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So, yesterday at about 1:00 I received a call from the nurse at Andrew's school. He was in the clinic with a gash in his head, and I needed to come get him because it was more than a band-aid could remedy. I of course panicked, and the nurse tried to calm me a bit. She said Andrew wasn't crying and was being a trooper. I grabbed Liam from a dead sleep in his bed and hurried to the school. When we arrived, Liam had fallen asleep in the car and I had to wake him up again. Andrew was in the clinic sitting very quietly with a bloody cut just outside of his left eyebrow. He had been sitting on his knees in art class and fell of the chair, hitting the chair next to him. The students sit at tables with square wooden chairs. Andrew sits on his knees because when he sits on his bottom, the table is too high for him to really reach his work. I was told that he cried when it happened, and there was blood everywhere. However, the nurse was really impressed that once they got the situation under control, he was such a big boy about the injury.

We drove straight to the pediatrician's office where Cameron met us. The doctor determined that Andrew would not need stitches, and he glued the wound shut. Andrew was so serious during the visit. It made the nurse and me quietly giggle. Andrew seemed great for the rest of the day. He was tired this morning and was a bit reluctant to go to school. He did ask me, "What if it happens again?" I assured him that it wouldn't.

9/21/2009 We have had a rough time lately with Andrew's behavior. Last week's "lights" went like this: red, green,green, yellow, yellow. His behavior at home was even worse. Today he came home with a green light, and during the time that I spent with him today (which unfortunately isn't a whole lot on Mondays) he was pretty pleasant. So, maybe last week was an abberation. I hope so! If any of you are around him soon, try to catch him in a good moment, and let him know it. I think he needs that right now.

So, last Thursday night was Open House at school. (I made sure Cameron got the camera out and put batteries in it, and then we left it on the kitchen counter!) Andrew was excited to show us around his classroom, the art room and the cafeteria. I got to join the PTA- woohoo! Also, last Wednesday I got to volunteer at school for the first time. I made a zillion copies for Mrs. Sharp. I am glad I can help. It would take forever for her to do that on top of everything else she has to do. Hooray for teachers!

On Saturday, Andrew refused to play in his first soccer game of the season, so there are no pictures of that. I guess the league didn't want to cancel games for the second week in a row, so they held games on extremely wet and muddy fields. Since Andrew wasn't playing, I ran (drove) home with Liam to get towels. When I got back about 2 minutes until the end, Andrew was in the game! The girl that keeps my kids while I am at the studio has two little brothers that come over to play a lot. Andrew saw them in the bethroom, and it greatly helped his attitude to see them getting ready to play. Cameron said it took a little prodding after they saw the Carff's, but it made a huge difference for Andrew. On Monday, Mrs. Carff takes Andrew to soccer drills with her boys. He went to practice today without issue.

I was impressed with the picture shown. Andrew is asleep so I can't ask him about it. Last thursday night was Open House night. Amdrew was very excited to tell us that all of the other kids in his class would have a black and primary colored art picture to bring home, but he would not. Mrs. Miller kept his project for a student art show later in the year.

Andrew got all green lights this week and visited the treasure box. He was very proud of his glow-in-the dark dinosaur. He has had his on eye on that from the beginning. Each of the three weeks that school has been in session, Andrew has received 4 green lights. Luckily, because of the Labor Day holiday, this week was only four days long! Andrew's class had a sub on Friday. When Cameron walked him into the classroom, Andrew was very wary of Mrs. Banks. He wouldn't let go of Daddy's hand. After school, Andrew said he didn't like his teacher (sub.) I asked why and he said, "Because she isn't Mrs. Sharp." It's funny that he is already so attached to her. These kinds of things remind me that although I think Andrew is getting so big, kindergartners are really still young.

There is a show coming to Pensacola called Walk with the Dinosaurs. It is supposed to have life-sized animatronic dinos. I would love to take Andrew, but it is really expensive. However, Thursday night at the mall, a baby T-Rex was there to promote the show. Cameron tried to take the boys while I was at work, but they got there at 6:20. Cameron had run into traffic on his way home from work. They only got to see the foot of the dino and the outline of him under a sheet. For dinner, the boys went to CiCi's pizza. It seemes they had a great time. Andrew chose to keep a dollar and spend a dollar. He got some little toys out of a vending machine and has really enjoyed them.

I am trying to decide what to do for Liam's birthday. After school on Friday, I took the boys to thr Plaza Deluna downtown to see the new splashpad and scout the area for a picnic party. Cameron was on his way home trying to end his work day a couple of hours early (he got a call and that didn't happen) so he net us at the park. By the way, I just want to say that everyone is welcome to come picnic (or whatever we do) with us for Liam's birthday when we decide exactly what we are going to do. I may not send many invitations, but we would love to see everyone now that we are back in town!

8/31/2009 So, things have still been going pretty well around here. Cameron has been very busy with pool appointments and has had a lot of work to do at night. His territory might be about to expand, too. On Saturday, Cameron took Andrew with him to run some work related errands and then layout a pool- start him early! Then they went to the beach and a park. Liam and I had a harrowing trip to Wal-mart which resulted in a small chip in one of his front teeth. Not fun for Liam or Mommy! Then we all met up for some Mexican food at lunchtime. After that, we went to Triple Play for Allan's birthday party. The kids had a blast and the party flew by.

After Sunday School and church on Sunday, we ran some errands. Andrew got new soccer cleats, and I got some things for teaching dance this week. Oh, I mentioned church. Here's a funny Andrew story from last week: He told me he wanted to go to church on Sunday because in Children's church they were going to "plant the red seed," i.e. part the Red Sea! We also got a very nice compliment from the Sunday school teacher about Andrew's intelligence and his ability to answer every question correctly!

Today, Monday, I had the busiest day ever! I dropped Andrew at school, stopped by LPA to learn about office procedures and the stereo system so the I would be prepared for class this afternoon, went to Wal-mart, the bank, DK's for tights, called Lipscomb's art teacher to respond to her letter and say I would volunteer to help where needed and then headed home to make ribbon rings, print some papers, make and eat lunch, download music and burn CD's and get all of my clothes and paperwork together for class. Then I had to pick up Andrew from school, run home and change clothes, give the babysitter last minute instructions and then high-tail it to the studio to teach. I taught four classes and then came home and made dinner. Whew; crazy and productive! In the midst of all of that, I got a phone call from Andrew's teacher. Everything was okay. Mrs. Sharp just wanted to let me know something that happened and that he was wearing some of his "extra clothes." Liam was a trooper today. I was so busy, I didn't have time to rock him to sleep, so I thought he would fall asleep on the way home from picking up Andrew and then be sleeping while the babysitter (Miss Emily) was here. No, that did not happen. So, he fell asleep on the way home from the studio and has been asleep ever since except for one little wake-up.

Now, here I am updating and Cameron forgot something at his office that he really needs to finish his work tonight, so he has gone back to Gulf Breeze to get it. That's a bad thing about living so far from the office. It's going to take him an hour there and back. I have a few new pictures to post, but Cameron stole my camera's batteries for his X-Box controller. I'll have to steal them back and upload the pictures.

Yesterday Andrew had music class and learned that the name of one new friend is Michael. After our talk about not throwing away leftover food, I received a lunch box coated on the inside with leftover ranch dressing! Andrew moved from the green to yellow light. Why? He hit another boy with his lunchbox. When we questioned him about it, he said there was no reason for it. He just did it. By the end of Tuesday he had earned his green light back.

Today was yellow day and Andrew came home with a yellow light. The note said he wasn't keeping his hands to himself. This does not surprise me; Andrew likes to touch and step on everything! Mrs. Sharp called this afternoon just to check in with us and see how we felt the first week is going. She explained that Andrew isn't keeping his hands to himself when in line. Thus he ends up "pushing" and bothering other kids. While it is always a rule to be orderly when in line while walking in the halls, etc., it's being stressed even more this year with all of the bad germs going around. Andrew also told me he kept touching the walls in the hallway. That doesn't sound too bad, but if all 1000 (or however many) kids run their hands down the walls- yuck! Also, soon there will be students' work on the walls. So, anyway, as a result of the yellow light, Andrew won't be visiting the treasure box this week. This does not make it okay, but Andrew said lots of kids got yellow lights today. At least I don't have the only kid that is learning to adjust to a new school and new procedures! Andrew said the class had music again today.

After much consideration, I turned in Andrew's registration for soccer this afternoon. I hope we can keep all of our goings-on straight. I was always so organized and put together in the past... then I had kids. Now I am so scatter-brained and get overwhelmed more easily. Between Andrew starting school, hemming and hawing over which program to enroll Liam in, trying to volunteer at Andrew's school, working for Jeannie and lining up sitters, and after school activities like soccer, I may lose my mind! We are going to look into piano for Andrew- at Jeannie's studio. I have heard that cub scouts doesn't start until 1st grade; so although Andrew has been asking, that's off the table for now. Also, I am interested in doing Mommy and Me gymnastics with Liam, but that won't start until October, I think. Since our church is not so close to our house, I'll have to find out what time the Wed. night activities are over. Unfortunately, that may have to wait until Andrew is older. We can't be getting home too late; he still needs to go to bed fairly early. Wow, now I understand all of those moms I used to talk with at the dance studio. It's a busy life with kids! I want to be careful not to overschedule us though. We can't give up family and playtime!

So, by all accounts, Andrew had a good first day of school. Mrs. Sharp said that he had a good day, and Andrew wants to go back, so I count that as a success. Pick-up time was crazy today. I am sure that it will get better as the days go on. The teachers were supposed to watch each of their students get on the correct bus today, so that slowed everything down. Most of the teachers had to take the bus riders to the bus ramp before bringing us the car riders. Then there was confusion over which door the Kindergartners would be using to come to us. I am glad I didn't have anywhere else to be; some of the parents who had to pick up kids at other schools were freaking out a bit.

After Mrs. Sharp deposited Andrew with me, we headed to the car. Andrew was pretty tight lipped about the day. I worried that something bad had happened. When I asked, he assured me otherwise. I remember that he has always been reluctant to answer my bombardment of questions after a school day. But, I just couldn't help it, you know? I suggested that we go for ice cream, and Andrew chose Marble Slab. Bit by bit, I got details of his day. When we dropped him off this morning, there was play-doh waiting at every seat, so I knew they had done that. Sitting at Andrew's table are: Elizabeth, A'Mari and "the boy in the orange shirt." He also made another friend named "the boy in the Bumblebee shirt." I hope they get real names soon!

Mrs. Sharp's class had P.E. today where they played a game standing in a circle. One of the two coaches (one male and one female), would ask a kid his/ her name and then the group would say hello to that person. Then the coach would ask the student's favorite thing to do and then everyone would act out that activity. Andrew doesn't remember what he said, but someone said, "playing with toys." In Mrs. Sharp's class they made a chart of how to act in school. Andrew told me that the students would raise their hands, and when called upon, that student would suggest a"do" or "don't." Yes, Andrew raised his hand and said something. No, he doesn't remember what it was.

They read three books today. The only one Andrew can remember to tell us is that one was about the day that a monster came to school. At the last minute this morning, Andrew asked me to run back in the house so he could take his The Night Before Kindergarten book. I couldn't find it. We found it this afternoon, and it's in his backpack for tomorrow. Also in his backpack is his "take-home folder." On his behavior report, Andrew received a green light. You can probably figure out that that is a good thing. We will initial the paper everyday and send it back. Also in the folder is the homework calendar. Of course their is no homework this week. They are reviewing colors this week, so Andrew is excited to wear red tomorrow. I am exited about that too. Having assigned color days is great. It's almost like having a uniform which, by-the-way, I would be in favor of.

Andrew said that the only thing that Mrs. Sharp had to tell him today was to keep up with the class in the hallway. Someone had stepped on the back of his shoe in line, so he was watching other kids feet, he said. He enjoyed the playground, and said something about laying on his back in the sand to go under something. He also told me about using his red towel when it was time to rest. He said that only one other kid had a red towel, and it was checkered. Cameron said that was a University of Alabama towel.

Finally, Andrew told me about lunch and snack. Lunch is at 10:00 a.m. Snack is shortly before the end of the day, two o'clock. He said that if you bring your lunch, you sit at a white round table. If you buy your lunch, you sit at a blue round table. Yes, he has already asked to buy lunch. I will let him buy sometimes. I know that seems like fun. We had a talk about not throwing away unopened food. I know he never eats everything that I pack, but he said that today he threw away some food that he didn't even open. I was thinking about buying some of those reusable sandwich bags from etsy, but I am not sure if I can trust Andrew not to throw them away yet. Snack was Goldfish crackers, which he also had in his lunch box. He was not thrilled about that.

After Marble Slab, where Andrew chose chocolate ice cream with chocolate chips and gummi bears, we came straight home with the leftovers! For our evening "First Day" celebration, Cameron brought home purple and gold balloons (the school colors) and Andrew's dinner choice- Chick-fil-a. While Andrew was at school, I printed out a bunch of signs- Congrats, Lipscomb Lions, apples, pencils etc. I hung them on the walls around the table. For dessert we had school themed cupcakes. Lots of sugar today, I know. But hey, this is the first day of the next 13 years for Andrew; extra sugar is allowed!

So, now both boys are in bed, and I am gearing up to do it all again tomorrow. I can't wait! Oh, and it looks like I am going to be the "Room Mom." Wish me luck and lots of volunteer help (I'll have to plan and staff a carnival booth.) Really, I love that type of thing.

8/24/2009 Your grandson, nephew, cousin or friend is at Kindergarten! He ran ahead of us on the way in this morning; didn't need us at all. Andrew is way too independent for his Mommy sometimes. Liam was almost saddest of all. He seemed reluctant to leave his brother. I'll let you know how the day went.

8/23/2009 Andrew starts kindergarten tomorrow morning at 7:45!!! I am excited and crying at the same time!

8/13/2009 Here is a link to my cousin Sophie's blog. (Sophie, I hope you don't mind. Email me if you want me to remove the link.) Take a look at her page if you'd like to see some pictures of our beach trip. There is a HILARIOUS video of Andrew doing some ninja moves. Liam cracks up everytime we watch it!

8/13/2009 Okay, so yes, a lot has happened since I last posted. And yes, I am a total slacker when it comes to this website. You'd think with Cameron around I would have more time to update, but I just haven't felt like it. I apologize. Well, since I last wrote, we have packed up our belongings, moved to Florida, unpacked our belongings, spent a week at the beach and registered Andrew for school. We have also gone to our new church and visited some old friends. I haven't taken as many pictures as you would like, dear reader. However, with the dawning of kindergarten, I am sure there will be planty to come.

Thank you so much to everyone who helped us move, both the SC workers and the FL folks!!!!! In retrospect, this move was less stressful than I thought it would be or it could have been. So, we owe you all... After spending about 3 days in Pensacola, the boys and I packed our suitcases again, and headed to Fort Morgan in Alabama for the annual Ellis Beach Week. It was so much fun visiting with family and having nothing to do but "eat, beach, pool, sleep!" I have to admit that now that I have children, it's not really a relaxing vacation. Messing with the kids' surroundings, schedules and sleeping arrangements does weird things to their behavior. Anyway, we all enjoyed the great company. Thanks for all of your help watching my boys!!!!!

Since we have been back from the week at the beach, life has slowed considerably. In fact, the days of this week have crawled by. It is so HOT here! Uugghhh! And it has rained everyday, so it's like stepping into a sauna everytime you open the door. Outside play is really not an option. We have a had at least one errand to do each day, but what to do with the rest of the day? I miss Greenville!!!!!!!! This house is new and nice and meeting our needs, but it is small enough that the kids irritate each other quite a bit. Or maybe they just irritate me because I can't get away from the squabbling=).

Now for the super exciting part!!!! Today we went to meet Mrs. Sharp, Andrew's kindergarten teacher. She is actually a friend of mine that I went to highschool with. We graduated from PHS together, and she is one of my facebook friends. Weird, huh? I was hoping that he would get assigned to her class. I have loved every minute of filling out the paperwork, buying the supplies, visiting the school and meeting the teacher. I so should have gotten a teaching degree. Hindsight is 20/20...Cameron just laughs at my enthusiasm. Anyway, Andrew is excited too. Mrs. Sharp did a quick assesment on Andrew today. Cameron and I were supposed to be doing paperwork, but we were eavesdropping too. We got the giggles when Mrs. Sharp started asking Andrew questions and he had to explain "how to build the watch to tell her the time." If you know Andrew, you know what I mean. Mrs. Sharp was very patient with Andrew, that's good, she'll need to be. Andrew did well. I think the only thing he missed was when he thought a lowercase "L" was a number one. Also, I didn't get my paperwork finished because Cameron was cutting up and making me laugh. I am glad I'm not in class with him! Next Thursday is orientation. We'll get to go back to the classroom and meet some of the other students. Right now there are only 12 students assigned to the class which is awesome. That will change though. If enrollment doesn't increase, the district will eliminate a class or two and divide the students among the leftover classes. Luckily, Mrs. Sharp isn't low-man-on -the- totempole, so we aren't in danger of losing her. However, that means that even if they add more students, Andrew probably will have a smallish class which is excellent. Apparently, enrollment is down all over the district. I wanted to take my camera, but after dropping Liam off at Tara's house, I was running late because they are doing lots of road work around here. Oh yeah, I also wanted to mention that I am really psyched that Cameron was interested in going to the meeting today.

I am going to teach a few dance classes for Jeannie and work in the office a bit too. We were supposed to have a staff meeting tonight, but guess what?! One of the company dancers has the Swine Flu and another is being tested. Jeannie is waiting 24 hours for all bacteria to die and then has to bleach the building. So, the staff meeting is postponed.

We got to visit with the Thompsons on Sunday. Baby Katy was sleeping so I didn't get to hold her. Andrew and Drew played together as if they never missed a beat, though it's been more than two years since they've seen each other. Drew's birthday is Sept. 1st, so we already have a birthday party on our schedule.

Well, I don't know what we'll do with the rest of the day. Wish me luck with these crazy kids!

7/23/2009 Yesterday Andrew went on a hike with Gram and PopPop and had a great time. It wore him out. Liam and I were sickos and didn't do much except go to the grocery store and put coins in the Coinstar machine. When Gram brought Andrew home, she watched the boys while I went to the gym. I spent an houe on the elliptical machine and FINALLY finished the book I have been reading.

Today we went to the library for storytime and, surprise, there was a puppet show instead. They has a local lady come in with her puppets and set. It was kind of weird (aren't most puppetshows and puppeteers?), but the kids enjoyed it. I was surprised at how long it kept Liam's attention. Tonight Gram, Andrew and I have free passes to see an advance showing of the new movie G-Force.

7/22/2009 I guess we are trying to fit in a lot of fun activities before we leave SC. Here are some of the things we have been doing:

When Cameron was here we ate at Midtown Deli on Friday for lunch, then we went downtown to the Blueberry Frog for some yummy frozen yogurt. It's the organic yogurt that's frozen not the kind that tastes like soft ice cream. I really like it, Cameron thinks it's good. I had chocolate with raspberries (of course) and Cap'n Crunch cereal. Cameron chose plain (not vanilla) with banana and peanut butter chips. Andrew chose some gummy candy from the new Lollipop Shoppe candy store. Next we went to Frankie's Fun Park where we played mini golf and Andrew made the only hole in one! Then Andrew and Cameron rode a go-cart. I wish I had had my camera with me. Andrew's face was priceless (in a good way.) Liam was determined to get on the track too, so I struggled with him while the big boys rode. Then we went inside to the arcade. Finally, that night we ate pizza with the extended family. It was a great day. We had more fun that weekend (can't think of it all right now), and we packed the house some more. Cameron was really putting it off, but I made him help me. The next week, Andrew went to VBS at a nearby church. He LOVED it. He also loves going to the Terrific Tuesday program at our church. We finally settled on a church about 6 weeks ago; nice timing huh?

As you can see from the pictures, we have been revisiting some of our favorite places around Greenville. I should have updated sooner, because I feel like I am forgetting some things. You'll see pictures of Herdklotz Park. That is one of our favorites. It has great shade and play equipment. Andrew always finds other kids to play with and Liam scares me by climbing big rocks and jungle gyms three times his size. One day the boys helped me wash my car. That was cute. I filled their little pool up too, and Liam liked rolling around in the water with the soapy sponges.

Another day we made a quick stop at the library (can't stay long with Liam pulling all of the books off the shelves.) Andrew chose 6 nonfiction books because he "likes to learn about things." He is learning about snakes and spiders and vultures through some very graphic pictures! I am REALLY going to miss the Greenville library system.

GG was here last week. We spent some nice time with her, and I helped the boys make some paper flowers for her 85th birthday.

On Sunday, I took the kids to KidsFest in Greer and then we went to get snowcones near Gram and PopPop's house. Afterward, we decided to pop in on our grandparents. We had some fun playing dominoes and playing on our old swingset.

Monday- storytime at the downtown Starbucks. They give the kids free frozen drinks (w/o coffee of course) and then read to them under the bridge by the Reedy River. It was really nice weather that day. Then the kids played in the fountains. After that we grabbed some sandwiches at Jimmy John's and headed to Cleveland Park at the Zoo. Next, the Blueberry Frog for more yogurt. Finally, Gram came over and I went to the gym. Whew! It was a busy and exciting day!

Gram came while I went to the gym partly because Liam was getting a cold, and I didn't want to put him in the nursery. Well, the cold is in full swing now, and I have it too. He and I are not feeling well. However, while I want to sleep, he still wants to play. Ugghhh. Oh, and I mentioned on Liam's site that he can climb out of his crib now. This is causing a new bedtime and morning problem. Liam has always been easy to put to bed. You read, sing/ rock and lay him down. That was it, he'd be out for the night. Not anymore- I put him to bed 13 times last night; it was horrible. Then at 6:30 this morning he was up! He used to wake up around six then roll over and go back to sleep. Then he'd wake up and sing/ talk until about 8:00. That would have been great this morning when I am feeling so yucky, but no such luck.

Andrew spent last night with Gram and PopPop. Today they are going on a hike in a place called Ceaser's Head. Andrew was super excited. I think there ar two waterfalls on the way. I can't wait to hear all about it.

7/8/2009 Things have been going pretty well recently. We had a nice Fourth of July over at Gram and PopPop's house.We ate some good food and the boys played in the sprinkler. Then we did some sparklers and small fireworks. My favorite part was seeing tons of fireflies in the backyard. It has been a long time since I have seen them. I can't remember seeing them in Florida. They were just as exciting as I remembered as a little girl, and I was so happy that the boys saw them.

This week Andrew is having swimming lessons with Mr. Jay again. He is making some progress, albeit verrrry slowly. He's pretty stuborn sometimes (Andrew not Jay.) Gram has given Andrew some exciting incentives in the form of Bakugans.

Well, the move is really happening. I have lots of boxes packed, but there is still so much to do. Cameron is coming this weekend. He has a friend who is getting married and his fiancee has already moved out of her house, but can't sell it. They are letting us rent it until our renters move out. So, we have a place to go, but we'll have to move again in 5 months. *sigh* We are shooting for moving on June 27th.

7/8/2009 In the bath tonight Andrew said,"Mommy, 4 threes are 2 sixes and two sixes is twelve." It took my old brain a minute to catch up.

When I put him to bed, Andrew told me that I can always kiss him goodnight forever until he gets to big and has to move into his own house. But, when he visits me or I visit him then I can still kiss him.