Ian's 8? When did that happen?!?!

Today Ian turns 8 years old.  I feel like I blinked and he became 8.  It's amazing how fast the years go by.  There was a time when I couldn't imagine letting Ian use the men's restroom by himself or being able to stay home alone (for brief periods).  He would never seem old enough in my eyes. Now I can't imagine not letting him do these things.  He has shown to have a good head on his shoulders and sound judgement.  This year was one of great growth and continued maturity.

Ian is one of the happiest kids you've ever seen.  His smile lights up a room and there is a lightness about him.  He is full of energy and enthusiasm.  He is quick to stand up for his friends. I was touched when I heard a story of him defending a friend that was getting picked on.  This has now been told to me on multiple occasions by different kids in different situations.  I am proud of him for doing that and I hope it never stops.  Ian shows so much compassion and empathy.  He really puts himself in someone else's shoes to see how they are feeling.

When Ian wakes up in the morning, he likes to linger in his pajamas for as long as possible.  Sometimes I think he is going to run out of time in the morning and head to school in his PJs.  So far, this hasn't happened.

When Ian goes to the bathroom and washes his hands afterwards, it's like he is prepping for surgery.  He is very thorough and the hand washing involves going up to the elbow and lots of soap.  I don't want to discourage this, but it is time consuming.  I can only imagine what others must think when they see this in a public restroom.

Ian enjoys getting dressed up for school pictures.  Him and his friends rallied together and said they would each wear a button down shirt and tie for school picture day.  I was worried Ian would be the only one dressed up and held my breath that all the other boys would come through on their word too.  To my relief, they did. 

In December, Ian volunteered to tell the kids in his class about Hanukkah and what the holiday means.  This turned into a big presentation!  Ian took the initiative and went to his school library and got books to help with the explanation.  Ian took responsibility with me to help with the presentation. He did a great job!

It's not been all sunshine and roses.  This past year, Ian has started cracking his knuckles.  It became more of an obsessive, nervous habit.  We've been trying hard to get him to stop.  It's not always easy.

Also, Ian started questioning things and getting a bit of an attitude.  Like telling us not to look at his homework or correct him.  He is no longer as easy-going as he once was.  It's like he is finding his voice, but sometimes picking the wrong battles to use it. 

Ian has been continuing with gymnastics this year and will stay on the pre-team for another year.  It was a difficult decision on whether to move him up to team, but the coach and I feel its in his best interest to let him have another year at the developmental level.  It is a huge leap and big time/financial commitment when doing team for gymnastics.  Ian does not need the added stress and pressure, just so soon.  We will see what happens in a year's time and if he is ready then.

Ian is a very creative writer. I love reading the stories he writes in school. There was one in particular where he wrote about Tom the Turkey.  Tom lived on a farm and was supposed to be the main course for Thanksgiving that year.  But he didn't want to be cooked, so he got made into a football and helped the Redskins win the game that year.   It was a much longer story than that, but you get the idea.  So creative and it was full of humor too.

Ian's love for sports has grown over the year and he is a huge baseball fan.  His favorite team is the Washington Nationals.  In fact, for his 8th birthday he asked if we could makeover his room into a Washington Nationals room.  Ian started collecting baseball cards and has a binder with over 1,000 cards in it.  He lugs this binder back and forth to school everyday to trade cards with his friends.  

I am madly in love with my big boy.  I can't call him little anymore. :)  I wish him the happiest 8th birthday ever!  May this year be filled with love, endless questions, and that devilish smile that comes on his face when he gets the joke and can't contain his laughter.

Shiny, awesome and that wonderful new car smell.

It finally happened!  Jeff got a new car.  It's the 2013 Honda Accord.  Yay!!

As much as it is necessary for me to get a new car (which we will try to get another year out of), Jeff's car was in greater need of a replacement.  His service engine light came on and the repair was going to cost $1,200.  This was very hard to justify fixing when we knew the inevitable was going to happen sooner rather than later in needing a new car.  And we should probably get started on the car payments on one car before having to finance two cars.

In a moment of brilliance, Jeff agreed to let me be the lead negotiator.  We both think I did a fabulous job!  As we were driving out of the dealer (6 HOURS later!), Jeff said, "I am not vomiting over what I just bought.  This is a good sign."

Jeff giving his new car a hug.

The Accord is Jeff's dream car.  I remember when we first met and he told me that he hopes to one day be able to get a Honda Accord.  So incredibly practical of him, right?  This goes to show you how much I love my husband.  Despite both of us thinking that I would've gotten the first new car to come in to our lives, I am so thrilled for him that it worked out like this and he was able to get such an awesome car.  It was nice to see the smile on his face as we were driving off the dealer's lot.

Riding with a smile on his face.

None of this would've been possible without the amazing assistance of Jen and her family.  We originally asked them to watch the kids for 2 hours while we went test driving and exploring our options. Turned out we liked what we saw and got the car.  Over 6 hours later we made it out alive!   Could you imagine if we had Ian and Samantha with us during this experience?  Oh my!  Actually, Sam's screaming and whining might have made the process go faster.

I do have to say this experience was like birth control for me.  I no longer want to repeat this experience any time soon, even if it results in me getting an Acura MDX.  It was exhausting.  Jeff and I went over 6 hours without food!   I am fine driving my 171,000 + mile car and getting behind the wheel of Jeff's new car whenever I can.  I've already programmed my phone with the car's bluetooth.  :)

Jeff kissing his old car good-bye.  Buh-bye Sentra.

The BIG Reveal

And, now back to our regularly scheduled program.  Thank you for your patience.   Ian wanted a room in a Washington Nationals Baseball theme for his 8th birthday.  I was a bit disappointed he had outgrown the "Planes, Trains, and Automobiles" design he had for the last 8 years, but I've got to say, this new design turned out fantastic.  Really great!

It is now complete and ready to be seen.  Without further ado, here is the new room:

View from the door

 

The wall by Ian's bed.  This is a 6 foot fathead of the Washington Nationals Park.

 

 

Ian's tv and dresser.

The wall by the closet.

Really cool artwork with Ian's name on one of the jerseys.

Light switch

 

Baseball hooks behind Ian's door.

View of the wall where Ian's desk is.  

Really neat Washington Nationals wood sign/plaque, on the wall above his desk.

Front view of the desk.

Fathead of Bryce Harper with a chair in the corner.

Washington Nationals Lamp on the nightstand and matching Nationals pillow shams.

Nationals Valance.

OH MY! Sam's 5!

Today Samantha turns 5!  Yes, you read right, 5.  That's every finger on one hand, you know.  I can't believe we've made it another year.  And, what a year its been!

In September, Sam finally started pooping and peeing on the potty.   This didn't come easily or without much angst.  It was only under the careful monitor of a Pediatric GI doctor that we can now check this milestone off the list.  Chalk it up to Sam's need for control and her ability to show just how head-strong she can be (at one point, she went 19 days without pooping!!).  But, we've moved past that and can now breathe easy knowing back-up clothing and multiple changes of underwear daily is now a thing of the past.  I believe I have suffered PTSD from the experience and personally, I am still recovering.

Sam wakes up in the morning and likes to get dressed right away.  G-d help you if she wakes up grumpy.  It is best to stay back and let her stomp her feet, throw things and yell crazy stuff that she doesn't want to wear anything you suggest.  Most mornings I let her figure it out on her own or wait until she has had a few minutes to get in a better mood.  Sometimes the better mood never comes by the time we need to leave for school.   Samantha can easily go through 3 to 4 complete outfit changes in the morning alone. Another new outfit when we come home after school and then pajamas usually for dinner. This is all her own doing -- believe me, I am not encouraging a change of clothes each hour.

Not a morning person.

Sam's ability to whine and become explosive at the drop of a hat could win her a gold medal in the Olympics.  She has perfected each to an art.  Jeff and I are convinced that this is no longer a stage, but now a full-blown personality trait.  The only bright side to this is that I will send her to her room.  She stomps up the stairs, slams the door shut and will stay there for about 5 minutes.  When Sam comes out (all on her own doing), she is calm and will apologize for her behavior.  It's like a reset button and we start again. Of course, sometimes its like Groundhog Day and she is back in her room 2 minutes later. 

I don't want to paint a picture that is all bad.  Far from it.  Sam can be very loving, sweet and funny - when she wants to be.  She loves her brother Ian fiercely, and most times when she gets upset, a hug from him is all that can calm her down.  She is going to do what she is going to do.  And sometimes that is not cool and doesn't like to be told "no" or try it another way.

Sam made it to her dentist appointments this year without causing any kind of scene.  She was excellent!  I am pretty sure I teared up a bit realizing how my life just got a little less stressful in this area.  Do you want to know just how head-strong Sam is?  She used to be a constant thumb-sucker.  I didn't mind and probably even encouraged it, because when she was sucking her thumb, she couldn't yell/whine at the same time.   About 4 months ago, Sam complained her front teeth were hurting.  I took her to the dentist and they did an x-ray.  The roots above her teeth were dissolving from getting pushed by her thumb sucking.  The dentist told Sam it was important she give up sucking her thumb.  She went cold turkey and never sucked her thumb again.  Ever.  Not even when she was sleeping.  It was the most unbelievable thing I've ever seen.  To give up a bad habit just like that and never look back. Wow.  I am in still in awe.

Sam is very creative!  She absolutely loves to spend her time coloring, drawing and painting pictures.  The world is her canvas and everything around her can be made prettier with Sam's touch and a marker.  Sam has a sense of style that could give Kate Middleton a run for her money.  She is of the belief, the more color the better. And she loves to pose in her creations and have me take her picture.

Completely assembled by Sam.  Look how proud she is!

Sam's taste in television has evolved.  She used to watch "Mickey Mouse Clubhouse" non-stop and now will watch "Phineas and Ferb".  She can quickly memorize line after line and recite the dialogue along with the characters.  When it came time to meet Phineas and Ferb in Orlando this past Summer, Sam got very shy and was afraid to go near them.

Every day when it comes time to cook dinner, Sam is right by my side wanting to help.  Whatever task I can give her in the kitchen will make her happy and put a smile on her face. 

Sam took dance, gymnastics, and swim lessons this year (sometimes all 3 in the same week!) and has now decided she wants to give soccer a try in the Fall.   Sam is fearless and happy to try anything once.  She flew down the snowtubing mountain TWICE before she realized she wasn't a fan. 

Samantha loves her friends!!  The more playdates we can schedule for her the better.  She has a great time playing "family", dressing up in princess clothes, pretending to cook in her play kitchen and doing arts/crafts.  One of our favorite activities is to go for frozen yogurt after school with our friends.

mmmmm....Josie's

I am saving the best for last.  Sam has fully embraced her love for pop music/girl rock and sings constantly!  She goes to sleep at night with her radio playing the top 40 hits and wakes up ready to sing.  She knows all of Kelly Clarkson, Pink, and Katy Perry's songs by heart.  She belts out a tune from the minute we are in the car to when we get to our destination.  It is super cute!

I love my little girl so much.  I actually love her the most when she is trying my patience and driving me crazy.  It's then that my unconditional love kicks in and I feel so lucky to have her in my life.  I don't think I'd want her any other way.  I know this personality will get her far in life...she is not going to take any shit from anyone.  :)

I wish Samantha Rachel Toppall the most amazing 5th birthday ever.  May it be full of giggles, learning, love and temper-tantrum free.  It's a big deal to be turning 5.  It is going to be a great year. 

Start blowing up the balloons.

Put on your armor and protect yourself.  It's time for the annual kids' birthday parties.  This weekend (Memorial day weekend) is when the fun goes down.  I swore up and down that we would never have another kid's birthday party at our house.  It's so much easier, less stressful and more fun for everyone to have the party elsewhere.  Outsource, baby!  I'm all about paying hundreds of dollars and letting someone else run the party and entertain the kids.  It's so nice not having to clean the house beforehand and again, afterwards. I am much better standing back and taking pictures.

Get this!  I am not only having Ian's party at the house, but Sam's too!  Oh my!!  Ian really wanted to have a sleepover party.  The next thing you know, we've got 7 boys, plus Ian spending the night on Friday.  If you ever seen my house, you are going to wonder like I am how that is going to work.  I've got some fun things planned.  With this many boys, we can do 3 legged races, water balloon toss, and egg on spoon races.  We will do make your own pizza for dinner and a build your own ice cream sundae for dessert.  Ian is letting the boys vote on what movie will be shown at night.  Hopefully getting them to run around after dinner will make them sleepy when the lights are off and the movie is playing.  Is it too much to ask that a few fall asleep during this time?

Sam's party was originally going to be at the Oaks Community Center in our neighborhood.  But when I saw how the RSVPs were coming in, it didn't make sense to rent this huge space for 8 or 9 kids.  So, we are moving her party to the house.  It is going to be a Waddle-Dawdle movement party.  A woman named Ashley is going to arrive, run the party and get the kids moving and shaking.  I will highly be encouraging parents to  drop-off.

Every year I do this to myself.  Throw both parties back-to-back and then we are done for the rest of the year.  Just got to make it to Sunday and my breathing will return back to normal.

Please say a little prayer for us that the house will still be standing come Saturday evening.  I am not sure what we are in store for and will be prepared for the worst, but expect the best.  Let the fun begin!

My some kind of wonderful.

Sunday was an AWESOME day.  It was Mother's Day and I wasn't disappointed in the least.  We all slept in!  Really, we made it till 7:15am before we waking up.  This is late for my Toppall team and me.  It was so nice to wake-up naturally and not because one of the kids was letting us know it is time to wake-up. I got the best cards and presents from the kids and Jeff.  I will treasure these cards.  Look at how much Sam wrote, all on her own.  Wow!

I lingered in bed and read my book.  I love it when I can do this.  On this particular day, I got to do it guilt-free!  

We sprung Ian from Religious school early and went for brunch at my favorite restaurant, Choices by Shawn.  It was so yummy and a perfect place for me to eat gluten-free.  I woke up in the morning with an idea to go to Great Falls and introduce the kids to one of my most favorite places. They had never been.  It was too gorgeous of a day not to do something outdoors.  The kids loved it and we had a great time doing a small hike and climbing the rocks.  We actually have plans to go back next Sunday with friends.

On the way home we stopped at Starbucks and got the kids Frappacuino's.  I opted to walk back the rest of the way and let Jeff take the kids in the car.  It was a 1.8 mile walk to the house.  I seriously think the weather on Sunday was absolutely perfect.  I could've spent all day outdoors.

By the time I made it back home, Jeff and the kids had washed my car.  What an awesome treat!  Jeff was getting ready to vacuum my car and wipe down all the surfaces inside.  Much needed too! 

We had a little downtime until it was time to make the pizza for Sunday pizza night. The brunch at 11:00am kept us all fill until it was time for dinner. I quickly got the pizza made and we had dinner. After cleaning up, the kids and I danced a few "Just Dance 3" numbers on the wii.  How fun!

It was such a special day and I loved every minute.  The best was pulling the trump card, "It's Mother's Day, I don't want to hear your whining."  Got to love that 24 hour pass.  :)

I feel so fortunate to be surrounded by the 3 people who made it possible for me to be a mom.  There is no other way I'd rather spend the day. Although a nap would've been nice, I do need something to look forward to next year.

One step closer!

Sam's kindergarten orientation was this past Monday.  I had a smile on my face the whole day. 

The orientation was from 2:00 to 4:00pm.  We were broken up into four groups and had a rotation set-up that took us to all the key places the future kindergartners would go to in a typical day.  My group's first stop was the music room.  We met the music teacher and she gave us a rundown of what to expect next year and then she played a few music games with the kids.  With a few minutes left to go, she asked us (mainly directing this to the parents) if we had any questions.  Sam instantly raised her hand.   Sam's question?   "Should we raise our hands if we have a question?"    I guess Sam wanted to know if it was the same in big kid school as it is in preschool.  I am glad she got that figured out and didn't have to wonder anymore.  :)

Our next stop was the gym.  Both gym teachers led this presentation to our group.  The kids sat on the floor, towards the front of the gymnasium.  The parents were lined up along the side wall.  As the gym teacher spoke and said what the kids typically do 3 times a week, Ian began doing it.  Really, he was demonstrating. All of it. As soon as it was mentioned that the period starts off with a warm up, Ian began doing push ups.  Then he moved to lunges.  Then jumps.  Next thing you know, he was doing stretches. 

The best part came when the video began playing.  It was a 5 minute showing of all the different activities the kids do during gym.  Since there was no dialogue, the background was this fast paced music.  Ian took this time (all 5 minutes!) to do a dance.  He was busting a move big-time.  The mom next to me asked if I had Ian in a hip-hop dance class.  When I said no, she said I should.  He was really getting into it.  And he didn't care that no one else was dancing.  Gosh, I really wish I had video of this.  But I was in too much shock seeing Ian do his thing.

None of the rising kindergartners could see what he was doing, because he was behind them.  But, the parents and both gym teachers were very much entertained.

The rest of the orientation went without a hitch.  I had to laugh when I told two different people that I was going to Sam's kindergarten orientation and they asked if Ian was going to strip his clothes and run around screaming, like Sam had done to him.  Fortunately, that didn't occur and we made it through the 2 hours without causing a scene.  

So many people who work at the elementary school will see Sam periodically when I am there for Ian and say to me, "Wow, she is so quiet today."  Hahahahah.  Sam definitely has a reputation and school hasn't even started yet for her.  Is it a coincidence the Principal is retiring at the end of this year?  I think not. 

A shade obsurd

Side Note:  I am interrupting "The Big Reveal" of Ian's bedroom makeover for the next several days.  It is not ready yet to be seen by my millions of readers.  :)  Just know that it is coming along swimmingly and the light at the end of the tunnel is shinning bright.

 

 

We all know that the U.S. Postal Service is not in the best financial shape.  There was talk about stopping mail delivery on Saturdays (beginning August) and many small town post offices are closing down.  It feels like quarterly, the rate of a first class postage stamp gets increased.   The US Postal Service also is the butt of jokes..."Going Postal" is a phrase that comes to mind when someone is about to lose it. 

 

Well, I was close to going postal when my envelope got returned for an additional PENNY in postage. Yes, you read right -- it only needed one more cent to make it to it's destination.  The envelope was a bit oversized, so I thought I was going overboard by putting a .65 cent stamp on it.  Guess not! 

 

 

 

I love taking the time to handwrite cards and notes.  I am a bit "old school" like that and will try to send someone a thank you by mail rather than email if I can help it.  I was given a very generous gift by a good friend about a week ago and wanted to write a thank you to her.  I put it in the mail.  Approx. 5 days later (yes, almost a week), the envelope showed up back in my mailbox being returned for more postage....just one more penny's worth.  Really?  Yes, really.  I had to shake my head and wonder if it was worth the amount of time it took the post office to weigh this particular envelope, find out it was short a penny of postage, get the appropriate stamp on it to let me know and then give it back to my postman to put in my mailbox.  Wasn't all that time and effort by the post office be worth more than a penny?   No wonder they losing money.

 

And here's my next thought -- what about all the times I put too much postage on an envelope thinking it needs a little extra because of size or weight?  Do they go to the same trouble to give me back the extra money?  No, they don't.

 

I find this whole situation absurd.  I could understand if I mailed 10 or 20 of these envelopes and they all were a penny short.  But this was just one envelope. 

 

Just a bit absurd if you ask me. 

 



A Work In Progress - Part 3

Plan B....Plan B....what was THAT going to be!?!?!?!

What about getting a trundle bed instead?  We could do a twin with a twin.  It would give Ian an extra bed for friend's when they sleep over and it wouldn't take up nearly the amount of space of the bunk beds.

I searched high and low for a good-looking trundle bed we could all agree on.  However, every time we measured it out, it was still taking up too much space and the extra twin coming out from underneath would continually bump into all the other furniture, no matter where it was placed.  Moving the furniture that was in its way was not an option.  Ian's room is very small if you haven't guessed this by now.

Finally, I said, "Let's just keep the bed Ian has.  We will deal with sleepovers as they happen."  Jeff was happy I finally got on board with his original plan and Ian loved knowing he was keeping his old bed.

We took a trip to Ikea and picked out new furniture for Ian's room.  We wanted to get him a desk, a nightstand and a dresser.  And he needed a new lamp and some other things.  This room was going to look awesome!

All the Ikea boxes of furniture that need to be assembled...fun, fun, fun.

I went online and ordered some of the essentials we wanted in his room; a Washington Nationals Valance, a Washington Nationals light switch plate, some baseball themed hooks, new bedding, Washington Nationals desk lamp, etc.  The rest of the decorations was going to come from family for Ian's birthday.

On Saturday, Jeff put together all the furniture by himself!  He did an amazing job and didn't complain or freak out once.  I was really impressed.  Little by little, Ian's room was starting to come together.  It was refreshing that our vision (the new and improved one) was starting to materialize into something wonderful.

Stay tuned for Part 4 - It's starting to look like great!

A Work In Progress - Part 2

Oy Vey!  The room renovation wasn't going good.  Not at all!

Let me back up a second.  The painting turned out great!  We were all very happy with how the old paint was able to be covered up.  We had the four walls all painted white and a red border (in the official Washington Nationals red color) painted at the top on all the walls.

Looks awesome, right?

Later that same day, Jeff and I built the beds and the desk.  It was a twin on top, a full size bed coming out perpendicular down below and a desk built in on the side. This is the picture of what was ordered.

We had a very shaky start when Jeff couldn't decipher the instructions (Ikea's instructions are brilliant compared to this) and began freaking out looking at all the pieces we had.  But we moved past that and somehow got the whole thing assembled.

Then we took a look at what we created and I had a minor breakdown.  It was a DISASTER!!!!  Despite our careful measuring, the new bunk beds and desk were too gigantic for Ian's small room. It overtook the whole room.  There wasn't any space to do anything.  Furthermore, Ian would never be able to make his bed, I'd never be able to change his sheets and he couldn't get to and from the bed easily.  Like I said, it was a disaster.

Right away I said I wanted to send it back.  We had to get rid of this and reclaim Ian's room.  This whole room re-do was turning into a nightmare.  The bed came in 9 huge boxes and was shipped to us.  I quickly had Jeff rescue the empty boxes from outside and bring them back in.  I envisioned us having to put everything back in its original condition, packed in each of the boxes.  Jeff is back to flipping out and has proclaimed he will take an entire day and disassemble the bed so it can get shipped back.  Oy!

No one is happy with the situation.  Not me (it looks horrible!), Not Jeff (he didn't think this would look good in the first place), and Not Ian (I don't want to feel like I am sleeping in a cave.).

I called the furniture company first thing Monday morning to find out how best to return this.  I was put on hold for a minute and when Amber came back on she said, "We aren't able to resell this.  So please dispose of it however you want.  I've just put a full credit back on your credit card."

WHAT!?!?!  OMG!  I am still in shock from hearing those words.  That's crazy.  Really, what company does business like that!?!  I am impressed.  Big-time!

Stay tuned for A Work In Progress - Part 3.  Time to come up with Plan B.

P.S. - For those that wanted to know what we did with the bunk bed system once the company told us to keep it, we very easily got rid of it.  My friend offered to buy it off us and came to pick it up within one day.  Can't beat that!

A Work In Progress - Part 1

In the months leading up to Ian's birth, Jeff and I spent many hours designing his room.  We decided the theme would be "Planes, Trains, and Automobiles".   I loved how his room turned out and was incredibly pleased we spent so much time (and love) into doing the very best job we could.  I was certain this theme was "big boy" enough to last him until he left home for college.

Oh, how wrong I was!  Ian has been asking for a room re-do for his upcoming 8th birthday.  He would like a Washington Nationals (baseball) theme.  WHAT!?!?!  I have to admit, this took me by shock and I needed time to adjust to the idea.  But as I've been told time and time again, this is not my room.  It is Ian's.  He should have what he wants.

Here are pictures of his room PRE-MAKEOVER:

Plane light switch, car/road hooks and train tracks along the top of the wall.

All hand painted by Jeff and me!

Hooks on the back of his door.

Train tracks went along the top of two walls.  We used fishing line and put trains on the tracks.

Cars driving on a hilly road, down one wall and across another -- again painted by hand!

 

Another picture of the train tracks and a 3-dimensional plane shelf.  The B/W picture is of Ian in front of one of my dad's antique cars.

Pretty cool room, right?  I guess after 8 years he was ready for a change.

So, we really listened to Ian and what he wanted.  I'll be honest, it took me awhile to get on board, but I eventually got there.  We hired a painter to come and paint his room.  We ordered a really cool bunk bed system with a built-in desk.  With Ian needing a proper place to do his homework and the increasing number of sleepovers he has, we felt it necessary to get him a new bed.  We would do this room makeover in stages, first the paint and new bed and then see how much wall space was available for the Washington Nationals themed artwork and other branded tchotchkes.

Stay tuned for what happened next...When the room makeover officially begins.