Tuesday, October 2, 2012

Homework fun!

So now that we are in our 5th week of school I now know homework time is a crazy time. John and James do work independently but they need to be quizzed on various things plus I need to talk to them so I understand what is going on before "they forget". Here is how the afternoon goes. The kids get off the bus and everyone makes a mad dash for the bathroom. Some like to hunker down in there to do their "reading" and take care of other things. Patrick is one of them which delays our one on one time. I use the time to go through their folders to see what is going on in school. Then its help Patrick complete his work with James asking for help too. In the meantime I have Tommy playing on the computer or watching TV quietly. To make things fun John has a Science test this week so I am quizzing him on what he needs to know. God help us next year if Tommy needs to hunker down in a bathroom after school because I think we will be in trouble. Oh yea - something to look forward too! LOL!

Tuesday, September 11, 2012

School is now in session!

I really was going to blog about Back to School like 2 weeks ago and then I got pulled in another direction. John and James seem to be fine with being in the back to school mode. James is still getting used to his new teacher and "not being afraid" of her. She is tall but I don't think scary! Patrick and Kindergarten is a story of itself. My lucky go happy kid - couldn't wait for school to start - does not like school. I'm sure some of that is true - after all he is gone for around 6 hours. The first day he came home distressed his teacher left him at lunch. I also found out that it was little chaotic after his first recess so I'm sure that didn't settle well with him. When he does come home after a while he tells me about his day and I can see the sparkle in his eye he does like it. He tells me everyday how his belly hurts and he misses me. I feel like my little baby calf is being weened. Tommy is now in his first full week (3 days) of preschool. He was miserable on the day we both went to school. I think a lot of it had to do with me being there. I was his crutch. His first day on his own he had a good day. His teacher said he even talked to her. I will be interested to see how tomorrow goes -- his first show and tell. They have a letter of the week and you bring in something that starts with the letter. We decided he could take in Acorns because that is different than Apples. I've been prepping him to say 3 things - A is for Acorn. They come from Oak trees and squirrels like to eat them. Let's hope he doesn't whisper the whole thing! When I picked him up last Thursday he saw me in the hallway - he smiled but then he tried not to like he was miserable. My favorite Back to School Moment with Tommy was when he asked me if Patrick could wait for him in Kindergarten. I laughed and told him both you and Patrick are too smart to be held back 1 year! Today is September 11th and Royalview Elementary is honoring our police and firefighters. Apparently all the grades wrote a letter to the police and firefighters. John said yesterday his teacher said his letter was the best so he will represent his class to give the firefighters their notes! I'm so proud! I would love to know what he wrote but of course that happened last week and we can't remember!

Wednesday, August 15, 2012

A first for me!

So the kids are in Bible School this week. That means I am all by myself for 3 hours each day. The first two days I did some cleaning and today I'm trying to figure out what to do. I always thought I wouldn't miss the kids when they were in school but I do miss them. I think I miss the Tommy the most because I am so used to having him by my side. He has been so brave at drop off. Not too many tears... he just holds on to me tight. I do think he likes being a big kid when he tells me about his day at school. Over the weekend my Mom had the kids overnight on Saturday. Another first for them and us! Again it was a little weird. I kept looking in at Tommy's bed to see him sleeping. Of course he was sad when we showed up at my Mom's to pick them up. He had some more playing to do apparently! It is good to know I have one more school year before Tommy goes all day. I have lots of fun activities planned this Fall.

Wednesday, July 18, 2012

Baseball over..back to school supplies being bought

Wow we just returned from Target and they took down their big Summer pictures hanging from the ceiling and now its just pencils showing you which way to the school supplies. What a fun and exciting summer we are having. All the boys have had successful baseball seasons. John had the 2nd highest batting average on his team so he earned a ticket to the league's All Star game at Classic Park. So he was able to warm up with the All Stars, get introduced and receive a very nice medal and listen to the National Anthem. Then he and Matt were off to Mayfield to compete with his team in a tournament which they earned the #1 seed. Unfortunately they lost the game. Luckily he was able to play in the division All Star game the following night. James and Patrick did a lot of growing with their baseball skills. James continues to hit the ball really well. He still needs to get over his fear of the ball but he sure enjoyed being the catcher when he had the opportunity. Patrick played in a coach pitch for 5-6 year olds but was able to play in a lot of games with James' team. He did well enough that I will move him up next year. I can't wait to see Tommy on the ball field next year! It has been such a hot summer I feel like I haven't taken the kids many places. The one day we did go to the zoo but with the heat they were not all that enthused. I was able to obtain a membership to the Cleveland Science Center on Living Social but we have not been there yet. I am thinking next week we need to get there. I can't believe it is already the middle of July!! On Sunday I started buying school supplies for the boys. I actually think I am almost finished. As much as I can't wait for Tommy to be in school full time buying for 3 kids is a little crazy!! I can't imagine looking at 4 lists!! My parents moved back to Ohio this week. My Dad still has a little over 3 months before his retirement but Mom is here to get everything settled. It is just so weird having them close again. I'm sure in a couple weeks it will feel like they never left! I know the boys are going to love it! James already has his eye on Halloween and what costume he wants and after looking at the toys at Target he has his other eye on Christmas!! Oh boy!

Friday, April 27, 2012

Let the fun begin!

Since the beginning of the month it has been crazy in this house. We have 3 kids playing on 3 different baseball teams and as of last week one kid playing two sports. Last Saturday we had a full day of practices to attend but the rain canceled them so we had some unexpected down time. This Saturday we have more of the same with a Soccer picture session to kick things off. My head is spinning from trying to remember who has what. Thank goodness for my calendar online and on our fridge. I am most especially thankful that Tommy isn't begging to play baseball this year. Next year will be soon enough. I think if it works out we will always have 3 baseball teams and after this year no more soccer which eliminates the craziness of 2 sports at the same time.

Thursday, March 29, 2012

Great Memories

Last week James had his 1st grade musical performance. They sung a variety of Disney songs. It was a great mix of the new ones with the old classics like the original Mickey Mouse song. The kids did fantastic. Last night on the way to John's practice James mentioned he was sad that his grandparents couldn't see him perform. I explained that I video taped it so we could show my parents the video when we see them at Easter. He said yes but I also mean Grandma and Grandpa Keough. He continued "I think they were watching me from Heaven!" I told him indeed they were. They are watching over all the boys daily and I'm sure they were bragging to their other friends in heaven how proud they are of all of them. I'm so glad James keeps their memory alive. I hope it will help Patrick and Tommy as they get older to remember them too.

Monday, January 9, 2012

The Potty Stories

Since Tommy has become potty trained it has led to all sorts of new discoveries and curiosities. On Friday night after John played baseball on an Indoor League I get everyone loaded into the car and Tommy announces he has to go pee. Instead of lugging everyone back into the building I pull out my trusty "pee in the bottle" bottle for these such emergencies. Tommy takes care of business and then James from the back seat says "hey, let me see your pee" so Tommy proudly shows him the bottle! Every morning I encourage Tommy to go to the bathroom immediately after he wakes up. On Saturday Patrick says "Do you hear what I hear?" I said "No". He said it's Tommy peeing! Yippe! Today coming home from a park program for Tommy he says "Do you know that Army guys sometimes pee in the woods?" I said "I had no idea who told you this?" He replied "James". Great information to pass along to your brother I suppose! Oh yes I forgot to mention James is now showering instead of taking a bath which is a real nice change of pace for me. You definitely know when he cleans his privates. He giggles like a little school girl. Out of control!