Days with the Dorans

 My mom came over a little early to get our group picture before Joe was off to middle school.  It's hard to believe we're starting another school year and so many changes!  We didn't walk Joe to his bus stop, but we did go to the end of the driveway for a bit to watch him! Everyone had a great first day!  Ali is loving her safety job (she puts up and takes down the flag each day). And the kids' teachers liked their first day treats.  I didn't get anything for Joe's M.S. teachers.  I think carrying around so many water bottles would have been too heavy for him.  I think it's going to be a great year!

 It's hard to believe my LAST baby is off to kindergarten.  I didn't find myself getting emotional (like some parents do).  In fact, I was more nervous about Joe than I was about Seany.  Perhaps it was because I've gone through this kindergarten thing before or perhaps it's because Sean isn't worried about anything!  As with all the others, it was Nana that took Seany to school (since parents bring kindergartners to school the first day and stay a bit).  Sean was VERY unhappy about not being able to ride the bus TO school on the first day but I think once he got to school he forgot all about that.  Sean's kindergarten teacher was Joe & Al's first grade teacher (along with another teacher since at that time they were share time).  My mom filled me in about the day including the crying kid AND the crying parent (they were not related)!  I have to say the whole thing made me thankful I teach first graders! One of the things th...

 I was so nervous for Joey's first day of middle school!  I don't think I would have been, except in the middle of the night, Joe was up saying his stomach hurt and he thought he was going to throw up.  I felt horrible and prayed he'd be OK. I thought the first day of middle school would be hard, but missing it would be worse.  He admiitted later that perhaps it was just nerves and was back in bed. In the morning, Joe was so excited!  When the other kids were up shortly after he was, I think he was a little annoyed.  He was excited to be going on his own and that he had a key in case he beat dad home from work. Joe didn't have a good day, he had a GREAT day!  I heard every detail from the day and he was so excited!!  Since he has two weeks under his belt now as I write this, I can also announce that he is loving cross country!  We knew he would!  Of course I'll have to miss his meets (you read my last post?), but I'm glad that...

 We've talked before about how sometimes being a parent AND  a teacher is tough... I miss first days, field trips and parties but thankfully I have some amazing parents that step in for us. The Littles had their Meet & Greet at their Elementary at the same time I had mine at my school (and Jeff had to be at his school).  My dad took them and also took them to Burger King.  They were SO excited because they've never been and have been wanting to but we're not big fast food people...  I'm so glad that my dad has an iPhone now because though some of the pictures are blurry- they are pictures!  He texted all of us that the kids gave BK two thumbs up and a picture of the toy that they got in their Happy Meals.  My brother got so excited (he's a Simpsons fan).  I told the kids they should save them for Christmas for him... We'll see.   Thanks dad for being awesome AND taking pictures to document it!

 I can't believe that another summer has come to an end!  It was a great one though.  We weren't able to get up north because of the kids' schedules (next year we'll be better at planning). We spent our last day of summer at the lake where we spent many of our days!  Lazy days of summer are my favorite! We went kayaking, boating and swimming and we all enjoyed a drink in the water (the big kids had the sugary variety).  Marty loved the water and when I was out, he kept swimming out to be with me.  I think he's a mama's boy!  Sean has loved the water all summer but started jumping off the END of the dock on the last day of summer (of course).  He was a little fish and I'm wondering if we should get him back into Goldfish (he wasn't interested in soccer). Marty is going to have a rude awakening.  He's been pretty spoiled going with us everywhere this summer. We sure enjoyed our summer.  For dinner on Labor Day, we got a BIG ...

 Two weeks ago when we went to church, we got there and realized that Sean only had one shoe on.  Jeff and the 3 Bigs went in to church and I headed home with Seany to get his other shoe.  I made it back for the sermon and the last songs and Sean had his shoes. The next week, Jeff was leading and I told the kids to get on their shoes and get in the car.  We got to church and got out and there was Sean with one shoe on (the wrong foot I might add).  I was so angry. TWO WEEKS IN A ROW?  I decided I was NOT going home so I spoke to him about how disappointed I was in him~ He cried~ and we headed in.  I was stewing for quite a while and I think he was too but then he went up for the children's message with one shoe and I couldn't help but laugh.  What can I say... I love this kid and he helped me learn a valuable lesson~ When I give directions, I need to be more specific.  Tomorrow I will tell him, to get on "TWO" shoes and get in the...

I still can't believe that my baby is going to middle school.  I have been so nervous about this move but he's been cool as a cucumber.  We went out and got his new chrome book  and other supplies and were off to registration (just the two of us). It was weird because I went to school where Joey is going and to be honest, it was the worst!  I was totally bullied (because of a boy) and couldn't stand it.  I have a feeling that Joey's experience will be a lot better! He got his locker open (though at first, my lefty started turning the lock counter-clockwise- EHHH!).  We also hit all of his classes and Joe even decided to switch one of his classes.  He now has com arts (like drama) which he loves.  I knew he would because he had SO much fun doing his 5th grade play! We walked his schedule, ran into friends and stood in long lines for his picture and ID.  While we were there, Joe started to get a little nervous. Those 8th graders ...

 My brother's neighborhood has a little concert each year and we went again this year for a bit.  The weather was kind of crummy and we got there a little bit late (can't recall why because I'm playing catch up) but we had a good time.  We ran into a friend from church who was doing the sound and Jeff decided he needs to get a group together to do a concert next 4th of July at the lake! ;-)  I'm hoping we'll be in town for those fireworks as it's going to be close to the time that Al will be out of town for dance.  While we were at the concert, Sean told me he had to poop.  I didn't want him to do that in the port-a-potty so Seany and I walked back to Danny's. It was funny because on our walk there, he said hello to some people and then turned to me and said, "Did you see that mom?  I said 'hello' so naturally!"  It was the funniest thing!  I feel like I need to start keeping a daily Sean log like I did of the Zachisms becau...