Bad Flip Flops!

I got my baby back last night. I have missed him so so so much and so thankful he's home. I am pretty sure he grew a foot while he was gone. Well, not a full foot but he sure did have a great time. We then went to Clint's for a cook out and he was disappointed when we left but he showed me that he could cross the street springfield by himself. Wow...what a super kid. I was pretty proud of him but at the same time it's scary to watch. Well, crossing the street was the easy part. Running in flip flops is not a good idea as we learned later. A skinned up knee was the end result. Ok...two skinned up knees. It was frustrating for him as he cried his little heart out. His poor little knees hurt so bad. He's better now. He's at Grandma's house.

I miss my little boy.

Ok - so this week - Drexel is staying the week with his dad. He deserves to spend some time there and I know that he is having a blast. Normally my Grandma would have watched Drex during the days this week but with her passing I'm a little strapped for someone to keep an eye on him while I work, my parents work, and so the best option was to let him spend some time with his papa. There's nothing wrong with that right? Of course not. But man I feel pretty empty without him. My nights are less eventfuly - and quiet. Too quiet. I suppose I should enjoy it but it's not happening. I just miss him more and more. He usually goes to the fair with me and meets the country artists and has a lot of fun. He goes and rides rides and gets to be a kid. Natalie also has the carnival in town and he is having his own sort of carnival I suppose while he rides his new four wheeler. Not that he's spoiled or anything.

Long story short. I miss my boy. I can't wait for him to come home!!!

Part of the Package

Sitting at the Olive Garden for dinner last night Drexel starts talking about family - realizing he still hasn't really figured out how Tom's kids fit in our world, but they are there. Loud and proud, they are there. So we told him - while all 6 of us were sitting there and explained that they were siblings. There I said it out loud. They are your siblings - legally soon enough. He cocked his head like a dog does and said "Huhh?" So we discussed it and I told him that they were part of the package...just like he was. He was stuck. He seemed to be happy with that as long as he can join the Army too. Oh Lord help me.

I don't want to go home!!

Normally when I am on the other side of the bar and I see people that look like this I tell them they don't have to go home but they can't stay at the bar. Drexel had gone with my mom for the day to help her cook at her old school. She called and said "I have a tired little boy." I said ok - and met them at the local pub where when I was much younger than Drexel I went into everyday with my Grandpa Jack on the way home from Preschool. Mind you it was no where near on the way home but shhh....we didn't tell Grandmother where we were. Ah, those were the days. Anyway, I drifted in to pick up my munchkin and this is what I saw. Grandmother and Mother of the year right here. So rather than disturb the little punkin we let him sleep and enjoyed a drink. I then took him home where he promptly told me, "I'm not tired!" emphatically even. We had a few struggles that afternoon but needless to say we both got good naps in. He was certainly tuckered out. Oh yes, I must tell you the photo was taken in the middle of the afternoon. My child is bar broke.

Officially a Kindergartener!!

Drexel is seen here with Duncan, Ian and Ty as they cross the creek after getting the cows in as we skipped school for an Ag in the Classroom visit in Grundy County last week. However, today - and forevermore my quest for an education for my son begins. Ok - not to think that Pre-K was not an adventure it was but for only a few hours a day - now we move into all day kindergarten!! I can't believe it. I'm going to shed a tear or two I'm sure but other than that...we're really excited. He was thrilled yesterday and thought that he might get to go today. Well, not today but just before he turns 6 in September we'll start school again. I guess this also means that right when he turns 16 we'll be doing the same thing. Wow. Very interesting. I'm excited and scared all at the same time!!

-Mommie

My first Baseball Game

Ok it's not a secret that our family is full of Cubs fans. My dad was handed free Cardinals tickets a few weeks ago and was very exctited. However, I was going to be in Washington, D.C. and Tom gone to Iraq by the time the game was...so I had to pass on the adventure with my parents. Dad was excited because he wanted to see the new ballpark. I am of the philosopy

A day at the ballpark is better than a day at work

However i knew the boys had not been. So last night as I'm at Dulles Airport I get this excited phone call - Mommie I'm at the ball game!!! He was thrilled. He is still excited. Now he'll go back with his dad soon. Hopefully I'll get to take him soon...and he wants to fly so I hope to get to do that with him soon too. I'll add pictures soon.

So - Is Ty my cousin?

This is Austin chasing Drexel at their house Saturday. It was a fun fun weekend for Ty's 18th Birthday. Drexel's burning question is how he's related to "the kids". Ty is so great with him. I mean there is 13 years difference and he's still great. He plays with him and gave him his transformer tank off his birthday cake. Wow. Big deal for Lil Drexel. All the kids for the most part get along with him except Tom's youngest. She finds him to be annoying. Hmmm...probably because the others think she's annoying as it goes through the hierarchy of children. Poor things. However on the way home Drexel had to call Ty - his new bestest buddy - tell him thank you again for his transformer and talk non stop. Ty is planning to come and visit here in a few weeks. Hopefully he will get to. I know of a particular little boy that will be tickled to spend some time with him. Ty leaves for Basic Training in a few weeks and I know it's going to be tough on the other kids and on his mom for him to be out of the house. He's such a great kid. I hope we get to make it for his high school graduation and his graduations in the Army. It's important to support him no matter what. I don't think the grasp is here for the other kids that he's not going to be around every day to protect them like he has for the last several years. I'll post more but I'll also tell you this. Drexel is sleeping soundly this morning. He was worn out after spending the weekend with his "brothers and sisters".