Bear

As Christmas quickly approaches, we've got our tree up, presents bought, and spirits are bright. But, I was in a pretty prickly mood this morning and I was yelling at all the boys to pick up their things. I yelled "We have a closet, use it!" and Deaglan sitting on the couch playing his DS simply said, "We paid alotta money for that closet." All I could do was laugh.

F-I-R-E spells Free!

Let me set the stage....

Back in May we decided to become members at The Museum of Science and Industry (MSI or the Choo-Choo Museum if your talking to Ricky). On the day we became members we had a great time, the boys pushed every button they could find, including the emergency button by the elevators (thank you Deaglan).

Fast forward to today.

I was 6 degrees of stupid today. The boys had a dentist appointment this evening at 4. I decided to take Deaglan out of school early. The Kindergarten program he's in is "full-day" in the sense that he's there all day. Kindergarten is only from 8:30 - 11:45, then he goes to lunch with the 1st & 2nd graders and hangs out with them for the rest of the afternoon. He's benefiting from being with them but anyway... This morning I decided I was going to pick him up at 2:30 so I could be home to get Joe and then we'd go to the dentist. Then I had a better idea; pick him up at 11:45 then I could be done driving for a little while and Ricky could have his nap at close to his normal time of 12:30. Brilliant! Deaglan's school is selling coupon books for Carson's one day sale on November 14th (drop me a message if you want one, they're $5) and the school sets up times that the classes can go on mini field trips to Carson's and sell them. Deaglan's teacher sent home a note last week asking if he could go (I say note because there's only 3 kids in his class so no real permission slips need to be used if I give my written permission). I totally forgot about the mini trip, called school told them I'd be there at 11:45. When I got there his teacher had everybody with her and it dawned on me that they were going. So I let him go, and told her I'd be back when the got back at 2. Mind you I live in Evergreen Park and the school is in Tinley Park, for those of you who don't have any idea what I'm talking about, it's 15 miles one way. (It takes me 40 minutes to get him to school) Padric and I left the school at 11:50, ran an errand but made it home by 12:45. I had just enough time to put something on T.V. for Padric and take a shower before we had to leave to get Deaglan (again). Padric fell asleep in the van on the way there. I got out to get Deg and I was told that he sold 3 more books making a total of 10 so far, Yay Bear! She looked at me an then told me that he also pulled the fire alarm. She and the security guard saw him do it. He had to announce over the intercom that there was no emergency it was an accident and the fire department had to come and turn it off. I wanted to crawl into the nearest crack in the asphalt!

When we got in the van I asked him why he pulled the fire alarm, he said "I thought it said Free." I then proceeded to explain to him that FIRE spells fire. "But mommy, it started with an F and ended with an E it said FREE." "No baby, FIRE spells fire." "oh, Okay mommy".

Padric woke up when we got to Joe's school. We stopped home and I let Deaglan change his clothes (he wears a uniform) and we went to the dentist. I thought I had everything under control. I had Joe do his homework while we waited, he and Deaglan had their DS game systems and I let Padric watch Dora on my phone. Unfortunately the dentist's hygienist had to step out and didn't come back, so our 4 o'clock appointment didn't end until 6 o'clock.

Padric sat in the chair and let the dentist look in his mouth, he did just fine.

Joe wanted to be a good example and went first. He hates the dentist. He has a very weak gag reflex and gags very easily. So he spent most of his time gagging but he didn't cry or fight.

Deaglan on the other hand screamed, kicked and cried the whole time. When he got done he ran out into the waiting room to Chris (who had to work and met us there). Chris asked him what was wrong, did he get attacked? Deaglan answered "yes! Mr. Slurpee attacked me! (the thing that sucks the spit out of your mouth at the dentist)

In the van on the way home (I drove Chris's car home), Chris asked Deaglan why he pulled the fire alarm. "Because I thought it said free and I wanted everyone to have everything for free."

Chris told me that in the van on the way to dinner after I dropped his car at home. I asked Deaglan if he'd told his teacher and he said "No, she didn't ask me, she didn't want to know why I did it."

When we got home it was already 8 o'clock, bedtime. Joe and Deaglan both needed showers. "OK Deg go take a shower." "But what about my homework?" "What homework?" "From Friday when we went to the Dr." "Why didn't you tell me about it earlier? You could've done it at the dentist like Joey?" "I thought you knew." So Joe took a shower while Deaglan connected the dots to make a Tee-pee and then colored it. Gotta love kindergarten homework.

And that was just today. Anyone want to give predictions for tomorrow?

A Whole Year!

It's hard to believe that I've been doing this for a year now. I'll admit I haven't been as consistent as I wanted to but all said and done, I'm pretty pleased with myself. It's really amazing to look back at the pictures of the boys I posted last year and see how much they've grown. (Go ahead, look at older posts, I'll wait)



I just wanted to say that I hope that this has been helpful to the family we don't see or talk to on a regular basis. Feel free to leave a comment at the bottom of the post where it says "comment". I'll post more as it happens.

A Quick Update

We are all doing well, getting back into the routine of school and homework.

Deaglan is learning to read small 3 letter words. He'll be really reading by Christmas.

Joey is doing well in school, he's easily distracted by a good book though. Padric is well, just getting bigger and growing up right before our eyes. It's sad to see him getting so big but exciting at the same time. He's getting so independent and opinionated.

Lots of Firsts!

School is back in session! Deaglan started at Landmark Christian Academy (LCA) on Monday, August 17th and Joseph started at Southeast Elementary on Thursday, August 27th.

Why 2 different schools? I thought you might ask that. I needed Deg to be in all day Kindergarten because I didn't know what my schedule was going to look like for the fall, so I enrolled him in LCA. As luck would have it, nothing lucky about it, God took a heavy burden off my shoulders. I was very concerned about who Deg's teacher was going to be. Anyone who knows him knows he's very, shall we say, spirited and needs a firm but gentle hand to guide him. I was afraid that his charm and "cuteness" as he calls it was going to sucker some poor teacher in to coddling him. But, God hears our prayers and Mrs. Lindemulder, the very same teacher that had Joey 3 years ago, accepted the Kindergarten position at LCA and I can rest easy.


Joey loves being able to walk to school. He has a locker, and new friends, and text books and... and... and... (can you sense the excitement?) In fact, he was so excited about going back to school today (Friday) he was up and ready to go by 7:15 this morning. School starts at 8:30.


Deaglan is excited about learning how to read. He's having a little trouble remembering that he needs to sit in his seat, raise his hand and not to talk to his friends during class, but he's still learning. He looks so handsome in his uniform. Yes I know he's not wearing any shoes, I took this the day I bought his uniforms. Come to think about it, I should have guessed he'd be shoeless soon. After lunch he and the other 2 kindergartners that stay for the full day go with the 1st and 2nd graders for afternoon studies, and electives (gym and music). Well being new to the whole process, after gym on Friday Deg forgot to change his shoes and they got "lost" at school. He had "no idea" where they were. (picture Deg rolling his whole head in lieu of rolling his eyes when he said no idea). The 8th graders that come and help his teacher re-shoe the kids after gym class found 3 pairs of dress shoes after the kids left. 2 girls pairs and 1 boys pair. (There are 2 kindergarten girls and Deg. Hmmmm whose shoes do you think they were?) We "found" them Tuesday when we explained what happened and spoke to the 8th graders and the crisis was averted.




Soccer season is still in full swing here in the Sullivan house. AYSO season is over and they both played great! Joey is really looking good on the field in both offense and defense. Deg is showing real promise. They are both playing for the Evergreen Park Rec Center for the next 8 weeks. They practice 1 or 2 nights a week for an hour or so and play games on Saturday mornings at Yukich Field on Kedzie right around 87th st. Feel free to come on out and take a peek. Joe's team is Navy blue (he's number 3) and Deg's team is light blue (he's number 35).


The boys (all of them, Chris, Joe, Deg, Ricky, and Ed) took me and Ricky to our first Cubs game on Thursday. They lost but, it was still amazing. I LOVED it! The crack of the ball against the bat, the smack as it lands in the fielder's glove, the vendors, the smell of hot dogs, I could go on and on. To actually see the Ivy in the outfield. I was in heaven. I can't wait to go back. Deaglan took a bite of his hot dog and said "yep, still tastes awesome." Ricky loved them too.

Welcome Back!

I heard a commercial for Meijers today and they had revamped the theme song to "Welcome Back, Kotter", and it made me realize that Deaglan starts Kindergarten on Monday. Monday! He's a big bad Kindergartener now. Joe starts on the 27th (well he's not going till the 28th because we're going to the Cubs game the 27th). They're growing up so fast! I'll post first day pics as they happen.

Sadly, in other news, I'm not teaching this year. With the closing of the Academy (the private school that was associated with the childcare and church) our enrollment is way down, so my hours are minimal at best. I'm sad that I won't be teaching but other doors have opened for my in the past few weeks.

In March, I took a CPR/first-aid class for work and I was in a round-about way offered a job as an instructor. I took the online portion of the class last weekend and I have the last half and test on September 12th. After I teach my first class and have it observed I'll be a certified instructor. I've also been offered a job running a rentable photobooth (like the ones you used to find at the mall only portable) for a friend of mine who owns a DJ service.

Chris is still doing well with Verizon. Don't forget if you need a phone or already have Verizon and are due to renew or upgrade HE MAKES HOUSE CALLS (with in reason of course, sorry to get my out of state readers excited LOL)

All in all we're doing well and things are looking good.

OK, it's official. I'm a bad mom. I'm at Joey's soccer game, the last game of the season and the first game I've been to all season, but I'm here. (finally)

Look out! I'm mobile! Now I can post the boys antics as soon as they happen!

Summer is HERE!

It's official! Summer is here! Soccer season has begun and this year Bear gets to play! The boys are playing with the AYSO (American Youth Soccer Organization) again this summer. It's Joey's 3rd season with AYSO and Deaglan's first. I couldn't help but take pictures of them in their uniforms. (Caution: Sunglasses are recommended for viewing. Their uniforms are bright.) They play at the Dan Ryan Wood, Deg plays Monday and Wednesday and Joe plays Tuesday and Thursday. So basically, I'm living there for the next 7 weeks. He's very good, opening day the Officials were kicking the ball with him, we think he's going to be moved up a level.

Joe and I went to Great America yesterday. WOW! It's been forever since I've been there. Joe was a trooper though. He went on the Eagle, the Viper, the Whizzer and the Dark Knight. He liked the Whizzer because it went in circles more than it dropped, the Eagle and the Viper.... not so much. He really like the rides that spun the mess out of him!


He rode the Triple Play twice (back to back)


and the Ricochet at the beginning of the day and then again at the end of the day.

The boys saw Night at the Museum a few weeks ago and Deaglan likes to do the "Bolt, Bolt, Firepower" line from the movie. He's adjusting very well to being a "Big kid", going to the pool, and on field trips with the school aged kids at summer camp. He's just getting too big, but he'll always be my Little Bear.



Ricky is now a big boy! That's right, we've started potty training! He is so proud of himself wearing underpants!

Ricky also learned that he likes the playground. He likes to play with Deaglan and his friends, despite how much it hurts! He was chasing Deaglan and his friend Andrew up the jungle gym and smacked his face against one of the bars giving himself a pretty good shiner. But he also learned that he loves the swings!



Summer is going to be GREAT! I hope you all enjoy yours!

Wow!

Deaglan's birthday was a blast. My little Bear is growing up. *sigh* As I promised here are some pictures.

Deaglan at school. His teacher took a few pictures for me.

This is what the cake looked like before Deaglan decided it needed red dots and zig-zags, and when he and I finished decorating it.

Blowing out the candle.

Well, after Bear's birthday comes Preschool Graduation! He's a big bad Kindergartner now. Look out world here he comes! Doesn't he look too handsome? She has the patience of a Saint to put up with him. He absolutely adores his teacher Mrs. Melba. Katarina, Luke and Deaglan. We think she has a crush on Deaglan, can you blame her?

Ok, enough about Bear. Preschool Graduation is also our Childcare Center's Spring Program. All the kids work really hard on it. (Well, the teachers do.) I cleaned up really nice, and Padric's class all stayed on stage this year.

The school year is over and Summer is here, YAY!?!?! (I still have to look forward to summer camp.) Wish me luck!

The final "4"

Deaglan's birthday is tomorrow. He's going to be 5.... one whole handful of fingers. Chris told Deaglan, "You'll never be four again." Deaglan replied "I don't wanna loose my cuteness!" I'll edit this and post pictures of his birthday in a few days, just thought you would all think that was cute.

"Good night noises everywhere"

Okay, I know it's been a while since my last post so here are the newest updates.

We found and bought bunk beds for the boys room! For those who don't know, the second floor is dormered and the ceiling slants on both sides so a regular bunk bed just won't fit. Well, we went to IKEA and found a "reversible bed" that is only 46 inches high (just tall enough to fit in the room). We put Deg and Ricky in one bed upside-down so Deg is in the top bunk and Ricky's in the bottom bunk. Joey's bed is "the right way" so he can throw blankets over it to get some "privacy" if he wants it.

Here are the pics:

Now on to the really funny stuff.

Last Saturday Joey wanted to go play with his friends. I told him yes and he asked if he could ride his bike. So we took it down and as I was filling the tires he asked if he had to wear his helmet. "Of course you have to wear your helmet baby." "OK, it's a little tight though." "OK so we'll get you a new one." And then as if the light bulb suddenly went on.... "I know why I have to wear my helmet mommy!" "Yeah, Joe, why do you have to wear your helmet?" "So I don't break my arm again." Trying not to laugh out loud I sent him on his way. I walk into the house to tell Ed(Gunga). As soon as I finish telling him Deaglan waddles out of the bathroom with his underwear pulled up and is struggling with his pants. I tell him Bear, just take your pants off for nap(it was after lunch and nap time comes after lunch) and he says but what if I go outside?

Later that day Joey's friend Conrad comes over with his sister Jenny. Conrad is in 4th grade Jenny is in 2nd like Joe. They're all playing the Wii and Deg decides to put one of the controllers in his mouth (long story short he puts everything in or by his mouth, yes he is almost 5), so he gets grounded from the Wii. Well, because he can't play he turns the game off while everyone else is still deciding what game to play next. Joey, Conrad and Jenny all decide to go to the park. Well there's a small park about 4 blocks from the house, I know where it is but Ed doesn't so he decides to take Ricky for a walk to find it. 10 minutes after he leaves the rest of the herd decides they want to go, so Conrad calls his mom and tells her the change in plans. She agrees and I decide to let Joe and Deg do a really big kid thing. I let Joe take Deg to the park without a grown up. Ed was at the park so I felt okay with the whole thing. Deg was so proud to be able to go to the park without a grown up and so did Joey seeing as how he got to really "look out" for his little brother. They're growing up too fast!

So, Sunday, Chis comes home from work and I have the great idea to run to Ikea in Bollingbrook (for those of you who don't know the store that Chris works at is in Bollingbrook, coincidentally right across the street from Ikea) and pick up the beds. We left the house at 7:20pm and the store closes at 8. Without traffic it's a 35 minute drive. We made it to the store at 7:55, bought the beds, dropped them off at home and then drove to my mom's to pick up a mattress for Ricky.

Monday, Chris has the day off with no kids because we had parent teacher conferences for Joe. (He's doing great! All A's and B's). I got home from work at 5ish and we started putting the first bed together. I had to watch my girlfriend's kids so she and her husband could go to their son's parent teacher. So I got home at almost 8, just as he and Joe were finishing. We put the kids to bed and all was well.

Tuesday, I got off work early and as soon as Chris got home from work at 4:30 we started putting the second bed together. We finished around 8 and put the kids to bed. I went to help cheer on a friend's husband in the Karaoke Olympics at a bar not far from the house (he didn't make it to the finals) and received a text message from Chris at about 10:30 stating that I had to guess which child decided to free fall from the top bunk. (It was Ricky). He jumped 46 inches from Bear's bed to the floor, without injuring himself (Thank God).

Wednesday. Chris picks the kids up from school because again he had the day off with no kids. They get home and he tells the boys to go in the front room, take off their shoes and put their things away. Deaglan decides to kick his shoes off and one of his shoes flies into the window breaking one of the panels. Chris heard the crash and ran to find out what happened. When he asked Deaglan what happened, Deg said "Dad, I was taking off my shoe and when I kicked it off if just flew into the window." Classic Bear.

Thursday (today). So thanks to all the shenanigans that now go on upstairs at bedtime, I will take up the role of "The old Lady Whispering Hush" (Goodnight Moon) sitting in my rocking chair knitting, at bedtime.

Speaking of knitting. I have been working on an absolutely gorgeous shawl for myself and I have taken up another small hobby. Knitters commonly use a small ring called a stitch marker to mark a group of stitches on their needles. I made a few this past few days and I have to say I like making pretty things. The first picture is the shawl I'm making myself, the second and third pictures are the first and second set of stitch markers I made, and the last picture is the set I made using the boys birthstone colors. It kind of looks like a pastel Irish flag doesn't it?

Just Because

So, I was walking through Target today and I saw something the boys HAD to have: foam pirate swords. They were perfect. Nothing hard all foam and soft. So when I got home I gave them their new toys and sent them to the basement to beat the snot out of each other. Worked like a charm!

Our Anniversary (Renamed Valliversary)

Today Chris and I have been married for 8 years, and I have been trying to remember what the gift should be for this year. This is what we have so far.....

Year 1: Joey was 6 months old so.... new baby.
Year 2: Chris's coat got stuck on the turn signal arm of the Civic and it broke off = $240 repair.
Year 3: I took Chris to dinner and was pregnant with Deaglan
Year 4: I think I got a well written card.
Year 5: Same as year 4.
Year 6: Same as year 5.
Year 7: Chris and the boys sent me a dozen purple roses. It was very sweet.
Year 8: Friday the 6th the garage door decided to jump the track and buckle, so it needs to be replaced. ($500 if we do it ourselves). When I told Chris that he was buying me a gift this year he said "I am a new garage door". I said "no, this isn't a repair gift year". I told him I wanted a mother's ring and he said OK. Last night the Civic finally drew what we think to be it's last breath. So guess what I'm getting for Valentine's day/our anniversary? Yep another vehicle repair.

So for year 9 I take him to dinner again, years 10,11,&12 I get a nice card, year 13 I get roses and another repair for year 14. I'm starting to dread our anniversary it's way to expensive every sixth year.

Edit: OK, so he's the best husband in the world. The boys made me breakfast in bed, and went to the bakery and bought me a cake.

They have made a new holiday just for me, Valliversary. We went to a play last night and then out to dinner. When we were leaving the boys just kept saying "Happy Valliversary Mommy!" He showed me the cake when we got home and I wanted to cry. As expensive as the repairs are that seem to haunt our "Valliversary", I wouldn't trade him for the richest man in the world.

Grass Angels

Deaglan walked out the front door and was thrilled to see that the grass wasn't gone, it was back. On the way home from work this evening Deg stated that he can't wait for summer so he can make grass angels. After dinner he demonstrated how to make them.

Enjoy the Deaglanisms that keep us rolling for hours!

(WARNING: Knitting Content) K.A.

Hi, my name is Jennifer and I have a problem. They say that admitting you have a problem is the first step to recovery. I am an addict. I can't live with out it. I have to have it all the time. It makes me happy. It relaxes my nerves. It soothes my soul. If you are seriously concerned, don't be. If you know me then you are giggling, maybe even laughing. I am addicted to my knitting. There I've said it. It feels good to get that off my chest. I knew that I enjoyed it, but I didn't realize I had a problem until this past Friday.

It started out as any other Friday. I got up and left to go to work. I had all my stuff with me, my purse, my gym bag, my phone, and my pattern book. I realized when I got to work I realized that I had my pattern but not my project. I had nothing to knit while I sat and watched the door and buzzed people dropping their children off for 2 hours. 2 whole hours I had nothing to do! OK. Breathe. I found a catalog to peruse to pass the time. Crisis averted.

Nap time! Yay! My time to catch up on my...... knitting. Damn! I left it at home. What to do with myself for 2 and a half hours? I found a skein of yarn that I had at one point wondered how it would knit up and 2 crayola water color brushes (because they"re the same size). I then proceeded to knit. I was surprised at how even the stitches were seeing as how the brush handles were tapered., but it worked.

The Great Escape!

For those of you who don't know, we have 2 corn snakes as pets. Their names are Chocolate and Viper. I've had Chocolate pretty much since he hatched and I got Viper as an afterthought. They're brothers (yes I've had them checked and I'm positive there will be no babies). They were my mom's snakes' babies. She had gotten 2 corn snakes herself and thought they were both the same sex. She had no intention of breeding snakes.


Viper was given to a friend of my sisters. He was very hand shy and skittish. One of her roommates left the tank open and he got out. (so he's kind of experienced with escape) He was only a few months old. She gave him back to my mom. Mom didn't really want him so she offered him and a bigger tank to me, saying that Joe and Deg each needed a pet. Whatever.


Fast forward to our trip to Wisconsin Dells. The snakes turned a year old back in August (or somewhere around there) so they are now both about 3 feet long and an inch around. Ed was snake sitting while we were gone (which was hysterical because he hates them and keeps asking when they'll be big enough to be belts). Monday evening when we got home I checked the tank and they were both there. I went to visit my Grampa in the hospital on Tuesday and when I got home Viper was gone.


So, I had to make time to clean the office (it's a train wreck) because that's the warmest room in the house and I figured he'd be there because that's also where the tank is. So I moved an empty shoe box that I use to separate them when feeding and there he was. He was cold but alive. Joe was so happy. He told me last night that he missed Viper.


This is Viper.

This is Chocolate.

This is where I found Viper.

This is where I found Viper in relation to the tank.

Reunited.

Wisconsin Dells

The Sullivans went on their second annual trip to the Wilderness Resort at fabulous Wisconsin Dells. The boys had a blast! There isn't too much to tell just some great pictures of the kids.


Ricky went down his first water slide and LOVED it!

Joe and Deaglan getting ready to wreak havoc on the water park.

Mommy and Ricky... Awwwww

The most effective way to move luggage and kids.

Lunch at the Moosejaw.

Whew..... It's over.

The Holidays have come and gone. So much has happened and in Bear's (Deaglan) case so much has been said. Let's start with the Sunday before Christmas. We were lucky enough for Chris's brother Manuel and his family to be with us from Italy for Christmas. We had dinner at my brother-in-law's house with his family that evening. As we were getting ready to leave, I put Bear's hat on his head. He looked at me, kind of rolled his eyes and yelled "You'll never catch me alive!" and ran away from me.

Christmas Eve is all mine. About 2 weeks ago (when we had that bad snow) I got the van stuck in the alley to the garage. Our alley makes a T. There's an alley that goes past our garage door and another one that intersects the first almost in front of our garage door. I got stuck in the trunk of the T right at the bottom. A kind man walking his dog and a neighbor helped get me out. Well, Christmas Eve, we went to Grandma's for dinner and presents. Ricky started running a temperature and wasn't feeling well, so I called Ed and asked if he would watch him. I left Joe and Bear at Gram's and took Ricky home. I took his temperature, gave him some Motrin, and a nebulizer treatment. I kissed his head and left. I pulled out of the garage and decided to go down the trunk of the T. Big mistake. I got stuck a quarter of the way down the alley. Chris was supposed to meet us at Gram's after work. So I called him and he and Ed unstuck the van. Chris looked at me and told me that I was lucky I'm cute because he'd have left me to the wolves years ago.

Bear learned that music gets the girls. He found this guitar and wouldn't stop "playing" it.

Christmas Day we bounced all over. We opened presents from Santa at home. The family got a Wii. Let me tell you, there is nothing funnier than watching Bear play any driving game! Then we went to my parent's house to open presents. Then we went to Chris's brother's house for dinner.

Ricky was finally kicked out of the crib a few weeks ago. He loves sleeping in his bed, well sort of. He likes the freedom of being able to choose what bed to sleep in. His favorite is Bear's. Unfortunately, when he moved into the big boy bed, he decided he's not a baby anymore and is spurning his blankie, he's kept his pacifier and puppy but blankie is a no go. (sorry Auntie Mia). Here's his empty bed.


And the blankets he had to take with him to Bear's bed. Don't they look sooooo cute?! He does occasionally sleep in his own bed too.