Things are going well.

Brian's been gone since last Sunday night, he'll be home around midnight this Saturday. I'm surprised how well we're all doing. I've kept plenty busy and the kids have been excellent. Fights are minimal (maybe I'm exaggerating), dinner has gone well enough. I haven't had to pull any teeth to brush anyone's teeth. :) Bedtime is 7pm and they haven't fought it once. They have stayed in their beds all night long, every night so far. I really couldn't ask for things to be better while Brian is away. Well, o.k., more quality time with Spencer. I do need to do that. But other than that, I'm pleasantly surprised.

No, really. things are going well. promise.

wouldn't be lance without a pirate ship

he's been thinking about the hurricanes

Cypress Forest Spray Park--Oldsmar

We met Allison at this Spray park a couple weeks ago. So fun! Thanks for letting us in on this little secret. :) Spencer and I liked it so much we went back with Lance and Brian the following Saturday (those pictures are still in the camera).

There's only one bad thing about this park (I didn't know until I talked with a local about this), they recirculate this water over and over and over. Apparently kids were getting sick from it, so lots of people stopped going (my local friend being one of them). I decided since it's chlorinated, and other kids are out there everyday, oh well. So, we went again and met a local there who told us that the day before when he was there a mom was changing her sons poopy diaper. Rather than taking him to the side and using wipes, she put him in front of a sprayer, put his shorts back on and sent him on to play. Sick. Just sick!

Well, it still didn't deter us (OR HIM! and he witnessed it), and we're on our way there again today. Oh the things we go through for a little fun. I surprise myself too.

his own kind of pirate

Because I needed to move that other post down.

It's weird. Because she's in purple and the chair is maroon, her hair looks red. But it's not, it's still light brown.


Brian took pictures of the boys. "School" pictures as a request from his parents. And since we just bought a tripod he decided to join them. :)

A New Phase of Life

I thought Kindergarten would make my life easier. I knew Spencer and I would really miss Lance, but I didn't realize our days would be so weird without him. It's awkward. I'm glad he gets so much time in a learning environment, but his personality has changed. Which means our relationship with each other has changed. I don't know how to talk with him without him snapping at me. I don't know what stories are true or which ones he's made up. I feel like I don't know him anymore. I miss knowing everything about him.

And I swear I'm the most boring parent ever. Poor Spencer. He has to stay home with me.

So, this phase of life is extremely uncomfortable for me. I'm currently reading "Children: The Challenge," and have "The Everything Parent's Guide to Positive Discipline" on hold at the library. I thought I would have done so much more with my kids or taught them more by the time Lance started KG. I know my kids are worth it. I know I'm worth it. I know my family is worth it. So I will continue to read and practice everyday.

Balance. does that really exist. ever?

To Grandma Prince

I already wrote it on the paper, but this one's for you mom. Lance was so thankful that you took him to Disney World so he wanted to draw you a picture of everything he was thankful for. Mickey Mouse, Goofy, Pluto, M&M's, the hotel room and his hat. He sure is a thankful boy. Makes me happy. And thank you again, Mom, we had a splendid time! We love you!

click to enlarge

"And these are what you feed your baby with."

I think I need to start using a cover in front of my boys.

(if this is inappropriate, I'll remove it. But coming from a 5 yr old, I think it's hilarious.)

She is so beautiful

What fun it is to have a little girl. If only I could find more flowers that fit her head. I tried several from Michael's, but they were nearly as big as her noggin. This is the only one that looked decent. And it's a very homemade job. Keep your distance and it looks great. :)

I love this picture b/c of her smile. I don't love that it's so washed out b/c of the flash. Low lighting creates such a problem for me. I don't know how to adjust the settings on my camera to compensate for it. Even with a tripod, the object is still blurry b/c my target is always moving. Oh well. Until I figure it out I guess I have to live with it! :)





You think she's hungry?

Hurricane Fay

We're safe and sound.

This is the brunt of what we received. Little drizzles of rain and about 5mph winds. Thankfully, no evacuation was necessary and our food storage is still intact.

Lance's First Day of Kindergarten

Mixed feelings. I am happy for him, I really am. But we miss him at home. It's so sad for us. I didn't even cry. Until Brian called and asked me how I was doing.

Since we're only about a 1/2 mile away from the school, scooters seemed like a good idea. They both did a good job. For about an 1/8th of a mile. Then they wanted in the stroller.

Spencer was so anxious to get Lance by the end of the day. He asked about him several times and at one point started crying and tearfully shouted, "Where is my brother Lance?! I want my brother Lance!" It was so sad and actually almost made me cry. This is going to be a hard adjustment for both of us.
He did NOT want to leave that door. But all the kids were outside.

"WHERE is my Lance brother?!"

Finally together again.

Lance wanted to introduce Spencer to his teacher (the one in the red to the right).

It isn't surprising that his first backpack is a transformer pack.

This is how we roll.

I know, it doesn't make sense that Ivy gets a seat all to herself. She is the smallest after all. :)

It made me happy to see this. On our walk home Lance wanted to put his arm around Spencer.

They are SO best friends.

Legos

I'm really glad the boys like them.

lately.

lance is 5 now.


my mom and sister came to visit july 27th. we went to disneyworld with them for my b-day. it was a great time. thanks mom and dad, what a great present. :) oh, and by the way, remember this, . . . yeah, they got me those for my b-day too. um yeah, they were gone the next day. told you so--no power against them.


ivy is still an amazing baby. she slept 10 hrs. last night!


we still love the beach.

Indian in the Cupboard

Lance and Spencer are reading their very first chapter book! O.K., so Brian and I are reading it to them, but they love it! I always forget how much we can learn from books, whether fiction or not, and have been reminded of how extremely important it is to read to my children. Lance has learned several new words, one of which being teepee. He asked what it was and Brian drew him a picture, the larger version on the right. Then Lance drew his own teepee on the left. Once again we're proud of our little artist.


I found this picture today, I'm pretty sure it's from earlier in the week. I'm also pretty sure it's a motorcycle. So hilariously cute.

Details, Details

Lance has always loved to draw, he has a keen eye for detail. We only wish we would have purchased a scanner sooner. (Click pictures to enlarge)

In this picture he drew a castle with a mote (he has never seen this, we've only talked to him about it). In the mote is an alligator with a bone in it's stomach and another alligator with a fish. On the bottom left you'll see a hose with water coming out (to fill up the mote). I am there with Brian--who's holding Ivy, Lance and Spencer. Next to us on the left is a squirrel with balloons. To the right of the mote is an elephant. Inside the castle is the king, and the key for the treasure chest is above his head. The treasure chest is in the room next to the king. And there is a cloud that's blocking the sun.



A truck, car and tractor with mountains. Look at the little man in his seat maneuvering the shifter knobs! haha


A spider in it's web, about to eat a bee. I asked him what kind of spider it is and he says it's a wolf spider. And the funny thing about his name is he always writes, "LanceKE4," (4 is backwards). I asked him about it and he said, "my name is Lance Kisby so the K is for Kisby and E4 is where we live." How clever. He remembered our apartment number and it's how he identifies himself--even though we've moved!


This is a Transformer. He really wanted a transformer cake for his birthday. So, I made a cake, frosted it yellow (for bumblebee) and drew the transformer logo with black frosting. Easy way out, but he really lik ed it. Anyway, he saw the cake and the next day he drew this:


This is a sawtooth shark, batman, superman, a power ranger, and a messed up power ranger (that's what he told me), and a squid.


We are amazed at the detail of his work. Some of these things he's only seen a couple of times and recalls the image in his mind several months after he saw them, and then draws them (like the saw fish!). Some of these things we've only talked about and he imagines what it must be like and draws it accordingly. He's really talented. Allison (and Matthew and Davis) intuitively gifted Lance a sketch pad, colored pencils and transformer stickers for his birthday! There is seriously nothing better to Lance than a drawing pad and some sort of writing utensil!

So you fancy fancy cards huh?

Then check this out!

Gina's Art

Gina's Etsy Shop

Gina is a friend of mine from Boston, just starting her first Etsy shop! Yay! I'm so excited for her, she's so talented.