"Every new beginning comes from some other beginning's end"

Today is Buck's first day of Kindergarden for the second year in a row :) I find it ironic that today was more emotional for me than last year's first day. At Buck's old school in Calgary (CWA), he had been with the same kids (basically) since pre-K 3. We knew all the procedures, where the bathroom was, and I was actually friends with a great number of the parents. He was very excited to start and ran into the classroom with barely a kiss good-bye. Today, RKZ and I took all three kids to Buck's new classroom. Both K and 1st grade were swarmed with parents and siblings! There hasn't been a preschool at school, so only a few of the parents (with older students) knew each other. Buck had to go to the bathroom immediately upon arrival (it's a family thing) and we didn't have any idea where it was! RKZ held H-P while I attempted to keep Thunder in check around me. Thunder was beside himself with excitement. I was missing Karen and Kimberly and Cyntia and Stephanie and countless other parents who would be rushing around and then heading for coffee and friendly gossip after drop-off. Buck's new school has a parent coffee and RKZ and I went. We met some great families - one even has family in Canmore, Alberta! And it was nice. I just kept offering up the whole thing because Buck probably feels similar to this. RKZ said, "None of it is bad, it's just uncomfortable for a while." RKZ is great. RKZ, the boys and I went to the 8:30am daily Mass to say a prayer for Buck's first day. He gets out at 12:20 - barely time to be melancholy (let alone sad). I have about 3 hours to get 1000 things done with just 2 children ;) 

 Our boys in front of the classroom. 

 Buck's new uniform (black shorts! Jealous?) and Thunder welcoming himself to Kindergarden. 

 Love this for the H-P spit up! 

Our lives almost have a routine again!! 

"You say it's your birthday, I wonder for who?"

Today, Buck is 6. All of the cliches apply in our case. It all passed in the blink of an eye. I can't believe he's so big. I'm sad that I'll wake up and he'll be 12. Today, we're having a family birthday with local cousins. Buck is beside himself and I've let him open one of his presents so that he can distract himself until 4:30. We're having a "Lego" birthday and I've already destroyed 2 practice cakes. We have a silicone lego pan, so it should be easy - but it's not. I'll take some pictures if it gets better. This reminds me that I have to plug in the camera. On another note, RKZ and I attended Buck's Kindergarden parent meeting last night. It's a lot easier the second time around :) I can not wait for school and routines to begin. 

 Disneyland's Pirate's Cove (formerly Tom Sawyer Island). My pirates claim their booty!

 Cousin Sam (17) was down for the week looking at colleges last week. She and her mom took the boys to the beach. They loved it.

 Buck "enjoying" Newport Beach by playing "Angry Birds" on Sam's cel - my techno boy.

To Preschool and Beyond!! 

"You and tequila make me crazy"

You might be asking, "Where have you been?" Would you believe that we've had a steady stream of visitors for the past 2 weeks? That, and the fact that I have 3 little boys (only one of whom can feed and dress himself). Currently, I have our vent hood on "high" while H-P rocks in his swing. This is the only way we can get him to nap...hence, the title of today's post. I'd actually like some tequila right now :) 

 I don't know why this grouchy tummy shots are my favorite.

 My parents (the Joads) and my Grandma Jody were here for a few days over our anniversary. My boys love Grandma Jody. She doesn't get around much and Thunder would just bring her book after book to read to him. Buck would take time from his busy Wii schedule to listen in as well. Here, they are reading Thunder's favorite: "Take Me Out to the Ballgame." We have it on video because they sing a long. 

 A new favorite of my 3 month old. 

 True to my nominal mommy ways, I drag all of my infants to the beach at least once. Because they can't wear sunscreen yet, they have to spend the day in a baby tent. H-P is my one baby who wouldn't nap. I was incredibly grateful to my brother and sister-in-law (the Supermodel/man family) and SDJ who entertained Buck and Thunder the entire day.

 Batman  and Mario. Random.

Buck dressed as a Jedi, playing Lego ninjago on the computer. The dorks don't fall far from the trees around here!!(I mean myself, sadly).

"How long 'till my soul gets it right?"

A good friend, K, and Thunder practice being Mexican wrestler-superheroes. 

 So happy to see our old friends the other day. Buck, K & M and Thunder after some swimming. 

 H-P takes a nap in his favorite place (a shoulder)

 while we were still living in the hotel - my 4 boys and a visit from cousin JP! 

Pre- HP...a short trip to Knott's Berry Farm with my parents (hence, Pa Joad). 

It's been "all time busy" around here. We've got visitors galore (good old California) and the house is nearly finished but we have the "punch list" of things that have to be changed, so I feel all out of sorts. I had a girlfriend tell me that I can't discount the hormones of having a baby and breastfeeding, so I feel better about the rollercoaster that is my life right now. One day is awesome and the next is really difficult. Maybe that is just being a mom of 3?? I don't think I'll try the Paxil that was recommended. :) Wine is my depressant of choice anyway.