Boo Hoo, for me

I'm so thankful it is Friday night!  This week has been a long one. I have been tired beyond belief.  If I didn't know better, I would think I was pregnant (nope, I am not...I'm sure of it)  I can barely keep my eyes open most the day.  My throat has hurt every night and makes it hard to sleep...and Coleman also makes it hard to sleep. I know, boo hoo for me.

Caden apparently has had a difficult week too.  Waking him up in the morning has been impossible, which is partly my fault. I can't get out of bed on time so I am late getting him up and the little guy needs his time to wake. He can NOT be rushed. Really, most his week has actually been pretty good and free of meltdowns.  He even got complements from two of his teachers at school. 1. He is so fun to have in class, he says the funniest things. 2. (lead teacher)I'm so impressed with him. He sits and listens to stories better than she would expect for his age.  I know he is a good kid and David and I are his hardest critics so it is good to be reminded from an outsider how enjoyable he is. (reminder to myself: enjoy the battles of being 3....it is part of 'joy' of being a mom)

Coleman had a good week during the day but apparently has decided to revert back to waking up and being extremely difficult to put back to sleep.  He finally got all 4 molars through but now I'm thinking the next tooth is coming. He is a joy to pick up at the end of the day. He runs to me yelling ma ma and smiling. and He apparently has a wonderful day everyday.

So here we are and the weekend is finally here.  I will probably end up in bed in the next hour. Hopefully the boys will get the much needed sleep they need and take the opportunity  to sleep past 7 (please, please boys)....but who am I kidding this is a post about poor little me, they will be up by 7.

On the bright side....we are going to experience the first Renaissance Festival we have gone to.  And, I get to spend the next two days loving on my three boys that I miss so much every other day of the week.  

I mean, come on, who wouldn't want to spend time with these handsome devils!

a little lesson

One thing I learned this summer....Hold it together in front of the kids.  I found my patience return after being a 'single parent' for a while. It isn't easy dealing with both boys on my own.  I was tired out some days but when I was able to hold in my frustration we got through it with a lot less crying and fewer fits.  And yes, I will admit that I can be included in the fit throwing =)  Caden is so sensitive, his emotions always in turmoil one wrong look and you can his spirit break just a little.  The wrong tone in your voice and you see his little soul crumble.  I have tried hard to pick and choose what I raise my voice about since being alone with him for almost 2 weeks.  I don't want to have a kid that thinks I yell too much (or really at all, but that is just unrealistic), or one that thinks he can't do things right. I have seen him raise his voice or use a tone with us and Coleman that resembles mine and David's and it makes me cringe because I know exactly where he learned it.   Oh the things we find reflected in our kids, the good, the bad, the ugly, the beautiful.

Second thing I learned this summer....I never want to be with out David. I mean vacation is fine but I knew, in the back of my mind, in those hard moments of being alone with the kids being fussy or whatever, that we were returning to normal when we got home. David would be waiting for our return.  I can not imagine a life in which that isn't how it would be.  David and I have been together for almost 14.5 years now and married for a little over 5 of them. He is my best friend, the person I can complain to about things that most don't feel like listening to. Heck, he may not always fully listen, but he lets me go on, and on til I'm done. 

You are my sunshine.

Third thing...I didn't really learn this, I already knew this but my vacation home brought it back to the forefront. I MISS MY FAMILY!!!  Being with my sister and her boys was great. Caden got to spend quality time with his cousin, Kingston. They are only 6 weeks apart so as they grow they will either love each other or hate each other...maybe a little of both.  Coleman got to meet (well all 3 of us really) his cousin, Clark, who is just a few months younger than him and who I hope will be his buddy as they grow up.  And, while dinners out with my dad and his wife always lead to some sort of drama, it was fun to have my siblings together with all the kids.  I don't know when or how but I will make it back to chicago more often and maybe someday we will move home.

the first real cut

So, it was a long time coming. Both boys got hair cuts at the end of the summer. Caden's hair was constantly tangled and was forming a lovely v shape in back. Length had nothing to do with it....well maybe a very small part. he is was always hot and sweaty with his hair glued to his face. He was learning to love the ponytail.   We/he loves his hair. BUT when we talked about cutting his hair he said he wanted 'little hair, like Daddy's.'  We are not ready to chop it off. and to be honest, I think he would want me to glue it back on.

nappyish bed-head.....most girls would kill for his hair!

notice it gains a few inches when it is wet...all brushed out and ready for a trim 

truth: i cut it too short. wasn't thinking about the curl factor. it is growing out already. He is still our hippie...just looks a little cleaner =)

For Coleman, it was getting a little frizzed out in back from constant bed head, he couldn't see, he was sweaty all the time! and looked a little goofy most days so he got a little trim.  It has only been a few weeks and it is almost grown back!