slow and steady

2016 and 2017 books are ordered and should be here in a couple of weeks!!  I have been waiting patiently, assuming I'd get a promo code eventually.  And it paid off, big time.  45% off!  I don't think I've seen one this good before.  So I ordered three books.  2016 is together, and I broke 2017 in half though.  It's a lot of pages.  I'm worried the mostly-picture posts aren't going to print neatly.  We'll see.  And even though on the blog my captions are almost framed if you will with the pictures, it doesn't appear that they will look like that in the book.  2018 is on hold until I see how these come out.  Coleson had sent me a link awhile back for printing straight from google photos.  I may need to investigate that for 2018 since there's only one actual post.  Perhaps I'll be able to do blog books again for 2019 and forward as I actually blog and write more.  

Happy Thanksgiving and Black Friday shopping to all!  Stay tuned for a post about our fun week in Charlotte and Greenville!

living in the past

Well it's official ... 2017 has come to a close.  When my blogging got it's second life a couple of months ago, I had only printed blog books through 2012.  I love tangible memories - saving everything online still seems a little odd and cold and impersonal.  The bookshelves on the left side of our fireplace house my ancient photo albums, blog books, shutterfly books, all sorts of memories, and I love seeing my kiddos pull out a book and sit on the couch flipping through it.  There's just something about holding it in your hands and actually seeing it.  I suppose that's the reason I still read books, it's just not the same on a screen.  Despite having not printed them out, I had blogged pretty well the years 2013, 14, and 15 so those books were a fairly easy order.  The years 2016 and 17 were a different story though - and actually so is 2018, but I'll come back around to that. 

Off and on for the past two months maybe, I've been recreating 2016 and 2017 and backdating a lot of posts.  It's been a little weird and a little fun living in the past.  Hard to believe so much has changed in just a few short years.  Probably most noticeably is Chloe as she made the transition from preschool to elementary during this time period.  And for better or worse, her friends have completely changed.  Oh how I miss the days of Couper and Alice and the sweet innocence of the church preschool.  It was such a fun walk down memory lane posting about those days. 

In fact, I think I delved a little too deep into those memories.  I've got a lot of posts and a lot of pictures within those posts.  It sure felt good to finish those years and capture some of my babies' childhoods!  Now to wait for a coupon code for the blog to print site I use.  There was a 35% off one that was good in October, but I wasn't ready yet.  I've waited this long to print, so I'll wait until another code comes along.  And I'm not going to start into 2018 just yet.  I want to see what the 2017 book looks like first.  How well it prints with all those pictures, how many pages it is, that sort of thing.  Then I'll be able to better evaluate what to do with the year 2018.  I did post one post that year 😝  And while 2019 started slow [nonexistent], I've really gotten back into the swing of things.  So far now, woo-hoo, 2016 and 2017 have been relegated back to the past!  Bring on 2018 and 2019.  And before we know it 2020 too, eekkk!!

update on Chloe's arm

Chloe had a follow-up with Ed today for her left arm.  Hard to believe it had been three months since the last check-up!  Janice wasn't there, she had said her goodbyes to us at the last appt, she took a job closer to home.  It sounded like a great opportunity for her, but we sure missed getting to see her today!  Ed was his usual awesome and funny and quirky self.
Here's the x-ray from this morning, about 4.5 months after the break [6.24 - Lolly's birthday is how I remember!]

Chloe's left arm - still not quite there, can you tell the bones are still bowed and extra thick where it's trying to mend itself? 
But Ed was happy - no more brace!!  and no more follow-ups.  Only limitations are no gymnastics and while soccer is fine, no goalie. 
It'll take another year or so to fully heal - he said about an inch in height is about the amount of time/ bone growth the arm will need.
Chloe's range of motion was good on everything except the side to side rotating - picture turning your wrist over - simply because the bone is too big and bowed and in its own way.  This will come in time and without the brace, she can get her full muscle strength back.
So that's that, I suppose!  All better!  Or at least, as better as can be expected!  Yay, Chloe, way to be such a trooper :)  our Chlo-Chlo is one tough cookie. 

Ryan! age 12

12 years old!!
Middle Schooler!!

Wow.  My first baby isn't a baby.  I blinked.  But he's doing awesome and growing into quite a fine young man.  We have our moments of course, but he's truly a good kid.

Middle school seems to be a good fit for him - I really think he's doing a great job of balancing the added responsibility, a schedule full of the most advanced/ accelerated classes a 6th grader can take, trying new things, etc.  He continues to excel academically and made the academic bowl team.

He plays all sorts of sports- at the moment flag football and basketball are overlapping; he also still enjoys baseball.  He's got great friends.  He loves to play outside with friends, but I can always count on him to make sure his schoolwork is done.

He loves anything red and black - the Falcons, the Hawks, the Braves, UGA.  And his clothing reflects his sports, along with his allegiance to Under Armor and Nike.  Never Addidas or Puma :)  and always basketball shorts, never pants.  A hoodie if it gets cold.

He goes to Rev Students at church every Wednesday night.  I love this!  He's in a small group with buddies Matthew and Jake, and we usually carpool them up there together.  He's also going through the process to become a Sunday morning volunteer in the kids' ministry- production like his parents!

Tacos.  and more tacos.  And salsa.  doesn't even need a chip, he'll drink the salsa if we let him or he thinks we're not paying attention!  Favorite restaurant is still Las Palmas, also likes Taco Bell and Moe's.  We went to Las Palmas for his birthday dinner, and he actually asked if we'd make sure they sang and he got to wear the hat!  awesome!  We took Clark with us.  Ryan does like pizza pretty well too, but unlike the rest of us he prefers the thinner style. 

At his 12 year appt a couple of days ago, he was 59.5" tall - can't they just round up and give him the five feet?!  82 pounds.  Both seem to continue to be right on average for his age.  I'm convinced he'll have a growth spurt in a couple years.  I doubt it will be long before he's taller them me, craziness.  Hasn't started the physical changes yet, but I think we're starting to get there on some of the emotional and social ones!

He's not much for hugs or physical touch, but every once in awhile I can get him to lean on me when we're watching a game on TV.  I love those moments!  He's sitting in the passenger seat now - never when there's another adult though of course.  I do enjoy this too, I think it makes for easier conversation.  Although he does still read alllll the time, which is definitely good.  He loves his sports fiction stories, but also eats up trivia books and world records and history [Pearl Harbor, Hurricane Katrina, 9/11].  Still doesn't care much for music and only lasted one quarter as a trumpet player in the middle school band.

We had a great time celebrating him in early October - his actual day fell over Cherokee county's fall break.  For the second year in a row, we rented the Trinity Church Gym for two hours.  This is the best!  They can just run and play and shoot hoops and weather doesn't matter and my house doesn't get destroyed and it's waaayyy cheaper then anything else.  Per his request, we had Domino's Pizza and gatorades and ice cream sandwiches.  They played basketball and dodgeball mostly.  And tried to flip gatorade bottles onto the outside window ledges, boys.  Ryan's got the best group of friends and they were all there, I don't think we had any no's  ::  Ryan, Cooper, Lucas, Kaden, Matthew, Jake, Clark, Spence, Tripp, Grady, Cooper A, and Miles Young.  Such a fun night celebrating.

I love you my not-so-little Little Man!!

Birthday dinner at Las Palmas, with Clark

with his bestest buddies at his party

this and that

After Halloween Thursday and 17hour field trip Friday, Abby had a bright and early Saturday game.  We've had to do more dividing and conquering this year then usual, but it's all worked out so far.  Saturday, Coleson took Ryan to his basketball practice from 9-10am and then from there they went to Chloe's game - they had to be there at 10:20, perfect timing.  So Abby and I went down to Roswell for her game.  Oh my gosh, those Santos girls were GOOD!  We were still half-asleep I guess, but even at our best, they were just that good.  I didn't know 9year olds could pass like that.

So I've had in the back of my mind forever that I wanted to try this coffee shop in downtown Roswell.  I don't even know where I first heard about it.  So after the game, I look at my gps, and we're .3miles away.  We walked :)  It was fun and yummy!!  and expensive.  oh well.  Abby got a hot chocolate and my coffee was quite good.  Here's my current favorite picture of Abby-girl....

Her soccer sure keeps us busy, but you know I really am enjoying it.  She loves it, so I love it.  And even with these away games, the car rides really aren't that bad.  It's been good talking time and music blasting time.  Since I hadn't seen the girls at all on Friday, Abby talked non-stop all the way to the game [esp impressive considering we left at 7:45am].  She told me every detail of every obstacle on the East Cherokee road race fundraiser event they had done at school the day before.  And of course she usually ends up dj'ing the radio/my phone at some point.  

After the coffee shop, we headed back to the country :) and met up with the rest of our crew for Chloe's i9 soccer game.  She loves playing!  She has Coach Daddy this season, along with Mr. David- Jake's dad [and Ryan's buddy, Matthew].  It's been a learning season, but they are learning and getting better every game.  And they're the cutest little herd of cats you'll ever see!

Home for a quick lunch and back to i9 for flag football.  Ryan has a really fun team!  Coach Cody, Clark's dad, and Coach Jeremy, Jake's dad, has been the assistant.  So Ryan, Clark, Jake, along with Spence and Matthew.  Trevor is one of Clark's best buds, and we've seen him around baseball forever.  Spence's cousin Michael.  And one lone potluck kiddo, Sam, who is an awesome player and seems to fit in really well.  I love that Cody and Jeremy have been holding weeknight practices and investing in the boys.  It's not even about winning or losing, but just the team camaraderie and friendships and being a part of something.  They played the first place team this weekend and lost by one touchdown.  I thought they played great, but I know some of the boys and coaches took the loss hard.  

After the game, Matthew and Jake came over to watch the UGA - FL football game.  It was an awesome game and a solid Dawg win, but the boys played basketball in the driveway the whole time and wouldn't know!  Rumor is they were sore and tired, esp Jake, after basketball practices, a flag football game, and about four hours in our driveway.  I guess we did our jobs as parents that day - tired kids are good kids.

After church, Sunday featured an away soccer game for Abs and her Daddy.  The other team was apparently really good again, but we held our own and ended in a 2-2 draw.  The game was about 1:15 away, so they were gone pretty much all day!  Ryan went with Kaden to his Adventure Air birthday party, and I dropped Chloe off at Rachel's party [Clark's sister :)].  As it worked out, I was alone for about an hour and a half in the middle of a Sunday.  A little weird, but I went for a great run and took a hot shower.  Abby and Daddy picked up Olive Garden with the last of a giftcard, and it was wonderful to all be in for the evening and enjoy a good meal together.  Even if it was dark ridiculously early, yay time change.  And oh!! ... so we also watched the ten year old Little People dvd after dinner.  Yes, all five of us.  Classic.  Man, I miss that dvd and our afternoon quiet times.  

Monday was fairly routine with school and practices, but then the kiddos were off Tuesday for election day.  That'll confuse your week!  We enjoyed Ryan's 12 year check-up and flu shots?!  But missing middle school is a lot more daunting then elementary - and Ryan doesn't want to miss either anyways.  And we did make the best of it - we went out for a yummy pizza lunch.   The theme of Tuesday was "hurry up and wait."  We got to the doctor a minute or two early, were called back on time, but then waited about 40 minutes for the doctor to come in.  That'll make for stir crazy kids, and Abby earned the nickname "Giggles" from Dr Bowman.  From there we went about half a mile to the bank - but they were paving the road.  Luckily we weren't in any hurry.  Our pizza lunch was really fun, a cute place in downtown Crabapple.  They had pizza and wing lunch specials, so everyone was happy [Ryan loves him some hot wings and Abby gets lemon pepper].  But of course we had to wait.  It was fine, I just wasn't expecting to wait 30 minutes for a lunch special slice of pizza and wings?!  Oh well :)  Like I said, we really were just fine, I'm not lying to make everything look falsely happy and perfect.  I enjoyed a break from routine and being with my little flock.  I love how involved they all are, but I also treasure the slow moments together!  Mommy's flu shot at publix, a few minutes at home, and Abby & Taylor's soccer practice that evening.  Usually we work it out so one parent takes them without siblings.  So much easier and then it's perfect for running, walking, whatever.  But Coleson had late meetings, so I took Ryan and Chloe with me.  But we had planned for it and brought books and school work and added things to the amazon Christmas wish list.  Sometimes the confinement of the car is a good thing :) - kinda like when Abby and I go to away games I suppose!  

It's such a balance sometimes I feel like - this whole your kids growing up really fast thing.  I LOVE seeing them become little people, find their passions, excel at school and sports, make real friendships, discover their personalities.  But I also miss having them little and always around and doing everything together.  Of course by this stage, it's super easy to forget about all the hard parts and the fussiness and lack of sleep.  It's just so different.  I remember my cousin Teri tell me years ago, that it changes - when they're little it's more of a physical exhaustion, but as the get older it gets harder emotionally.  I will agree with that!  I've been sleeping through the night for years, but it's definitely becoming more about emotional exhaustion and attitudes and relationships and bickering and backtalk and finding the right mix of independence and responsibility.  My kiddos are awesome though, and I do sometimes feel like we're sort of in a sweet spot right now.  I'm sure it'll get harder as the teenage years get closer and closer!  Anyways, enough of that little pondering, wandering tangent.

Happy Thursday, y'all!!  Make it great!

Ryan's space museum field trip

Friday, 11.1.19
Ryan's 6th grade field trip!
What a day!!  We had fun, but it was a doozy alright 😝 hardest chaperoning gig I've had to date.
The day after Halloween.  We left the house at 6am.  We drove Cooper up to the school with us - no need leaving the house at 6am if you don't need to, right?!  a four hour bus ride to Huntsville, AL.  Our bus was a couple of moms, Mrs. Garrison the math teacher, and ALL boys!  They were actually pretty well behaved.  I wonder if all boys is probably all easier then all girls at this age.

Upon exiting the bus, the adult chaperones were handed a list of all the boys.  Craziness.  I've never been on a field trip where I didn't have my kid and a couple of friends.  Let's just say keeping up with 20-something boys is not easy.  Esp when you don't really know them.  And the ones you do know are the other chaperones' kids because that's just how it works.  All TEN buses unload in front of the Space Museum, and its chaos.  Kids going everywhere, adults not knowing/ agreeing on where to go.  Only one of the six adults with us had been there before - so five clueless ones, and one kinda bossy.  Anyways, we eventually became a sub-group of 12, and that was better and more manageable.  Ryan and I split off with Tripp's dad Rand and Miles's dad Nathan.  Leigh and Spence went the other direction.  Although there was still a lot of texting with Leigh - including a "help have you seen _____" -who fortunately had met up with her and was safe.

Chaos and confusion aside, I think the kiddos had fun.  The interactive things are always more fun for Ryan and his active, athletic friends.  They rode the G-force, and I don't think anybody puked.  They climbed a rock wall.  We watched a movie about the moon landing.

And then we topped it off with Cici's for dinner -yumm?!  Kudos to the teachers though for letting the chaperones exit the buses first and get food.  Brilliant.  Then we were done and ready to supervise.  We returned to the middle school about 10:15/10:30pm.  LONG day!!  Oh and yes, there was a home football game.  That ended about five mins before our return.  So yes it was a cluster.  The buses couldn't even get into the bus slots and ended up just letting kids out.  So kids are crossing dark, overflowed parking lots looking for parents and rides.  Middle school is sooo different then elementary!  Fortunately we had offered rides to three of Ryan's buddies since I was going to be with them anyways.  Again, silly to come out at that hour if you don't have to and you have sleeping siblings and you don't know exactly when we'll be back.  So that was a few less cars.  By the time we collected our kids, managed to get out of the parking lot, and dropped off Ryan's buddies, we arrived home at 11pm.  But we survived, and I returned all 12 of my kids - as well as locating the four boys I was driving home.  Small victories!

while we were still trying to keep up with 20-something

my boy!

Tripp and Ryan - my favorite pic of the day!

11 of the 12 in our sub group

Three Ryans!! with Spence, Dean, and Tripp

So speaking of that last picture with three Ryans...  I was amused by the fact the Ryan is "Ryan Chase."  Ryan became Ryan C in 3rd grade when we met Ryan G - they were in Mrs. Dotson's class together and a couple of basketball teams.  But now they've added another Ryan C into the mix apparently.  And he's Ryan C and our Ryan is Ryan Chase.  Obviously this is how they are known in school - when the teacher called role, Ryan didn't answer to "Ryan C," but waited for Ryan Chase, he knew.  So Ryan C, Ryan Chase, and Ryan G.  goodness!

Also, I observed that Ryan and Tripp have become really good friends.  I mean I knew this, but the two of them kept coming back to each other, even over Spence and Grady and some of the others that I thought they were close to.  And I'm still extra amused by this since they were good buddies in kindergarten too.  Crazy how that came back around, love it. 

Halloween 2019

Lots of *Halloween* fun was had this year!!  From dressing up for church to a costume soccer practice to a Halloween dance at school.  And of course all the chili dinner and trick-or-treating fun too.

Ryan was a garbage man this year.  Nothing fun and creative for Mommy to put together, but I'm happy he and his buddies were still out and about and trick-or-treating and having fun.  He didn't dress up for school or anything like that this year, but he did throw on a yellow vest and walk around with a garbage bag.  I think that was a large part of the appeal of the costume - carrying a trash bag to collect large amounts of candy :)  Not that my kids really ever even eat a lot.

Abby was Alex Morgan, a soccer player from the US Women's National team - the one that won the World Cup this past summer.  Taylor was also Alex Morgan, so they were twinning at church and again at soccer practice.  I loved that there were so many soccer player costumes at practice, including three Alex Morgans.  These are Abby's people!  The girls also had wacky sock and hair day during Halloween week which happened to fall on soccer practice night, so Abby went with three red&blue-dyed pigtail braids.  For Halloween itself, she didn't trick-or-treat at all, but she did dress the part.

Chloe was the cutest little Mac and Cheese ever!  Mommy had lots of fun with this costume.  However, for the school dance and for Halloween day at school, she wore an old pirate costume.  Well, she was supposed to at least.  Despite numerous conversations about keeping on your costume, I did get this Halloween morning 😏🙄 ...

What can you do?!?  This girl - and her stubborn attitude - is gonna be the end of me!! :)  

For Halloween night, she did wear the Mac and Cheese costume.  She and Daddy trick-or-treated for maybe ten minutes before she made her way home.  She LOVES handing out the candy.  That worked really well this year, now that she's a bit older.  She set up by the front door and several of us just stayed inside sitting at the kitchen table.  It was perfect - we could watch her the whole time, but stay warm and cozy.  **Winter arrived ON Halloween day this year.  I ran about 10am, and it was 75*.  By trick-or-treat time, the temp had plummeted to about 40* and INSANELY windy.  But at least the rain stopped in time?!

The weather did make for an indoor chili dinner, which wasn't ideal, but worked out just fine.  It's not even really the large amount of people in my house, as much as I just like to be outside.  I decorated the kitchen this year, but I would have much rather put up all my outdoor stuff.  I love hanging streamers from the fence and I had purchased colorful lights this year too.  Oh well.  It was our first nasty Halloween in this house, so at least four years.  I do remember a cold rainy Halloween in Mill Creek when the kids were still pretty little.  So overall, it was all good.  I'd just take warm over cold any day of the year!!

Spence, Jake, Clark, Ryan

Chloe, Toby, Rachel 

Chloe, Emma, Lillian, Hensley at the school dance

Costume soccer practice - Abby and Taylor in white