Siblings and the Devil Boy

My awesome sister, Natalie, had been in town for the last few days. She is so awesome. One of the reasons that no matter how difficult kids may be, I believe it's worth it to have more than one. My brother and sister are one of the biggest blessings in my life. David just got in tonight. He's come to help me celebrate my birthday, this Friday, March 14th. The big 3-1. My parents are visiting, too. Natalie & I met our parents in San Diego for the West Coast Conference college basketball tourney to cheer on Gonzaga the last couple nights. We lost in the championship game to the University of San Diego. Good for Andrea. Not as much fun for us. I have to admit, I felt pretty good for those crazy SD kids storming the floor, going nuts. It's always fun to win, especially when it's unexpected. I had to talk down a SD kid in the street a little but I wasn't even feeling angry when I was trying to gently put him in his place.

Rick stepped up and took on the N & W Challenge (watching the boys while Nat & I headed south for both evenings), which was the best gift he could give me on my birthday week. As much as I love the little guys, I love getting out on my own, too. Particularly when it means hanging out with my sister I miss so much (she lives just outside of Denver). Natalie's a few months pregnant. I'm happy for her and maybe a little sad that her life as she knows it is going to be over in two snaps. That sounds pessimistic, but I'm being realistic. There's no turning back. da da daaaa I can hardly wait to meet their wonderful baby! Nate's certain it's a boy. It'll be interesting to see if he has some special sense (or at least wins the 50-50 bet). Did I mention my sister-in-law had a baby girl on the 7th? Stella Ray. Can't wait to meet her tomorrow! I've had a heck of a head cold and am finally on the mend.

Will has an appointment with an ear-nose-throat specialist. The poor guy's had ear infections most every time we've been to the doctor which is a lot (we even went today - he's finally clear). He's a wild and crazy kid, but fairly good-natured for having yucky ear infections all the time. He might have to get tubes. That concept really freaked me out when I was a kid. As a mom, I just want him to be healthy and feel good. It's so much easier to be bright and shiny when you're feeling well. I'm not so bright and shiny, myself. I couldn't get back to sleep after Rick got up this morning at 4am. Around 5 or so, I got out of bed and put myself to work. It's amazing how much I can get done when the kids are sound asleep.

Nate was "Friend of the Week" for his preschool class this week. I finished the special "all about Nate" poster in the 5 o' clock hour this morning so the glue would dry by class time. Natalie & I went to his class and I got a little sappy/teary eyed when he counted his classmates and sang the opening song, etc. Hello, get a grip on myself! He's just getting to be such a big boy, ya ya ya. Unfortunately, all the hype got Nate a bit fired up and I got a bad report when I went to pick him up at 12:30. Biting, hitting, kicking, clocked a girl in the side of the head with a large plastic cow.... and laughed when they cried. Great. Nice kid. I must be a great mom. I'm hoping the evil phase was a one-day deal. Not that he's the most gentle child, typically (he's into scratching people lately and we've resorted to one minute time outs for every "Go Away!!" he shouts at us), but he's not usually cruel. We'll have to watch the little devil closely. If he gets out of line again, I'll have to tell him to "Go Away!!" and give him a scratch!