The boy is out of control

Landon is all about girlfriends these days. I'm a little concerned about his um, early interest. His "main" girlfriend (that he probably saw less than 10 times over the summer) is an adorable little red-head who lives in our neighborhood, went to pre-k with him and whose parents we have befriended over the last couple of months (they recently joined the 3-kid-club; opposite of our family with 2 girls first and their last a boy). However, last week (note: his FIRST week of school) Landon informed us that he has a new girlfriend. I asked if Ainsley (the red-head) was no longer his gf, and he said "yes, she still is. This is just my other girlfriend". Well, okay then. I proceeded to ask some questions about this new girl and found out the following:

• Her name is Lexie.
• Landon asked if she wanted to be his girlfriend.
• She said yes.
• She is a dirty blond.
  

When we were going over the "details" with Jason later that night, Jason made a comment about dirty blonds being cute (uh-hello, your wife has dark brown hair...). Landon looks at him and replies:

"Oh, I've got myself a red-head that looks better than her".

Seriously?!?!? He's "got himself"??? What the heck is that all about? Jason and I couldn't stop laughing and realized that sweet Ainsley's (pictured above) dad probably wouldn't feel the same.

So today, I had to pick Landon up from school for our dentist appointments. While we're driving away, he tells me that he has lost his two girlfriends. "What?" I gasped. Really--who would want to break up with my sweet long-lashed boy??? He proceeds to tell me that Madison told Lexie to break up with him because Landon likes kids who pick their noses. She also told Ainsley not to like him.

Okay people---who is this trouble making Madison? Who does she think she is?!?!

Landon told me that Madison was just jealous because he is good every day in class, and she isn't. We told him that some people just aren't very nice, and if they can't be good, then it's best to stay away from them.

No worries, though. Landon explained to Lexie that he doesn't like kids who pick their noses, so she no longer wants to break up with him. Ainsley will soon be riding the same bus home and will be riding with us to religious ed on Wednesdays, so all is good.

Do you think I'm in trouble???

It's official--he's in elementary school now.

Yesterday Landon started kindergarten. He had a great day and didn't seem to flinch at the new experience. He was a little quiet at the bus stop, but he's always been that way--inquisitive, checking out what's going on, seeing how he should be acting around these older kids, etc. I think he was a little nervous, but he never once voiced a fear or any anxiety. He walked up those big steps in the bus like he had just boarded it the day before. I was proud of my little guy. Very proud.

Now, I'm not going to pretend this had no affect on me. I didn't cry hysterically or carry on. However, I went inside after that bus left our street instead of staying out to chit-chat with the neighbors. I went on the back deck and watched that big yellow vehicle leave our neighborhood with my first born on it. Tears fell then. Silently, actually. I don't usually do that. If I cry, I usually CRY. No, this time, I just had sweet tears falling down my cheeks. I was holding Lilah, and each time I kissed her, I have to admit, I wasn't kissing her. I was kissing an eight month old Landon. I was thinking about the day he was born and how this momentous occasion would change him in small ways every day. The older he gets, the further away from me he will go. As I've said before, I'm okay with that. I know I'm just a supporting actor in his play of life. However, I'm his mommy, and I'm pretty sure I deserve those silent tears. Even his dad got a little choked up, so I must not be too crazy (okay, okay, the jury is still out on that one).

Landon--you did amazing on your first day of school. I could not have been any prouder! You astonish me with your confidence. I love you up to the moon and back, kid!

Walking to the bus stop with his biggest admirer

And the next chapter begins...

***I've had to catch up on a few posts tonight, so keep scrolling down.***

First ride in a Wrangler

So Daddy would prefer if it was a real Wrangler, but we'll have to wait on that one...

Laser Show '09

A few weeks ago, we headed to Stone Mountain for the laser show with 3 other families. We had such a good time having a picnic dinner, playing some football on the lawn, and watching the laser show and fireworks.

Our crewLilah and Aubrie Fulcher playing. Lilah was soon removed away from Aubrie...

Sweet Hollis Weber and Lilah.

Ummm--Scary Noah???

Hollis and Kerri Weber

Lilah doing what we tell her a million times a day to stop doing.

A round of putt-putt

Landon was promised a game of putt-putt golf if he stayed "green" for his last two months of school. I'm embarrassed to say that he didn't receive his reward until July, but hey--at least we did it. We had a great, great time that day. I'm pretty sure Jason took home the trophy.

Such a serious face...

Daddy trying to show Noah how to hold the club.

He preferred hockey style.

What Lilah thought of this putt-putt thing...

The golf champion (at least in the Seabolt family)

Perfect stance for my hole-in-one.

My hole-in-one--isn't she a beauty?!?!

Happy Day

Today I'm just kind of smiling. I have a little hop in my step (according to Jason, I walk that way all of the time, but this time I'm referring to my mood). I think it started with last night. I had a fun time eating out and having a drink with my mother-in-law (MIL) and sister-in-law (SIL). On the way home, I was thinking about how lucky I was to have a MIL who I can be myself around, say pretty much anything I want around, and who really listens when I talk. She offers some advice but keeps most of it to herself knowing that we all have to go through these things on our own sometimes. On that drive home, I felt good that even though there is quite an age difference between me and my SIL, we get along, and I enjoy her company. I'm slowly getting to know more about her and her quiet humor, and I like that.

Once I arrived home, I went to check on my babies as I do every night. I went into Lilah's room and pulled on her pajamas to cover those sweet plump legs of hers. This stirred her a little and soon she was sitting up. Usually she just falls back down into her slumber, but this time she looked up at me, grabbed ahold of the crib, stood up, and silently held her arms out to me. I hestitated at first, thinking that I wasn't going to risk her waking up completely. But the strings to my heart tugged, and I reached for my little girl. She quickly wrapped her little arms around me, holding on tight. We stood in that bear hug position for a bit, and then I gently laid her back down. She grabbed her rabbit, rolled to her side, and fell fast asleep. Lilah just needed to say good night to her mommy. How can that not make my heart full?

The little things that have happened today to make my smile stay put:

• All three kids finally sleeping in on the same day.
• Having two boys wake up dry from the night.
• Seeing my oldest hold up the dollar the tooth fairy left him last night.
• Landon helping Noah unbuckle each time we got out of the car without being asked.
• Hearing Noah say mocofydle when referring to the Hot Wheels car that he purchased with his own money. That would be motorcycle to you and me.
• Lilah's amazing laugh in the grocery store. People were just stopping and laughing with her because it was so contagious.
  
• The kindness the kids have shown one another today.
• Having the yoga instructor come up and whisper a complement to me during class.
• How each of us (well those that can speak) are working on talking nicer to one another. I literally see it on the boys' faces.
• Noah putting his swim trunks on after lunch. He has worn them all week while we've been home, and I'm not sure why. We haven't talked about going to the pool due to the rain. He just wants them on.
  
• The boys sharing their french fries with Lilah--each time asking me if the piece was small enough.
• Having that anticipation of knowing that my husband doesn't plan on working late.
  
• Getting an "I love you" email from that same man.
• Knowing that--at least for today--our family is just so darn right together. The pieces fit.
  

Big girl food means girl is growing too quickly.

Lilah is eating "big girl food". She still has some baby food, but I give her more and more real food every day. I gave her some brownie tonight, and I thought she might attack me for more. Definitely my daughter...Here are a couple of pictures of her eating some mixed veggies and macaroni and cheese. She is also drinking out of her sippy cup on her own. Didn't I just give birth to her?!?!? She turned eight months today, and I'm pretty sure when I wake up tomorrow, she'll be packing for college.