FREEDOM....THEN WHY AM I SO SAD?

School is back in session. This is maybe the first year that I wasn't really looking forward to "back to school" time. This summer went way to fast and didn't last long enough. I am not looking forward to early bedtimes and homework and it getting dark early. I think part of my dreading back to school day is because my 5 year old started his elementary career last Wednesday. I thought I would be fine, I honestly did. In fact, I was fine until I saw his little face peeking out of the bus window as the bus was pulling away leaving me. I'll never forget the image of just his face peeking out the window with an ear to ear grin flashing me his black tooth smile (that only a mother could love) and feverishly waving to me. I waved and smiled and went into the house and sobbed. I drove to the school to make sure he got to his class okay on his first day. He was so fine and didn't appear nervous at all. He was just really proud to be sporting his new KC Royals backpack and officially declare himself a Kindergartner. My second grader wasn't as excited as his brother. He was more nervous I think.

The whole day I was fine one minute and then the next minute have huge tears welling up in my eyes. It's so hard to let go. I was worried about all kinds of things like was he going to be able to carry his lunch tray by himself? Would he be able to button his pants after he went to the bathroom? What if his shoe became untied? Would he be confused at lunch and pick out an appropriate balanced lunch? Would he find little friends to play with at recess? Do I need to get a life or what? What the hell am I going to do when they leave for college? YIKES! I can't even imagine that one. I also can't help but wonder if I did enough to prepare him. Not being home with me everyday is a BIG deal. At least to me. I honestly realized that morning that being a mom is so rewarding but also so heartbreaking. After you are a mom you just have to face a lifetime of letting go. I realize that it is a good thing to be able to let go it's just so incredibly hard!

Jules

EMBRACE THE CAMERA

It's another embrace the camera Thursday. This is the best I could do today. I know its a little blurry. My 8 year old took it. It's a picture of me and my smiley 1 year old. I love his chubby, slobbery smile. Go to www.andersonfamilycrew.blogspot.com and check out the rest of the cute photos.

Jules

SUCCESS!!!

Smashed pennies from the train track! This was a two day process. We went back the next day and there were no pennies to be found. My two little buddies were pretty bummed. We put 6 more pennies on the track yesterday and as we were pulling up to see what we could find a train was way off in the distance. My kids and I quickly put a bunch more pennies down and waited patiently in the car. After the train passed this is what we found:

I am aware that this isn't very exciting to most people but my kids thought it was really cool!

Jules

EMBRACE THE CAMERA

Okay I am finally going to participate in this "embrace the camera" thingy. There is a blog that I love and read (stalk) on a regular basis. Her name is Emily and she started this embrace the camera challenge. The challenge takes place every Thursday. Most parents are the ones taking pictures of their kids and they are never in them. I love the FEW photos I have when I was a little kiddo and my parents are in them. I love to see what they looked like, what they wore etc. I am not in alot of photos with my kids and maybe this challenge will change that. It's not about how good you look it's just about random shots with your kids so.....this is my 5 year old and I this morning watching Spongebob and goofing around. You should check out the other photos at http://www.andersonfamilycrew.blogspot.com/!
Jules

TRAIN TRACKS AND PENNIES

We are definately in the dog days of summer. The temp according to my car is 101! Why did I decide on a train track photoshoot today? I beg to ask myself the same question. I am very disappointed in my photos today. In my defense, I did most of the shots one handed because my other hand/arm was holding a 23 pound baby boy who was crying. Of course as soon as I let his little wobbly body down to walk around the rocks/train tracks-he wiped out and nailed his head. He has a pretty good bruise to prove it too. Anyway...here are some of the pictures I got today. I really wanted to shoot at the cornfield across the street but it was just to hot.I wish my boys could actually have a fake smile that looked real. Oh well.

Jake's hair is questionable but whatever.


We put 6 pennies on the track to see if a train will come by today and smash them. We are going to check it out tomorrow. If they aren't smashed I am going to have 2 disappointed little dudes! Let's hope for the best!

Jules

ALMOST DONE!

Sooooo.......my newest almost completed project. I am doing a favor for my Dad's wife's sisters daughters aunts mothers son. Take a minute....did you catch that? Okay, good because I'm just kidding. But fer real.....it's for my Dad's wife's son's fiance'. Is that a little easier? They are getting married on September 11th. They asked me to do a little sewing favor. I had to make 56 of these babies. Yup, 56-count em'. Yikes! I didn't really know what I was getting into. I had no idea this would be so time consuming but I'm not a complainer, only a helper :). It just really pays to be friends with me! Just kidding! These little rectangles are going to be underneath centerpieces on the tables at the wedding reception. I had the HARDEST time with the black fabric because it is so thick and hard to iron down to sew. I decided to use the little strips of steam a seam. I HIGHLY recommend that product. It is perfect for non sewers who want to do a quick hem. You just iron it down and voila a perfect hem is made! Next is the flower girl dress. This project will actually be fun I think. I'm a little nervous as I don't have a pattern but I think I know what I am doing. I am anticipating several trips to the fabric store because I am TOTALLY guesstimating the yardage of fabric that I need.

Pictures of the flower girl dress to follow!

Jules

8 IS GREAT!

WOW! My first born is 8 today. This boy has taught me VOLUMES about myself and life in general. As I reflect 8 years ago today all I can do is smile. I or should I say we have come a LONG way. I remember overreacting to EVERYTHING when he was a baby. It is funny how much you change with each child that you have. I was all about Baby Wise. I don't know if anyone is familiar with this book but it was basically my Bible. I followed all of the rules to a T. Nap time, feeding time and play time were at the same exact time everyday. I would NEVER, EVER deviate. It cracks me up just thinking about it. My own husband called me the milk natzi. As a result of this regimented schedule, it bred a child who is unable to tolerate much change. He likes to know what is going to happen throughout the day and gets upset if plans change! I don't know why I should expect otherwise.

At 8, Jake is very sensitive and self-concious. He will get his feelings hurt fairly easily. He is very intellegent and excels in math. I swear he is smarter in math than me which I guess probably doesn't really surprise anyone! He is very interested in members of the opposite sex which in my opinion is a bit early. The ladies seem to like him as well. He has very good manners when he wants to. He is very skinny and won't eat anything. He won't eat cheese, bread, bologna, or peanut butter and jelly sandwhiches. He will only eat a certain brand of chicken nuggets which are the most expensive ones at the grocery store! He basically lives on chicken nuggets. He informed me the other day that he doesn't like pizza anymore either. I have no clue what to feed that kid. He loves sports and I think he is best at basketball. Maybe its because I just really like basketball and I want him to really like basketball! He does enjoy baseball too. He loves to be a "boy" and say things like weiner and pee pee and laugh hysterically. He is getting interested in music and really wants an ipod. It is really funny to watch him dance (albeit he got his moves from his Dad not his Mom meaning......the boy is white, ALL white)! He loves the Black Eyed Peas and most of the music on the radio. He is VERY stubborn and doesn't like the word no. I'm sure most kids his age are like this too. He is persistent and patient. This is one of my favorite things about Jake. If he doesn't succeed in something he usually just keeps at it until he does. He is very resposible for his age. I believe him to be an old soul. He is very considerate of others and shows great empathy toward people. He loves reading and he loves baseball cards. He LOVES his Nintendo DsiXL and his Wii. I do have to monitor that because he is the type of kid who can get really sucked into hours of video games if I let him. His favorite ice cream is chocolate mint and his favorite dinner is spaghetti which I am making for him tonight. No meatballs though!

I don't want to get all sappy and mushy but.......Jake is the one who turned me into a mother. This is the best "job" I could have ever asked for. I am so thankful and feel so blessed that I get to be home and raise my children and not miss one second of their childhood. Being a mother is kind of scary because you don't really know how you are doing in your "job" until later. Not until your kids are grown and on their own. I hope I am providing what they need to be self-sufficient, functioning adults. I guess time will tell. Anyway.....Happy Birthday to my little man who I am so proud of!