Life as a Lewis

Fall has finally arrived! We have had beautiful (a.k.a. cool) weather the last 2 days, and I love it! Here's a quick picture of Rory wearing long sleeves for the first time this season. In hopes that the warm weather is gone for good, I cleaned out all the summer clothing and hung up all her fall/winter clothes. The closet is more than a little full so it better stay cool! The number of kids with the flu in Brian's classroom is now EIGHT! That leaves him 12 healthy children in his room. So far the schools are resisting closing down even though there was approximately 30% of students gone. They even sent a memo telling the teachers that they are required to continue teaching new material while the students are gone. I think it's just time to call it a day and shut down so everyone can get well and stop sharing germs. That would be my completely professional opinion. :) Rory and I walked yesterday with 2 friends from church and are headed back out this morning after we drop C...

I always forget how busy Mondays are until I experience them. We're generally tired out from Sunday (is that supposed to happen if it's a day of rest?). When Brian gets home, he generally plays with the kids while I fix supper, then Brian and Camden go to baseball while I take Rory to gymnastics. After gymnastics, Rory and I go to the baseball field to watch the last 45 minutes of Camden's game, then we all head home, try to push the kids through their bedtime routines as quickly as possible and then collapse on the couch. Thank goodness we only have one night like this (if you don't count church on Wednesday). We're willing to do it for one night - the kids both love what they're doing. But in the interest of sanity, we're not doing more! I'm sure sticking to that decision will be difficult as they get older, and there will be brief periods of time (such as spring baseball season) where it won't be quite possible, but we really are committed to keep...

I'm operating on very little sleep this morning and have already gotten myself and the two kids ready, dropped Camden off at school, shopped for 2 weeks worth of groceries/supplies at Walmart and Kroger, made a bank run, unloaded and put away groceries and now I find myself with no energy for a blog post. :) So I'll leave you with 3 pics from yesterday and I'll post actual birthday pics tomorrow (these are the best of the bunch anyway). This one's not that great, but look at how tall she's getting! She is outgrowing new fall clothing before she even gets a chance to wear them!

It was Grandparent's Day at Camden's school today. Since my parents couldn't attend, we taped a little viewing just for them. A few side notes: Clearly, the teacher has been working with them because Camden's typical singing voice (especially in public) is LOUD. I know those of you who have been present at a Christmas program know what I'm talking about! Camden says this is much more exciting when he's with his class because they have colored pictures to hold up. He is Pluto. I was trying not to laugh while I taped this because Rory was jumping out from behind me saying "boo" trying to get him to smile. When he finishes, she says "good job, buddy." And, of course, Rory can't be left out. She's been practicing this "poem" ever since Camden came home reciting it. The pronunciation of planets are a bit inappropriate but you get the picture. :) Gram and Camden

Rory's third birthday is this weekend. How did this happen? Seriously, I can't believe she's already 3, although when you think that we missed the first half of her life, I guess I can believe it. Because we are currently living in a tropical rainforest, I haven't been able to take some pictures for her 3 year scrap pages (because they will probably be numerous), but better weather is supposed to arrive Sunday just in time for her birthday so maybe I can get pictures then (and you know she's got something cute to wear for them!). Here is my random list for the week: I almost stepped on a snake yesterday when Rory and I were out braving the rain and wet yard (a.k.a. tropical rainforest) to check the mail. The experience is enough to keep me indoors for several months. Rory has reached the dreaded "watch me" stage. Camden started about age 2 and is unfortunately still in this stage. I heard everything from "watch me suck my sucker" to "watch ...

Since I've been sitting here for the last 10 minutes trying to think of something to write about, that just might be my clue to show pictures instead of boring you with words. Our newest curl trial. This one is our best yet. And can you believe I took this picture before 7:00 a.m.? She woke up early and happy. A close-up Isn't it nice he's 6 and can smile on demand? He goes outside and spends endless time throwing this baby football in the air and then catching it I might have created a vain little monster. I fixed her hair and she immediately said, " take my picture, mommy." One last picture

I've been rereading Creative Correction by Lisa Welchel , and one of the suggestions it gives is to ask your child to state one positive thing about the other child when he tattles or is negative. Since school began, Camden has been much more negative with Rory complaining about everything she does, saying she's just a baby, etc. So yesterday, every time Camden complained that Rory says "batmaam" instead of Batman, or that she was looking at him (oh, the horror!), etc. I asked him to tell me one thing he loves about Rory. Not sure yet if it's going to be effective, but it definitely annoying him so I hope it will make him stop and think a little before he opens his mouth. I know that there will always be sibling rivalry and discord, but one of my goals as a parent is for the two of them to be respectful with each other. They don't have to be best friends, but they do have to treat each other with kindness. I'm finding the book to be very helpful - I've...

I realize I sound like a broken record, but enough with the humidity and rain! I am grateful that we're not in the area of Tennessee where it's flooding, but I am so sick of rain and bad weather. Where is fall? I think most of my problem is that I grew up in northern Illinois where we didn't start school until after Labor Day and fall had most definitely arrived by then. You'd think after 12 years in Tennessee, I'd be used to the weather by now. Brian's 4th grade class has a confirmed case of swine flu and he had 3 kids go home sick yesterday. I kinda want to disinfect him as he walks through the door every day. :) Rory decided to grace us (several times) with her Shake It routine during gymnastics last night and had everyone cracking up. She is still just loving it although her trampoline skills are sorely lacking. I've been letting her jump on the bed (don't tell Camden) and she's getting better. Here are just a few of things that came our of her ...

I'm not feeling very talkative this morning so I'll just leave you with a few pages. Lauren Grier: A Beautiful Glow Traci Reed: Happy Go Silly Shabby Princess: Sandbox

I've recently read several parenting posts that spoke to me and thought I'd pass them along. How to Exasperate Your Children - this one was a good reminder about some things to me. Our Children are a Blessing - this one completely convicted me; I am so guilty of many of these things, and I've resolved a dozen times in the weeks I've read it to do better. Meanest Mom on the Street - I can relate to this one, and she said it much better than I could about why we've made some particular parenting choices.

My list for today: As we were checking out at the bookstore yesterday, Rory hugged my leg, looked up at me, and said, "you're the best mommy ever." I almost blubbered like a baby. I am in full on cleaning/organizational/purging mode. The kids and Brian better lock their stuff away. I'm just saying. We've been working (hard) on Camden's attitude. Let's be honest: he's more than a little moody and needs some attitude adjustment. I can't handle attitude every time I ask him to brush his teeth, blow his nose, or set the table, etc. We've got alot of years left before he can decide how often he's going to do those things, and I refuse to live with a child who complains constantly. Anyway, he's been doing better (after lots and lots of talks, rewards, punishments) and the other day I overheard him mutter under his breath as he put up a sticker on his reward chart, "take THAT, devil!" Because of the aforementioned purging/cleaning th...

I decided to take advantage of being a stay at home mom yesterday, and Rory and I enjoyed the rainy day. We watched Dora, played with her baby, read lots of books, and made chocolate chip cookies. I'm going to have to make up for it sometime, but it was a nice quiet day. Rory received a Cabbage Patch Coll last year for a gift, and I had put it away until she was a bit older. I got it out this week, and she has had the best time playing with it. You feed it a bottle and then it actually wets it's diaper. Well, Rory cannot keep clothes on a baby at all (they MUST be off), so she is just horrified everytime the baby wets on her. It is hilarious. She eventually gets over it and starts the process all over again. If you want to live somewhere with a great climate, , do not move to Tennessee. :) Not only have we had crazy humidity for weeks now, but we broke a 100 year old record for rain yesterday. And we're supposed to get another possible 3 inches today. Sounds fun, doesn...

93% humidity is what we have this morning. Seriously. I am so ready for some fall weather, and 93% humidity just doesn't cut it. I put Rory in sponge rollers to sleep in last night (after recommendations from my bloggy friends), but it will be useless with this much moisture in the air. She was too funny - she thinks the rollers are the accessories and was very concerned that no one mess up her air when we hugged and kissed her goodnight. Lauren Reid: You're Moody Rachel Young/Gabi: Dance Your Dance

Just for Becky, William, and Xavier. :) Although if you're not family, her admonishing look at the end is worth watching. (and clearly, it is impossible for me to actually take a video where the house is clean, but it's laundry day and those clothes are clean that you see behind her so I'm not going to apologize)

Powa in da Bwud (a.k.a. Power in the Blood) is Rory's current favorite song.

I've been wanting to try sponge rollers in Rory's hair (which is as stubbornly straight as possible). Rory was pretty excited - she thought that the curlers were like hairbows and we would leave them in. She was quite disappointed when I told her she couldn't wear them to gymnastics. The curlers weren't totally successful. She had some curls when I took them out, but I need some help fixing it, and it was humid enough outside that they had completely fallen out by the time we arrived at gymnastics class. If anyone with little girls has any good suggestions, leave me a comment! I think she was a tad excited. Mommy clearly doesn't know what to do with curls. The one-eyed fake grin

Due to the fact that I found myself unable to fall asleep last night and Rory's little crib party at 4:00 a.m. this morning, I am running on about 4 hours sleep, and it's not pretty. Please ignore any rambling or typos. Brian spent Saturday working as usual while I tried to pretend it was a day off. Unfortunately, moms of 2 and 6 year olds don't really get days off. We did manage to pull off home made pizza (which is becoming a Saturday night tradition) and watched Journey to the Center of the Earth with the kids. They were fascinated with the big bugs and dinosaurs (even Rory) and loved it. Brian and I just tried to stay awake. Sunday we were able to attend the Selah concert with friends from church, and it was amazing! They are extremely talented and we enjoyed every second. We had 2nd row seats which made it up close and personal. Even though music is just about my favorite thing in the world, we don't attend many concerts (mostly because Brian is frugal and if it we...

Between 2 trips to Nashville, taking Camden to and from school, and now another trip to Nashville to meet my friend Tina for lunch today as well as running some errands, it feels like I've lived in the car the last couple of days. And I'm headed back tomorrow to pick up my leftover consignment sale things (and my check!). Seems as if some weeks I'm home every day, and then the next week I'm gone every day. I've been bad about keeping lists of things about the kids. I need to get back in the habit so I don't forget. Anyway, here are just a few. Rory has decided this week that very kind of pasta/noodle/spaghetti is called "maca-noodles." When Rory doesn't know the name of something, she calls it "that saaanng" with quite a southern drawl and a quirky frown on her face. We received Camden's first kindergarten progress report yesterday. "G" for Good is the best grade you can get, and he received 13 out of 16 "G's."...

Rory did so well at work with me yesterday morning. I set up her little lap table with the DVD player and she sang and played with the Dora DVD. She seriously has the entire thing memorized. I guess that means either she needs a new one or I let her watch it too often. When we picked up Camden from school and he asked how our day was, I told him that we went to work, came home, ate lunch, took a nap, then sat in the car-rider line. He responded with, "that is sooooo not my kind of day." Camden and Rory have been so hyper the last 24 hours or so, and I've finally figured out what's going on - they're tired! Starting with both of them being up at the crack of dawn (or earlier) on Saturday, their sleep cycles have been off and it's catching up to them. They have seriously been so loud and out of control with each other. Maybe this weekend they'll get all caught up. Rory and I are off to Mops this evening. She's excited because she gets to go to her own cl...

I'm moving slow this morning, which is not a good thing considering I'm working this morning and Rory is coming with me. I've got a backpack full of fun things (including safety scissors cause that usually keeps her busy forever), a portable DVD player and her favorite Dora DVD. Okay, actually, she doesn't have a favorite Dora DVD - she'll watch any Dora you put in front of her. I have a feeling we'll be making a coffee run this morning after dropping off Camden. Maybe that will give me the patience to deal with keeping her happy while making sure I'm getting everything done I need to. Camden's baseball game got moved from Monday to Tuesday so we were out late last night, but it was alot of fun. The boys all did much better than anyone anticipated (all but 3 of them are new this season), and we actually won the game! Of course, because they're just considered scrimmage games no one is officially keeping track (except the parents!). I can tell that Ca...

This is one of the first pages I ever scrapped 4 years ago. It's pretty horrible, and I decided I couldn't stand it any longer. Here's the new version. Much better! Lauren Reid: You and Me

Why is it that I have to drag my children out of bed at 6:55 every school day, but on the weekends, they're wide awake by 6:00? It's happened every weekend so far (including this holiday morning). I just want to sleep in! I guess parents with children don't get to do that often, and I should just get used to it. Brian and I had the bright idea to take the kids to Nashville to a fun park yesterday afternoon, and the kids were so excited. Unfortunately, it started storming right before we got there. We managed to get in about 10 minutes of park time before having to leave and then we spent a very long 45 minutes on the ride home in a crazy thunder storm that included hail. We were all glad to get home and wished we hadn't wasted 2.5 hours of our Sunday afternoon. Brian and Camden are out fishing and floating the river with a friend. Between school, camping trips, baseball, and now fishing, poor Rory thinks she is always being left behind and is quite the teary mess abou...

Camden and I experienced our first field trip today with rest of his kindergarten class. Field trips have now surpassed lunch as his favorite school activity. We went to the Nashville Adventure Science Museum , and were both happy to have Amanda and Tre as buddies for the field trip. Amanda and I talked scrapping and photography as we tried to keep up with our two busy boys. I took several pictures, but the lighting was bad and they were moving so quickly that none of them turned out all that well. trying to lift a car teamwork again - launching a parachute I cannot stand how big he looks here Racing in a sports wheelchair my favorite picture of the day launching a spaceship it's no surprise that his favorite part of the day was throwing balls into the moving mouth