Snippets

2012-01-26T19:12:00.003-07:00

Time: 6:41 pm
Location: My desk
Weather: 66 degrees after a high of 76 today...
Eating: Spaghetti for dinner
Not Eating: ROFL - brownies!!!! I forgot to put the egg in it and it was a hot mess
Drinking: Water
Wearing: jeans, green long sleeve t-shirt over a tank, my hair in a pony
Feeling: my sweet tooth with the no brownies
Needing: the brownies - double ROFL!
Listening: To Michael flip channels and the boys play the Wii together... yes, I said together. :)
Thinking: Which 1/2 Marathon I'm going to sign up for since my 1st choice for my 2nd 1/2 sold out... :(
Enjoying: The fact that I vaccumed and dusted today.
Wondering: How my tulips photos from today turned out... edited - good!!!
A few photos from the last few days:
Ryan started Cross Country at School and they had their 1st meet this week...
They ran 2 miles. He walked some and his goal is to run it all by the end of CC. And yes - he and I are signed up together for a 5K in a couple weeks

Matthew celebrated 100 Days at school...
The scratch on his nose is from the surgery (post upcoming) that he won't leave alone to heal...

Yesterday's tulip captures...

We came home from school and he asked to play basketball in the backyard and asked for photos! Well - actually ha asked for video, but settled for photos - LOL!

Tulips from today... And yes - I bought them just to play... :)

64/2 | week 33 | violet red

2011-12-10T21:33:00.001-07:00

64/2 | week 33 | violet red, originally uploaded by Rynonut Mom.

My Christmas decorations seem to be my go to spot for now - LOL!

For the group www.flickr.com/groups/sixtyfourcolors_roundtwo/

64/2 | week 32 | olive green

2011-12-02T19:52:00.001-07:00

64/2 | week 32 | olive green, originally uploaded by Rynonut Mom.

For the group www.flickr.com/groups/sixtyfourcolors_roundtwo/

64/2 | week 31 | orange

2011-11-27T16:12:00.001-07:00

64/2 | week 31 | orange, originally uploaded by Rynonut Mom.

Little boken of the last of the fall lights....

For the group www.flickr.com/groups/sixtyfourcolors_roundtwo/

64/2 | week 30 | mahogany

2011-11-19T08:41:00.001-07:00

64/2 | week 30 | mahogany, originally uploaded by Rynonut Mom.

fading beauty...

For the group www.flickr.com/groups/sixtyfourcolors_roundtwo/

Project 365 | 11.11.2011

2011-11-13T16:57:00.001-07:00

11.11.11 :)
I went to lunch with Diane today up in Paradise Valley. As I was driving in, I ran into (ha - not literally!) the walkers from the Komen 3-day Walk. A sea of pink...
Don't judge - I (unsafely) snapped these as I was driving...

Lunch was so good (Julio's) and we had a nice time talking and catching up. I wanted to go to Road Runners to get new shoes, but didn't have time. Miss Shauni came and stayed with Matthew. They played here, went to Wendy's for lunch, to her house for a bit and then to the park by our house. I met them there when I got home and stayed with Matthew for a bit. Then we were out front until Michael came home.

Project 365 | 11.10.2011

2011-11-13T16:56:00.000-07:00

Ryan had his 2nd baseball game tonight. It was supposed to be on Monday, but got rained out. He played outfield again and was up to bat 1 time, in which he struck out. Ack. He had once nice save from the outfield that he threw in to inbetween 3rd and home and stopped the runner. grandma was able to come over with us, which was nice!

The moon was gorgeous that night - but this was about all we saw of it before it went behind the clouds...

Project 365 | 11.9.2011

2011-11-09T21:52:00.000-07:00

Speech Therapy with Miss Adrian today. You played Uno and had a blast...

Then we went out front for a bit and the golf cart came out...

And the moon came up...

Project 365 | 11.8.2011

2011-11-09T21:50:00.003-07:00

Miss Lynnette came for OT today. First you had to work on your spelling words, then you did a puzzle...

Project 365 | 11.7.2011

2011-11-09T21:48:00.001-07:00

Today, the concert was in our backyard...

Ryan was supposed to have a baseball game today, but it had rained over night and was quite cool and damp all day. The field was still wet and they ended up cancelling the game and rescheduling for Thursday.

64/2 | week 29 | periwinkle

2011-11-09T21:41:00.001-07:00

64/2 | week 29 | periwinkle, originally uploaded by Rynonut Mom.

For the group www.flickr.com/groups/sixtyfourcolors_roundtwo/

We had some really cool, fun neighbors that redid their front patio with broken up ceramics way back. They've since moved on and the house has been sold a few times. But their front patio still reflects the love that those long ago neighbors poured into their home. Little glimpses of the lives that once lived there...

Project 365 | 11.6.2011

2011-11-08T23:30:00.001-07:00

When we got home last night, Ryan went and put Matthew's new poster in a frame for him in his room....

Project 365 | 11.5.2011

2011-11-08T23:23:00.001-07:00

Today was a day that Mom & Dad had actually been waiting for for quite awhile! LOL! Back in Sept., I saw that Big Time Rush was going to be at the AZ State Fair. We decided to surprise you boys with tickets to the concert. I went and scouted out good seats (so I hoped) and purchased them at TickeMasters, then we hide them away.

Sometime in the month after, Ryan saw that they were going to be here and started talking about it. To Matthew. Ack. They even wrote the date down on the calendar. We tried to play it as cool as we could - probably sold out, we'll see - etc. etc.
As fate works, Daddy had to work that morning. But when he got home, we loaded you both up and told you that we wanted to do something fun and take you to the fair. Ryan was beginning to put 2 and 2 together, but still didn't know for sure. He brought up that BTR was there today. And again - we played as ignorant as we could, probably sold out. Rats.
We got there, parked and saw as much as we could... crazy acts/stunts as we were eating...

Texas size donut the size of his head - ROFL!

Then we wandered for a bit, going thru the animal barns and the sales barns, thru the games and the rides. Matthew picked out 2 that he wanted to do - the bumper cars and the big slide...

We took another food break, got some fries and nachos and Matthew played in the small kid area for a bit. Matthew was asking for more tickets and it was getting close to time to go in. So we pulled over to the side and I told him I remembered I had more tickets and pulled out the concert tickets. They were both quite excited!

I only took the point&shoot camera with me, wasn't sure I could get in with the big one, wasn't sure I wanted to lug it around all day either. It did ok. Still wished I'd had the big one several times that day/night.

The concert was really pretty good. It was 3/4's little girls about Matthew's age that squealed and squealed. That was very loud! :) That's when Matthew would hold his ears. The seats we got were great!!! We could all see very well and they were pretty close. There were 3 other kids with Down syndrome in the close vacinity to us too - kinda funny! No one that we knew either... BTR gave a great show - they were very well rehearsed, actually singing, and not super jaded about it all yet. Very nice! We teased Ryan about getting a BTR t-shirt. Matthew asked to go to the bathroom about half way thru and when Michael took him up - the 1st thing he asked for was a BTR t-shirt - LOL! They walked over to look and one of the guys selling the merchandise slipped Matthew a poster! Fun! We had a great time and over all - it was a pretty relaxing day! :) We worried that it would be total sensory overload for Matthew, but he did really well and listened really well for the most part.

Project 365 | 11.4.2011

2011-11-08T22:53:00.001-07:00

Miss Lynnette came today for OT. She's promised you last time that if you worked hard, you could play the Just Dance Game on the Wii this week. So...
you did.

You also got 100% on your spelling test!!!! :)

Project 365 | 11.3.2011

2011-11-04T06:00:00.000-07:00

Doing one of his favorite things to do lately. Combing hair. He's starting to prefer my hair, but it pulls kinda bad sometimes - LOL! So, he settles for the doll's hair.

64/2 | week 28 | tan

2011-11-03T15:50:00.001-07:00

64/2 | week 28 | tan, originally uploaded by Rynonut Mom.

For the group www.flickr.com/groups/sixtyfourcolors_roundtwo/

Project 365 | 11.2.2011

2011-11-03T06:00:00.000-07:00

The weather changed alot today and will change even more in the next few days - YAY!!! bring on the cooler weather!Miss Adrian came for ST today. Since it was so nice, we decided to stay out front. I'm pretty sure she & I are sporting new mosquito bites, but oh well! Her daughter said that Matthew should play with the Pooh bear house today, so that's what Miss A.drian brought. We were laughing at the fact that her daughter probably didn't think that Pooh & Tigger would be playing wrestling and basketball with the house - ROFL!

Then we rushed off to pick up Ryan from school, in to do their homework and back outside to play and - of course - drive the golf cart. I did manage to swap the front of the house over from Halloween to Thanksgiving - score! Got one photo session gallery sent off tonight too - Yay!

Project 365 | 11.1.2011

2011-11-02T06:00:00.000-07:00

The temps are starting to change. I lite my candles today in the house! Yum!

Of course, today it was still in the upper 80's. It's supposed to be in the upper 60's for the weekend! Yay! CAN"T wait!!!!

I didn't get up for my run this morning. Only had 2 miles scheduled, and I thought I might just skip it. I figured out on my way to work that I could run it after school. So I came home, got ready, was about to step onto the treadmill and figured out I could run outside! So - I stepped outside and then remembered... It's in the upper 80's today! Ack. So - it was a bit warmer than I would have liked but I enjoyed my brief run outside. I have shorter runs a couple of days during the week for the next few weeks, so I think this might be the start of a new trend instead of getting up so early. The days over 3, we'll have to see.
I felt kinda silly when I got home and looked at myself, I still had on my jewelry and all my makeup. I'm a get-up-in-the-morning, get dressed and go kinda girl. So that felt kinda weird.

While I'm talking running... I have my 1st 10 mile run scheduled for Sunday. 10 miles! It sounds so far! I've done 9, and it's only 1 miles more, but at this point in my training, it's a mind set.
It-sounds-so-far against it's-only-1-mile-farther.
I ran 75 miles during the month of October. That's definately a new record for me too!

Project 365 | 31 for 21 | 10.31.2011

2011-11-01T06:00:00.000-07:00

Happy Halloween!!!!Ryan had his first baseball game tonight. Gma & Gpa were able to come watch. Ryan's playing left field and got a walk tonight. They won 10-0!!!! Woot!

Then we grabbed some McDonald's on the way home, ate and got Matthew in his costume and went trick or treating. I took the camera, but didn't take any photos! We kept over hearing people saying how polite he was!!! So nice to hear! :) Brought home more candy than we can eat. All that candy, and I don't think Matthew had a single piece - LOL! Me on the other hand...

Here's the pumpkin's the boys did. Matthew's is the pumpkin face and Ry's is the initials of his school...

Project 365 | 31 for 21 | 10.30.2011

2011-10-31T06:00:00.000-07:00

The plan was to buy pumpkins this morning and then come home and carve them. Yeah. Didn't happen. My thought was to let the boys pick out their own pumpkin this year, but I didn't count on Ryan haven't baseball practice until 6pm every night this week. We got to WalMart this morning to find out all the pumpkins were gone! Gone!!! I went to the Little WalMart on the way to my photo session this afternoon and they had a grand total of 4. Now they have 2, because I bought 2! Didn't get to pick and choose much with that many to choose from, but oh well. So tonight, after I got home, the boys carved their pumpkins...

Ryan's had a crazy thick outer skin and was so hard to cut through. But we made it. I haven't taken photos of them outside all lit up yet, will have to do that tomorrow...

Project 365 | 31 for 21 | 10.29.2011

2011-10-30T06:00:00.000-07:00

Buddy Walk Day!This year we went to the DSNetwork's Buddy Walk at the ASU Homecoming parade. It was still a little warm today, but mostly pleasant and we had a good time!

Miss Shauni (our/his friend and his respite worker - LOVE her!!!) met us there, hung out and then walked with us.

We were there early enough to look around alot before hand, but they didn't have the give aways and such out yet. Still lots of fun things to do...

Fun bean table at Shauni's major's tent!

Dude had to take Miss Shauni for a ride on the police motorcycle...

The parade started. Sparky's the Man!!!!

Then it was our turn to jump into the parade...

He charmed everyone on our side of the street giving the "fork" and high fiving people! I saw so many people smiling when they saw him! Made my heart sing...

Had to have a little ride the last bit of the parade.

We said good bye to Miss Shauni and headed back into the Kid Fun Zone for a bit.

We left and hit up IHOP for lunch before coming home. I had a photo session this afternoon, so had to get ready for that. It turned out well (I think!), now I have alot of editing to do! :)

4 people | 12 times | October

2011-10-29T21:45:00.001-07:00

This month's photo was taken at this year's Buddy Walk.

Project 365 | 31 for 21 | 10.28.2011

2011-10-29T21:29:00.000-07:00

Matthew & I stopped in at KMart (smart, as Matthew has to add in after the name due to the commercials) right after school today. I am in need of a new Halloween shirt and I didn't like the ones at WalMart, haven't made it to Old Navy or Target lately. KMart's right on the way home, hence we stopped. I found a shirt and a fun pair of socks. Of course, we couldn't stop there, we had to go look at toys. And in toys, we found the perfect accessory to go with the phone for his costume. And it was on sale. Meant to be? Maybe. It even came with a belt clip... :)

Project 365 | 31 for 21 | 10.27.2011

2011-10-28T06:00:00.000-07:00

We had to go to the library today to return/get new books. It's right next to a photo location that I wanted to scout out again, so I took my camera and we ventured in.
We found a touch of fall...

Just a touch though. Still so pretty though...

I found som pretty light, after Matthew mad a new friend there. His new little friend was quite charmed with him and started following him around instead of going with his Dad, LOL! After his friend and Dad left, I got him to still for me for a bit...

See the crane in the water?

I'm trying to get us heading back towards the car, but Matthew keeps hearing the ducks. I walk off a ways, trying to get him to follow me and from afar, I hear the ducks getting louder and Matthew going the opposite direction from where I was going. I knew what was happening - the ducks were leaving the pond and Matthew was in pursuit! LOL! I talked him into letting the ducks back into the pond.

After we walked off a bit, they left the pond again and headed back up the path that he had followed them on! They must of had a nest over there somewhere...

We really need to go there more often. It's so close to our house, so pretty and such an oasis in the desert!

Project 365 | 31 for 21 | 10.26.2011

2011-10-27T21:16:00.000-07:00

I had been plotting this year's Halloween costume photoshoot during this week. Wasn't sure when I was going to be able to do it, but I knew that I wanted to try for an alley somewhere... something urban and gritty. Meanwhile - I was thinking about the "gray" photo (see below). I got out my stuff to do my gray shoot and Matthew is changing as fast as he can into his costume. So - out went the grungy alley and in came the front door! LOL!
Behold the Samuari... Red Power Ranger Samuari

I actually think I'm glad that it all fell into place like it did!

LOL - he was so sweaty that we gave him "crazy" hair, as he calls it...

We came inside and I start working on something, come around the corner and he's gotten down the large mirror that I was using for my "gray" photo (the inside mirror from the 46" tv that we had... one of those really huge ones from years ago?) and is having great fun in front of it watching himself. Way too cute!

Later on, we went down the street for the Halloween Block Party. So much fun! They had the whole block blocked off and had games and music and food and dancing and so, so many people!!! The very best part was that we ran into Matthew's previous classmates from our home school that he hadn't see in over a year! He had so much fun seeing them and they were so excited to see him!!!! They all talked about it again with me today. So cool! :)

Project 365 | 31 for 21 | 10.25.2011

2011-10-26T21:57:00.000-07:00

Miss Lynnette came today for OT. She brought 2 fun Halloween food projects for you to do.
First up... Spooky Trees...

Frosting on a graham cracker for a base.

Push a wire into a piece of licorce.

Assemble "tree".

Build candy corn fence...

Then you made Nutter Butter Ghosts - YUM!

You caught me off guard and took a bite from one! Go Dude (never having a Nutter Butter before!)!

Note on the shirt. I had a Halloween shirt laid out for you to wear today. You went into your room to get your clothes, ditched the Halloween shirt and got out your white button down shirt. LOL! So - that is what you wore to school today...

64/2 | week 27 | gray

2011-10-26T16:33:00.001-07:00

64/2 | week 27 | gray, originally uploaded by Rynonut Mom.

For the group www.flickr.com/groups/sixtyfourcolors_roundtwo/

You might think that it's cold in AZ from this photo. In fact - we have a cold front that's moving in and dropping the temp to...

81 degrees.

Yep - no snow on the way here, but the colors were what I needed...

Project 365 | 31 for 21 | 10.24.2011

2011-10-25T06:00:00.000-07:00

It's starting to cool off!!!! Supposed to be in the 80's by the middle of this week. But low 90's again by early next week. Ack.Busy day today. I had to get to the little WalMart today after school, for I blew it off yesterday. Ack. Then Miss Adrian was here. She let Matthew pick what to bring in and he picked the Pooh Bear House set. When they were done, she showed him a new game that she had for the iPad. Fun!
Michael picked up Ryan from baseball practice tonight and we found out that he's made the competitive team at school!!!! Way to go, Ryan!!!! He's said his first game is this Monday! Wow - that seems soon! And not to mention the fact that Monday is Halloween!!!! Should make for an interesting next Monday!

Project 365 | 31 for 21 | 10.23.2011

2011-10-24T21:35:00.002-07:00

Today we went to the pumpkin patch. I bought a Groupon for Vertuccio Farms about a month ago when they had a special for all 4 of us to get in. This is the same one we went to last year and the boys had loved it. They had some new things this year. Matthew went back at lest 3 times to the giant bouncy set into the ground! We went into the corn maze - Matthew first. Big mistake! He took off! Luckily Ryan was right on his tail, but Michael and I lost them at a turn, for they were too far ahead of us! We made our way out and they ended up coming out not too far behind us! Weeshu! We ran into Miss Adrian and her family there too - such a nice surprise! :) the boys had fun - Ryan was even smiling! LOL! It was still a little too warm, we went a little too late and it was a little too crowded (for me on all 3!), but we had a good time!

Project 365 | 31 for 21 | 10.22.2011

2011-10-23T06:00:00.000-07:00

This morning started early (6:30). You were up and ready to go - LOL! And here it is now, 8:47am and your brother is still in bed sleeping. Ah the life of a teenager...

You got up and asked for a costume - your doctor's one to be specific. Then you went onto the backporch with the dogs and your music and there was a dance party for a bit!

Dad's at work this morning, so we are hanging out, getting housework and laundry done so we can have some fun when he gets home...

Project 365 | 31 for 21 | 10.21.2011

2011-10-22T08:46:00.001-07:00

Ah, Friday!!!!First there was this...

100% on Matthew's spelling test! Go Dude!!! He celebrated by playing more Sonic on the DS... LOL!

We went outside for a bit to wait for Daddy to get home. Rode the scooters. Tried to get out the GoKart, but I couldn't get it started. Played basketball for a bit with some neighbor kids. Ryan had baseball practice again. It's been running late, so he didn't get home until after 6pm. Then we headed out to McD's for some dinner (no-cook Friday's! Gotta love it!). Matthew ran into a friend from his "typical" classmates side of his room while we where there and played with him for quite a bit! So fun to see!

I took a few pics of our halloween decorations today...

Love the giant "boo"! Target $ spot! :)

Mixed things up a little outside this year and it makes me happy to see it all. Hung the wreath from the front windows with a ribbon. Just saw on Pinterest a wreath like this with an initial on it - will have to go add my big white one to this...

Here's my giant branch that I ran home 3 miles with...

Can you see the giant thorns?

I took the lights from the luminary bags that I use at Christmas and made these milk carton ghosts that I saw on Pintrest. I've done them before, several years ago, but I think I put candles in them and only made 2. We have 6 out this year and with the lights in it - they are just so cute!

Project 365 | 31 for 21 | 10.20.2011

2011-10-21T06:00:00.000-07:00

You came home from school today and asked for your DS, sat down and promptly starting playing it - LOL! You must have felt the need for a little Sonic Racing...

Project 365 | 31 for 21 | 10.19.2011

2011-10-20T06:00:00.000-07:00

I took the sum total of 2 pictures today - LOL! Here's one of the two...

Another regular old day today. Nothing super exciting.
Ryan wanted to go out front and drive the gokart, so he helped Matthew with his homework today. They managed to do it with a minimal amount of fuss. Thank goodness.
:)

Project 365 | 31 for 21 | 10.18.2011

2011-10-19T06:00:00.000-07:00

Two of our neighbors have blooming cactus right now. I'd been watching them to see if I could time taking my camera over there. You see - they only bloom at night, and by morning, they are starting to close already. Forget trying after school - they are done by then. So this morning - 4 of the blooms on one of them were open and I took my camera over! :)

Matthew had a field trip to a play today. Of course that meant he was up at 6am - oh the anticipation! LOL! He didn't say too much about it. It was called "Let Freedom Ring" and apparently was about America from Plymouth and up.
After school, Miss Lynnette came. She gave him the choice of playing the Wii with the Just Dance or making a Halloween candy necklace and then coloring. To our surprise, he picked the necklace!

In the past few years, he's gotten braver and braver with these - putting them in his mouth and actually taking little bites off the pumpkin charm part. He wouldn't put the little discs in his mouth, but he did the pumpkin! Yay Matthew!

His parent/teacher conference was tonight. He is doning SO well this year!!!! making progress on all his goals, his behavior is wonderful - so, so nice to hear! Ryan got his report card - all A's with only one B. Such smart boys!!!!!!

Project 365 | 31 for 21 | 10.17.2011

2011-10-18T06:00:00.000-07:00

Miss Adrian came today for ST. She brought Spongebob Ants in the Pants for you to play for one of your friends that she also sees requested that she bring it for you to play too! How fun is that?

You saw here bring in the iPad and wanted to play with that 1st thing (she takes her notes on it as you are working/playing). You had to wait until after Spongebob, but then she let you for a few minutes. You immediately asked for Monkey Math, even though you hadn't played it for close to a month.

It's early release day for Matthew & I all week due to teacher's conferences. I still leave at the same time, but have to go straight to get Matthew without my hour break inbetween. Still really warm here - upper 90's to right close to 100. Ack. So done with it.

64/2 | week 26 | plum

2011-10-17T16:34:00.001-07:00

64/2 | week 26 | plum, originally uploaded by Rynonut Mom.

For the group www.flickr.com/groups/sixtyfourcolors_roundtwo/

Project 365 | 31 for 21 | 10.16.2011

2011-10-17T06:00:00.000-07:00

Today was alot about outdoors!I got up and ran this morning - 8.5 miles. I found a branch about 3 miles into my run that I wanted to use for Halloween decorations by our front door. I decided to pick it up on the way back, so I did. Got some really funny looks running the last 3 miles home with the branch in my hand - LOL! It's almost as tall as I am! I'll take a photo of it sometime this week. So glad I got it, 'cause it's exactly what I was looking for and looks great!
Then after I got home, Michael was outside redoing the brakes on my Sportage and we ended up out front. The boys ended up getting out the go-kart and riding it around for awhile. Then they had friends from up the street come over for a bit. I finished putting up the Halloween decorations - outside and inside.

The friend up the street has this cool vehicle and Matthew has wanted to ride it on his own. This year, he can finally reach the pedals and get it to go! He had so much fun on it!

Ryan went to Gma/Gpa's this afternoon and helped them clean out a storage space. Michael, Matthew and I went to Outback for a nice linner (lunch/dinner). Then to WalMart to wander (Matthew) and pick up a couple things I forgot yesterday (deo for me!). Then home to finish cleaning up and laundry. Back to school tomorrow!

Project 365 | 31 for 21 | 10.15.2011

2011-10-16T06:00:00.000-07:00

Today was a very at-home day - LOL! Michael went and picked up some dounuts for us this morning and then we started cleaning the house. I'd mentioned to Michael a while back about taking down the curtains in the house and we ended up doing that. But then I had to do some major blind cleaning - LOL! Finally stopped around 2:30 pm, cleaned up and then we went to Five Guys for linner (lunch/dinner). It was Ryan's choice today to pick where we went. It was good!I got out the point/shoot while we were there and craziness commensed...

Ryan was trying to play the cool teenager and I was trying to not let him.

Then Matthew decided to try to lick Ryan...

And then lick me!

ROFL

Then we came home and the boys played out front with the neighbors while Michael watched and I went to WalMart.

Project 365 | 31 for 21 | 10.14.2011

2011-10-15T21:03:00.002-07:00

Today was Matthew's State Swim Meet in Surprise. It's about an hour away from our house, so we all got up really early. Michael took the day off, so that we could all go up. We worried about getting there early enough - we decided to follow the vans up with the coaches and older kids in them. We got there at 6:30am. We soon learned that it was a hurry up and wait kinda thing. Didn't leave until around 7am and then didn't get up to Surprise until around 8am. The 1st session started at 8:30. Matthew didn't end up swimming until around 10am. But they had quite a few things to do that kept us occupied at least! :)
The had some bouncy's that were sport themed - hitting golf balls, basketball, soccer, football, baseball, skeet ball.

They has an owl and 2 kinds of hawks there...

They also had popcorn, snowcones, water & fruit all set out and ready to eat.

But not enough seats. The team had brought chairs and pop-up tents to sit under, but we hadn't brought any. We found this golf cart to sit on for a bit and the curb across from it.

I got "the look" from Ryan - LOL!

Then it was finally his turn for his event - 25 meter freestyle. His coach came to get him and they put him in a first corral to sit for a bit until everyone was there. Then they moved back to this area.

The volunteers (in yellow) had a box that they carried the kids personal belongings in to give back after their event. The very nice woman in the pony tail was with Matthew's group and she stayed with them and made sure they were in the right place. He talked to her most of the time. We had to wait a bit until it was time for his group. Then they came over, got in the right row and got it!

We had coached him quite a bit - listen for the whistle, swim fast, don't stop, don't hand onto the rope, put your head down and go!!!! And he did!!!!

He was in first for a bit, then had 2nd until the last 1/4 of the pool.

This is where I stopped taking pictures and just cheered him on - LOL!!!

They had to get out of the pool and then were ushered over to another holding area until it was his time for the awards for his group. The nice lady wasn't quite watching him and he started to try to make his way over to us, on the other side of the pool! I finally got his to realize he had to go with her and she finally saw where he was - LOL! We were pretty sure he's gotten the bronze - third place...

- and sure enough, he did!!!! Here's the nice policewoman giving him his medal!

It was so cute 'cause he was cheering away and then he looked down at it, and got so excited when he saw it was a medal!!!

So, so cute!!!!!! We were so proud of him! So were the coaches. It was kinda funny, 'cause they were kinda shocked that he'd gotten 3rd - LOL! He's been such a booger at practice...
They had a whole parade, dance and fireworks lined up for that evening, but we decided to go home. It was all of like 10:30am at that time, it was going to be 100 degrees and we just didn't want to hang out until 7:30 that night. We walked around the booths for a bit longer and then left. We stopped on the way home at our hot dog stand that we love (Franks-A-Lot), had lunch and shatted for a bit with the owners! That was so nice! :) What a great day! :)

Project 365 | 31 for 21 | 10.13.2011

2011-10-14T13:53:00.000-07:00

Today was another pretty slow day. I got a late start and didn't get much done. Matthew & I had to run to the post office and then we went to Hobby Lobby for a bit. Got a leaf garland for the front door, a cute little autumn angel and a cool sign that says "Merry Christmas" (which he promptly carried all around the store, telling everyone "Merry Christmas!", making lots of people smile! LOL!). I know - too early for Christmas, but I've learned if you wait and go back, it will be gone. And it was already 40% off, so oh well!
The boys have played the PS2 together alot in the last couple of days. It's kinda nice when they're not fighting with each other! :)

Project 365 | 31 for 21 | 10.12.2011

2011-10-13T16:55:00.003-07:00

Today we did a whole lot of nothing. I was busy editing photos most of the day. Took a few photos in the morning while Matthew was outside swinging and listening to his music. Thought I'd gotten some good ones, but I looked at them today and eh, not so much. Oh well! :) He's cute anyway...

64/2 | week 25 | goldenrod

2011-10-13T16:52:00.001-07:00

64/2 | week 25 | goldenrod, originally uploaded by Rynonut Mom.

For the group www.flickr.com/groups/sixtyfourcolors_roundtwo/

Project 365 | 31 for 21 | 10.11.2011

2011-10-12T06:00:00.000-07:00

Miss Lynnette came today for OT and she brought a sweet little craft for the 2 of you to make!Paper pumpkins...

She traced circles on the backs of the triangles of paper and you helped her cut them out.

Ryan figured out that the scraps made nice cat ears! Matthew had to try too. I figured out that the scraps were nice for something else - more on that in a minute.

Then you glued the circles together after you folded them in half.

The bottom was trimmed.

And a stem added from a pipe cleaner!

Super, super cute!!!!!

Back to the scraps. I cut off the edges to make triangles out of them.

Then stapled them to a ribbon.

And made a super cute banner! Ended up with enough to make 2 banners - so, so cute!!!! Now our Halloween decorating has begun...

30 day challenge | day 30 | self-portrait

2011-10-11T15:27:00.003-07:00

Me.
Age 44.
So much done in my life.
So, so much more I want to do in my life.
Me.

Project 365 | 31 for 21 | 10.10.2011

2011-10-11T06:00:00.000-07:00

Miss Adrian came for ST today. She brought one of the PlayDoh games for the 2 of you to play today.

You landed on the "recycle" spot a few times today and thought is was utterly hillarious to squish Miss Adrian's pony!

Smokey could not leave her alone again - LOL!

Other than that - it's a quite day today. The 1st day of Fall Break. Ryan is at GMa's, Daddy's at work and it's just the 2 of us hanging out, getting some laundry done...

30 day challenge | day 29 | black and white

2011-10-10T14:27:00.002-07:00

This pretty little lady sits in my kitchen window sill, a present from a friend. Her "theme" is "surrounded by love" and I am... I really am...

Project 365 | 31 for 21 | 10.9.2011

2011-10-10T09:33:00.000-07:00

All taken with the point & shoot.
We have been waiting (im)patiently for the new Dunkin' Donuts to open that's closer to us and this week it did! I had an 8 (!!!) mile run that morning - my first. Then we all showered up and hit the DD. Yum!!! They had free coffee to boot!
Other than that - a much more low key day today. I did the WalMart run, Michael took Ryan to the batting cage for a bit and I had a photo shoot late afternoon.
On another note - Man am I sore. I didn't think I'd be this sore from a run - need to stretch more after...

30 day challenge | day 28 | flowers

2011-10-10T09:28:00.000-07:00

I bought some flowers from the store today, but in the end, it was still my zinnia's out front that won the photo...

Project 365 | 31 for 21 | 10.8.2011

2011-10-10T09:27:00.001-07:00

Today was the last swim practice for this year. With the 20 degree drop in temps, we thought the pool would be freezing, but they had solar covers on it until it was time to get in it and it wasn't bad.
Can you see him with the red kick board below?
He swam all the away across today - twice!!! Without stopping. Yay! It took him until the last 2 times across, but he did it! The State competition is this Friday, so we'll see if he can do it then.

Getting his muscles checked out! LOL!

Then is was time for this!

But, as you can see in this photo, not quite so happy on this time down. He hit his head on the side at some point. Came out of the water saying "ow". I call him over calmly and as asking him to get out of the pool. In the back of my head I hear a whistle blowing and then register that there's 3 lifeguards standing around me trying to talk to him too. The lifeguard in the pool had sounded the alarm and they all rushed over! They had cleared the pools (the 2 near by, I think) and had shut off the water slide. Dude was fine - I couldn't even see a red mark. And boy was he upset that the water slide was turned off! LOL! Then they couldn't get it to turn back on until after we'd left! Go Dude!

They were having their end-of-the-season celebration party, so we stayed and played in the water and they had quite a spread of food.
Later that afternoon, Matthew was invited to a friend's birthday party at BounceU. Tones of fun there too!

The birthday boy!!!

Entertaining the big boys with the birthday boys light sword!

30 day challenge | day 27 | from a distance

2011-10-10T09:11:00.001-07:00

Not quite as far away as it could have been, I guess. But still enough...
And yeah - the water wasn't half bad!

64/2 | week 24 | black

2011-10-10T07:56:00.001-07:00

64/2 | week 24 | black, originally uploaded by Rynonut Mom.

Missed the cut off this week, but had the photos done (since early in the week - ack!).
For the group www.flickr.com/groups/sixtyfourcolors_roundtwo/

30 day challenge | day 26 | close-up

2011-10-08T08:05:00.002-07:00

My new rings came in the mail today!!! I had been eyeing these for quite some time from Cinnamon Sticks, and when they went on sale a few weeks ago, I ordered one. Then I ordered a second one. I really wanted a third, but didn't. yet. I ordered our wedding date first. And then I ordered the "down syndrome awareness" one. So excited that they are here! I sized them to fit on my thumbs...

LOVE them!!!

Project 365 | 31 for 21 | 10.7.2011

2011-10-08T07:58:00.001-07:00

Today we had a super early release at school. I was done at 11:45am, but had a meeting afterwards from 12-1pm. GMa picked up Matthew from school for the 1st time, since he got out at 12:25. Ryan got out at 1:50. Ryan had his 1st NJHS meeting this morning and got his shirt.

From about 2:15 until what? 5:30? we were out front playing. Had a brief stop back inside for a snack, but most of it was outside. Still breezy and cool today with gorgeous, big puffy clouds!!!

I sat outside with a book (Soul Thief) and read for quite a bit. Actually had to sit in the sun for a bit of it to ward off the chill! LOL! The boy next door came out, and he and Ry had a friend from school over too. They raced Matthew, all played baseball (while darting inside to check the score on the Diamondback game - rats on that!), sat around and chatted. It was a pretty pleasant afternoon.

Signing "I love you" to me!!! :)

Project 365 | 31 for 21 | 10.6.2011

2011-10-08T07:28:00.001-07:00

Today the temperature had dropped 20 degrees and it's in the mid-70's, quite a bit chillier!!!! It's overcast and quite breezy. Matthew insisted on wearing a jacket to school in the morning. He thought it was going to rain (never really did). When he got into the car after I picked him up from school, he promptly took off his shirt and put the jacket back on. Wore it that way until we were getting ready to go outside. Then I told him he needed his shirt on too - take off your jacket, put your shirt on and then put your jacket back on. I came back over and he'd put the shirt on top of the jacket. He just didn't want to switch it. End of story. So - oh well. Shirt on the outside.

He's so thrilled that we finally remembered to charge the battery on this. We're surprised that he still even remotely fits in it, but he LOVES driving it. Time to find something that fits him better...

Tonight was also Ryan's 1st band concert of the year. They were supposed to have brand new uniforms to wear, but they didn't come in in time. He wore a pair of Michael's old pants and his shirt and tie. Ack.

He was the only tuba. I thought there were more, but I forgot to ask him about it.

30 day challenge | day 25 | something pink

2011-10-06T14:14:00.002-07:00

I wear this bracelet (and my Down Syndrome Awareness bracelet) for the month of Oct. To celebrate and remember friends lost from this horrible desease.Think pink.

Project 365 | 31 for 21 | 10.5.2011

2011-10-06T06:00:00.000-07:00

You and I went to the library together after school today. I had a book that had to go back today, and frankly - I was tired of reading all the same books to you at night. Time for some new ones...

I found 3 Steve Nash books for you - which is what you immediately sat down at a table to look at.

Then we picked up Ryan from school, came home and did your homework. Spelling words and 1 homework sheet of the math sort...

Then we went out front to play. The hummingbirds were fighting over the feeder tonight - darting in and out and around the front yard. At least 3 different ones. You were a bit fascinated by them and sat down on the bench for a little while to watch them.

We rode scooters around the block. We ended up meeting the grandmother of a little guy with Down syndrome while we were out. We'd met the grandfather and father a few weeks back, but hadn't met her yet. So fun that there are 3 families (including us) within our little neighborhood that have a child or grandchild with Down syndrome! Such a small world sometimes!

30 day challenge | day 24 | animal

2011-10-05T20:43:00.003-07:00

Confession time. I couldn't stop at one animal today. Couldn't. Tried to get Bella, but she's such the love lab, that you look at her and she trys to crawl into your lap for some pets. Smokey did sit still though. He didn't whine (and yes, oh yes, he does whine and whine well...), but he did get attitude and tuck his nose down when he'd had enough of the camera in his face...

The hummingbirds came out to play tonight while we were out. They were fighting over the local watering hole...

And I actually got a shot of Simba. He's so dark, he's hard to get...

Project 365 | 31 for 21 | 10.4.2011

2011-10-05T06:00:00.000-07:00

Today you had OT with Miss Lynnette. She brought the watercolors and a giant ToyStory color book for you to paint in. She had brought it last week and you hadn't listened very well and you never got to do it. This week you listened and paint you did...

Then Ryan showed you the chicken puppet he got from his fundraiser today. You had fun getting it to squeak! LOL!

30 day challenge | day 23 | sunflare

2011-10-04T21:14:00.002-07:00

Luckily, I decided to try this at 8:30 this morning, because a few hours later, it was completely cloudy for the rest of the day...

Project 365 | 31 for 21 | 10.3.2011

2011-10-04T06:00:00.000-07:00

Miss Adrian wasn't feeling well otday, so no ST. We came home and had a snack before homework time. Lately you've been stacking 2 of your peanut butter graham crackers together and then telling me it's a sandwich - LOL! After opening up your lunch box, I could tell why you were hungry - you didn't eat your chicken nuggets at lunch today! :)
Loved watching how you held it - that cute crooked pinkie all extended out like you're having tea...

30 day challenge | day 22 | hands

2011-10-03T20:34:00.000-07:00

Snack time after school... double decker peanut butter graham crackers

Project 365 | 31 for 21 | 10.2.2011

2011-10-03T06:00:00.000-07:00

Now that it's (slightly) cooler outside, Matthew has had a renewed interest in the basketball hoop that's in the backyard, hung from the playset. It's just the right height - for him now - to do his favorite basketball move - the slam dunk! So he takes out the small basketball and slam dunk's away to his heart's content. Complete with the rim hang after...

30 day challenge | day 21 | faceless self portrait

2011-10-02T21:25:00.000-07:00

This is me. I am a runner. Sunday's are my long run day, also the only day I can run outside lately. Today was short one for me though - only 4 miles. It was a short week of training last week - a rest week. This next week, it ramps up again, with next Sunday my first 8 miler on the schedule. I'm so very excited, but a little nervous too. I plan to add on more though. Not too much longer and I will also be a half-marathoner...

Project 365 | 31 for 21 | 10.1.2011

2011-10-02T06:00:00.000-07:00

Matthew had swim pratice today. We all have a love/hate relationship with swim right now. We love to go, but he's being Matthew while we're there - LOL! He just started swimming well at the end of last year and started out this year by loving it. Then I had to go sign him up for Special Olympics Swim. Yep - 25 meters across the pool in water that's usually over his head. He did great the 1st time we went - but on that day, he watched everyone hang on the ropes and goof around and learned he could too - LOL! And he's just not sure enough about it that he doesn't swim like he does at home. If he did - man. He'd be someone to contend with. But he dog paddles instead of the nice Freestlye that he does at home. Oh well - we've decided that it's a learning year, but watch out for him next year! He's having fun this year, and that does matter. The State competition's in a few weeks and still not sure if we should go or not...

30 day challenge | day 20 | bokeh

2011-10-01T13:46:00.001-07:00

Happy October 1st!
Today's assigment is bokeh.
In photography, bokeh is the blur, or the aesthetic quality of the blur, in out-of-focus areas of an image, or "the way the lens renders out-of-focus points of light."Differences in lens aberrations and aperture shape cause some lens designs to blur the image in a way that is pleasing to the eye, while others produce blurring that is unpleasant or distracting—"good" and "bad" bokeh, respectively. Bokeh occurs for parts of the scene that lie outside the depth of field. Photographers sometimes deliberately use a shallow focus technique to create images with prominent out-of-focus regions.
Bokeh is often most visible around small background highlights, such as specular reflections and light sources, which is why it is often associated with such areas.However, bokeh is not limited to highlights; blur occurs in all out-of-focus regions of the image.

I broke out the new Halloween lights that I bought from Target and set them up in the background, shot wide open, but had to use an ISO of 1600 still. So, not the best image, but still - bokeh!!!!

Project 365 | 31 for 21 | 9.30.2011

2011-10-01T08:00:00.000-07:00

Tricia @ Unringing the Bell is once again hosting the 31 for 21 blog challenge for this year. We pledge to post every day, at least once day, for thrity-one days (each of them in the month of October, which is Down syndrome Awareness Month) on any topic, to raise awareness about Trisomy 21. 31 for 21!

This is our son, Matthew. When we were around 16 weeks pregnant with him, we found out he would be born with Down syndrome. You can read a little more about it here.

Matthew has Down syndrome... he is not a kid with downs, a downsie kid, a mongoloid. He is not someone to pity - neither are we.

Matthew is:

9 years old.
a kid that LOVES sports and plays on a baseball, a basketball and a swim team.
a smart kiddo, who gets lots of 100's on his spelling tests, can read and do math problems.
a bright, happy guy who can also get cranky, sad and/or mad. You can play tricks on you.
in the 3rd grade in what I call a hybrid classroom. It's a special ed class (of 1st, 2nd & 3rd graders) that co-exisits in a (big) room with a typical 2nd grade class.
a little brother.
a music lover - he can often be found with his MP3 player on and dancing around to the music.
quite skilled on his scooter.
loves McDonald's Happy Meals - chicken nuggets, french fries and soda, please!
a super polite kid! Seriously! We get comments on this all the time! :)
a WalMart lover. I mean, come on! What's not to love? McDonald's, toys, movies and games for his DS & Wii all under one roof??? Nirvana!
Daddy's boy right now. He LOVES his Daddy and Daddy calls him his "Me too!"
a speed demon. Daddy comes home on the motorcycle and Matthew will ask for a ride. I'm told that he asks for "faster!" the whole time they are going around the block. And yes - will his helmet on.
a talker. He's mastering 5 to 6 word sentences right now. Usually 2 in a row, sentances that is.
a goofball.
a wrestling lover right now. One of the other things that he loves about outside right now, he can sweet talk Ry's friend into wrestling with him in the front yard. We never watch it, but some of his friends at school got his interested in it last year and it's lasted through the summer.
also a Power Ranger's Samauri fan!
still asked about by the kids at our home school. Almost daily, one kid or another asks me about him there...

Gosh - I'm sure I could go on, but that's it for now. He's raring to get outside and play!

Project 365 | 9.29.2011

2011-09-30T16:33:00.000-07:00

I'm crying uncle at the moment for P365. I have all the photos taken and I will go back and fill in the blanks within time. But with 31 for 21 starting tomorrow... I cry uncle.
I'ts getting cooler out. The big boys - Ryan and his friend from next door, want to try out for baseball at the Jr. High mid Oct. And the little one, Matthew, wants to play outside at whatever he can get anyone to play. It's really nice to be able to take out a book and sit down and watch them play...

30 day challenge | day 19 | something orange

2011-09-30T16:29:00.002-07:00

Cactus blooms abound around here...

64/2 | week 23 | peach

2011-09-29T16:23:00.001-07:00

64/2 | week 23 | peach, originally uploaded by Rynonut Mom.

For the group www.flickr.com/groups/sixtyfourcolors_roundtwo/

30 day challenge | day 18 | your shoes

2011-09-29T16:22:00.001-07:00

Shoes - I have alot of shoes. My husband will agree with that. I am not a dressy girl. I dress for comfort. Don't get me wrong - I like to look nice and to be as stylish as I can get. But, more often than not, you will find me in flip flops. Living in AZ, you can get away with this for most of the year. It's nearly Oct. and we still have tempatures hovering near the 100's.
So - these shoes. On the left - my flip flops. What I put on when I got home, getting ready to go get Matthew from school later.
Of course, then I had to go back and put back on the shoes that I wore to work - LOL! Because I forgot to take a photo first. This is my first pair of running shoes. The pair that I went from couch to 5K in. Now I wear them to work. I spend 2 hours and 15 minutes on my feet from 10am to 12:15pm. On the playground and then in the cafeteria - watching over kids, setting tables up, cleaning tables, pushing tables to put them away and then getting the floor ready to be "Zambonied". I was able to wear my "cute" shoes and flip flops in the last couple of years, but this year it just doesn't work. So - tennies it is. I have another old pair of Nike's that are retired from running too that I also wear. When it get's cooler and I can wear jeans, I will get out the boots and see if I can push tables in them.
But until then - these are it...

30 day challenge | day 17 | technology

2011-09-29T15:54:00.000-07:00

Dude and technology. They pretty much go hand in hand. It's pretty amazing to think about sometimes - how much digital cameras, computers, cell phones, MP3 players, tablets, touch creen smart boards at school and all that are so much a part of our lives now. It's also so amazing that this generation will not know life without these things. Amazing.
He loves my point & shoot camera. He knows that I usually keep it in my purse and that if he gets up and I'm on the treadmill or in the shower - he can sneak it out of my purse and take photos. Although, he loves to take videos even more - ROFL! Smart little bogger!

30 day challenge | day 16 | long exposure

2011-09-29T15:38:00.000-07:00

Plan A didn't seem like it was going to work out today either, so I tried plan B that a friend suggested. That totally didn't work out. So I was going to settle on plan C. But after getting the kids in bed, I revisted the idea of plan A, only an hour & a half after I had wanted to do it. I wanted to try this right after the sun had set, but I think I'm really glad that I had to wait. I don't think I would have caught the airplanes in the sky like I did had I been there earlier...

This assignment had me giddy... I have wanted to try something like it for awhile now and it was just so fun!

30 day challenge | day 15 | silhouette

2011-09-29T15:33:00.001-07:00

Once again, what I wanted to do wouldn't work out. I wanted to wait until sunset and get "that" shot - the boys holding hands (more than likely it would have been giving me attitude instead - LOL!) - silhouetted against a gorgeous sunset. But reality crashed in and between homework, playing outside and getting dinner on the table, it wasn't going to happen. So here is my "while we're outside playing" shot that had to do instead....

30 day challenge | day 14 | eyes

2011-09-29T15:28:00.002-07:00

His eyes have it...

30 day challenge | day 13 | myself with 13 things

2011-09-29T15:28:00.001-07:00

I was really kinda stumped as what to do today. I had it in my head to have 13 of my favorite things, but it just wasn't the ay to do that. Ryan and I went to see Transformers that afternoon, and inspiration struck on the way home. I only had my point and shoot with me, so it had to do. Oh - and add 2 more pieces of popcorn in your head... I was thinking my feet counted, but then realized that was the "myself" part after we got home - LOL!
I was really kinda glad to document of time together, without embarassing my teen boy! :) We pulled into the gas station to get gas and quickly set it up and took a pic. Kinda fun...

30 day challenge | day 12 | sunset

2011-09-28T21:28:00.000-07:00

Ha - of course we had a sucky sunset that night. I didn't think I was going to get it at all, but we managed to go past the freeway at just the right time and we stopped for a brief minute for me.
The next night was absolutely gorgeous for sunset, but oh well. :)

Here's a few other sunsets that I've caught. Although the next one is a sunrise...

30 day challenge | day 11 | something blue

2011-09-28T21:21:00.004-07:00

Can you see me in it? And the sky with the clouds? And the walls of our backyard?

Project 365 | 8.20.2011

2011-09-24T14:59:00.000-07:00

Swim practice today. You got your shirts today! Pics with Point&Shoot, I didn't bring the big one this week...

Project 365 | 8.19.2011

2011-09-24T14:53:00.000-07:00

Dude after school playing his DS...

I also had my last appointment for my arm today. They took off the layers that had been put on and I graduated to putting hydrogen peroxide on it ever hour or so. I can wear regular bandaids on it, but it's still really yucky looking...

Project 365 | 8.18.2011

2011-09-24T14:48:00.000-07:00

It was a 2 Starbucks kinda day - LOL! Not really, but I stopped and got a coffee this morning and they stamp the back of your receipt and you can get another drink for $2 after 2pm. So I did!

It was also Curriculum Night at Ryan's school, so Michael & I went. We thought we'd have a bit of a Date Night out, but then figured out that they had us scheduled the whole time we were there. Oh well! At least we were together and had no kids! :)

Project 365 | 8.17.2011

2011-09-24T14:42:00.000-07:00

You and Daddy went ofr a swim after he got home today...

Project 365 | 8.16.2011

2011-09-23T14:27:00.000-07:00

OT day again today - Miss Lynnette brought the Just Dance Wii game with her for you both to play! You LOVE this!!!!Very typical scene here - you and Miss Lynnette playing the game and both dogs under feet, trying to get in on the action...

I also had a doc appointment today. The pig skin came off and they put the Procellera/DuoDerm layer on it.

Project 365 | 8.15.011

2011-09-23T14:17:00.000-07:00

Miss Adrian came today for ST and brought one of your favorite toys with her - the Pooh Tree House...

Project 365 | 8.14.011

2011-09-22T20:10:00.000-07:00

Pretty self explanatory - we ate at In-N-Out today! :)

Project 365 | 8.13.2011

2011-09-21T20:15:00.000-07:00

Today you were fitted for your suit for swim and then had practice after. Still being a goober for the coach - LOL! At least he's onto your game now...

Project 365 | 8.12.2011

2011-09-21T20:10:00.000-07:00

We had an appointment for Matthew after school today to get him fitted for new arch supports for his shoes. I always think that I'm ordering them in time and I always find out that he's totally out-grown the pair he has and has needed them long ago. *sigh*We came home and waited on the curb for Daddy to come home. Rubber glove from the Doc's office in hand...

Then I found one of the praying mantis' again. Not sure if he was too happy with me... see the drop of water on his head in the last one?

Project 365 | 8.11.2011

2011-09-21T20:00:00.000-07:00

Yes - he's on the couch. Yes - he's a goofy dog. :)

Miss Lynnette came today for OT and you did a puzzle.

Project 365 | 8.10.2011

2011-09-21T17:01:00.000-07:00

First Day of school. We now have an 8th grader and a 3rd grader...
I always take the photo in front of the door, as sort of a reference point of how tall they are getting. You can see the last day of school here (with the 1st day's posted too).

I decided to let him get milk at school this year - steps towards independence of a sorts. So - here he's holding up his milk money...

Such solemn expressions from the teen...

Tried to get one hot of all of us together - focus is off, but we were running out of time at this point... First and last day I've worn jeans to school this year - it's entirely too hot!!!

He asked for a photo under the orange tree and the light was yummy there...

Project 365 | 8.9.2011

2011-09-21T16:38:00.001-07:00

The day before school starts.
I look like the walking wounded today. Had another appointment to check on my arm and to have a full body scan done. They biopsied 2 other spots on my arms - both which thankfully came back negative for melanoma, or anything else for that matter.

The empty box has become a very big source of fun. He's figured out he can ask for a butter knife and that it will poke holes in it...
Another button up shirt - LOL!
These are grainy and not the best - but they were having fun and I love the photos anyway...

Project 365 | 8.8.2011

2011-09-21T16:25:00.000-07:00

Miss Adrian came today for ST and she brought Jr. Monopoly to play...
Yep - he worn another button up shirt from Theo..

We heard all these helicopters in our backyard a little later.

Turn on the TV and there's a big crash up the street.

It was also Meet The Teacher Night at Matthew's school. He has the same teacher from last year, but we went so he could see that school would be starting soon. We saw his teacher and the classroom aide.

They have this cool lion in the kinder playground. We stopped there for a bit...

Project 365 | 8.7.2011

2011-09-21T16:06:00.000-07:00

We sucked it up and bought a new lawn mower. Of course - the best part of the lawn mower is the box, right?

He's wearing a shirt that the boy next door sent over. They passed on some hand-me-downs and this was one of Matthew's favorites out of them - a button up shirt. He loves them!

Project 365 | 8.6.2011

2011-09-21T16:01:00.001-07:00

Daddy was able to come with us to swim today. It was the beginning of the squirrelies at swim. He figured out that he could hang on the ropes. That he could just not listen. That he couldn't swim the distance (when he'd done it the week before). They were short on helpers this week and he was out in the middle, not doing too well. Michael hadn't worn his suit. This other dad jumped in and helped him this day.

Project 365 | 8.5.2011

2011-09-21T15:54:00.001-07:00

Oh glorious day! LOL! Michael (He took the rest of the week off for vacation) went this morning to get us a coffee from our favorite place to get coffee - Dunkin' Donuts. Instead he came back with these...

Don't know where we've been - but we didn't even know they were coming out with some!!! Yay! Sometimes it's the little things...

Project 365 | 8.4.2011

2011-09-21T15:48:00.002-07:00

We swam for a bit today - well - the boys did, I still can't get into the water. Matthew was strying to do a handstand like Ryans was doing...

Project 365 | 8.3.2011

2011-09-21T15:45:00.003-07:00

Home again.
Not too much happened today. Unpacked, rested. I had a derm appointment to check on my arm. It's still healing. It's still really large and nasty - LOL. The pig skin is still in place and doing it's job. So they pretty much looked at it, deemed it to be healing well and covered it back up.

Took a few pretty pics from around the house...

Project 365 | 8.2.2011

2011-09-21T15:08:00.001-07:00

Ryan requested The Sugarhouse for breakfast for one last time before we left. We talked Reba into coming into town to eat with us and say goodbye.

Then we went back to Grammie's, finished packing up and headed to the airport...

4 people | 12 times | September

2011-09-21T15:00:00.002-07:00

Tempe sets up a Healing Field every year on the anniversary of 9.11. This is the 1st time that we've been and I thought it to be a very fitting place to go on the anniversary of 10 years since. Also a very fitting place to take our photo together for the month of September...

The 1st one was taken on the Mill Street Bridge when we went up to look down at all the flags...

And then one in the Healing Fields

4 people | 12 times | August

2011-09-21T14:55:00.001-07:00

Yeah - I'm using our time in Vermont 2 times. :) At least they were really truely taken in the right month's, if only a few days apart - LOL!
This was taken up through the woods, using Ryan's cleared path. Reba did the honors of taking it for us...

Project 365 | 8.1.2011

2011-09-21T14:49:00.000-07:00

Rats - almost 2 months behind. Again. Trying to get started posting it again, have 1/2 hour till we pick up Ry from school and Matthew is still napping. Here we go - LOL!

Our last full day in Vermont.
In the morning, we picked up Reba and went up to an outdoor "range" that's on someone's property (who drove over to check out who was on his property when he heard us. Ooops. Nice to meet ya! He was cool about it when he figured out who we were!). My 1st time shooting.
Reba's a pro - she's already taken down 2 turkeys hunting with her Dad.

Way too loud for me - yeah, we forgot earplugs. Michael had to hold my ears...

Then I sweet talked Reba into driving me (eeekkk! Driving me! Still can't believe she is old enough to drive - LOL!) to a small covered bridge to decide if we wanted to take photos of all of them there or not. Got a few cute shots of her...

Decided to just go through Ryan's path in the woods to take some shots there. Glad we did, for they turned out nice...

All that Matthew talked about/asked to do while we were there is to go bowling with Grammie and Grandpy. So Aunt Sherry treated the boys to bowling and we all tagged along!

***sidenote*** In the flood a month later, this bowling alley was under water. Haven't heard how bad the damage was, but I bet the lanes were totaled...

30 day challenge | day 10 | childhood memory

2011-09-21T13:52:00.001-07:00

I decided last night I was going to share swinging as my childhood memory, but someone else had other ideas. Matthew is sick today. Not feeling too bad, but not himself either. He's finally fallen asleep while watching Spongebob this afternoon.
Anyway - my second idea that came to mind last night while I was trying to get to sleep is reading. My BFF will tell you how I loved to read then and oh how I love to read now! We would have sleepovers and would read side by side in our sleeping bags. Steven King for her back then... me too maybe? Don't remember. But I do know that for most of the summers of my teenage years, I read Gone With The Wind every summer. Still did for the longest time. I haven't lately, but may have to soon!