"Focus" is the Word of the Day

Today at school, the children were taken to a special demonstration of karate. Their teacher was asked to pick one student who demonstrated the most "focus" in class. Caeden was picked (don't worry, I'm just as surprised as you are-after all, this is the child I have to tell twelve times in a row to put on his pajamas)! So he got to go up and do a demonstration with the karate teachers. Using only his foot and some good ole fashioned "focus", he broke the board!! We were really excited about this. :)

If You Give a Nathan a Banana

He will take it down like it's his last meal!

A Pleasant Surprise

I had the unexpected privilege of getting to see my cousin and his ADORABLE family this weekend as they were passing through Richmond. I must say, when it comes to cousins I really hit the jack pot. I have pretty awesome cousins on both sides of the family and my husband's family as well. This cousin in particular, however, has a very special place in my heart.
When I was really little I wanted to marry him. I know, I know, you're thinking "that's gross" or "maybe her hometown rests a little too deep in the forest". Let me just reassure you, if you ever met my cousin, you'd see that my crush was completely justifiable. James has always been that crazy, funny cousin who treated me more like a little sister than a cousin. We never lived near each other so our visits were not as frequent as some (though with his easy recollection of all my embarrassing childhood quirks, I'm thinking it's probably not all bad that he wasn't around during my dating years), I always felt close to him. All in all, he's just pretty awesome. His wife is awesome. His kids are awesome. It's like one big Harrington bundle of awesome-ness.
Our visit was brief but wonderful and reminded me of how wonderful family is!

Prayer Request

Well, in keeping with our 2010 Ramsey family tradition, Suzy will be going in on Tuesday for surgery. This is a very simple surgery to help with some eye issues she has had for several years. While it is not "major" surgery, it is always a bit worrisome for parents. :) Please keep our little Suzy-lou in your prayers that all will go well, that the doctors will be guided and that her recovery will be quick and as pain free as possible! :)

A Little Side Note

On my previous post.....even the most creative things will not make it "fun" to lock your keys in your car at the grocery store with four children. They just won't.

Making Life Fun

Parenting young children might be tricky at times, but this is such a wonderful age! This is the age where parents are cool! It is also the age where even very simple things can make a day "the best they've ever had". For example, yesterday the boys were out of school and we decided to take a trip to the mall and the bookstore and Target (three of their favorite places). To make this outing a little more exciting, I let the kids wear their Halloween costumes. They thought it was so fun getting to wear them out "just for fun" (the also didn't mind the attention they got from everyone telling them how cute they were).
So moms, what do you do to make your errands more fun? Do you take special treats to the store? Do your kids wear their pajamas? I would love to have more suggestions!! As a mom, I can't imagine anything being better than making every day "the best they've ever had"!

Back to School

I honestly can't say exactly how I feel about two of my kids being in school now. I was super proud as I watched them get ready, put on their back packs and march to the bus stop with smiles on their faces. I was super happy as Caeden ran back to give me one last hug good-bye. I had to smile when he stood at the top of the steps waiting for Gavin to tell him exactly where to sit. They are so different, those two boys. I was also a little sad as I watched my precious time with them flying by. But mostly, I feel blessed to be the mother of four amazing children.

They just grow a little too fast!!!!