Snips and Snails and Puppy dog tails

I know that's an odd title for today but it's fitting when I tell you the story. 

Today was kind of a big day in our house.  Eli is my picky eater and he has Frank and I running ragged 99% of the time from food issues alone.  I don't know what the kid's issue is with food but he's got one...OR...and this could be a pretty big or...he's got Frank and I pretty buffaloed (is that even spelled right?).

I'd like to point out for argument's sake that he was a colicky baby and colic has a lot to do with tummy issues, and it lasted for what seemed like months and months and months!

For awhile now Frank and I would just make Eli a sandwich for dinner and he didn't eat what we were eating.  Frank and I decided a few months ago that we would quit making two separate meals, mostly because we would never have allowed this to happen with the other 3 boys.  He was going to start eating what the rest of us ate...by golly George we are going to do this and make i…

On the 16th my little nephew, Samuel, came to visit his most favorite Auntie in the world!!!  Yes the kid has other Aunties but honestly people I'm his favorite and you need to just let this Auntie dream her little dream!  Sheesh!
He spent all day with me, his cousins, Uncle Frank and his parents came along for the ride too. (Isn't it funny how it's always the kid AND their parents...it's like the after thought...and parents too...hehehe I like the parents too!!)  I think he had fun playing with his cousins and especially when Uncle Frank showed him this really cool toy.  He laughed so hard every time Uncle Frank showed him how the toy worked.  I have a feeling he will be getting that toy for either his birthday or Christmas this year.  He has such a wonderful laugh!
He did warm up to me and sat in my lap and we shared an apple or two together, and lots of snacks.  I talked to him several times about how when he's old enough and his parents say it's OK he can…

It's been a rough go lately here, between kids, life, kids, and the other stuff that creeps into your life.  In all of that I've had a few moments where things have been clear and made sense.  Mind you this all happens while I'm cleaning or trying to sleep and my brain can't shut off (those are the nights I hate actually).

Come March we will be through our year of 1st with the divorce we are all dealing with.  I'm still left feeling like I'm holding piece of a wreck but not as many.  In this year I've been on the nastiest roller coaster out there, but good has come of it...well for me that is :)  Earlier I wrote about how angry I was and how hard it was to deal with it.  It was hard because this was something I didn't want and it took me a long time to discover why I was so angry.

What an AHA! moment that was.  You know as a kid with issues (that's me...kid with issues) I had to really dissect just what was making me so mad.  You know what I found …

My oldest turned 10 today!  A whole decade went by and it went quick folks!  I had to sit down I broke out in a cold sweat that morning, especially when he told me he only had 6 more years until he was going to get to drive. Oh dear Lord he's right!?!
He looks so happy there!  Love this boy!  I can't believe we are already here, I hope for nothing but good things for him and a year with a lot of fun and new experiences. 
His first surprise party is coming this Sunday and he's clueless and it's going to be fun!  One I hope he remembers it always.
It's not every day you turn 10 or you have a surprise party at Cabela's!

Here is wonder boy!  We are so biased it's crazy!  Eli got swimming lessons from his grandparents this year and he is absolutely in love with swimming! He would love to go every day but 2 days will have to do, much to his frustration.  He is doing so well and we are proud of him...he could stand to listen to his instructor better but in time?  I don't know.  Last time I felt like I might have to go get him and talk to him...he was being naughty and a few times he was asked to stop. 
Doing some practicing with the instructor.
Handsome smile on my boy! 
Waiting for his turn to do something...hanging like a monkey off the stairs.  Not a great picture but I'm pretty sure my camera is dying a slow and ugly death and so I periodically get pictures like this. 
I'm holding out for another year or two to get my dream camera...which I researched thinking it wasn't going to be much.  WRONG!!!  My dream camera is like $6-800...so in a year or two if I still want it...well…

Aren't they handsome???
This was Dru and Frank last Sunday.  Every once in awhile Dru's preschool will have the children come and sing in front of the church for the congregation.  Dru was so excited to do this and his dad was going to be able to make it to hear him!  Over the moon this kid was!  He had his whole outfit planned out just special for his dad. 
The back story is that we have all, off and on, been sick with what I can only describe as the crud.  *shiver*  Anyway, Dru was running a slight fever that morning with it steadily going up.  The dilemma was who was going to tell Dru he couldn't go because he was sick??  Not me!!  Not Frank!! 
So we went to church and let him sing and we scooted ourselves out of there quickly.  Which I'm glad we did, because not long after that Dru's fever shot up and was that way for 2 days.  Today it finally came down and by tomorrow I'm hoping it will be gone.  He sounds horrible but so help me he's gonna go to sc…

Alright Moms...well Dad's too...although I'm pretty sure just moms/women read my blog. 

Anyway, today something happened that took me for a loop!  It all started Friday afternoon after the big kids got home. Lee got a call from a friend in his class (actually what's amusing is listening to two 8 year olds planning something) to play.  Well, Lee made plans with out talking to me first, all in the flash of a second.  This planning all happened on the phone and after Lee got off the phone I explained to him that next time he couldn't do that.  He had to check with his dad or myself before he made plans, because what if we had plans that day?  He offered to have us come get his friend and I said how do you know I had a car for tomorrow??  You have to ask first!!!  He said OK.  Time will tell.

So today we went to get his friend who isn't far from my house and when we got there Lee and I got out and went up to the apartment building he lived in.  Well before we even go…

So today was a pretty big day here at our house! Today was Dru's special day at preschool and boy howdy it was epic! I know you are thinking his birthday is in September, but when preschool starts after your birthday we go with our special day in the winter. Works out just fine. Just like at regular school they get to bring treats for their day. Dru wanted to bring Easter Eggs filled with candy (it is almost Easter you know...like a month away!) So we got the eggs out of storage (I know you all have about 100 or so eggs stashed away for Easter egg hunts! I'm not the only one!) and filled them with Starburst Jelly beans. I'm not a fan of jelly beans, I could think of SO many other yummy things to eat! But it's what Dru wanted so there you go. There is another reason today was so big, well really this year has been a pretty big deal in general. I've had 3 kids through this preschool (Dru's in his second year) and I've not been able to swing going to …

I AM DONE!  D-O-N-E!  Finished!  And all the other words in our vobulary that get that point across!

I am seriously considering not making dinner and possibly any other mean for awhile and letting the kids fend for themselves. A boycot is what I'm thinking!!!  I'm tired of the (must imagine in your best child voices) what is that? What is that green thing?  I don't like the smell!  I don't want any of that!!  I'm not eating unless I get what I want! (and yes I HAVE heard that come out of their mouths...and they are still alive)

I just want it clear that my kids eat way better than I did as a kid.  Not that my mom didn't try but we don't eat a lot of casserole type dishes and I think we eat way more of a variety of foods than we did as a kid.  Sides dishes have been my downfall but thanks to my girlfriend Nikki she has really kept just telling me I need to improve my side dishes.  Jello with whipped cream does not a side dish make!  Who knew right? Side dis…