Sometimes . . .

. . . there is nothing to say.

Happy Birthday.

Another year. Unbelievable.

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3.

Anyone who has been following this blog knows that Scott is the cake-decorator in the family. This year, Sawyer was very specific about his request. Lightening McQueen. I bought an all-natural frosting that was apparently not summer proof. Scott was distraught when McQueen's smile and tire started sliding down the side of the cake in the July heat.


We threw the party at the park with the thought that everyone would play while us adults talked. But, Sawyer was too excited to do anything but sit and stare at the cake. He didn't move from the picnic table until after he had gobbled down his piece.


And the moment we've all been waiting for . . .

Mr. Patriot

In addition to his learning how to say his ABC's, count to 20 and repeat the Lord's Prayer, Sawyer has been undergoing some good citizen training at the Baptist preschool this year. Every morning they say the pledge of allegiance right before circle time. He gave me a demonstration at home (in his underoos of course). Apparently he thinks the final line of the pledge is actually: "Sit down."

Monkey See Monkey Do

Sawyer pretty much idolizes Justin. He thinks the kid drops out of the sky and lands in his living room like some sort of Santa Claus. But after a few weeks together, they are pretty much like any brothers, competing for attention, driving each other crazy, arguing over toys.

late night

just went up to check on Sawyer - as I do every night - to see if he needs to go potty. Found him cuddling with a metal racecar, a metal john deer lawn mower toy, and a wooden child's rocking chair sitting at the foot of his bed.

Simple joys

Dear Sawyer,
I am posting this video here so that in 15 years when you're whining because I won't let you go to a Phish show in Tennessee for three days with your friends – oh, and can you borrow the car? – that I will be able to look back and remember a simpler time when all it took to make you happy was a trip to the grocery store in Dada's truck. Even though Scott's truck has more than 180,000 miles, I don't think we'll ever be able to get rid of it because, Sawyer, what else would you have to look forward to in the morning?

i realize . . .

. . . that, of the 20 people who read this blog, most of you also are my friends on Facebook. And while I try not to overlap posts - I sometimes worry that the 7 of you who haven't kept up with the times stay up late at night checking this blog over and over wondering why I haven't posted anything lately. So, if you aren't on Facebook yet - get with it. Even my MOM is on Facebook. If you are, well, these photos will bore you. Meanwhile, this blog will continue to be mainly about the kids - Facebook is more about me and my random thoughts.







Incidentally, I meant to mark the event with some sort of grand celebration - streamers, balloons and the such, but my blog recently passed the 10,000 views mark - and that's only since I started counting about a year ago. So thanks to all you all who click back here several times a day. It's a major event in the world of a nobody mommy blog. Now, if I can only find a way to get Starbucks to advertise here.

Kid art

One of my favorite organized activities at home these days is coloring. It's the only thing I know of that will occupy both kids quietly for at least 20 minutes. I have a single spiral bound sketch pad that all the kids have been doodling in for the past three months and it's almost full now. The other day I went flipping through the pictures, and even though the artists aren't identified I can easily tell the difference between Sawyer and Arden's artwork. Sawyer has from a very young age been a heavy pressure guy. He tends to pick one color and stick with it. There will be five pages in a row scribbled with all magenta or all black. He draws thick, aggressive pictures. I sometimes wonder if this is a boy thing, or a lefty thing, or that he's more mechanically minded, or maybe it's a reflection of his personality. I would love to find a book on deciphering children's art.

I did find one book on the topic that looks really interesting but I haven't read it yet. It's called Celebrate the Scribble .




Arden is quite the opposite. She tries to use every color available, makes light swirling lines, holds her pens almost perfectly correct and will try to fill the page before moving on. I love how this first one actually looks like a wave (though I suspect the green scribble there was Sawyer's doing). The second one didn't scan well but she nearly has all 16 colors from the crayon box going here.

Sawyer talks about his birthday.

Three weeks and counting. Find out what Sawyer wants for his birthday.