Even Superman had homework when he was a boy

A day at the beach?

3rd day and Mommy's kinda losin' it

Mmmmkay. It's day 3 of Kindergarten and I finally feel physically recuperated enough to start processing some emotions. I kind of lost it last night when I found Dominic's uneaten lunch in his backpack (because he forgot to take it to the cafeteria), and heard he got a time out for "getting lost at recess" (which later I found out was because he wanted to play in the science center and got up repeatedly instead of sitting in circle time). Then I started weeping about how the kids are waiting in the heat to be picked up and I can't get him a cold bottle of water while he waits.

Just a little delayed-freakage about what little control I have over his day right now. So we're amping up the prayers big time, morning and evening, and asking his guardian angels to be on high alert. I'm not used to surrendering control of my children....it's not even something I take lightly when family babysits them. So......I'm trying to remember the prayer in my side bar here, and take my chill pill, and trust that things are working out just fine.

Thankfully Dominic is being optimistic and brave and I'm so proud of him, he's taking the whole thing on his chin. Yes, it's nice that I don't hear fights breaking out several times a day, and that I don't have to pick up my sweet little artist's constant piles of projects....but it's also sad that I only get 4 hrs a day with my boy before bedtime now. So I try to make it count. Last night I gave him a lavender bedtime massage (which I guess is a step above the back scratch but hey, I can afford to be a perfectionist before baby 3 comes) and I hope that can become a tradition for us to connect. My child does not TELL me things, so it is difficult to connect with him. It's a little chilly when you feel in the dark!

On a more cheerful note, the school staff has been impressive so far and we're looking forward to the year unfolding. Dominic's very excited to tell us what he is learning and experiencing, even though half the time we have a hard time picturing what he is describing. I am asking the teacher about testing for GT since Dominic is already reading and writing and I don't want him to get bored and get in trouble. He has GOT to be stimulated.

After the initial mourning period, I can see myself really enjoying the whole school thing. Having one-on-one time with younger kiddos and having a chance to pick up the house and run errands is pretty rockin' awesome. Possible part- time writing work and going to lunch with my hubby and friends without my adorable tagalongs...wow.....is that really in my future?

Happy 3rd day, my big boy!

Around the house moments

Many of these pictures were taken by Super Husband who occupied these boys for me while I was sick on the couch the past few days...including several kindergarten drop offs and pick ups...thank you my love!



2nd day of Kinder and going strong, thank you Jesus for a smooth transition so far!



















Milo checking his stocks and bonds



















The closest these guys are ever going to get to "cat tails" near my house!

















Boys went to the Texas World Speedway, a dream come true!















Milo played in the sandbox while Daddy and Dominic built our little veggie garden














Dominic was super helpful and enjoyed this project immensely, he can't wait for the carrots to grow!
















Just another cute shot of my guys when we were in Glen Rose














And a family trip for frozen yogurt to kick off the school year!

Kindergarten

Today was big fish's first day of Kindergarten! It went off without a hitch. No (visible) tears, no anxieties, no worries...I am so proud of Dominic. When I was going to Kinder, I was anxious and nervous and oh-so-super-shy. I think I would have melted into a puddle if the teacher ever called on me and asked me to say or do anything. I was the textbook wallflower. Dominic on the other hand, charged right in and I had to hunt him down to get a goodbye hug! Course we had been preparing him for this milestone...having talks and checking out books from the library about cafeteria behavior, personal hygiene, safety on the playground, not wandering from your class/teacher, role playing about how to deal with a bully - yes, I'm a dork, but my child was well-prepared!

I could not squeeze any information from him, and sadly we got even less pictures than words, but here they are nonetheless. "How was lunch?" "Great! But I sat next to a trouble maker with short-cutted hair." "What did you do today?" "We watched a moofie. And we had plain-tasting cheerios for a snack." "Did you see anyone you knew?" "I saw Isa on the playground." And that's about all!


Today I've been too sick to be emotional...I caught the tummy bug the boys had and
haven't eaten in 48 hours. But no sick days for Mommies. Thankfully super husband has been carrying some of my dead weight. Okay, a LOT of it. I have at least some peace of mind that at least this isn't affecting the baby, and praying (and optimistic) that I will be somewhat functional tomorrow. I'm ready to get back in the ring!

Dessert night

Thanks for coming ladies! It was great to have Josie back, to catch up with Rachel and to see Melissa on the go with new baby Finn! :) We missed those who could not be there!!!

Trip to Fossil Rim Wildlife Center

We just returned from a trip to Glen Rose, Tx where we got to have our very first "safari"at the Fossil Rim Wildlife Center. It was incredible to have these animals coming right up to our car and sticking their noses inside to say hello! :) We even fed a giraffe from our own hands, definitely a once in a lifetime experience. The land really seemed to resemble the African savannah, we were amazed!

We stayed at the Country Woods Inn, a beautiful farm located in Glen Rose. We stayed in a little cottage called the "Carriage House" that led right out to the livestock. We woke up with the rooster, literally, and got to feed the goats, rabbits, chicken and horses. Dominic loved petting the resident kitty cat, Milo loved pulling a rusty radio flyer wagon around and Bronius and I enjoyed looking at the stars at night. Senele joined us on our trip and we enjoyed her company! The grounds were beautiful, this locale was totally kid-friendly and we can not wait to go back!

On our way home we stopped in Waco to check out the Mayborn Museum Complex. The Natural History section was very impressive, and the kids discovery "area" (which in actuality was 2 floors of long hallways composed of MANY rooms filled with activities and exhibits for children) was fantastic. Definitely plan to stop in Waco on more road trips!

We had a beautiful, scenic and peaceful trip filled with good food, rest, nature and family time. Glad to have gone, but glad to be home too :)

Weekend highlights & summer updates

Just a sweet brotherly moment
























A regular appearance that I have tripped over in the middle of my kitchen floor, but usually it's an entire rescue fleet of emergency vehicles. I guess I kept the kitchen fires down to a minimum on this particular day.









First exposure to "the arcades." And I don't think it will be the last....

















Blacklight mini-golfing...you should learn to do something new every day!




































Reaping the heaping rewards of our collective work....nice job, chefs!






This weekend, and life in more detail


We had our married couples gospel study on Friday night. Bronius and I look forward to these so much every month. We are blessed to be in such a great community to keep us nourished on our spiritual journey!

We went mini golfing for the first time together this weekend. I was trying to think of ways to keep us out of the 101 degree heat, because homey don't play that game. On that note, I continue to have anxiety about how I'm going to raise 3 boys (and possibly more if I survive having three) in Texas when a good FOUR months out of the year are hotter than the surface of the sun. We need a huge backyard, and we need pleasant summers. Not sure how to solve that problem at this point. Anyway, all occasional scary scenery & noises aside, the golfing was GREAT!

I was craving some Lithuanian "virtinaie" this weekend, and Bronius' Mom graciously indulged us. Since it is a little labor intensive, we came over to help prepare this meal and we hope to perfect it so we can do it ourselves one day.

I got to visit one of my good friends who just gave birth to her third child, praise God for a healthy delivery, Mommy and baby. I daresay it was a little fun to visit the Labor and Delivery wing of the hospital, it's hard to believe I'll be back there in about 3 months! We're still totally empty-handed on the baby name front, I imagine something will come to us soon though. :)

And on the topic of things that are impossible to believe, 3 weeks from now I will have a (very young) 5 year old starting kindergarten. We're trying to get into "de-program" mode and just enjoy some relaxed family time before our schedule is totally usurped. In the Fall I am looking forward to the little things... making new friends and enjoying old ones, spending some 1 on 1 time with Milo before baby comes, making pumpkin bread for every single occasion, and most of all, COOLER weather!

Bronius and I are keeping busy. He's working on several exciting, big projects but also having to meet some stressful deadlines. I try my best to keep the boys occupied so that the home/office balance is not disturbed, I'm thankful I feel well enough to be on the go in the mornings, thank you God for blessing us in that way. And thank you Lord for blessing us with a good flow of employment! He is cantoring at church, going to his Men's bible study and playing with the symphony when he can. I'm happy to see him getting to do what he enjoys, since things will be more difficult for us in a few months. He's taking a camping trip to the Ozarks with Dominic next weekend and they're both super excited!

I am trying to keep up writing in any capacity possible (which you wouldn't be able to judge from the scattered randomness which is this post) I have taken detours from writing in my life and I do not plan to be deterred from writing again - I want this dream to be a reality. I have been blessed to continue to write with About Town Press periodically and while the paycheck is awesome, the experience is invaluable. I have taken a break from coordinating our Mom's group at church, but I am praying over what other enriching activity I should be considering. Something spiritual, something intellectual like a writing group or book club and something more physical...I'd like to start taking pottery classes (since dance classes will be out of the question pretty soon). :)

The boys are both CRACKING us up these days. Tonight at dinner with some friends I asked Milo if he wanted to try a "hush puppy," and he said "no no Mommie, I want a hush kitty kat." I don't even think he realized he was making a joke. We of course almost rolled out of our chairs. Dominic is inventing new "knock knock" jokes every day. None of them make sense, but we all laugh. It's a nonsensical family we live in anyway.

There is so much more to update, especially with the kids, but I already feel like I've rambled enough, you'll JUST have to chilllllll, till the next episode ;)

Hoping your summer is wrapping itself up in a blessed and peaceful way!