Growing Pains

We are experiencing growing pains in our home.

First grade has been hard. Hard adjustments and fun. For both Cameron and mom.

It is crazy to watch my children get so big and do things on their own. I know that this is just the beginning and that they are still relatively small. As parents we want to spare the hard knocks of life from our kids. But in reality we can't. Actually isn't that what is wrong with most of society? Kids growing up being so sheltered and told that they are so awesome that when they find out that they aren't they don't know what to do? But still it can break a mothers heart.

First grade has been that first awareness that the world can be cruel and isn't fair. The realization that some "friends" aren't nice. Not everyone is the smartest in the class and in fact there are kids that are smarter, read better, draw better, write better, run faster, have cooler wii games, cooler clothes and have more friends than you. It is a hard pill to swallow when you have been told how great you are for the first 6 years of life.

Cameron came home last week so sad. His friend that he likes so much doesn't like him so much. As he cried in my arms I cried too. Not so much because of the friend but because I can't shelter him from the hard truths of life. Life isn't fair. It wasn't much fun learning that lesson for myself but I think even harder to watch. We are definitely experiencing some pains of growing up. Yuck.

Cameron and his "cleans"

Talking about clean supplies has reminded me of Cameron and his "cleans" When he was two he LOVED cleaning supplies and carried around empty bottles of Pledge, Lysol, and squirt bottles. He would cry "My cleans, my cleans" when someone would take them away from him. Where does the time go?



Looking through the ads at all the cleaning supplies.

Friday Cleaning

Anyone who knows anything about the Schvaneveldt gene, knows that today, Friday, is cleaning day. It's in our blood and can't be helped. As I sit here procrastinating the inevitable I thought I would share my new favorite friend....the Clorox Automatic Toilet Bowel Cleaner!

This product is awesome. You drop one of the tablets in your tank and it works for 3 months and it really works! Not just sort of but it really works. You can even smell a faint bleach smell around the toilet and sadly but true one of my favorite smells is clean. Nothing smells cleaner than a little bleach. Of course, being the insane person that I am still cleans the toilet on a regular basis but when you just can't or are too busy it is a lifesaver and here in Washington when everything grows mold this makes life just a little bit easier. Who doesn't want that? So all you with Schvaneveldt blood get off the computer and go clean your toilet, today is Friday! And hey if you already have one of these maybe just maybe if you can let yourself do it, skip it!

The Blue Flames

Cameron had a fun basketball season! He played on a team of 1st grader boys that had practices and games each week. I have to say, basketball is A LOT better than some of the sports he has played. It is nice to be indoors and not freezing cold during each practice. They played on 8 foot hoops so the boys were able to make baskets easier than on a normal hoop. Very cute. This last Tuesday was his last game with a trip to Dairy Queen after. I think going to Dairy Queen was more exciting than the basketball for Cam anyways. As for me I survived yet another season of kid sports. I think by the time my kids are finished with sports I might need to get a shirt that says "I AM A SURVIVOR" that or go on a really nice vacation. I still have a long way to go... so I try to find the fun and excitement in it.

On Tuesday, Natalie was sitting on my lap while Cameron's game was going on. She looked up at me and then proceeded to throw up all over me 3 or 4 times. I was COVERED in throw up and Mitch wasn't there yet. The smell was so bad that Julia started to dry heave. I picked us all up and went outside as fast as I could (without getting throw up all over the floor) before we really made a scene. That is hard to do with throw up dripping down your arms, pants, and shirt. I looked lovely. It was one of those moments where you had to laugh or you would seriously cry or throw up yourself. Well at least it will be an unforgettable basketball moment! I know someday I will look back with fond memories...well I hope so....

Later that night Mitch and I had a lively discussion which is worse to pick up- throw up or poop. Oh the things we do for the kids we love.



Here is Cam posing with his new medal.

Happy Birthday Mr. Sims

A couple of weeks ago Cameron told me that his stuffed cat named Mr. Sims (named after Grandma Stuard's cat Mr. Sims) birthday was on March 1st. I didn't think much of it. On Sunday night Cameron was listening to me talk to Mitch about what we had going on this week and that it was March 1st the next day. Cameron got all excited that it was his cat's birthday (I was surprised he even remembered). That night while the kids were in bed I heard them planning the party out for the cat, everything from the presents and decorations to who was going to make the cake. I got a kids cake decoration book a couple of Christmases ago and the kids love looking through the book, they picked out quite an elaborate train cake for the cat. I didn't realize that I was throwing a party yesterday so I was a little unprepared. I told Cam that I couldn't make the train cake but I would make a cake for the cat. He informed me that the party was at 4:00 pm sharp. I told him not to worry the cake would be done in time. Good thing I already had ice cream because who has cake and no ice cream? He wanted me to put on 15 candles because that is how old Cameron decided he was but no luck, I didn't have that many. One candle was good enough. Whew.....

Julia made Mr. Sims some presents, a mouse on a Popsicle stick and her beanie baby. It took her about 45 minutes and a whole roll of tape later but she got the present wrapped. When Cameron got home from school we got all the decorations out and had a fabulous party, although we were a little behind on the schedule (the party didn't start until about 4:20 pm).

I don't think a stuffed or real cat could have asked for a better party!

Attention: Fashion Police

Someone should lock me up! It should be against the law to send your kid to school wearing something like this! Cameron came home today from school wearing this outfit. I almost fainted when I saw his pants. I am surprised I haven't gotten a call from the school about "the poor boy who needs new clothes." In my defense (I get one right?) He rolled his pants at the waist while he was at school (He has major issues with how tight his pants need to be...don't make me take a picture of him wearing a belt! Let's just say that in the past he has had to visit the nurse at school because his stomach was hurting where his belt was rubbing. I am talking tight--people. We had to make a rule about it how tight he can put his belt on.) His pants are getting too small but when he left for school this morning you COULD NOT see the shamrock socks! To add to the horror the sticker on his shirt said "I read to the principal today" Man, good impression. YIKES!

Cameron's look on his face is saying "Not another lecture about how my pants look"

Alpine Downhill

We have been enjoying watching the Winter Olympics the last two weeks. Cameron and Julia have really gotten in to it and every night want to know what event is on that night. With it being Mid-Winter Break last week we allowed them to stay up late and watch. Cameron really enjoyed watching the skiing events and his new found hero is Lindsey Vonn. Every night he wants to know if Lindsey is skiing or not. This morning I was giving the girls a bath and Cameron was downstairs playing. He was saying, "Here comes Cameron Vonn the downhill winner! He wins the gold!" Oh, he makes me laugh. Last night before bed he told me "Mom, there is a Summer Olympics too, that has swimming and stuff." Can you imagine him watching Michael Phelps in the last Olympics? What a bummer he missed it.



Here is Cameron in his vivid imagination...




and his real hero!

30 Minutes Later

This darn bee would not get out of my house this afternoon and it was HUGE (almost the size of a quarter!) I spent 30 minutes trying to make it leave and now I can't get my screen back on the window. Ever since my little run in with a bee's nest last summer picking blueberries my kids FREAK out when they see a bee. Seriously.

Cameron's Little Piece of Heaven

Cameron's Wii accessories arrived today!

February or July?

The weather has been beautiful the last few days and the kids are enjoying playing outside and riding their bikes during the mid-winter break. This afternoon while I cleaned the kitchen Cameron and Julia played (nicely) together out in the backyard. As I was watching them play Cameron took off his shirt and continued playing, he finally came in saying that it was too hot outside to play. I looked at the temperature gauge outside and it said 60 degrees. I don't know if it is really swimsuit wearing, no shirt kind of weather but Cameron sure thinks so!

10 Years!

Today is our 10 year anniversary!

Here are a few pictures that made me laugh...

and a walk down memory lane...........

Valentine's Day

The kids loved Valentine's day and the parties at school. Cam's school had "twin day" on Friday also. Cameron and two of his friends from his basketball team wore their basketball shirts so that they would match.

Nemesis

Cameron told me yesterday that he had two nemeses on the Wii that he just can't beat. He makes me laugh.

A Reoccurring Day...Dinner Issues: Part IV

This is a reoccurring theme at my house. I feel like I am living the movie Groundhog Day. Every day I wake up and do the exact same things as I did the day before. Feed kids, clean kids, take kids to school, pick up toys, clean house, clean kids, take kids to school, pick up toys, feed kids some more, pick up more toys, put them to bed and crash into my own. For the most part I am a creature of habit and find joy in the routine of the day but with dinner....ahhh dinner....

Tonight I made a lovely dish that I thought would be not too controversial. To my pleasure Cameron and Julia sat down and ate it without a problem. After serving the kids and finally getting settled to eat, Natalie looked at me and said "Mom, dinner is is-gust-ing." I almost fell out of my chair. I should be shocked to hear these words from my two year old for a number of reasons. 1- Natalie is like the boy in the old Life cereal commercials "Mikey likes it" She eats just about anything. 2- She is only two. 3- How does she know the word disgusting and how does she know what that is? Her older siblings have taught her well.

The other day it was time to take Cameron to the bus stop so I told the kids to get in the car (Yes I drive to the end of the neighborhood, it is cold and I don't have the strength to get every ones shoes, socks, coats, etc. every morning...) Natalie looked at me stomped her foot and said "I stay home" I guess it is a good thing that I can physically dominate her because that is what you have to do to get her in the car when she doesn't want to get in. It is what my sister -in -law calls the "shove and buckle method" because you physically have to shove them in and buckle them while they are screaming and doing their best to be straight as a board. Natalie is definitely coming into her own.

( I added this picture for my own entertainment)

Happy Ground Hog's Day!

That pesky ground hog saw his shadow....six more weeks of winter!