Kids pics…

I never post pics, and am SO bad about sending them. So, I figured it was about time…These were taken last July, but they’re the most recent ones I have. They’ve grown SO much, and I’m sure Riley will just blow you away by what a real boy he’s becoming!

                                                                                                   

                                                                          

Free hair cuts!

My neighbor knocked on my door the other day to tell me some great news! A hairstylist is coming to my complex tonight to do back-to-school haircuts for kids for FREE!! That’s right! Completely pro-bono! Doesn’t that just rock?! It’s at 6pm, but there are a lot of kids that live here, so I want to get there early, so I’m not waiting all night. =)

I just did Riley’s hair myself (electric hair trimmers work great on boys’ hair), but the girls really need one. They want to get their hair cut short just like mine – isn’t that sweet?

For all those out there that still doubt God’s existence or interest in our happiness, you cannot look at my life and not see God in it!! The following is a brief synopsis of a life led by God:

In the last 4 months, I’ve received $2200 that had no business coming to me, and was completely inexplicable! I’ve had the job of my dreams literally fall in my lap, making more money than I’ve ever made and starts EXACTLY when I need it to. Not to mention a daycare who’s location and curriculum is what I’ve always wanted for my children! Lest we forget, I received a letter from the state OUT OF THE BLUE stating that they are going after my ex for more child support – through no action on my part – that will be completely free for me!! The timing, again, is PERFECT, because I am needing the help with child care costs and my new health insurance premium for the kids. I even got a completely free family order at McD’s!!!!!

I implore you ALL to let go, and see how God takes care of you!!!

Found a great day care…

Now, I’ve mentioned that the child care is expensive, but I found a really GREAT place for them to go. It’s a real daycare (they’ve only had homecare unil now – cheaper, but not as reliable or structured). And they SHUTTLE the girls to/from school – whew!  They provide all meals and snacks (which will really cut down my grocery bill) They have a lovely outside playground in the shade – for hot weather. The gravel is made of small bits of rubber, so they won’t hurt themselves on it. They have an asphalt area with several tricycles for the little ones, and it’s all in an enclosed area. So, while it is kind of pricey – the registration fee ALONE, holy cow! – I can afford it, and know that they are very well taken care of.

I’ve taken Riley a couple of times, and he doesn’t want to leave! lol He’s so excited about it, and keeps badgering me about when he’ll get to go again. That’s such a relief since he’s not ever really been to daycare – since he was a baby anyway. It’s a christian facility at a church, so Riley will have a bible lesson everyday! Isn’t that just awesome??!!! We’re calling it “Riley’s school”, so he feels more included with the girls. He goes to his school, and they go to theirs.

They’re security is great! I have to have a electric key just to get inside the front door (it’s an odd-looking metal bar-thing), and you have to use it again to leave. But they won’t give me one until the kids’ first day. The doors are right in front of the main office, so if you don’t have one, they buzz you in and you have to check in with them.

Just goes to show, when you wait on God (and believe me, I’ve WAITED), it’s PERFECT. He doesn’t chince on the details either. The day care is really close to home and right on the way to work. This is EXACTLY what I wanted. Premier is on the other side of town, so I’ll have a good 15 minutes to myself to gear up for the day, and wind down at the end. Typically, their daycares have been close to work and then a looong drive home (which puts them to sleep too late and I have a hard time getting them to bed). I’ve wanted it like this forever! It’s just never worked out that way until now.

GOD IS SO GOOD TO ME!!!

Kids today!

What is it with the total lack of respect with kids today??

Last night, Taylor comes running up to me, practically in tears saying, “A boy rode off on my bike!” She’d seen it from the window. I walked outside, and her bike was gone with no kids in sight. So I went over to the parking lot on the other side of the building across from me. Sure enough, there were 4 boys around the ages of 10 or 11, one on a skateboard, one on a scooter, and one…riding Taylor’s bike! I didn’t recognize any of them and I know most of the kids that live around here because they all play together at the playground right outside my door.

I called out to the little blonde hoodlum, “Hey! I believe that bike belongs to my daughter.” He rides up to me, and getting off the bike, says “Well, it was just sitting there on the sidewalk.” Ok, this was not the attitude I felt he should be taking about a bike that he had every intention of stealing. So, I responded with, “Oh, so that means it’s just free for the taking?” “Uh, I dunno” I took the bike and said, “I’ve got a very upset little girl in there right now. If this happens again, I’m coming looking for you,” in a calm, but stern voice. This kid had the gall to mutter as he’s walking away, “Well, I don’t even live here…”

I should’ve grabbed my cell phone before I went out there. I really just wanted to tell him, “You know what? You’re right. Why don’t we just call the police and get this straightened out!” and then watched them all scatter. lol

I mean, really! Why would a boy want to take a girls bike anyway? It’s pink and purple for pete’s sake! When I was a kid, I remember engaging in harmless shenanagans (yes, I really did just use the word “shenanagans”). Who among my generation isn’t familiar with the tried and true knocking on someone’s door and hiding where you could watch them come to the door, look around and scratch their head? Good ‘ol fashioned fun. BUT, when I was occasionally caught, I would dutifully hang my head and respond and agree whenever asked any kind of question.

What’s happened since then?? It’s like there’s been a total breakdown in the very fiber of respect! It’s events like this that makes me fear for our future. This kid will be voting one day!! *sigh* When my 7-year-old becomes a doctor , I hope she “forgets” the painkillers when he wanders into her ER. LOL

Another chapter in the Potty Training saga…

Well, it seems, I have nothing to worry about. Riley appears to be a porcelain prodigy! lol I just KNEW it would only take once, and it would be downhill from there. A couple of days ago, he FINALLY pee’d where he was supposed to!! Of course, there was much rejoicing…*waving tiny flag* yaaaaaaaay. Monty Python fans will appreciate that reference. Anyway, now he’s just letting me know when he has to go and does his thing all by himself! We’ve had a few mishaps with him sitting down and not quite getting his equipment pointed in the appropriate direction, but thrilling nonetheless. Ever since, he seems to prefer what many boys do in the beginning – sit backwards. I’m so HOPING we’ll continue this trend. With Hannah and Taylor, they did amazingly well at first, and then completely reversed for another year.

HIP-HIP HORRAY for potty training!!!

Big moment in the McGraw household this morning!! For the first time EVER, my son actually went “pooh on the potty seat”!!! He hasn’t pee’d in it yet, but I’m hoping this marked the beginning of a downhill slide for potty training!! I was SO excited, I gave him a handful of gummy bears, a balloon, and we called “Oma” to have her reinforce with accolades. It was quite the big deal! =) I got him special “big boy” Cars underwear that he loves. They look so cute on him!

Y’know, when Riley is done potty-training, it will mark the end for diapers FOREVER!! Aaaaahhhh. Ladies and gentlemen, I’ve been changing diapers steadily for 8-9 YEARS! My children were spaced in such a way, that JUST when one would be getting out of diapers, I’d have another baby. Never got a break in the action.

We have somewhat of a disadvantage. I don’t have the same “equipment”, so I can’t really show him. And he’s the only boy in the house. I don’t know any other single mothers with absent fathers that potty trained their boys, so I’m not sure if there’s an easier way that I’m missing. Suggestions and advice are highly welcomed and appreciated!