Extra Extra.... part 2

Our very own Connor will be performing in his schools' Fall production of Romeo and Juliet!

He will be playing the part of Sampson. He has several lines in the first scene and appears in a few others. He was pretty excited as were we. I think it will be a great experience.

It almost didn't happen because auditions were moved up and he didn't know about it until the last minute. I got a frantic call at work.........he needed the permission slip, which just happened to be in my purse. Mark rushed over to my office, I ran it out to the car and wished him a quick "good luck!". He was supposed to have a monologue ready but since he thought it was the next week he didn't. So............ he winged it. The next day he was on the call back sheet, yeah!! Unfortunately he got the dates mixed up and missed his call back!! That's my Connor, probably the result of all the helicopter parenting I've been known to do in the past...nahhhhh. Anyway he has never been the most ahem... organized kid. Anyway the drama teacher (bless his heart) caught Connor the next day and told him he missed his call back and let him reschedule.

We went to parent teacher conferences a few nights ago and his drama teacher subtlety mentioned that if Connor hadn't missed his call back he was seriously considering him for Romeo!!!

Oh life lessons are great aren't they??

As they say in show BIZ... BREAK A LEG CONNOR!

Connor's last day of school and our move

Today was Connor's last day of 6th grade. I snapped this picture as he was walking to the car after school. I knew posing for a picture would be corny to him so I thought I would just get a quick candid shot. It was really windy so didn't come out great.

We are officially moved. We are temporarily residing at an extended stay hotel. We are in a two bedroom suite. The perks are breakfast buffet every morning, three complimentary dinners a week (which we will take advantage of), a basketball court, swimming pool (that will open this weekend) and it is pet friendly! Other than the dogs being a little bit of a challenge (keeping them from barking at noises in the hall and getting them out for exercise and potty breaks regularly) it is kind of nice. I'm especially enjoying the housekeeping! It's pretty wonderful to leave for a bit and come back to clean towels and beds made! I could get used to this.

We are planning to be here for 30 days. I'm sure we are in the newlywed stage and the new will wear off. In the meantime I'm going to pretend I'm on vacation. I need to come up with a story to tell the people I meet here. Maybe I could come up with a new one every day. Tomorrow I will be from Canada eh? Maybe the next day I will be from the south y'all! This could be fun. Too bad I'm not a very good actor...haha

Outdoor Ed

A couple of weeks ago Connor went on his 6th grade "Outdoor Ed" trip. It was a 2 1/2 day trip to the mountains, with his classmates. I really hadn't thought much about it in previous days. We went over the list of what he'd need, hiking boots, warm clothes..etc. We purchased a few items we didn't have, everything was on track. I've been a little preoccupied and hadn't really thought about how I "felt" about him going. He was looking forward to it but was cautiously excited. I think he wasn't quite sure what to expect. The good news was he was going to Estes Park which is one of his favorite places and he's been there many times. I drove him to the school that morning with a large duffel bag, a backpack and a sack lunch. As we were driving he mentioned that his stomach didn't feel so good. I'm sure it was a little bit of anxiety. I didn't tell him but I was having some butterflies myself. Suddenly it hit me that I'm sending him off away from home for the first time ever. I'm leaving him in the hands of basically strangers. I got butterflies and horrifyingly enough, felt like I was going to cry. I knew he would think I was crazy if he saw tears in my eyes so I told myself to "get it together, you are being so silly!"

Anyway I dropped him off with a sea of other 12 yr olds and drove away. Intermittently over the next couple of days I would say things like "I wonder if Con is ok?" or "I wonder what Connor's doing.". I kept looking at the clock. Mark would just say "He's fine, stop worrying." When it was time for him to come home I drove to the place the buses were dropping them off. I was so excited... and a little early :-)

Well the buses finally came and I was eagerly waiting as the kids started filing off the first bus. Some of them looked pretty tired and sunburned. I wondered to myself how Connor had fared. I waited until the last one came off the bus and Connor wasn't one of them. I then moved down as the second bus pulled up and kids started unloading, again no Connor. Finally the third bus, I'm watching each one get off and reunite with their families, still no Connor. Then suddenly there he was, right in front of me with all his gear. He said "Hey Mom What's up?" and turned to walk to the car. He actually looked really good, not quite as haggard as some of the others. So we walked to the car and headed for home. As we were walking I thought to myself how our kids have no idea the emotions we go through as they are learning to spread their wings. Not only is it a learning experience for them, preparing them to grow up and be independent. It is a learning process for me as a mom learning to let go a little at a time for some day they will fly away. And that's the way it's supposed to be. I was still so happy to have him home, back in my little nest for now anyway, I felt complete again.

Right before I dropped him off I snapped this quick picture from the front seat of the car.

One of Connor's friends took this picture


A shelter Connor and his group made

Perfect Moment Monday

I Capture
Perfect Moments.

Check out more Perfect Moment Mondays over at Weebles Wobblog.

Connor was invited to a birthday party this weekend. Specifically Saturday. He was going to go do "Paintball" with a group of boys in the afternoon and then go back to their house and have pizza and cake. I have to admit I was nervous about him doing the paintball thing. He and I went over the website together. I explained and pointed out that he must wear lots of padding and it really does "sting" when you get hit. Connor is pretty adventurous and is always willing to try anything once. At the risk of sounding like an overprotective mom I was concerned. I know my boy pretty well and I really didn't think he was going to like it. I was worried about him getting too hot (it's indoors and you dress in layers). He dehydrates easily...and so on and so on. I was so consumed with worrying about the paintball it didn't even occur to me until he was about to leave that he wouldn't be home Easter morning! That has never happened. We always have eggs to hunt and Easter baskets to sort through first thing in the morning. I was a little bummed and honestly I think he was too when I mentioned it to him. He didn't show it too much though. I told him that I would just pick him up at 9am and we would do Easter then.

So here is my perfect moment...
It's 11pm Saturday night. We are all in bed. Mark nudges me and says "I think I just heard the doorbell." I hopped out of bed and went to the door. There was my son peeking in the window with an apologetic look on his face. He was so sorry to wake us but he was really tired and just wanted to come home. (The Mom of the boy he was sleeping over with was kind enough to bring him home). Between you and me I guess Easter morning is still important to him. I was thrilled to have him home. This morning I woke up and told Mark I was glad he came home. Mark said "I was just thinking the same thing."

Peaceful, Graceful, Beautiful

Connor has really gotten into writing lately.... I'm amazed at what he can put down on paper in a matter of minutes. He has been doing quite a bit of writing in his Language Arts class lately. This is a poem he wrote off the top of his head...

***As most of you know Connor has loved Moose since he was very small

Peaceful, Graceful, Beautiful

Moose...

Peaceful

Graceful

Beautiful

The water laps around his legs...

Peaceful

Graceful

Beautiful

He sifts through the cold murky water with his nose...

Peaceful

Graceful

Beautiful

His shadow casts on the water with a glint...

Peaceful

Graceful

Beautiful

Connor's Birthday

These pictures are a little overdue but here they are...


Connor just had to have this Cookie Monster Hat...


and everyone (including) Grandpa had to try it on

Happy 12th Birthday Connor!

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Are you crafty??

I'm not and sometimes I wish I were. Connor has always loved Halloween and every year it's a big deal for him to figure out his costume. We always visit the costume stores several times before he makes his selection. Yet, he never really seems quite satisfied with what he picks. I think if I were more crafty I could help him come up with something really cool and unique. I fear this may be his last year for trick or treating and I was really hoping to help him come up with something special..........but I got nothin'!

He is seriously considering this..... a taco, yes a taco. So I really need some suggestions quick!!

He wants this costume but add Kanye West shutter shades. Isn't that fabulous??

First day of middle school ...

Monday was Connor's first day of middle school. It was a half day so Tuesday was his first full day. I got a picture of him Monday morning before leaving for school.

He really seems to be enjoying it so far. He said he likes changing classes. He has been chatty and excited after each day. His favorite class so far is "Consumer family studies". He's excited because they get to cook!!

What is it about that first day of school. I cry everytime and it always catches me off guard. I think I'm fine and then as soon as I see them walking up to the school.... well, it's all over. I watched Connor jump out of the car into a big group of kids. He started searching for a familiar face I'm sure. I couldn't keep spying because I was in the car pool and I had to drive forward, darn! I drove away thinking about his very first day of preschool.. didn't seem that long ago.

We also started football this week and between both boys we have practice every night this week and probably for the next few weeks until games start. Both boys coaches are older and very experienced. Even though they are stern, the boys like them and are anxious to learn.

Alex is back to school next week. Maybe I will have more time for blogging then.

When did this happen??

I really don't have a lot to say right now. I haven't been inspired to write a post lately but I just had a thought that's been running through my head. When did Connor grow up on me?? It really hit me when he was digging into his Easter basket. Flashbacks of past Easters came to mind. I remember his first memorable one as a toddler, being so excited going through his basket and Mark and I just as excited for him. He got a green foam bat and ball.

Well this Easter I had a really hard time with his basket. Part of me trying to keep it small and reasonable but what do you get an 11 yr old that's small. You can't really buy all the cutesy little stuff you used to, yet he may still want some of it when he sees his brothers. Anyway, I did my best.. but still wasn't happy with it. Of course after the fact I thought of a lot of things I could have gotten him..football cards, fossils, etc.. I was just kind of stuck in some kind of time warp. I think subconsciously not wanting to admit he's grown up.

I talked to him a couple days after Easter and explained to him that I felt I didn't do a very good job with his basket and I was sorry if he was disappointed. He gave me a hug and said "Mom, stop worrying, I loved everything!". Little liar..haha

The other day he was home sick (not that sick) but they were taking class pictures so I emailed his teacher and asked if I could bring him in for the picture (I already paid for it and have to have it for his scrapbook, of course). His teacher being the awesome teacher he is actually called me when they were ready and I ran him over. Well I stayed in the car and watched him run to catch up with his classmates. From a distance I could really see how much he's changed and grown. When did those shoulders get so broad? When did he develop that kind of "cool guy" gait? When did his torso get so long?

I don't know why but I always notice peoples hands. They seem to say a lot about a person. I was noticing Connor's hand as he was eating breakfast the other morning and I did a double take. What happened to the little boy hand I used to hold to help across the street? He has big boy hands!

People always tell you "enjoy them when they are young because it goes so fast". Well it does but it's not so much even that. I think it has more to do with the way they change so gradually everyday that you don't notice until one day you look at your child and say "When did this happen?"

So much for having nothing to say :)


My Big boy

Connor turns 11!

Yesterday was Connor's Birthday. Daddy had to work so Connor, Alex and I went to the Denver Zoo. It was a beautiful day.. almost felt like Spring. We missed Mark and Grandma who is usually here for Connor's birthday but we had a really nice day.

From Connor's 11th birthday

From Connor's 11th birthday

Feeding the birds

From Connor's 11th birthday

Feeding the birds

From Connor's 11th birthday

From Connor's 11th birthday

After a long day at the Zoo. We were a little tired but we came home and got Dad and Grandpa and headed off to Red Robin for dinner. Then we returned home and had leftover Cake, ice cream and cookie from Connor's Superbowl/Birthday Party. Then Con opened presents. All in All I think he had a good Birthday!

From Connor's 11th birthday

From Connor's 11th birthday

From Connor's 11th birthday

A gift from Alex.. a body pillow that Con wanted for Christmas...

From Connor's 11th birthday

Connor's Superbowl/Birthday Party

Connor decided he wanted to have a Superbowl/Birthday party.. actually he wanted to take 12 of his closest friends to Dave and Busters and of course I said "are you kidding me?". Only not out loud. Out loud I just said um.... no. So it was actually my idea to have a party here at home since he wanted to invite so many classmates. It turned out pretty good. They all seemed to have a great time. Some of the pictures I took didn't turn out too well. I need more practice with my new camera.

You are probably getting tired of these slide shows but I promise this one is not very long.

We were rooting for the Cardinals since they were the underdog but oh well... Pittsburgh won it fair and square as far as I could tell.

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Flashback Friday.. Connor

Connor will be turning 11 in just a few days.. I put together a little slideshow of my sweet, wonderful boy!

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Flashback Friday

Connor 1998

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A few of my favorite pictures...

Connor's special day...

Sunday was a great day for Connor. His two favorite things as I'm sure you all know are Fossils and Football. Sunday morning he and Mark went to the Colorado Fossil Expo 2008 show at the Denver Merchandise Mart. We had never been before but It's part of the Gem & Mineral show, a huge show that I guess comes twice a year. Alex and I stayed home because Alex had a sleepover the night before. Connor was in heaven. He got to meet two paleontologists/authors that he had read about and seen on TV. He knows their names like we would know famous peoples names. He bought two fossil books and had them autographed by the authors...... He ended up with a great find, a Mosasaur jaw. They were selling it at half price because the show was ending. Connor used all of his allowance money he'd saved plus borrowed a few dollars from Dad..... He came home smiling from ear to ear.

The second part of his day was watching the Denver Broncos game........ and they won!! Go Broncos!! (sorry Pam).

What a great day Connor! Life is good.

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Busy week ahead..

It's going to be kind of a busy week so I thought I would do a quick post to catch up a little... Lets see, what's new? Well, Mark and I are band parents! Connor came home a few days ago telling us all about a band assembly they had at school. He was really excited about it. He said he got to try out a couple of instruments and he really liked the Cello and Trombone. They had a rental night at the high school where you could go and there were 3 different instrument rental companies set up at tables. Basically you just fill out the paperwork and pick an instrument. It probably sounds corny but I was thinking... What a great country we live in that a 10 yr old child can pick almost any instrument he wants to play and for a small rental fee can learn to play it for free!! Anyway Connor decided on a Trombone. We brought it home and watched a dvd on how to put it together, etc... He has his first band class tomorrow morning. He goes at 7:45 am. He is pretty excited about it. Who knew he would want to try this but I'm glad he's not afraid to venture out and try something new.

Alex has a birthday coming up on September 1st. He will be turning 8! He is having a home birthday party with a few of his friends. We are renting a big air jumper obstacle course. Should be fun.. (and tiring, haha). But how often do you turn 8 yrs old? Luckily Grandma and Great Grandma are on their way here as we speak.. They should be here within the hour. We will take all the help we can get.

My next blog will probably be the birthday party pictures.
Have a good week.

Tennis

The boys are having fun with their tennis lessons. Here are a few pictures Terra took...

Spring football 2008

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Fourth grade field trip

Yesterday was a busy day. Mark and I both went on a field trip with Connor to Manitou Springs. We visited "Cave of the Winds" and "The Cliff Dwellings". We had been to the cave but never to the Cliff Dwellings. It was a perfect day weather wise not too hot. It looked like it might rain but never did.