I have decided the following

1) When you have a lot of cooking to do for what is, let's face it, people eating for fifteen minutes and leaving a messy table, a new apron makes a world of difference in your outlook. Thanks Linda for starting a new tradition. Angelia, Brooke, we missed you and hope next year all four of us can be matching! (This is the only picture taken before the battery on my camera died.)
2) For our family Signing Time! DVDs are the very best thing for in the car. Every time I looked back at the boys they were totally engaged and doing sign language from their car seats. I always check these DVDs out from the library but I just may have to buy a few. Look out bilingual Italian cousins, we are learning a second language as well.
3) Scout will travel with us as much as possible. Yes, we took our German shepherd with us to Broken Arrow, then on to the Kansas City area. And she did great! I was so proud of her, she stayed with us the whole time and just laid in the back seat for the five and a half hour drive home.
In fact, last week when I took her to the vet she was much more well behaved than Drew. Which is why she AND Drew were on a leash. Actually Drew wasn't too bad, David led him around on his Elmo leash/harness thing that I had never used. Drew acted like a cat much to the amusement of the vet and staff but it all worked out. Scout got her exam and David got a kitten to parade around.

Appreciating the forest

I am adept at majoring in the minors. I sweat the small stuff. While I get wrapped up in petty things I forget about what is really important. My favorite gripe is that I never seem to get past the cycle of make a meal clean up a meal, make a meal clean up a meal. And don't get me started on the clutter that just keeps popping up. I am always saying that I never feel like I accomplish anything.

This afternoon I took David to get a haircut. While we waited, I read the boys a new book we had just picked out at the library. An old friend that I have known since eighth grade and rarely see came into the salon as we sat. "Natalie?! Are these your boys??!!!" And as I introduced them to her I suddenly saw them through her eyes. Happy, healthy and listening intently to their story they looked like the great kids they are. Guess I am accomplishing something after all.

From what he brought home from school, it looks like David was thoughtful too. I just love dried pasta/paint/construction paper creations. David is thankful for his friends, his food, and his mommy and daddy. He was so proud of his work that he insisted on wearing it to the Chinese buffet for dinner (didn't have to make/clean up a meal tonight.) There's nothing like eating a smorgasbord and then coming home and watching "Biggest Loser" after the boys go to bed. It's a wonderful life.

Soccer Season

http://www.flickr.com/photos/heyitsdebv/sets/72157622740161257/

These are pictures from David's last soccer game. It was a make-up game; my parents took the boys since we were on our way home from Mexico. We HATED missing David's last game, but since my mom had been at every single game anyway, I don't think David minded. I had packed sweat pants or shorts for him to wear depending on the weather. I can see why, but it cracks me up that David didn't say anything and just wore both.
I think we have many more seasons of soccer ahead of us. David loved every minute of it. My goal was for him to run off energy and learn a little about teamwork and sportsmanship. Plus, I think any extra practice in listening and following directions is great for four year olds.
David's goal was to score as many goals as possible each game. He always made at least one goal every game, and usually made four or five.
David has always been active. I feel like I have spent a good part of his life telling him to be still, slow down, stop running. So it was the best feeling in the world to look out on the field and see him kicking that soccer ball with a look of pure joy on his face.