Pictures with Santa

Ryland, Reed, and Ridley put on their cute Christmas pajamas to take a few precious pictures with Santa.  I was hoping that Ridley would like Santa this year, but as the photos demonstrate, she isn't a fan.

Firecracker Soccer

Ryland started soccer this Saturday, and it was an experience.  He complained about everything.  "The sun is in my eyes.  I have a headache.  I can't breathe.  The bugs are biting me.  My arm itches.  He took the ball from me.  He won't share the ball."  Oh yes, it was that awesome.  All of the complaints came with all out crying, drooling, and snot.  He cried and screamed while he was on the field and while on the sidelines.  Absolutely ridiculous.  We stayed to cheer on the team, but we are going to have to chat on the way home. 

Bat 1 Reed 0

Reed got a little too close while Ryland was batting.  I heard the screaming and ran to the back door.  John Chris met me there holding Reed.  The area around his eye was swollen and red immediately, and he had a cut above his eyebrow which was bleeding.  We will watch him over the next few hours, but he is acting completely normal after about 5 minutes of crying.  He is a tough kiddo!

 

Reed's Last Day of School

I always know the tears will flow when I see this binder on the last day of school.  Every year as I flip through the pages of that year's book, I am reminded at how fast the time is flying.  I waited until I picked Reed up and had him buckled in the truck before I just had to take a look.  I giggled and cried as I flipped the pages.  Reed is such a fun loving, silly, lovable boy, and I was overwhelmed with joy.  I look forward to seeing how he grows and learns through the years of school.  These are just a few snap shots of the binder pages.

 

 

 

 

I was already a little bit on the emotional side after our goodbyes at Stars Academy.  Both the boys will be attending Chapel Hill next year, so this felt like a little milestone.  It was especially hard to say goodbye to Ms. Nan.  She was the first baby teacher for both of my boys, and we will all miss her dearly.

 

CHCS Spring Program

Chapel Hill Children's School had their annual Spring Program.  Ryland and his classmates practiced two songs for several weeks and even had informal rehearsals in the original chapel. 

I was so happy to have a great view of my boy right up front.  He came in the building chewing on his shirt collar, so I got his attention with a wave, a thumbs up, and a big smile.  Another kid started bawling, and I think it pushed Ryland right over the edge.  He stood completely still for the first song.  No singing or cute hand motions.  The second song started, and Ryland started crying. 

It was a painfully long - but really short - song that he cried all the way through.  I immediately teared up as well, and I just wanted to give my "Bubby" a big hug. I had a hunch this might happen, since he is a little sensitive every now and then.  We had talked about it a dozen times, and we even practiced how much fun it would be. 

The stage got the best of him this time, but we will work on it.  I did go ahead and purchase the DVD.  I just  know we will watch it one day and laugh.

 

Mini Kickers

Ryland has expressed interest in soccer over the last few months, so we thought a mini camp would be the perfect way to try it out.  He was once again really excited about the uniform and the possibility of getting a trophy.

All the excitement came to a halt, when the group was warming up.  They listened to the rules and stretched.  It was then time for 10 jumping jacks.  Ryland jumped out for one and then realized he didn't know how to do a jumping jack.  I saw the devastation all over his face.  He immediately started crying and ran over to me.  We had a little chat, and he decided to get back in there. 

The rest of the afternoon was awesome.  He loved kicking the ball around, making new friends, and learning a new sport.  The coaches told them all to go home and practice what they covered.  We also need to practice our jumping jacks!

Reed's First Haircut

It was time.  Actually, it was way past time.  Reed was in need of a haircut, and it just happened to be a good time for all of us to go do it.  He was all smiles when he saw the car chairs.  He chose the taxi car and climbed right in. 

 

Reed did pretty great for his first haircut.  He wasn't a big fan of the cape, and he started crying when it was snapped around his neck.  After about 15 minutes, he had a snazzy shorter do.  He is a big boy!

Meet the teacher

The boys and I had an opportunity to meet their new teachers this morning at school. 

I dropped Reed at his classroom first, and it all went nuts.  There were two other kids crying when we reached the class, and it set him off too.  I walked in with him attached to my leg screaming "Mommy" at the top of his lungs.  I tried to calm him down by pointing out that his friends were there, but he wouldn't have it.  After about 3 minutes of an all out fit, I decided to just go.  It broke my heart to leave him so upset, but I knew he would be over it soon.

I headed upstairs to Ryland's new class, and he was acting very nervous.  By the time we reached the classroom, he was crying and refusing to go in.  I squatted down to talk to him about how much fun it was, and how I would be right down the hall at a meeting.  I explained that we would only be there for a little while and then we would head to lunch with the Wood girls.  He wasn't buying it either.  I had to pull him into the classroom while he was crying and chewing on the collar of his shirt.  I left him crying and unhappy too.

All the parents attended a meeting about all the policies and rules, and then we toured the school.  I am very familiar with the school, since Ryland is starting his 4th class there, but I was very impressed with what they had to offer since he has moved into the big kids department.  They have a great great library, playground, lunch room, and music class.  I quicky realized my boys are growing up.

I headed back to Ryland's class to find him happy and content playing in the floor with one of his friends.  He told me he had fun in his big class and pointed out his wet collar.  He told me he chewed it because he was nervous.  (hmm...OK)  We headed downstairs to pick up Reed, and he was happy as could be sitting at the table drawing. 

Oh, the boys and their dramatic morning. 

No more paci

Well, it happened today. In all our craziness this morning, I somehow left the house without Reed's pacifier. I didn't realize it was missing until I dropped him off at school. Ooops! I talked to his teacher, and we decided to see how it goes. I waited for a call, but it never came.

Since he did well without it at school, I decided today was the day it would go away for good. We went to the gym and spent the evening without the paci, so we were ready to try bedtime. After dinner and a bath, we put Reed down for bed. He knew immediately that he didn't have it, and he started to cry.

It broke my heart to hear him cry it out, but I kept telling myself it was for his own good. I also reminded myself that our pediatrician says that pacifiers are fine until one year old. I thought back to when we took Ryland's paci away, and how silly we felt for putting up with the paci drama for so long.

Reed fought it for a while and let us know that he was upset, but then he laid down and got quiet. He was asleep after 28 minutes of crying. I just hope he sleeps tonight!

Ryland's first haircut

Ryland's hair has gotten out of control! John Chris and I have been talking about when we were going to have Ryland's first hair cut, and we decided that today would be the day. We wanted to just shape up his shaggy mess.
John Chris is explaining how the haircut won't hurt and how much better he will look. They look so deep in conversation. Do you think Ryland is buying it?

The minute he sat in the firetruck chair he started fussing, and all hell broke loose the minute the cape went around Ryland's neck. The lady said that this was a normal reaction for first haircuts. The fit got pretty ridiculous and the drooling started. We tried candy and his blanket to calm him, but neither worked.

WOW! What a cute little boy! He is all smiles now that the scissors and the cape are gone. He still looks like himself, and we are all pleased.

Graduated swim school

Ryland had his last swim class tonight, and I am kind of glad it is over. I feel that he has learned to play more in the water, but the past couple of weeks have been a scream fest. He now knows when he has to go under water, and he doesn't want to participate. When we start singing the little song where they come to us off the wall, he goes nuts.
He has had fun playing with the other kids, and I feel more confident about what to do to help him relax and have more fun in the pool. Congrats, Ryland, you graduated Waterbabies.

Missing my Bubby

Ryland is in LA this week visiting with his grandparents. They really wanted to spend some time with him this summer, and we thought we would be able to get some things accomplished at home. I was really hesitant to agree to a whole week, and I am now wishing I could see my Bubby. I am in west TX trying to go to sleep, but instead I am looking through pictures crying my eyes out. I miss him so much!

OK, Candice, pull it together. You will see him in just a few days, and you know he is having a blast. Now go to sleep!

Major OUCH!

I am putting out the trash, and Ryland is playing in the garage. I am down to two more bags, and he starts trying to run out of the garage. I grab him before he falls and explain how he needs to slow down and be careful so he doesn't fall. He starts kicking his legs and trying to throw a fit, so I sit him on the floor. I turn to grab the last bag only to turn around and see him sprinting out of the garage and down the slope in our driveway. It is almost like slow motion. I couldn't get to him fast enough. SPLAT. He face plants right into the concrete. He immediately starts screaming, and I am afraid of what I will see when I pick him up and flip him over.

It wasn't as bad as I thought it would be, but his head has a scrape and a knot. I carry him inside to show John Chris and Liz. Of course he will not allow us to put ice on it, so what else could we do but start taking pictures.
OK! Enough! I think this is the get that camera out of my face cry.

Christmas spirit

Ryland is in the Christmas spirit today. He is about to get a red face.

Holding a bottle is over rated

Ryland has decided to stop holding his bottle this week. If I even attempt to put his hand on the bottle, he goes crazy. I mean an all out crazy fit. He starts arching his back, slinging his arms, screaming, and crying. This crazy fit happens every time I try to put his hands on the bottle. I have no idea what is going on with him.