It is only September...

But we are ready nevertheless for Halloween. It is no secret I always plan early for the boys' costumes. And, this year is no exception. Now, I just have to keep them together and intact for several weeks. The boys are quite excited about them. I love getting them all dressed up! When they were young, I chose the costume. I loved those days when I could get away with making cute snuggly bears and monkeys. Now, I am letting them choose (from a few options:)) Jackson is Wall-E and Preston is Buzz Lightyear. Preston didn't have much trouble deciding since you know Buzz Lightyear is "in charge." That silly boy. We told him he can be in charge for one night..Halloween. He did at the end when he found out Jackson was going to be Wall-E decide he either wanted to be Wall-E as well (shocker...they copy each other so much..it goes both ways) or Eve..Wall-E's friend? I am not sure. I've never seen the movie the whole way through. But, I do think Eve is a girl, so I didn't even search for that one. I just said no. :)

Jackson, on the other hand, is very much like his Aunt Chevy choosing a pair of shoes. He took forever to decide, kept second guessing himself, changing his mind, and (like me) kept asking for other people's opinions as to what was the best decision. Finally, he chose Wall-E. I didn't sway him either way because I hate that I often struggle with decision making and second guessing myself so I try really hard to teach him to do better than I do. But, I kind of wish he had chosen Optimus Prime. :) He kind of wanted to be Buzz Lightyear, too. I also wanted them to choose two different things for a few reasons, but I do like to try to encourage individuality among them.

Either way, they are both adorable! I am pleased with the costumes, and the boys are quite excited! I do have to say in July with the whole diabetes diagnosis I thought one of my favorite holidays would be a drag. Then, I remembed Jackson has never been a big candy eater. Thank goodness! I hope he doesn't grow older and turn into one! But, for right now I think Halloween will not be a huge deal, and we can still enjoy it!

Do you have your costume yet? What is your child going to be?

Happy Birthday, Aiden!

A few weeks ago we went bowling to help Aiden celebrate turning five! Time really is passing me by quick because I tell you I remember when Chevinie found out she was pregnant! The picture above captures the fun we had and also shows I think what an adorable group of kids I am glad to be related to! :)

We had a great time and there were yummy cupcakes and lots of entertainment...from...Michael Jackson Jr..uh...wait! No, I mean Uncle Kipp. This is him doing the moonwalk after a good strike. Was he turning five as well? :)

Jackson enjoys bowling, too..but no moonwalk here. He instead got angry when it wasn't a good shot. :) Hm...he MUST have gotten the overachiever genes from Paul. :)

And of course you can't turn five without lots of Transformers presents!

Jackson is busy assisting Chevy adding the names to the lanes... (really, I have no idea what they are doing but that's my attempt at narration.)

Preston enjoys bowling, too..but he's not very good at it. Man, those light balls are still too heavy for him! Thankfully, Nicholas assisted him. Nicholas is such a big helper! I tell you, I can only hope my boys are half as good a kid as Nicholas when they are eleven. I hate to brag. And, Aiden of course is a great kid, too. But, when they are five it is easier for them to be "great kids." With teenage years fast approaching, Nicholas could easily be "too cool" and just plain rude. If you don't believe me, go to the park where eleven year olds are there. :) Trust me. But, Nicholas on the other hand, I would be happy to claim in public. :)

Yummy chocolate cupcakes for the birthday boy!

What a neat idea Aunt Chevy had to go bowling! We had a blast, and I am glad we got to go. Happy Birthday, Aiden! Aunt Bebe sure does love you!

Getting the Best...

Of me. Life is right now. Zapping everything I've got. Nothing to do with homeschooling or diabetes really though which is what I am sure I and you all would expect. Just some "stuff." So, again, tonight my heart just isn't into doing the homeschool blog entry. I don't want to leave any of the details out.. :) So, hang in there. I will fulfill my promise soon.

On the other hand, we are glad Daddy is home this weekend with us! He is working so much lately (blessing and a curse I guess) that Preston asked me yesterday when Daddy could come to "your house for a visit." (aka Mommy's house.) Wow! He doesn't even think Daddy lives here anymore! :) So..maybe the Gosselin kids did adjust well! :) :) Sorry, couldn't help myself. ;)

So, I am going to enjoy my weekend..Jackson's first soccer game is tomorrow and then if the weather holds up we hope to force (ahem..sorry..I mean "convince") Daddy to take us to Six Flags as promised back when we were stuck at Scottish Rite instead of getting to go. Hopefully I will have LOTS to blog about after this weekend!

Happy weekend everyone!

Let's Play Soccer!

Last week was Jackson's first soccer practice (Preston's doesn't start until after Fall Break.) And, he had a blast. Boy, people are right when they say if you put a 3 year old in sports it doesn't really tell you much about how the child will really do later. What a big difference a few years makes! He is actually pretty good! And, he is giggling and laughing so much while doing it. Plus, it is great for his sugar! If he's high beforehand, it comes down while playing, and he gets a snack at the end to make up for all that running! I will admit I was dreading the extra work the diabetes would play into sports, and was wishing we hadn't signed up. But, it is paying off with his happiness and makes me feel good he is getting the exercise!

I will say though since it is at 7pm I am glad we are homeschooling! We get home super late which is why I am not blogging tonight about homeschooling! I have to get up early tomorrow. I enrolled Jackson in the Sporty Spuds class that Preston was taking at The Kids Spot since I took him out of school. He enjoys it. It is again more exercise and more social interaction which is important to me right now.

Preston is ready for his soccer class to begin, but for now he is waiting patiently getting in the way on the field while Jackson is playing. :) And, pulling on the net, throwing grass..you know the usual. :)

Being a mother isn't easy..being a good mother is even harder..and forcing yourself to be the BEST mother you can possibly be is sometimes like pulling teeth. :) (If you deny this, you are a big fat liar!) :) Yes, sometimes it is simple, easy, and you really want to do it. Others you are in the middle. But, there are times (don't deny it!) that you just want to sit on the couch, prop your feet up, and have some peace and quiet. But, folks the good things in life..the memories..don't come easy. Is it easier to stay at home than it would be to check sugar before playing, pack your entire house and emergency supplies to lug onto the field with you, cringe when someone brings snack for the team wondering how many carbs it will be, checking sugar right afterwards on not a clean, sterile table rather a grassy field, and then coming home way after bedtime to put two tired kids and one tired moma to bed. But...then when I died, I would not have many memories would I?

I love these two boys! (and my husband, too! :))

From the desk of Mrs. Mitchell...

Hello all-

Hope all my readers are doing well, and please know I haven't forgotten about you! I hope to update the blog tomorrow. I started homeschooling the boys (mostly Jackson) last week, and while it has been very rewarding and fun, I do have lesson plans to do and crafts to plan the night before. :) I always wanted to be a teacher long before I wanted to be a pharmacist, so I will admit I am sort of enjoying it all. :) Plus, there is something about having them with me all the time knowing they are safe. This whole diabetes thing has made me sort of paranoid. Anyway, stay tuned because I will be posting pictures from "Mitchell Academy" real soon!

Blessings to all!

I'm a Big Kid Now!

Time is flying by, and our little baby isn't quite a baby anymore! He has been attempting to drive the power wheels truck over the past few months (much to our grimace and fear..just ask Malia.) He really hasn't been ready and has been reckless. But, we have been working more with him since he really yearns to be big like Jackson.

And, well, for the most part he's got it. He doesn't quite have the hang of the big four wheeler yet though..(just ask Paul.) :) And, as you can see with the truck he often ends up in the woods or up against a tree. But, at least he knows where reverse is and can get himself back on track. :)

Also, thanks to Maw Maw's tutoring (better to have spilled tea on her floor than mine, huh?:)), he is now really proficient with big boy cups, too! I do make him keep it in the kitchen/dining room, and I will admit I often only serve water in it so I won't have to mop sticky off the floors...(shhh..don't tell...I'm being a slacker mom.) But, I am really proud of him. I should add here that "big girl" cups were a big issue for me as a child as I was known as the chief "spiller" in the family. So, I am trying to be extra patient and was with Jackson as well.

Honestly, it seems like just yesterday he was just crawling around unable to walk, talk or anything much else. Now, he is a little boy...not a baby. And, I love him even more. Yay, Preston!

Happy Belated Birthday, Ella!

I know people get aggravated with me thinking of everything (ahem, Maw Maw :)) around the timeline of "before diagnosis" and "after diagnosis." But, sorry. I cannot help it. When something this huge happens in your life that's just the way it is. For me anyway. But, right "after diagnosis," Ella had her birthday party and for a zillion reasons we missed it. :(

So, last week we decided to pay her a little visit and take her her present...

She has awesome toys! Preston cooked..and cooked...and cooked...and cooked. :) Who says a man doesn't know his way around a PINK kitchen? :)

I have to admit it was really cool. I loved all her stuff and it made me want to play, too. She has a cake stand, cake pieces, complete with velcro icing flowers to decorate it! I would have been in heaven had I been say...uh...28 years younger. :)

Thankfully, even with all those cool toys already at her fingertips, she was still excited to see our new addition... a slide!

Ella's cousins, Aidan and Cooper were over to visit, too. So, this made for an extra fun playdate! All of the kids are close in age, and while Ella was outnumbered by gender she makes up for it! She is rough and tumble with the best of them! And, I didn't hear any whining either when she seemed to get hurt! She is such a awesome, well-rounded little girl!

Thank goodness, too. Because Preston is going to marry her one day (uh...well...wait. I didn't think about Ella's mom and dad being our kids' Godparents for the most part...hmm..) Still, she's my pick! I can't wait!