Busy Aaron

Just because I don't have girls doesn't mean I won't be buying earrings!
We got Aaron's ear pierced over the summer and I think it looks pretty neat. He is doing a fair job of keeping it clean. Man, it is so hard to get some of those more boyish earrings put in correctly! They don't latch like ours. Usually, they form a continuous loop. The first time he lost (notice I said first) his earring, 3boyzdad had to use pliers to get the new earring to close properly. That was an ordeal, all of us crammed into the bathroom, Aaron with his head cranked over to the side and we were working furiously to get the darn earring latched. He can withstand so much more discomfort when it is for something he wants.

Coal for Christmas
Last weekend I lost my mind and bought him this Sony PSP. Super nice system, gets internet anywhere there is a hotspot, has a great picture, plays movies, etc. I won't even mention the cost, but will say his Christmas and birthday are wrapped up in it. I told him he is only getting sweaters now.

COHO
Aaron has been practicing after school for a month now to try out for COHO (Central Oklahoma Honor Orchestra). We have to be at Casidy School by 7:30am in the morning, ugghh. That is going to be tough for a Saturday. I am hopeful that he will make it, I would love to see him in this extra-curricular activity.

Fair
Here is Lucas at the Oklahoma State Fair. He LOVES tractors. As we drive down the street in the car, he calls out, "Tractor! Tractor!" as we pass any big work equipment, whatsoever.

Before and After

Daniel and I traveled again, this time to Florida to meet his Great grandmother visiting from Colombia. She is a sweet lady of 92 years old in excellent health, but has declared this to be her last visit to the states. Hopefully, it wasn't.

While there we shopped at the mall and visited the ocean. I stuck his little feet in the water. So cute.
Also, his grandmother, 3boyzdad's mom, wanted his hair to be shaved off. She and most of their family thinks it will make it grow back thicker. I wasn't thrilled with the idea, but relented. Fortunately, hair does grow back!

Here is Daniel with his second cousin Luisa and great abuelita. They have matching hairstyles now.

Everyone there speaks Spanish so it is great practice for me to spend time with them. It is also nice to get to know 3boyzdad's family. They are just a big network of the nicest people you would ever want to meet.

So much to write about, so little time. I have been so stressed lately with school, traveling, and taking care of the house and kids. 3boyzdad went out of town yesterday to a watch party for the Formula One races. He never goes anywhere and this is his favorite interest, so could I beg him to stay home? Not really. Not that anything could have kept him home. I could tell he was in a hurry to leave before I came up with a hundred reasons for him to stay and help me. He had fun and his favorite driver won first place.

I did finally use a laundry service to help with the laundry at home. Laundry accumulates on my living room couch and refuses to fold itself up and put itself away. It cost 85¢/lb but maybe it was worth it. I'll try it a couple more times and see if it helps me out.

Labor Day Weekend at Aunti M's

Labor Day weekend was great. Daniel and I flew to Connecticut to introduce him to his Auntie M, my younger sister. Daniel is an awesome flyer, the airplane engine had an incredible tranquilizing effect on him. He would sleep through the entire flight, then wake up in time to flirt with all of the passengers and flight attendants before we got off the plane.

Auntie M fell in love at first sight and just bonded with him right away. She said I carry him like a cabbage patch doll (hanging on one arm, facing out). One day she accidentally put him to sleep by rubbing his forhead right between his eyes.

Auntie M and Sherri took us out to eat fish (which I unexpectedly liked, Daniel politely passed), had a cookout with friends and took us to the Mohegan Sun which is a huge complex with a hotel, mall and two casinos. We put Daniel in the nursery there while I lost all my money on the rullette table.

Losses and all, we've unofficially decided to make Labor Day weekend my time to visit Connecticut. The weather there is perfect and we had a great time catching up.

A Fine Beginning

Lucas has been sent to the assistant principal's office twice already. Lucas has so many neat qualities, I just can't go on enough about how he sings, dances, acts, plays tickle monster, and more. He loves to hug, take walks, play cowboys, ninjas, Jedi, etc. But, he also can't seem to submit to authority. Just correcting the smallest of infractions turns this boy from sweet to sour in a second. He shouts NO to the world, including Mommy and Daddy, Grandma and BigPa, Auntie Em, and now, his teacher, too. He also insists on having the last word.
"Lucas, stop hitting your brother." Says 3boyzdad.
"NO!" retorts 4-year-old Lucas.
"Lucas, go play in your room/outside/etc." 3boyzdad commands.
"NO!" screams 4-year-old Lucas.
"Lucas, be quiet and go play a game."
"NO"
Well, it digresses from there...
Luckily, so far the assistant principal and the teacher are working with us to help Lucas learn to act appropriately in social situations. I would be sad to have to report he has been expelled from Pre-K! So, today I tried teaching Lucas to say, "Okay" in this really fun voice. Very animated and higher pitched. I'm hoping giving this little actor/performer something fun to respond with will keep him out of trouble at school and restore some peace at home, too.

Change of Plans

Today was supposed to be a fun day. I was going to take all the kids and my mom to the governor's mansion for Septemberfest, have a little picnic, and enjoy the sunshine. But, Daniel is sick. You can see it in his little eyes...

How do kids always get sick at night and on the weekends? How do their little clocks know that the doctor is out of town? I had the hardest time finding the information I needed about how to feed a 5 month old with a fever. I finally got a call back from the on-call pediatrician and Daniel is now working his way through Pedialyte, then diluted formula over the next three days.

J (my husband) and I saw The Exorcism of Emily Rose yesterday. It is based on a true story and J says it is the only exorcism recognized by the Catholic church. I normally do not watch horror films, but this one was different because all through the movie I kept remembering this was someone's actual experience. Very thought provoking, really.

Introduction

This blog will chronicle the adventures of raising three boys.

Aaron is 13 years old, in 8th grade and plays the violin. His hobbies are XBox, Playstation, and spending tons of time with his best friend, B. He is a great source of joy and frustration, which is probably how most 13 year olds are!

Lucas is 4 and just started Pre-K. He is a ball of fire. He is a master of memorization, can rattle off scenes from his favorite movies to everyone's delight. He is loving, sweet, precious, and defiant! Besides eating chocolate, watching veggitales, and playing Jedi games on the computer, his favorite word is NO. Still.

Daniel is just 5 months, our newest and final addition to the family. He has been a complete joy. There must something about the 3rd one, because he is the best baby ever. He sleeps all night and smiles all day. Of course, he does cry, but soothes easily.

I read other mom's blogs and just decided I have a lot to write about. Thanks for reading!