Happy Halloween?

It's November 2012.  I have no pictures to post just yet since my computer is being fixed.  There was no real Halloween this year since Hurricane Sandy payed a visit to New York and New Jersey.  School parades were cancelled and it was too dangerous to go trick or treating.  The kids at least got a chance to dress up and head to the elementary school to have a make shift Halloween and trick or teat at tables instead of houses.  I have to say that the kids were such good sports about it. 

TJ was the cutest dragon ever with his long tail.

Joey was a skeleton which was perfect for his skinny little body.

Owen was the green lantern.  He was very proud and excited to be a superhero.

Ryley was the prettiest pirate.

The Dargan kids rallied.  We all made it through a very cold week with no power, no heat an no electricity.  Joe was away and I was very proud of myself for holding down the fort.  I am proud to say that I can build a great fire and I know how to work a generator.  My, I can do anything, attitude continues.  I did kind of let that attitude go one for night when I packed up the kids and dog and headed to my parents for warmth and company.  I always feel that I can just handle things on my owen and I don't need any help.  The temperature dipped down to 30 Sat night so I figured that was an OK time to screw all that.

The kids were in their glory with GG and Grandpa and I spent some quality time with my parents.  We created a memory.  I slept in my old room and it was comforting to know that my parents were in the next room and Ryley, Joey, Owen and TJ, and Hobson were all safe and warm.  We missed daddy very much but the Dargan kids have one tough mommy!

Exciting moments of the week

Joey scored 3 goals in hockey!

Ryley informed me she has a "crush" on someone.  I would not really consider that exciting.  That would be more shocking to me than exciting.  I am not ready for that at all.

Owen has learned to snap and whistle and he can do both.  He was very proud of himself.

TJ now rides his bike without training wheels!  We are still practicing but he's got it. I will take credit for that!

It has been busy, but we stick together.  There is no school for TJ and Owen on Tuesdays and Thursdays so those are our fun days.  We still have our afternoons when Ryley and Joey get off the bus and I have them all to myself.  I treasure that time so much.  Every night I kiss them and tell them how proud I am of each of them.  I could cry thinking about how much they are growing, but they make me so proud.

Every Mon , Wed and Fri when I pick up TJ, he comes running out of class, jumps into my arms yelling mommy  with a big smile on his face and he and gives me the strongest hug and the biggest kiss.  I treasure that feeling.

Proud

Lately, I feel like we are running around from place to place.  I remember always hearing other parents say how crazy life gets when your kids go to school and get involved in sports.  I also remember saying "that's crazy, that will never be me!" I guess I was wrong!  We are not too invloved yet, but hockey, gymnastics and soccer seems involved enough for me right now.  It may get busy, but we stick together for everything.  We are together to cheer Joey when he skates awesome or gets a goal and we are there to cheer Joey on the field when he is flying past everyone with the soccer ball.  We are there to watch Ryley do her first flip in gymnastics and we are always there to watch her fancy moves on the soccer field.  She is speedy and she informed us that she loves offense because she likes to score goals.  (so cute)  Owen and TJ are ready to get involved too.  They already know the "give and go" and are ready to start. 

I never imagined it would be so much fun to watch them play.  I love watching them have fun and smile and look for me when they score a goal.  I love that they love playing.

Tonight we had a break and I loved that too.  We sat together and read some books.  The boys got haircuts from Joe (the best barber around).  The kids played "airplane".  It's some game they all made up which is adorable to me.  I tucked each one in and told each of them how proud I am of them.  They said I was the best mommy in the world.  Their hugs and hugs filled me with warmth and love.  I sit here now and take a few quiet moments alone and think about each on of them.  It's amazing.

Fall

The first day of fall arrived this past weekend.  We are a few weeks into school and sadly had to officially say goodbye to summer.  Ryley and I are still trying to hang on to flip flips a week longer and the boys refuse to turn their shorts in all together and make the switch to pants.  It's getting a bit harder to hang on.  The mornings are getting cooler and the sun is setting earlier at night.  There is a cool breeze in the air and the leaves are starting to fall.  It's time to embrace it.  What better way to embrace fall then to start with a hayride at the farm along with apple picking.  The Dargan kids love a hayride and every time they go on one, they act like it's the first time.  They always have such excitement.  They stuffed the bag with more apples than it can hold.  They were all smiles as usual.  It's hard to say goodbye to summer, but Ryley, Joey, Owen and TJ make the transition to fall a little bit sweeter!

Happy Birthday Ryley girl

You will always be my baby girl. Happy Birthday to my 8 year old sweetheart. I sometimes wish you could be 8 months old again. I am proud of the beautiful sweet girl you have grown into. I love your energy, spirit and heart of gold. You have a sweet soul Ryley and are a gift from God. I remember this day in Sea Isle. It was the first day you crawled. I love you with all my heart!

First week of school

Me and my babies! I love these guys more than words can say.
Our first week went great. The days were a little busier and our mornings started a little earlier, but we made it. I snuggled with Ryley Friday night and my boys cuddled in bed with me Saturday night. Thank goodness for weekends.

Owen was all smiles on his first day at Lollipop school. So proud of you Owen! That face makes me melt. Another Dargan boy with all smiles. Joey expressing his confidence on first day of kindergarten. Happiest kid around.

My girl! Second grade and smiling this year. The sweetest!

TJ starts tomorrow. There is a chance I may pull him out and take him home with me. He says he doesn't want to go to school. I cry at the thought of it. Lots of tears tomorrow!

End of summer

I have been in denial the last few days. The dreaded first day of school starts tomorrow. Ryley just came down the stairs crying because she doesn't want to go. I of course had to act strong and tell her everything was going to be fine. I told her she should be excited and she was going to have a great year. I really wanted to tell her that I can't stand school and I wish I could keep them all home and I am more upset than she is at the thought of school beginning. I wish school could be 3 days a week and I sometimes can't stand the fact they they spend more time there during the week than with me. I can't believe Ryley is going into second grade and little Joey is starting kindergarten. I have to send Joey now. I already held him back a year. Well, I at least still have Owen and TJ home with me. Owen starts preschool tomorrow. Thankfully he only goes for 2 hours. TJ starts Monday for a couple of hours and I know I will be an absolute mess then.

We did have a wonderful summer together. We were together every day and did something every day. There were lots of beach days and pool days, cousin days, zoo days, bike riding days, rollerblading days and cuddly mornings. We hiked and we talked and we read and we walked. It was an amazing summer. I just have to remember that and continue to have our time and not get caught up in the crazy school days.