More Random Thoughts

A couple weeks ago, I got to play with an old college roommate and her two cute boys. My boys LOVED them and are still talking about James and how he pretended to be an Angry Bird with them in the backyard. 

I'm working hard to talk the boys into my halloween plan. If I succeed, this Halloween will be filled with less sewing, and more drawing and cutting and painting. Unfortunately Charlie wants to go as Sonic from Mario and Sonic at the Winter Olympic Games. Peter changes his mind daily-Super Why, McQueen, Mario, Wall-E again, etc. They were both talking about being super heros yesterday and I may be able to get on board with that one. If I could guarantee that they would stick with it. More likely is the scenario where I slave over the costumes and then the boys decide they want to be something else and cry when I tell them tough luck. Also, I found out Charlie doesn't get to wear his costume to school. Sad. I may have to throw a kids' Halloween party.

Subway art and buntings. I'm sick of seeing them all over blog land. I still think they're cute when I see them in someone's house, but the crafting bloggers need to move on. Oh and chevron print. Cute, but it's EVERYWHERE!

I still haven't figured out Charlie's kindergarten teacher. I don't hate her, I don't like her, I'm just kind of indifferent about her. I haven't said anything to Charlie, but he seems to feel the same way. He talks a lot more about the kindergarten aid than he does about the teacher. Time will tell I guess. I do have a great respect for her taste in picture books though. I see her collection when I go in to help out.  And Charlie came home today with a picture of a flower with the teacher written label, "flower-ish" under it. I love that book! 

Mike and I watched Lord of the Rings the other evening, for lack of something better to do. I realized that when I read the Harry Potter books, I totally picture Ian McKellen (who plays Gandalf) as Dumbledore. He has the love in his voice and the twinkle in his eye that Michael Gambon is missing in the Harry Potter movies. 

Peter is loving pre-school. His favorite part is still getting to take his back pack with him, but I love how he talks about all the things they do. I got to teach this week and we talked about our five senses. He's been getting the activities we did back out to show Charlie and Mike how to do them. I loved watching him sort dry pasta by shape and texture. He's definitely older than I give him credit for. I think sometimes I still think of him as the baby.

I'm taking an online Spanish class to earn the credits I need to keep my teaching certificate current. It's a royal pain trying to learn a language by reading a book. And I keep getting the grammar confused with the French grammar that I learned in high school. I'll admit it. I'm struggling. Not that there's anything any of you can do, it's just on my mind lately. I've got five months to finish the class. And three holidays and a baby have to fit in there. I don't know if I'm going to make it. I wonder how much an extension is . . . hmmm. Luckily I found an easier class to take for the last two credits I need.

We got to see all our nephews a couple of weeks ago. I LOVE all these boys!

Boy names are hard. Especially when you already have this many boys in the family. We don't want one that starts with "ch" or "p." We don't want to pick a name that's too popular. And we want it to sound good with Charlie and Peter. Any and all ideas appreciated in the comments! Please, please, pretty please with a cherry on top? (as Charlie would say)