School starts

School started this week for Colin. It's his second year so I thought that it would be really easy. I didn't anticipate any crying or separation anxiety in the mornings like we went through when he started last year. However, Bob was really apprehensive and nervous about the start of school.

Last year was really difficult. It seemed like we went through 4-6 weeks of crying in the morning. Well, Bob mostly went through it. He took Colin to school most of the time, especially during the transitional time. We thought it would be easier for him than me, because Colin spends more time with me and is clinger to me.

We came to this conclusion because Bob took Colin to school the first couple days of school last year, and it went pretty smooth. And then it was my turn, it was so bad with Colin crying and clinging to me. Colin was so upset, the teachers had to pry him off of me, then I got upset. The mornings went down hill from there. We were so nervous when Bob had to go in early and it was my turn to take Colin to school -- even when it seemed like Colin was over the morning crying.

So Bob took Colin to school last Wednesday, the first day back. Bob said that there wasn't any crying but Colin looked kinda sad when Bob left. Friday I took Colin to school and I got the same impression, but I just told him that Harrison was waiting in the classroom for him and that seemed to help.

I think its funny. Colin was excited about starting school and seeing his friends, but Bob was the one all nervous about it.

Nathan's haircut

After the haircut!Time for Nathan to get his haircut since Bob and Colin decided during their "Boys Weekend" that Nathan looked like a dog. I do admit, his hair was getting a little unruly -- all those curls!

This is actually Nathan's second haircut. The first one just got the hair out of his eyes.

So Nathan is sitting in the chair and the hairstylist starts spraying water on his hair. Then she gives him the spray bottle to occupy him while she cuts his hair. At first he couldn't figure out how to spray the water. But in no time at all, he was a pro! Spraying the stylist, Colin, the mirror, me. Then he started spraying water at himself! He was laughing so hard, getting so wet and just kept on spraying and spraying. What a silly guy!

On the fence

Before

Another view -- before

After

Another random blog that is not kid-related. We decided to do some work on the backyard which includes a new deck, a hot tub and new fence. Part of our property line is shared with neighbors that had a very old white fence. This fence (as you can see from the 'before' pictures) was leaning into our yard and didn't look very safe.

We had a couple conversations with our neighbors about the fence proposing that we share the cost of replacing it. Nothing was decided during these conversations.

So our contractor began work in our backyard. When it came time to do the fence, Bob was supposed to get a hold of our neighbors and ask them if it would be okay for us to replace their fence. A miscommunication happened and the contractor began removing the neighbors fence before Bob contacted our neighbors!

Our neighbor was very upset and understandably, what would you think if all of a sudden your fence was being removed! Well, we apologized, and the fence was replaced within hours. The next day, the fence was painted on their side to match exactly what it was before.

In a normal situation, that would be the end of the story. However, in this case, the husband wants to sue us for trespassing and destruction of property! Bob asked him what he wanted from us (they already have a new fence that we paid for -- see the picture above), and his response ... "I don't know, but I want to prosecute you to the full extent of the law!"

Okey dokey, whatever that means!

Boys weekend

Bob has resumed the "boys weekend", where he takes Colin and Nathan on trips and lets me stay home and do whatever I want to do. Kinda nice little break for me and a chance for him to do something special with the kids.

Previous trips have been car trips to places like Savannah and Chattanooga. This time he decided to fly somewhere with them. So he checked out the inexpensive fares, and San Antonio was the place he wanted to go.

They visited the San Antonio Zoo, the botanical gardens, the river walk (where they went on a boat ride!), and the Children's Museum. It was also 95 degrees outside so very exhausting for them, but everyone had a good time.

Meanwhile I was at home with plans of doing some major cleaning (only minor cleaning happened), scrapbooking and just relaxing as much as possible, which means major napping!

It was very strange though, and reminded me of what it was like before kids. You know how time just has a way of creeping up and you and before you know it, the whole day is gone and you haven't showered or eaten anything. With the kids around, there is a schedule and a focus for the day's events. I missed that. I've been idealizing the time before kids and all the things that Bob and I could do without having to worry about babysitters. But the reality is that kids force us to schedule and commit to activities, and in some respects I think we might be doing more than before kids. Sounds crazy, huh!

So I was very grateful for the weekend to myself and will look forward to the next "Boys Weekend". But I'm also very grateful for the reminder about how much the kids add to my quality of life.

Captain Colin

As I mentioned in the last blog, I flew to Kansas City last week with Colin and Nathan by myself. The flight itself went pretty good with only a couple loud parts that didn't last long, but that's according to me not the people sitting around us. I remembered some suckers which came in handy when I had to get Nathan to sit on my lap for the landing. Nathan is not a lap child. Just too much to do to just sit on someone's lap for very long.

So the plane is coming in for the landing, and Colin is sitting in the window seat staring out the window. The plane is getting closer and closer to the ground, you know that time that everyone in the plane gets really really quiet. Then all of a sudden, Colin says in a very loud voice, "Watch out for the bump!" And sure enough, the timing couldn't have been more perfect. From the sound of all the laughter, I think the whole plane heard him.

The kindness of strangers

I dedicate this blog to all the people who helped me traveling with Colin and Nathan by myself. This past week I went to Omaha because of the big extended Godberson/sen reunion in Humphrey, Nebraska. Bob had to go to NI Week down in Austin, Texas, a work conference, so I decided to make the trip to Omaha alone with the boys.

I flew to Kansas City because there wasn't any frequent flyer tickets available to Omaha. The flight to Kansas City was a breeze, I had Bob to drop me off at the airport, check-in the two car seats and big suitcase, then off to the security line. Since I was traveling without the Gold Medallian traveler (Bob), then I expected to have to wait in the super long security line. Gold Medallian travelers get a special line that is much shorter. So I was pleasantly surprised when the airport personnel waved the boys and me to the front of the line (I guess traveling with 2 under the age of 3 years made me look like I needed special assistance!).

Grandma and Grandpa GG (my folks) were waiting for us at the other end of the flight, so I had lots of help with all the bags and car seats there.

Then there was the return flight. First, I'm flying out of Kansas City, and I didn't plan enough time to get to Kansas City from Omaha. The boys and I missed the original flight, well I got there in time to check-in, but not to check bags. So we got to spend some more time with Grandma and Grandpa GG in the airport while I got a couple of beers in me to help with the flight!

I decided to take a car seat on the plane with me for Nathan since it was getting so late (Nathan does a lot better strapped in!). When the plane landed in Atlanta, that was where the fun was going to begin. How do I get the two boys, a car seat, my bag, Colin's backpack, and Dat Dog off the plane and to baggage claim and then to the car. I waited to be the last to deplane, no sense in holding up the line while I get everything off. And along comes a couple that say they just left there 2 year old grandson and is there anything that they can do to help. Sure take the car seat, although I think they were disappointed that I didn't let them carry Nathan!

This couple helped us all the way to the train, and said that I shouldn't be shy about asking for help when the train got to backage claim. When the train arrived at baggage claim, another couple grabbed the car seat and told me to lead the way. I haven't even touched the car seat yet! So I found a cart to put all the baggage on and let the couple know how appreciative I was for their help.

So I got all the bags, car seats, and kids loaded up with Nathan is in a bjorn on my chest. As I make my way to the car, yet another family offer their help. They end up carrying both car seats all the way to the car and then installing the car seats for me!

Once I was on the road to home, I breathed a sigh of relief. Thank you to all the people that came to my assistance. Really makes you think that the world isn't such a bad place after all!