioned in a previous blog that I have been baking cupcakes like crazy. A few of you have asked for the recipes so I thought I would start to add some that were enjoyed by friends and family. These are from Cupcake Confidential Recipe Deck.

Blueberry Cupcakes - these were delicious - a little too dense so the next time I make them I will need to make some adjustments, but otherwise good. Chris even like them and he doesn't like blueberries!

1/3 c. shortening
2 c. flour
1 c. sugar
3/4 c. milk
1 egg, beaten
1 tsp. vanilla
2 c. blueberries - I used jumbo berries therefore I only used about 1 cup

Cream shortening and sugar. Add egg and mix well. Alternately, add flour and milk blending well after each addition. Add vanilla, then fold in blueberries. Fill cupcake tins or paper and bake for 20 mins at 375. Makes 12. Cool and top with Flour Frosting

Flour Frosting
1 c. milk
4 TBS. flour
1/2 c margarine
1/2 c. shortening
1 cup powdered sugar
2 tsp. vanilla

Whisk milk and flour in a small saucepan. Heat and stir until thick and smooth. Cool. Beat shortening and margarine with an electric mixer. Add sugar and vanilla, beating until fluffy - about 4 minutes. Continue beating while adding flour mixture. This will remove all the lumps. Beat until fluffy, 4 minutes.

A Chair Trip

On Sunday, I had left CJ in front of his shows so I could take a shower. I left the door open, and could hear all sorts of noise. I kept asking him what he was doing, and the reply was always, "I'm not doing anything!" When I get out of the shower this is what I see:

This chair had been in the den. He was singing ,"We're going on a trip in our favorite chair trip" to the tun of L.E. He had scotted himself down the hallway into the living room.

Fishing

Uncle Ritchie - this how I go fishing! And I even caught one too!!!

Cupcakes - YUM

AHHH..summer!!! I get to do all the things that I would do year round if I were a stay at home mom. I just have to do it all in 2 months time!!! One of those things is making homemade cupcakes!!! I have been inspired by my friend Tania - who rocks the cupcake world! I am trying different recipes and adding my own touch to them. I am also trying to teach myself how to decorate using all of great tools that I received for gifts a few years ago. The people at the newspaper love it, because they get most of my experiments. CJ, only eats the frosting - and yes I am even making that homemade. Check out these pics of CJ enjoying one.

Bad To The Bone

Look out Grumpy Grampie - there's a new rider in the family!!! Uncle Ritchie sent CJ his motorcycle - and he LOVES it!!! He is a little too big for it, but he gets how to make it go and steer. He and Daddy take it down the road a few blocks and then back. The cycle only goes about 2MPH - just Daddy's speed to keep up!

Sprinkler Fun

At first, CJ was a little afraid of the sprinkler...thanks to Daddy! When we first got it, Chris hooked it up and told CJ to get close to it. Chris wasn't looking and CJ had his face right next to the sprinkler - image his surprise when he got a face full of water!! He was very frightened and wouldn't go near the sprinkler for days after. Finally, one day is was wicked humid and even I went through it. This helped CJ get over his fear, and now he loves the sprinkler!!

Dump Run

Today while CJ was at school we actually made two trips to the dump with all the cardboard from the move. Only 9 months late - but whose counting! You should see the difference in the garage! We have one more run to make with junk then we can start cleaning up the garage. Only to make room for more junk I'm sure! Next week we are going to paint the den and start moving things in there....the fun never stops!

School is Fun

Although there are still a few tears (CJ not me- I finally got a grip!) CJ is willingly going to school and seems to be enjoying it. I can have no part of it - although I do all the work!!! But as long as he leaves without protest then I'm ok with that. As soon as they get to school, CJ begins to cry and needs to sit on daddy's lap. After a few minutes, he (with tears in his eyes) tells daddy to go and that he will see him later. Yesterday, his teacher said he had an awesome day. When he gets him, he tells us a few things that he does. He doesn't seem to be playing with any other children. Miss Kelsey - a teenage helper - seems to be his favorite person to play with. The best part is that CJ is saying that it is fun! We hope the fun continues!

A New Outlook

Tomorrow we go back to school. School has been brought up often this weekend to make sure CJ understands he is going back. Tonight as I was putting him to bed he began to tell me what he does at school. He told me about play time, circle time, snack, Ms. Janet reading a story and then waiting for daddy. Although he still wants daddy to take him and pick him up. Apparently Mama is not allowed to have anything to do with school. As long as he goes willingly, it's ok with me. Hopefully I will get to go back at least once this summer.

Fourth of July fun????

CJ has a cold. Nothing major, just enough to keep us home for the weekend. Many of our little friends have a cold or strep throat, so we want to rest as much as possible. Chris has four days off, and with the yucky weather and CJ not feeling well, we have spent it at home in the house. At this point, we are all pretty bored I think. Also, a little bummed that we didn't get to spend time with friends that we hadn't seen in a long time. But CJ needs to be on the mend so we can go back to school next week. I hope your fourth was better than ours!

Day 3 - Part 3

I can't believe we all made it to 12:30! Chris and I still went out for a mini date, although I checked messages often. No messages, but I was still very worried and guilt ridden! Chris picked CJ up, and when they came home I heard a happy boy - not yelling as I had expected - Chris gave me a thumbs up as he saw me looking out the window. In came a happy boy excitedly telling me about sticker that he earned today and a star that he made. His teacher did everything to make his day much better today. He earned a sticker every time he smiled:) I think I need one of those charts! So...today much better for CJ!!!!

Thank you so much to all of my friends who have called and left me comments. Your words of encouragement helped me tremendously! Mommyhood is a hard job, and thankfully I have great friends to help me get through the ups and downs. I feel blessed to have such wonderful friends - both old and new - to give me that shoulder I need to cry on. YOU GUYS ROCK!!!!!!

I am sure you will hear more tales of woe and hopefully even more tales of success in the weeks to come as CJ (and mama)go through this first new experience. Thanks for listening!!!!

P.S. - My husband needs to be credited for dealing with all this with enough strength for all of us!!! He provided distraction, humor, and confidence for both CJ and I. WE LOVE YOU DADDY!!!!

Day 3 - part 2

Well, CJ was brave until the stoplight near the school then the tears began again. He bravely got out of the car and walked with Chris to the room. There he asked to sit on daddy's lap for a few minutes, and time was negotiated - CJ said 10 minutes, Daddy said 2, CJ settled on 3. Then CJ told daddy ok, you have to go now. He said bye as tears streamed down his face. They are going to call us if he can't get it together as they want him to come back and not fight it. So now I sit and wait.....

Day 3 Part 1

The difference today is that CJ has been crying since 6:45 this morning about not wanting to go to school. I can only be a strong mommy for so long, so I got daddy up to help. We made a heart and stuck it in his pocket, I kissed his hand and told him that if he needed it to put it on his cheek and he is off to school with daddy. I have a feeling things will not be great once they get there, but CJ definitely feels more confident with his daddy. So here I sit, hysterical while I wait for Chris to return and am hoping he has good news. Otherwise, I will worry all day.

Day 2

Guess who cried today? CJ did not have a good time today. I feel so bad for him. I dropped him off and he was ok - no complaining, but not happy either. Chris picked him up, and the teacher told him that he spent most of the day crying and just sitting and not participating:( It broke my heart:( So he has been very unhappy today, wanting to just sit on my lap and not wanting to talk about school. Whenever we try to talk about it, he refuses. So I did a social story tonight with him, I'm not sure it helped much but we will see. CJ seems to be missing his daddy very much. He wants Chris to get up with him in the morning and take him to school. When he does say he was sad and cried today, and we ask him why he says it's because he missed Daddy. I only hope that it gets better for him soon. He is just not himself. Keep him in your thoughts and whenever you talk to CJ tell him how great school is.

Crying

Now who do you think cried harder? CJ or me??? Those of you who know me well it's a no brainer. Upon seeing me at pickup CJ was crying, and screaming very loudly - and they were not tears or screams of joy people!! So of course, I think he has had a bad day and I begin to cry (I left out screaming though - didn't think it would set a good example for the other mothers). I finally get him outside and ask Chris to go ask the teacher what had happened. Nothing had happened - he had a terrific first day, followed directions, and was a good boy. That is until he saw his mama. YIKES!!!

We managed to take him out to eat - he was very hungry. At first, he was so cranky to anyone who would talk to him. The poor waitress was afraid to come to our table for fear that CJ would bite her head off. After a bowl of popcorn, and half a smoothie he said, "Mommy, Daddy I had fun at school today!" He then told us all about his day. AHHH...relief, this is what made me feel better. The fact that HE said he had a good time meant the world to me. CJ then polished of french fries, a grilled cheese, and the remainder of his smoothie!!!

As a teacher, I did the opposite of what I tell parents to do. I tell parents, don't worry; just walk away; don't let them see you upset; he'll be fine. It is so hard when the shoe is on the other foot!!!! Here's hoping tomorrow is a better day for....me:)

Off to School

Well, CJ is off to school today for the first time. I don't know who was more upset me or him. He had a rough morning prior to going. Probably anxiety over the difference in his day and what to expect AND not being with mommy or daddy. Luckily, he was in the room that he was tested in so he went right to some familiar toys. We only stayed for about 5 minutes before giving kisses and then we were off. It's been an hour and I am still crying periodically. I just hope he had so much fun , that this is easier tomorrow. I will let you all know how it goes later.